10 Hollywood Movies that will leave you inspired!

Each film on this list comes from a different genre, has a different plot, and features a different cast, but the only thing they all have in common is that they may all inspire you in some manner. 

These inspirational movies will teach you a lot. These films will force you to examine yourself, reflect, and roll up your sleeves to meet life's problems.

1. Forrest Gum

• Cast- Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, and Sally Field
• Year of release– 1994
• Director– Robert Zemeckis

The Forest Gump movie, starring Tom Hanks, was well-received for its narrative, visual effects, directing, and Hank's portrayal of the character.

Forrest, the movie's primary character, is dim-witted, but what's remarkable about him is that he never sees himself as having a disadvantage.

The movie begins with a flashback, and it centers on the life of an Alabaman man named Forest Gump.

The movie's storyline skillfully depicts his life, from his time as a collegiate football player through his service in the Vietnam War and his leadership of a shrimp boat.

With his innocent demeanor, Forrest Gump creates an effect on the audience. The main character of this film consistently attempts to provide joy to others around him in tiny ways.

 

2. Pursuit of Happiness

 

• Year of Release– 2006
• Cast– Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Jaden Smith
• Director– Gabriele Muccino

Christopher Gardner's (Will Smith's) amazing journey for happiness in The Pursuit of Happiness shows how one can never give up in the face of adversity. After being kicked out of his house, he changed his ways and now runs his own brokerage.

The father-son relationship and the father's (Chris) struggle to provide his kid with a bright future are both eloquently shown in this film.  The father-son team has brief moments of bliss in their relationship despite their daily hardships.

The father ultimately succeeds after overcoming all obstacles, including financial hardships and mental agony. The Pursuit of Happiness is a motivational film that emphasizes the importance of never giving up!

3. Cinderella Man

• Year of Release– 2005
• Cast– Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Paul Giamatti, Craig Bierko, Paddy Considine, Bruce McGill, and Ron Canada
• Director– Ron Howard

In the American biographical sports drama Cinderella, a boxer who broke his hand in the ring is forced to retire from the sport.  James J. Braddock's wife was relieved and a bit anxious when he stopped boxing.

She cannot take the brutality that is inherent in her husband's line of work, but she is aware that without his boxing, they would not be able to support themselves. He works as a longshoreman after quitting the ring to help support his family, but he is sadly unable to find employment every day.

To obtain a second opportunity for his family, he battles once again in the ring, and as a result, he unexpectedly becomes a national hero.

4. Dallas Buyers Club

• Year of Release– 2013
• Cast– Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Denis O'Hare, Steve Zahn, and Dallas Roberts
• Director– Jean-Marc Vallée

Dallas Buyers Club, the next film on this list, is based on real events.  Ron Woodroof, a character played by Matthew McConaughey in the film, is an AIDS patient who was identified in the middle of the 1980s. At the time, HIV/AIDS was still largely stigmatized, poorly understood, and had no effective therapies.

He suffers rejection from his family, loses his work, and has to move out of his house. He believed that smuggling unlicensed pharmaceuticals into Texas would help his problems.

Later, he starts a very popular "buyers' club" and rallies a group of misfits in their fight for respect and acceptance.

5. Moneyball

• Year of Release– 2011
• Cast– Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill
• Director– Bennett Miller

Based on the nonfiction book "Moneyball" by Michael Lewis, this movie is about sports.  The Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane is portrayed by Brad Pitt in this film.

He put together the squad but was compelled to reassemble it on a shoestring budget. Billy Beane must now outwit the wealthier clubs.

He chose the players primarily on their on-base percentage (OBP) and disregarded their perceived deficiencies rather than using the scout's knowledge and instincts.

Employing discounted players like the old outfielder David Justice, the submarine pitcher, and the injured catcher Scott Hatteberg is a strategy used by Brand and Beane.

It ranks among Brad Pitt's finest performances. And one of the finest inspirational films is Moneyball.

6. The Godfather

• Year of Release– 1972
• Cast– Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte, and Diane Keaton.
• Director– Francis Ford Coppola

One of the most significant works in film history, The Godfather is hailed as one of the best movies ever made.

The ascent to power and the narrow escape from it of the Sicilian clan in America are both chillingly shown in this movie. Its well-balanced storyline effectively tells the tale of Corleone's filthy criminal enterprise and family life.

This film was chosen for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry of the Library of Congress and received seven nominations for prizes at the 30th Golden Globe prizes. This motivational film is a must-watch for everyone if who hasn't yet seen it!

7. Rocky

Year of Release– 1976

Cast–

Director– Sylvester Stallone

Rocky once said, "Life is not about how hard a hit you can give; it's about how many you can take and still move forward."

Rocky is a movie about hardships and perseverance, not only boxing.  This inspirational film follows the path of a guy who, by pure hard effort, goes from being a "nobody" to being "somebody."

The intricately connected storyline follows the protagonist as he navigates his challenges, job, and relationship with the sister of his closest friend. This film is a sincere celebration of the human spirit; it serves as a reminder that with enough effort, even the seemingly impossible can be achieved.

8. Shawshank Redemption

Year of Release– 1994

Cast– Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins, Bob Gunton, Clancy Brown, William Sadler, Jeffrey De Munn

Director– Frank Darabont

The Shawshank Redemption is a heartwarming tale of friendship, faith, and hope. It tells the tale of famous banker Andy Dufresne, who was wrongfully found guilty of murder and given a 19-year term in the Shawshank prison.

He makes a friend with a prisoner at this facility who helps him adjust to prison life.

With just enough darkness around the edges to provide contrast and relief to its glowingly benign vision of human nature, this motivational film delivers a powerful message of friendship and endurance.

9. 127 Hours

Year of Release– 2008

Cast– James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara

Director- Danny Boyle

This inspirational film is based on the experiences of mountaineer Aron Ralston. This captivating tale tells us the value of life while taking the audience on an unforgettable journey!

The film is set in 2003, when Aron Ralston, a climber, goes trekking in Utah's Canyonlands National Park. He meets Kristi and Megan, two hikers, and shows them a swimming hole beneath.

Aron spends some time with these hikers before moving on into Blue John Canyon's slot canyon. He stumbles and hits the wall, crushing his right hand with a boulder

After becoming stuck, he muses about his life for the next five days, remembering friends, lovers, relatives, and even the last two individuals he had the opportunity to meet. Then he musters the fortitude to use all measures required to free himself.

He treks more than 8 miles in this state and mounts a 65-foot wall before being rescued.

10. Gandhi

Year of Release– 1982

Director- Richard Attenborough

Casting- Ben Kingsley, John Gielgud, Rohini Hattangadi

The life of Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi is depicted in the sweeping historical drama film Gandhi. He served as the movement's head during India's non-violent, non-cooperative struggle for independence from British control.

Gandhi's persona as a man of nonviolence is extensively explained in this film. Observing him utilize patience as a weapon to expel the British from the subcontinent is incredibly motivating.

In this motivational film, Mahatma Gandhi discusses his involvement in the liberation fight and how he uses his final days to promote peace between the two independent states.

I'm certain that these Hollywood motivational films will be enough to give you an additional boost of inspiration in 2023. Best wishes for a successful career.