Have some downtime coming up and want to spend it feeling inspired and motivated to go out there and achieve great things? Or maybe you’re just feeling a little uninspired and need a quick way to boost your awesomeness levels again?
Either way, the following movies will help cure your lack of inspiration and get you feeling happy, grateful, excited and motivated once again.
#1: Forrest Gump
Starring Tom Hanks, this film follows the story of Forrest, a man who has a lot of heart but isn’t described as being very intelligent, as he searches for his true love.
Heart-warming, touching and incredibly inspirational, it’s a sure-fire way to get your motivational juices flowing again. Oh, and did I mention that it won six Oscars. Yep, it’s that good.
#2: The Notebook
The film that made us pause and realize that ‘Hey, that Ryan Gosling guy is actually pretty hot’, The Notebook is a good one to keep on hand for ‘that’ time of the month.
Along side some chocolate and a heat pack. It’s also pretty useful and inspiring if you’re single or have been fighting with your partner as it reminds as just how powerful and unselfish love can be. Aw, cripes, I’m tearing up just thinking about it!
#3: Groundhog Day
Okay, so this movie features bad hairstyles, garish makeup and fashion that will make you wince, but it’s a must-have on your inspirational hit list.
It answers the question of what you would do if you had to live the same day over and over again. A great way to feel grateful for your life and everything in it.
#4: Braveheart
Ah, remember the days before Mel Gibson was a ranting, aggressive hater? Well, you will when you spot his fine derriere in Braveheart. And if that’s not a good enough reason to watch the film, then the fact that it sports one of the all-time greatest quotes should be:
“Every man dies, but not ever man really lives.” – William Wallace.
#5: We Bought a Zoo
Starring Matt Damon, this film is one of the best ways to re-inspire your courage and yearning for adventure. It’s definitely a tearjerker though, so watch with a box of tissues or your boyfriend’s shoulder nearby. Sniff.
“You know, sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage. Just literally 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.” – Benjamin Mee
#6: Hitch
This is one of my favorite Will Smith movies because it has that elusive combination of humor, inspiration, adventure and romance. Hitch is a relationship advisor and he helps men approach and date the women of their dreams. He thought he knew everything there was to know about romance … until he met her.
“Life is not the amount of breaths you take, it’s the moments that take your breath away.” – Hitch
#7: The Bucket List
If you’re feeling a little ‘what’s the point?’ about your life at the moment, go down to the DVD store right now and rent The Bucket List. Honestly, it will be more than worth the time. The title is kind of self-explanatory, so I will share a quote from the movie with you instead:
“You know, the ancient Egyptians had a beautiful belief about death. When their souls got to the entrance of 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
#8: Patch Adams
Feel like there are too many rules? Too many guidelines? Too many avenues that aren’t being investigated?
Then you’ll love Patch Adams. Patch is a doctor who wants to make a real difference to people’s lives and in doing so takes a dramatically different approach to medicine. This film is a great reminder to not take life too seriously.
#9: Erin Brockovich
We all have those moments in life when we have a choice: to stand and fight or to give up. Erin Brockovich had nothing.
She was a single mother with no job, no hopes and seemingly no future. But she chose to stand up and fight, both for herself and a community plagued by disease and illness due to a nearby chemical plant. Watch this film if you’re in need of a little ‘umph’. Possibly one of Julia Robert’s best roles too.
P.S. Julia’s cleavage in this film is magnificent. Just saying.
#10: The Blind Side
Starring Sandra Bullock and based on a true story, this film is a great reminder to keep our judgments and stereotypes to ourselves. Or better yet, not have them at all.
It follows the life of Michael Oher, the real-life offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens and shows how he escaped an impoverished upbringing to chase his dreams. This movie isn’t just for football fans though!
#11: Karate Kid
Wax on, wax off.
Sometimes we don’t discover the true point of our education until we are faced with adversity. Karate Kid is the story of how one boy stood up for what he believed in and faced down a bully.
Inspiring, heart-felt and decidedly cute, this is a great one to watch with children.
#12: Billy Elliot
Who gets to decide whether your dreams are achievable? What you should strive for? What inspires you? Billy Elliot is a boy who wants to dance ballet.
Unfortunately, his father isn’t supportive and doesn’t believe it’s a valuable pastime for boys. Besides, isn’t that a ‘sissy’ thing to do? Watch this movie if you need a kick up the butt to forget what everyone else says and achieve your dreams anyway.
#13: Dirty Dancing
If you haven’t yet seen Dirty Dancing, it’s just one of those things that you have to do.
Sure, it’s inspirational, but it’s also the best way to swoon over Patrick Swayze and lust over awesome dance moves. It’s a pretty good romantic movie though and does depict the 60’s working class versus upper class culture differences.
#14: Wall-E
Have you ever stopped to think about what our ever-consuming, ever-growing population is doing to the planet?
Made by Pixar Studios, Wall-E is one of the best movies to watch to increase your awareness of our environment, eating habits and technology-addiction. And how sometimes, you just need to step outside the bubble.
#15: Wreck-it Ralph
This might seem like an odd movie to put on the list, but it’s actually one of the most inspiring films I’ve seen in a while.
Not just for kids, it shows how bravery, loyalty and an open mind can open more doors than cynicism, nastiness and stereotyping.
#16: Funny Face
Starring the effervescent Audrey Hepburn, Funny Face is the story of a wide-eyed bookstore clerk who has her life turned upside down by a charming, male fashion photographer.
Thrust into the world of fashion, she is transformed into the newest top model. Of course, there’s a little romance, a lot of singing and some fantastic acting. What else would you expect from a Hepburn movie, really?
#17: Miracle on 34th Street
Have you lost faith that Santa Claus exists? Sometimes we all need a little Christmas spirit injected into our lives and Miracle on 34th Street is the best way to get your hope blossoming again.
It tells of how Kris Kringle wins over a little girl and New York by convincing them that he is the real Santa Claus. Best watched at Christmas time with some hot cocoa and someone close to cuddle.
#18: My Fair Lady
And last but not least we have the 1964 classic, My Fair Lady. Starring Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn, this is a movie that will have you laughing, crying and swooning over the romantic deliciousness of it all.
A tale of how a common flower girl is transformed into a lady of class and how at the end of the day it’s not about your upbringing, speech or mannerisms but how you are treated and how you treat others.
“It was very difficult. I should never have known how ladies and gentlemen really behaved, if it hadn’t been for Colnel Pickering. He always showed what he thought and felt about me as if I were something better than a common flower girl.
You see, Mrs. Higgins, apart from the things one can pick up, the difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she is treated. I shall always be a common flower girl to Professor Higgins, because he always treats me like a common flower girl, and always will. But I know that I shall always be a lady to Colonel Pickering, because he always treats me like a lady, and always will.” – Eliza Doolittle
I like your list. I would add many more awesome movies to inspire you, for example “The Help”, “The Color purple” and “Temple Grandin”.
You list is full of good movies which most I’ve seen but a lot of these aren’t inspiring. Most just seem to make you feel good but I’m surprised I didn’t see Good Will Hunting or The Social Network. I don’t think your list was well thought out for this category.