12 Happy Movies

By Nell Minow

I believe that happiness is a choice that requires courage and honesty. We spend so much time thinking that we would be happy if only we only had this or that, or if the people around us would only do this or that--or that if we allow ourselves to be happy, we will become vulnerable when it is taken away. But everyone must take responsibility for his or her own happiness and stay connected to all that is good, kind, and loving.

Many great movies are wonderful teachers about happiness, with characters who set great examples and stories that help to remind us of what it is in our own lives that make us happy.

Here are 12 happy movies. Some of them are about happiness, some make us happy—and some do both.

And the first happy movie is...

Nell Minow writes the Movie Mom blog.