As we head into the final leg of a contentious election year, Pass the Remote casts a vote for films to make you smile, laugh, tear up (in a good way) and maybe even prompt you to break out into song.
We all are in dire need of a mood adjuster. Here are five to lift the spirits.

โHolidateโ: Netflix has a spotty record when it comes to rom-coms. This original is one of their finest, a ribald R-rated comedy about two singles (Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey) platonically being the plus-one for each other at every holiday occasion โ from Christmas to St. Patrickโs Day, and so on. Breezy, buoyant and witty, โHolidateโ is an enjoyable bonbon wherein two love skeptics realize the no-duh obvious โ theyโre smitten and make the ideal match. Kristin Chenoweth is a hoot as a boozy aunt whoโs a serial holiday dater. (Netflix, available starting Wednesday)

โDavid Byrneโs American Utopiaโ: Essentially a staged version (in abridged form) of the Talking Heads front manโs stage show, Spike Leeโs peppy feature is fun, thoughtful and upbeat as it tackles important and silly issues via song. Some of the Headsโ biggest hits get inventively choreographed and staged in this traditional concert-like film. Itโs perfect for when you want to spring a sing-along with your tribe at home. (HBO Max, available now)

โYes, God, Yesโ: Prudes beware, director/writer Karen Maineโs frank coming-of-age dramedy finds peals of laughter from the awkward curious sexual fumblings of a 16-year-old Catholic high schooler (Natalia Dyer). Inquisitive Alice discovers impure thoughts are outrageously raging at a religious camp that her parents have sent her to, a gray destination brightened when she sees a cute camp counselor. Maineโs film negotiates tricky material and handles it with a refreshingly frank view of sexuality while keeping it light even as it deals with matters that are heavy. (Netflix, available now)
โPrideโ: The Brits always come up with the winning recipe for feel-good, fact-based fare; and this tasty example from 2014 is one of their finest. Featuring a knockout cast โ Bill Nighy, Andrew Scott, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West and more โ it fluctuates from humor to drama as a group of LGBTQ advocates unite in 1985 with striking coal workers in Wales, making for a unique union. Matthew Warchusโ entertaining dip into Margaret Thatcherโs stifling reign is an intelligent crowd pleaser with a soul and a brain. (Amazon Prime, available now)

โOnce Upon a Snowmanโ: Only have eight minutes? Disney+โs adorable โFrozenโ snowman Olaf (voice of Josh Gad) gets his own origins story in this brisk and spry short. The Disney animation is exceptional, and the screenplay full of Easter eggs and clever asides as Olaf searches for his identity. Itโll make you smile in under 10 minutes. Canโt beat that. (Disney+, available now)
