Ever since March of 2020 and the onset of stay-at-home orders, people have been looking for ways to lift their spirits. With all of the negative energy caused because of the pandemic, it has been hard for people to get through the monotony of the days. One thing that has helped many people is watching their favorite television shows. Beginning early last year, there has been a spike in feel-good TV shows!

California has almost reached the one-year mark of quarantine. Movie theaters, restaurants, and other forms of entertainment have been opened and closed according to tier categories, leaving the need for feel-good relaxation to be filled. With this being said, Californians around the state could use a bit of a “cheer me up.” An answer to this problem has been the onslaught of new television shows that focus on a positive, family-friendly experience.

Starting off this list we have shows that have gained popularity on Netflix. Netflix is home to many great movies and television shows that are treasured by many. Popular light-hearted series shows include: The Great British Baking Show, The Good Place, New Girl, Nailed It, and Gilmore Girls and Friends. One student who is a frequent TV show watcher, Brianne Burgess (9), said “Friends is [her] favorite show!”Newly released movies that take on the feel-good theme include Enola Holmes and Hubie’s Halloween. Netflix has seen a rise in subscriptions since the pandemic(BBC) and their features of happy, positive shows and movies are a major reason why.

Disney+ is another great streaming service that offers so many different heartfelt classics to choose from: The Sound of Music, The Princess Bride, Inside Out, The Parent Trap, Sister Act, Big, Cool Runnings, Up, The Princess Diaries, Mary Poppins, Gravity Falls, Mulan, Aladdin, and Tangled. Along with these popular, positive classics, Disney + has also released new features that bring families together. These releases have included High School Musical: The Musical the Series and The Disney Family Singalongs. The focus on uplifting viewing options is something that streaming services have begun to make a priority. Disney+ makes it easy for viewers to watch and relax and has quickly risen in popularity due to its family-centered entertainment and ease of use. 

Hulu also has their fair share of fantastically happy TV classics and movies to pick from. Some include Parks and Recreation, Lip Synch Battle, Fixer Upper, Bob’s Burgers, Adventure Time, and The Golden Girls. New to the prime-time television line-up are shows like The Masked Singer and The Masked Dancer. These two shows feature an innocent and lighthearted attitude that is appreciated by parents and children alike. The rise in new shows that air on the silly and less serious focus is a rising trend. 

Even though these times are tough, you can always rely on a great show to make you laugh and feel at home. The next time you relax and want to watch a show that lifts your spirits and helps you escape from the mundane, turn on your favorite streaming channel and prepare to be uplifted!