Year: 1968
Runtime: 94 mins
Language: English
Director: George Seaton
A new infection that simply makes people feel happy is treated as a threat by the authorities while its “victims” work to spread it to others.
Get a spoiler-free look at What’s So Bad About Feeling Good? (1968) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the heart of a restless New York City, a rag‑tag loft commune drifts between artistic rebellion and cynical resignation. Pete, a former advertising executive, has swapped boardrooms for cheap sofas and the company of eclectic roommates who linger in beat‑style ennui. The space feels like a living collage of mismatched furniture, a resident who sleeps in a burlap sack, and the lingering scent of cheap coffee—an urban sanctuary where creativity is both a refuge and a joke. Beside him lives his long‑time girlfriend, Liz, whose pragmatic sensibility constantly bumps against the loft’s whimsical drift.
One improbable morning a brightly plumed toucan, fresh from a South‑American banana cargo, lands among the clutter, its feathers carrying a contagion that turns ordinary people into exuberant, kind‑hearted versions of themselves. The virus spreads with a simple touch, flooding its hosts with giddy optimism and a sudden urge to be nice. The authorities, uncomfortable with a wave of uncontrolled goodwill, treat the outbreak as a public safety threat, setting up a clash between bureaucratic caution and a community that sees the infection as a chance to rewrite its stale script.
The film dances between satirical comedy and gentle social commentary, using the loft’s bohemian texture and the city’s bustling backdrop to explore what happens when a society suddenly feels compelled to be kind. Pete and Liz sit at the center of this tug‑of‑war, their relationship poised between skepticism and the allure of a world that suddenly laughs a little louder. With a tone that balances absurdist humor and earnest curiosity, the story invites viewers to wonder how far a contagious feeling of goodness might travel before the world tries to contain it.
Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:18
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Cheerful underdogs challenge a cynical system with infectious optimism.If you enjoyed the playful satire and feel-good rebellion in What’s So Bad About Feeling Good?, this list features movies with similar upbeat, quirky characters challenging a cynical society. Discover comedies and light dramas where optimism and joy triumph over conformity.
Stories in this thread typically follow a group of optimistic outsiders or individualists who discover a novel way to disrupt the status quo. The conflict is not one of violence, but of philosophies, as the establishment tries to crush the spreading wave of happiness or freedom. The journey is one of persistent, cheerful resistance leading to a hopeful, uplifting conclusion.
These movies are grouped together because they share a core combination of a whimsical tone, a satirical look at social norms, and a narrative centered on a peaceful, optimistic revolution. They offer an experience that is intellectually playful yet emotionally light and ultimately affirming.
A bizarre phenomenon spreads benevolence, forcing society to confront its own misery.Fans of What’s So Bad About Feeling Good? will enjoy these films about bizarre, benevolent phenomena that spread like a plague. Explore stories where infectious happiness or idealism challenges a fearful establishment, blending sci-fi or fantasy concepts with social satire.
The narrative pattern involves the introduction of a force—a virus, a substance, an idea—that compels people to be happier, kinder, or more peaceful. The plot unfolds as the 'infection' spreads, leading to a clash between the newly transformed 'victims' and a power structure that sees the loss of control, ambition, or fear as a catastrophic threat. The story explores the irony of a 'cure' being worse than the 'disease' of happiness.
These films are connected by their unique premise of a positive 'outbreak' and the satirical conflict it generates. They explore similar themes of social control, the nature of happiness, and the fear of change, all through a lens that is more fanciful than frightening.
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Read a complete plot summary of What’s So Bad About Feeling Good?, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
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Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about What’s So Bad About Feeling Good?: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like What’s So Bad About Feeling Good? that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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