The best motivational movies leave you laughing, smiling, and maybe even a little misty-eyed. This collection of inspirational and feel-good films is a tribute to what touching movies do well: motivate, educate, and offer an escape from the daily grind.
If you’re ready to celebrate real-life heroes alongside fictional characters that aim to move the needle forward in their own lives or for the greater good, you’re sure to find something on this list. Grab a box of tissues and a snack and gather loved ones to stream these uplifting movies over a weekend-long marathon or a digital viewing party.
The Sapphires (2013): A Feel-Good Music Movie with Universal Appeal
Loosely based on the story of the real-life Aboriginal Motown girl group from Australia, The Sapphires, this movie tells the unlikely story of how they traveled to Vietnam to perform for U.S. troops. There’s a little bit of everything: iconic music, love, friendship, and the universal importance of acceptance and visibility.
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Joy (2015): For Entrepreneurs, Big Thinkers, and Mothers Who Do it All
Inspired by real-life, self-made millionaire Joy Mangano and her struggle to do more than make ends meet as an out-of-work mother and aspiring entrepreneur, this movie follows Joy’s journey as she struggles with numerous professional and personal obstacles. It’s easy to feel wholly enthralled by Joy’s determination and won’t-quit attitude.
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Elf (2003): Irresistible Cheer and Whimsy Any Time of Year
One of the best feel-good movies during the holiday season, this story follows Buddy’s search for his biological father after growing up raised by Santa’s elves. What follows is cheer, merriment, and a heartwarming message about family bonds and believing in what you can’t always see.
Hidden Figures (2016): Inspirational Women Who Shaped History
Hidden Figures draws back the curtain to tell the true story of the brilliant African American female mathematicians at NASA. They were instrumental in making John Glenn become the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the earth, though unknown to the public. This movie is a celebration of their brilliance and their deserving place in the history books.
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Inside Out (2015): A Comforting Reminder That It’s OK to Feel All the Things
Inside Out is one of those solid inspirational movies that offer time away from reality while also gently tackling the genuine nature of life transitions’ ups and downs.
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
While the story centers around young Riley and her new move to San Francisco, it’s a priceless reminder to all of us, at any age, that embracing our emotions is an excellent thing.
Mangrove (2020): An Inspiring True Story of Activism
This movie recounts the real-life heroism and activism of Frank Crichlow, the owner of the Mangrove restaurant that serves as a gathering space for the West Indian community in London. In 1970, Crichlow and others organized a peaceful protest against mistreatment by the police and were later tried in court for inciting a riot.
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019): Adventure Tale About Friendship and Chosen Family
This touching adventure tale follows Zak, a young man with Down syndrome who dreams of becoming a wrestler. After escaping from the senior home where he’s assigned to live by the state, he quickly finds an unlikely new friend looking for a fresh start.
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Heartwarming without being saccharine, it’s a story about unconditional acceptance and forging friendships and family in unlikely but beautiful places.
Chef (2014): A Film for Fathers, Foodies, and Families
Some of the best feel-good movies revolve around food and family, and Chef keeps these priorities in heartwarming harmony. After a creatively and personally stunted chef gets a fresh start with a food truck, he rediscovers his passion for food and his family. If you love delicious food, there’s plenty to eat up with your eyes in this food-centric feel-good feature.
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Palm Springs (2020): Finding Love, Off Repeat
Palm Springs delivers many of the same aspects you love about the original looping film plot from Groundhog Day, with a timely 2020 twist. While it’s a love story that centers around two characters stuck on the same day at a Palm Springs wedding, it offers a wry, humorous, and slightly out-there message of living every day fully present and genuinely appreciating the opportunity to do so.
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Remember the Titans (2000): An Inspirational and Timeless Story of Unity
This inspirational sports story is based on an African American coach’s real-life experience brought to lead the first integrated football team at a Virginia high school. While the players, coaching staff, and town members express resistance and intolerance at first, hope and unity win.
This movie delivers an enduring message of racial acceptance that doesn’t require you to love football to root for the team or feel moved by their bonds.
Happiest Season (2020): A Feel-Good Holiday Love Story
If you love a festive holiday movie, Happiest Season checks those boxes with humor and hijinks. It centers around a young couple, Abby and Harper, traveling to spend the holidays with Harper’s family for the first time. The only catch is that Harper’s family doesn’t know Abby is her girlfriend—or that Harper is gay.
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Part rom-com, part holiday movie, this feature doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it offers Yuletide cheer with a fresh pinch of inclusivity.
Crip Camp (2020): Celebrating the Power of Community and Advocacy
This film documents the true story of camp members and counselors who met at Camp Jened, an inclusive camp for young people with disabilities who become advocates for their community.
They are visible and independent at camp and strive to achieve the same qualities in everyday life by fighting for representation and long-overdue civil rights for people with disabilities.
The 40-Year-Old Version (2020): Finding Your Voice at Any Age
Based on playwright Radha Blank’s real-life career struggles, this semi-autobiographical film follows the main character’s attempt to reinvent herself as a hip-hop artist. In music, she finds relief from feeling that she’s sacrificing too much of her authentic voice to gain recognition in New York City’s theater world.
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
If you need a reminder that success doesn’t always have a set path or fall by a certain age, this is a cathartic and humorous homage to staying true to oneself.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006): An Uplifting Movie for Tireless Strivers
Inspirational movies based on true stories offer encouragement to all of us, and this biographical movie does that in abundance. It tells the story of how real-life entrepreneur Chris Gardner went from struggling and homeless with his young son to eventually completely changing his profession and transforming the course of his life for the better.
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
It’s impossible not to root for Gardner and his son and feel moved by the heartfelt outcome of the main character’s hard work and determination.
The Biggest Little Farm (2018): A Movie for Daydreamers and Doers
This film follows the journey of a couple who leaves the bustle of city-living in Los Angeles to start a new life on a sustainable farm of their dreams. They struggle through obstacle after obstacle but emerge with a new appreciation for the land and nature and a desire to share their experience with others.
Be warned: This movie could leave you wanting to frolic in nature and take better care of the planet.
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