You had a bad week. Or maybe a bad couple of weeks or just overall a bad year. It's okay, we get it. We all have bad weeks or bad years at some point. Isn't that a part of the contract of being human? Someone told you you're not good enough or criticized a piece of work you put so much heart into and now you feel worthless. There are some days where it seems like it would be easier to just be dead. You're worried about your future because life is so uncertain, and who doesn't worry about their future from time to time? Your personal life problems combined with every other obstacle life has thrown at you are becoming overbearing and you're worried you'll never be truly happy again. Whatever the case, we're all bound to have a bad week or bad year during our lifetime, but thankfully there exist these five movies to show us that though life can be cruel, it can also be good.

1. "The Way Way Back" (2013)

Centered around 14-year-old Duncan whom reluctantly has to spend a summer vacation with his mother and her boyfriend (played by Steve Carell) at his beach house, this movie tells the tale of finding your way in life while navigating rocky waters and unfavorable situations. Duncan's mother's boyfriend is condescending and overbearing, creating a frustrating relationship between him and Duncan. When he meets Owen (Sam Rockwell) at a local water park called Water Whizz, the two find a friend in one another and Duncan begins to accept who he is and find his way. Duncan spends his days at the Water Whizz where he finds happiness and friends in quirky characters like himself. Owen's carefree personality tells Duncan that he doesn't like patterns and to "go your own way" (You know, like the Fleetwood Mac song). The film is humorous while getting the message across that you don't have to follow the herd in life to be happy. So don't worry that your life doesn't look exactly like someone else's--go your own way and find your own happiness.

2. "St. Vincent" (2014)

A mother named Maggie (Melissa McCarthy) and her 12-year-old son, Oliver, move into a new home after separating from her husband. Their neighbor is a cranky, not-well-liked, old man named Vincent (Bill Murray) who fills his days with questionable activities such as drinking, gambling, and visits to the strip club. However, Maggie's long work hours require someone to look after Oliver after school, so she turns to Vincent for help. He reluctantly agrees after negotiating an hourly wage. Oliver and Vincent form an unlikely bond despite their differences in both age and personalities, creating a strong friendship in which both characters learn from each other. Though not everyone can see it, Oliver looks past the flaws to find the good in Vincent and shows that he is a caring man beneath it all. Overall, the film shows how something can be learned from every moment and good can be found in everything if we look for it.

3. "Inside Out" (2015)

This film's message is pleasantly refreshing, particularly since it's a children's movie. It follows the five emotions (Joy, Anger, Fear, Sadness, and Disgust) of 11-year-old Riley as her life is uprooted from Minnesota to San Francisco. Joy desperately tries to keep Riley happy during this difficult time and is convinced that she is the most important emotion. Riley's identity manifests itself in designated "islands," or different aspects of her personality: Goofball Island, Hockey Island, Friendship Island, Family Island, and Honesty Island. So-called Core Memories are what keep these islands functioning as all the memories are ones from Joy. These islands slowly fall apart as Riley realizes how much she misses her life in Minnesota but keeps it to herself. Joy noticeably does not like Sadness, but eventually realizes how important she is to Riley's happiness. The film shows how new beginnings can sometimes be disguised as painful endings, how it's okay to be sad sometimes, and how holding onto our past can be damaging to our well-being. On the surface, it's simply a cute movie. Dig a little deeper and you'll find a movie with very applicable messages.

4. "Finding Nemo" (2003)

If you don't already know this movie's plot, consider me extremely disappointed. Nevertheless, if you don't, it centers around single-father Marlin and his son Nemo who was born with a disfigured fin. Marlin is extremely overprotective of Nemo and doubts his son's ability because of his birth defect. When Nemo is kidnapped and placed in a fish tank at a dentist's office, he meets characters who show him how to overcome his doubts about himself. While looking for Nemo, Marlin meets happy-go-lucky yet forgetful Dory, whom accompanies him on his journey to find his only son. Despite Dory's cheery attitude bothering Marlin as they frantically search for Nemo, her motto of "just keep swimming" gets them through their difficult journey to eventually find him. From this movie we learn to keep moving when life is rough because nothing lasts forever. We also learn that if we put our mind to it, we can overcome the obstacles placed in our path.

5. "It's A Wonderful Life" (1946)

This is one of my all-time favorite films. Of all the movies on this list, this is definitely the most inspirational. George Bailey takes over the family business, Bailey Brothers' Building and Loan, after his father's death, putting off his dream of traveling. Burdensome and stressful his life becomes, a series of unfavorable events occur that lead George to become suicidal on Christmas Eve, and an angel named Clarence trying to earn his wings is sent down to Earth to help George. Clarence shows George what life would be like if he had never existed, and George sees how much of a positive impact he has had on the people around him. George returns to his family grateful for his life despite its challenges and in the company of good friends. In a note from Clarence at the end, it reads "Remember, no man is a failure who has friends." And isn't that the truth?

These are just a few of my go-to films when I'm feeling down. I know some of them might not necessarily be inspirational, but I do enjoy the messages they all carry. They remind me that life can be good in the darkest of days and that there can be good found in everything if we choose to see it.