I cite this as one of the most clever and heartwarming movies of the past decade. It perfectly details the struggles and hardships a typical family can face, as well as their ability to band together despite these obvious differences and focus on what matters. Little Miss Sunshine, a runaway hit from 2006 with a stacked cast, follows a happy-go-lucky young girl named Olive who aspires to win a beauty pageant despite her unconventional and quirky pageant style. Disregarding outsider’s judgment and shelving their countless family problems, the entire brood packs up to take Olive across the country so that she can fulfill her dream and audition to win “Little Miss Sunshine”. Of course, this cross-country journey in a Volkswagen bus inevitably leads to the family members making sense of their numerous complexities and troubles - which touch on topics like depression and suicide, financial woes, social and professional inadequacy and parenting.

This final scene completely sums up the family’s ability to overcome their deep-rooted problems with each other and turn to love and support, when they decide to join Olive on stage during her final performance – a ”superfreaky” dance she was taught by her hilarious late grandfather, which appalls the other pageant parents but ultimately brings the family together. Enjoy!

Also, Russian instrumentalist band Devotchka does the majority of the film’s gorgeous score. Check out one of the most beautiful songs from the film, here.