Life is getting more and more hectic and competitive day by day and there often comes a point in almost everyone’s life when he/she feels broken or might hit rock bottom. In such a situation, many times a person doesn’t know what do to, whom to talk to, and how to move forward. To tackle such a situation, one should first accept what he’s going through without any shame as it is the only way to move ahead. This moving forward might need inspiration which could be a song, a book, someone special, or a movie. There are many inspirational movies that might help you when you need encouragement. Here is a list of about 20 English films that can change your life.
Note- The movies are currently streaming across a variety of OTT platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Hotstar, Apple TV+, Lionsgate Play, and more.
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1. Forrest Grump
- Year of release- 1994
- IMDb- 8.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 71%
- Starring- Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, and others
- Runtime- 2 hours 22 minutes
- Director- Robert Zemeckis
- Writer- Winston Groom, Eric Roth
- Streaming on- Amazon Prime Video
About the movie- The film depicts the life of Forrest Grump, an innocent and kind-hearted guy from Alabama as some of US history’s most important events are told through the hero’s eyes whose only wish is to be reunited with his childhood love. The movie won 6 Oscar awards and even an Academy award. It received around 51 wins and 75 nominations making it one of the greatest-ever inspirational movies.
2. The Shawshank Redemption
- Year of release- 1994
- IMDb- 9.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 91%
- Starring- Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, and others
- Runtime- 2 hours 22 minutes
- Director- Frank Darabont
- Writer- Frank Darabont
- Streaming on- Amazon Prime Video
About the movie– Inside the prison, the movie explores the friendship of two convicted guys. The film teaches us some of the most important life lessons, such as the power of hope, and can help alter our outlook on life. The movie was a hit with the masses and is sure to uplift your mood whenever you watch it.
3. The Pursuit of Happyness
- Year of release- 2006
- IMDb- 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 67%
- Starring- Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton, and others
- Runtime- 1 hour 56 minutes
- Director-Gabriele Muccino
- Writer- Steve Conrad
- Streaming on- Zee5
About the movie- The film shows Chris as he struggles with his career and life as a salesperson while caring for his son. It is based on the actual story of a man named Chris Gardener, who also makes an appearance in the movie. Many feel that this movie was a turning point in their lives.
4. Life is Beautiful
- Year of release- 1997
- IMDb- 8.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 80%
- Starring- Roberto Benigni, Vincenzo Cerami, and others
- Runtime- 2 hours 2 minutes
- Director- Roberto Benigni
- Writer-Vincenzo Cerami, Roberto Benigni
- Streaming on- Can be bought on Google Play Store
About the movie- The movie takes place during World War II. It is about a Jewish waiter and his family getting caught up in the horrors of war. The waiter then uses his wits to shield his son from the perils that lie around the camp. The movie is a good mix of comedy and realism. It received 3 Academy Awards, a BAFTA award, and much love from the audience.
5. It’s a Wonderful Life
- Year of release- 1946
- IMDb- 8.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 94%
- Starring- James Stewart, Donna Reads, and others
- Runtime- 2 hours 9 minutes
- Director- Frank Capra
- Writer- Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, Philip Van Doren Stern, Jo Swerling
- Streaming on- Amazon Prime Video
About the movie- It is one of the most popular Christmas movies. It narrates the story of a man who intends to commit suicide on Christmas eve but is saved by an angel from heaven, who shows him what his loved ones’ life would look like if he had never existed in the first place. He realizes the true value of his existence. The movie got a Golden Globe award and is a timeless classic.
6. Life of Pi
- Year of release- 2012
- IMDb- 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 86%
- Starring- Irrfan Khan, Tabu, and others
- Runtime- 2 hours 5 minutes
- Director- Ang Lee
- Writer- David Magee
- Streaming on- Disney+ Hotstar
About the movie- It is an adaptation of the novel by the same name and follows the story of a young survivor in the seas who embarks on an adventurous journey as he unexpectedly makes a connection with an odd survivor, a Bengal tiger. It received 4 Academy Awards, 2 BAFTA awards and has been claimed to be therapeutic.
7. Inside Out
- Year of release- 2015
- IMDb- 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 98%
- Starring- Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader, and others
- Runtime- 1 hour 35 minutes
- Director- Pete Docter
- Writer- Peter Docter, Josh Cooley, and others
- Streaming on- Disney+Hotstar
About the movie- Inside Out is a Pixar movie that follows the life of a little girl named Riley. When Riley is forced to relocate to San Francisco due to unforeseen circumstances, her emotions- Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness clash over how to manage this new life of her. The film got an Academy Award for film of the year.
8. Little Miss Sunshine
- Year of release- 2006
- IMDb- 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 91%
- Starring- Steve Carell, Toni Collete, Paul Dano, and others
- Runtime- 1 hour 42 minutes
- Director- Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
- Writer- Michael Arndt
- Streaming on- Disney+Hotstar
About the movie- The movie is about a typical family who goes through some abnormal circumstances and they band together to overcome the issue and restore happiness to their life. The movie got 2 Academy awards and acts as a guide to many when they need it.
9. Everything Everywhere All at Once
- Year of release- 2021
- IMDb- 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 95%
- Starring- Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Lee Curtis, and others
- Runtime- 2 hours 12 minutes
- Director- Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
- Writer-Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
- Streaming on- Sony LIV
About the movie- The story is about a Chinese immigrant who goes on an epic quest in which she must unite all the various versions of her parallel universe to save the multiverse from impending devastation. The film has visual effects done by only 9 individuals, and none of those people ever went to VFX school.
10. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
- Year of release- 2013
- IMDb- 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 52%
- Starring- Ben Stiller, Kathryn Hahn, Sean Penn, and others
- Runtime- 1 hour 54 minutes
- Director-Ben Stiller
- Writer- Steve Conrad
- Streaming on- YouTube
About the movie- The movie is about a man named Walter who goes on an adventure he never anticipated while he and his co-workers are about to be fired. The movie has scenic visuals as it was shot in Iceland.
11. Coda
- Year of release- 2021
- IMDb- 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 94%
- Starring- Emilia Jones, Troy Kostur, Marlee Matlin, and others
- Runtime- 1 hour 51 minutes
- Director- Sian Heder
- Writer- Sian Heder
- Streaming on- Apple TV+
About the movie- CODA stands for Child of Deaf Adults. Ruby is the only hearing member of her deaf family and the protagonist of the story who is stuck between aiding her family with their fishing company and pursuing her dream at Berklee college of music. The story revolves around how she finds a way to put together a life. It won 3 academy awards and also a BAFTA award.
12. A Beautiful Mind
- Year of release- 2001
- IMDb- 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 74%
- Starring- Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, and others
- Runtime- 2 hours 15 minutes
- Director-Ron Howard
- Writer-Alkiva Goldsman
- Streaming on- Amazon Prime Video
About the movie- It is a human drama inspired by events in the life of John Forbes Nash Jr and is a moving take on a love story amidst mental illness. It has won 4 Academy Awards, 2 BAFTA awards, 5 Critics choice awards 4 Golden Globes as well.
13. Brittany Runs a Marathon
- Year of release- 2019
- IMDb- 6.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 88%
- Starring- Jillian Bell, Utkarsh Ambudkar, and others
- Runtime- 1 hour 43 minutes
- Director-Paul Downs Colaizzo
- Writer-Paul Downs Colaizzo
- Streaming on- Amazon Prime Video
About the movie- A hard-partying woman receives a startling wake-up call when a visit to the doctor reveals how unhealthy she is. Motivated to lose weight, she soon takes up running to help her prepare for her ultimate goal of competing in the New York City Marathon. It is an earnest and hilarious dramedy that inspires us to never give up.
14. Into the Wild
- Year of release- 2007
- IMDb- 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 83%
- Starring- Emile Hirsch, Willian Hurt, and others
- Runtime- 2 hours 27 minutes
- Director- Sean Penn
- Writer-Sean Penn
- Streaming on- Amazon Prime Video
About the movie- The movie is based on a real story and follows the life of Christopher McCandless who abandons his usual life to seek the genuine beauty of nature and the world we live in. The film got the Golden Globes award, and Grammys and was an eye-opener for many.
15. Dead Poets Society
- Year of release- 1989
- IMDb- 8.1/10
- Rotten tomatoes-84%
- Starring- Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke, and others
- Runtime- 2 hours 8 minutes
- Director- Peter Weir
- Writer- Tom Schulman
- Streaming on- Disney+Hotstar
About the movie– Dead Poets Society is a touching film about an English teacher named John Keating, who uses poetry to teach his students essential life lessons. It received an Oscar and teaches great life lessons as well.
16. The Intouchables
- Year of release- 2011
- IMDb- 8.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 76%
- Starring- Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy, and others
- Runtime- 1 hour 50 minutes
- Director- Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano, and others
- Writer- Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano, and others
- Streaming on- YouTube
About the movie– The plot revolves around an aristocrat named Phillipe who becomes a quadriplegic after an unfortunate paragliding accident. Later he employs a young man named Driss as her caregiver. It explores the themes of friendship, adventure, and love in a comic manner. The English adaptation is titled The Upside.
17. The Truman Show
- Year of release- 1998
- IMDb- 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 95%
- Starring- Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, and others
- Runtime- 1 hour 42 minutes
- Director- Peter Weir
- Writer- Andrew Niccol
- Streaming on- Amazon Prime Video
About the movie- It is a psychological and satirical drama that depicts the life of Truman who learns that his whole life is a reality TV Show. It received 3 BAFTA awards and is a must-watch if you need motivation.
18. The Pianist
- Year of release- 2002
- IMDb- 8.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 95%
- Starring- Adrien Brody, Emilia Fox, and others
- Runtime- 2 hours 28 minutes
- Director- Roman Polanski
- Writer- Wladyslaw Szpilman, Ronald Harwood
- Streaming on- Apple TV+
About the movie- The film tells the inspirational tale of a Polish Jewish musician who struggles to survive in the war-torn Warsaw Ghetto during world war 2. It won 3 Academy awards, and although it might seem depressing the story does inspire you to keep moving.
19. Whiplash
- Year of release- 2014
- IMDb- 8.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 94%
- Starring- Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist
- Runtime- 1 hour 46 minutes
- Director-Damien Chazelle
- Writer- Damien Chazelle
- Streaming on- Amazon Prime Video
About the movie- It is a life-changing musical drama about a prodigious teenage drummer. He meets an instructor who begins to coach him to help him attain his full potential. It received 3 Academy awards and 3 BAFTA awards. The ending of the movie has been talked about all around the world.
20. The Hacksaw Ridge
- Year of release- 2016
- IMDb- 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes- 91%
- Starring- Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, and others
- Runtime- 2 hours 19 minutes
- Director-Mel Gibson
- Writer- Andrew Knight, Robert Schenkkan
- Streaming on- Can be bought on Google Store
About the movie- The plot revolves around Desmond T. Doss, an American Army Medic during World War 2 who became the first soldier in American History to earn the medal of honor without firing a single shot. The movie got 2 Oscars and is an extremely emotional one.
So, here are some of the best motivational films that might help you get back on your feet when you need to. Have you watched any of these? How do you like them? Let us know in the comments section below.
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