Surviving against all odds. Fighting against discrimination and inequality. Confronting your past to ensure a brighter future. Selfless devotion to a cause. If you’re in need of an inspirational movie to kick off the new year, we’ve got you covered.
‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ | 2006 | Prime Video
The Pursuit of Happyness stars Will Smith as Chris Garnder — a single father struggling to make ends meet for himself and his young son, played by a preadolescent Jaden Smith. The two must live in shelters and endure hardship each day, yet Chris refuses to give into despair, as he is determined to create a better life for his child. Resilience in the face of adversity. Unwavering commitment to goals. The indomitable human spirit. Perseverance and positivity against all odds. If you need to start the year with someone who will show you why you should never quit, this is the film to stream.
‘Good Will Hunting’ | 1997 | MAX
Good Will Hunting follows self-taught genius Will Hunting (Matt Damon), who is working as a janitor at MIT. When his extraordinary mathematical abilities come to light, he must confront his troubled past and accept help from a comically insightful therapist (Robin Williams) to realize his full potential. The film also stars Ben Affleck who penned the screenplay alongside Damon. The work remains one of the duo’s most critically acclaimed and culturally significant contributions to cinema. The film explores the dichotomy between intellectual brilliance and emotional intelligence, and the importance of personal growth alongside academic and career triumphs. The power of mentorship, friendship, and loyalty remain prevalent themes in a film about choosing the road less traveled — and breaking the cycle of poverty.
‘Hidden Figures’ | 2016 | Disney+
Based on the true story of three African-American women mathematicians, Katherine Goble Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae), Hidden Figures follows three under-acknowledged individuals who played crucial roles in NASA’s early space missions. Overcoming racial and gender discrimination, they made significant contributions to John Glenn’s historic orbit around the Earth in 1962. Empowerment. Sisterhood. Triumph against all odds — against all detractors who would rather silence or diminish you. Intellectual prowess and the claiming of one’s space (pun intended) and ability. Hidden Figures is not to be missed.
‘Pay It Forward’ | 2000 | Prime Video
Altruism. Concern for those around you. Putting someone else’s well-being before your own. Qualities that make us human — yet qualities that are far too often lacking in our brothers and sisters. Pay It Forward revolves around a young boy named Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment) who, as part of a school project, decides to do good deeds for others without expecting anything in return. His actions lead to a chain reaction of kindness and impact the lives of several individuals. The film shows how much impact a single selfless action can retain. What does it mean to break a cycle of negativity? What can our society become if we challenge social norms and injustices and lead with empathy?
‘Whiplash’ | 2014 | Netflix
Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) is a young and ambitious drummer under the tutelage of an accomplished yet abusive instructor Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) — the conductor at a prestigious conservatory. The film explores the complex relationship between a mentor and a student as Neiman strives for perfection. While we hold issue with Fletcher’s violent scare tactics, the film chronicles the relentless pursuit of excellence a dreamer feels when chasing their passion. Whiplash leads our protagonist (and viewers at home) to question the cost of success while honing in on the sacrifices tied to ambition and expression — as well as the transformative nature of music. It’s a beautifully difficult, yet no less motivating movie.
‘Gandhi’ | 1982 | Prime Video
The biographical film Gandhi, starring Ben Kingsley in the titular role, follows the life of Mahatma Gandhi — from his early experiences as a lawyer in South Africa to his role as the leader of India’s nonviolent fight for independence against British rule. The movie is a tried-and-true biopic, chronicling most of the political ethicist’s endeavors, as opposed to spotlighting a singular small timeframe as seen in recent biodramas. Gandhi was a pivotal figure in leading India toward self-rule and communal harmony, and he remains one of the most celebrated and internationally known historical figures. The film spotlights the leader’s dedication to equality, the efficacy of nonviolent resistance, and one man’s ability to catalyze widespread change. He, and the film, have left behind a legacy of tolerance, as well as respect for diversity of thought.
‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’ | 2019 | Netflix
Another film based on a true story (proving that inspirational figures don’t only exist on the silver screen), The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind follows William Kamkwamba (Maxwell Simba), who uses his ingenuity to build a scrap-material-made turbine when his family and community are plagued with a severe drought and famine. The film also stars director Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lily Banda. The ingenuity and resourcefulness in the face of adversity and struggle is enough to bring a tear to anyone’s eye, as is the message of educational empowerment and community collaboration running beneath the surface. The close-knit relationship between William and his family is also a prevalent theme in the film, underscoring the importance of familial support and guidance in childhood.
‘My Left Foot’ | 1989 | Paramount+
“My Left Foot” is a biographical film that chronicles the life of Christy Brown, an artist and writer with cerebral palsy who overcomes physical challenges and learns to express himself through painting and writing using his left foot: the only part of his body he can control. The movie is a tale about personal triumph over severe physical limitations and spotlights artistic expression as a form of liberation while challenging societal stereotypes about those with disabilities. Daniel Day-Lewis stars in the title role in what remains a career-defining performance.
