Forrest Gump Named As the UK's Top Feel-Good Movie

After thousands of Brits voted, it turns out that films with left-field quirky elements, escapism and adventure make for a perfect feel good comforting movie, says Psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall.

Which is probably why Forrest Gump ran away with the victory, closely followed by Mary Poppins and Back To The Future.

The Must See #FilmsWithFeels campaign is launching to lift the nation’s spirits – backed by happiness ambassador and film fan, Stacey Solomon.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF THE UK’S TOP TEN MOVIES

The nationwide research, commissioned for the Must See #FilmsWithFeels campaign, found that nearly a third (31%) of adults use movies to escape from their real world worries.

Over a quarter (26%) of Brits also stated they regularly watch comforting films on a Sunday, to distract them from stresses about the busy week ahead.

Overall almost twice as many women watch a Sunday afternoon feel good film to distract them from the week ahead (33% of female respondents compared to 17.5% of men).

The South West of England could be the most romantic region with almost a fifth (17%) calling rom-coms their favourite type of feel good film while 30% of Northern Irish respondents named comedies as their go-to for a mood boost.

Psychologist Dr Arnall, who analysed the findings, explained: “Forrest Gump was released in 1994, Back to the Future was released in 1985 and Mary Poppins back in 1964. So there has been over 57 years of viewing opportunities for these classic films. Over time, these films will have become part of the family, a familiar element of the Sunday routine across generations. Providing a powerful positive motive to watch a film again.”

Discussing the findings, Dr Arnall explains: “Life can feel pretty overwhelming for many when work, exams and family pressures fill head space alongside the constant bombardment of negative news stories from around the world 24 hours a day. Taking the time to watch an uplifting film, is one of the easiest ways of escaping from all of that. Giving ourselves permission to switch off our worry buttons and have our imagination buttons pressed is highly therapeutic.”

It’s not always films with happy endings that provide that warm feeling, interestingly, with one in 10 (11%) Brits confessing to feeling happier after a tear-jerker such as Marley and Me.

In addition to the comforting movies ideal for a Sunday afternoon on the sofa, the study also identified the top feel good films for families to watch together, with Toy Story topping the list.

Dirty Dancing was named the ultimate movie for re-watching time and again with friends. Finally, iconic British comedy, Monty Python’s Life of Brian, was voted the UK’s favourite feel good film to get you crying with laughter

Movie fan and #FilmsWithFeels ambassador, Stacey Solomon said “Over the years I must have watched some of these films tens, if not hundreds of times. I can literally recite Dirty Dancing word for word! There’s certain movies that instantly take me back to my own childhood and there’s something really comforting about putting them on with my boys, and switching my busy mind off for a couple of hours!“

“I’m so happy that Forrest Gump has been voted the UK’s fave because it really is one of my top films ever. One minute I’m howling and then next I’m in tears; my boys think I’m mad, but it’s just so touching and I know it will end up being a classic for them too, when they’re older.”

Titles from the Must See Movies #FilmsWithFeels list are available from retailers across the UK, this month

UK’s top ten ultimate feel good comforting films:

1. Forrest Gump (29%)

2. Back to the Future (25%)

3. Mary Poppins (25%)

4. Sister Act (22%)

5. Marley & Me (18%)

6. School of Rock (16%)

7. Beauty and the Beast (live action) (13%)

8. Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (13%)

9. The Blues Brothers (12%)

10. The Breakfast Club (12%)

Top 10 family favourite feel good films

1. Toy Story (40%)

2. Mrs Doubtfire (32%)

3. Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (31%)

4. E.T. (29%)

5. Sound of Music (20%)

6. Paddington (19%)

7. Minions (17%)

8. Finding Dory (16%)

9. Oliver (13%)

10. The BFG (12%)

Top 10 re-watchable films to binge with friends

1. Dirty Dancing (26%)

2. Grease (25%)

3. Bridget Jones’s Diary (24%

4. Four Weddings & a Funeral (17%)

5. Notting Hill (16%)

6. Bridesmaids (16%)

7. Mean Girls (15%)

8. Pitch Perfect (15%)

9. PS I Love You (12%)

10. Magic Mike (10%)

Top 10 comedies to get you crying with laughter

1. Life of Brian (23%)

2. American Pie (23%)

3. The Hangover (22%)

4. The Fully Monty (21%)

5. Cool Runnings (20%)