Streaming > Streaming TV, Movies, & More 22 22 people found this article helpful The 15 Best Inspirational Movies Get motivated with a few feel-good movies By Yoona Wagener Yoona Wagener Writer, Commerce Editor Bowling Green State University Yoona Wagener is a tech editor and writer. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 2, 2023 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Streaming TV, Movies, & More Netflix Hulu Disney+ Prime Video Apple TV+ Favorite Events The best motivational movies leave you laughing, smiling, and even 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. 01 of 15 CODA (2021): A Different Kind of Coming of Age Film Apple IMDb Rating: 8.2/10Genre: Comedy, Drama, MusicStarring: Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur, Marlee MatlinDirector: Sian HederMotion Picture Rating: PG-13Runtime: 1 hour, 51 minutes Teenage Ruby (Emilia Jones) acts as an interpreter for her deaf parents, who she also helps run a fishing business. However, her true love is music, and she's starting to feel torn between following her dreams and supporting her family. CODA was nominated for three Academy Awards, including best picture. Watch 'CODA' on Apple TV+ 02 of 15 Hidden Figures (2016): Inspirational Women Who Shaped History 20th Century Studios IMDb Rating: 7.8/10Genre: Biography, Drama, HistoryStarring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle MonaeDirector: Theodore MelfiMotion Picture Rating: PGRuntime: 2 hours, 7 minutes Hidden Figures draws back the curtain to tell the true story of the brilliant African American female mathematicians at NASA. Though unknown to the public, they were instrumental in making John Glenn become the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the earth. This movie is a celebration of their brilliance and their deserving place in the history books. Watch 'Hidden Figures' on Disney+ Now 03 of 15 Remember the Titans (2000): An Inspirational and Timeless Story of Unity Walt Disney Studios IMDb Rating: 7.8/10Genre: Biography, Drama, SportStarring: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood HarrisDirector: Boaz YakinMotion Picture Rating: PGRuntime: 1 hour, 53 minutes 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 initially express resistance and intolerance, 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. Watch 'Remember the Titans' on Disney+ Now Watch 'Remember the Titans' on Amazon Prime Video Now 04 of 15 The Pursuit of Happyness (2006): An Uplifting Movie for Tireless Strivers Sony Pictures IMDb Rating: 8.0/10Genre: Biography, DramaStarring: Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Jaden SmithDirector: Gabriele MuccinoMotion Picture Rating: PG-13Runtime: 1 hour, 57 minutes Inspirational movies based on true stories offer us encouragement, 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. 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. Watch 'The Pursuit of Happyness' on Amazon Prime Video Now Watch 'The Pursuit of Happyness' on Apple TV Now 05 of 15 Chef (2014): A Film for Fathers, Foodies, and Families Open Road Films IMDb Rating: 7.3/10Genre: Adventure, Comedy, DramaStarring: Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergara, John LeguizamoDirector: Jon FavreauMotion Picture Rating: RRuntime: 1 hour, 54 minutes Some of the best feel-good movies revolve around food and family; 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. Watch 'Chef' on Amazon Prime Video Now 06 of 15 The Biggest Little Farm (2018): A Movie for Daydreamers and Doers NEON IMDb Rating: 8.1/10Genre: DocumentaryStarring: John ChesterDirector: John ChesterMotion Picture Rating: PGRuntime: 1 hour, 31 minutes This film follows the journey of a couple who leaves the bustle of city living in Los Angeles to start a new life on the 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. Watch 'The Biggest Little Farm' on Amazon Prime Video Now 07 of 15 Happiest Season (2020): A Feel-Good Holiday Love Story Tristar Pictures IMDb Rating: 6.8/10Genre: Comedy, Drama, RomanceStarring: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Mary SteenburgenDirector: Clea DuVallMotion Picture Rating: PG-13Runtime: 1 hour, 42 minutes 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. Part rom-com, part holiday movie, this feature doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it offers Yuletide cheer with a fresh pinch of inclusivity. Watch 'Happiest Season' on Hulu Now 08 of 15 Palm Springs (2020): Finding Love, Off Repeat NEON IMDb Rating: 7.4/10Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, MysteryStarring: Andy Samberg, Cristin Millioti, J.K. Simmons Director: Max BarbakowMotion Picture Rating: RRuntime: 1 hour, 30 minutes 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 appreciate the opportunity to do so. Watch 'Palm Springs' on Hulu Now 09 of 15 The Sapphires (2013): A Feel-Good Music Movie with Universal Appeal Goalpost Pictures IMDb Rating: 7.0/10Genre: Biography, Comedy, DramaStarring: Chris O'Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica MauboyDirector: Wayne BlairMotion Picture Rating: PG-13Runtime: 1 hour, 43 minutes 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. Watch 'The Sapphires' on YouTube Now 10 of 15 Mangrove (2020): An Inspiring True Story of Activism Amazon Prime Video IMDb Rating: 8.2/10Genre: DramaStarring: Shaun Parkes, Letitia Wright, Malachi KirbyDirector: Steve McQueenMotion Picture Rating: TV-MARuntime: 2 hours, 7 minutes 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. Their trial leads to the first acknowledgment of racially motivated behavior in the London police system. The film is a stirring tribute to those who stand up against injustice. (Mangrove is one of five films in Amazon Prime Video's Small Axe collection.) Watch 'Mangrove' on Amazon Prime Video Now 11 of 15 Joy (2015): For Entrepreneurs, Big Thinkers, and Mothers Who Do it All 20th Century Studios IMDb Rating: 6.6/10Genre: Biography, DramaStarring: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper Director: David O. RussellMotion Picture Rating: PG-13Runtime: 2 hours, 4 minutes 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. Joy's determination and won't-quit attitude makes it easy to feel wholly enthralled. Watch 'Joy' on Amazon Prime Video Now Watch 'Joy' on YouTube Now 12 of 15 Inside Out (2015): A Comforting Reminder That It's OK to Feel All the Things Walt Disney Studios IMDb Rating: 8.1/10Genre: Animation, Adventure, ComedyStarring: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis BlackDirector: Pete Doctor, Ronnie Del CarmenMotion Picture Rating: PG Runtime: 1 hour, 35 minutes Inside Out is one of those solid inspirational movies that offer time away from reality while gently tackling the genuine nature of life transitions' ups and downs. 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. Watch 'Inside Out' on Disney+ Now 13 of 15 The 40-Year-Old Version (2020): Finding Your Voice at Any Age Hillman Grad Productions IMDb Rating: 7.2/10Genre: Comedy, DramaStarring: Radha Blank, Peter Kim, Oswin BenjaminDirector: Radha BlankMotion Picture Rating: RRuntime: 2 hours, 3 minutes 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. 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. Watch 'The 40-Year-Old Version' on Netflix Now 14 of 15 The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019): Adventure Tale About Friendship and Chosen Family Roadside Attractions IMDb Rating: 7.6/10Genre: Adventure, Comedy, DramaStarring: Zack Gottsagen, Shia LeBeouf, Dakota JohnsonDirector: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz Motion Picture Rating: PG-13Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes 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. Heartwarming without being saccharine, it's a story about unconditional acceptance and forging friendships and family in unlikely but beautiful places. Watch 'The Peanut Butter Falcon' on Vudu Now Watch 'The Peanut Butter Falcon' on Amazon Prime Video Now 15 of 15 Crip Camp (2020): Celebrating the Power of Community and Advocacy Higher Ground Productions IMDb Rating: 7.8/10Genre: DocumentaryStarring: Judith Heumann, Jim LeBrecht, Denise Sherer JacobsenDirector: Nicole Newnham, Jim LeBrechtMotion Picture Rating: RRuntime: 1 hour, 46 minutes 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. Watch 'Crip Camp' on Netflix Now Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit