23 Inspirational Movies Every Student Must Watch | Best Motivational Movies
Traditional classroom teaching alone cannot motivate every student. Given that kids love to be entertained, inspirational movies are an effective and easy way to motivate them.
If you are a teacher or a parent, you can understand this very well. It is necessary for the students to feel affection towards learning.
It is not difficult to release a film today. Projectors and displays are available in our smart classrooms. Here are some good inspirational, educational Hollywood movies and Bollywood movies that can inspire students of schools and colleges alike. These teach the value of hard work and proper education to the students.
Here is our list of the best inspirational movies of all time for students:
Table of Contents
1. Lean On Me (1989)
IMDb Rating -7.4/10
Cast and Crew: Written by Michael Schiffer and directed by John G. Avildson, starring Morgan Freeman.
The Plot: Do you need a second chance in studies or career?
Lean On Me is a dramatic biographical film based on a true story. An unorthodox teacher returns to the idyllic high school from where he was fired as principal, only to find it devoid of the success it used to be.
This movie will help you make it through that pile of studying and propel you forward! There’s nothing quite like a true story to brighten your day.
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2. Good Will Hunting (1997)
IMDb Rating – 8.3/10
Cast and Crew: Good Will Hunting features a stellar cast including Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Stellan Skarsgard. This American film was written by Affleck and Matt Damon, while it was directed by Gus Van Sant.
The Plot: Matt Damon as a 20-year-old young man in the film. The protagonist is gifted with high abilities in mathematics and chemistry, but does not know what his abilities can offer.
This film will inspire the students to discover the hidden talent within them.
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3. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
IMDb Rating -7.7/10
Cast and Crew: Helmed by Gabriel Muccino, this biopic stars Will Smith and his son Jaden Smith as Chris Gardner and his son, respectively.
The Plot: The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 American biographical drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino and based on the life of entrepreneur Chris Gardner.
In this film, Will Smith plays Gardner who goes from a homeless salesman to the owner of a brokerage house with his determination and willpower.
4. 3 Idiots (2009)
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Cast and Crew: Rajkumar Hirani is the director of this film. Rajkumar Hirani (screenplay), Abhijat Joshi (screenplay), and Vidhu Vinod Chopra (screenplay) are the writers (screenplay associate). Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani, Mona Singh are among the cast members.
The Plot: The story of 3 Idiots is loosely based on a novel by Chetan Bhagat and follows three young people who enrol in an Engineering college in Delhi. They end up becoming friends despite their diverse origins, and the video shows the highs and lows of college life, as well as the fun and inspirational teachings that you will never forget. It is one of those Student Motivational Movies that helps you recognise your potential while also teaching you the value of friendship, overcoming life problems, and thinking outside the box. The movie reminds us that life may be a race, but ‘all can be well’ if we excel at what we enjoy doing the most.
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5. Forrest Gump (1994)
IMDb Rating – 8.8/10
Cast & Crew: Directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanxo
The Plot: This Tom Hanks film tells the inspiring story of a man with low IQ who achieves incredible feats. He wins the Medal of Honor for bravery, becomes an expert ping pong player, inspires Elvis Presley’s famous dance, and makes money selling shrimp.
This is truly an inspirational story that every student should watch. The film tells that nothing is impossible if you have the will. There is a famous one in the movie – “Mama always said that life was like a box of chocolates. It’s impossible to predict what you’ll get.”
6. The Theory of Everything (2014)
IMDb Rating -7.7/10
Cast and Crew: James Marsh directed this film starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones
The Plot: This movie depicts the story of the greatest cosmologist and physicist of our time, Stephen Hawking. As a brilliant student of astrophysics, he is shocked to learn that he is suffering from motor neuron disease. Doctors have predicted only 2 more years for her to live.
But, he remarkably defied medical calculations and lived to the age of 76. During this period he became a celebrity with his remarkable contribution to the world of cosmology and physics.
This movie is inspirational for all students, especially students with special needs. What you can accomplish with what you have is limitless.
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7. 42 (2013)
IMDb Rating -7.5/10
Cast and Crew: Chadwick Aaron Boseman was in the lead role in this Brian Helgeland-starrer, which also starred Harrison Ford.
The Plot: The real-life story of Jackie Robinson, America’s baseball star, is depicted in this inspirational sports movie. He was the first black player in the Modern Era to join the Major Leagues.
The film can teach students a lot about the racism that was prevalent in the United States. This can help students understand how difficult challenges can be to overcome and why they should persevere.
8. Social Network (2010)
IMDb Rating -7.7/10
Cast and Crew: “The Social Network” is an American drama film written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher in 2010. Jesse Eisenberg portrays Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, while Justin Timberlake and Andrew Garfield play supporting roles.
The Plot: This inspirational Hollywood movie shows how Mark Zuckerberg’s journey from Harvard student to millionaire is truly an inspirational one; It can inspire you to be an amazing talent like that guy. The social network shows that every student can turn their dream into reality.
9. The Breakfast Club (1985)
IMDb Rating -7.7/10
Cast and Crew: This is a 1985 American comedy drama directed, written and produced by John Hughes.
The Plot: The film is about how 5 students from different backgrounds are put under house arrest and exposed to each other.
The Breakfast Club shows that students can find friendship in the most unexpected of ways. Considered as an evergreen teen cult film, it is a must watch for every student.
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10. Freedom Writer (2007)
IMDb Rating -7.6/10
Cast and Crew: The film was directed by Richard La Gravenese and starred Hilary Swank and Patrick Dempsey
The Plot: “Freedom Writers” is an inspirational film about a young teacher who, after high school, continues to inspire her troubled class to study. He has to deal with risk-averse students who are divided, opposing teachers, struggling in marriage and short of money.
Students watching this movie are bound to see their teachers in a new light.
11. The Great Debators (2007)
IMDb Rating -7.6/10
Cast and Crew: Starring Denzel Washington, “The Great Debators” is an inspirational American film released in 2007. It was directed by Denzel Washington himself and produced by Oprah Winfrey.
The Plot: This is based on an article I wrote about the Wiley College debate team.
Looking to teach or train others? The film was directed by Professor Melvin B. It is a dramatic retelling of the true story of Tolson, who inspired his students to challenge Harvard to a debate championship.
It is a heart touching story to uplift the study spirit of the students especially if they have been inspired at some point of time by a wonderful teacher who has seen their potential.
The film will teach students how to feel the hidden powers when pushed into a corner.
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12. Stand and Deliver (1988)
IMDb Rating -7.9/10
Cast & Crew: Directed by Ramon Menendez, starring Edward James Olmos, Lou Diamond Phillips, Will Gotye and Vanessa Marquez
The Plot: The film is based on the real story of Jaime Escalante, a high school math teacher.
It shows how an idealistic math teacher helps her “no-hopper” students study by adopting unusual teaching methods. “Stand and Deliver” is truly an inspirational film for those who think they are disappointed in their studies.
13. Rush (2013)
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Cast and Crew: Written by Peter Morgan and directed by Ron Howard, the film stars Chris Helmsworth and Daniel Brühl. Produced on a budget of USD 38 million, the film is a splendid that won the BAFTA Award for Best Editing.
The Plot: The plot of the film centers around two F1 racers from the 1970s – James Hunt and Nikilauda who are fierce rivals and how they push their limits to prove their supremacy on the tracks. This movie is for the driving enthusiasts with exciting race sequences on screen.
Students can experience the grueling conditions during F1 races and how the rivalry inspired others to hone their skills.
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14. Boyhood (2014)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Cast and Crew: Written and directed by Richard Linklater, best known for his “Before” trilogy, the film stars Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke and Lorelei Linklater. The film was praised for the extraordinary undertaking of being shot for over 12 years. The stars showed up and filmed every year when their schedules allowed them to do so.
The Plot: The unique thing about this film was that it was shot over a span of 12 years and presents the life story of a boy who is over 12 years old. The events in MJ’s life while living with his mother after the parents’ divorce form the main part of the film. The film traces all the emotional depths of the boy’s life during his teenage years. The film also depicts poignant moments of fatherhood and motherhood.
The film provides a great opportunity to the children to understand the happenings in the lives of their parents in the context of modern times.
15. The Blind Side (2009)
IMDb Rating -7.7/10
Cast & Crew: The Blind Side is a 2009 American biographical sports drama film written and directed by John Lee Hancock. Sandra Bullock played the lead role.
The Plot: It is based on the real story of Michael Oher, who was adopted by a loving, supportive family – The Toohees. Leigh Anne Tuohy and her husband Sean provided her with shelter for a day and welcomed her indefinitely.
Leigh Anne discovers Michael’s strengths and helps him better understand his strengths. This has a good impact on his football abilities. In the end, he becomes a successful football player, with the strong support of the Tuhi family despite going through some rough patches.
16. The Paper Chase (1973)
IMDb Rating -7.2/10
Cast and Crew: Directed by James Bridges, The Paper Chase is an inspirational Hollywood film starring Timothy Bottoms, Lindsay Wagner and John Houseman.
The Plot: Sometimes studying doesn’t come easily – often we have to learn to “set the mode.”
Paper Chase follows James T. Hart, a dedicated and studious freshman at Harvard who overcomes numerous hurdles during his first year. The film is ideal for anyone who is battling to maintain their sense of motivation.
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17. Warrior (2011)
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Cast and Crew: Directed by Gavin O’Connor, the film stars Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte and Tom Hardy. Nick Nolte was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
The Plot: The film tells the story of two MMA champions who meet for a fight without realizing they are separate brothers. Both brothers fight tournaments for different reasons and end up fighting each other. The brothers finally settle their differences and the film closes with a smiling shot of the father.
The film features some of the best shots on MMA, with the major theme being reconciliation and redemption of the human spirit. The power of forgiveness and family bonds are well shown in the film.
18. Half Nelson (2006)
IMDb Rating -7.2/10
Cast and Crew: Half Nelson is a 2006 American drama film directed by Ryan Fleck and written by Anna Boden & Fleck. Ryan Gosling, Sharika Epps and Anthony Mackie played the lead roles.
The Plot: The film centers on an inner-city middle-school teacher who becomes friends with one of his students when he learns that he is addicted to drugs. Compared to other films based on good teachers, Half Nelson tells the story of ordinary people facing real problems but still holding on to hope.
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19. Internship (2013)
IMDb Rating -7.2/10
Cast and Crew: This is a 2013 American comedy film directed by Sean Levy, written by Vince Vaughn and Jared Stern and produced by Vaughan and Levy.
The Plot: The Internship is about Billy and Nick, two middle-aged salesmen, played by Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, who lost their jobs due to the advent of the digital age and how they managed to get an internship with Google and prove themselves manage to get a chance of their value.
20. Everest (2015)
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Cast & Crew: This biographical adventure film was produced and directed by Baltasar Kormakur. The screenplay of the film was written by Simon Beaufoy and William Nicholson. The film stars Jason Clarke, John Hawkes, Emily Watson and Keira Knightley.
The Plot: The story set on Everest and recounts the disaster in the mountain in the year 1996. The two expedition groups fight for survival as they face difficulties during the ascent as well as the descent. The film portrays the intense risk and thrill of being able to climb Everest.
The film shows how things can actually go wrong, not the way one would expect and which is usually shown in movies with happy endings.
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21. Life of Pi (2012)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Cast and Crew: Released in the year 2012, the film directed by Ang Lee has both Indian and foreign actors. The film stars Sooraj Sharma as Pai, Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Rafe Spall and Gerard Depardieu. The film won several awards at premier film festivals around the world. It won Golden Globe Awards for Best Director and Best Picture – Drama.
The Plot: The story of the film revolves around the life of P Patel, a 16-year-old Hindu who practices all three religions for the love of God. The film talks about the story of the boy’s life as presented to a novelist, how he survived a shipwreck and was dispossessed in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger for companionship on a lifeboat.
22. Like Stars on Earth (2007)
Original Name: Tare Zameen Par
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Cast & Crew: Aamir Khan and Amole Gupte directed the film, which stars Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan, Tisca Chopra, and Vipin Sharma.
The Plot: Until the new art teacher has the time and compassion to find the underlying cause behind his troubles in school, an eight-year-old kid is assumed to be a lazy troublemaker.
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23. 21 (2008)
IMDb Rating -6.8/10
Cast & Crew: 21 is a 2008 American film directed by Robert Luctic, starring Jim Sturgess and Kevin Spacey.
The Plot: The film is inspired by the true story of the MIT Blackjack team, as told in Ben Mezrich’s best-selling book Bring Down the House.
There is a specific situation: a gifted student entered Harvard University, but in order to receive the scholarship, he must demonstrate his unique experience that no other student has.
Considering the fact that last year this scholarship was won by a student from Korea who had no legs, the task does not seem easy at all. But the student is lucky to have met a math teacher who noticed his counting talent and offered him an unusual deal…
If you don’t know what to write in your motivation letter so that all the professors can notice you, then this movie is a real sight for you.
Please share with us your favourite inspirational movies in the comment section.
