There comes a time in our lives when we seek inspiration. Especially with the coming of a brand-new year, we feel the need for a little motivation, something that would get us to pursue bigger dreams and goals. Oftentimes, we seek inspiration from movies, whether these are based on true events or even controversial pieces that are actually inspiring.
The point is they make us feel good. And more importantly, motivated. In case you’re still trying to figure out which inspirational movies to watch over the holidays, here are some that you can readily watch on Netflix. Here's to a better 2021!
10 Soul Surfer
Soul Surfer is a movie based on the real-life story of surfer Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm following a shark attack. AnnaSophia Robb plays Hamilton in the story while Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid play her parents. While speaking with Santa Monica Mirror, Robb revealed that it was Hamilton and her mother who had “recommended her for the role.”
As it turns out, the events in the movie are all real, except for the part of the storyline regarding the fierce rivalry among surfers. That said, Hamilton explained, that “in professional and amateur surfing you do have competitive rivalries”.
9 The Theory Of Everything
The Theory of Everything is based on the life of the modern-day genius Stephen Hawking. The late theoretical physicist was portrayed by actor Eddie Redmayne. And although he seemed perfect for the role, it turns out that the actor was turned down several times before he managed to book the part.
According to Insider, Redmayne told Gentleman’s Journal that “five or six other actors said no” before filmmakers considered him. Meanwhile, today, the movie is recognized as one of Redmayne’s best movies by critics. More importantly, Redmayne also won an Oscar for his performance in the film.
8 Greater
This 2016 biopic tells the story of Brandon Burlsworth, the Arkansas Razorbacks lineman who was once told that he wasn’t good enough to play in Division I football. Christopher Severio portrays the player while Neal McDonough portrays Brandon’s older brother, Marty. While speaking with Movie Mom, McDonough also revealed that Marty is so often mistaken as Brandon’s dad that it’s become a “running joke” in the film.
The movie may not be considered one of the best football movies of all time, but Brandon’s heartwarming story is enough to inspire you to pursue your goals even if they seem impossible.
7 Miracle
Also based on real-life events, this 2004 movie tells the story of how the 1980 U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team went on to defeat the Soviet team under the leadership of player-turned-coach Herb Brooks. While preparing for his role, Russell revealed he spent a lot of time with Brooks, telling IGN that the celebrated coach was “extremely helpful.”
Unfortunately, Brooks passed away in 2003 and didn’t get to see the movie. Meanwhile, Miracle would go on to become one of Russell’s best movies.
6 The Impossible
The 2012 movie tells the story of how one family managed to survive a tsunami while vacationing in Thailand. It stars Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor as the parents. Meanwhile, a much younger Tom Holland plays one of their children. Watts’s character, Maria, is based on a real-life tsunami survivor who was left badly injured.
While speaking with NPR, Watts said that “I had to get into her mindset to play that role and know what it was that she was feeling.” The tsunami scenes were shot inside a tank and the actress recalled that filming there was “unbelievably exhausting.”
5 Moonlight
This Oscar-winning film is a coming-of-age story that centers on Chiron, a young black man living in Miami. In the movie, Mahershala Ali plays Juan, a drug dealer who becomes an unlikely father figure for Chiron. While speaking with NPR, Ali revealed that he personally knew people who were like Juan.
The actor explained, “Those were the guys who had access and had money, and...some felt responsible to create an opportunity for other people.”
4 Lady Bird
In many ways, Lady Bird is the best coming-of-age movie of all time. Written and directed by Greta Gerwig, the movie stars Saoirse Ronan as a 17-year-old dealing with all the ‘complications’ of growing in Sacramento, California.
For Gerwig, the film was very personal, although it is not strictly biographical. “Writing this character was an exploration of all these things I didn’t have access to or I couldn’t be,” Gerwig told Rolling Stone. “It almost felt like this fairy-tale invention of a deeply flawed heroine.”
3 Moneyball
Moneyball isn’t like your typical sports movies. It stars Chris Pratt as Scott Hatteberg, a former professional baseball player who played for the Oakland Athletics, Cincinnati Reds, and Boston Red Sox.
Moneyball tells the story of Billy Bean, the Oakland Athletics general manager who managed to build up an impressive ball club despite facing budget restraints. Oscar-winner Brad Pitt portrays Bean in this movie. While speaking with NPR, the actor revealed that it was the fact that Bean was an unsuccessful player in the beginning that drew him to the role.
2 Silver Linings Playbook
This 2012 movie stars Bradley Cooper as a man who is trying to put his life back together after being sent to a mental institution. He proceeds to move back with his parents and even tries to reconcile things with his ex-wife.
And amidst all of this, he also meets Jennifer Lawrence’s Tiffany who’s got her fair share of problems. For Cooper, the role was quite a challenge because he had to step out of his comfort zone. Nonetheless, the actor also told BBC that “playing a guy who has no filter is an interesting format”.
1 Marriage Story
Marriage Story may not be your typical inspirational movie but it’s heartwarming, nonetheless. In this Netflix film, Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver play a couple trying to navigate divorce and keeping their family together at the same time. The film’s director, Noah Baumbach, wanted a movie where the characters come “from a real place” and that’s something Johansson felt she could deliver by tapping into her own divorce experience.
“By the time we had made the film, I was in a more settled place,” Johansson told The Hollywood Reporter. “But obviously I had my own fresh perspective on the story.”
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