Top 21 Inspirational Movies of All Time from 1980 to 2008
Twenty One of the Best Inspirational Movies from 1980 to 2008 : Your Guide to the Most Inspiring Films, Movies and Videos of Our Generation
Here is a short list of some of the all time greatest and most inspirational movies. Check out the short video of the best movie speeches remixed together at the end…. Enjoy!
1) Sea Biscuit
• Sea Biscuit on YouTube
2) Dead Poets Society
• Dead Poets Society Carpe Diem Speech on You Tube
3) Erin Brockovich
• Erin Brockovich on You Tube
4) Braveheart
• Braveheart on You Tube
5) Ray
• Ray on You Tube
6) Chariots of Fire
• Chariots of Fire on You Tube
• Chariots of Fire on You Tube
7) A Beautiful Mind
• A Beautiful Mind on You Tube
8} Mr. Holland’s Opus
• Mr. Hollands Opus on You Tube
9) Hoosiers
10) Stand and Deliver
11) Shawshank Redemption
12) Forrest Gump
13) Rudy
• Rudy on You Tube
14) Field of Dreams
• Field of Dreams on You Tube
15) Pursuit of Happyness
• Pursuit of Happyness on You Tube
16) E.T.
17) The Rookie
• The Rookie on You Tube
18} Miracle
• Miracle on You Tube
19) Pay it Forward
• Pay it Forward on You Tube
20) Finding Neverland
• Finding Neverland on You Tube
21) The Bucket List
• The Bucket List on You Tube
Bonus: Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Imporium
• Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Imporium on YouTube
What movies would you add to this inspirational movies list?
More inspirational movie speeches on American Rhetoric. If you like movies or liked this post, you might also like my 25 best movies for families and kids.
40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes
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No Rocky? Come on!
yeah without rocky it’s missing the oxygen in air !
Rocky was 1976 (I believe)
The Mission
Andy and Jon,
Great additions! I’ll have to watch the Mission again. Its been ages since I’ve seen it…
Thanks for stopping by and chatting. Any additions (or thoughtful criticisms) from other readers???
the fisher king…..’being there’ w/ peter sellers-1979-funny/great writing-un-sung classic—-‘the corporation(great documentary)….
Sorry I don’t see “The Corporation” as inspirational. Its more of a documentary…..and it portrays companies and the people in them in a rather uni-dimensional way. When I was in grad school I might have been interested in such things–but 10 years hence, I see the critique and those like it as perhaps too one sided and simplistic.
Companies actually do good things in the world. And capitalism is a bit like democracy–its a “bad” form of government–except all the others (are worse). Capitalism helps provide goods, innovation, and provides a reason for price competition.
I’m a big fan of “Men of Honor” A fantastically inspirational film about strength of will and character. Thanks for reminding me…and adding to the discussion.
Any other suggestions for inspirational flicks from my readers?
R-O-C-K-Y
I know Rocky came out in 1976, but it must be at the top of the list as it basically re-created the genre.
No Kevin Costner movies? I would like to add American Flyer and Bull Durham to the list
i’m sure kevin costner is in the field of dreams.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996 )
Radio
you should check out this modern inspirational documentary called, “The YES Movie” (Young Entrepreneur Society)
It’s jam packed with powerful, practical entertaining stories & strategies from the nation’s youngest self-made millionaires & business experts.
http://www.theyesmovie.com
Cinderella Man …the title sounds dumb but the movie was great.
Lord of the Rings… all 3 movies have some amazing speeches and great line.
1.World’s Fastest Indian
2.Forrest Gump
3.Kite Runner
4.Seven Pounds
5.Cars
6.Apocalypto
Forrest Gump is a classic. Its quite inspirational and entertaining.
Seven Pounds was both inspirational and depressing.
Cars was only mildly entertaining.
In terms of other options in the cartoon space, I think Kung Fu Panda and Bee Movie are far better from an inspirational and entertainment perspective. Shrek and Finding Nemo are entertaining as well. (I haven’t see Horton, Wall-E, or Up–which are all three probably worth checking out)
I don’t believe I’ve seen the other 3 movies you mentioned.
Thanks for your perspective Krishna K.
If you have not seen Apocalypto then you must live under a rock. Why would you make such a list if you have such a gap in your viewing list?
“A Walk To Remember” is a very inspirational movie to me.
Just saw “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and “Up”–both were highly impressive. Up was a tad better as a story.
Forgetting Cinderella Man!!
has anyone watched it?????
definitely deserves to be in the list of top inspirational movies of all time….
Agree with you
“Dreamer” is a Dreamworks film with Kurt Russell and Dakota Fanning–I’m currently watching for the 2nd time….one of the more inspiring films for sure. Like “Seabisquit” its storyline is grounded in horse racing.
I think I also omitted “A Beautiful Mind,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” or “Jerry Macquire.”
Oh….I have not seen “We are Marshall,” “Coach Carter,” “Remember the Titans” or “Tucker”, but other folks seem to think they are inspirational–so I’ll assume they deserve mention.
I like pursuit of Happiness the most….And also Invictus is one of the best inspirational movie….
where is Remember the Titans?
Extraordinary Measures is also quite inspirational–its the inspiration story of a father who attempts to solve his daughter’s sickness.
It received lackluster reviews on IMDB, but is actually pretty good with Brendon Frasier, Harrison Ford, and Keri Russel. To me one of the better parts of the movie is the realism of hitting roadblocks and challenges and the arguments Frasier and Ford have. It doesn’t just candy coat everything. I wonder if that caused viewers to be more critical of an otherwise good movie.
Many in the inspirational category are for kids–this one isn’t particularly a good fit for kids–at least compared with other movies.
Don’t forget “Remember The Titans”. Also, “Jerry Macquire” had some valuable life lessons for the right age group.
A walk to remember has to be on here, it’s incredible although i wouldn’t watch it with young kids as it’s emotional.
There are several teacher movies like “Freedom Writers” which is pretty good as well as “Mona Lisa Smile” is inspiring from a feminist perspective.
Ghandi, To Kill a Mockingbird, Erin Brockovich, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and Apollo 13 all probably deserve mention along with several Denzel Washington movies I’m forgetting.
How about movie Gandhi?
i think the following movies should be included: Life is Beautiful, Men of Honor, John Q and Good Will Hunting
Beautiful Mind/ The Last Samurai/ Facing the Giants/
Finally, you might put some of these inspirational movies or your favorite inspirational movies into TasteKid.com which is a recommendation engine. Very cool:
http://www.tastekid.com
A Good Year! and August Rush
I am glad to see that some other bloggers were like…wheres ROCKY!!! I was seriously about to reply this before scrolling down to see other movie enthusiasts who found the score and movie line to captivating and inspiring everytime I watch it… Good post btw…
american history x,blind side ,empire of the sun …inspire each in a different way. Also, music within and october sky.
Mohan,
Interesting choices. I would have to agree with Blind Side and haven’t seen Music Within or October Sky. American History X isn’t uplifting….its kind of a downer of a movie, to be honest.
If thats the criteria for inspiring, then almost every movie is inspiring–but that makes the term inspiring kind of useless.
Antwone Fisher (Denzel). Great movie!
American Beauty !! That movie was really inspirational to me!
Gladiator I thik is a insperational movie and a mind opener to what america has come to
Million Dollor baby is a good one too!!
http://fairweatherfilm.tumblr.com/post/5734972641/12-inspirational-films
Did a similar thing here.
cast away?????/
how come OCTOBER SKY isn’t in the list?????
UMMM……..TITANIC!!!
I need someone to suggest a movie to give my teenager self esteem and to stay in school she only has one more year.
Yeah Rocky is the most humbling and most inspirational of all time…..
Letters to God
The Bucket List
Facing the Giants
A Walk to Remember
The Ultimate Gift
added to that.
Soul Surfer
WHY DID U LEAVE OUT AKEELAH AND THE BEE, GIFTED HANDS, THE GREAT DEBATERS? highly inspiring movies..
Life is Beautiful
i dont know why they forgot about life is beautiful it was a awesome movie that i ever seen!!
Soul Surfer sould be included
Armageddon is the most inspiring and classy movie of all. No other movie can make you life, think, cry, hope, or fear as armageddon des.
Coach Carter,The King’s Speech,The Hurt Locker…lets check some Indian(Hindi) Movies like “Chak De India” , “Udaan” , “I Am Kalaam” & The Most Inspirational Movie ever for me “IQBAL” 🙂 cheers
Men of Honor must be in the list …it the most motivating movie that i ever see in my life..
A walk in the clouds
Like water for chocolate
The Bucket list
seven pounds
Frida
You’ve got Mail
Radio
Schindler’s List
Karate Kid 1
walk the line….. must watch
rocky should have been there in the list!!!!!!!!!!!
fighter’s fight!!!!!!!!!!
Truly the most inspiring movie I’ve seen is A Friend Indeed – extraordinary!
The fist 5 minute are a bit slow – but it gets amazing.
You can find it here: http://myzencity.com/great-quotes/movies/
enjoy!
Pride. A movie about the sport of swimming & life:
It doesn’t have the best reviews, but is decent. Its not my first choice–but it has some decent life lessons in it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0475355/
For love of the game
Breaking Away
Miracle
Cinderella man
A walk to remember
Glory road
Brave heart
Hoosiers
and for sure Rocky all the sequels are very inspirational too.
and the best movie EVER – the story of Bill Sackter – A Friend Indeed !!
http://myzencity.com/great-quotes/movies/
😉
enjoy –
laurie
im happy there is a beautiful mind, seabiscuit nd dead poet s society in it,,, thanks
freedom writers 🙂
i think “chak de india” an indian movie must be on the list , its a heart touching story of a coach who made shatterd indian women hockey team wining their way to finals every one must watch that in his life time
Like Stars On Earth
Patch Adams
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
Freedom Writers
Rocky
And even the original Karate Kid (with Daniel, not Julie)
And Fried Green Tomatos