16 Inspirational Movies That Will Kick Your Butt Into Gear
We’re halfway through 2020—yes, you read that right—which means you might be panicking about all the goals you *haven’t* checked off your yearly to-do list. (Considering everything that's going on in the world, that's totally acceptable, but we're here to help nonetheless.) If you’ve already listened to all the motivational podcasts, watched every TEDTalk imaginable, and read every self-help book on the shelf, it’s time to turn to the most impactful source of inspiration: movies.
There's really nothing like a live-action film to get you feeling some type of way. The experience of actually seeing a character face an obstacle and their journey to overcoming it is one that's unmatched. IDK why watching moving films is the magic trick to kickstart my inspiration energies, but it just is. After watching Moana, I knew I was invincible.
So, in case you're ever feeling unenthusiastic or sluggish, we've rounding up the 17 most inspirational movies of all time to get you motivated to complete whatever it is you’ve inevitably been putting off.
Becoming (2020)
If you loved Michelle Obama's book, this documentary, which follows her during her book tour, will make you feel ALL the things. It shows how the former First Lady used that tour to correct with young adults across the country, inspiring them to lead in their communities.
Lion (2016)
Based on a real life story, the legendary Dev Patel plays Saroo—a five-year-old boy who gets lost on a train in India. He winds up getting adopted by an Australian family, but 25 years later, he sets out on a quest to go and try to find his first family with the help of Google Earth. It truly seems too good to be true!!
The Theory of Everything (2014)
Eddie Redmayne won the Academy Award for Best Actor for this film, so you know it had to be nothing short of amazing. He played renowned physicist Stephen Hawking who found out as a young adult that he had a fatal motor neuron disease. With his love Jane Wilde by his side, played by Felicity Jones, they defy odds and make incredible discoveries in science.
Soul Surfer (2011)
AnnaSophia Robb plays Bethany Hamilton, a professional surfer who lost an arm in a devastating shark attack, which took a big turn in her surfing career and almost cost her her life. She didn't let that stop her at all, though, and proved that soul and spirit is just as much as an essential to surfing as the body is. Warning: Many tears will be shed.
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127 Hours (2010)
Based on the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place, James Franco brings Aron Ralston's tragic yet incredibly moving experience to the big screen. While exploring a remote canyon in Utah, Ralston gets trapped after a huge boulder falls on his arm. For almost a week, Ralston has to decide whether or not he needs to amputate his arm himself to try escape and possibly live or stay there till he can't hang on anymore.
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
This empowering movie takes places in Cold War era America, where a recent UCLA graduate is hired to teach art history at an all-female college. She inspires them to learn beyond what they expect, and to challenge the gender norms of their time. BTW, the film is really star-studded with Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, and Maggie Gyllenhaal all starring.
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Hidden Figures (2016)
This 2016 film tells the true story of three black women who worked as all-star mathematicians at NASA and played an essential role in the space launch of astronaut John Glenn. Oh, and the film stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae, as if it couldn’t get any better.
A League of Their Own (1992)
A sports movie that’s not so much about sports? I can get into it. Geena Davis, Madonna, and Rosie O’Donnell play on the professional all-female baseball team that was created after America’s players were deployed during World War II. There’s no crying in baseball, but there is crying in your living room while watching this absolute classic.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Unless you’ve been living under a Matt Damon–less rock all these years, you probs already know what GWH is about. Damon (who co-wrote the film with Ben Affleck) is a genius janitor at MIT who solves Einstein-level math problems on the chalkboards after-hours. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll revel in those Boston accents. A win-win-win.
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture for a reason. Hillary Swank stars as an absolute badass boxer whose reluctant trainer (Clint Eastwood) ends up becoming her greatest mentor. Tissues definitely necessary.
Wild (2014)
Based on the real-life autobiography by Cheryl Strayed, Reese Witherspoon plays the badass woman who hiked the Pacific Crest Trail after sadly losing her mother and going through a divorce all in the same year. Major finding-yourself vibes. (Oh, and for all ye Big Little Lies fans, Laura Dern plays Reese's mom).
On the Basis of Sex (2018)
Based on the life of the Notorious RBG, On the Basis of Sex tells the story of the young attorney before she became a Supreme Court justice and how she dedicated her career to fighting against gender discrimination. A true queen.
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Robin Williams and this 1989 film will provide your motto for the rest of 2019, as an English teacher who inspires his students at an all-boys prep school to ~seize the day~. If only we still had AIM away messages.
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The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Will Smith plays a single father who will literally do anything for his onscreen son (played by his *actual* son, Jaden). Oh, and it’s based on a true story. Again, keep that box of tissues within arm’s reach.
Erin Brokovitch (2000)
Julia Roberts gives us a little female empowerment in this 2000 film based on the real-life Erin Brokovitch, an unemployed single mom who feels like the world is against her until she gets hired by a law firm. She ends up leading the investigation for one of the biggest class action lawsuits involving the cover-up of a multi-billion-dollar company. Get. It. Girl.
Moana (2016)
Yes, Moana. This girl is the strong and independently fierce Disney queen we’ve always needed—not to mention the diversity and representation she brings to the table *finally*. And “How Far I’ll Go” will be the soundtrack for the rest of your life.
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