We all need a shot of inspiration from time to time. If you are struggling to find motivation and feeling downright depressed, then watch these outstanding films that will do wonders to boost your inspiration.
The best thing to do, when you are depressed and think that the world is bearing down on you, turn to the world of movies. It is always the most effective and quick way of getting out of the hole of drudgery and dismay.
It can happen to the bet of us and there is nothing to worry about feeling depressed with an urgent need for inspiration. We have all been there and what should you do about it? Well, I’ll tell you what I do and which works every time. I switch on one of these inspirational movies to get me back on track.
There are countless movies made that offer powerful and inspirational messages. Whether it is about fighting all odds, overcoming disabilities, or just plain old survival, through resilience and mental strength. There are many inspirational movies that help you to get into that mindset and ignite feelings of strength and creativity.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
This is an incredible and inspiring story about the sheer difficulty of achieving one’s dreams. Based on a true story, The Pursuit of Happyness is a biographical drama directed by Gabriele Muccino starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman. The screenplay is based on the memoir of the same name written by Gardner with Quincy Troupe based on his account of being homeless. The cast includes Thandiwe Newton and Will Smith’s son Jade, in his film debut. The movie is one of the most inspirational movies with a brilliant performance by Will Smith. It is a well made, well written and an absolute uplifting drama.
Rocky (1976)
The movie inspires you one step, one punch, one round at a time. The movie that made Sylvester Stallone the Hollywood heartthrob and the undisputed heavyweight of American cinema. The movie is one of the best stories about fighting hard for one’s dreams. It shows you that life will hit you and try and keep you down, but it’s not about how hard you are hit but how fast you get back up. It will inspire you to be perseverant and that you should find it in you to get back up when life smacks you down. It is definitely one of the best underdog movies ever made and is one the best motivational movies of all time.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Almost 80 years since the film was made but It’s a Wonderful Life and it’s encouraging message is still incredibly uplifting and heartwarming. The movie is a Christmas family fantasy drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra. The film will make you see your life in a much better light. It advocates taking matters of your life in your hands, to take responsibility so that positive changes for yourself and those around you can be implemented. The story revolves around an angel sent from heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. The film’s cast includes James Stewart as George Bailey, a man who has given up his personal dreams, in order to help others in his community. Whose suicide attempt on Christmas Eve brings about the intervention of his guardian angel. The film’s summary can be highlighted in this dialogue from it – “Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends.”
Forrest Gump (2010)
It is a beautiful and inspiring film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Eric Roth. Based on the novel of the same name by Winston Groom the film stars Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise and Sally Field. The movie shows us that anyone can accomplish anything in life, as long as you are determined enough and as long as your heart is in the right place. The film won 6 Academy awards including best picture and best actor – the second for Tom Hanks. Forrest Gump was hugely successful because of it being, both serious and funny, entertaining and thought-provoking. It is by far one of the best inspirational movies of all time that shows us that any of us can make it if we simply persist.
Life of Pi (2012)
The movie that won an Oscar for special effects is an adventure drama film, based on Yann Martel’s novel of the same name. The movie is directed by Ang Lee, and written by David Magee. The film stars Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Adil Hussain, and Gérard Depardieu. The storyline covers the inspiring story of Pi, who is the only human survivor of a shipwreck. The Indian teenager, telling a novelist about his life story, and how at 16, he survives a shipwreck and is adrift in the Pacific Ocean on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. Life of Pi is a remarkable, unforgettable cinematic experience. It is a movie full of an intriguing and inspiring adventure and amongst one of the best inspirational movies to come out in the last decade.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
The film that gave Hollywood two of the most talented actors – Ben Affleck and Mat Damon. The latter started writing the film as a final assignment for a playwriting class he was taking at Harvard University. Damon then invited Ben Affleck to develop the screenplay together. The inspiring movie revolves around the struggle of finding your place in life and how important it is not to give up during this time. The movie speaks to you about keeping the faith in pursuing things that you love. The film won two Academy awards including Best original screenplay for Affleck and Damon. The film will prove to be a positive and motivational experience for you. The movie not only proved to be a most accomplished writing debut for two young actors but also established them as future Hollywood superstars.
The Theory of Everything (2014)
The film is set at the University of Cambridge and details the life of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. It is a biographical drama directed by James Marsh. It narrates the story of how despite the grim circumstances, the scientist does not give up. Instead, he decides to use the time he has left to use his ingenuity to make important scientific discoveries. The film stars Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox, Emily Watson and David Thewlis. Everything about the movie is good including the extraordinary story of Stephen Hawking and the performance of the cast. The film is exceptionally motivational that portrays the unfaltering idealism of Hawking, that doesn’t fade, even when all that he can use is his eyes.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Another masterpiece of a movie, in any category. It is one of the most uplifting movies ever made. A prison drama about two convicts on life terms, who must break their emotional shackles before they can finally become free men. The message of the movie is highly inspiring. It shows you how important it is to never ever give up, no matter how difficult things seem to be. It is a movie that shows us that life is all about hope and is a must watch movie for soldiering on despite setbacks and failures. The performances of Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman make this a must watch movie which was nominated for 7 academy awards in 1995.
Life Is Beautiful (1998)
The 71st Academy Awards in 1999 are best remembered for the antics of Roberto Benigni, who jumped over seats to go and receive his trophy for Best Actor. The film won two more awards for Best Music, Original Dramatic Score and Best Foreign Language Film. The film tells the story of a man who ingeniously uses his imagination to protect his beloved son from the horror of being imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp. The movie is an Italian comedy-drama directed by and starring Roberto Benigni. The film received rave reviews for its story, performances, direction and the mix of drama and comedy. That movie tells us that every cloud, especially the black clouds of war, has a silver lining and that in the end Life Is Beautiful.
Chariots of Fire (1981)
The film is a British historical sports drama directed by Hugh Hudson, written by Colin Welland, It’s a brilliant movie about standing up for what you believe in and to never allow anything to compromise your values. It is based on the true story of two British athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell: a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice. Chariots of Fire was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Original Score. Chariots of Fire, is an uplifting film that moves and challenges our mind. The movie remains one of the best inspirational movies of all time because it transcends sports.
Inspirational movies have been around since the very start, but truly classic motivational films transcend time and generations to deliver a universal, human message – a message of hope.
FAQs:
We all need a jab of inspiration once in a while and if you are still trying to choose which ones to watch then the above mentioned list of movies are some of the best to get you back in the groove. There are a whole lot of light inspiration movies on Netflix that you could also choose from.
Inspiration for one could be a dampener for the other. Watch all the best inspirational movies listed above and see which one works best for you.
You are bound to get motivated by these powerful stories. These are some of the most inspirational movies of all time.
Personally, for my fix of inspiration, I turn to some of the sports related movies. The ones included in the list of the best inspirational movies of all time are Rocky and Chariots of Fire. There are countless more that you can watch to get motivated and encouraged.
If you think it’s time for you to get inspired and motivated, then end everything that you are doing, sit back and enjoy these top inspirational movies.
