53 SELF-IMPROVEMENT MOVIES TO MOTIVATE YOU - ARTE - 2024

In this article you will find a list of motivational and self- improvement movies that inspire, make you reflect, and have a valuable message to apply in life.

The following motivational films have survived the years, they will help you develop personally and are remembered for their ability to awaken emotions and motivate us. There are of all genres: sports, love, overcoming addictions, historical, science fiction…

Finally, I would like to ask you to leave in the comments which movies do you recommend. I have not been able to see them all!

The best motivational films of overcoming

-Looking for happiness

It is the story of Forrest Gump, a boy with mental retardation who goes through countless adventures despite it. Due to his positive attitude and willpower, he becomes an elite athlete, succeeds in the military, and is successful as an entrepreneur.

-Life is Beautiful

Spectacular dramatic film starring Matthew Mcconaughey and whose supporting actor is Jared Leto. It tells the story of a patient who is diagnosed with AIDS and given one month to live.

However, he does not let circumstances take hold of him and seeks solutions to extend his life. He works so hard that he is able to turn the situation around and is even able to open a new company with which he also helps AIDS patients from all over his country.

-Rocky

It is a story of a part-time boxer who has the opportunity to fight for the world heavyweight championship, where he fights to gain respect for himself. Rocky sends the message that nothing is impossible if you are determined and have a strong will to achieve it. It also teaches us not to underestimate the potential we have.

-300

King Leonidas and a force of 300 men fight the Persians at Thermopylae in 480 BC.

-The good side of things

Movie starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. Cooper's character suffers from bipolar disorder, which complicates relationships with his family. Starting with meeting a new girl in his life and practicing dancing, everything begins to settle down.

-Ali

The film Ali is based on the life of boxer Muhammad Ali. Ali was known for his speeches before going into the ring and for phrases like "let me show you how great I am."

-Cinderella Man

It is the story of a woman who works with a hard coach and who, due to her determination, and despite her age, becomes a professional boxer. History tells us the message that there is no way to stop a person who has great willpower.

-Invictus

It is based on the time when Nelson Mandela was President of South Africa and started the path to overcome apartheid, using rugby to unify the nation and win the world cup in 1995. It gives us the message that peace can be found with forgiveness and that mind and soul are free birds that know no boundaries.

-Rudy, challenge to glory

Based on the true story of Rudy Ruettiger. It tells the story of a boy who despite not having, in principle, the conditions to be a professional football player, dreams of playing for the University and Notre Dame.

-Coach Carter

It is based on the true story of Ken Carter, Richmond High School basketball coach. The merit of the coach was more in getting the players off the streets and directing them towards a good future.

- Castaway

It is the story of a man obsessed with his work and who suffers a plane crash, ending up on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

-Chain of favours

It is the story about Trevor Mckinney, a young boy who has a great idea with which to help people and create a better world: to do favors for three people, who will have to do the same for three others and so on.

Trevor tries to help a drug addict as his alcoholic mother begins a relationship with his teacher, a victim of burns to his face.

-An amazing mind

It tells the true story of John Forbes Nash, who entered Princeton University to study for graduate school. Despite his mental and relationship problems, he was recognized for his revolutionary theories in economics and a Nobel Prize winner.

-Gladiator

Fictional story of Maximus, commanding general of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. After being accused of the murder of the emperor, he is sentenced to death although he survives to lead a fight against his successor, the tyrant Comfortable.

-The peaceful Warrior

It is about the true story of the young Olympic gymnast Dan Millman. Although highly talented and physically capable, he is easily distracted by girls and parties. After suffering a serious accident, a mysterious man teaches him to perceive life in a more constructive way.

-Invincible

It premiered at Christmas 2014 and tells the true story of Louis Zamperini, a person still alive who participated in the 1936 Olympics. Later he enlisted in the United States Army to fight in World War II.

- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Walter Mitty, a Life magazine worker, is a middle-aged man in love with a partner who barely knows of her existence. When he realizes that he is not taking advantage of his life, he goes on a trip to incredible places.

-Stronger

Inspired by the true story of Boston terrorist attack survivor Jeff Bauman, this film is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and how people can overcome tragedies and build change.

-A united kingdom

It tells the true story of King Seretse Khama of Botswana and how his controversial marriage to a white British woman, Ruth Williams, put his kingdom in political and diplomatic chaos. It is a powerful message about the power of love to overcome all obstacles.

-Interstellar

It was released in November 2014 and is about a possible future in which the human species depletes the earth's resources and has to search for other worlds to survive. Although it is science fiction, several leading scientists have already suggested that the future of our race lies in space.

The protagonist has to sacrifice the time he has with his children to try to save humanity. Both characters who travel through space and those who stay on Earth will have to overcome difficulties.

-The theory of everything

It tells the story of Stephen Hawking, one of the most important scientists in history. Shortly after his 20s, he was diagnosed with a disease that would make him little by little dependent on others, but that did not stop him from achieving all his achievements.

In The Theory of Everything, we can follow the evolution of the scientist in a very intimate and personal way. Despite the harshness of the story, this movie does a great job of conveying the idea that it is possible to remain optimistic even in the harshest circumstances.

-Limitless (No limits)

The protagonist of Limitless (Eddie Morra) is a writer who is on a losing streak; His girlfriend leaves him and finds no inspiration for his next book.

After trying a new drug, his life changes completely and he becomes the person he always wanted to be.

-Wonder

Inspired by a book of the same name, Wonder (2017) shows what happens when we look beyond the outside of a person to find the beauty that is inside.

-Billy Elliot

For young people in the mid-20th century, some activities were frowned upon based on their gender. This is something that young Billy Elliot forcibly discovers when he decides he wants to become a ballet dancer, something his parents do not look favorably on. This is how the plot of this motivational film begins, which teaches you not to give up when you want to achieve something, no matter how frowned upon it may be.

Billy Elliot's story has a very simple message: although it may seem difficult at times, it is essential that you do not let anyone determine the course of your life. Thus, the young man has to face the wishes of his father, who dreams of becoming a great boxer, in order to do what he really wants.

With a unique style and a very positive message, this movie can help you in those moments when you feel confused or it seems that it is impossible to achieve what you would like.

-Silence

It tells the story of two Jesuit fathers from Portugal who travel to Japan to rescue a brother they believe they have imprisoned.

-Eat Pray Love

If we talk about recent films that have inspired an entire generation, we cannot forget about Eat, pray, love. With this story about travel, self-improvement and the pursuit of her own dreams, the character played by Julia Roberts decides to abandon her comfortable life and go on a trip around the world to try to find what makes her happy.

Liz Gilbert is a middle-aged woman who has everything she's been told she should want: a loving husband, a good job, and a dream home. However, for some reason she is dissatisfied; And after a long time trying to solve her problems on her own, she decides she needs a change of scene.

Thus, after divorcing her husband, Liz embarks on an unforgettable journey that will take her to such exotic places as Italy, India and Bali. During it, you will get to know yourself better, you will discover what really fills you and you will have a lot of unforgettable experiences.

If it has ever crossed your mind to leave everything and go to explore the world, or if you feel that the path that society marks is not the most suitable for you, Eat, pray, love can give you the motivation you need to dare to chase your dreams and take an unconventional path.

-Rush

It tells of the rivalry that the Formula 1 pilots Niki Lauda and James Hunt maintained. It is especially recommended for athletes and motor racing enthusiasts.

-The life of Pi

It is about the adventures of Pi, a boy who is left alone in a boat with a tiger after the ship in which his family's zoo was sunk.

-The pianist

Wladyslaw Szpilman is a talented Polish pianist who manages to hide from the Germans, although he will have to be waxed for a long time and then go through various difficulties.

-The Truman show

Truman is the typical American man, with a wife and a good job. However, he is the star of a TV show and finds himself in a life he cannot get out of.

-The Great Showman

Released in 2017, the film chronicles the adventures of PT Barnum, founder of the famous Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Barnum was born into a humble family but little by little, with ingenuity and work, he built the life he wanted so much for his wife and daughters. But for this he had to overcome many difficulties. Also, all the supporting characters, the circus performers, are the people who really have to overcome the biggest barriers.

-Seabiscuit

Seabiscuit is the true story of how a jockey, businessman and coach, all with their own problems, came together to make a scrawny racehorse named Seabiscuit a winner.

-Lion

Lion (2017) is based on the true story of Saroo Brierley. When Google Earth technology is available, Saroo vows to find her lost home, though all she remembers is the presence of a water tower and the number of days she was on a train.

-Wild soul

A chronicle of a woman's 1,100-mile journey as a way to recover from a recent personal tragedy. Without much experience as an adventurer and a backpack that is too heavy, Cheryl is not prepared for what is to come.

-The darkest moment

Days after being appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman) made a decision that will determine the history of his country. One of the favorites to receive several Oscars in 2018.

Schindler's List

True story of Oskar Schindler, who strove to save the lives of hundreds of Jews during the Nazi occupation of Poland in World War II.

127 hours

An adventurous climber is trapped under a rock while on a solo excursion, resorting to desperate measures to survive.

Ray

The life story of Ray Charles, from his humble beginnings in the South, where he went blind at age seven, to his meteoric rise to stardom during the 1950s and 1960s.

Philadelphia

When a man with HIV is fired by his law firm because of his condition, he hires a homophobic lawyer for a wrongful termination lawsuit.

Untouchable

It tells the relationship between a quadriplegic millionaire and his new employee; a humble young man, but lively and cheerful that will change your life.

Forrest Gump

Forrest is a boy with learning disabilities, but who has a big heart and ambitions to see the world, have adventures and even get married.

-The unstoppable Will Hunting

With a spectacular cast of actors, this film is especially suitable for you if you feel that you are wasting your potential and you think that your life could be much more than it is today. The indomitable Will Hunting teaches you that the most important thing to be successful is perseverance and trusting yourself even when all seems lost.

This film tells the story of Will, a brilliant student who has a gift for mathematics and an intelligence far above average; but still, his academic results and in the rest of his life are not what he would like. However, with the help of a psychologist who serves as his mentor, he is finally able to find his place in the world.

Despite being in his early 20s, The Indomitable Will Hunting message remains as valid today as it was then. With it, you will realize the importance of not throwing in the towel, fighting for what you really want, and asking for help when circumstances overcome you.

Fight club

Fight Club became a cult movie practically from its release; And if you have seen it, you can understand perfectly why. With a very innovative script and with an unexpected twist at the end that we will not reveal here just in case you have not enjoyed it yet, it is one of the most acclaimed films of all time.

The story of Fight Club follows the life of its protagonist, a character whose name is never mentioned, from the moment he meets Tyler Durden. In many ways, we could say that they are completely opposite people: while the protagonist lives dominated by his fears and insecurities, Durden does what he wants and when he wants without worrying about the consequences.

patch Adams

It tells the true story of a doctor whose passion was to help his patients, in addition to original ways; using humor.

Chain of favours

A young boy started an original project; a chain of favors in which he begins by doing someone a favor and that someone has to return the favor to someone else.

Towards wild routes

Few films have had such a major impact on the thinking of millions as Into the Wild. Based on a true story, this adaptation of the novel of the same name tells the story of Christopher McCandles, a young man who decided to leave his wealthy life to seek adventure in the inhospitable Alaska.

The film, accompanied by a spectacular soundtrack, manages to make us feel what the young man had to keep in mind during his adventure: his need to escape from the known, his desire to find new challenges and his search for more freedom. absolute.

During his way to the north of the United States, Christopher meets a series of characters who accompany him on his adventure and who change his way of thinking. However, the message of the film is the same throughout its duration: there is life beyond what we are used to, and the only way to find adventure is to go looking for it.

Seven souls

A man with a fateful secret embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption, forever changing the lives of seven strangers.

Spring, summer, autumn, winter… and spring

A child is raised by a Buddhist monk in a temple where the years pass like the seasons. It doesn't have a lot of dialogue but it reveals the ability of human nature to fight.

The oil of life

Two parents struggle to try to find a cure for their son's serious illness.

Life imprisonment

It tells the story of Robbins and Freeman, two friends from prison and its central theme is the importance of not losing hope even in the worst circumstances.

Way to freedom

Fugitives from the Siberian gulag travel 4,000 miles on foot to freedom in India.

Rain man

The greedy Charlie Babbitt is informed that his father has died, expecting a great fortune, but this has been inherited by his brother with an autistic syndrome.

Other recommended lists

Recommended movies of all genres.

Sad movies.

Movies based on real events.

Movies to reflect on life.

Movies to watch as a family.

Educational films.

Psychological movies.

Philosophical movies.

Stock movies.

Romantic movies.

Adventure movies.

Music movies.