al pacino screaming

Top 15 Inspirational Movies Everyone Must Watch

This article was last updated on January 26, 2022

Top 15 Inspirational Movies

There have been some really good movies that have pumped me up over the years, but there are a few that just stood out from the rest, so today I decided to make a list of my top 15 Inspirational Movies I really hope they can pump you up and feel you up with inspiration and motivation. As I really believe these are the best movies out there. Enjoy!

Inspirational Movies, Top 15 Inspirational movies, motivational movies, inspiration, motivation, pump up movies

Update 07.11.2014 – Interstellar takes over the number #1 spot.

Interstellar

I wouldn’t classify Interstellar as a movie, it’s something more. I’ve always been a fan of the universe, but this movie blew my mind. There are just no words to describe this masterpiece.  Matthew McConaugheyAnne HathawayJessica Chastain, all of them are just brilliant. “Interstellar” is a film that wins the hearts of the audience not only with its sci-fi splendor but also with an emotional story that lies at its very heart. This film is not only about the discoveries, space exploration, and the final frontier of mankind, but also about the relationship of father and daughter, who were in a difficult situation in life when one has to leave the other in the name of a goal that can not be underestimated. 

Cooper: We’ve always defined ourselves by the ability to overcome the impossible. And we count these moments. These moments when we dare to aim higher, to break barriers, to reach for the stars, to make the unknown known. We count these moments as our proudest achievements. But we lost all that. Or perhaps we’ve just forgotten that we are still pioneers. And we’ve barely begun. And that our greatest accomplishments cannot be behind us, because our destiny lies above us.

YouTube video

Braveheart

Top 15 Inspirational Movies #1. Braveheart is as close to perfection as a movie can be. The acting is superb, the man who played Lonshanks, the actor who portrayed Robert the Bruce, both should have been nominated for Oscars due to their powerful rendering of evil and a man who is saved from losing his humanity (from becoming evil) by meeting William Wallace. And let us not forget the direction, the cinematography. Braveheart is glorious, beautiful to look at.

William Wallace: Aye, fight and you may die, run, and you’ll live… at least for 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!

YouTube video

Chasing Mavericks

Top 15 Inspirational Movies #2. Chasing Mavericks is the type of movie that will make you feel alive. This movie was great – The filming of the huge waves, surfers, and conditions was fantastic. The imagery in this movie is outstanding; it pulls you into the sea and sucks you deep into the beauty of the water. In my opinion, “Chasing Mavericks” is the best surf movie that has actually captured the magic and excitement of surfing. From the incredibly inspiring story of Jay Moriarty to the magnificent Maverick waves this movie is enchanting for the whole family.

 

The pursuit of happiness

Top 15 Inspirational Movies #3. The Pursuit of Happiness” is just a wonderful (based on a true) story, full of adventure, hope, and pain. This is easily one of Smith’s best films, as he pours his heart and soul into the main character. This movie in every way possible is perfect, it was so brilliantly made and just so inspiring, it makes me cry, laugh, and think deeply every time I watch it. I don’t believe there can be an inspirational movie list without this movie.

Christopher Gardner: Hey. Don’t ever let somebody tell you… You can’t do something. Not even me. All right?
Christopher: All right.
Christopher Gardner: 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.

YouTube video

Any Given Sunday

Top 15 Inspirational Movies #4. Any Given Sunday is one of the best Oliver Stone’s movies. Sunday is pure entertainment, an action-packed spectacle that will delight even the most ardent sports enthusiast. Al Pachino. Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz put up an outstanding performance. And if Al Pachino’s words at the dressing room can’t motivate you, I don’t know what else can.

And, we can stay here, get the shit kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light.

Appollo 13

Top 15 Inspirational Movies #5. Probably one of the most significant things about Apollo 13 is the fact that it managed to be such a strikingly realistic film despite the abundance of well-known Hollywood actors. Tom Hanks, of course, can convincingly act any part in the world, and his role in Apollo 13 is no exception. All of the actors involved seemed to have been given parts that they were born to play, because they were so successful in the roles. The true events of the historic Apollo 13 mission are amazingly re-created here, and the results are spectacular.

Houston, we‘ve had a problem.

YouTube video

The Intouchables

Top 15 Inspirational Movies #6. You’ve seen it, or you haven’t. It’s monumental and outrageously good.
The cast is brilliant. The jokes are lovely. The story and the idea behind the movie is beautiful. The music is such a perfect choice, it is unbelievable.
I hope this movie makes plenty of people think about how good their life is and how bad it could have been.

YouTube video

Coach Carter

Top 15 Inspirational Movies #7. Coach Carter is based on the true story of Coach Ken Carter, a controversial high school basketball coach played by Samuel L. Jackson. Coach Carter took the coaching job under his rules. They could not have found a better man to play this role. I do not know much about the coach this movie is based on, but I can not imagine anything better or stronger than what Jackson has given us here. This is a good inspirational movie about what one must do to excel in sports and in life.

Men of Honor

Top 15 Inspirational Movies #8. Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding have teamed up to make a powerful and very influential film. This is the true story of the first black US Navy diver and the obstacles he faced in attaining his certification at the hands of a racist Master diver. Cuba Gooding Jr. gives an outstanding performance as Brashear. This is probably the best I’ve seen him. This is a role and a character that is far more complete than any part he has played before, and he rises to the occasion.
It is a definite inspirational movie. It fills you with pride.

Warrior

Top 15 Inspirational Movies #9. Every so often you’ll come across a combat sport movie that manages to find just the right balance of drama and action – that is, more drama than action. When fights are justified with backstories full of crushing emotion, they become all the more intense and gratifying.
From start to finish, this movie will have you hooked. There is no weak spot in this movie. The acting is amazing. The story is great. The music is catchy. You will get emotionally invested throughout this story.

YouTube video

Saving Private Ryan

Top 15 Inspirational Movies #10. Director Steven Spielberg uses all of his talent and resources to give to the world the greatest war film ever made. The movie has won 5 Oscars and it’s definitely a must-watch!

YouTube video

Remember The Titans

Top 15 Inspirational Movies #11. If there is a movie to watch to get motivated, it’s this. You don’t have to be an American football lover, just any sport, or activity. The passion displayed on the screen could get agent K (from Men in Black) in the mood.
Remember the Titans is a powerful film with incredible performances by both Denzel Washington and Will Patton.

YouTube video

The Fighter

Top 15 Inspirational Movies #12. This is the film that David O’Russell and the cast and crew have outdone themselves on. The best way to say it is Wicked outstanding. It not only told the story of “Irish” Micky Ward, Dickie Eklund, and the family aspect but was a credit to the real internal and external struggle of never giving up. Mark Wahlberg gives a great performance playing the lead character. Amy Adams and Christian Bale come up with an amazing performance as well.

Please leave a comment below with the last 3 movies you want to see on this list! 

Share on:

About The Author