Happiness for Beginners

Play trailer

Happiness for Beginners

Released Jul 21, 2023

1h 43m

Romance

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Netflix

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

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

Jul 31, 2023

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

R P

One of the best, if not the best movie I have watched this year. 10/10. Not sure what the critics look for in a good movie. No CGI, but not needed to make it good. I was skeptical because of the reviews, but found the chemistry of the characters, the actors and the story to be enlightening and provide the essence of change, goodness, happiness, and forgiveness. Thank you for such a good movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/03/25

Full Review

Haley Y

This is a bad movie. And if you read the book, this is a terrible movie VERY loosely based on the very good book.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

Full Review

Tanya W

Didn't know this was based on a book so came in without any expectations. It's no masterpiece but I found it thoroughly enjoyable. The characters had their own quirks, nothing too deep going on but fun and funny. The ending was very clear from the start but I didn't mind the journey to get there. Perfect rainy day movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/25/25

Full Review

Tiffiny B

The book was so much better. They kinda ruined it

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/09/25

Full Review

Akeem E.

This movie was…cute. Trashing it feels like picking on the little kid at school. Yea he’s probably annoying and nerdy but he’s harmless so just leave him alone lol. That’s how I feel about Happiness for Beginners. It doesn’t seem like director and writer Vicky Wight was going for movie of the year with this one. Simple settings, simple story, simple love. There’s a lot left to be desired but overall I’m not mad I watched it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

Full Review

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Vicky Wight

Director

Ellie Kemper

Helen Carpenter

Luke Grimes

Jake

Gus Birney

Kaylee

Nico Santos

Hugh

Alexander Koch

Duncan

Peak Season

96%

83%

Peak Season

Watchlist

You Hurt My Feelings

94%

64%

You Hurt My Feelings

Watchlist

TRAILER

for You Hurt My Feelings

Nude Tuesday

86%

77%

Nude Tuesday

Watchlist

Student of the Year 2

6%

21%

Student of the Year 2

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Student of the Year 2

To All the Boys: Always and Forever

79%

58%

To All the Boys: Always and Forever

Watchlist

TRAILER

for To All the Boys: Always and Forever

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now