Grease has been named as the best feel-good film of all time. The 1978 musical follows the summer romance of Danny and Sandy and is as loved today as it was 36 years ago proving the film most likely to lift the spirits.
The results emerged in a study of 2,000 people who voted on a shortlist of films specially selected by three leading film bloggers.
The research, which was commissioned by AXA as part of their little things that mean a lot campaign saw Dirty Dancing and the unforgettable moves of Patrick Swayze voted the second most popular comfort film.
While Julia Robert’s Oscar-nominated performance in Pretty Woman is still regularly turned to for film night and took third place.
And the immortal tones of ABBA are continually celebrated in Mamma Mia, while the loveable ogre Shrek can be relied upon again and again to bring a smile and rounds off the top five.
Chris Jones, AXA Head of Brand, said:
“It is clear to see why Grease has taken the top spot as the nation’s favorite comforting film – it has all the ingredients required to lift your spirits.
”At AXA, we understand that the little things mean a lot in life, and a night in with a good movie is something people still enjoy.”
The study found modern classics dominate the top ten with 70% of them made in the past twenty years.
The trials and tribulations of love prove a constant appeal with Bridget Jones and Love Actually finishing high.
While old classics The Sound of Music, It’s a Wonderful Life and Singin’ in the Rain also made the top 20 feel good films.
The study found men place time travel adventure, Back to the Future, as their number one feel-good film, animated characters also have a special place in their hearts -two of Pixar’s most popular animated pictures feature in men’s top five list, with Toy Story in second and Shrek in third.
In contrast, women prefer a musical turn. Dirty Dancing, Grease and Mamma Mia all feature in their top five film selection.
However, when women aren’t looking for a sing-a-long, they instead turn to powerful female heroines, with Pretty Woman and Bridget Jones’s Diary coming in at third and fifth place respectively.
Film Juice Editor, Alex Moss said:
“The top feel-good films all share one key component – overcoming the odds and delivering the fairy tale ending.
“Whether it’s a class divide broken, misfits finding their place in the world or simply the guy getting the girl of his dreams, these films all tap into a sense of wish fulfilment.”
Hey U Guys film blog founder, Jon Lyus added:
“When the poll results are split by gender it becomes pretty clear which is which.
“Men’s favorite – Back to the Future – has an appropriately timeless message at its heart and offers a ‘dreams can come true’ and ‘triumph over adversity’ story.”
Simon Gallagher of What Culture film blog said:
“Interestingly, there appears to be a split for women between musical feel-good films, and ones with very obviously miserable undertones.
“Perhaps there’s just more pleasure to be had in seeing a singleton struggle to eventually find acceptance just as she is, or a Julia Roberts to find a ‘ruthless’ Richard Gere? After all, tragedy can only make the eventual happy ending taste so much sweeter.”
TOP 20 FEEL GOOD FILMS
1. Grease (1978)
2. Dirty Dancing (1987)
3. Pretty Woman (1990)
4. Mamma Mia (2008)
5. Shrek (2001)
6. The Full Monty (1997)
7. Toy Story (1995)
8. Love Actually (2003)
9. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
10. Despicable Me (2010)
11. Finding Nemo (2003)
12. The Sound of Music (1965)
13. Back to the Future (1985)
14. Happy Feet (2006)
15. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
16. The Hangover (2009)
17. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
18. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
19. E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982)
20. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
TOP 10 FEEL GOOD FILMS FOR MEN
1. Back to the Future
2. Toy Story
3. Shrek
4. The Full Monty
5. The Shawshank Redemption
6. Groundhog Day
7. Mamma Mia
8. Pretty Woman
9. It’s A Wonderful Life
10. Grease
TOP 10 FEEL GOOD FILMS FOR WOMEN
1. Dirty Dancing
2. Grease
3. Pretty Woman
4. Mamma Mia
5. Bridget Jones’s Diary
6. Shrek
7. Love Actually
8. The Full Monty
9. Toy Story
10. Sound of Music
