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One of the countless perks of the cinema is its ability to influence the public positively. Most of the time, films are not merely stories to enjoy on the screen—they carry meaning, leaving a lasting impact on us. Some of these inspirational movies go even further: they don’t only send us a message: they encourage us. They push us to take action, to make a change. Sometimes, it’s easier to take the next step in life when your heroes do it right before your eyes.
The next big step doesn’t necessarily have to be about professional achievement. Often, it’s about something much deeper—an inner transformation that can touch many areas of our existence. The heroes of these movies are not always sure what they are seeking, but they strive for something greater than what they have. They want to grow, to move closer to that elusive self-actualization so many of us hope to reach. There are many films like this, but a few capture the journey so vividly that they stay with us long after the credits roll.
10
The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)
Directed By Gabriele Muccino
The Pursuit of Happyness is one of the most heart-wrenching yet wholesome movies ever produced. Based on the real-life story of businessman Chris Gardner, portrayed by Will Smith, the film doesn’t present a smooth rise to success, but a rough path marked by relentless failures and losses. Throughout the film, Chris faces eviction with his five-year-old son, is arrested for unpaid parking tickets, and is abandoned by his wife—all while enduring an unpaid internship. There are moments when it feels only natural to wonder how he doesn’t give up.
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But Chris never does. Despite the unpaid hours and mounting financial struggles, this impressive man continues to pursue his dream. He fights for his ideas, for the life he knows he can build– and for the future he wants to gift to his son. Chris never relents in his effort to take the next step, pushed by a fierce resolve and an extraordinary capacity to never lose hope. The Pursuit of Happyness is a life-changing movie that inspires us to keep believing, even when the odds are against us.
9
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Directed By Gus Van Sant
Thinking that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck wrote this moving masterpiece in their twenties feels surreal. Good Will Hunting is so thoughtful and inspirational that it appears to be the coming-of-age work of someone who has had a long and complicated life. In the movie, Damon plays Will, a once-in-a-generation genius whose problematic background led him to work as a janitor at MIT. Will is a troubled, occasionally irreverent, but sensitive young man. When his talent is discovered by the academic faculty, he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime to change his future.
Will’s story, however, is not about career advancement, but inner growth—an emotional journey that allows him to embrace his gifts, confront his demons, and heal from his pain. It is a story about a young man who finally learns to let himself hope again and take the next step toward the life of opportunities that await him.
8
Barbie (2023)
Directed By Greta Gerwig
As pointed out by the famous shoe scene where Weird Barbie offers Margot Robbie’s character the opportunity to choose between remaining in Barbieland in her happily-ever-after bliss or stepping into the unknown of the unappealing real world, Greta Gerwig’s movie reveals itself as a metaphor. Barbie‘s story is a journey of self-discovery. The main characters leave the comfort—or in Ken’s case, the discomfort—of their familiar spaces to explore beyond the boundaries they had always accepted without question.
What sparks Stereotypical Barbie’s need to explore is an unexplainable crisis of meaning, which makes the story and themes even more intriguing. Anyone at some point in life may struggle with feelings of existential dread, but those doubts can also push us to question what we have always accepted, sharpen our critical thinking, and seek real change. Beyond its feminist message, the movie encourages viewers not to let the illusion of fleeting happiness stop them from demanding something more.
7
The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty (2013)
Directed By Ben Stiller
There are many Walter Mittys in the world, trapped in the boredom of a life that is too grey for them, but overly busy dreaming about making a change rather than trying it for real. In The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Ben Stiller is a maladaptive dreamer, a man who lives very much in his mind- and heart- instead of his surroundings. However, as much as this peculiarity of his gifts him a limitless imagination, it also traps him in a 9-to-5 job he doesn’t like watching from afar the woman he is in love with.
When the right moment finally comes, Walter takes a leap of faith and embarks on an adventure as thrilling as the dreams he once clung to. Stiller’s hero is a man who always possessed bravery and ingenuity, but only realizes it later in life. To the notes of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” as the singer chants about stepping through the door and floating in space, Walter jumps onto a helicopter with a drunk pilot to uncover the mystery of a lost picture—taking his first real step toward the sky he always wanted to touch.
6
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Directed By Peter Weir
Dead Poets Society feels like a heart-wrenching inspirational message about the importance of, as Robin Williams reminds us, seizing the moment. The movie follows Professor Keating (Williams) as he attempts to encourage a group of teenage students in an elite boarding school through poetry and literature to chase their dreams, making their lives extraordinary. Despite the coming-of-age narrative, Keating’s voice speaks to many people across different generations.
Dead Poets Society encourages the public to rise above meaningless expectations, to listen not only to our and everyone else’s needs but also to our wishes, and to live life to the fullest.
Sometimes, taking the next step in life is about letting go of simplistic narratives about how people ought to conduct their existence and follow the pre-established path set by society. Dead Poets Society encourages the public to rise above meaningless expectations, to listen not only to our and everyone else’s needs but also to our wishes, and to live life to the fullest. As Keating says during his first class, “we are food for worms, lads”, so it is worth making the most of what we have while we still can.
5
Wild (2014)
Directed By Jean-Marc Vallée
Wild is as heartbreaking as it is inspirational. The film drew inspiration from the impressive real-life story of Cheryl Strayed, a writer who, after facing the devastating death of her mother from lung cancer and spiraling into heroin addiction, decided to embark on a 1,000-mile solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail with no prior experience. Reese Witherspoon delivers a powerful performance as a young woman who, instead of letting her grief suffocate her, decides to step out of her misery and prove her perseverance.
Cheryl Strayed is a profoundly relatable and sympathetic heroine whose real-world, tragic struggles make her story even more impressive. Wild is not only about stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing life, but also a slow journey of healing, even when it feels easier to let the pain overwhelm you. One of Witherspoon’s most inspirational movies, this modern classic is worth revisiting now and then to remember that if Cheryl did it, so can we.
4
Eat, Pray, Love (2010)
Directed By Ryan Murphy
Eat, Pray, Love is a beautifully shot movie about self-discovery and exploration based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s autobiographical memoir of the same name. The story features a woman, played by Julia Roberts, who, despite having a successful career, is deeply dissatisfied with her life and is driven by a longing for something different. After a painful breakup, Elizabeth leaves everything behind and embarks on a year-long journey across Italy, India, and Bali.
DID YOU KNOW: In Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Felipe is 15 years older than Elizabeth, but in reality, Javier Bardem and Julia Roberts are basically the same age.
What is interesting about Eat, Pray, Love is that Liz leaves her previous life behind, even if she is not sure about what she is searching for. She only knows she has to keep looking for it. At the beginning of the movie, the character feels unhappy and empty, mourning her past longing for life. Many people can relate to Elizabeth’s feelings and doubts, and just as many might feel inspired by her ability to rewrite her story and look for something more.
3
Yes Man (2008)
Directed By Peyton Reed
Sometimes, the next significant step is learning to embrace anything that life throws at you. Yes Man is all about this concept. In the movie, Jim Carrey is Carl Allen, a recently divorced and depressed bank loan officer stuck in a monotonous existence. His negative outlook on life forces him to miss out on opportunities and neglect his loved ones. A fortunate encounter with an inspirational guru pushes him to challenge himself to say yes to everything that comes his way.
The movie is about breaking free from our comfort zone and stepping into unexplored territories, shutting our fears down. In adopting this philosophy, Carl learns to embrace life in its full spectrum. Though this leads him into the most absurd situations, it also offers him the chance to take risks and subsequently gain rewards, making every second of his existence count.
2
Brooklyn (2015)
Directed By John Crowley
Brooklyn is a bittersweet story of self-discovery and belonging. Set in the 1950s, the protagonist is Eilis, a young Irish woman, beautifully played by Saoirse Ronan, who immigrates to New York in search of a better life and to help her family financially. The movie explores the immigrant experience through the main character, who initially struggles to adapt and feels lost in the fast-paced new world, suffering from homesickness.
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Brooklyn starts with the protagonist’s big step toward the life many hope for, a girl chasing the American Dream. But it soon becomes clear that these thrilling opportunities require painful sacrifices. Ultimately, this movie is a coming-of-age story of perseverance and making hard choices. The film captures the ache of letting go of a comfortable past to pursue something greater, inspiring the viewer to never give up on dreams, even when it means leaving a part of themselves behind.
1
Pride (2014)
Directed By Matthew Warchus
Sometimes, moving forward is not only about inner growth, but it requires a more ambitious leap, which is why Pride stands out as one of the most inspirational movies of the last twenty years. The heroes of this heartwarming story are many, each striving to make a change within themselves and in the world, united by a common cause. Based on real events, Pride features a group of London’s LGBTQ community activists who set out to help the Welsh miners during the United Kingdom miners’ strike against Margaret Thatcher.
It might not be prominent at first glance, but this feel-good inspirational movie is about taking a significant step in life: confronting your prejudice and fighting for justice, not just for yourself.
This unlikely alliance draws something out of each character, from closeted student Joe Cooper, who finally finds his voice, to Mark Ashton’s growing commitment to political activism. This experience encourages both groups to recognize their respective struggles. Pride is a beautiful tale of acceptance and the importance of marginalized groups standing together against oppression. It might not be prominent at first glance, but this feel-good inspirational movie is about taking a significant step in life: confronting your prejudice and fighting for justice, not just for yourself.
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