You know that feeling?
The feeling of being tired and worn out even though it’s still 9 am. You don’t have the motivation to get dressed for work, let alone actually do what needs to be done. You’re burned out and could use some reenergizing to lift your spirits and drive you into action.
A motivational movie is just the thing.
Once you connect with the protagonist, you feel what they feel. As they conquer all odds, never surrendering to the almost impossible challenges ahead of them, it encourages you to do the same.
Who doesn’t like a movie that leaves them with the feeling of potential and ability to overcome all obstacles?
Here are 10 movies that will do just that:
1. Joy (2015)
Joy, struggling with her complicated family life, finally decides to pursue her dream of becoming an inventor. She invents a self-wringing mop but soon comes face-to-face with the difficulties hidden along her path to success.
Joy is a movie that will teach you hard lessons about persistence, betrayal, and the ability to fight all odds to make your dream a reality.
2. Wonder (2017)
Wonder is about a boy named Auggie who is ‘ugly’. Born with a facial deformity, Auggie was homeschooled until the fifth grade, when his parents enrolled him in a private school. His classmates insult and exclude him. Auggie has to face his fears, accept himself, and learn to disregard others’ opinions.
Wonder is a family-friendly movie about accepting who you are and rising above the criticism. It’s a valuable lesson that everyone should learn.
3. Soul Surfer (2011)
What would you do if you lost the one thing essential to achieving your goal?
Most likely, accept fate and give up.
But not Bethany.
After being attacked by a shark and losing an arm, Beth’s chances of becoming a professional surfer are lost. Yet, she refuses to give up. Beth is determined to not only participate but win the upcoming surfing competition.
Beth perseveres when most of us would have lost hope and quit. Soul surfer is a heart-touching movie that will inspire you to never lose hope or accept defeat.
4. Dangal (2016)
Dangal is an Indian movie based on a true story. Mahavir was an amateur wrestler who dreamed of winning a medal for his country. Before he could, his father forced him to give up wrestling.
Years later, after seeing potential in his two daughters, he coaches and trains them. Although reluctant at first, the two daughters train diligently to achieve greatness.
Dangal was one of the highest-grossing movies of 2016 movie. This movie highlights the importance of hard work through a truly inspiring story.
5. Knock Down The House (2019)
Knock Down the House is a political documentary that follows the campaigns of 4 strong women running for prominent places in the US government.
These women are from humble beginnings. They never thought they would enter the jumbled world of politics. When they saw their communities suffering because of the actions of those with power, they knew they had to do something to change it.
You might think that you can’t succeed because of your origins or your past. This documentary proves otherwise. None of the 4 women here were rich or privileged. They were normal people, like you and I. They believed in what they stood for and that was enough.
6. Zootopia (2016)
Whenever you make a major decision in your life, some people will support you, others will tell you all the reasons it won’t work.
It’s up to you to believe the haters or try anyway.
Although this is an animation movie, it still conveys an important message. Judy wants to be a police officer, but she’s a rabbit and is considered not up to the job. She faces discrimination, and she is constantly underestimated.
When her boss, begrudgingly, offers her the opportunity to investigate a missing person on the condition that she’ll quit if she fails, she accepts.
Through Judy’s eyes, we see how she strives to fulfil her dreams even when it seems that everyone is against her.
7. Moneyball (2011)
Billy is a baseball scout who needs to assemble a winning team with a very limited budget. Against the recommendation of the other scouts, he uses unconventional methods to choose new recruitments. He faces resistance, mockery, and failure.
Billy’s story is nonfiction. Billy changed the way baseball players are chosen. Watching Moneyball allows you to follow the arduous journey of reforming an entire sport and proving everyone who ever doubted you wrong.
8. Like Stars on Earth (2007)
Like Stars on Earth is an inspirational movie about the potential every one of us holds—even if no one believes that it’s there.
Ishaan comes from a family of high achievers. His father is a successful executive and his brother is an exemplary student and an athlete. Ishaan, on the other hand, struggles with school and is constantly belittled by his family and teachers. His artistic talent goes unnoticed.
As a punishment for a poor report card, Ishaan is sent to a boarding school. Afraid and miserable, Ishaan attempts suicide.
Ishaan has incredible potential. He isn’t good at school, but that’s not all there is in life.
Like Stars on Earth shows us that genius comes in many forms. Just because you aren’t good in one thing doesn’t mean you’ll never succeed.
9. Fighting with My Family (2019)
Another wrestling movie based on a true story that follows the story of Saraya, the youngest Divas Champion of the WWE.
Saraya and Zak have been wrestling since they were children. They dream of becoming the next WWE champions and get the opportunity to try out. Training for the WWE isn’t as easy as they thought it would be. It’s arduous work and Saraya contemplates dropping out.
This movie shows you what it takes to be a success and make your dreams a reality.
10. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
This is one of my favorite movies of all time.
It’s a true story about how—now-billionaire—Chris Gardner spend almost an entire year homeless.
Chris invested his life-savings in bone density scanners. He sells them to physicians, but sales are slow. His financial situation enrages his wife who leaves him to find work in New York. Chris’ financial situation continues to plummet, but he is able to land himself an unpaid internship at a stock brokerage firm.
Chris’ journey wasn’t easy. His life went downhill, and at times, it seemed as though all hope was lost. Yet, with perseverance and adamant will, he was able to turn his life around.
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