Many of us have had those moments when you just aren't feeling motivated to do anything. Maybe you're in a mid-semester slump and find yourself having a hard time finishing homework, studying for finals, or finalizing college or job applications. When that happens, it’s important to prioritize your mental health and look for inspiration in different ways. Some might open a self-help book or write their thoughts down in a new journal prompt, while others opt for a playlist of motivational songs — but we think we can all agree that inspirational movies can often be the solution to spark a little feel-good magic.
Whether you’re stuck in a rut or just looking to get your creative juices flowing, check out our own personal favorite inspirational movies below from Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more. We've included an array of genres, including dramas, comedies, documentaries, musicals, and action-adventures, so there's a film for you no matter what. Some of these we've re-watched in recent days (Booksmart, Moana, and Black Panther are just a few films we can no doubt watch on repeat) and can personally attest to their incredible mood-boosting abilities. So, peruse the list of inspirational movies ahead and get ready to feel really freaking motivated to do anything — be it start your own club, clean your room, or do a face mask. All are important!
1
Champions
This comedy movie starring Woody Harrelson follows a disgraced minor-league basketball coach who is ordered by the court to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities. The coach soon learns there is more to his new team than meets the eye.
2
Moxie!
After teenager Vivian learns about her mother's rebellious, patriarchy-smashing past, she decides to topple the toxic masculinity that dominates her high school. Vivian starts an anonymous zine that calls out her school's sexism.
MORE: Best Feminist Movies That Will Make You Feel Instantly Inspired
Twenty-five years after 5-year-old Saroo from India is adopted by an Australian couple, he goes on a journey to find his birth family.
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It can be hard to remember there are good people in this world after doom-scrolling. This documentary about Fred Rogers, the beloved children's TV host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, will remind you kind, helpful, and honest people are all around you.
All Olive wants to do is compete in the finals of a beauty pageant. With the help of her eccentric, but well-meaning family, she ventures on a cross-country trip in a VW bus to try and make the contest on time.
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After a failed business venture leaves him and his son homeless, a man decides to take the biggest risk of his life and become an intern in the hopes of it turning into something greater.
A musician strapped for cash decides to impersonate his best friend and become a substitute teacher at a local private school. But after seeing how much talent his new students have, he decides to teach them all about rock and roll and prepare them for the upcoming Battle of the Bands.
9
BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky
Follow the incredible K-pop group Blackpink as they give fans a behind the scenes look of what it took to form the band, and their hopes for the future.
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After he loses his job over a fight with a food critic, a chef decides to open his own food truck with the help of his family and friends.
Follow a group of high school students while they try to survive all four years of intense training at the High School of Performing Arts in New York City.
A young man has the chance of the lifetime when he ends up on Who Wants to be a Millionaire and tries to take home the jackpot.
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A dance team at a local high school finds out that their new teacher is a former dancer and try to get her to be their coach.
14
All Together Now
A young teen with big dreams tries to make them come true as she also hides from her classmates that she's homeless.
This movie literally opens with the line, "You're ready to dominate this day, you've worked harder than everyone, and that is why you're a champion." By the end of this female-led (and directed) film, you'll feel that deep in your soul. This hilarious, feminist, coming-of-age flick is like a double shot of confidence and inspiration.
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Zac Efron is a guaranteed mood-booster, but that's not why this movie is so high on the list. A band of (singing!) outcasts overcomes discrimination, racism, and hate to start the famous Barnum & Bailey Circus. The Greatest Showman has a stellar cast (read: Hugh Jackman and Zendaya) and a soundtrack you'll play on repeat.
This historic film tells the story of NASA mathematicians Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. These real women made it possible for astronaut John Glenn to be launched into orbit.
Mulan is the most badass of all Disney Princesses and that is not up for debate. She pretends to be a man, in order to take her elderly father's place in the draft during a brutal war. Eventually, she fights on the frontlines and saves all of China, nbd.
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Bohemian Rhapsody follows the inspirational true story of Queen's iconic frontman, Freddie Mercury. Follow his rise to fame, his struggle to find love, and his tragic battle with AIDS.
This heartwarming film is based on the true story of an underprivileged teen who finds a new family and a future through football (eventually being drafted to the NFL). Starring Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, and Lily Collins, this is an absolute must-watch.
Kelsey Stiegman
Senior Style Editor
Kelsey is Seventeen.com's fashion expert and resident Harry Potter nerd. At the office, she spends her day writing about style, beauty, and literally every move Kylie Jenner makes. On the weekends, you can find her sifting through vintage shops and hunting for the perfect burger. Follow her on Instagram at @klstieg.
Leah Campano
Associate Editor
Leah Campano is an Associate Editor at Seventeen, where she covers pop culture, entertainment news, health, and politics. On the weekends, you can probably find her watching marathons of vintage Real Housewives episodes or searching for New York City’s best almond croissants.
Stacey Grant
Senior Editor
Stacey Grant is a senior editor at Seventeen who runs the brand's Snapchat Discover channel. She also covers entertainment topics specializing in nostalgia, such as classic '90s and '00s Disney Channel and Nickelodeon content.
