10 Incredibly Uplifting Movies to Watch on Netflix This Weekend
Last updated: 11/23/2018
Don't want to go out this weekend? Yeah, to be honest, neither do we.
Summer is over and it's time to usher in fall with a low key, relaxing night of Netflix and chill. With yourself, ideally. Not sure what you're in the mood to watch? We've been there.. . sometimes scrolling through Netflix can take longer than watching the movie itself!
To make your weekend more relaxing, we've done the legwork for you. Here are some uplifting movies you can stream on Netflix this weekend.
1. Four Weddings and a Funeral
Who doesn't love watching Hugh Grant fall hopelessly in love on screen? Four Weddings and a Funeral follows Englishman Charles (Hugh Grant) and his friends navigate love and loss throughout the US and England.
2. The Green Mile
The film adaptation of Stephen King's 1996 novel of the same name, The Green Mile follows Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) through flashback moments asa death row corrections officer during the US Great Depression.
3. A Beautiful Mind
This movie is not new, but it's new to Netflix, and is a biographical look at the life of John Nash, a Nobel Prize winner in economics who also suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. You'll be inspired by how much he accomplished when so much was working against him.
4. Joyful Noise
Sometimes you just need to dance in your PJs, and this movie is perfect for that. It featuring gospel songs like “Fix Me Jesus” but also pop hits like “Man in the Mirror,” and it will remind you of the power of music to bring people together. Plus, it stars Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah. How can it not be a good time?
5. Black Panther
What? You didn't see this yet? You've run out of excuses, it's now on Netflix. The movie is about Black Panther, T’Challa who is prince of Wakanda. He becomes king and struggles with how to lead his country and also faces off with a rival to the throne, Erik Killmonger. While you may not be rivaling to be king of a country right now, there are many themes here you will absolutely identify with.
6. Carol
Carol takes place in the pretty repressed 1950’s and tells the story of a forbidden love. It'll inspire you to stop at nothing to make your own relationships work.
7. Burn After Reading
Starring a young Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand, they accidentally find sensitive CIA information, and hijinks ensue. The political allusions may even (though from another era) feel like a comment on the current political climate.
8. To All The Boys I've Loved Before
Yes, it's a teen romance, but come on: the shy virgin gets the hot jock. It's every high school girl's dream come true -- and the interconnected relationships threaded throughout the film are just as touching.
9. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Who doesn't love a story about an underdog doing everything it takes to win over the girl of his dreams? While Scott Pilgrim may be based on a comic book set in Canada, the underlying story has been inspiring introverts out there since its release in 2010.
10. Paddington
According to Netflix, "He's a bear without a home. They're a family without a bear. It seems like a perfect match, till an evil schemer enters." While this may be an animated story for children, the theme of family and perseverance ring true throughout.
More on Netflix:
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.