The 10 Best Gentle Comedies to Stream on a Cozy November Night
There is something about November that makes a warm, funny movie feel exactly right. The evenings come early, the blanket comes out, and what you want is a film that makes you laugh without asking much in return. This list is built for exactly that kind of Thursday night in. Every one of these ten films is streaming in the US right now, spread across a mix of free ad-supported services and paid subscriptions, so you can find something whatever you already have access to. From fairy tales and time loops to dog shows and food trucks, these are the easy, good-natured picks worth settling in with.
Quick picks
- The Princess Bride (1987)
- Groundhog Day (1993)
- Paddington 2 (2017)
- The Intern (2015)
- Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
- Chef (2014)
- Ruby Sparks (2012)
- Best in Show (2000)
- The Big Lebowski (1998)
1. The Princess Bride (1987)
A cracked fairy tale about a farm boy and a princess who must survive six-fingered swordsmen, murderous princes and rodents of unusual size. Cary Elwes and Robin Wright make the whole thing feel delightfully sincere, and it is the kind of story that is just as charming the tenth time around.
Directed by Rob Reiner. Starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon. Fantasy, Comedy, Romance. Rated PG.
Free with ads on Fandango at Home. Subscription: Hulu, Peacock · Where to watch
2. Groundhog Day (1993)
A cynical TV weatherman is sent to cover Groundhog Day in a small town and finds himself stuck repeating the same day over and over. Bill Murray is perfectly grumpy at the start and wonderfully open by the end, and the gentle, funny slow burn makes it a natural cozy pick.
Directed by Harold Ramis. Starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky. Romance, Fantasy, Comedy. Rated PG.
Free with ads on Tubi, YouTube · Where to watch
3. Paddington 2 (2017)
Paddington, now settled happily with the Browns, takes on a string of odd jobs to buy the perfect gift for Aunt Lucy, only for it to be stolen. Ben Whishaw voices the marmalade-loving bear with real warmth, and the film is sweet, inventive and kind from start to finish.
Directed by Paul King. Starring Ben Whishaw, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville, Madeleine Harris. Adventure, Comedy, Family. Rated PG.
Subscription: Max · Where to watch
4. The Intern (2015)
A 70-year-old widower who finds retirement less satisfying than promised becomes a senior intern at an online fashion company run by Jules Ostin. Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway make an easy pair, and the film is a relaxed, feel-good look at friendship across generations.
Directed by Nancy Meyers. Starring Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo, Anders Holm. Comedy. Rated PG-13.
Free with ads on YouTube · Where to watch
5. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
A defiant city kid and his cantankerous foster uncle end up on the run in the New Zealand bush while a national manhunt builds around them. Sam Neill and Julian Dennison bounce off each other beautifully, and the mix of laughs and heart makes it a great pick for an unhurried evening.
Directed by Taika Waititi. Starring Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House. Adventure, Comedy, Drama. Rated PG-13.
Free with ads on Tubi, The Roku Channel, Plex, Xumo Play. Subscription: Prime Video, Peacock · Where to watch
6. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
A timid photo manager who escapes into daydreams sets off on a real adventure when a valuable negative goes missing. Ben Stiller directs and stars, and the film has a gentle, hopeful tone that suits a quiet night with a warm drink.
Directed by Ben Stiller. Starring Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Sean Penn, Shirley MacLaine. Adventure, Comedy, Drama. Rated PG.
Subscription: Hulu · Where to watch
7. Chef (2014)
A chef who quits a prominent Los Angeles restaurant rather than compromise his creative integrity ends up in Miami, starting a food truck with his ex-wife, his friend and his son. Jon Favreau makes it an easygoing road trip full of good food and good company.
Directed by Jon Favreau. Starring Jon Favreau, John Leguizamo, Bobby Cannavale, Emjay Anthony. Comedy. Rated R.
Free with ads on YouTube, Xumo Play · Where to watch
8. Ruby Sparks (2012)
A young novelist struggling with his writing and his love life invents a character named Ruby, only to find her sitting on his couch a week later. Zoe Kazan and Paul Dano give it a light, charming touch, and it is a sweet, offbeat romance for a rainy evening.
Directed by Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris. Starring Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Chris Messina, Annette Bening. Comedy, Romance, Fantasy. Rated R.
Subscription: Prime Video · Where to watch
9. Best in Show (2000)
Hundreds of eager contestants and their dogs prepare for the Mayflower Dog Show in this mockumentary from Christopher Guest. The ensemble cast, including Jennifer Coolidge and John Michael Higgins, delivers a steady stream of small, silly moments that are easy to enjoy on a lazy night.
Directed by Christopher Guest. Starring Bob Balaban, Jennifer Coolidge, Christopher Guest, John Michael Higgins. Comedy. Rated PG-13.
Free with ads on The Roku Channel, Plex · Where to watch
10. The Big Lebowski (1998)
A laid-back Los Angeles slacker who only wants to bowl and drink White Russians is mistaken for a millionaire with the same name and pulled into a strange chain of events. Jeff Bridges plays the title role with easy charm, and the Coen brothers' shaggy story is a comfortable, offbeat favorite.
Directed by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen. Starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi. Comedy, Crime. Rated R.
Free with ads on Pluto TV · Where to watch
Pick the film that matches your mood, whether that is a fairy tale, a time loop or a gentle road trip, and let the rest of the evening follow. Streaming availability changes often, so check the service before you press play.
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Streaming catalogs change often. Availability was checked the morning this was published. Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDB; this product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
