The Ultimate Motivation in Movies for Students [Don’t Miss the 4th]

Are you a person who can find motivation in movies? There comes a point in life when you’re hopeless and unmotivated toward your goals and objectives. However, this is the time you seek a dose of positivity, hope, and motivation to stand up and run again. Especially, if you are a student experiencing stress and depression regarding your studies, you should fuel yourself to boost your energy and tackle the hardships.

So, what should you do to drive yourself when feeling lost or perturbed?

Take a break, spare time to spend with yourself, get involved in positive hobbies, listen to your favorite music, and watch an inspirational movie to get motivated. The motivation in movies not only expands your existing knowledge but helps you improve several skills quickly, such as grammar, vocabulary, listening, and communication skills.

Thus, if you’re one of those looking for movies that motivate you to study, we have compiled a list of 15 best movies that are worth watching to invigorate you and enhance your performance.

10 Best Motivational Movies for Students

Below, we have enlisted the top ten highly inspirational movies for students that encourage them to study and work hard to enchant their performance. So, look upon the motivation in movies to sustain your spirit.

10. The Pursuit of Happyness

Release date: December 15, 2006

Director: Gabriele Muccino

Based on: The Pursuit of Happyness (Novel)

Protagonist: Christopher Gardner (Will Smith)

The movie is motivational and a powerful example of how despite everything life throws at you, you can achieve anything. The protagonist of the movie is a poor salesman who puts in a lot of effort and steadily climbs the social and professional pyramid. Chris Gardner portrays the protagonist, who toils diligently to support his son Christopher (played by Jaden Smith) and get a decent profession.

The Pursuit of Happyness demonstrates that it takes effort and resolve to achieve your goals. In addition, you will see it actually happen if you don’t give up. Simply develop patience and keep pushing forward.

9. The Paper Chase

Release date: October 16, 1973

Director: James Bridges

Based on: The Paper Chase (Novel)

Protagonist: James T Hart (Timothy Bottoms), Prof. Charles (John Houseman)

This movie is adapted from the novel with the same title by John Jay Osborn Jr. Although you may find this movie pretty old, it is still entertaining to watch and useful. James Hart, a first-year student, serves as the protagonist who faces several difficulties at Harvard Law School.

It illustrates the challenges of getting settled in a new environment, meeting the expectations of the teachers, and other difficulties during the first year of college. And despite the fact that nothing goes as planned, the narration heavily emphasizes maintaining motivation and moving ahead. For those just starting their college careers, this one may be very intriguing.

8. Forrest Gump

Release date: July 6, 1994

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Based on: Forrest Gump (Novel)

Protagonist: Forrest Alexander Gump (Tom Hanks)

Forrest Gump is a narrative that follows Tom Hanks’ character Forrest Alexander Gump over the course of several decades. The film demonstrates how a young man who has intellectual and physical disabilities cheerfully handles all life throws at him. The protagonist of the film has the hope and confidence that good things will come to him and the courage to pursue them. Forrest Gump is one of the best inspirational movies for middle school students, which has a humorous yet uplifting story. It shows you that you can only accomplish great things if you set your sights on them.

With the story of Forrest Gump, you become grounded in reality and develop a fascination with Forrest’s imperfections in the movie. Finally, you find yourself applauding his bravery and pushing yourself to pursue your dreams right away.

7. Good Will Hunting

Release date: December 5, 1997

Director: Gus Van Sant

Based on: Screenplay

Protagonist: Will Hunting (Matt Damon), Sean Maguire (Robin Williams)

Another renowned and full of motivation in the movie, Good Will Hunting is an essential play to add to the list. Will Hunting plays the lead role in this timeless story of the underdog. He is highly talented and has a brilliant IQ level, but he cleans dorm rooms at the university.

He catches the attention of a professor after he solves a Math problem that was left on the board during his duty. Will lives in considerable distress and is unaware of his brilliance and ability. He used to visit a counselor to obtain his education, where he must reflect on himself. It is an excellently composed and inspiring movie. However, there’s no need to say that Robin Williams has played an excellent and compelling role as a therapist.

6. The Theory of Everything

Release date: November 7, 2014

Director: James Marsh

Based on: Traveling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen (Book)

Protagonist: Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne), Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones)

This expertly crafted biographical movie is based on the life of Stephen Hawking. It is an extremely beautiful movie because of the relationship between the physicist and his wife, which is the central subject of the story. In addition, Eddie Redmayne’s outstanding performance depicts the versatile performance of Hawking.

Despite receiving a terrible disease diagnosis at the age of 21, Hawking continued with his scientific profession and life, getting married and having three children. The notion that the narrative is factual only enhances how motivating it already is.

5. The Social Network

Release date: October 1, 2010

Director: David Fincher

Based on: The Accidental Billionaires (Book)

Protagonist: Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg)

This film is based on a multi-billionaire and owner of the most popular social networking platform, Facebook. This film follows the life journey of Mark Zuckerberg while he was a student at Harvard and provides an inside look at how his brilliant idea to establish Facebook came to be. The Social Network is a compelling story of frustration, sorrow, deception, and ultimately the success of the young Harvard student and his project, Facebook. It is one of the extremely inspirational Hollywood movies for students because it tells how dreams may come true for everyone, no matter their age.

4. Freedom Writers

Release date: January 5, 2007

Director: Richard LaGravenese

Based on: The Freedom Writers Diary (Book)

Protagonist: Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank)

This is yet another intriguing true story of teacher Erin Gruwell and her exceptional students. In order to reach her students who were considered to be underperforming, Erin developed an innovative teaching strategy. Her dedication to her profession and enthusiasm for it eventually produce positive outcomes.

The motivation in the movie is straightforward but crucial: although life can be difficult in several aspects, how you respond to it is totally in your hands. One must remain committed to their objective. Therefore, the narrative serves as an incentive for both students and teachers.

3. Life of Pi

Release date: November 21, 2012

Director: Ang Lee

Based on:

Protagonist: Piscine Molitor Patel (Suraj Sharma and Irrfan Khan)

Life of Pi was directed by Ang Lee and released in 2012, which stars both Bollywood and Hollywood performers. Suraj Sharma plays a junior Pi in the movie, which also stars Irfan Khan as the protagonist grows up. At prestigious film festivals all over the world, the movie received numerous honors.

The story of the film centers on Pi Patel, a 16-year-old Hindu boy who practices all three major religions out of devotion to God. The film focuses on a boy who survived a disaster and ended up stranded in a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger for company. Students will learn from the movie how to recognize untapped strengths when they’re in a tight spot.

2. Dead Poets Society

Release date: June 2, 1989

Director: Peter Weir

Based on: True Events

Protagonist: John Keating (Robin Williams)

The well-known actor and comedian Robin Williams can be seen in the Hollywood teen drama movie Dead Poets Society. The movie is set in Welton Academy in Vermont, which is depicted as a strict boarding school. Robin Williams has played the role of John Keating in an incredible manner and his students’ perspectives on literature and poetry. He advises his students to accept their distinctiveness and enjoy their life to the fullest. The movie inspires you to capture the moment and alter the course of history.

1. Accepted

Release date: August 18, 2006

Director: Steve Pink

Based on: Screenplay

Protagonist: Bartleby Gaines (Justin Long)

 In this comedy-drama movie, Bartleby Gaines, a senior in high school, finds out that every institution he applied to has refused him. He produces an unconditional offer from a completely fake college he calls South Harmon Institute of Technology himself in order to satisfy his demanding parents.

He asks a friend to make a useful website for the institute, but due to a flaw in the website, many students get admitted to Bartleby’s fictitious university.

This film delivers some valuable lessons that will help you negotiate the problems of life, such as accepting your individuality, avoiding making judgments on other people, and being creative even though the plot is fictional and we should not support dishonesty.

Final Words

If things aren’t going your way try to relax so you can take the necessary time to fix the problem. Working in such situations while worrying about yourself would never be helpful. However, learn lessons from challenging circumstances and endorse your commitment to it.

And if you require assistance in boosting your emotions, speak with positive people, watch a movie, read a book, listen to music, attend a motivating speech, or take in an encouraging webinar before getting back on your feet. seek motivation in movies and inspire yourself to perform the best ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let not your academic pressure demotivate you. Hire Scholarly Help! Our team takes care of your online classes, exam preparations, and academic writing needs to boost your grades. While you can indulge in the inspirational world of movies.