What To Watch
16 Inspirational Movies That Will Make You Believe Anything Is Possible
If you can dream it, you can stream it.
By Jessie Mooney
Oct. 14, 2024
16 Best Inspiring and Uplifting Movies To Make You Believe That Anything is Possible - Netflix Tudum
Ah, the power of cinema. Not to get all emotional about it, but certain movies really do leave you deep in your feelings. They yank at your heartstrings. They change the way you see the world. They infuse your outlook with optimism and hope. The best ones make you believe that anything is possible until — and often long after — the credits roll. We assume you made your way to this list for just that sort of emotional high, or perhaps a little motivation. So we’re here to offer some inspiration for your next inspiring stream.
From dramas to documentaries and films based on real-life stories, here are 16 of our most uplifting titles available to stream right now.
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Black Barbie
There’s certainly inspiration to be found in the iconic doll who can do anything she has an outfit for, but you’ll find even more in the women dedicated to helping children see themselves and their own unlimited potential in her. Former Mattel employees Beulah Mae Mitchell, Kitty Black Perkins, and Stacey McBride-Irby are three such women. And this documentary from Shondaland highlights their pivotal roles in creating the first Black Barbie — more than 20 years after the original Barbie’s debut — which allowed little Black girls to finally play with a doll who looked like them.
Fatherhood
Kevin Hart stars as Matt, a newly widowed dad raising his newborn daughter on his own. There’s a lot to contend with on top of the dirty diapers — work, grief, ostracizing gender norms, and family members whose well-meaning concern often comes in the form of insensitivity, doubt, or judgment. Inspired by the real Matthew Logelin’s memoir, Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Love and Loss, this film will have you rooting for Matt as you laugh and cry right alongside him, whether you’re a parent or not.
The Greatest Night in Pop
One night. More than 40 chart-topping stars. Tens of millions of dollars raised. That’s the premise of The Greatest Night in Pop. The stakes are high and the notes even higher in this stirring Emmy-nominated documentary about how a supergroup of the biggest names in music came together overnight on Jan. 28, 1985, to record “We Are the World,” a track with the goal of generating an outpouring of funds and awareness for the Ethiopian famine. (Don’t be surprised if a “We are the children!” jumps out of you in the days following your watch.)
Happiness for Beginners
Still finding herself again a year after her divorce, Helen Carpenter (Ellie Kemper) agrees to a beginners' Appalachian Trail survivalist course that her younger brother swears is a good idea. In addition to what shoes to wear, Helen also didn’t know that her brother’s cute doctor friend, Jake (Luke Grimes), had signed up as well. Adapted from the novel of the same name, this sweet rom-com is all about taking risks, overcoming setbacks, and embracing second chances just when you need them most.
Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa
As if being the first Nepali woman to summit and survive Mount Everest wasn’t inspiring enough, Lhakpa Sherpa now holds the record for most Everest climbs by a woman ever. But this documentary shows us the extraordinary superhuman has survived just as many valleys as peaks — and that not all of life’s mountains are physical. Watch as the resilient and good-humored Sherpa as she defies odds, breaks records, and inspires you to find heroism when your own challenges feel insurmountable.
Penguin Bloom
When an accident leaves Sam Bloom (Naomi Watts) in a wheelchair, the avid surfer and mom of three feels like her life is over, despite attempts by her encouraging husband (Andrew Lincoln), mom (Jacki Weaver), and sons (Griffin Murray-Johnston, Felix Cameron, and Abe Clifford-Barr) to convince her otherwise. Soon after, her boys come upon an injured magpie they name “Penguin” and bring home to nurse back to health. Before long, Sam and Penguin are embarking on a healing journey together — inspired by real life — that might just fix something broken in you, too.
Rustin
In the face of racism and homophobia, gay Civil Rights activist Bayard Rustin refused to back down from helping orchestrate the historic 1963 March on Washington. Now this stirring biopic, produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground, brings his powerful story to the screen. Harnessed by an emotionally nuanced (and Oscar-nominated) performance from Colman Domingo in the title role, Rustin delivers a rousing reminder about the crucial, tireless — and ongoing — work involved in America’s pursuit of “liberty and justice for all.”
Shirley
Shirley Chisholm made history as the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968, and didn’t stop there. Written and directed by John Ridley, this biographical drama depicts her trailblazing run as a 1972 presidential candidate, making her the first woman and Black candidate to vie for a major party’s nomination for the nation’s highest office. As portrayed by Regina King, Chisholm employs uncommon strength and tenacity while surrounded by racist naysayers and facing endless systematic hurdles — all of which marks her a winner outside of any election outcome.
Skywalkers: A Love Story
Lots of lovers make each other’s hearts race. Lots of lovers do not take their pounding chests and scale the tallest buildings in the world. In this documentary, Moscow couple Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus attempt their most ambitious climb to date: a 118-story skyscraper in Malaysia with a 160-meter spire on top. Can’t-watch-but-also-can’t-look-away thrills aside, you can expect exactly what the name implies: an inspiring love story. It’s just that “til death do us part” is a heightened possibility.
The Beautiful Game
The Homeless World Cup Foundation is on a mission to end homelessness through the sport of football (aka soccer to US fans) and annually hosts a tournament in which unhoused people from all over the world compete. Developed with close input from the actual HWCF, this heartwarming British sports drama centers on an English team headed for the cup with their optimistic coach, Mal (Bill Nighy), and promising-but-prideful new striker, Vinny (Micheal Ward). But will Vinny be able to move beyond his past in order to seize his future? That’s the most important goal.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
From a memoir written by William Kamkwamba comes this uplifting true tale of a boy who saved his entire Malawian village from famine. After financial issues prevent William (Maxwell Simba) from officially attending school, he sneaks into the library with help from his teacher and begins to study energy production on his own. William’s always been good with his hands, so in response to the fierce drought destroying his family’s crops, he decides to take his newfound knowledge and build a windmill to power the town's broken water pump at only 13 years old.
The Prom
Indiana teen Emma Nolan (Jo Ellen Pellman) just wants to dance at prom with her girlfriend (Ariana DeBose), but her small-minded town isn’t having it. The PTA even plans to cancel the event entirely. Meanwhile, in New York City, four actors (played by Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, and Andrew Rannells) with careers in desperate need of positive PR hear of Emma’s plight, and head to the Hoosier State to fight for her cause … whether Emma likes it or not. With its catchy songs, impressive choreography, and heartwarming message, this movie-musical earns all its applause.
The Redeem Team
No one could believe how badly the US men’s basketball team, ahem, dropped the ball at the 2004 Olympics — including the players themselves. So when it came time for the 2008 Beijing Games, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and the rest of the USA roster showed up for nothing less than the gold. From the filmmakers behind The Last Dance, this kinetic comeback documentary reveals that teamwork is just as important as talent for a squad that had “everything to lose. And everything to prove.”
The Swimmers
Yusra and Sarah Mardini (played by real-life sisters Nathalie and Manal Issa) were heroes long before the Olympics came into the picture. Praised for its unflinching realism, this biographical sports drama showcases the Syrian sisters’ escape from their war-ravaged home, during which they swim for hours next to a boat of fellow refugees to lighten the load and help everyone reach safety. Once in Greece, the Mardinis set their sights on the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, while also facing the subsequent struggles of asylum seekers.
tick, tick...BOOM!
For anybody who’s ever felt like time is your enemy, this one’s for you. Directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda in his feature debut and based on the musical of the same name by Jonathan Larson (Rent), it’s a musical about writing a musical. The semi-autobiographical story — led by Andrew Garfield, who won a Golden Globe for his performance — chronicles Larson’s impassioned quest for industry success before his 30th birthday. Prepare for a moving portrait about hope, dreams, priorities, sacrifice, and finding contentment in your choices.
True Spirit
Meet Jessica Watson (Teagan Croft), the buoyant Australian 16-year-old determined to become the youngest seafarer to sail solo around the world. That means 200-ish days of nonstop circumnavigation. Her support team, with whom she communicates via satellite, includes her parents (Josh Lawson and Anna Paquin) and competitive sailor turned coach Ben (Cliff Curtis). As physical and mental storms rage around her in the film, which is based on a real-life story, Jess discovers that acknowledging hardships isn’t the same thing as accepting defeat.
Unbroken
After crash landing in the ocean, American World War II pilot and former Olympian Louis “Louie” Zamperini (Jack O'Connell) survives 47 days in a raft at sea — only to be captured by the Japanese. He’s imprisoned in a string of war camps where he’s subjected to brutal treatment, including repeated cruelty from a sadistic camp commandant (Miyavi). Directed by Angelina Jolie and based on a nonfiction book detailing the real Zamperini’s struggles, Unbroken will break your heart countless times — all while you marvel at Louie’s resilience.
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