When I look back at the films I saw in 2014, I separate them into a few categories: most emotional, most action-packed, most funny, and most cute. Life can be hard and ugly, and I cling to moments of adorableness like they’re buoys in a rough ocean. It’s like looking at kitten pictures. Sweet moments in films can provide a necessary moment of humor, tell you more about a character, or be gratuitous. I’m okay with all of the above. Here are some of the cutest scenes in 2014 films that I think of when I need a pick me up:

Dancing Groot – Guardians of the Galaxy

The gleeful claps you heard around the world in August were from people watching the final 30 seconds of Guardians of the Galaxy. Groot may have splintered apart but his pal Rocket Raccoon replanted him, and Groot as a sapling is the most joyful moment of an already upbeat movie. I don’t think I will ever be able to hear The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” without waving my arms around like little Groot.

Buttercup – The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1

Mockingjay – Part 1 isn’t a cheerful movie. At all. And it shouldn’t be. Panem is in the middle of desperate rebellion, and our protagonist is going through hell. It can be tricky to insert a sweet moment into a dark movie, but they managed to do so with Prim’s cat Buttercup. The fur ball adds a few charming moments, but the one that comes to mind first is Buttercup chasing the flashlight beam around the bunker and entertaining everyone in the middle of a crisis.

Baymax – Big Hero 6

The entirety of Big Hero 6 belongs on this list because Baymax. The personal healthcare companion robot is the walking definition of the word endearing. I fell for the character just from watching the trailers for the film, and I wasn’t disappointed when I saw him on the big screen. It’s hard to choose the best Baymax moment, but Hiro teaching Baymax the art of the fist bump is near the top. “Bah-a-la-la-la.”

Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy – The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Disclaimer: I didn’t really like the Amazing Spider-Man sequel. There were too many villains, and what was up with dubstep Electro? Anyway. I adored Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone as Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy because their scenes are the most adorkable ever. There’s just the right amount of awkwardness, and this clip of their kiss in a broom closet showcases it.

Toothless – How to Train Your Dragon 2

The sequel to How to Train Your Dragon arrived in theaters this year, and it was surprisingly good. Great, even. I knew to expect a hefty dose of “aww” moments, but Toothless outdid himself. Toothless and the other dragons are modeled on cats, and since I am a crazy cat lady, I instantly connected to them. In this priceless scene, he and Hiccup wrestle and then Toothless bats Hiccup around and licks his face. My heart.

Chuy – The Book of Life

If you’re vying for that special someone’s attention, nothing says love like giving him or her a piglet. Manolo wraps Chuy in a box and gives him to Maria when she leaves for boarding school. Chuy eventually grows up, and while he isn’t quite as adorable when he’s older, he’s still pretty great.

What precious scenes did I miss? Let me know in the comments or tell me about them on Twitter.

Gif via Book of Life