The best motivating films will make you laugh, smile, and even tear up. This selection of motivational and feel-good films pays homage to what touching films excel at: motivating, educating, and providing a break from the daily grind. You’ll find something on this list to commemorate real-life heroes as well as fictional characters who strive to make a difference in their own lives or for the greater good. Gather your loved ones and a box of tissues for a weekend marathon or a digital viewing party to watch these inspirational films.
Top 10 Inspirational Movies Of All Time
Inside Out (2015): A Comforting Reminder That It’s OK to Feel All the Things
Inside Out is one of those strong inspirational films that provide a break from reality while still gently addressing the true nature of life’s ups and downs. While the story revolves around Riley and her new life in San Francisco, it serves as a valuable reminder to all of us, regardless of age, that accepting our feelings is a good thing.
Hidden Figures (2016): Inspirational Women Who Shaped History
The film Hidden Figures lifts the veil on the true story of NASA’s exceptional African American female mathematicians. Despite being obscure to the general public, they were important in making John Glenn the first American astronaut to orbit the earth. This film is a tribute to their genius and deserving place in history.
Palm Springs (2020): Finding Love, Off Repeat
Palm Springs has a lot of the same elements as the original Groundhog Day looping film plot, but it’s set in the year 2020. While it is a love story about two characters who are stranded on the same day at a Palm Springs wedding, it also has a witty, hilarious, and slightly out-there message about living each day completely present and sincerely appreciating the opportunity to do so.
The Biggest Little Farm (2018): A Movie for Daydreamers and Doers
This film recounts the journey of a couple who leave the hustle and bustle of city life in Los Angeles to establish a new life on their ideal sustainable farm. They overcome adversity after adversity, emerging with a new appreciation for the land and environment, as well as a desire to share their experience with others. Be warned: This film may inspire you to spend more time outdoors and care for the environment.
Chef (2014): A Film for Fathers, Foodies, and Families
Food and family are major themes in many of the best feel-good films, and Chef maintains this balance. After a fresh start with a food truck, a creatively and personally stunted chef rediscovers his passion for food and his family. This food-centric feel-good feature has much to eat up with your eyes if you enjoy wonderful food.
Remember the Titans (2000): An Inspirational and Timeless Story of Unity
This inspiring sports story is based on the real-life experiences of an African American coach who led the first integrated football team at a Virginia high school. Despite initial opposition and intolerance from the players, coaching staff, and town residents, optimism and unity triumph. This film sends a powerful message of racial inclusion, and you don’t have to be a football fan to root for the squad or be inspired by their ties.
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019): Adventure Tale About Friendship and Chosen Family
Zak, a young man with Down syndrome who dreams of becoming a wrestler, is the protagonist of this poignant adventure story. He swiftly finds an odd new companion yearning for a fresh start after fleeing from the elderly home where he’s been allocated by the state. It’s a narrative about unconditional acceptance and forming friendships and family in odd but beautiful locations, and it’s heartwarming without being saccharine.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006): An Uplifting Movie for Tireless Strivers
We all need hope, and this biographical film delivers plenty of it. It tells the true story of Chris Gardner, a real-life entrepreneur who went from being poor and homeless with his young boy to radically altering his profession and turning his life around. It’s impossible not to root for Gardner and his son, and to be moved by the beautiful conclusion of the protagonist’s endurance and hard work.
Crip Camp (2020): Celebrating the Power of Community and Advocacy
The true story of campers and staff who met at Camp Jened, an inclusive camp for young people with disabilities who go on to become community advocates, is told in this film. They are outgoing and self-sufficient at camp, and they strive for the same qualities in their daily life by advocating for disability rights and representation.
The Sapphires (2013): A Feel-Good Music Movie with Universal Appeal
The Sapphires, a real-life Aboriginal Motown girl group from Australia, are loosely based on the narrative of how they journeyed to Vietnam to perform for US troops in this film. There’s something for everyone: classic music, love, friendship, and the universal value of acceptance and visibility.
