March 14, 2026

Title: FEEL-GOOD MOVIES

Constructor: Brian Callahan

Editor: Amie Walker

Theme synopsis:

• HAPPY GILMORE (20A: 1996 Adam Sandler golf comedy)
• UP IN THE AIR (37A: 2009 comedy-drama featuring George Clooney as a frequent flyer)
• JOYFUL NOISE (58A: 2012 Queen Latifah musical film about a small-town choir)

FEEL-GOOD MOVIES: Each theme answer is a MOVIE whose first word is a synonym of FEEL-GOOD: HAPPY, UP, and JOYFUL.

And now a word from today's constructor:

Brian: Happy Pi Day! This puzzle isn’t pi- or pie-themed, but i still hope that it brought you joy while solving. The initial pitch included HAPPY GILMORE, THE JOY LUCK CLUB, and MONA LISA SMILE. Amanda liked the concept, but felt that the set wasn’t quite cohesive enough, since HAPPY is an adjective, JOY is a noun, and SMILE is really an expression of joy. Fortunately, she gave me a shot to tighten up the set, and we were able to land on the three films featured in this grid.

On a side note, March 14th is a special day for me in that it’s the anniversary of my very first published crossword byline (3/14/23 at the Los Angeles Times). I’m grateful for all of the amazing people I’ve met and incredible opportunities I’ve had over the past 3+ years. The crossworld is an amazing space, and I’m grateful to be a part of such a clever and kind community.

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• LARA (15A: ___ Raj (Katseye member)) The Debut: Dream Academy is a reality competition TV series that aired in 2023. The goal of the show was to create a global girl group. The contest was a collaboration between the South Korean record label, Hybe, and the American record label, Geffen Records. Twenty contestants from around the world competed to be a part of the final group. Six winners were selected through a combination of fan voting and input from experts. Katseye is the group that resulted from the competition. Its six members are from the Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States. The formation of the group was the subject of the Netflix docuseries Popstar Academy: Katseye. LARA Raj is one of the members of Katseye. Side note: In learning about LARA Raj, I notice that she is from Stamford, Connecticut. That's notable in the world of crosswords for being the site of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (until next year when the tournament is moving to Philadelphia).
• ARTPOP (24A: Lady Gaga album with "Applause") ARTPOP is Lady Gaga's third studio album, released in 2013. "Applause" was released as the album's lead single. "I live for the applause, applause, applause ... Live for the way you cheer and scream for me..." Although I've heard the song before, I'm not good at remembering album names, so I needed the help of crossing answers here. (That's what they're for, after all.)
• AWL (57A: _laska _ilderness _eague (environmental nonprofit)) In this variation of fill-in-the-blank clue, each blank corresponds to one letter. In this case, those letters are AWL, the abbreviation for Alaska Wilderness League. The mission of this nonprofit organization is to inspire broad support for federal action to protect Alaska's wild lands and waters. The AWL is new to me, but I'm happy to learn about them.
• DOJA (48D: ___ Exclusive (family of legacy cannabis operators)) According to their website, DOJA Exclusive was established in Sacramento, CA and stands for "GOOD weed and the culture that surrounds it." The emphasis of the word GOOD is theirs, but it amuses me that it fits in with today's theme.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• SNIPE (1A: Marsh bird) Let's see, a 5-letter marsh bird ... is that a heron, an egret, or (checks a few crossings), ah yes, a SNIPE. 
• KORRA (14A: "Avatar: The Legend of ___") Avatar: The Legend of KORRA is an animated TV series, and a comics series. It is a sequel to the TV series, Avatar: The Last Airbender. Both of these Nickelodeon TV shows are set in a fictional universe in which certain people can manipulate water, earth, fire, or air.
• HAPPY GILMORE (20A: 1996 Adam Sandler golf comedy) In HAPPY GILMORE, Adam Sandler portrays the title character, a failed ice hockey player who discovers he has a talent for golf. A few months ago I wrote about HAPPY GILMORE 2, the movie's 2025 sequel.
• ARES (22A: "Wonder Woman" villain) In DC Comics, ARES is not only Wonder Woman's primary antagonist, but also her half-brother. The character is named after and based on the Greek god of war and courage, who we saw in yesterday's puzzle clued as [Greek war god].
• UP IN THE AIR (37A: 2009 comedy-drama featuring George Clooney as a frequent flyer) The movie UP IN THE AIR is based on Walter Kirn's 2001 book of the same name. George Clooney portrays Ryan, a man who specializes in termination assistance for a human resources firm.
• NORA (51A: Writer/director Ephron) I'm always happy to see rom-com queen NORA Ephron (1941-2012) in the puzzle. She was involved in the making of many of my favorite rom-coms, including When Harry Met Sally (1989), You've Got Mail (1998), and Julie & Julia (2009).
• JOYFUL NOISE (58A: 2012 Queen Latifah musical film about a small-town choir) In JOYFUL NOISE, Queen Latifah plays Vi Rose, the director of a church choir in a small town. Dolly Parton portrays G. G. Sparrow, the widow of the choir's previous director and the church's main benefactor (who believes she should be directing the choir). 
• SKI HAT (1D: Snow cap?) The question mark in this clue means that it is not referring to a cap of snow on the top of a mountain, but rather a cap one might wear in the snow, a SKI HAT.
• ALBINO (6D: Like some white alligators) ALBINO alligators have a congenital absence of pigmentation, resulting in their white appearance.
• SAMOA (9D: Island country whose name means "Holy Center") SAMOA is an island country located in the Pacific Ocean about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. Apia is SAMOA's capital, and in fact, its only city.
• VEGETARIAN (10D: Person ordering an Impossible Whopper, maybe) and ATE (13D: Enjoyed an Impossible Whopper) and ERR (19D: Order an Impossible Whopper at McDonald's, say) I quite enjoyed this trio of clues. An Impossible Whopper is a VEGETARIAN burger sold by Burger King (not McDonald's).
• PUERTO RICAN (25D: Like Ivy Queen or Bad Bunny) Ivy Queen and Bad Bunny are both singers and rap artists. They are also both PUERTO RICAN.
• MAE (36D: "___ Martin: SAP" (Netflix special)) MAE Martin is a comedian, actor, and screenwriter. Her 2023 Netflix comedy special is titled MAE Martin: SAP.
• TINASHE (40D: "Nasty" singer) "Nasty" is the lead single from TINASHE's 2024 studio album, Quantum Baby. 
• UKULELE (42D: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's instrument) Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (1959-1997), also known as Bruddah Iz, or IZ, was a Hawaiian singer, songwriter, and UKULELE player. In his song, "Hawai'i '78," the state motto of Hawaii - "Ua Mau Ea o ka 'Āina i ka Pono" ("The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness") - is repeated multiple times. One of IZ's most popular songs is a medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow & What a Wonderful World." In 2011, NPR featured Israel Kamakawiwo'ole in their "50 Great Voices" series, dubbing him "The Voice of Hawaii." 
• OREO (60D: Black-and-white cookie) Well, hello, crossword friend OREO. Today OREO is making its second March appearance and its fifth appearance this year. It's not a pie, but it is round, so eating an OREO would be an appropriate celebration of Pi Day (in my opinion).
• A few other clues I especially enjoyed:
• CAR (43D: Game piece in Life)
• HOLE (64D: A bagel has one)
• TREE FORT (39D: Where a rope ladder may lead)

Today's theme features a category (MOVIES) and synonyms. I enjoyed the theme, though I admit I haven't seen any of these movies. (That probably will not surprise regular readers, as there are so many movies I haven't seen.) Thank you, Brian, for this FEEL-GOOD puzzle. And happy crossword anniversary – I, for one, am glad you started constructing crosswords! I'm off to think about what kind(s) of pie I want to eat today.