Drawing inspiration from the world around you seems like a tedious practice and one that cannot be kept up all along. But cinema has an unparalleled ability to capture our interest, our imagination and stir our souls in a way few other art forms can. At their best, movies have the power to uplift our mood, broaden our perspectives, and enrich our humanity. Here, we celebrate those films that inspire us the most – works of art that speak to what is best within the human heart and amplify the meaning and purpose of life itself.
Highly inspirational movies go beyond mere entertainment. They shape our mindset and behaviors in small but significant ways. Fromsweet parables on lifeto profound characters with impactful storylines, these films ignite our curiosity and kindle our sense of wonder. They remind us that being open to even tiny, fleeting moments of magic and awe can nourish the soul and make our journey better. Above all, inspirational cinema reminds us that our lives matter. That each moment is precious and each deed has a purpose. So, let’s take a look at movies that inspire us to be the main characters in our own life.
20Good Will Hunting (1997)
Undeniably one of the most touching films to grace the silver screen back in the 1990s was Gus Van Sant’sGood Will Hunting– a story about self-discovery, mentorship, and emotional healing. Will Hunting, a troubled young janitor, possesses a brilliant mathematical mind but remains socially aloof and closed off due to a difficult past. When he is faced with the prospect of jail time, Will is ordered into counseling with a renowned therapist Dr. Sean Maguireto, who helps him confront his trauma. Matt Damon and Robin Williams are absolutely incredible as Will and his mentor Sean, showing how nurturing neglected potential and channeling inner strength can transform lives for the better. The powerful duo Ben Affleck and Matt Damon also won their first Academy Award for their amazing screenplay.
19Wild (2014)
Losing a parent is the hardest thing to go through, and to see it portrayed in a film through a protagonist and watch them be unafraid is truly inspiring. Cheryl Strayed’s harrowing yet life-affirming memoir,Wild,breathes new life on screen in this tale of personal rediscovery and growth. Reeling from a recent divorce, substance abuse, and the loss of her mother, Cheryl decides to – without any prior experience – like over a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail alone. She encounters wildlife, men, and a lack of supplies along the way, and yet nurtures hope and perseverance within herself. Portrayed stunningly by Reese Witherspoon, Cheryl’s struggle toovercome self-doubt and past demonsshows us that sometimes, simply putting one foot in front of the other, every day, is the first step towards healing.
18It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
It’s A Wonderful Lifeis a beloved Christmas classic that follows George Bailey, a dejected, discouraged man pondering giving up on his life on Christmas Eve. But with the help of a guardian angel, he finds a new perspective – he sees how his small-town community and family wouldn’t be where they are if he had never been born. The movie captures, quite beautifully, the profound ways in which each ordinary life touches that of many others, how our simple acts of kindness ripple outwards and become tenfold. Jimmy Stewart delivers an iconic performance as the kind-hearted George, inspiring literally everyone in the audience and making them believe in their potential to make this world a little brighter. Frank Capra uses the uncomplicated thought of cherishing life and creates a movie full of grace and joy.
17Up (2009)
This Pixar gem tells the story of Carl Fredricksen, an elderly widower dealing with the grief of losing his wife, Ellie Fredrickson, by staying put in their house and going through each day with an unwavering spirit. Carl and Ellie had one unchecked item on their bucket list – to explore South America and get to the top of Paradise Falls. And to fulfill their dream, Carl ties thousands of helium balloons to his house andfloats away on a bizarre adventure. Accompanying him is an overeager Wilderness Scout named Russell, who helps him rediscover his zest for life and reconnect with the world around him.Upstarts as a touching ode to a lifelong love that blossoms with time and eventually becomes a meditation on hope and the magic of the tiny flicker of youthful sense of possibility in one’s heart.
16The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty (2013)
Ben Stiller’s modern remake of the renowned 1947 film based on James Thurber’s 1939 short story of the same name may have been frowned upon by the critics, but it manages to evoke genuine emotions in a large audience. It follows a quiet, daydreaming photo manager who escapes life’s tedium through fantastical reveries. Escapist in nature, things get difficult for Walter when an important negative goes missing. Now, he must venture out into the real world to find it. The journey takes him on extraordinary adventures – from the Himalayas to Greenland and farther – and he faces peril, wonder, and his own conscious.The Secret Life Of Walter Mittyis brought to life astonishingly by Stiller’s unassuming protagonist, who is very relatable in wanting to break free from routine and seek something deeper within and without. Ultimately, the film inspires all to dare to live, fully and freely.
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15The Blind Side (2009)
Based on the real-life story of a professional football player is this Oscar-nominated film starring Sandra Bullock and Quinton Aaron. It depicts the unlikely friendship between the affluent matriarch of a Caucasian family, Leigh Anne Tuohy, and a homeless African-American teenager, Michael Oher, whom she adopts and guides to playing football at the NFL level. While Bullock sines as the big-hearted, tough-loving Leigh Anne who sees potential where many only see problems, Aaron is not far behind in portraying the depth and sensitivity of his character as he finds purpose, confidence, and a path forward with the love of his new family.The Blind Sideinspires us to open our eyes, our hearts, and our hands to the richness of individuals around us.
14Lion (2016)
Directed by Garth Davis,Lionis amoving, powerful true storythat follows Saroo, a 5-year-old Indian boy who gets lost and separated from his family. Adopted by an Australian couple, he spends decades looking for the truth about his identity, drowning himself in search of his lost family until the modern technology of Google Earth reunites him with his biological mother. Starring Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, and Rooney Mara, all of whom give remarkable performances, the film plays out beautifully against the backdrop of an urban Australia and a rural India. From Saroo’s need to go back to his Indian roots to find closure and belonging to the resilience of his adoptive parents in the face of adversity, everything about the movie radiates hope. Because as long as we trust our instincts, follow our hearts, and never give up, we can overcome the greatest obstacles in life.
13The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)
Another true story that has become a turning point in the life of many people,The Pursuit Of Happynesschronicles Chris Gardner’s yearlong struggle with homelessness as a single father after his wife decides to separate as he tries to build a career in stockbroking and deal’s with his son’s custody. Will Smith delivers a groundbreaking performance as the tenacious and caring Chris, who never gives up on providing for his son even when all seems lost. The movie shows the power of unconditional love and how hard work can give a person the strength to weather any storm and look for light even in the most trying circumstances. Along with his father, Jaden Smith’s also earned himself a breakthrough for being a sensitive and headstrong performer. In Chris’s words, “If you want something, go get it. Period.”
Set in an oppressive boys’ boarding school, this classic film follows an inspirational English teacher, played by Robin Williams, who ignites the love of poetry and zest for life within his dormant, unenthusiastic students. As the conventional John Keating, Williams is gloriously lovable as he teaches the boys to seize the day by “sucking the marrow out of life.” Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard are two boys who seem to be the most affected and motivated by Keating’s learning methods. The story is hopeful but also tragic as we watch a sensitive student who simply wants to pursue his dream of being on stage despite the disapproval of his family. It proves that ‘carpe diem’ is not just a motto, but a necessity. Overall,Dead Poets Societyinspires us to cultivate our individuality and make the most of each precious moment.
11Taare Zameen Par (2007)
Written by Amol Gupte,Taare Zameen Paris an emotional story that centers around Ishaan, an 8-year-old dyslexic boy struggling with his studies when his parents decide to send him to a strict boarding school. His condition stays the same there until a new art teacher suspects his learning difficulties and suggests tutoring him separately. The film addresses children who are often perceived as “different” and face stigma, but they’re also unique in their own way, waiting to be understood and nurtured. Ishaan’s journey of self-discovery and his eventual triumph over school serve as a hopeful conclusion and anchor the fact that children deserve compassion, acceptance, and opportunities to thrive regardless of their limitations. Aamir Khan, the director who also played the role of the art teacher, is truly astonishing in sending the message out.
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