25 Inspirational Movies
You know the movies. The ones that make your heart grow ten times bigger, or the ones that give you the strength of ten warriors on your side.
These are the movies that inspire us.
They make the blood rush through our veins. They make our soul sing. They make us want to get up and give our best … until there’s nothing more to give … and then give some more. They move us.
They make us laugh, they make us cry, they make us think. But mostly, they remind us why we are alive and what’s worth living for. They remind us that every day, is another day, to get up, venture into the world, and make a difference. Our difference. Whether that difference is to conquer a personal demon, or to make a difference in somebody’s life, or to make the world a better place. It’s our story that we write each day.
Everybody, every day, has their own adventures, and their own unfolding story, but we’re all in this together. And that’s why we identify with the movies that inspire us — to make the most of what we’ve got … to live more, learn more, laugh more, and love more … and, above all, to keep our spirit strong, and to go the distance.
Here are 25 motivational movies that inspire us to go the distance, and make the most of the journey of life along the way …
1. 300
No retreat, no surrender.
Inspirational movie quote:
“Children, gather round! No retreat, no surrender; that is Spartan law. And by Spartan law we will stand and fight… and die. A new age has begun. An age of freedom, and all will know, that 300 Spartans gave their last breath to defend it!” – King Leonidas (Gerard Butler)
2. Braveheart
If it’s worth it, fight for it.
Inspirational movie quote:
“Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you’ll live… at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin’ to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take… OUR FREEDOM!” – William Wallace
Watch ta clip – Braveheart in Defiance of the English Tyranny
3. Coach Carter
The power to shine is in every one of us.
Inspirational movie quote:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Timo Cruz (Rick Gonzalez)
4. Dead Poet Society
Carpe Diem — seize the day!
Inspirational movie quote:
“They’re not that different from you, are they? Same haircuts. Full of hormones, just like you. Invincible, just like you feel. The world is their oyster. They believe they’re destined for great things, just like many of you, their eyes are full of hope, just like you. Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they were capable? Because, you see gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen, you hear it? – - Carpe – - hear it? – - Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary.” – John Keating
Watch a clip – Dead Poet’s Society – Carpe Diem
5. Don Juan DeMarco
Love conquers all.
Inspirational movie quote:
"There are only four questions of value in life, Don Octavio. What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for, and what is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same – only love." — Don Juan DeMarco (Johnny Depp)
6. Freedom Writers
No excuses!
Inspirational movie quote:
“I don’t want excuses. I know what you’re up against. We’re all of us up against something. So you better make up your mind, because until you have the balls to look me straight in the eye and tell me this is all you deserve, I am not letting you fail. Even if that means coming to your house every night until you finish the work. I see who you are. Do you understand me? I can see you. And you are not failing.” – Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank)
7. Good Will Hunting
Love something more than yourself.
Inspirational movie quote:
“They don’t know about real loss, because that only occurs when you love something more than you love yourself.” – Sean (Robin Williams)
Watch a clip – Good Will Hunting – They don’t know about real loss.
8. Hitch
Find the things that take your breath away.
Inspirational movie quote:
“Life is not the amount of breaths you take, it’s the moments that take your breath away.” – Hitch (Will Smith)
9. Into the Wild
Find the beauty in all things.
Inspirational movie quote:
“I will miss you too, but you are wrong if you think that the joy of life comes principally from the joy of human relationships. God’s place is all around us, it is in everything and in anything we can experience. People just need to change the way they look at things.” – Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch)
10. Lord of the Rings
Step up to the plate and write your story forward.
Inspirational movie quote:
“So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. In which case, you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.” — Gandalf (Ian McKellen)
11. Marley and Me
Do you make people feel rare, pure, and extraordinary?
Inspirational movie quote:
"It was really quite simple, and yet we humans, so much wiser and more sophisticated, have always had trouble figuring out what really counts and what does not. Sometimes it takes a dog with bad breath, worse manners, and pure intentions to help us see. Ask yourself, how many people in the world can truly make you feel rare, pure, and extraordinary?" –John Grogan (Owen Wilson)
12. Million Dollar Baby
Be relentless.
Inspirational movie quote:
“To make a fighter you gotta strip them down to bare wood: you can’t just tell ‘em to forget everything you know if you gotta make ‘em forget even their bones… make ‘em so tired they only listen to you, only hear your voice, only do what you say and nothing else… show ‘em how to keep their balance and take it away from the other guy… how to generate momentum off their right toe and how to flex your knees when you fire a jab… how to fight backin’ up so that the other guy doesn’t want to come after you. Then you gotta show ‘em all over again. Over and over and over… till they think they’re born that way.” – Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris (Morgan Freeman)
13. Mulan
Be YOUR best, despite the odds.
Inspirational movie quote:
"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." — The Emperor (Pat Morita)
14. Peaceful Warrior
Love what you do.
Inspirational movie quote:
“The warrior does not give up what he loves, Dan. He finds the love in what he does.” – Socrates (Nick Nolte)
“The accident is your training. Life is choice. You can choose to be a victim or anything else you’d like to be.” — Socrates (Nick Nolte)
Watch a clip – Peaceful Warrior – The warrior does not give up.
15. Rocky
Go the distance!
Inspirational movie quote:
“Ah come on, Adrian, it’s true. I was nobody. But that don’t matter either, you know? ‘Cause I was thinkin’, it really don’t matter if I lose this fight. It really don’t matter if this guy opens my head, either. ‘Cause all I wanna do is go the distance. Nobody’s ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I’m still standin’, I’m gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren’t just another bum from the neighborhood.” – Rocky (Sylvester Stallone)
Watch the clip – Rocky – Training and going the distance.
16. Rocky Balboa (Rocky 6)
Keep bouncing back, keep moving forward.
Inspirational movie quote:
“Nobody is gonna hit as hard as life, but it ain’t how hard you can hit. It’s how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. It’s how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning’s done.” – Rock Balboa (Sylvester Stallone)
Watch the scene – Rocky Balboa – It Ain’t About How Hard You Hit.
17. Rudy
Every underdog has his day. Prove it to yourself, nobody else.
Inspirational movie quote:
“In this life time, you don’t have to prove nothing to nobody, except yourself. And after what you’ve gone through, if you haven’t done that by now, it ain’t gonna never happen.” – Fortune (Charles S. Dutton)
Watch the Clip – Rudy – Rudy and the Janitor.
Watch the Clip – Rudy – Rudy succeeds with sack.
18. Runaway Bride
It’s not gonna be easy, but it’s gonna be worth it.
Inspirational movie quote:
"Look, I guarantee there’ll be tough times. I guarantee that at some point, one or both of us is gonna want to get out of this thing. But I also guarantee that if I don’t ask you to be mine, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life, because I know, in my heart, you’re the only one for me. " — Ike Graham (Richard Gere)
19. Stand and Deliver
Want it and work for it.
Inspirational movie quote:
“There will be no free rides, no excuses. You already have two strikes against you: your name and your complexion. Because of these two strikes, there are some people in this world who will assume that you know less than you do. Math is the great equalizer… When you go for a job, the person giving you that job will not want to hear your problems; ergo, neither do I. You’re going to work harder here than you’ve ever worked anywhere else. And the only thing I ask from you is ganas. ‘Desire’.” — Jaime Escalante (Edward James Olmos)
20. The Bucket List
Find the joy and make it contagious.
Inspirational movie quote:
“You know, the ancient Egyptians had a beautiful belief about death. When their souls got to the entrance to heaven, the guards asked two questions. Their answers determined whether they were able to enter or not. ‘Have you found joy in your life?’ ‘Has your life brought joy to others?’” — Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman)
Watch the clip – The Bucket List – Two Questions.
21. The Empire Strikes Back
Just do it.
Inspirational movie quote:
“Do, or do not. There is no ‘try’.” — Yoda
22. The Mighty Ducks
Stick together, win together.
Inspirational movie quote:
“Neither do hockey players. Have you guys ever seen a flock of ducks flying in perfect formation? It’s beautiful. Pretty awesome the way they all stick together. Ducks never say die. Ever seen a duck fight? No way. Why? Because the other animals are afraid. They know that if they mess with one duck, they gotta deal with the whole flock. I’m proud to be a Duck, and I’d be proud to fly with any one of you. So how about it? Who’s a Duck?” – Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez)
Watch the clip – Ducks fly Together.
23. The Notebook
Awaken your soul and reach for more.
Inspirational movie quote:
“My Dearest Allie. I couldn’t sleep last night because I know that it’s over between us. I’m not bitter anymore, because I know that what we had was real. And if in some distant place in the future we see each other in our new lives, I’ll smile at you with joy and remember how we spent the summer beneath the trees, learning from each other and growing in love. The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds, and that’s what you’ve given me. That’s what I hope to give to you forever. I love you. I’ll be seeing you.” — Young Noah (Ryan Gosling)
24. The Pursuit of Happyness
Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something.
Inspirational movie quote:
“Don’t ever let somebody tell you… You can’t do something. Not even me. All right? … You got a dream… You gotta protect it. People can’t do somethin’ themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want somethin’, go get it. Period." – Christopher Gardner (Will Smith)
Watch the clip – The Pursuit of Happyness – You want something. Go get it. Period.
25. Vision Quest
It’s the moments that matter.
Inspirational movie quote:
“I was in the room here one day… watchin’ the Mexican channel on TV. I don’t know nothin’ about Pele. I’m watchin’ what this guy can do with a ball and his feet. Next thing I know, he jumps in the air and flips into a somersault and kicks the ball in – upside down and backwards… the goddamn goalie never knew what the fuck hit him. Pele gets excited and he rips off his jersey and starts running around the stadium waving it around his head. Everybody’s screaming in Spanish. I’m here, sitting alone in my room, and I start crying … That’s right, I start crying. Because another human being, a species that I happen to belong to, could kick a ball, and lift himself, and the rest of us sad-assed human beings, up to a better place to be, if only for a minute… let me tell ya, kid – it was pretty goddamned glorious. It ain’t the six minutes… it’s what happens in that six minutes.” – Elmo (J.C. Quinn)
What are the movies you draw from for insight and inspiration when you need it most?
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#5 is undisputed winner for me, Don Octavio
hmm… I thought “Remember the titans” will be in as well. One of my all-time favorite!
“Tonight we’ve got Hayfield. Like all the other schools in this conference, they’re all white. They don’t have to worry about race. We do. let me tell you somthing: you don’t let anyone come between us. Nothing tears us apart. In Greek mythology, the Titans were greater even than the gods. They ruled their universe with absolute power. Well that football field out there, that’s our universe. Let’s rule it like titans.” Coach Boone
Wow! You got some classics on this one
Have to check some of these out. Thank you for the list.
I realized that I have not watched quite a few on your list. I’m going to make a note of these. Thanks!!
I have been watching more animation movies of late, because of my kids. I found that shows like “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Kung Fu Panda” quite inspirational too!
Great list indeed. Some titles I’m ashamed that I still haven’t seen … here comes netflix!
Hi J.D
You’re a bit of a movie buff eh There’s some good ones there & you’ve matched them nicely with the thrust of your post. ‘One flew over the Cuckoo’s nest’ Jack Nicholson you will find ticks all the boxes as well as being one of the best of the last 40 years. Keep up the good work.
be good to yourself
David
@ Alik — You gotta love multiple questions where the answer stays the same.
@ Number 51 –Remember the Titans is a classic. Perfect quote!
@ Kenya — I tried to throw in a couple from left field, too. Surprisingly, the list I ended up with is not at all the list I originally expected.
@ Evelyn — I’m a fan of How To Train Your Draon and Kung Fu Panda, too. I haven’t had the Noodle Dream, but Kung Fu Panda is powerful stuff.
@ Vitaly — Thank you. On demand is a wonderful thing.
@ David — Movies have always been there for me. I try to make it to the movies at least once a week, sometimes more.
I remember the first time I watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest … the lobotomy part freaked me out. It really is a classic. The rebel rouser theme reminds me of Cool Hand Luke … another classic. Whenever I have to plow through a lot of work, I remember the scene where Luke shoveled like a mad man, finished early, and then got to enjoy the rest of the day doing “nothing.”
Do you know the author of this quote — Every day we decide who we will be by the actions we take?
I want to use this quote for a newsletter story I’m writing, but need an attribution.
Thanks!
michele
Great list J.D.!
Coach Carter really stands out to me. I grew up in the Bay Area where the move took place and played sports. Every time I watch that it takes me back to memories that were very similar.
And of course Braveheart and 300 are classics.
What I thought about after reading through this post is that we can truly find inspiration anywhere…if we’re willing to!
JD
Great list. My favorite out of them all is, The Pursuit of Happyness. That movie made me feel like anything is possible.
@ Michele — That’s been used on plaques, non-attributed, so if you went with “unknown” or “anonymous”, you would not be alone.
@ Jk – Thank you!
Coach Carter was a great combo of great story and great actors, and it reminded me of the people who really care, and are strong enough to show the tough love. Yes, we can find inspiration anywhere, and I think the pattern there is that we are our most important source of inspiration — inside out.
@ Frank — Thank you. I think the feeling that anything is possible is one of the biggest keys to success. It helps us go for it, even when it seems despite the odds, and that’s where breakthroughs happen.
Hi JD… most of the movies there are on my list…:) I also liked the new karate kid movie (son of will smith) and my all time favorite shawshank redemption
But everytime i see that line in Rocky Balboa (Rocky6) i get goosebumps. he was coming from the heart. it is something that one can replay in our minds when things don’t go our way
Hey JD,
Thanks for the list of movies. I’ve been wanting to see more inspirational films! With this list, it’ll be easier to do that! Much appreciated!
Hi JD .. I haven’t seen most of those – looks like I have some watching ahead of me .. Mulan is the one I’ve watched most & could definitely do without watching again .. the godaughter and her brother .. their movie of choice!!
Pretty Woman .. just a feel good one .. British films – but watched because they’re on & I need to relax .. I have loads I want to see ..
Good to have your list though – cheers Hilary
@ Riza — The new Karate Kid movie rocked, although it should have really been The Kung Fu Kid
The scene from Rocky is forever etched in my mind, and I know I will draw from it, when life knocks me down.
@ Matt — These movies should serve you well, at least in terms of giving you a great set of inpsiring scenes to draw from.
@ Hilary — Pretty Woman is a great story. At a certain level, it reminds me of Trading Places in terms of the power of perception and changing your lot in life.
If you only get to see one from the list above, I recommend Peaceful Warrior. It’s a peaceful movie, and the scenes and messages will stick with you for a lifetime.
Thanks JD .. I’ll make a point of getting to watch it .. Peaceful Warrior .. good to have to recommendation .. thank you – Hilary
Very enjoyable read JD! If you were running a part 2 for this theme, a few others spring to mind at this moment in time, including: “Gladiator” – such a’pumper-upper’, not too dissimilar to Braveheart, story-wise and emotional impact on the viewer. “Shindlers List” – remember seeing this when it was first screened at the cinema. Was the first and only time have ever seen a movie where the entire audience sat through all the credits at the end and remained entirely quiet even when walking out of the cinema. Very eery feeling indeed. Everyone had been touched deeply by it. When “Clockwork Orange” – whne it first came out in the UK, Stanley Kubrick withdrew it shortly afterward, right up until he died. Apparently, inspired/spurred on similar anti-social behaviours and copy-cat acts of voilence in UK. To me, it was high art on cinema, full of unforgettable imagery and language. Many artists, musicians, writers and fashion designers have mag-pied so much from this 137 minutes of dark satirical science fiction. In similar spirit, other movies that left their fingerprints on celluloid history, largely due to the protagonist and/or the theme of misfits, mavericks and outsiders, include: “True Stories” (‘What time is it? No time to look back!’), “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (romantically, spurs me on to be the loose nut I was born to be. “The King of Comedy” (‘better to be king for a day, than schnook for a lifetime!’), “Pulp Fiction” (‘The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men…’ and “Gran Torino” (just simply a brilliant movie!).
Great list of movies and quotes. To add to your list there are many childrens movies by Disney that have inspirational messages in them. Here are a few of my favorites:
“The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.”
The Emperor from the movie Mulan
Life’s not a spectator sport.”
Laverne from the movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame
“That’s what Rufus said: Faith makes things turn out right.”
Penny from the movie The Rescuers
“A lie keeps growing and growing until it’s as plain as the nose on your face.”
Blue Fairy, from the movie Pinocchio
@ Roy — “high art on cinema, full of unforgettable imagery and language” … That’s the great stuff movies are made of!
That’s a great set of additions. I haven’t heard of “True Stories” or “The King of Comedy” — I’ll add those to my queue.
@ Inspirational Quotes — Thank you.
That’s a beautiful set of additions. I have to say, I think Disney made me way better than I would be on my own. A lot of my inspiration, beliefs, and mental models are from the minds of imagineers.
Great list of movies J.D. You are right about that and I have several favorites among that list.
Also loved the quotes, I’m definitely a quote person and tend to fall on the inspirational and motivational side.
There are a few on this list I’ve yet to see so you’ve given me something to look forward to. I’m sure they rate right up there with the rest.
Adrienne
Hi JD,
Very inspiring list! Now I have just added a few to my gotta-see list! My two all-time favorite movies are Amelie and Life is Beautiful. Both were inspiring because they both offered a very unique way of dealing with the world around us. Amelie blessed many people with her little creative project and the Dad on Life is Beautiful won my heart by getting his son all the way through concentration camp to win a tank in the end. Pretty dang cool.
Hi J.D.,
The Dead Poet Society and Pursuit of Happyness really spoke to me. Great choices. Before the DPS, I’d never been exposed to seize the day – it was more like complain the day.
Really uplifting list.
thx, G.
Nice post. I haven’t seen many of those but here are some that I can think of right now:
Al Pacino’s 6 inches speech from Any Given Sunday.
The Departed – Frank Costello “No one gives it to you. You have to take it.”
Robert De Niro in The Score: “Write down everything you want in life, then, spend the next 25 years getting those things.”
Sanjuro (by Akira Kurosawa):
Lady: “You glisten too brightly”
Sanjuro: “Glisten?”
Lady: “You’re too sharp. That’s your trouble. You’re like a drawn sword. Sharp, naked without a sheath. You cut well. But good swords are kept in their sheaths.”
P.S That Rocky speech from Rocky Balboa is right up there with the best.
[...] the nail on the head with most of these. If you are looking for inspiration, check out one of these 25 Inspirational Films. [...]
october sky
i found it inspiring and entertaining…
see it guys!!
The list forgot about the Cinderella Man and the Beautiful Mind. Super Inspiring movies….
I dont know why, but i feel that The Last Samurai should be included, amazing movie.
Great list. I was surprised to see to see Runaway Bride on the list but I can see the inspiration in that film. Peaceful Warrior great selection! However I think there are two films that should have been on the list: Shawshank Redemption and Last of The Mohicans. There is one other movie that you may have not heard of or seen but its on Netflix watch instantly,its titled Forever Strong, its about a high school ruby player; Great movie and would be a great addition to this list. Thanks for making the list and putting the quotes.
great list! But what about ‘a beautiful mind’ ! i think its an inspirational movie..!
Yes of course 300 was really moving. The historically innacurate, movie that inspires me to do what? gather a small army and try to take on outnumbering army.
That would be inspiratino if it weren’t for the fact that we all know 1 spartan simply cannot = 667 persians.
Film_the curious case of benjamin button. For what its worth its never too late,to be whoever u wanna be,there is no time limit u can start whenever u want,u can change or stay the same there are no rules to these things,live a life that u are proud of and if u find that u r not then have the strength to start all over again.
These are all great movies! you all should check out My name is Khan, its really good I would put it on my fav inspirational movie list
Wild hearts can’t be broken should definitely be included. It’s a true story as well as an inspirational one.
Yo J.D
Can u post few more movies bro.. I completed ur 25 list…they r awesome .. Some made me unstoppable force.
i saw the hitch movie in my adult roles class and its one of my favorites
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