Golden Girls Meets This Is Us In Netflix’s New Movie Based On A Bestselling Book

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Published May 8, 2026, 8:15 PM EDT

Dani Kessel Odom (they/them) is an autistic lead writer and TV critic who frequently covers sci-fi shows like Doctor Who and Pluribus, fantasy shows like The Magicians and Percy Jackson, horror, and superheroes. Their specialty is onscreen book adaptations. Their TV reviews can be found on Rotten Tomatoes.

They have covered events, such as the Denver Fan Expo. Professionals in the field, such as Damien Leone and Lucy Hale, have shared their articles. Their review for Ponies was quoted in the show's TV trailer.

In university, they majored in English Writing with a minor in psychology. They have always had a passion for analyzing TV and movies, even taking filmography and scriptwriting classes in university. They also studied and participated in onstage and onscreen acting extensively from the ages of 7 to 18.

Aside from working at Screen Rant, Dani has worked as a freelance editor and writer over the past decade, often in a ghostwriting capacity.

Netflix’s new release brings together The Golden Girls and This Is Us in one of the best comfort movies of the year, so far. The best comfort shows and movies offer up a feeling of safety, familiarity, and emotional relief. However, the ways that show achieve this can be extremely different. Two prime examples of this are The Golden Girls and This Is Us.

The Golden Girls and This Is Us are two of the best comfort shows because they explore very real emotions, positive and negative. They offer hope, even when things seem dire. Plus, they both focus on the idea that we are stronger together than we are apart. They are the kind of shows that make me want to hug my loved ones a little tighter. However, their tone and themes differ greatly. The Golden Girls is more lighthearted and focused on friendship. This Is Us offers emotional catharsis and focuses on trauma and family.

Given their differences, it wouldn’t seem logical to combine their storytelling elements. However, the new movie adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt’s hit novel Remarkably Bright Creatures does just that, and it’s all the better for it.

In Remarkably Bright Creatures, Tova’s friend group, the Knit Wits, feels like a version of The Golden Girls’ main friend group. The members of the knitting club have very different personalities, but they still feel like a found family. They love to gossip and joke around. They throw parties for each other and help each other prepare for dates.

At the same time, they lean on each other through the difficult things. Together, they navigate aging, grief, and loss. It’s a very loving dynamic. Even though Tova doesn’t always engage with the rest of the group, they show up for her.

Similarly, Remarkably Bright Creatures feels evocative of This Is Us. Both Tova and Cameron are navigating complex family situations that cause lasting wounds. Tova lost her son, Erik, three decades before the movie starts, and her husband died recently.

Meanwhile, Cameron’s mother had a substance use disorder and neglected him. She died right before the movie started, and he’s on a journey to find and confront his biological father. Just like This Is Us, the movie doesn’t shy away from difficult topics like Erik’s possible suicide and Cameron’s unstable childhood.

Ultimately, the blend of The Golden Girls and This Is Us works remarkably well. The themes of both shows align. Stylistically, the levity of one balances the heaviness of the other, making it emotionally impactful without being a constant downer. As ScreenRant’s Molly Freeman says in her review of Remarkably Bright Creatures, “the movie is ultimately about the good in people, and how human connection can lead to a fulfilling life.”

Sally Field As Tova Teaching Lewis Pullman As Cameron How To Clean In Remarkably Bright Creatures

Considering This Is Us and The Golden Girls’ status as top-notch comfort shows, it’s no surprise that a movie that draws upon both would be the ultimate feel-good movie. This Netflix original movie brings just as many smiles and laughs as it does tears. It’s an extremely cathartic watch.

On top of that, the cast of Remarkably Bright Creatures makes the characters feel grounded and lovable. Their quirks and flaws make them all the more relatable. Whether a person has gone through the same experiences as Tova or Cameron, it’s easy to empathize with their plights.

With all that in mind, you should grab a warm beverage, snuggle up under a blanket, and settle in for a beautiful experience. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself revisiting the warmth of Remarkably Bright Creatures over and over. I know I have.