Taking time to relax and enjoy a good film is one of life’s simplest pleasures, and for those of us fortunate enough, one of the most accessible. We watch movies together to spark conversation and foster common interest; we watch alone to dive headfirst into what captivates us, whether it is of this world or of a fictional one entirely. Regardless of the occasion, movies serve as a tried and true form of leisure for us as we get lost in visual delight, compelling storytelling, or even just some laughably low-quality comedy that distracts us from the serious business for an hour and a half. Thanks to the rise of streaming platforms as a dominating force in movie production and distribution, we can enjoy these moments from the comfort of our own homes, and at the click of a button. Of course, you know this, but it’s a simple luxury that many of us take for granted; something to think about the next time we regard it as a guilty pleasure.
Part of the beauty of these convenient streaming platforms is that audiences can feast their eyes on work that explores a range of genres, cultures, ideas, situations, emotions, and knowledge without having to search far and wide for access to it. This rich well of content can take us far away from our reality, or give us a fresh new perspective on it.
Perhaps there is no better time to get fully lost in this modern magic than on a rainy day. If you’re going to be inside all day, you may as well tune in to something that perfectly complements the ambiance around you, making a rainy day a deliberate experience rather than an inconvenience. Of course, “rainy day” isn’t exactly a category on Netflix, but worry not! When the downpour is too strong to head out and get moving, or the rhythm of a gentle drizzle is enough to make you melt into the sofa, here are 20 movies on Netflix that are perfect for the next rainy day.
20 The Magician’s Elephant (2023)
This little hidden jewel is a cozy and magical watch for your next rainy day inside. Peter is on a quest to find his missing sister when he encounters a fortune-teller that says an elephant will lead him to his sister. The elephant is conjured by a magician, and Peter must now help the frightened and homesick animal find his way home.
The Magician’s Elephantis a whimsical journey where the characters learn trust and the power of believing. It’s an emotional adventure suitable for children and adults alike, and that is sure to uplift your spirits when the weather isn’t so fair.
19 The Zookeeper’s Wife (2017)
This emotional film is based on the true story of the Nazi invasion of Poland as told by the wife of a Warsaw zookeeper. The original non-fiction novel by Diane Ackerman was based on the diary entries of Antonia Żabińska, who along with her husband helped more than 300 Jews escape the Warsaw ghetto amidst the animal experiments conducted by Nazi zookeeper Lutz Heck. In the film, a much more personal relationship is depicted between the three characters, with Heck’s character, in particular reflecting the true brutality and inhumane nature of Nazi leadership. In the film’s depiction of events, Heck coldly orders the execution of all the animals in the Warsaw Zoo except for the rarest prize animals.
Though devastated, Antonia and her husband Jan take advantage of the empty zoo to smuggle Jews out of the ghetto. The mission becomes increasingly difficult to keep under wraps as Heck’s infatuation with Antonia keeps him closely invested in her affairs, though Anotinia is likewise able to use this to her advantage. In the end, the couple is able to survive their dangerous and valiant efforts and rebuild the zoo after the Nazi surrender. It isn’t a movie for the faint of heart; the reality of Nazi violence, genocide, and mistreatment of animals are weighty subjects delivered with appropriately impactful storytelling and moving performances.
That being said, the darkest aspects of the story lead to a somber but hopeful resolution, affirming that even the worst of humanity will always yield to the efforts of the good, and that while we may never forget the hurt of past pounds, we can always remain dedicated to creating good in the world around us. This is the sort of film that invites the viewer to fully immerse themselves in the story and to continue to reflect long after the final credits roll, making it the perfect viewing for a day of taking it slow and looking within.
18 The Age of Adaline (2015)
While The Age of Adaline boasts strong romantic leads and an outstanding script, it is the warm and inviting delivery of the film that makes it such a comforting watch. Gorgeously stylized depictions of 20th-century eras blend perfectly into the vivid imagery of the present, with the film drawing inspiration from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire for the visual style of scenes set in the past.
While the story finds the ageless Adaline comfortably blending into her modern surroundings, star Blake Lively carries herself with a distinctively mature air that truly sells the premise of her immortality without venturing into caricature. If a day of keeping cozy in the den with a mug of tea sounds ideal, The Age of Adaline will set the tone for a comforting, feel-good experience.
17 La La Land (2016)
La La Land is a visual feast with delightful original music numbers to boot. This film tells a timeless story of young love and the pursuit of success, the poetic visuals transform the setting beyond the modern hustle and bustle of Los Angeles into a surreal manifestation of the countless hopes and dreams the city fosters. It’s a vivid love letter to life, love, chance, and Los Angeles itself that is sure to transport you away from the melancholy and into a world of inspiration. Stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone received praise for their performances, with the cast and crew earning a slew of Academy Awards and Golden Globes.
16 Over the Moon (2020)
Like The Magician’s Elephant and La La Land, Over the Moon is a whimsical story with visuals that will brighten up a dreary day. The story takes place in what is strongly suggested to be China, with the characters engaging with a number of Chinese legends and myths before the upcoming Moon Festival. A pair of intrepid children go on a journey to the moon itself to meet none other than the moon goddess. The protagonist, Fei Fei, clings to an idolization of this moon goddess that few others seem to truly believe in— digging deeper into this fixation as changes in her home life cause her to feel unhappy and insecure.
The journey teaches Fei Fei great lessons about life, draws her closest to her soon-to-be-stepbrother, and even brings healing and health to the entire moon realm. Over the Moon is a touching ode to Chinese culture built on the universal themes of change, grief, and growing up.
15 Kiss the Ground (2020)
Now for something a little different, non-fiction fans can enjoy an environmental documentary fitting for a rainy day. After all, rain is nature embracing us all around, so what better time to reflect on climate health and how to best honor the planet we call home? Woody Harrelson narrates Kiss the Ground, a climate change documentary that proposes feasible solutions to global issues. Rather than merely make the viewer aware of impending disaster without providing solutions or pointing out what actions we can collectively advocate for, Kiss the Ground delves into the science of regenerative farming practices that can reverse the massive damage that unsustainable farming causes.
14 Paddington (2014)
A proud staple of classic British fiction, Paddington bear is actually of a special species of marmalade-loving bears that hail from Peru. After a devastating earthquake drives a little bear from his South American home, he takes refuge in London, where his new family names him after Paddington train station. Paddington’s voyage and arrival in London are full of obstacles, including the villainous taxidermist Millicent Clyde. In the end, Paddington’s extraordinary story is of course able to have a happy ending in his new home. It’s the perfect movie for curling up on the couch with a blanket and a hot cup of tea— and maybe some marmalade sandwiches for snacking.
13 Someone Great (2019)
Perhaps you’re one to take advantage of a rainy day to do some reflection and let out some emotion, and if so, Someone Great will deliver the perfect mix of heartbreak and inspiration. Jenny, played by Gina Rodriguez, faces a devastating breakup when her relationship of nearly a decade ends. It comes as she is offered her dream job across the country, to which her boyfriend reveals he is not ready or willing to follow her to. Jenny manages the overwhelming emotions and change coming into her life with her two best friends, who themselves have turbulent love lives in need of change and healing.
As per the title, the movie does a good job of validating Jenny’s feelings without having to villainize her former partner, with flashbacks to what was a happy and healthy relationship making the reality of the necessary breakup all the more heartbreaking. Someone Great offers viewers a chance to see what may be a familiar situation, or at least familiar feelings, play out with bittersweet and healthy resolutions.
12 Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale is a true tear-jerker that may just have your eyes mimicking the downpour outside. The film is based on the true story of an Akita dog named Hachiko in 1920s-30s Japan, who was accustomed to waiting at the train station each afternoon for his owner to come back from work. When the owner passed away, the loyal dog continued to faithfully await his human every afternoon for the next nine years until his very last day. The film is reimagined in a modern American setting, though it pays homage to the true story by weaving connections to the Japanese language and culture into the characters and story.
11 Pinocchio (2022)
Here have been two recent adaptations of Pinocchio. While Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation was highly praised, this list will highlight the 2022 Disney live-action remake. Starring Tom Hanks as Geppetto, this adaptation brings the story to life with an invitingly warm color tone and comforting fairytale settings. The familiar characters of this beloved children’s classic go on adventures that are far more intense and trepidations than in the animated original, but the story remains child-friendly.
The ending makes a small but thoughtful change to the original, with \viewers left to infer whether or not Pinocchio ever gets to become a real boy. The film emphasizes that his physical form is not what makes him a real boy and real son, but rather the love he gives and receives.
10 My Girl (1991)
Before the 2000s babies were forever scarred by the heartbreaking Bridge to Terabithia, there was My Girl. In a similar format, two young children are brought together by feelings of otherness, and they explore the world together as they process changes in their lives and the world around them. My Girl does touch on some more mature themes, but is able to do so while maintaining the innocent point of view of children. This nostalgic movie likewise ends in the tragic death of a child, though the death serves as a catalyst for several resolutions and even healing.
9 Grease (1978)
Not much introduction is needed for this timeless musical classic. If a dreary day has you feeling blue, what better to uplift you than the iconic romance of Sandy and Danny. Let yourself be whisked away from a dimly-lit TV room and into a colorful world of song and dance with Rydell High’s students.
8 The Bridget Jones Trilogy
The trilogy starring Renée Zellweger as the titular character has been a rom-com favorite since its 2001 debut. It’s the perfect marathon to wile away the time, with familiar characters and a comforting tale of epic romance sweeping away an ordinary and self-admittedly rather flawed woman. Hugh Grant and Colin Firth make charming romantic leads, and Bridget Jones has become a British pop culture icon over the decades with her unforgettable quotes and relatable struggles.
7 Monster House (2006)
Sony Pictures
Just as the Harry Potter film series makes for a delightfully comforting and nostalgic rainy day binge (not included in this list on account of it being an almost obvious choice), there are plenty of other childhood favorites to revisit when you’re stuck inside. Along with a dark ambiance and macabre aesthetics to match a gloomy day, Monster House delivers the perfect mix of suspense, nostalgia, and wholesome lessons to keep you entertained while a downpour drums on.
6 Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018)
The sound of a downpour outside will blend seamlessly into the lush jungle setting of this gorgeously made children’s film. The updated adventure-drama adaptation of Jungle Book follows the fearless Mowgli as he is raised by wolves in the Indian jungle. In a series of life-changing adventures, the boy eventually becomes a bridge between the human and animal worlds to help foster a happy shared environment.
5 Happy as Lazzaro (2018)
With themes of wealth disparity, greed, and special politics, it’s no wonder that the renowned director of Parasite, Bong Joon-ho, praised this film as one that “probes the rift between agrarian and modern life, and contains one of the most dazzling twists – and tracking shots – in recent memory.” The movie takes place in Italy in 1977 on an illicit sharecropping farm called Inviolata. Run by a shady Marchioness exploiting long-outlawed labor practices, the farm’s ever-indebted workers live in misery. A farm boy named Lazzaro runs away with the Marchioness’ son Tancredi, with whom he develops a fraternal bond.
They scheme to fake the young marquis’ kidnapping in order to ransom his mother, a plot that inadvertently leads to her arrest and the evacuation of Inviolata. Lazzaro accidentally takes a nearly fatal fall in the wilderness amidst this action, mysteriously waking up years later with no signs of aging. He reconnects with the destitute former workers of Inviolata, and finds his former friend fully lost to the excesses of wealth. Innocently, Lazzaro continues to fight for his long-lost friend in a powerful allegory for the sacrifices made by the working class.
4 Chupa (2023)
This adorable movie reimagines the Latin American folklore of the Chupacabra. The Chupacabra is a legendary and terrifying creature that was reportedly first spotted in Puerto Rico as farmers feed their livestock preyed upon by a mysterious beast. Chupa’s take on the mythical monster is far more compassionate, with the titular creature making for a loyal and undeniably cute little buddy for our hero, Alex.
3 The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
This series also needs little introduction, and with the original Lord of the Rings trilogy making up a total run time of over eight-and-a-half hours, you’ve got your entertainment laid out for the rest of the day. Ordinarily, a day-long, one-sitting binge of LOTR might seem like an unacceptably sluggish way to spend the day, but a rainy day might just be the excuse you need to escape into this thrilling world of fantasy. The trilogy is no doubt to inspire anything but sluggish work from your imagination, with the series famously inspiring many spin-offs and upcoming projects as it leaves fans hungry for more and more.
2 The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Real-life father and son Will and Jaden Smith star in this true story of a father and son facing incredible challenges on the hard road to achieving the American Dream. Chris Gardner and his son faced abject poverty, a broken home, homelessness, endless rejection and much more as Gardner struggled to launch his medical technology innovations. In the end, Gardner perseveres as a true testament to the power of dedication and hard work.
Through the lens of the modern cost of living crisis and surrounding dialogue, an interesting perspective with which to watch the movie is to acknowledge Gardner as an exception rather than the rule. While hard work is important, the small family unit took huge risks and faced traumatizing levels of poverty that many Americans would rather not risk— nor would they likely be rewarded with a multimillion dollar success story in the end.
Most Americans who face these economic struggles come out on the other side just making ends meet, if even that. This isn’t to lay a pessimistic filter on an otherwise positive movie, but rather an important disclaimer to make during times of great wealth gaps worldwide. Nonetheless, it is truly uplifting and even nourishing for the soul to see our fellow humans win, and we can indulge in that optimism with The Pursuit of Happyness.
1 The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
The Boy who Harnessed the Wind is a British drama film based on the memoir of William Kamkwamba, a native of Malawi who resourcefully creates a windmill for his small village. The harrowing true story is yet another example of incredible will and perseverance in a story that will break your heart and then renew your hope for the future in turn.