[For Seniors] Funny and Heartwarming. Recommended Movie Collection
Some senior care facilities also incorporate movie-watching into their recreational activities.
Watching films can evoke nostalgic memories and lift the spirit.
Enjoying a movie together may even become a purpose and joy in daily life.
In this article, we introduce films we recommend for older adults.
We’ve curated a wide range, from family dramas and love stories to comedies.
These picks can bring chuckles or tears and help create a fulfilling time.
Please use them as ideas for your recreational programs.
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[For Seniors] Funny and Heartwarming: Recommended Movie Collection (11–20)
How to Choose a Happy Ending
While dealing with weighty themes such as end-of-life care and death with dignity, the film The Farewell Party is filled with humor and warmth.
An invention-loving elderly man creates a device for a friend, which leads to unforeseen consequences and develops into a story where he begins to contemplate his own ending.
Although the subject—the way each person’s life ends—is heavy, the humorous touch conveys a sense of hope about living life happily.
It’s a work that offers a chance to spend the final chapter of life with joy, even when one might otherwise view it pessimistically.
Go for it! Gateball Sakura Team
This work portrays the struggles of elderly individuals trying to reclaim the sparkle of their youth through gateball.
It follows former rugby club teammates as they strive to achieve results in a gateball tournament, and their willingness to take on something new is sure to inspire viewers.
The performances by Tatsuya Fuji and the rest of the cast are striking—blending comedic touches with a strong sense of determination.
It conveys messages that the bonds of friendship are eternal and that it’s never too late to take on a challenge.
Hello, Mom.
Centered on a fresh start for a mother and her son, this work portrays their familial bond and interactions with people in Tokyo’s shitamachi (old downtown) neighborhood.
The lively presence of the mother played by Sayuri Yoshinaga, contrasted with the son’s difficult days portrayed by Yo Oizumi, adds momentum to the story.
The mother’s enjoyment of new encounters becomes the catalyst for the son to rediscover the self he had lost, delivering courage and warmth to viewers’ hearts.
Including the bustling atmosphere of the shitamachi, it’s a work that makes you feel like embracing life with joy.
How to Find the Best Way to Live Your Life
The film “The Bucket List” was remade in Japan in 2019 based on the original released in the U.S.
in 2007.
It tells the story of a housewife and a female CEO who have been given limited time to live and decide to carry out a young girl’s “bucket list” while they are hospitalized in the same hospital.
Through this journey, they look back on their past and reexamine their future.
Through the radiant performances of Sayuri Yoshinaga and Yuki Amami as they face their remaining time, the film conveys that it’s never too late to take on something new.
The deep sense of empathy that comes from depicting the story against Japanese landscapes—and the way it prompts viewers to reflect on their own lives—are major parts of its appeal.
Thermae Romae
Saunas have become a big trend lately and are drawing a lot of attention, and likewise, hot springs and public baths are popular across a wide range of ages.
But did you know that not only Japan, but ancient Rome also had a bathing culture? In Thermae Romae, the highlight is an ancient Roman bathhouse architect experiencing culture shock when encountering modern Japanese bathing culture, and reacting with utmost seriousness.
If you enjoy hot springs and public baths, you’ll find it even more entertaining to watch.
I have no money saved for retirement!
In a world where it’s said you need 20 million yen for retirement, worrying about that money is a concern shared by many people.
Centered on the modern anxieties surrounding retirement funds, the film “No Money for Retirement!” portrays a life full of ups and downs.
Starring Yuki Amami, it leaves a strong impression with her attempts to live brightly despite financial struggles—many viewers may find themselves relating to her earnest efforts to face these worries.
The film gently, and with a touch of humor, addresses a common concern: can you still enjoy life even without much money?
[For Seniors] Funny and Tear-Jerking. Recommended Movie Collection (21–30)
Kabei: Our Mother
Set against the turbulent early Showa era, Mother (Kabei) is a film that portrays family bonds and a mother’s love.
Released in 2008, it was directed by Yoji Yamada and stars Sayuri Yoshinaga.
The image of a mother who remains cheerful and forward-looking even amid the hardships of wartime gives viewers courage and hope.
By depicting incidents such as thought crimes and the lead-up to the Pacific War, the film vividly conveys how people of the time thought and lived.
It’s a work that invites us to reflect on a mother’s love alongside Japan’s history.