Streaming > Streaming TV, Movies, & More 28 28 people found this article helpful The 11 Best Inspirational Movies Feel-good films are available on streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon, and Apple TV+ By Yoona Wagener Yoona Wagener Editor Bowling Green State University Yoona Wagener is a tech editor, writer, and product reviewer. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 3, 2024 Streaming TV, Movies, & More Netflix Hulu Disney+ Prime Video Apple TV+ Favorite Events Trending Videos Close this video player The best motivational movies leave you laughing, smiling, and even misty-eyed. This collection of inspirational and feel-good films is a tribute to what touching movies do well: motivate, educate, and offer an escape from the daily grind. If you're ready to celebrate real-life heroes alongside fictional characters who aim to move the needle forward in their own lives or for the greater good, you're sure to find something on this list. Grab a box of tissues and a snack and gather loved ones to stream these uplifting movies over a weekend-long marathon or a digital viewing party. 01 of 11 CODA (2021): A Different Kind of Coming of Age Film Apple IMDb Rating: 8.0/10Genre: Comedy, Drama, MusicStarring: Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur, Marlee MatlinDirector: Sian HederMotion Picture Rating: PG-13Runtime: 1 hour, 51 minutes Teenage Ruby (Emilia Jones) acts as an interpreter for her deaf parents, who she also helps run a fishing business. However, her true love is music, and she's starting to feel torn between following her dreams and supporting her family. CODA won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor. Watch 'CODA' on Apple TV+ 02 of 11 Inside Out (2015): A Comforting Reminder That It's OK to Feel All the Things Walt Disney Studios IMDb Rating: 8.1/10Genre: Animation, Adventure, ComedyStarring: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis BlackDirector: Pete Doctor, Ronnie Del CarmenMotion Picture Rating: PG Runtime: 1 hour, 35 minutes Inside Out is one of those solid inspirational movies that offer time away from reality while gently tackling the genuine nature of life transitions' ups and downs. While the story centers around young Riley and her new move to San Francisco, it's a priceless reminder to all of us, at any age, that embracing our emotions is an excellent thing. Watch 'Inside Out' on Disney+ Now 03 of 11 Skater Girl (2021): An Untraditional Teen Sports Movie Netflix IMDb Rating: 6.7/10Genre: Drama, Family, SportStarring: Waheeda Rehman, Amy Maghera, Jonathan ReadwinDirector: Manjari MakijanyMotion Picture Rating: PGRuntime: 1 hour, 47 minutes Skateboarding isn't for girls. At least, that's what they're told. Nonetheless, a group of teen girls in rural India is about to prove their traditional community wrong. This cute coming-of-age story crosses gender and cultural boundaries, which makes it appealing to everyone, even if you're not a fan of the sport. Watch 'Skater Girl' on Netflix Now 04 of 11 Remember the Titans (2000): An Inspirational and Timeless Story of Unity Walt Disney Studios IMDb Rating: 7.8/10Genre: Biography, Drama, SportStarring: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood HarrisDirector: Boaz YakinMotion Picture Rating: PGRuntime: 1 hour, 53 minutes This inspirational sports story is based on an African American coach's real-life experience brought to lead the first integrated football team at a Virginia high school. While the players, coaching staff, and town members initially express resistance and intolerance, hope and unity win. This movie delivers an enduring message of racial acceptance that doesn't require you to love football to root for the team or feel moved by their bonds. Watch 'Remember the Titans' on Disney+ 05 of 11 Hidden Figures (2016): Inspirational Women Who Shaped History 20th Century Studios IMDb Rating: 7.8/10Genre: Biography, Drama, HistoryStarring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle MonaeDirector: Theodore MelfiMotion Picture Rating: PGRuntime: 2 hours, 7 minutes Hidden Figures draws back the curtain to tell the true story of the brilliant African-American female mathematicians at NASA. Though unknown to the public, they made John Glenn the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the Earth. This movie is a celebration of their brilliance and their deserving place in the history books. Watch 'Hidden Figures' on Disney+ Now The Best Disney Plus Movies Right Now 06 of 11 The 40-Year-Old Version (2020): Finding Your Voice at Any Age Hillman Grad Productions IMDb Rating: 7.2/10Genre: Comedy, DramaStarring: Radha Blank, Peter Kim, Oswin BenjaminDirector: Radha BlankMotion Picture Rating: RRuntime: 2 hours, 3 minutes Based on playwright Radha Blank's real-life career struggles, this semi-autobiographical film follows the main character's attempt to reinvent herself as a hip-hop artist. In music, she finds relief from feeling that she's sacrificing too much of her authentic voice to gain recognition in New York City's theater world. If you need a reminder that success doesn't always have a set path or fall by a certain age, this is a cathartic and humorous homage to staying true to oneself. Watch 'The 40-Year-Old Version' on Netflix Now 07 of 11 Good Will Hunting (1997): Best Movie About Therapy and Moving On HBO Max IMDb Rating: 8.3/10Genre: Drama, RomanceStarring: Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben AffleckDirector: Gus Van SantMotion Picture Rating: RRuntime: 2 hours, 56 minutes While working as a janitor at a university, Will Hunting (Matt Damon) impresses a math professor with his knack for numbers. At the advice of his mentor, Will agrees to meet with psychologist Dr. Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), who helps unlock Will's true potential. An emotional masterpiece, Good Will Hunting won Affleck and Damon an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, and Robin Williams won Best Supporting Actor at that year's Oscars. Watch 'Good Will Hunting' on Max Now 08 of 11 Mangrove (2020): An Inspiring True Story of Activism Amazon Prime Video IMDb Rating: 8.0/10Genre: DramaStarring: Shaun Parkes, Letitia Wright, Malachi KirbyDirector: Steve McQueenMotion Picture Rating: TV-MARuntime: 2 hours, 7 minutes Mangrove is one of five films in Amazon Prime Video's Small Axe collection. This movie recounts the real-life heroism and activism of Frank Crichlow, the owner of the Mangrove restaurant that serves as a gathering space for the West Indian community in London. In 1970, Crichlow and others organized a peaceful protest against mistreatment by the police and were later tried in court for inciting a riot. Their trial leads to the first acknowledgment of racially motivated behavior in the London police system. The film is a stirring tribute to those who stand up against injustice. Watch 'Mangrove' on Amazon Prime Video Now 09 of 11 Crip Camp (2020): Celebrating the Power of Community and Advocacy Higher Ground Productions IMDb Rating: 7.7/10Genre: DocumentaryStarring: Judith Heumann, Jim LeBrecht, Denise Sherer JacobsenDirector: Nicole Newnham, Jim LeBrechtMotion Picture Rating: RRuntime: 1 hour, 46 minutes This film documents the true story of camp members and counselors who met at Camp Jened, an inclusive camp for young people with disabilities who become advocates for their community. They are visible and independent at camp and strive to achieve the same qualities in everyday life by fighting for representation and long-overdue civil rights for people with disabilities. Watch 'Crip Camp' on Netflix Now 10 of 11 The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019): Adventure Tale About Friendship and Chosen Family Roadside Attractions IMDb Rating: 7.6/10Genre: Adventure, Comedy, DramaStarring: Zack Gottsagen, Shia LeBeouf, Dakota JohnsonDirector: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz Motion Picture Rating: PG-13Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes This touching adventure tale follows Zak, a young man with Down syndrome who dreams of becoming a wrestler. After escaping from the senior home where he's assigned to live by the state, he quickly finds an unlikely new friend looking for a fresh start. Heartwarming without being saccharine, it's a story about unconditional acceptance and forging friendships and family in unlikely but beautiful places. Watch 'The Peanut Butter Falcon' on Amazon Prime Video Now 11 of 11 Bruised (2020): A Knock-Out About Fighting for Family Netflix IMDb Rating: 6.2/10Genre: Drama, SportStarring: Halle Berry, Adan Canto, Sheila AtimDirector: Halle BerryMotion Picture Rating: RRunning Time: 2 hours, 9 minutes Retired cage fighter Jackie Justice (Halle Berry) is ready for a comeback to the octagon, but she has second thoughts when her estranged son Manny (Danny Boyd Jr.) comes back into her life. Halle Berry is impressive in her directorial debut, and her performance is on-point as always. Watch 'Bruised' on Netflix Now The 30 Best Space Movies (2024) Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit