Start streaming for a mood enhancer. The 18 best happy movies on Netflix that’ll inspire a smile Start streaming for a mood enhancer. By Ilana Gordon :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/ILANAGORDONHEADSHOT80577598f8ed442cacff5de184ceb9f5.jpg) Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles. EW's editorial guidelines and Andrew Walsh on July 1, 2026 6:16 a.m. ET :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/BestHappyMoviesonNetflix0626263af9baa7eadc4d73a1e1e02386da2fe5.

Start streaming for a mood enhancer.

The 18 best happy movies on Netflix that’ll inspire a smile

Start streaming for a mood enhancer.

By Ilana Gordon

Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

EW's editorial guidelines

and Andrew Walsh

on July 1, 2026 6:16 a.m. ET

Sean Astin as Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger in 'Rudy'; Will Harris (voice: Caleb McLaughlin) in 'GOAT'; Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka in 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'. Credit:

TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection; Sony Pictures Animation; Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty

Cue the happy chemicals: Netflix just performed its monthly inventory restock and filled its digital shelves with options sure to brighten your mood. Among this month's highlights: Engage your youthful fantasies with *13 Going on 30** *(2004) and *Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory** *(1971), two films about childhood wishes coming true, to unexpected results. Plus, the World Cup wraps up halfway through July, but you can fill the void with a viewing of the uplifting sports drama *Rudy* (1993).

A happiness infusion awaits: here are 's 18 picks for the happiest movies currently streaming on Netflix.**

13 Going on 30 (2004)

Mark Ruffalo as Matt Flamhaff and Jennifer Garner as Jenna Rink in '13 Going on 30'.

Melinda Sue Gordon/Columbia Pictures

Jennifer Garner launches a full-scale charm offensive in *13 Going on 30*, a fantasy romantic comedy about Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old who wishes to be grown up after a disastrous birthday party. A cross between *Big* (1988) and *The Devil Wears Prada *(2006), the film follows Jenna from her childhood home to her New York City luxury apartment and dream job at a magazine.

As the teen in a 30-year-old’s body attempts to understand what has happened to her in the last 17 years, she must confront whether growing up was everything she had hoped for. One of the purest and most rewatchable rom-coms from the early aughts, *13 Going on 30* represents some of the best the genre has to offer, and is a joy to watch at any age. *—Ilana Gordon*

Where to watch *13 Going on 30*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director: **Gary Winick

**Cast: **Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer, Andy Serkis

Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Ali Wong as Sasha Tran and Randall Park as Marcus Kim in 'Always Be My Baby'. Ed Araquel/Netflix

Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) and Marcus Kim (Randall Park) were best friends–turned–high school sweethearts who, after a post-coital fight, lost contact for 16 years. When Sasha makes a triumphant return to San Francisco as a big-time chef, she and Marcus, who is not doing quite as well, find themselves nursing old grudges and long-dormant feelings. EW praises the stars' effortless chemistry, writing, “the bond between them is one of the many elements that make the film feel authentic, sweet, and wildly funny.” *—Andrew Walsh*

Where to watch *Always Be My Maybe*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Nahnatchka Khan

**Cast: **Ali Wong, Randall Park, James Saito, Michelle Buteau, Daniel Dae Kim

Chef (2014)

Emjay Anthony as Percy Casper and Jon Favreau as Carl Casper in 'Chef'.

Director Jon Favreau was coming off a string of big-budget action movies (2008's *Iron Man*, 2011's *Cowboys & Aliens*) when he released *Chef*. A cinematic 180, this road dramedy tells the story of a celebrity chef (Favreau) who gets fired from his high-profile job at a Los Angeles restaurant, only to rediscover his love of cooking by opening a food truck.

The film was inspired by the success of Roy Choi's Kogi Korean BBQ truck in 2008, and the script is reflective of the 2014 social media culture into which it was born. (One of the major plot points involves a viral Twitter beef with a food critic.) A charming comedy, *Chef* is Favreau’s return to more intimate filmmaking after his Marvel success. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Chef*: Netflix

**Director: **Jon Favreau

**Cast: **Jon Favreau, Sofía Vergara, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman

Dumplin' (2018)

Jennifer Aniston as Rosie Dickson in 'Dumplin''. Netflix

A coming-of-age Southern charmer imbued with the soul of Dolly Parton, *Dumplin’ *is the story of Willowdean Dickson (Danielle Macdonald), a teenager who enters a local pageant overseen by her mom as an act of protest. When Willowdean’s rebellion spurs other misfits to sign up for the pageant, too, she struggles to manage the relationships in her personal life, especially with her semi-estranged mother, Rosie (Jennifer Aniston).

Parton wrote 12 new songs for the movie, filled with mantras, melodies, and the motivation to just be yourself. EW’s critic writes, “Like a pillow cross-stitched with sassy aphorisms, *Dumplin’ *is kitschy and squishy and, if you let yourself, pretty sweet to sink into.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Dumplin'*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Anne Fletcher

**Cast:** Danielle Macdonald, Jennifer Aniston, Odeya Rush, Maddie Baillio, Bex Taylor-Klaus

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)

Will Ferrell as Lars Erickssong and Rachel McAdams as Sigrit Ericksdóttir in 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga'.

John Wilson/Netflix

Icelandic musicians Lars Erickssong (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdóttir (Rachel McAdams) are lifelong friends and not-yet-sweethearts who dream of winning the Eurovision Song Contest. Despite disapproval from their parents, their town, and the local Eurovision selection committee, the duo dubbed “Fire Saga” refuses to let anything stop them from achieving their goal of songwriting immortality — including their romantic feelings for each other.

Underneath all the spandex and over-the-top production numbers is a sincere film that cares as much about sharing the joy of music as satirizing its ostentatious performance. *—A.W.*

Where to watch *Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga*: Netflix

**Director: **David Dobkin

**Cast: **Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Dan Stevens, Pierce Brosnan

GOAT (2026)

Modo (voice: Nick Kroll), Lenny (voice: Stephen Curry), Will (voice: Caleb McLaughlin), Olivia (voice: Nicola Coughlan), Jett (voice: Gabrielle Union), and Archie (voice: David Harbour) in 'GOAT'.

Sony Pictures Animation

Steph Curry produces and makes his feature film debut in *GOAT*, the animated sports comedy about a small animal who dreams of becoming a professional athlete and competing with the fiercest predators. Caleb McLaughlin (*Stranger Things*) voices Will Harris, an undersized 16-year-old goat who wants to become the greatest of all time at roarball — an all-gender contact sport that infuses basketball with MMA-style fighting, held in the most dangerous stadium. When Will gets a chance to play in the pros for his favorite team, the Thorns, he jumps at the shot. But once in uniform, he feuds with his roarball idol and current face of the Thorns, black panther Jett Fillmore (Gabrielle Union). Think a funnier version of *Rudy *(1993), but with anthropomorphized creatures. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *GOAT*: Netflix

**Director: **Tyree Dillihay

**Cast: **Caleb McLaughlin, Stephen Curry, Gabrielle Union, Nicola Coughlan, David Harbour

The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)

Recording artists in 'The Greatest Night in Pop'.

Courtesy of Netflix

The ‘80s were a different time, man. Back then, you could convince 45 of the world’s biggest artists to spend one night recording a song, with all sales intended to help fight famine in Africa. The song — “We Are the World,” co-written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson — facilitated one of the largest and most successful charitable collaborations in music history, and the story of how that one night came to pass makes for a pretty great documentary.

Narrated by the living artists who participated, the film is a shining example of what can happen when celebrities combine their platforms for good, and its relevance is particularly strong today. Littered with pop culture anecdotes and music history, *The Greatest Night in Pop *is a lovely reminder of the healing power of music and a moving tribute to the artists involved who have since died. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Greatest Night in Pop*: Netflix

**Director: **Bao Nguyen

**Cast: **Lionel Richie, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Huey Lewis

Klaus (2019)

Jesper (voice: Jason Schwartzman) and Klaus (voice: J.K. Simmons) in 'Klaus'.

Netflix/Everett

*Klaus* is a Santa Claus origin story that’s enjoyable any time of the year. Starring Oscar winner J.K. Simmons as the film’s eponymous hero, *Klaus *tells the tale of a widowed Norwegian woodsman who is recruited by the town’s new postman, Jesper* *(Jason Schwartzman), to make toys for him to deliver in an effort to prove his postmaster general father wrong. But when Klaus’ toys begin to cheer up the children of Smeerensburg — a town whose inhabitants are perpetually engaged in a feud between two familial clans — Jesper and Klaus must step out of their comfort zones to help save the town from itself. *Klaus* isn’t just another feel-good film; it’s also a film that looks great. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Klaus*: Netflix

**Director:** Sergio Pablos

**Cast: **Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Neda Margrethe Labba**

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Matilda (1996)

Mara Wilson as Matilda Wormwood in 'Matilda'.

Before Danny DeVito was Frank in *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia*, he directed and starred in one of the best adaptations of Roald Dahl’s work: *Matilda*. A movie about a prodigious 6-year-old who develops telekinetic abilities to deal with the bullying she experiences from the adults in her life, *Matilda* was not a box office success, but it is a millennial cult classic.

Like much of Dahl’s work, *Matilda* is ultimately the story of a brilliant child attempting to police the unstable adults around her. But DeVito’s direction — coupled with excellent casting and performances — finds whimsy, comedy, and connection amidst all the abuse and special abilities. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Matilda*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director: **Danny DeVito

**Cast:** Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, Pam Ferris

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022)

Lesley Manville as Ada Harris and Lucas Bravo as André Fauvel in 'Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris'. Everett Collection

*Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris* is a charming underdog story about Ada Harris (Lesley Manville), a 1950s English house cleaner who receives a war widow’s pension, and uses it to travel to Paris to splurge on a couture Dior gown. As sweet and soothing as a cup of tea, this historical dramedy was adapted from a 1958 novel that was previously adapted into a 1992 TV movie starring Angela Lansbury in the titular role.

Manville is adorable and determined as Ada, a woman accustomed to sacrificing and serving, who finally decides to acknowledge her own dreams and treat herself. While the plot can be mistaken as off-the-rack for the genre, there’s something special about seeing a wearable work of art being made specifically for someone so used to putting others first. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris*: Netflix

**Director:** Anthony Fabian

**Cast: **Lesley Manville, Isabelle Huppert, Lambert Wilson, Alba Baptista, Lucas Bravo

Muriel's Wedding (1994)

Toni Collette as Muriel Heslop and Bill Hunter as Bill Heslop in 'Muriel's Wedding'.

Ciby 2000/The Kobal Collection/Everett

Landing more on the dramedy end of the comedic spectrum, *Muriel’s Wedding* is an Australian export that stars actress Toni Collette in her breakout role as Muriel Heslop, a geeky, wedding-obsessed 22-year-old who dreams of a brighter future than her small beach town can offer. After being tormented and bullied by her high school friends and overbearing father, Muriel moves to Sydney and enters into a marriage of convenience with an athlete. But when her bridal era fails to transform her circumstances, Muriel must confront reality and discover her true happily ever after. Featuring a soundtrack that leans heavily on ABBA songs, this comedy is affectionate, quirky, and surprisingly poignant. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Muriel's Wedding*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** P.J. Hogan

**Cast:** Toni Collette, Bill Hunter, Rachel Griffiths

My Octopus Teacher (2020)

Craig Foster with an octopus in 'My Octopus Teacher'.

*My Octopus Teacher *is an Oscar-winning documentary that chronicles South African free-diver Craig Foster’s bond with an octopus he discovers while on an underwater expedition. As he observes the creature’s life, playfulness, and harrowing encounters with predators, he notices changes in his approach to his own life and relationships out of the water. Filled with gorgeous, entrancing cinematography, this true story of an unlikely friendship inspires wonder about the natural world and our place in it. *—A.W.*

Where to watch *My Octopus Teacher*: Netflix

**Directors: **James Reed, Pippa Ehrlich

**Cast: **Craig Foster

Nimona (2023)

Nimona (voice: Chloë Grace Moretz) in 'Nimona'. Netflix

Shape-shifting troublemaker Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) aspires to be the villainous sidekick to the Queen’s would-be assassin, Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), despite the latter's protests that it was a frame-up. As the unlikely pair of outcasts team up, the kingdom’s ancient history and modern politics throw unexpected wrinkles into their quest to clear Ballister’s name.

We expect animated family adventures like this to be uplifting and heartfelt, but *Nimona *ups the ante with its explorations of chosen families, queer identity, self-expression, and its complex but inspiring understanding of heroism. *—A.W.*

Where to watch *Nimona*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B+

**Directors: **Troy Quane, Nick Bruno

**Cast: **Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint

Paddington in Peru (2024)

Paddington Bear (voice: Ben Whishaw) in 'Paddington in Peru'.

Britain’s fuzziest marmalade enthusiast is back for his third adventure, and this time he’s headed home to the jungle. After learning that the bear who raised him after his parents died has gone missing, Paddington convinces his adoptive family to join him on a quest to Darkest Peru to find and rescue his Aunt Lucy.

Of course, nothing on a quest is ever as it seems, and Paddington and the Brown family must contend with gold hunters and scheming villains on their journey. In times of great stress, there’s nothing quite like turning on a *Paddington* movie and setting off on a well-mannered adventure. *Paddington in Peru* doesn’t reinvent the franchise, but it does not disappoint. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Paddington in Peru*: Netflix

**Director: **Dougal Wilson

**Cast:** Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent

Remarkably Bright Creatures (2026)

Lewis Pullman as Cameron and Sally Field as Tova in 'Remarkably Bright Creatures'.

Courtesy of Netflix

If octopuses are on the brain after watching *My Octopus Teacher*, consider *Remarkably Bright Creatures* as a companion piece. The mystery casts Sally Field as Tova, a grieving cleaning woman living in Washington, who befriends an aging octopus named Marcellus (voiced by Alfred Molina) at the aquarium where she works. When an accident forces Tova to take time off, she forges a bond with Cameron (Lewis Pullman), the young musician hired to replace her. The film is adapted from the 2022 bestselling novel by Shelby Van Pelt, and tells a life-affirming story of grief and unlikely friendships — human and otherwise. Octopuses don't live long, but this Netflix Original is likely to endure. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Remarkably Bright Creatures*: Netflix

**Director: **Olivia Newman

**Cast:** Sally Field, Lewis Pullman, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant

Rudy (1993)

Sean Astin as Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettige in 'Rudy'. Van Redin/Sony

Nearly a decade before Sean Astin first showed his heart as Samwise Gamgee in *The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring *(2001), he bared his soul on the field as the title character of David Anspaugh's *Rudy*. Inspired by a true story, this sports drama follows a young man who is determined to play football for Notre Dame — in spite of his small stature, poor grades, and lack of athletic abilities. Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger is the perfect Astin character, a "5 foot nothing" kid from Joliet, Ill., hellbent on willing his dream into existence, and Angelo Pizzo's script can be counted on to score an emotional touchdown with viewers. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Rudy*: Netflix

**Director: **David Anspaugh

**Cast:** Sean Astin, Ned Beatty, Charles S. Dutton, Lili Taylor, Robert Prosky

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024)

Gromit, Norbot (voice: Reece Shearsmith), and Wallace (voice: Ben Whitehead) in 'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl'.

England’s most beloved national treasures aren’t all locked away in the British Museum: some are streaming on Netflix. Wallace & Gromit, the U.K.’s favorite stop motion claymation duo, return in their second feature-length film, *Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.*

Released 19 years after the franchise’s first feature (*The Curse of the Were-Rabbit*, 2005), *Vengeance Most Fowl *is a follow-up to the 1993 short, *The Wrong Pants*, and joins the eccentric inventor and his loyal beagle as they confront the modern world. After Wallace invents a robotic garden gnome — which is later hacked by Feathers McGraw, a criminal penguin seeking revenge — the pair must fight to save themselves from the dangers of technology. It's comfort comedy at its finest. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl*: Netflix

**Directors: **Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham

**Cast: **Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel, Reece Shearsmith

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka in 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'.

Silver Screen Collection/Getty

Before there was *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (2005) and *Wonka* (2023), there was 1971’s *Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory*. Based on the acclaimed children’s book by Roald Dahl — who also wrote the screenplay for the film — *Willy Wonka* tells the story of an eccentric chocolatier (as played by Gene Wilder) who orchestrates a contest to help him select a child to carry on his candy-making empire. Fantastical, whimsical, funny, and scary, the film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Music for its score, which included the debut of the song “The Candy Man.”* —I.G.*

Where to watch *Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory*: Netflix

**Director: **Mel Stuart

**Cast: **Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Roy Kinnear

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The 18 best happy movies on Netflix that’ll inspire a smile

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While the kids are dreaming, the adults are streaming. The 27 best Disney&43; movies for adults While the kids are dreaming, the adults are streaming. By Ilana Gordon :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/ILANAGORDONHEADSHOT80577598f8ed442cacff5de184ceb9f5.jpg) Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles. EW's editorial guidelines and Declan Gallagher on July 1, 2026 6:24 a.m.

While the kids are dreaming, the adults are streaming.

The 27 best Disney+ movies for adults

While the kids are dreaming, the adults are streaming.

By Ilana Gordon

Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

EW's editorial guidelines

and Declan Gallagher

on July 1, 2026 6:24 a.m. ET

The summer of Disney continues: *Toy Story 5* is now in theaters — and breaking box office records — and the live-action version of *Moana* premieres July 10. In Marvel franchise news, *Spider-Man: Brand New Day *swings into theaters on July 31, and *Avengers: Doomsday *premieres the week before Christmas.

This month, prepare for the arrival of new sequels by watching the original or by revisiting a classic. With content aggregated from Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Touchstone Pictures, National Geographic, Searchlight Pictures, and 20th Century Entertainment, Disney+ offers films for people of all ages and interests. For suggestions of what to stream, keep reading **'s list of the 27 best Disney+ movies for adults.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Larisa Oleynik as Bianca Stratford, Gabrielle Union as Chastity, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cameron James in '10 Things I Hate About You'. Everett Collection

One of the very best ‘90s teen high school comedies, this edgy (but not crass) update of Shakespeare’s *The Taming of the Shrew* made Heath Ledger a star and introduced most of us to Julia Stiles. *10 Things I Hate About You* is wonderfully acerbic without sacrificing its genuine emotion. Plus, the soundtrack is ace. (Can we please get a Letters to Cleo reunion tour?) *—Declan Gallagher*

Where to watch *10 Things I Hate About You*: Disney+

**Director:** Gil Junger

**Cast:** Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan

Avatar (2009)

Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri and Sam Worthington as Jake Sully in 'Avatar'. Twentieth Century Fox

The influence of James Cameron’s groundbreaking, breathtaking sci-fi odyssey permeates through blockbusters to this day, and not just because we’ll be getting *Avatar* sequels into the next decade. It’s difficult to be cynical about the film even if you want to be; it’s spectacular and reminds you why Cameron is such a celebrated filmmaker. He makes you feel his impact on the scope of cinema in a way no other director can. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Avatar*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** James Cameron

**Cast: **Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Lang

Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

Parminder Nagra as Jess (center left) and Keira Knightley as Jules (center right) in 'Bend It Like Beckham'. Christine Parry/Fox Searchlight

This coming-of-age soccer movie (or, rather, football in England, where it’s set) catapulted Keira Knightley to movie star status, but it’s *Bend It Like Beckham*’s cultural perspective and commentary that truly make it special. The story follows Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), a teen girl obsessed with soccer (and with David Beckham, who gave the film permission to use his name because he wanted to promote girls’ soccer).

Feeling suffocated by her strict Indian parents and their hope that she’ll someday become a homemaker and devoted wife, Jess secretly joins a soccer team and must juggle responsibilities for both her family and her coach (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). The film resonates with anyone who knows the acute angst of pretending, around those they love, to be someone they’re not. *—Ilana Gordon*

Where to watch *Bend It Like Beckham*: Disney+

**Director: **Gurinder Chadha

**Cast: **Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anupam Kher, Juliet Stevenson

Black Panther (2018)

Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa in 'Black Panther'. Marvel Studios

Just when superhero media felt like it had said all it could, Ryan Coogler brought the genre vital new energy. *Black Panther* is a proper epic fashioned in a modern way, a historic depiction of Black culture on screen, and a showcase for the talents of its lead actor, the late Chadwick Boseman.

Drawn back to his home nation of Wakanda following his father’s death to assume the king’s throne, T’Challa (a.k.a. Black Panther) becomes the center of otherworldly intrigue as he’s forced to protect his people from the devious Eric Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). The film is as thoughtful as it is entertaining, a slick and fast-paced essay on the economics of power. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Black Panther*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Ryan Coogler

**Cast: **Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o

Cool Runnings (1993)

Malik Yoba as Yul Brenner, Leon as Derice Bannock, Doug E. Doug as Sanka Coffie, and Rawle D. Lewis as Junior Bevil in 'Cool Runnings'. Everett Collection

This uplifting sports comedy is based on the true story of the 1988 Winter Olympics, where Jamaica competed with its first-ever national bobsled team. The film follows the athletes’ quest to participate in the Calgary games, a mission only half-supported by their coach (John Candy), a disgraced American bobsledder living in Jamaica after his attempts to cheat in competition ruined his relationships with his team, coach, and the Olympic committee.

*Cool Runnings* premiered five months before Candy’s death in 1994, and bears the dubious honor of being the last of the actor’s movies released during his lifetime. But where the Jamaicans struggled to find their footing on the ice, *Cool Runnings *enjoyed a smooth glide to the finish, winning critical reviews, box office acclaim, and a soft spot in the hearts of viewers everywhere. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Cool Runnings*: Disney+

**Director:** Jon Turteltaub

**Cast: **John Candy, Leon, Doug E. Doug, Malik Yoba, Rawle D. Lewis**

Dan in Real Life (2007)

Steve Carell as Dan Burns in 'Dan in Real Life'.

Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Peter Hedges’ understated dramedy follows widowed columnist Dan (Steve Carell) as he ferries his three daughters to a family gathering, where he falls for the girlfriend (Juliette Binoche) of his brother (Dane Cook, quite good). Things unfurl as you would expect, but Hedges directs with a sure hand. He lets the emotions come about naturally, while Binoche and Carell anchor the film with their unlikely chemistry. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Dan in Real Life*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A

**Director: **Peter Hedges

**Cast: **Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Emily Blunt, Dianne Wiest

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Anne Hathaway as Andrea Sachs in 'The Devil Wears Prada'.

Barry Wetcher/Fox

Meryl Streep may not have won an Oscar for her role as Miranda Priestly in *The Devil Wears Prada* (though she was nominated!), but the film does bear the distinction of being one of her most quotable works. An adaptation of the 2003 novel by the same name, the movie tells the story of Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), an aspiring writer who accepts a job working for the demanding editor in chief (Streep) at one of the most distinguished fashion magazines in New York City. What follows is a headlong descent into the fashion world, complete with wild assignments, eccentric characters, and glorious outfits. The sequel premiered in cinemas on May 1 this year, and follows the core cast as they navigate the shifting journalism landscape. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Devil Wears Prada*: Disney+

**Director:** David Frankel

**Cast: **Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Simon Baker

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Father of the Bride (1991)

Steve Martin as George Banks and Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Annie Banks in 'Father of the Bride'.

Touchstone/Getty

It’s the bride’s big day, but it’s the bride’s dad who melts down in Steve Martin’s remake of the 1950 screwball comedy, *Father of the Bride*. Martin stars as successful businessman George Banks, who learns that his 22-year-old daughter plans to marry a man she met three months ago. As he and his wife, Nina (Diane Keaton), go through the motions of preparing for the wedding — meeting the groom and his family, consulting with the coordinator — George struggles to accept that his little girl is moving on without him.

Martin gives one of his best performances here, balancing his over-the-top physicality with a nostalgic and compassionate portrayal of parenthood as its most heartbreaking. It’s Martin’s movie, but Keaton is the one who grounds the film with her elegance and charm. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Father of the Bride*: Disney+

**Director:** Charles Shyer

**Cast: **Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Kieran Culkin, George Newbern

Finding Nemo (2003)

Marlin (voice: Albert Brooks) and Dory (voice: Ellen DeGeneres) in 'Finding Nemo'.

Walt Disney/Courtesy Everett Collection

A father’s love is as vast as the ocean — and in *Finding Nemo*,* *Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) scours the seas to find the only remaining member of his family: his son, Nemo (Alexander Gould). Along the way, he encounters Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), a fish with a short-term memory problem, as well as some vegetarian sharks, a flotilla of surfer turtles, and his own neuroses.

This funny and original tear-jerker is an elegy to the experience of parenting, and earned the seventh spot on EW’s list of the best Pixar films. EW’s critic promises, “You could trawl the seven seas and not net a funnier, more beautiful, and more original work of art and comedy than *Finding Nemo*.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Finding Nemo*: Disney+

**Director:** Andrew Stanton

**Cast:** Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe, Geoffrey Rush

Free Solo (2018)

Alex Honnold in 'Free Solo'. Jimmy Chin/National Geographic

This stomach-dropping doc, chronicling Alex Honnold's efforts to make the first free solo (that is, no ropes) climb up the vertical face of Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan, is one of the most breathless action movies ever made. It’s also something of a cringe procedural, if that’s a thing. Continuously you’ll wonder of Honnold’s efforts, "Is he *really* going to do that?" or "Certainly he doesn’t have the gall to do that!" Inevitably, though, he does, and even though you know how it all turns out, *Free Solo* is utterly tense and unpredictable in the best sense. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Free Solo*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A–

**Directors:** Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

**Cast:** Alex Honnold

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Zoe Saldaña as Gamora in 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.

Jay Maidment/Marvel

*Guardians of the Galaxy* serves as Marvel’s origin story for the rag-tag group of titular outlaws, who start off as strangers and end up as collaborators on the run after Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) steals an Orb. Featuring an ensemble cast portrayed by a mix of live-action actors and CGI characters, the movie deserved the two Oscar nominations it received for Best Makeup and Hairstyling and Best Visual Effects. James Gunn directs, and the movie represents a tonal shift for Marvel, allowing the MCU to veer into zanier, more self-referential territory. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Guardians of the Galaxy*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** James Gunn

**Cast: **Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in 'Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark'. Lucasfilm Ltd.

The first (and the best) Indiana Jones adventure follows the hero (Harrison Ford, who else?) and his beloved Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) as they embark on a government mission to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis assume its powers. It’s difficult to find a more perfectly structured action/adventure than *Raiders of the Lost Ark*, which serves as a remarkably high benchmark in director Steven Spielberg’s career. None of the sequels have quite lived up to the original, though they sometimes come close. (Each of those is streaming on Disney+ as well.) *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark*: Disney+

**Director: **Steven Spielberg

**Cast:** Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies, Alfred Molina

Iron Man (2008)

Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark in 'Iron Man'. Everett Collection

Robert Downey Jr. reinvigorated his career and proved the superhero genre had staying power with this breezy introduction to the MCU. While Marvel movies have become increasingly weighed down with backstory, both comprehensible and not, *Iron Man* plays like a breath of fresh air. Watching it in 2026, you might forget how thrilling the story of billionaire inventor Tony Stark, who survives a kidnapping and goes on to construct himself the suit of the title, was for its time. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Iron Man*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B+

**Director: **Jon Favreau

**Cast:** Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard, Jon Favreau

Jane (2017)

Jane Goodall in 'Jane'. CBS via Getty Images

This lovely documentary from Brett Morgen (*Moonage Daydream*) chronicles primatologist, ethologist, and anthropologist Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking research with chimpanzees. *Jane* eschews the trappings of similar documentaries and presents a rounded view of Goodall. It’s a celebration of her estimable work, but it doesn’t hold back in detailing the sacrifices she made to do that job. Goodall died in October 2025, but her spirit lives on through this documentary. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Jane*: Disney+

**Director:** Brett Morgen

**Cast:** Jane Goodall

Maleficent (2014)

Angelina Jolie as Maleficent in 'Maleficent'.

Frank Connor/Disney

*Sleeping Beauty* (1959), Disney’s animated movie about a vengeful fairy who curses a princess to punish her parents, gets a live-action retelling with *Maleficent* (2014). Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning star opposite each other as the titular “Mistress of All Evil” and the innocent 15-year-old who softens her heart, respectively, eventually prompting Maleficent to try to reverse the curse.

Like *Wicked *(2024), the film centers the arc around the supposed villain, reclaiming Maleficent’s story as an understandable reaction to a personal betrayal from a former lover. Jolie was the only choice to play the scorned fairy, and EW’s reviewer notes that she is “at her best when she’s curling her claws and elongating her vowels like a black-sabbath Tallulah Bankhead.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Maleficent*: Disney+

**Director:** Robert Stromberg

**Cast: **Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Robin Williams as Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire in 'Mrs. Doubtfire'.

20th Century Fox/Everett

Robin Williams’ best character performance comes in this laugh-out-loud family comedy, one of the only films that can truly be described as such. As a divorced father who disguises himself as the busty titular housekeeper to spend more time with his kids, Williams’ antics are nicely tempered by director Chris Columbus, who threads humor with emotion in admirable fashion. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Mrs. Doubtfire*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Chris Columbus

**Cast:** Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein, Matthew Lawrence

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Orlando Bloom as Will Turner and Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swan in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl'.

Walt Disney/Courtesy Everett Collection

*Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl* was so successful upon its release in 2003, Disney created a franchise of five films, all of which are available to stream on the platform. Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) staggers into Port Royal in search of a ship. What he finds instead are a gold medallion and the child of a former pirate, both of which are needed to lift a long-standing curse.

Accompanied by Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) — a blacksmith in love with the governor’s kidnapped daughter, Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley) — Sparrow engages in a series of pirate-approved swashbuckling activities in the hopes of reuniting with his beloved ship, the *Black Pearl*. Depp’s performance as Sparrow is one of his best, and Geoffrey Rush is mesmerizing as the villainous Captain Barbosa. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl*: Disney+

**Director: **Gore Verbinski

**Cast: **Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Pryce

Ratatouille (2007)

Remy (voice: Patton Oswalt) in 'Ratatouille'.

Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

As foodie zealotry reached its peak in the mid-2000s, a rat invaded a Parisian kitchen in the animated comedy *Ratatouille*. This Oscar-winning film — ranked No. 1 on EW's list of the best Pixar movies — tells the story of Remy (Patton Oswalt), a rodent with a nose for spices and a gift for recipe creation. Remy’s dreams of chefdom make him the laughingstock of his rat colony, but a chance encounter with Alfredo Linguini (Lou Romano), the newest employee at a once great, now failing Parisian restaurant, gains Remy entry into the world of professional cooking. All he has to do to keep his dream alive is avoid detection by the restaurant’s controlling head chef (Ian Holm) and impress a snobby food critic (Peter O’Toole). *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Ratatouille*: Disney+

**Director: **Brad Bird

**Cast: **Patton Oswalt, Lou Romano, Ian Holm, Brad Garrett, Peter O'Toole

Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007)

Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker and Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson in 'Spider-Man'. Everett Collection

Tom Holland and Andrew Garfield are great and all, but Tobey Maguire will always be the OG. (Sorry, Nicholas Hammond, but we’re talking cinematic Spider-Men.) Sam Raimi’s “original” web-slinger trilogy is equally remembered for its astonishing sequel and its rather disappointing threequel, but in retrospect, all installments are better than you remember. Each film is sly and playful, but also unafraid to explore darker territory; they were always slightly unpredictable, a bit edgier than superhero fare nowadays. *—D.G.*

Where to watch Sam Raimi’s *Spider-Man *trilogy: Disney+

**EW grade:** B

**Director: **Sam Raimi

**Cast: **Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Willem Dafoe, Bruce Campbell

The Simpsons Movie (2007)

Marge (voice: Julie Kavner), Maggie (voice: Nancy Cartwright), Lisa (voice: Yeardley Smith), Bart (voice: Nancy Cartwright), and Homer Simpson (voice: Dan Castellaneta) in 'The Simpsons Movie'. Everett Collection

The residents of Springfield are sealed off from the rest of society (what else is new?) after Homer’s dalliance with a pig and a farm filled with human waste creates an environmental disaster. The long-awaited film adaptation of the veteran Fox sitcom, now the longest-running American animated series of all time, has been saddled with the unfortunate reputation of simply being an extended episode.

In fairness, that’s entirely true. However, it’s a very good episode, one that achieves an occasionally sweeping cinematic scope and focuses on adding layers to beloved characters rather than upending them for the sake of a joke. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *The Simpsons Movie*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B+

**Director:** David Silverman

**Cast: **Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Julie Kavner, Albert Brooks

Sister Act (1992)

Kathy Najimy as Sister Mary Patrick, Whoopi Goldberg as Delores Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence, and Wendy Makkena as Sister Mary Robert in 'Sister Act'. Everett Collection

Whoopi Goldberg shines in this propulsive, infectiously upbeat comedy as a singer who hides out in a convent after witnessing a Mob hit. Predictably, she’s tasked with coaching the choir for an upcoming competition. Sly direction and enviable chemistry between the cast, which includes Maggie Smith and Kathy Najimy, set *Sister Act* apart from the average underdog comedy. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Sister Act*: Disney+

**Director:** Emile Ardolino

**Cast: **Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy, Harvey Keitel, Wendy Makkena

The Sound of Music (1965)

Christopher Plummer as Capt. Georg von Trapp and Julie Andrews as Maria in 'The Sound of Music'. Everett Collection

The classic tale of the Von Trapp family is now streaming in a remarkably crisp restoration. Julie Andrews stars as Maria, a kind-hearted would-be nun/governess who brings a love of music to the seven children under her tutelage. It’s a perfect movie musical, and the breathtaking views of Austrian abbeys are worth the watch alone. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *The Sound of Music*: Disney+

**Director:** Robert Wise

**Cast: **Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Nicholas Hammond

Splash (1984)

Daryl Hannah as Madison in 'Splash'.

Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Ron Howard’s exuberant fairy tale stars Tom Hanks as a yuppie who gets more than he bargained for when a real mermaid (Daryl Hannah) makes her way out of the sea and into his house. It’s some of the most admirable work from all involved, including a riotous supporting turn from John Candy and an enchanting performance from Hannah. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Splash*: Disney+

**Director:** Ron Howard

**Cast:** Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Shecky Greene

The Straight Story (1999)

Richard Farnsworth as Alvin in 'The Straight Story'. Everett Collection

Only David Lynch could make a movie so positively un-Lynchian. The story of an aging widower (Richard Farnsworth) who embarks upon a cross-country odyssey on his tractor, *The Straight Story* surprisingly lives up to its title. It contains all of the earnest, vaguely warped Americana of Lynch’s other work, delivered not just with a straight face but a rather convincing one as well. It makes you wonder who the real Lynch really is, and that’s probably exactly what the director was hoping for. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *The Straight Story*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** David Lynch

**Cast:** Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Harry Dean Stanton

Sugarcane (2024)

Chief Willie Sellars of the Williams Lake First Nation in 'Sugarcane'.

National Geographic Documentary Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

Stories of systemic abuse don’t always find an audience, but *Sugarcane* was powerful enough to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature. Told in a little under two hours, the film peels back generations of trauma endured by Indigenous children at St. Joseph’s, a Canadian Indian residential school in British Columbia.

The Catholic Church’s treatment of these children fostered a community built on suppressed shame. *Sugarcane*’s documentarians expertly investigate the abuse, interviewing current residents of the local Sugarcane Reserve, and attempting to publicly audit their community’s years of needless suffering. *Sugarcane* is a difficult watch, but it’s a worthy investment of your emotional energy. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Sugarcane*: Disney+

**Directors:** Julian Brave NoiseCat, Emily Kassie

Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)

Sly Stone in 'Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)'. Sundance Institute

Just try not to dance while watching Questlove’s infectious, rousing chronicle of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which occurred on the same weekend as Woodstock. Rather than a movie about the festival, this is a deeply moving and visceral immersion into the event. It’s one of the best documentaries of this century, and there’s a version of “Aquarius” that positively brings the house down. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B+

**Director: **Questlove

Toy Story (1995)

Buzz Lightyear (voice: Tim Allen) and Woody (voice: Tom Hanks) in 'Toy Story'.

Buena Vista/Courtesy Everett Collection

When *Toy Story* was released in 1995, the film made headlines as the first feature-length movie to be animated solely on a computer. Fast forward more than 30 years, and animation technology has evolved — but the family comedy’s emotional and comedic punch lands as solidly as it did three decades ago.

Tom Hanks voices Woody, a beloved cowboy toy belonging to a kid named Andy, whose role is threatened when a space ranger action figure named Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) lands on the scene. As EW’s critic wrote at the time of the film's release, *Toy Story* “has the purity, the ecstatic freedom of imagination, that’s the hallmark of the greatest children’s films.” The fifth movie in the franchise is now playing in theaters. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Toy Story*: Disney+

**Director: **John Lasseter

**Cast: **Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, John Ratzenberger, Don Rickles

- Movie Reviews & Recommendations

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The 27 best Disney+ movies for adults

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Who Had the Most Expensive Royal Wedding Dress? Comparing Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and Queen Elizabeth’s Gowns

Who Had the Most Expensive Royal Wedding Dress? Comparing Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and Queen Elizabeth’s Gowns Bailey BujnosekTue, June 30, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC 0 Credit: Getty Images / InStyleThe Gist Royal wedding dresses, which are almost exclusively custom, cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Both Princess Diana and Kate Middleton&x27;s regal gowns cost upwards of $100,000. Though Queen Elizabeth&x27;s wedding took place just after World War II and was paid for in part with ration coupons, when adjusting for inflation, it cost more than $1 million.

Who Had the Most Expensive Royal Wedding Dress? Comparing Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and Queen Elizabeth’s Gowns

Bailey BujnosekTue, June 30, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC

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Credit: Getty Images / InStyleThe Gist -

Royal wedding dresses, which are almost exclusively custom, cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Both Princess Diana and Kate Middleton's regal gowns cost upwards of $100,000.

Though Queen Elizabeth's wedding took place just after World War II and was paid for in part with ration coupons, when adjusting for inflation, it cost more than $1 million.

When it’s time for a royal wedding, the Crown spares no expense. Prince William and Prince Harry rang up eight-figure bills for their respective weddings in 2011 and 2018. And those pale in comparison to the budget for Prince Charles and Princess Diana's 1981 nuptials, which cost an estimated $48 million, the equivalent of $140 million today. Even Queen Elizabeth II’s 1947 ceremony, held during a period of post-war austerity, featured luxurious touches—her hand-beaded satin gown being chief among them.

The wedding dress is often the priciest single item on the bill for a princess’s big day. Generations of royal brides have tapped star designers and legendary couturiers to craft their gowns. The pressure is on for the finished looks to be perfect, but they make it worth the seamstress’s while. These custom gowns come with price tags in the hundred thousands, not to mention an incomparable level of exposure.

Wondering which bride spent the most on her gown? Here’s how the royal wedding dress of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, and Kate Middleton measure up.

Kate Middleton reportedly spent $434,000 on her wedding dress.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, in her Alexander McQueen wedding dress on her wedding day in 2011.Credit: Carl De Souza/AFP via Getty Images

Middleton proved herself fit for the role of future Queen when she walked down the aisle in April 2011. Taking cues from another royal bride, her lace and satin gown drew instant comparisons to actress-turned-princess Grace Kelly’s 1956 wedding dress. Both frocks feature long sleeves and lace bodices, offset by full skirts. Leaning into the comparisons, Middleton also donned a short, sheer veil like the one worn by the Rear Window starlet.

Designed by Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton, the gown was a work of art featuring hand-cut lace, a Victorian corset-style bodice, and a voluminous white satin gazar skirt. At the back, a column of 58 gazar- and organza-covered buttons formed an elegant closure, according to a statement shared by the royal family ahead of the wedding. A nine-foot train completed the silhouette.

Kate Middleton arrives at Westminster Abbey for her royal wedding to Britain's Prince William in LondonCredit: Brooks Kraft/Getty Images

While the price of the dress was never officially confirmed, it cost an estimated $434,000—equivalent to $627,637 in 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator. That’s more than Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth spent on their gowns, making Middleton’s the most expensive of the three. Yet adjusting for inflation puts her in second place—more on that later.

Princess Diana’s wedding dress cost $115,000, equivalent to $448,500 today.

Princess Diana posing in her David and Elizabeth Emanuel wedding dress in 1981.Credit: Fox Photos/Getty Images

The ‘wedding of the century’ demanded the dress of the century too. Diana, Princess of Wales, asked design duo David and Elizabeth Emanuel to create her fairytale dream gown for her July 1981 nuptials. The Emanuels went to great lengths to avoid spoilers, disposing of decoy fabric scraps, hiring security to watch over the gown and creating a backup wedding dress in case the first leaked to the press.

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Diana’s stunning silk taffeta gown featured a 25-foot train—the longest in royal history—and the dress itself wowed with billowing puff sleeves and a frilled neckline. Glittering pearl and sequin embroidery decorated her glorious ivory silk tulle veil, crafted from over 150 yards of tulle, per the royal family’s official website.

At the time of the royal wedding, reports estimated it cost $115,000. That’s the equivalent of about $448,500 today. Compared to the costs of Middleton and Elizabeth’s dresses (adjusted for inflation), Diana's is the least expensive. Her wedding tiara, on the other hand, has a dizzying estimated worth of $500 million.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales, leave St. Paul's Cathedral following their wedding on July 29, 1981Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth’s wedding dress would cost over $1.5 million today.

Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth II) with her husband on their wedding day in 1947.Credit: Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

While the late Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding dress cost the least at the time, when adjusting for inflation, it’s worth more than Middleton and Diana’s dresses combined.

First, some context: then-Princess Elizabeth and her husband-to-be, Prince Philip, wed in 1947. Britain and the wider world were still in the grips of post-war austerity when their engagement was announced. Elizabeth even had to use ration coupons to pay for her dress. In a touching show of support, citizens across the U.K. sent her their own coupons to help, but these were returned, as it would have been illegal to use them.

Sir Norman Hartnell masterminded her elegant gown with the help of 350 seamstresses. They adorned the Duchesse satin and silk dress with 10,000 seed pearls imported from the U.S. But the real pièce de résistance was the floral- and star-patterned train, symbolizing hope for the country’s renewal following the devastation of World War II.

The future queen's gown cost an estimated $42,000, a price tag that equates to $1.6 million in 2026. With inflation in mind, Queen Elizabeth is crowned the royal bride with the most expensive dress.

Then Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day, November 20, 1947Credit: Central Press / Getty Images

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Who Had the Most Expensive Royal Wedding Dress? Comparing Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and Queen Elizabeth’s Gowns

Who Had the Most Expensive Royal Wedding Dress? Comparing Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and Queen Elizabeth’s Gowns Bailey B...

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