96% Feel-Good Movie Based On Bestseller Becomes Netflix Hit 6 Years Later

Feel-good movies have long been a staple of Netflix‘s most-watched lists. These films offer a comforting escape, often blending emotional storytelling with just the right touch of humor, resilience, or hope. Whether it’s a tearjerker with a happy ending or a story about personal growth, audiences continue to gravitate toward feel-good movies, especially when it’s a highly praised, lesser-known тιтle.

Amanda Seyfried Ryan Kiera Armstrong and Milo Ventimiglia in Art of Racing in the Rain — Amanda Seyfried, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, and Milo Ventimiglia in Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain, a 2019 drama based on 2008’s bestselling novel by Garth Stein, is currently ranked at number 5 among Netflix’s Top 10 Movies worldwide. The film, which originally released in theaters to modest box office returns ($33.8 million), has found new life on streaming thanks to its emotionally resonant story and strong word-of-mouth.

The movie stars Milo Ventimiglia, Amanda Seyfried, and the voice of Kevin Costner as a golden retriever named Enzo who narrates the life of his owner, a race car driver navigating love, loss, and fatherhood. The story’s emotional core and unique perspective have helped it earn a dedicated fanbase, as well as a glowing 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Yet, despite becoming a feel-good favorite among audiences, The Art of Racing in the Rain debuted to mixed critical reviews, earning a “Rotten” 44%. Nevertheless, the Simon Curtis-directed film has found success on Netflix, overtaking another canine-focused film, which has been in the charts for 13 weeks — Paw Patrol: The Movie — and sitting below Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

Our Take On The Art Of Racing In The Rain’s Streaming Success

Milo Ventimiglia as Denny in a car with a dog sitting beside him in The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain may not have made a big splash in theaters, but its recent Netflix rise proves how powerful streaming can be for second chances. There’s something undeniably special about a movie that takes its time, quietly unpacking life’s highs and lows through the eyes of a dog with the soul of a philosopher.

Interestingly, The Art of Racing in the Rain isn’t the only dog-narrative film making waves. Good  Boy, a horror told from the perspective of a dog sensing danger in his home, recently drew major acclaim on Shudder and earned a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. While very different in tone, both films demonstrate emotionality in seeing the world through a canine perspective.

The fact that The Art of Racing in the Rain is a streaming success demonstrates that audiences want feel-good movies that aren’t afraid to lean into emotion. In a landscape of spectacles and heroes, sometimes people want a simple story. This movie trending on Netflix years later showcases a quiet strength, despite critics calling it “sentimental and contrived.”