The slice-of-life genre has graced those who let themselves be moved by its simplicity countless times, dating way back to Italian Neorealism in the 1940s. But what is it exactly that makes these films so beloved? Is it how they strip away artificial narratives, offering a more humanistic outlook instead? Is it the thought-provoking themes they explore? Or could it be their pleasing aesthetics?
Today, we look back at some of the most heartwarming slice-of-life films, examining how they depict hope, the human experience, and the warmth that comes with it even when we fail to notice. These films invite audiences to slow down, reflect, and find meaning in the moments we are used to overlooking.
10
‘Museum Hours’ (2012)
Jem Cohen‘s contemplative movie set in Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum illustrates a guard (Bobby Sommer) who befriends an enigmatic visitor (Ela Piplits). Soon enough, the museum becomes a mysterious crossroads that sparks conversations around their lives and how works of art reflect and shape our world.
The perfect slice-of-life film for art aficionados, Museum Hours unfolds slowly, with its narrative hinging on ordinary routine. At its core, it’s a beautiful film in how it celebrates the power of connecting with strangers amid isolation; despite there being no romance between the leads, their bond is no less important. Instead, it’s shaped by their connection to the place, which becomes almost like a sanctuary. It’s a movie that affirms how ordinary life can often contain extraordinary meaning, exploring themes of grief and the symbiotic relationship between art and life.
9
‘Columbus’ (2017)
Focusing on architecture as a means to understand the human experience, Kogonada‘s film finds a Korean-born man (John Cho) stuck in Columbus, Indiana, where his architect father is in a coma. When he meets a young woman (Haley Lu Richardson) who wants to stay in Columbus with her mother, a recovering addict, instead of pursuing her career dreams, a special bond slowly develops between the two.
Konogada’s film is essentially heartwarming in its depiction of passion and the courage to follow one’s dreams. It might not be as overtly enthusiastic as some other entries on this list, often choosing a quietly moving approach instead, but its simplicity and deliberateness are precisely what make it stand out. At its core, Columbus offers beautiful storytelling, stunning visuals that celebrate the art of architecture, and captivatingly subtle performances from both leads.
8
‘Tampopo’ (1985)
A must-see Japanese film from the mid 1980s, Tampopo focuses on the everyday joys of cooking, eating, and human connection through its entertaining episodic lens, often depicting ordinary people and small-town routine. The main story is about trucker Goro (Tsutomu Yamazaki), who rides into town like a modern Shane to help Tampopo (Nobuko Miyamoto) set up the perfect noodle soup restaurant.
The ultimate foodie film — according to none other than beloved late chef and writer Anthony Bourdain, who described it as “Juzo Itami’s maniacally fetishistic ode to ramen” — Tampopo is essentially about people helping each other, treating food as acts of love. It’s no wonder it’s such a heartwarming watch, especially with an ending that feels like a small communal victory.
7
‘Paterson’ (2016)
Finding beauty in the most conventional of things through meticulous observation, Paterson has understandably become a fan-favorite in the slice-of-life genre. The film stars Adam Driver and centers around a bus driver in New Jersey as he transforms repetitive, quiet moments — listening to conversations, going about his day, and so on — into poetry.
Anchored by convincing performances and a simple but captivating narrative, Jim Jarmusch‘s film is a must-see character study that is both minimalist and deeply interesting. It offers a melancholic and tender portrayal of routine; instead of conflict, Paterson delivers a thoughtful meditation on the overlooked moments. For fans of naturalistic films that are quiet and accessible, this is a great pick that charms with its curiosity and the mundane.
6
‘The Holdovers’ (2023)
Although not strictly a slice-of-life film largely due to its highly stylized, deliberate aesthetic that feels more curated than purely naturalistic, there’s a case to be made for The Holdovers as a fit for the genre, especially given the way it focuses on the quiet daily lives of its characters instead of a heavily plot-driven narrative and drama. The beloved film follows a strict classics professor (wonderfully played by Paul Giamatti) forced to supervise students staying on campus for Christmas, specifically Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), a troublemaker with whom he ends up forming a moving bond, alongside grieving head cook Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph in a divine effort — pun intended).
The Holdovers, a coming-of-age and slice-of-life wrapped in one, has established its place among the most beloved holiday films out there, and rightfully so. In the 2024 Best Picture contender, love is celebrated through quiet acts of service and shared vulnerability, with the characters ultimately forging a chosen family amidst loneliness. On top of its beautiful 1970s visuals with timeless charm, The Holdovers feels like a tight and warm hug that successfully sheds light on the power of empathy.
5
‘Marcel the Shell with the Shoes On’ (2021)
One of the most irresistibly adorable films of recent times, Marcel the Shell with the Shoes On is the perfect blend of mockumentary and slice-of-life, following a one-inch-tall mollusk shell that a cash-strapped documentary maker finds living in his Airbnb. Marcel lives with his grandmother Connie and their pet lint, Alan.
At its core, this unique Dean Fleischer Camp film is a meditation on embracing life’s inevitable changes — even amidst loss — and a reminder of the importance of community. It’s a poignant, heartwarming little film that is almost guaranteed to touch audiences of all ages with its very emotional, albeit playful, narrative and the perfect mix of humor and profound sadness that results in an unforgettable journey that embraces the mundane as extraordinary.
4
‘Our Little Sister’ (2015)
Our Little Sister observes the quiet everyday rhythms of four sisters forming a family, resulting in a heartwarming film that takes audiences to the coastal town of Kamakura, where the Kodas — twenty-nine, twenty-two, nineteen, and thirteen — live together in their late grandmother’s ancestral house since their father left them to live with another woman and their mother soon followed.
Supported by beautiful performances from Masami Nagasawa, Kaho, and Suzu Hirose, and directed by acclaimed Shoplifters and Monsters filmmaker, Our Little Sister captures everyday moments — think preparing plum wine, family meals, and casual chats — with fascinating honesty. Its appeal lies in how it lingers on character development through small events in their lives and how each day is grounded in realism. Here, meals are synonymous with love and empathy and resilience reigns supreme.
3
‘Little Forest’ (2018)
Described as a healing watch, this South Korean 2018 drama invites audiences on a tranquil escape through a strong focus on nature, seasonal cooking, and simple living. The plot is quite simple: it centers around a young woman (Kim Tae-ri) who grows tired of life in the city and returns to her hometown in the countryside.
With its uplifting positive energy, Soon-rye Yim’s movie is a calming, soul-soothing watch that celebrates life’s grounding rhythms while also delving into self-discovery. Add in authentic characters and realistic relationships, and it’s easy to see why anyone drawn to K-dramas — though this curiously takes a refreshing departure from the genre — would find this one worth a watch.
2
‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988)
Among Studio Ghibli’s most essential, rewarding, and enjoyable features is My Neighbor Totoro, which follows two girls who move to the country to be near their ailing mother. In the meantime, they embark on an adventure with the wondrous forest spirits who live nearby.
My Neighbor Totoro does not ask much of audiences — it offers a gentle, slice-of-life experience focused on atmosphere, childhood wonder, nature, and family. If there’s a category of films better described as a safe haven, the comforting 1988 film is almost guaranteed to be there. Intentionally slow and quiet, My Neighbor Totoro lets its themes emerge as naturally as its landscapes, avoiding heavy-handed lessons and focusing on the importance of bonds and resilience.
1
‘Perfect Days’ (2023)
One thing about Wim Wenders, he’s going to deliver a breathtaking film that sticks with audiences long after the screen turns black, and Perfect Days is no exception. This wonderful 2023 Kôji Yakusho-led film follows Hirayama, a middle-aged man who cleans public toilets in Tokyo, living his life in simplicity and daily tranquility.
Most of us could learn a thing or two from Hirayama, starting with how there is profound joy and meaning to be found in simplicity. Perfect Days is an extraordinary meditation on the power of presence, appreciating nature in the everyday, and accepting that life isn’t about more but about how deeply we experience what we have. Wim Wenders‘ film indisputably takes home the award for the most heartwarming of slice-of-lives and certainly is an enduring reminder that some of the most affecting, enduring films are also the simplest.
Perfect Days
- Release Date
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December 22, 2023
- Runtime
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124 Minutes
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