The 11 best feel-good movies on Netflix Hong Kong

You know those miserable rainy days when only a hot chocolate, cosy blanket and sappy romance movie will do? Those are days that call for The Notebook. The film follows Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams), a boy and a girl from opposite walks of life who fall for each other despite various obstacles. Your heart is guaranteed to swoon when Noah declares, “It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be really hard. And we're going to have to work on this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me.” Tears, friends. Tears.

If you need a big boost of I've-got-this power to get you back on your feet, Moana is the movie you need to be watching. The film tells the story of our eponymous heroine, who to save her island from succumbing to darkness, sails out into the ocean with trickster demigod Maui in order to restore the Heart of Tehiti. The way Moana steps up as the only person willing to venture out to save her island and her determination to beat the odds will inspire you to not give up on your dream.

Loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma, Clueless follows the antics of spoiled but well-intentioned Beverly Hills brat Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) who’s used to getting what she wants. Of course, when things start to go awry for Cher, the materialistic teen learns to understand what's really important in life. Bright, fun and funny, Clueless is everyone's favourite 90s chick-flick (if they have any taste). If Cher dealing with an unwanted male admirer by shoving him out of the way and uttering ‘ugh, as if’ doesn’t make you feel good, we just don’t think we can help you.

Rosie (Lily Collins) and Alex (Sam Claflin) have been best friends since they were in kindergarten. Their relationship has even withstood Alex moving across the Atlantic to Boston when he was 17. Everyone knows the pair are destined for each other and they’ve always had feelings for one another, but when it comes to wrong timing and making bad decisions, Alex and Rosie are absolute champions. This sweet will-they-won’t-they romance will keep you on your toes, waiting for Alex and Rosie to get together already while laughing or crying along to their trail of missed opportunities.

With wicked witches, flying pirates, scheming princes, celestial love and a pure-hearted hero all in a magical land, Stardust is your ultimate dose of feel-good escapism. The film follows the epic adventure of Tristan (Charlie Cox), who vows to bring back a falling star to win the heart of a pretty girl who barely knows he exists. But everything changes when Tristan discovers the star is actually a celestial beauty named Yvaine (Claire Danes), and he vows to protect her at all costs when an old witch tries to steal her youth. This magical fairytale will make you laugh out loud and believe in love again.

Feeling downtrodden at work or in life in general? You need some Meteor Garden in your life. Based on the hugely popular – this is (depending on how you count) the eighth live adaptation of the story – Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango. This time out, the action takes place at a prestigious university in Shanghai. New arrival Dong Shancai – a headstrong, stubborn and kind girl – soon runs afoul of the uni’s popular quartet of rich and handsome young men, the F4. What makes this series so perpetually popular and warming is Dong’s never-say-die attitude and how she succeeds despite lacking the wealth and star beauty of the F4.

If life is overwhelming you, The Intern is the feel-good movie you need to be watching. Battling the boredom of retirement, 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) applies for the position of senior (as in, senior citizen) intern at a booming online fashion store startup, founded by the young and perpetually busy Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway). Before long, Jules finds herself turning to Ben for counsel as colleague and friend. The unlikely friendship between Ben and Jules is charming to see unfold. Jules describes the effect Ben has on her as making her ‘calm, or more centered’. Which is exactly how the heartwarming storytelling of The Intern will make you feel.

Monsters, Inc is classic Pixar magic. A restore your faith in mankind – or rather monsterkind – sort of film. Sulley (John Goodman) and his wisecracking partner in crime Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) are the top scarers at the scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. In this city, monsters scare children until they scream in order to generate power. But when a two-year-old human baby girl, Boo, accidentally sneaks into the monster world with Sulley one night, our two heroes discover things may not be all that they seem.

When Elle Evans (Joey King) decides to run a kissing booth for her school’s Spring Carnival, she finds herself locking lips with hottie bad boy and long-time crush Noah Flynn (Jacob Elordi). Sparks fly between Elle and Noah, but there's one tiny hitch: Noah is the brother of Elle's best friend Lee (Joel Courtney). According to rule nine of Elle and Lee’s friendship pact, that makes Noah completely off limits. While there's no doubt this film is cheesy, sappy and predictable, that's what makes it so great. Sometimes a predictable happy ending is all you need. Knowing Joey King and Jacob Elordi are dating in real life just makes the film extra cute to watch.

If you’re in need of a deep belly laugh, comedian Iliza Shlesinger is your go-to girl. Her 2016 Netflix Special Confirmed Kills is brimming with witty and relevant jokes about millennial angst and being female. From the downward spiral of Instagram hashtags to the way women are subjected to sexual harassment, Iliza pokes fun at anything and everything with her unique brand of intelligent humour.