What films inspire you to go out and do something about it? This isn’t just about inspiring stories about people who overcome the odds, but films that inspire you to act now! Here’s our list of the seven greatest motivational films that have ever been made:The Best Motivational Movies Of All Time
Rocky There’s a reason why people continue to run through on the stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, pretending to be Rocky 40years later. If you’re not a fan of boxing, the notion of putting your all into it to compete on a level that no one thinks that you stand a chance is incredibly inspiring. Once you’ve finished with Rocky then you’re all set to go out and begin doing your best.
The Shawshank Redemption The Shawshank Redemption When you’re literally stuck, you must never give up looking for ways to escape. Tim Robbins stars as a person who is sent to prison for a crime he did not commit, but who becomes very valuable to an corrupt warden. Morgan Freeman is Robbins’ prisoner friend (and the film’s narration) who is a standout character.
The pursuit of Happiness If you’re barely making ends meet financially, it’s not long to get your life off track. In this film, Will Smith plays Chris Gardner who becomes homeless while taking care of his son, who is five, because of a string of accidents. Gardner is willing to take a risk in a contest for an intern unpaid against 20 other people in hopes of getting a fresh beginning at an investment company. This movie might provide the inspiration you’ll need to persevere when things seem hopeless.
Flashdance A exotic dancer or welder would like to be an ballet dancer. can she be successful? The classic story of an underdog that follows a person who doesn’t have the standard credentials attempts to get into the top time despite every obstacle. The title track by Irena Cara can help increase the positive feeling. The music is totally ’80s-inspired in a positive way.
Men of Honor Men of Honor Cuba Gooding, Jr. is Carl Brashear, the first African-American U.S. Navy diver, who triumphs over the prejudice inherent in this quest through the 1950s. Robert De Niro plays the diving instructor who is responsible for making sure that Brashear isn’t able to achieve his goals. Brashear is determined and is then faced with another challenge that demands the assistance of his previous instructor. Although the film takes a few liberties with the story of Brashear, his life in real life was inspiring on its own.
Breaking Away – This 1979 movie takes the poor-kids-vs.-rich-kids story into the world of cycling. In this instance the kids who are poor are the town’s “cutters” who get looked down upon by college guys. You can imagine that an epic bike race between two groups is the main drama in the film. As with many of the best motivational films you’re rooting for the underdog in this one. Great cast includes a young Dennis Quaid.
unbroken The life of Louis Zamperini is amazing that it appears like it’s not factual. A former Olympic athlete before 20 years old, Zamperini later fought during World War II, where his plane crashes and he’s one of three survivors of 11. The other three spend 47 days on the life raft that floated in the sea (one of the three perished in this time) and then are detained from the Japanese and then tortured in their prisoner of war. A great survival story. The film is long, at more than two and a half hours, but Zamperini’s story will inspire you to take advantage of the time you have. (BTW that he was 97 when he died.)