15 Uplifting and Inspiring Movies to Watch on Netflix Right Now.
Life is hard sometimes. The stress at work or school, family pressure, or even the evening news is enough to upset someone.
Wouldn’t it be nice to just fire up Netflix and find an uplifting or inspirational movie that will cheer you up and make you feel better about everything?
Netflix contains a huge library of movies, so this article will provide you with the freshest suggestions to cheer you up and inspire you.
Release date: 2010 Rating: R Director: Dan Rush Stars: Will Ferrell, Rebecca Hall, Christopher Jordan Wallace IMDB Rating: 6.4 / 10
1. Everything Must Go
Unsurprisingly, comedy made this list. But that should come as even less of a surprise than the snapshot starring Will Ferrell.
Will Ferrell plays the salesman. Nick Halsey fired from his job after 16 years due to his ongoing alcohol problem. To make matters worse, when he comes home, he discovers that his wife has left him and locked him in his own house.
Much of the film centers around Nick, who stubbornly camps on the front lawn and enlists the help of a neighbor boy named Kenny to sell his property. From conversations with his new neighbor Samantha, we learn that Nick may not have been the terrible person we were led to believe in.
The moral of the story in this inspiring film is that no matter how bad any moment in life may seem, this struggle can lead to a better outcome and a more fulfilling life in the end.
Release date: 2002 Rating: PG-13. Director: Steven Spielberg. Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken. IMDB rating: 8.1 / 10
2. Catch Me If You Can
Based on the true story of Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio), this story details how, in the 1960s, Frank was able to skillfully forge millions of dollars in checks. In the process of spending money he didn’t really have, Frank convinced everyone around him that he was a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and even an attorney.
Pursued by FBI agent Karl Hanrathy (Tom Hanks), Frank ends up facing the consequences of his actions at his check-printing factory in France. We will eventually learn that while your skills and knowledge can be used for nefarious purposes, you could instead bring a lot of good to the world under any circumstance.
Released: 2016 Rating: R Director: Matt Ross Stars: Viggo Mortensen, George McKay, Samantha Isler IMDB Rating: 7.9 / 10
3. Captain Fantastic
Ben Cash is an anti-capitalist who raised six children offline with his wife. They teach their children not only survival skills, but also politics, philosophy and more than they could ever learn in the school system.
However, when Leslie dies, Ben and his children are faced with having to attend the funeral, and Ben is arrested for being an unfit parent or for completely avoiding his mother’s funeral.
This inspiring film explores the bond between father, mother and their children. And it also teaches that sometimes choosing an alternative path in life and having “the other†appear may not be such a bad thing.
Released: 2016 Rating: PG Director: David L. Hunt Stars: Neil McDonough, Leslie Easterbrook, Christopher Severio IMDB Rating: 7.4 / 10
4. Greater
Imagine that you are a kid who dreams of playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but everyone says that he is too short and fat to play first division football. Chasing his dream against all odds, Brandon worked harder than any other player and turned all doubts about him into respect and admiration.
Just eleven days after being drafted into the NFL, Brandon died in a car accident. This film tries to answer the question: How can such a terrible thing happen to such a good person with a promising future? The answers revealed in this inspiring film will give you tremendous hope and inspiration that there is a path and a reason for everything.
Release date: 2007 Rating: PG-13. Director: Richard LaGravenese. Stars: Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey. IMDB rating: 7.6 / 10
5. Freedom Writers
Living in Long Beach, California, in 1994, Woodrow Wilson High School students lost hope that their lives would ever matter. At first, by doubting and taunting a new young idealist teacher named Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank), students eventually begin to respect and even love their new teacher.
Addressing social issues that are still relevant today, such as downtown gangs, racial prejudice, and disenfranchisement of minorities, Freedom Writers will leave you something to think about long after the loan is due. Most important is the significant impact someone can have when they simply choose to stop believing in stereotypes and instead choose to watch and listen to other people’s stories.
Release Date: 2021 Rating: TV-PG Director: Julio Quintana Stars: Dennis Quaid, Jimmy Gonzalez, Miguel Angel Garcia IMDB Rating: 6.7 / 10
6. Blue Miracle
In this film, Omar (Jimmy Gonzalez) runs a Mexican boys’ home called Casa Hogar, steeped in financial trouble. To save the orphanage, Omar and the orphans are able to save the orphanage if they participate in a local fishing competition with the captain of a thrown boat (Dennis Quaid).
While many critics describe the plot as “streamlined†and “predictable,†the film is still heartwarming for the entire family. You will be forced to root for the boys, not only because you feel bad about their circumstances, but also because they are such failures that it would be nice to see them win. But will they save the orphanage? You will need to watch this inspiring movie to find out!
Release date: 2008 Rating: PG-13. Director: Gabriele Muccino. Stars: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson. IMDB rating: 7.6 / 10
7. Seven Pounds
Ben Thomas (Will Smith) is a tax collector for the IRS. Unimpressive at first glance, Ben holds a deep secret from his past. Seeking redemption, he sets out to transform the lives of seven strangers in ways they never expected.
One of these people is Emily, a baker with heart disease and a poor prognosis. Emily and Ben fall in love, but Emily does not realize that Ben’s search for redemption is more important than their love, and in the end she is much more inspiring to her.
Release Date: 2016 Rating: PG-13 Director: Taika Waititi Stars: Sam Neal, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Viata IMDB Rating: 7.9 / 10
8. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Rick, a troubled young man from the city, became the adopted child of Bella and Hector, who live a reclusive life in the village. Unfortunately, Hector and Rick don’t have the best relationship. And after Bella passed away, the Children’s Services are making efforts to get Ricky back to the orphanage. Fearing this, Hector and Ricky decide to escape together, causing a massive hunt. But this unexpected shared goal creates a growing bond that none of them even expected.
Released: 1990 Rating: PG-13 Director: Penny Marshall Stars: Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner IMDB Rating: 7.8 / 10
9. Awakenings
While this is an old movie, it shouldn’t be missed if you’re looking for a feel-good movie. Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) is a physician at Brox Hospital who oversees a ward of patients who have been in a catatonic state for decades. Sayer introduces an experimental drug that awakens the first patient. This film explores how patients wake up after years of coma and how their relatives react to their family members who wake up as changed people.
It’s an intriguing story that will make you understand what it really means to be human, and the complexity and beauty of human relationships.
Release date: 2008 Rating: PG-13. Director: Peyton Reed. Stars: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper. IMDB rating: 6.8 / 10
Netflix hosts a massive library of movies, so in this article you’ll find the most recent offerings that’ll lift your mood and make you feel inspired.
1. Everything Must Go
- Released: 2010
- Rating: R
- Director: Dan Rush
- Stars: Will Ferrell, Rebecca Hall, Christopher Jordan Wallace
- IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
It shouldn’t surprise that a comedy would make this list. But it should come as even less of a surprise that one starring Will Ferrell would.
Will Ferrell plays salesman Nick Halsey is fired from his job after 16 years because of his ongoing issue with alcoholism. To make matters worse, when he arrives home he discovers that his wife has left him and locked him out of his own house.
Most of the movie centers around Nick stubbornly camping out on his front lawn and enlisting the help of a neighborhood boy named Kenny to sell off his possessions. Through conversations with his new neighbor Samantha, we learn how Nick may not have been the terrible person we were led to believe.
The moral of the story in this uplifting movie is that however bad any moment in life may seem, those struggles could result in a better outcome and a more fulfilling life in the end.
2. Catch Me If You Can
- Released:Â 2002
- Rating: PG-13
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken
- IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr (Leonardo DiCaprio), this story details how in the 1960s, Frank managed to expertly forge checks to the tune of millions of dollars. In the process of spending money he didn’t actually have, Frank convinced everyone around him that he was a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and even an attorney.
Pursued by FBI agent Carl Hanraty (Tom Hanks), Frank eventually comes face to face with the consequences of his actions at his check-printing factory in France. In the end, we learn that while your skills and knowledge could be put to nefarious purposes, you could instead do a great deal of good for the world in any circumstance.
3. Captain Fantastic
- Released:Â 2016
- Rating: R
- Director: Matt Ross
- Stars: Viggo Mortensen, George MacKay, Samantha Isler
- IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
Ben Cash is an anti-capitalist who raised six children, with his wife, off the grid. They teach their children not only survival skills but also politics, philosophy, and far more than they ever would have learned in the school system.
However, when Leslie dies, Ben and his children are faced with attending the funeral and Ben getting arrested for being an unfit parent or avoiding their mother’s funeral entirely.
This inspiring movie touches upon the bonds of a father, a mother, and their children. And it also teaches that sometimes taking an alternative path in life and appearing “different†may not be such a bad thing.
4. Greater
- Released: 2016
- Rating: PG
- Director: David L. Hunt
- Stars: Neal McDonough, Leslie Easterbrook, Christopher Severio
- IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
Imagine being a kid who dreams of playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but everyone says he is far too short and fat to play Division I football. Pursuing his dream against all odds, Brandon worked harder than any other player and transformed all doubts about him into respect and admiration.

Just eleven days after getting drafted for the NFL, Brandon died in a car accident. This movie seeks to answer the question: How can such a terrible thing happen to such a good person with a promising future? The answers uncovered in this inspiring movie will give you tremendous hope and inspiration that there is a path and a reason for everything.
5. Freedom Writers
- Released: 2007
- Rating: PG-13
- Director: Richard LaGravenese
- Stars: Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey
- IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
Living in Long Beach, California, in 1994, students at Woodrow Wilson High School had lost hope that their lives would ever amount to anything. At first, doubting and taunting a new young idealistic teacher named Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank), the students eventually come to respect and even love their new teacher.
Touching on social issues that are still relevant today, like inner city gangs, racial prejudice, and the disenfranchisement of minorities, Freedom Writers will leave you with something to think about long after the credits roll. Most important is the significant impact someone can have when they simply choose to stop believing stereotypes and instead choose to see and listen to other peoples’ stories.
6. Blue Miracle
- Released: 2021
- Rating: TV-PG
- Director: Julio Quintana
- Stars: Dennis Quaid, Jimmy Gonzales, Miguel Angel Garcia
- IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
In this film, Omar (Jimmy Gonzales) runs a Mexican boys’ home called Casa Hogar, steeped in financial troubles. To save the orphanage, Omar and the orphans get an opportunity to save the orphanage if they compete in a local fishing competition with a washed-up boat captain (Dennis Quaid).
While many critics call the plot “streamlined†and “predictable,†this is still a heartwarming film for the family. You will find yourself compelled to cheer for the boys, not only because you feel bad for their circumstances but because they are such underdogs that it would be a joy to see them win. But will they save the orphanage? You’ll have to watch this uplifting movie to find out!
7. Seven Pounds
- Released: 2008
- Rating: PG-13
- Director: Gabriele Muccino
- Stars: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson
- IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
Ben Thomas (Will Smith) is a tax collector with the IRS. Seemingly unimpressive at first glance, Ben harbors a deep secret from his past. Seeking redemption, he sets out to change the lives of seven strangers in ways they could never expect.
One of those people is Emily, a baker with a heart condition and a poor prognosis. Emily and Ben fall in love, but what Emily doesn’t realize is that Ben’s pursuit of redemption is larger than their love, and in the end, she is that much more inspired by it.
8. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
- Released: 2016
- Rating: PG-13
- Director: Taika Waititi
- Stars: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata
- IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
Rick, a troubled youth from the city, has become a foster child to Bella and Hector, who live a reclusive life in the country. Unfortunately, Hector and Rick don’t have the greatest relationship. And after Bella passes away, Child Services launches an effort to take Ricky back to the orphanage. Fearing this, Hector and Ricky decide to run away together, sparking a massive manhunt. But this unexpected common purpose creates a growing bond that neither of them ever expected.
9. Awakenings
- Released: 1990
- Rating: PG-13
- Director: Penny Marshall
- Stars: Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner
- IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
While this is an older film, it’s one you shouldn’t miss if you’re looking for a feel-good movie. Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams) is a physician at a Brox hospital, overseeing a ward of patients who have all been catatonic for decades. Sayer administers an experimental drug that awakens the first patient. This film explores the experience of patients waking up after years of coma and how their own relatives react to their family members waking up as a changed person.
It’s an intriguing plot that will make you appreciate what it really means to be human and the complexity and beauty of human relationships.
10. Yes Man
Karl Allen (Jim Carrey) has rejected things all his life. He says no to friends, relationships, and no opportunities. When tempted to attend a workshop with a friend, he is encouraged to start saying yes to everything.
Karl learns that sometimes, saying “yes” to life, you can discover unexpected miracles, including love. But he also understands that the decision to say “yes” or “no” does not have to be mandatory, but must come from the heart.
Release Date: 2021 Rating: PG Director: Manjari Makijani Stars: Amy Magera, Wahida Rehman, Rachel Saanchita Gupta IMDB Rating: 6.6 / 10 li>
11. Skater Girl
In a village in Rajasthan, India, Prerna (Rachel Saanchita Gupta) lives a traditional life with her parents. However, with the arrival of British advertising manager Jessica (Amy Mager) and her friend, a slight wrinkle appeared in Prerna’s life.
A friend introduces Prerna and other local children to skateboarding. The local community doesn’t appreciate their newfound obsession, and this is further compounded when Jessica decides to build a skateboarding park. This film follows Prerna’s inspiring pursuit of her dream of competing in the National Skateboarding Championship. He teaches important lessons about how sometimes meeting society’s standards may not always be the best choice.
Released: 2008 Rating: R Director: Adam McKay Stars: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Mary Steenburgen IMDB Rating: 6.9 / 10
12. Step Brothers
It’s an unlikely choice for an inspirational movie, but once you’ve watched it, you’ll understand why it made the list. Brennan Huff and Dale Dobuck are two middle-aged men who still live at home. When Brennan’s mother and Dale’s father marry, they become brothers.
At first, they become enemies, and their arguments threaten to turn the whole house into chaos. However, as soon as Dale’s father gives an ultimatum that they must find a job or leave home, they suddenly discover friendship in their careers.
After their shared dream collapses, the two men finally make their way into adulthood. However, this stability is short-lived when Dale’s father changes his mind and encourages the boys to never give up on their dreams.
Release date: 2003 Rating: PG-13. Director: Richard Linklater. Stars: Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack. IMDB rating: 7.1 / 10
13. School of Rock
Devin Finn (Jack Black) was kicked out of the rock band. In the face of debt and mounting depression, an opportunity arises. He settles for an alternative teaching job reserved for his roommate Ned Schnebly and meets a class of students he doesn’t know how to teach.
Using his love of music, he decides to turn the class into a full-fledged rock band by inviting students to a $ 10,000 rock and roll competition. This pursuit of money soon turns into the stage of his attachment to his students and, ultimately, the realization that perhaps his previous life priorities were not entirely correct.
Released: 2011 Rating: R Director: Olivier Nakash, Eric Toledano. Stars: Francois Cluse, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny. IMDB Rating: 8.5 / 10
14. The Intouchables
This is an inspiring film that few people know about, although everyone should see it. The plot revolves around a paraplegic Parisian millionaire named Philippe who interviews candidates to become his nurse.
One candidate, Driss, only asks Philip to sign a form confirming that he is looking for a job to get unemployed. Instead, Philip offers Driss a job for a month, letting Driss decide if he wants to keep the job after a month.
The result of this unexpected combination was a series of events that transformed Philip’s previously boring life. This is an uplifting film that is sure to cheer you up.
Release Date: 2010 Rating: PG Director: Rob Reiner Stars: Madeline Carroll, Callan McAuliffe, Rebecca De Mornay IMDB Rating: 7.7 / 10 li>
15. Flipped
It’s a 1950s love story between a boy named Bryce Loski and a girl named Julianne Baker. This follows the couple from 1957, when they are in second grade, to 1963, when they are in eighth grade. Julie has a crush on Bryce from the first day they met, but Bryce still tries to avoid doing anything with her.
The storyline intertwines through family events, conflicts and other relationships that influence the feelings between Bryce and Julie. This is a story that is sure to evoke any memories of your first love and emotions that you can remember even in adulthood.
15 Uplifting and Inspiring Movies to Watch on Netflix Right Now
15 Uplifting and Inspiring Movies to Watch on Netflix Right Now