When you feel times are incorrect, and your luck is not by your side, you are bound to touch down. But are times always not correct? The best thing about time is that it changes, and all that it needs is a little patience, hard work, and dedication on your part for time to change. For you to get inspired, we are here with a list of the most inspirational movies that are a must-watch.
So let us look at 25 of the most inspirational movies that have given us hope and inspired us to do our best no matter how bad things seem.
25. The Terminal (2004)
- Director: Steven Speilberg
- Writer: Sacha Gervasi, Jeff Nathanson
- Cast: Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stanley Tucci, Chi McBride, Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 61%
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
This inspiring story is about Victor Navorski, an Eastern European Tourist to the United States. On his arrival at JFK airport, he discovers that a war has broken out in his country, and he is left stranded due to international politics. With no place to go, Victor starts to live at the airport and finds a job there to meet his basic needs.
The airport authorities can neither let him stay in the airport nor he can remain in the United States. In the process, he falls in love with an air hostess. However, how will Victor stay in love if he cannot leave the airport, and will he ever return to his land?
24.Cast Away(2000)
- Director: Robert Zemeckis
- Writer: William Broyles Junior
- Cast: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Nick Searcy
- IMDb Ratings: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Cast Away is a film based on the story of a FedEx executive named Chuck Noland, who is very punctual. However, he finds himself in big trouble when his flight crashes en route to Malaysia. He is the only survivor and finds himself washed up on a deserted island in the Pacific Ocean.
The story is an ever-inspiring tale of someone who doesn’t give up no matter how difficult the situation is. Noland learns to survive on the island after his efforts of communication for help and sailing away go in vain. He stays there alone for years. But will he ever be able to return to his old life?
23. The Diving Bell and The Butterfly(2007)
- Director: Julian Schnabel
- Writer: Ronald Harwood
- Cast: Mathieu Amlaric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie Josee Croze, Anne Consigny, Max Von Sydow
- IMDb Ratings: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
- Streaming Platform:
The film is one of the most inspiring movies to watch that depicts the life of Jean Dominique Bauby, the editor of Elle, a famous French fashion and lifestyle magazine. The film is a true story of Bauby, who suffered a massive stroke at the age of 43 and got paralyzed with locked-in syndrome.
Unable to speak or communicate, the only way he narrates this memoir is by the only means of communication he has, respond, ing by blinking an eye.
22. Amadeus (1984)
- Director: Milos Forman
- Writer: Peter Shaffer
- Cast: F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Simon Callow, Roy Dotrice, Christine Ebersole, Jeffrey Jones, Charles Kay
- IMDb Ratings: 8.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
- Streaming Platform:
The film depicts the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a young music prodigy from Vienna who fiercely competes with his arch-rival, Antonio Salieri. Mozart has a hedonistic lifestyle and an unmatched talent that makes Salieri jealous of him. He devises a plan that will lead to Mozart’s downfall but will take him down too.
How will Mozart and Salieri resolve their grudge against each other, and will the fine men in the music world have a bitter end to their careers?
21. Yes Man (2008)
- Director: Peyton Reed
- Writer: Nicholas Stoller, Jarrad Paul, Andrew Mogel
- Cast: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Nick Searcy
- IMDb Ratings: 6.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 46%
- Streaming Platform:
The film revolves around Carl Allen, who is very harmful in his approaches and is stuck in his life. He learns the power of saying yes in a self-help seminar that turns his life around. He starts to have a positive outlook, transforming himself and his experiences with a good job and love life.
However, Carl realizes how too much positivity might be as bad as negativity. The film will take you on a journey of self-discovery and the importance of approaches to life.
20. Mary and Max (2009)
- Director: Adam Elliot
- Writer: Adam Elliot
- Cast: Toni Collette, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Eric Bana, Bethany Whitmore
- IMDb Ratings: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
This inspiring story is an animated tale of Mary and Max that is spanned 20 years and two continents. The story is about Mary Dinkle and Max Horovitz, two very different people in a pen pal relationship. At the same time, Mary is an 8-year-old lonely child staying in Melbourne and a 44-year-old man from New York City severely obese with Asperger’s syndrome.
The film tells the story of an unlikely friendship between two people worldwide who are way too different but have an unbreakable bond.
19. The Truman Show(1998)
- Director: Peter Weir
- Writer: Andrew Niccol
- Cast: Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich, Natascha Mc Elhone, Holland Taylor, Ed Harris
- IMDb Ratings: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
The film depicts Truman Burbank’s life, limited only to a massive TV set as his executive producer, unknown to him, and films his every movement through hidden cameras. Christov even tries to control Truman’s life and fiddle with his love life. He replaces his love Sylvia with Meryl and tries to manipulate Truman.
When Truman realizes this, he has to decide whether to give in or stand up against whatever is going on. This story is one of the best inspirational movies that has depicted a man’s will and honestly beautifully.
18. Million Dollar Baby(2005)
- Director: Clint Eastwood
- Writer: Paul Haggis
- Cast: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman
- IMDb Ratings: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
The film is one of the best inspirational movies that depict the life of Frankie Dunn, a veteran boxing trainer from Los Angeles. He is known to keep people scared, but his friend Eddie always gives him a check. When a young working-class transplant woman arrives at his gym, Dunn is in a dilemma about whether or not he will train the young woman.
However, he starts training her, forming a solid bond. The film is an inspiring tale and a visual treat for the audience.
17. Spirited Away (2001)
- Director: Hayao Miyazaki
- Writer: Hayao Miyazaki
- Cast: Rumi Hiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki, Takeshi Naito, Yasuko Sawaguchi, Tsunehilo Kamijo, Takehiko Ono, Bunta Sugawara
- IMDb Ratings: 8.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
This animated film revolves around a ten-year-old child Chihiro who accidentally stumbles upon an abandoned amusement park with her parents. However, much to her horror, her parents turn into giant pigs. With no way out, the small girl seeks help from the mysterious Haku, who informs her that the park is a resort for spirits who come to rest.
How will the small child fight against all odds in an abandoned place full of spirits to free herself and her parents?
16.The Intouchables(2011)
- Director: Oliver Nakache, Eric Toledano
- Writer: Oliver Nakache, Eric Toledano
- Cast: Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy
- IMDb Ratings: 8.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
- Streaming Platform:
This is one of the inspirational films depicting friendship between two highly different people who develop a close bond. A Quadriplegic Parisian aristocrat hires a young man as his caretaker. Though entirely different in every aspect, the two hit it off well.
Both men impact and inspire each other in many ways, marking the beginning of an epic tale of friendship and loyalty.
15. Braveheart (1995)
- Director: Mel Gibson
- Writer: Randall Wallace
- Cast: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack, Brendan Gleeson
- IMDb Ratings: 8.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%
- Streaming Platform:
This classic war film is one of the best war movies on Netflix. Bravehearts is the story of Wallace, a young Scottish man whose family was killed when the English invaded Scotland. Returning to Scotland after years, Wallace vows to rebel against the English rule in his country and fights bravely against the forces of the empire. In the process, he loses his wife and is betrayed by his men, but he never gives up.
The end of the film indeed assured goosebumps moments as even while being publicly executed, Wallace does not beg mercy and instead shouts “Freedom” that rings across the streets.
14. Dead Poets Society (1989)
- Director: Peter Weir
- Writer: Tom Schulman
- Cast: Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles, Robert Sean Leonard
- IMDb Ratings: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
This Oscar-winning and, with several Oscar nominations this film on Amazon Prime Video, revolves around a progressive English Teacher, Mr. Keating, played by Robin Willimas, who influences and inspires a group of young boys who form a secret club named Dead Poets Society where they meet and discuss poetry to explore their true selves. However, things take an adverse turn when one of the boys commits suicide due to parental overburdening.
The film is considered a soul-touching film that makes us appreciate its masterpiece. Fine performances of the actors mark the film.
13. The Help (2011)
- Director: Tate Taylor
- Writer: Tate Taylor
- Cast: Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard, Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney
- IMDb Ratings: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 76%
- Streaming Platform: Sony Liv
This must-watch movie is set in the 1960s in Mississippi, where Skeeter, a young girl from the South, returns from college with big dreams of being a writer. She interviews the black women who worked in white households all their lives in her city despite taunts from others. Aibileen, a worker in the house of Skeeter’s best friend, talks first.
As the two women spend more time with each other, a sense of understanding and sensitivity develops toward each other while opening a journey of struggles and hardships.
12. Forrest Gump (2004)
- Director: Robert Zemeckis
- Writer: Eric Roth
- Cast: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise
- IMDb Ratings: 8.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 70%
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Forrest Gump is one of the best inspirational movies that revolve around Gump, an endearing yet slow-witted man from Alabama who finds himself amidst some historical events that change the course of society.
He navigates his life as a young boy in his late 50s and tries to find and reunite with his childhood love Jenny. He controls his mother, Mrs. Gump, who often does certain questionable things to earn money and make ends meet.
Based on Winston’s Groom’s novel of the same name, the film depicts the life of Forrest, who goes through a roller coaster ride of his life full of some small and big yet incredible moments that define his life. It is a light-hearted and feel-good film that won many Oscar Nominations that year and the Best Picture award.
11.127 Hours (2010)
- Director: Danny Boyle
- Writer: Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy
- Cast: James Franco, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblyn
- IMDb Ratings: 7.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
One hundred twenty-seven Hours is considered one of the best movies on amazon prime video and depicts the adventures of famous mountaineer Aaron Ralston.
The film depicts his real-life incident where he was trapped for 127 hours alone in a slot canyon with his hand trapped under a giant boulder in the Canyonlands National Park, Utah. The film explores his intense desire to survive in adverse conditions and beautifully depicts one of the best stories ever.
This movie is one of the most inspirational movies that has grabbed many audiences and critical appreciation.
10. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Writer: Robert Rodat
- Cast: Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Matt Damon
- IMDb Ratings: 8.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
This World War II drama is an inspiring story of hope and determination by Steven Spielberg is set during the full-fledged war that is going on and opens with US Army captain John Miller landing on Omaha beach during Germany’s invasion.
However, the group is met with a savage attack where is momentarily loses his senses due to a shell explosion. Once recovered, his group and Miller are tasked with saving a young Private James Francis Ryan, and lives are at stake.
Ryan is the only surviving son from German-occupied France. To save Private Ryan, the group has to go through some intense obstacles that will change the course of the evacuation operation.
9. Soul Surfer(2011)
- Director: Sean McNamara
- Writer: Sean McNamara, Deborah Schwartz, Douglas Schwartz, Michael Berk
- Cast: Anna Sophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Lorraine Nicholson, Carrie Underwood, Kevin Sorbo
- IMDb Ratings: 7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 46%
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Soul Surfer is one of the most inspiring must-watch films depicting the life of teenager Bethany, a gifted surfer who loses her arm in a shark attack. With the help of her highly supportive parents and her determination, Bethany works towards her future though a little unsure of it.
However, the Tsunami of 2004 changed her perception, and she started to believe in her dream of making a difference in other people’s lives, and her success in doing so inspired others too.
8. Remember the Titans (2000)
- Director: Boaz Yakin
- Writer: Gregory Allen Howard
- Cast: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Donald Faison, Nicole Ari Parker
- IMDb Ratings: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 73%
- Streaming Platform: Disney + Hotstar
The story is set in Virginia, where high school football is a way of life. Every game is celebrated as a holiday. In 1971, the local board had no other option but to merge black and all-white schools. With the fundamentals of the social system in turmoil, Alexandria’s love for football is now at stake.
The story depicts the various aspects of the social turmoil and how things will fall into place through struggles and adversities if you are determined.
7.3 Idiots (2009)
- Director: Rajkumar Hirani
- Writer: Rajkumar Hirani, Abhijat Joshi
- Cast: Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani, Omi Vaidya, Kareena Kapoor Khan
- IMDb Ratings: 8.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
This film is one of the most beloved and inspiring films that depict the story of three friends in an engineering college, each coming from a different background. With their share of fun and struggles, they strive for the future. However, Rancho, the most loved and hated friend, goes missing after graduation.
Years later, with the other friends succeeding in their careers, they journey to find Rancho. The story depicts how one can achieve great heights if they believe in themselves.
6. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
- Director: Danny Boyle
- Writer: Simon Beaufoy
- Cast: Dev Patil, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Irrfan Khan, Anil Kapoor
- IMDb Ratings: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
- Streaming Platform: IMDb Tv, Vudu
This powerful story revolves around the life of Jamal Malik, who plays the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and reaches the final stage of it. The film shows his journey; coming from the streets, Jamal and his brother Salim take into a life of crime and do odd jobs to make enough money,
Jamal’s journey is an inspiration and a journey from rags to riches as Jamal, despite his adverse situations, doesn’t leave hope and is determined. Will Jamal’s struggles finally end, and will he win the show?
5. Rocky (1971)
- Director: John G. Avildsen
- Writer: Sylvester Stallone
- Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith
- IMDb Ratings: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
The story revolves around Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer in Philadelphia. His life turns exciting when he is chosen to take on the reigning world champion Apollo Creed when his opponent gets injured. Rocky trains with Mickey Goldmill, a former bantamweight contender, and eventually falls in love with Adrian, Mickey’s sister.
Rocky is a story of determination and hard work that inspires several people and is considered one of the best films of its time.
4. The Pursuit of Happyness(2006)
- Director: Gabrielle Muccino
- Writer: Steven Conrad
- Cast: Will SMith, Jaden Smith, Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, James Lassiter, Steve Tisch
- IMDb Ratings: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 67%
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
This is one of the best movies to watch and revolves around the life of a single father, Chris Gardner, who is evicted from his apartment and has no place to go along with his son. Even though Garner gets the job of an intern in a brokerage firm, he is unpaid. Both father and son stay in shelters and face many hardships together.
With Chris working hard day in and day out for a better future for his son, the story depicts how one must never leave hope and try to find joy in the smallest of things. The Pursuit of Happyness is a very inspiring movie to watch with friends and family.
3. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
- Director: Ron Howard
- Writer: Akiva Goldsman
- Cast: Russel Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, Adam Goldberg, Judd Hirsch, Josh Lucas, Anthony Rapp
- IMDb Ratings: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 74%
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
A beautiful mind is a true story of John Forbes Nash Junior and depicts the different aspects of his life. The movie tries to cover everything from his most significant highs to his most excellent lows. As a mathematical genius, Nash made a discovery that would give him international acclaim and a great career.
However, away from the glitz, Nash finds himself on a path of self-discovery, and as a true story, the movie does justice to Nash’s life. The film shows how Nash inspired himself and several others throughout his life.
2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
- Director: Frank Darabont
- Writer: Frank Darabont
- Cast: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, James Whitmore
- IMDb Ratings: 9.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Considered one of the best movies ever, The Shawshank Redemption is the story of Andy Dufresne, who is sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his wife and her lover. Even though Andy knows he is innocent, he faces the brutality of prison for 19 years. In these 19 years, Andy develops a friendship with Red and helps the other inmates and himself with education and recreational activities.
This is one of the most inspirational movies ever and depicts the will and hard work of Andy. His determination to change his condition, as well as others, is undoubtedly inspiring to watch.
1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
- Director: Boaz Yakin
- Writer: Gregory Allen Howard
- Cast: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Donald Faison, Nicole Ari Parker
- IMDb Ratings: 8.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
The movie tells the story of Randal Patrick McMurphy, who gets transferred to a mental asylum after he fakes mental illness to escape prison work. However, things are not what he expected in the mental asylum. Under the corrupt regime of Nurse Ratched, the patients are abused, drugged, and given electroconvulsive therapy to keep them in check.
Randal’s story of survival in such an intense environment is inspiring, and how he never lets his hope die and has his will intact is something worth the inspiration.
