Happiness for Beginners

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Happiness for Beginners

Released Jul 21, 2023

1h 43m

Romance

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

35%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

52%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Helen has always lived her life as far from the edge as possible. Newly divorced, she joins a quirky group of strangers on a survival course for the "Adventure of a Lifetime" with the hope of learning how to live — and love — again.

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Critics Consensus

A bland journey of self-discovery that's too inoffensive to stand out in a crowded genre, this romantic dramedy offers little Happiness for Beginners -- or viewers at any other level.

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Robert Levin

Newsday

This is the movie equivalent of background TV, something to have on while you're paying the bills, or something. There's cinematic comfort food and then there's just comfort, without the food.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 9, 2023

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Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

Ultimately, the film’s formulaic qualities are too much of a drag.

Jul 31, 2023

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Nell Minow

RogerEbert.com

Like a mapped-out trail, you know where it will end up, but there's enough to enjoy along the way.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 28, 2023

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Jennifer Green

Common Sense Media

This low-key ensemble hiking tale matches its forest setting -- attractive but never stunning, pleasant but not extraordinary.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 16, 2023

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Graeme Tuckett

The Post NZ

Happiness For Beginners might just about get you through the night before the Sav' Blanc runs out.

Aug 9, 2023

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Milagros Amondaray

La Nación (Argentina)

... A noble movie that allows Kemper to trek dramatic territory and command a story with solvency and charisma. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/5

Aug 8, 2023

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Joel H

Happiness for Beginners is a strange movie because it should have been a light & fluffy Hallmark-style rom-com, but for some reason they decided to throw in a few words and references to make it PG-13 and that salt kind of ruins the sweet. Also, Ellie Kemper’s character comes off a little too ornery and it makes her somewhat unlikeable. The rest of the characters each have a fun moment or two, but they’re mostly just scenery, and the plot takes the well-worn trail of many romantic comedies that came before it. I wasn’t as annoyed with Happiness for Beginners as I thought I might be. It’s fine.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/04/25

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Chris L

I've seen other movies with much better RT scores from audiences, movies that weren't nearly as good as this film is, and this film isn't even well rated so far. I don't quite get that because it is a pretty decent RomCom with a nice Love Message to it. Bottom line? A happy moviegoing experience begins here.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/08/25

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Lulu M

Love a rom com, absolutely hated this! Boring, story was pretty grim and mostly main characters lack any chemistry. Because of grimes I had high hopes, but I hated every minute of this film! The love story between them was utterly unconvincing. I’ve seen better hallmark movies to be honest. Feels like a low budget amateur film made by a group of high schoolers for a school project.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/22/25

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Lisa R

Light hearted, charming characters, easy watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/25

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A B

Rubbish romcon that is basically a load of people who should never have gone into the wilderness as they gave no idea about how to survive, if anyone follows their methods in real life they could get themselves and others killed!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

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Laura K

So cute! One of my favorite movies because it’s so feel-good. And Luke grimes!! 😍

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/24

Full Review

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Vicky Wight

Director

Ellie Kemper

Helen Carpenter

Luke Grimes

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Synopsis

Helen has always lived her life as far from the edge as possible. Newly divorced, she joins a quirky group of strangers on a survival course for the "Adventure of a Lifetime" with the hope of learning how to live — and love — again.

Director: Vicky Wight
Producer: Geoff Linville, Berry Meyerowitz, Vicky Wight
Screenwriter: Vicky Wight
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Synthetic Cinema International, Cranetown Media
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 21, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 27, 2023
Runtime: 1h 43m

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