12 Wholesome Netflix Shows That Will Put You In A Better Mood
Those who grew up with L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables will be delighted by Anne with an E. In this version, the titular plucky orphan is played by Amybeth McNulty. In the 1890's, brother and sister Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decide to adopt an orphan together, as neither is able to start a family of their own. They asked for a boy, but were instead given Anne, in all her exuberant, awkward, red-haired glory.
Bursting with warmth, charisma, and charm, this refreshing adaptation is sure to soften even the hardest of hearts.
- Premiered: March 19, 2017
The Kims are a Korean-Canadian family that run a convenience store together in Toronto. Each day, they deal with eccentric customers and the happenings of their Moss Park neighborhood. Kim's Convenience is kind of like a live-action Bob's Burgers. It's sharp, bright, and full of heart. Not to mention, its central family dynamic makes it perfect for viewing with your own family.
Bottom line? Kim's Convenience is a modern comedy with a classic sitcom feel that will satisfy members of every generation.
- Premiered: October 4, 2016
This family-oriented comedy from the 1960's is overflowing with wholesomeness and virtue. But not in an annoying way. Andy Griffith stars as Sheriff Andy Taylor and Don Knotts plays Deputy Barney Fife, a pair of law enforcers who live in the sleepy town of Mayberry, North Carolina. Like your favorite apple pie, The Andy Griffith Show is a pure slice of Americana that just makes you feel good inside.
Plus, it features an adorable child-aged Ron Howard as Andy's young son Opie. Seriously, he's so precious it hurts.
- Premiered: October 3, 1960
Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) is a woman who finds herself in the highly-selective, utopian section of the afterlife, known as "The Good Place". However, she soon learns that she entered by mistake. On Earth Eleanor was selfish and amoral, but she believes she can turn her life around — after she's already lived it. She recruits her assigned soulmate Chidi (William Jackson Harper) to teach her the ways of goodness, in an attempt to straighten out her unsteady ways.
The Good Place is an engaging comedy about self-betterment, even when we believe it is too late.
- Premiered: September 19, 2016
Gilmore Girls is an early 2000's classic. Running for seven seasons, this sweet series is the ultimate "comfort food" TV show. It stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as Lorelai and Rory, a mother-daughter duo who live in a sleepy Connecticut town named Stars Hollow. Because Lorelai gave birth to Rory when she was so young, the pair act more like best friends than parent and child.
Filled with worthwhile relationship lessons, Gilmore Girls is a lovely, tender portrait of maternal love and growing up.
- Premiered: October 5, 2000
- 1Last Week Fights, This Week Tights239 Votes
- 2Raincoats and Recipes248 Votes
- 3They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?268 Votes
Atypical is a Netflix original family comedy-drama with a twist. Sam Gardner (Keir Gilchrist), a high schooler on the autism spectrum, decides he is ready to start dating. His family learns to adjust to his newfound independence. It's not easy at first — his mother Elsa (Jennifer Jason-Leigh) struggles to find a new purpose, since her first priority has always been her son. Sam's journey allows the family to grow and bond in new ways.
The tagline for Atypical is "Normal is Overrated", and it's spot-on for this heartwarming show. Each character's quirks are portrayed in a positive light, reminding us that it's our differences that bring us together.
- Premiered: August 11, 2017
Inspired by Norman Lear's 1975 series of the same name, One Day at a Time is a sitcom that depicts a Cuban-American family living in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. Penelope Alvarez (Justina Machado) is a newly single military veteran raising two kids alongside her mother Lydia (Rita Moreno). The show follows the ups and downs of family life as Penelope copes with her PTSD.
At its core, One Day at a Time is an uplifting show about overcoming hardship with the help of family.
- Premiered: January 6, 2017
The tensions on traditional baking shows can run high. Everyone is operating at an expert level, and one tiny flaw can send everything downhill. But on Nailed It!, there are no stakes. None of the contestants are professional bakers. In fact, they're far from it. They're asked to create professional-tier baked goods in a laughably short amount of time. The results are seldom pretty, but it's not about being pretty. It's about doing your best, and anyone can get behind that message.
The format of the show itself follows its own principles, leaving in outtakes, mistakes, and bloopers. On top of that, host Nicole Byer's infectious energy makes this show one heck of a good time.
- Premiered: March 9, 2018
Derry Girls is a rollicking British sitcom that takes place in 1990's Derry, Northern Ireland. The show follows the strong-willed Erin (Saorsie-Monica Jackson) and her close-knit group of friends as they navigate the rocky waters of high school. Watch as they get up to all kinds of wholesome shenanigans, in an attempt to rebel against their rigid Catholic school's rules.
At the end of the day, Derry Girls is a celebration of female friendship. These gals stick together through thick and thin, and everyone needs pals like that in life.
- Premiered: January 4, 2018
Jane the Virgin's fresh spin on the telenovela genre has earned it critical acclaim. Its expert blend of satire, wit, and honesty carried it through five seasons. Gina Rodriguez plays Jane Villenueva, a young woman who has decided to remain a virgin until marriage. She's en route to becoming a doctor, engaged to a handsome detective. But her life is turned upside down when she learns her gynecologist artificially inseminated her by accident, leaving her pregnant. Uh oh!
Throughout it all, Jane exhibits decency and goodness as she figures out what to make of pregnancy and motherhood. In the process, she learns about what she really wants out of life, and gains the courage to pursue her dreams.
- Premiered: October 13, 2014
Despite spending 15 years as an unknowing slave to a doomsday cult, Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper) has a remarkably positive outlook on the world. When she is rescued from the underground shelter that housed her and her fellow cult members, she gets a new lease on life. After realizing that the world hasn't ended after all, Kimmy decides to take New York City head on. Her childlike wonder makes her immune to negativity, despite the struggles that come her way. Instead, Kimmy embraces the little things, like having candy for dinner.
While it's impossible to be like Kimmy all the time, her resilience and can-do spirit are definitely inspiring.
- Premiered: March 6, 2015
- 1Kimmy Schmidt183 Votes
- 2Titus Andromedon232 Votes
- 3Jacqueline White198 Votes
Meet the new Fab Five: Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Poroski, Tan France, Bobby Berk, and Karamo Brown. Together, they make it their mission to find deserving, hard-working people and add some fabulous-ness to their lives. This dream team is unstoppable. Each person they visit gets a new wardrobe, a dashing haircut, delicious (and healthy!) cooking demonstrations, and a revamped living space.
Throughout it all, the Fab Five offers emotional support and helps their subject reach their full potential. The results are always touching, and might even put a tear in your eye. Queer Eye proves that a little confidence boost can go a long way.
- Premiered: February 7, 2018
- 1Tan France314 Votes
- 2Jonathan Van Ness165 Votes
- 3Bobby Berk306 Votes