Seven months is a lot of time to watch a lot of stuff, and if there’s anything we need right now, it’s good vibes. Below I’ve compiled a list of my favorite YouTube channels, shows, and movies that provide the perfect serotonin boost during these tough times.

Movies 

Little Miss Sunshine (Hulu)

Little Miss Sunshine, released in 2006 and directed by Valerie Faris, stars Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collett, Paul Dano, and Abigail Breslin as the dysfunctional Hoover family on a road trip to California for the ‘Little Miss Sunshine Pageant,” which Olive (Breslin) intends to win. With messages of acceptance and familial love, everything from the title of this film to the epic family dance scene to Rick James’ “Super Freak” is bound to make you feel like everything is okay, even if only for an hour and forty-two minutes. 

Fantastic Mr. Fox (Disney+)

This movie is a personal fall-favorite of mine. Released in 2009, this Wes Andseron classic is stop motion and features the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Willem Defo, and Owen Wilson (wow). The film is based on the Rohld Dahl book of the same name, and tells the story of Mr. Fox and his fellow critters planning to raid three farms. The color palate, symmetry, and quirkiness of this movie all fall into place to create a heartwarming and nostalgic aesthetic. 

Shows 

Modern Love (Amazon Prime)

Modern Love is an anthology series of vignettes about love. Each episode is its own mini rom-com, based on true stories from the New York Times  Modern Love column. The show has an A-list cast of actors such as Anne Hathaway, Dev Patel, and Tina Fey. Each episode is charming and finishes with a happily ever after that will make even the most cynical viewer believe in true love.

Derry Girls  (Netflix)

Derry Girls is an Irish sitcom that explores the everyday life of a group of teenage girls and one of their male English cousins in the 90’s. The show primarily takes place at an all-girls Catholic school that James (the male cousin) is forced to attend. Light topics like puberty and prom, as well as heavier topics, such as the ongoing conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Derry at the time are covered in Derry Girls. You may need to turn on subtitles due to a mixture of your own laughter and the thick Irish accents, but if you want some feel-good coming-of-age comedy, Derry Girls is the show to watch. 

YouTubers 

Brie Larson 

As if Brie Larson wasn’t already talented enough, she started a YouTube channel during the pandemic! On her channel, Larson showcases everything from stories about her life as an actress to workout videos. She has been candid about her struggles with mental health, and she makes a point to curate content that is positive. Larson’s channel highlights the ways in which stars are just like us. If you need a little break from life, I highly recommend Larson’s video in which she highlights 39 of her favorite strategies to calm down when life starts to be too much. If you’re looking for something a bit more insightful, look into her conversation with former SVP of Apple, Justina Omokhua, about our current socio-political climate. 

Kel Lauren 

Kel Lauren is a graphic designer whose work you might have seen on merchandise for artists such as The Jonas Brothers, Ke$ha, Wutang Clan, Freddie Gibbs, and BTS. Lauren has a YouTube channel where she highlights her graphic design skills. Her most popular videos revolve around her conceptualizing redesigns for iconic brands, but she also has videos about thrifting, makeup, interior design, and sewing, if that’s more up your alley. The combination of Lauren’s down-to-earth attitude and her serious artistic talent makes for the perfect casual yet informative watch.