Now, during the outbreak of coronavirus infection, everyone is depressed, the joy of life is lost, optimism and a bright look into the future disappear. In such cases, it is necessary to recharge with positive energy. A great way is to watch a good movie with the whole family.
We have collected 30 motivating films of various genres for you. Grab some popcorn, get comfortable and get ready to watch a movie that will change your outlook on life.☺
Big eyes
Life is the best screenwriter. Some people's stories are more amazing than the scripts of Hollywood filmmakers. Therefore, I decided to start with paintings based on real events. And our selection is headed by the film “Big Eyes”. The story centers on the artist Margaret Keane, whose work had phenomenal success in the 1950s. For a long time, her works were signed with her husband's name. Subsequently, Margaret had to defend her authorship in court. The film was directed by the inimitable Tim Burton.
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"
Another life-affirming story formed the basis of the painting “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.” The editor of Elle France magazine suffered a stroke at the age of 43. When he came to, he discovered that he was completely paralyzed. Only the left eye moved. With the help of it, a man dictated a book, on the basis of which a powerful film was made.
«1 + 1»
“1 + 1” is an amazing film that motivates you to succeed in life, despite health problems. The plot is not about love, as the title might suggest. The film tells the true story of the friendship between a rich man who ended up in a wheelchair and the guy he hired. Philippe Pozzo di Borgo himself, whose story was shown to us on the screen, is paralyzed and insisted that the film be shot in the genre of comedy.
"Selma"
The following story is based on the biography of Martin Luther King, who was the first leader of the black rights movement. The painting was named “Selma” in honor of the city in which important historical events took place.
"Into the Wild"
Explorer Christopher McCandless spent his life “in the wild.” Coming from a wealthy family, he donated all his money to charity and went on a trip to the American continent.
"Champion"
"Champion" is a motivational film about the success of a horse named Secretariat and his owner Penny, who together managed to do the impossible - win the Golden Crown series races three times in a row. The film shows real people who faced their fears and were in a seemingly hopeless situation, but continued to move towards their goal.
"Soul Surfer"
We all know that health problems can greatly change your life and force you to give up your favorite activities. But not in the case of Bethany Hamilton. Since childhood, the girl has been interested in surfing. At age 13, she was attacked by a shark in Hawaii. Bethany was left without her left arm, but that didn't stop her on her path to professional surfing. She fought equally with everyone and became a prize-winner at prestigious championships. This is described in the film "Soul Surfer".
"The way home"
The long “Way Home” was overcome by Janusz Wescheck, who, together with a group of prisoners, escaped from the Gulag. A group of people overcame the cold of Siberia, hunger and thirst, the fear of being caught, the heat of the desert and many other hardships for the sake of one cherished goal - freedom.
"The King speaks!"
The next biopic about achieving a goal takes us to the palace of the British royal family. As it turns out, kings and princes face serious life challenges. The modest Prince Albert, the future King George VI, suffered greatly from a stutter. Almost giving up, he met with speech therapist Lionel Balka, who helped him get rid of his speech impediment
"Saving Mister Banks"
We all know the story of the magical nanny Mary Poppins from childhood. If we learned about it from the Soviet film adaptation, then the Americans watched their version of the movie about Mary Poppins. But we are not talking about him, but about the picture, the plot of which tells us about the creation of this wonderful fairy tale. This painting is called "Saving Mr. Banks." It is based on the biography of the author of the book about Mary Poppins, Pamela Travers.
"Eddie the Eagle"
Eddie the Eagle, another film about achieving a goal, follows the life of a British skier who made history as Britain's first ski jumping representative at the Winter Olympics.
"Wild"
The film “Wild” will allow everyone to find themselves, as the main character did. Cheryl STRADE is going through a divorce and the death of her mother. To get rid of her heavy thoughts, she decides to tackle the 1,100-mile section of the Pacific Coast Trail on her own.
"Social network"
Mark Zuckerberg has gone down in history as the youngest billionaire in the world. This fact is motivating in itself. The film “The Social Network,” based on the biography of the creator of Facebook, will give you even more confidence in your abilities.
"The Pursuit of Happyness"
Willie Smith is best known for his comedic roles in the Men in Black films. But, as it turned out, he is still a strong dramatic actor. This facet of his talent was revealed in the film “The Pursuit of Happiness.” The plot revolves around a single father who radically changed his life.
Ford vs Ferrari (2019)
In the 1960s, Henry Ford's auto empire was collapsing, which could have been saved by a merger with Enzo Ferrari's company. But the obstinate Italian gets off the hook, and Ford’s grandson decides to go for broke – to create the fastest racing car of our time. The rich man involves designer Carroll Shelby, who once won the legendary race at Le Mans, in the development. In turn, Shelby hires Ken Miles, a talented mechanic and racer with an insufferable character, whose motivation is a love of speed. A common goal brought together the film's heroes, who successfully accomplished the almost impossible.
Selection on the topic: 26 best films about racing and cars
Trailer
Original title : Ford v Ferrari Actors : Christian Bale, Matt Damon, Caitriona Balfe... Country : USA, France Rating : Kinopoisk – 8.2, IMDb – 8.1 Age restrictions : 16+
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Pay Another (2000)
An amazing journey into the life of an eleven-year-old boy Trevor. Through his eyes, a terrible and dirty world is shown, full of violence, alcoholism and other human vices.
Trevor was an inquisitive child and loved learning. His school had a new young teacher who had an unusual approach to teaching and made the children think in class. He asked them a philosophical question: “How can you change the world?” and Trevor had a completely unchildish answer to it. The boy came up with a utopian idea, which was to share goodness. If you were helped, then you must help three more, and those three, in turn, do something good for the other three. It seems impossible, but the film proves the reality of his theory.
The dialogues of the characters in the film are full of meaning and make us think and reflect. The stories of the heroes are sad and difficult, but all this can be changed with the help of goodness. This is what we lack in life - kindness from others and goodness coming from us. The film is very inspiring, touching and penetrates to the core. You may forget the title of the film, but the film itself will never be forgotten.
Special (2019)
The authors of the most positive French tragicomedy “1+1”, included in every top motivating film of recent years, have shot a new touching masterpiece. Real-life characters, the Jew Bruno and the Muslim Malik, have been united in actively helping special people for 20 years.
Bruno is the director of a shelter for autistic people whose families and social services cannot cope with them. Malik is the head of a vocational training center for youth from disadvantaged areas. Troubled teenagers learn to live with meaning and achieve success by participating in the adaptation of special people. In a word, by saving others, they save themselves.
New movies: 50 best films of recent years
Trailer
Original title : Hors normes Actors : Vincent Cassel, Reda Kateb, Hélène Vincent... Country : France, Belgium Rating : Kinopoisk – 7.5, IMDb – 7.4 Age restrictions : 12+
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Honey, I shrunk the kids
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
- USA, 1989.
- Family, comedy, fantasy.
- Duration: 93 minutes.
- IMDb: 6.3.
Passionate inventor Wayne Zalinski has come up with an incredible machine that can shrink objects. The main character's children Nick and Amy, along with their friends the Thompson brothers, manage to accidentally turn on the device and become the size of a speck.
The directorial debut of Joe Johnston (Jumanji, Captain America: The First Avenger) turned out to be incredibly successful: a fascinating story about how dangerous the most ordinary world looks from the point of view of a tiny man, received two full-length sequels. A TV series of the same name was even made based on the film.
Watch on iTunes → Watch on Google Play →
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
This motivational film about the life of the legendary artist Freddie Mercury, which was filmed under the strict supervision of Queen guitarist Brian May, is worth watching for everyone. At least because of the brilliant performance of the leading actor.
The son of emigrants, Farukh Bulsara was a disappointment to his father, choosing the precarious profession of an artist instead of a career as a businessman. Attending club concerts while studying determined the guy’s fate. Farukh goes against everyone and eventually grows into the brilliant performer Freddie Mercury, creates the group Smile, and later Queen. A simple man who will forever remain in the history of music.
Similar selection: 25 films about famous musicians
Trailer
Original title : Bohemian Rhapsody Actors : Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee... Country : UK, USA Rating : Kinopoisk – 8.0, IMDb – 8.0 Age restrictions : 18+
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Mrs. Doubtfire
Mrs. Doubtfire
- USA, 1993.
- Comedy.
- Duration: 125 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.0.
Divorced father of three Daniel Hillard misses his offspring, whom he was only allowed to see once a week. Then the resourceful Daniel dresses up as the charming Mrs. Doubtfire and hires himself as a housekeeper for his ex-wife.
Leading actor Robin Williams improvised so much on set that in his scenes, director Chris Columbus even had to use multiple cameras at the same time so as not to miss anything. The film was awarded an Oscar for best makeup and hairstyles, which is not surprising, because Williams spent 4-5 hours in the dressing room every day.
Watch on iTunes → Watch on Google Play →
Man on the Moon (2018)
Despite the tragic premise, the film adaptation of James R. Hansen's book turned out to be perhaps the best film about success, motivation and self-confidence. The two-year-old daughter of space engineer and test pilot Neil Armstrong dies of a brain tumor. The grief-stricken father throws himself into work.
The engineer directs all the strength of his grief to participate in an ambitious NASA project - to get ahead of the Soviet Union and be the first to land a man on the Moon. After a long grueling preparation, it was the commander of the Apollo 11 space mission who would take that small step that became a breakthrough for all of humanity.
See also: 20 best films about space flights
Trailer
Original title : First Man Actors : Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke... Country : USA, Japan Rating : Kinopoisk – 7.1, IMDb – 7.3 Age restrictions : 12+
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Matilda
At first glance, Matilda is an ordinary girl with a difficult fate. From an early age, she was forced to take care of herself, since her family members turned out to be selfish and narrow-minded people. But Matilda did not give up; despite all the obstacles and difficulties, she managed to find true friends and restore justice. This film teaches you not to give up, teaches you to go to the end, while remaining a kind person. Of course, the matter did not happen without magical intervention, but you will learn about this by watching the movie.
6 Feet Under (2017)
The true story of Eric Lemark, whose motivation was simple - to survive in the winter mountains. Eric's father was a hockey coach and saw his son as a great hockey player. The capable athlete showed great hopes for success, but due to his difficult character, he left hockey quite early. The habit of reaching the top and the lack of thrills led Eric to snowboarding and drugs.
A lover of danger goes alone to the mountains, where he remains under the rubble of an avalanche, alone with 40-degree frost. Mortal danger motivates Eric to completely change his consciousness, see life in a new way and show strength of spirit. The tension will not let go until the end of the film!
25 films about human survival in extreme situations
Trailer
Original title : 6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain Actors : Josh Hartnett, Mira Sorvino, Sarah Dumont... Country : USA Rating : Kinopoisk – 6.2, IMDb – 5.7 Age restrictions : 16+
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One against all and all for one
But the scenario is worse than just a streak of bad luck: the whole world goes to war against the character. You have to stand up against the system, take your own and hold it with an iron grip.
"Dallas Buyers Club"
The story of the struggle of the real American Ron Woodroof with death and for common sense against the inert bureaucratic system and the prejudices that have gripped society. Ron, a simple cowboy from Texas, learns that he has AIDS. This news is a real personal apocalypse, but the hero Matthew McConaughey, despite everything, does not intend to die, although this is happening even before the widespread dissemination of ARV therapy. He wants to manage his life himself, to ride it like a bull at a rodeo, not allowing himself to be thrown to the ground. Moreover, having found an opportunity to extend his life, he begins to help others. The trouble is that new drugs for the disease have not yet been approved by the US federal authorities, which means they are prohibited for sale. The “Buyers Club” created by the hero is a place for inventive sales of drugs that are still unlicensed in America, which save lives, despite the opposition of the Ministry of Health.
"The Shawshank Redemption"
They say that as long as a person is alive, he can change everything. Even if he is serving a life sentence in the terrible Shawshank prison. Unfairly convicted banker Andy Dufresne is used to being in control and staying free. A quiet intellectual keeps secret books for the prison authorities, settles scores with the criminal world and spends 20 years preparing his escape. And how he carries out his plan is better to see once. Frank Darabont's film is the all-time leader in audience ratings, and it's not just because of the masterful direction and Stephen King's story at the heart of the plot. The story of how patience and courage overcome any obstacles and lead the hero to a sunny town by the warm sea is needed by everyone at any time.
"I am Sam"
Sean Penn stars as a developmentally delayed boy who accidentally becomes a single father. The charming daughter Lucy (her father is a Beatles fan) very quickly surpasses her father in an intellectual sense, but this does not disturb the idyll of their love, especially since there are friends and acquaintances around who are ready to help. And everything would be fine if it were not for the state machine, which is in a hurry to take the girl away and send her to a “normal” family. Now the hero must prove his parental love and responsibility at the trial, where the “retarded” are not given any discounts. The Iron Lady lawyer (Michelle Pfeiffer) unexpectedly agrees to help her imperfect father, but her strength is unlikely to be enough to win. But openness, tenderness and, again, love, ultimately overcome any inertia.
Hidden Figures (2016)
The best way to get inspired is motivational films about success and overcoming seemingly indestructible obstacles. In the American state of Virginia in the mid-20th century, such barriers were still racism and sexism. The central characters of this movie are three black women. They are not ordinary housewives, but talented mathematicians who made an invaluable contribution to NASA’s calculations for the first astronaut’s flight into space. In addition to interesting and motivating scientific problems, girls had to solve social and everyday problems unknown to whites and men.
Worth watching: Top 10 films about famous mathematicians
Trailer
Original title : Hidden Figures Actors : Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner... Country : USA Rating : Kinopoisk – 7.6, IMDb – 7.8 Age restrictions : 12+
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Free Willie
Free Willy
- USA, France, 1993.
- Family, adventure, drama.
- Duration: 108 minutes.
- IMDb: 5.9.
Twelve-year-old tomboy Jesse, who works at the aquarium, meets the smart killer whale Willie there. At this time, the owners of the establishment decide to kill Willie and pass everything off as an accident in order to receive an insurance payment. But these insidious plans are not destined to come true: Jesse is going to desperately fight for the life of his friend.
The story of a touching friendship between a mischievous boy and a killer whale is one of the favorite childhood films of the 90s generation. The film received two sequels, each of which starred an “actor” already known from the first film - a male killer whale named Keiko.
Watch on Google Play →
Founder (2016)
Traveling salesman Raymond Albert Kroc, in his fifties, still roams the country, selling mixers to catering establishment owners with varying degrees of success. Having received an unprecedented order for as many as six units, Ray meets the owners of the fast food cafe, the McDonald brothers. Seeing the future in the innovative format of the establishment, Kroc invites the brothers to sell the franchise throughout the country. But McDonald's does not dare to make drastic changes, and Ray Kroc undertakes to bring fast food culture to the masses himself. A simple traveling salesman creates a legendary restaurant chain that has taken over the world.
How empires were created: 25 films about business
Trailer
Original title : The Founder Actors : Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch, Linda Cardellini... Country : USA, Greece Rating : Kinopoisk – 7.4, IMDb – 7.2 Age restrictions : 16+
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biting my teeth
The heroes of these films are often fighting for no less than life itself. The body may suffer, but the will will be stronger.
"Saving Dawn"
Looking at the Allied planes over his native Wildeberg, the German boy Dieter Dengler wanted to fly. He grew up, moved to the United States and became an Air Force pilot. Dieter's flight was interrupted in Vietnam: shot down by the Viet Cong, he was captured. But he did not give up, but developed an escape plan and soon found himself in an unfamiliar jungle without water, food or weapons. There is a chase on the heels, hostile peasants are in front, and their own helicopters are on top, burning out the jungle with napalm. Dieter does not yet know that he will have to make another escape - from the CIA, who is confident that the pilot has seen too much.
Werner Herzog first made a documentary about Dengler's escape, and then, admiring the hero's willpower, he directed a live-action film with Christian Bale about the journey from darkness to light.
"127 hours"
The main character of this extreme thriller is mountain climber Aron, whose hand was crushed by a stone in the middle of the desert. Hanging in a crevice for 127 hours with a broken arm, without communication, food, hope of salvation - it’s scary to even think about. Boyle's film is a true story about a real person who is ready to sacrifice his body. It will not be possible to get out of the trap without blood and losses. If a person can survive in such circumstances, then humanity can do anything. And, of course, James Franco performs a separate small feat here. In one breath, he performs a one-man show: silent despair, feverish monologue and grim determination with which his character plunges the steel blade of a tourist knife into his own flesh.
"Soul Surfer"
The Hawaiian coastline, populated by cherubic surfers, is a postcard paradise on earth. But this idyll is destroyed by a terrible incident: the main character loses her arm after being attacked by a shark. Now she has to learn to accept herself, tolerate other people's views and pity, return to sports, again on the crest of the wave. Faced with personal misfortune, she suddenly sees the world as it is. Including in its terrible manifestations, going to Thailand with a Christian mission to help tsunami victims. This is how the heroine gains fortitude, which more than compensates for her somewhat limited physical capabilities and serves as an inspiring example for hundreds of people - from teenagers with disabilities to other injured athletes who write letters of gratitude to the one-armed surf girl.
Champions: Faster. Higher. Stronger (2016)
The most motivating films about sports and success in life are those that tell the stories of real athletes. These include an anthology of three short stories dedicated to famous Russians who together brought their country more than fifty gold medals at world championships and nine Olympic ones.
Foreign commentators gave the athletes eloquent nicknames. Gymnast Svetlana Khorkina was called the “queen of the parallel bars,” swimmer Alexander Popov was called the “Russian torpedo,” and the invincible wrestler Alexander Karelin was respectfully called the “asphalt paver.” But what was the motivation and path of each of them to a place on the podium?
Selection on the topic: 10 motivating films about sports
Trailer
Actors : Sergei Bondarchuk, Evgeny Pronin, Kristina Asmus... Country : Russia Rating : Kinopoisk – 7.0, IMDb – 6.2 Age restrictions : 6+
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Where the heart is (2000)
There is no place for career, wealth and success. A banal story about a simple naive girl, whom many would call frivolous. But I specifically added it to this list, because the girl proved that there is always a way out.
The main character, 17-year-old Novalee Nation, is eight months pregnant.
