Feeling stuck in a school rut? Has the syllabus bogged you down? We all hit those moments when our inner fire needs a little rekindling. Since movies are one of the best things that ever happened to humankind, you can always resort to inspirational flicks and light your scholarly spark. Yes, motivational movies for students are always there, especially when you need a little more faith in yourself. Trust us, these movies will help you discover exactly what you need to hear! Without further ado, let's get to the best motivational movies for students, their cast, famous dialogues, and a few fun facts, too!
15 Best Motivational Movies for Students
The best inspirational movies for students don’t always need to be boring, with long monologues full of heavy words. Rather, the movies listed below will take you on a journey you will never want to return from. Let’s board the ride to the world of the best encouraging movies for students, shall we?
1. Dead Poets Society
"No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world."
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Year of Release: 1989
Cast: John Keating, Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke
Genre: Comedy, Melodrama, Tragicomedy
John Keatings, a professor, inspires young students to break the shackles of tradition. Dead Poets Society is still relevant and one of the top-grossing motivational movies for students: the issues addressed in this 1980s movie are what we still face today! Even if it continues to make us cry, Dead Poets Society is a must-see. While filming, Robin Williams wrote Carpe Diem! on the blackboard during filming, adding an unscripted layer of passion to the iconic scene. This inspirational movie for high school students teaches a valuable lesson — you must question the norms instead of blindly accepting everything.
Storyline: This motivational movie for students is about an English teacher who inspires his students at a strict prep school to embrace poetry and seize life's opportunities. They form a secret club and learn to think for themselves. Tragedy strikes when the school's rules clash with their newfound freedom.
2. Forrest Gump
"Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
Year of Release: 1994
Cast: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Action
Want to take on the soul-searching bus? Forrest Gump is a motivational movie for students that shows it is not always easy to find happy endings! Forest, a young boy filled with rejection and demotivation, finds his calling and sets his heart free. The way Forest’s unexpected life journey of becoming a man takes shape, the movie is still one of the most relevant and encouraging movies for students as it was in the 1990s. Despite facing initial rejection for the role of Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks delivered a performance that earned him his second consecutive Best Actor Oscar.
Storyline: This inspirational movie for students follows a kind-hearted man with a low IQ. Despite challenges, he becomes a football star, war hero, and successful businessman. He's motivated by love for his childhood friend, Jenny. His life story unfolds against a backdrop of major historical events.
3. The Pursuit of Happyness
"It's okay to fail; it's not okay to quit."
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
Year of Release: 1994
Cast: Will Smith, Jaiden Smith, Thandiwe Newton
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Melodrama
The Pursuit of Happyness is, without a doubt, among the most inspirational movies for students. The story recounts a true story of a single father, deep in debt and homeless, who has to take care of his young boy. Fun fact: The real Chris Gardner was homeless with his son and eventually turned his life around by becoming a successful stockbroker. The father-son duo finds their happiness through various pursuits they undertake. This motivational movie for students touches on happyness, something you can't put a number on but can definitely feel. As it’s also one of the best life lesson movies, you will also learn how to find happiness and share your joy with those you care about, even in extreme circumstances.
Storyline: This motivational movie for students is based on a true story about Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman and single father who faces homelessness. He takes on an unpaid internship at a brokerage firm while caring for his son. Through perseverance and determination, he eventually secures a better future.
4. Good Will Hunting
"You'll have bad times, but that'll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren't paying attention to."
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
Year of Release: 1994
Cast: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Robin Williams
Genre: Psychological thriller, Crime Fiction, Horror
Should we prefer knowledge or experience? It has always been a popular question, and this inspirational movie for students slightly gives you food for thought. Matt Damon originally wrote the story as a playwriting assignment, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. A genius boy lives a mediocre life and often avoids dealing with his fears. He comes across someone who helps him conquer his fears. This film, one of the most motivational movies for students, addresses issues like educational stereotypes and shows how to win in life; the need to banish your fears is vital.
Storyline: This inspirational movie for students is about a young janitor named Will, who has extraordinary mathematical talent. Discovered by a professor, Will confronts his past traumas with the help of a therapist. Will navigates relationships and decides his future, ultimately embracing his potential for personal growth and success.
5. The Theory of Everything
"Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change."
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
Year of Release: 2014
Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox
Genre: Documentary, Historical drama, Drama
If you want to study at one of the best acting schools in the world, this movie will show Eddie Redmayne’s resilience to study ALS, meet ALS patients, and deliver a powerful performance. Eddie Redmayne practised in a wheelchair to portray Stephen Hawking’s physical limitations. The Theory of Everything is based on the life of Stephen Hawking and his endeavours leading to his unmatched success & efforts for a better world. This motivational movie for students explains the journey of Stephen Hawking's accomplishments despite his sickness: how he survived, prospered, and achieved success individually and for humanity's benefit.
Storyline:This motivational movie for students portrays the life of physicist Stephen Hawking. It follows his early career breakthroughs, his diagnosis of ALS, and his relationship with Jane Hawking. Despite physical decline, Stephen continues his groundbreaking work on the universe's mysteries, showing resilience and the power of love.
6. The Social Network
"If you guys were the inventors of Facebook, you'd have invented Facebook."
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
Year of Release: 2010
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake
Genre: Documentary, Drama, Historical Drama
The Social Network is the story of Mark Zuckerberg & the various situations he tackled to make Facebook what it is today. It is among the best movies for students; it follows the story of a Harvard freshman and computer genius who begins working on a new notion that will eventually become Facebook, the global social network. Six years later, he is one of the world's youngest millionaires! Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin turned to a mountain of legal documents to showcase Facebook’s early days Also, this inspirational movie for students focused on Zuckerberg’s relentless work ethic and his unwavering dedication.
Storyline: This inspirational movie for students dramatises Mark Zuckerberg's founding of Facebook. It explores his rise to success and his legal disputes with former partners. The film delves into ambition, friendship, and the complexities of entrepreneurship in the digital age.
7. Inside Out
"Crying helps me slow down and obsess over the weight of life's problems."
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Year of Release: 2015
Cast: Amy Poehler, Jacob Hopkins, Mindy Kaling
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
Inside Out debunks the idea of perennial happiness. The movie helps you understand that all your emotions are valid. Not only does happiness play a role in your life experiences, but sadness, anger, disgust, and fear also. It is one of the top inspirational movies for students, as they can learn how to navigate challenges and the value of collaboration. The best part about this movie is that the filmmakers consulted with a team of psychologists and neuroscientists to ensure an accurate portrayal of emotions in the brain. Its most significant triumph has inspired young and old viewers to peek inside their heads, making it one of the best motivational movies for students.
Storyline: This motivational movie for students follows the emotions inside a young girl named Riley: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. When Joy and Sadness get lost in Riley's mind, the others try to manage her emotions. Through adventures, they learn the importance of all feelings.
8. Freedom Writers
"Don't be afraid to be what you are, cause all you can be is you."
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
Year of Release: 1999
Cast: Hilary Swank, April Lee
Genre: Comedy, Teen, Romance
Freedom Writers is hands down one of the best motivational movies for students. The movie revolves around the ideals of life, where Erin devises a unique teaching strategy to help her underachieving yet promising kids make the most of situations, no matter how good or bad they can get. She is dedicated and focused on her work, which yields good results. The message is meaningful; it says that life can be difficult in many ways, but it is what you make of it. And a cherry on top, you actually see the woman this story is based on as she plays a small role as a substitute teacher.
Storyline: This inspirational movie for students is based on a true story about a teacher, Erin Gruwell, who inspires at-risk students to overcome their struggles through writing. She uses literature to bridge divides and empower them. The students learn to embrace hope, unity, and the power of education.
9. The Breakfast Club
"You see us as you want to see us."
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
Year of Release: 1985
Cast: Jude Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy
Genre: Teen, Comedy, Drama
Are you struggling with how to make friends in college? Then, The Breakfast Club will become your pick-me-up soon! The motivational movie for students revolves around five students whom a principal is punishing. They discover the reality of differences and the beauty of shared experiences. The motivational movie for students encourages the breaking down of preconceptions and social boundaries as a means of identification and greater communication. It's humorous and illustrates how to make friends even in the most unlikely settings, making it one of the best inspirational movies for students. Director John Hughes even encouraged them to improvise some scenes, like the iconic fist pump at the end.
Storyline: This motivational movie for students follows five high school students from different cliques who spend a Saturday in detention together. Initially at odds, they bond over shared experiences and open up about their struggles. Through connection and understanding, they discover common ground and friendship.
10. The Internship
"No, we can't talk about it later. The future doesn't know later."
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
Year of Release: 2013
Cast: Vince Vaughan, Owen Wilson, Dylon O'Brien, April Lee
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Friendship
Are you wondering how to get an internship? The Internship, one of the best motivational movies for students, might have some answers to it! The movie will show how you should embrace the ideals of life and embark on a new journey. A major theme in the film is Vaughn and Wilson's struggle to understand modern technology compared to the younger interns. However, their soft skills eventually enabled the team to win their assignment. From this inspirational movie for students, you can understand how to succeed if you approach every circumstance with a smile. For this movie, Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson stepped outside their comfort zones and reportedly took improv classes to learn how to code.
Storyline: This inspirational movie for students is about two middle-aged men who lose their jobs and decide to join a Google internship program. Despite being older than their peers, they bring unique skills and build friendships while navigating the challenges of the tech industry.
11. Life of Pi
"Life on a lifeboat isn't much of a life. It is like an endgame in chess, a game with few pieces. The elements couldn't be more simple, nor the stakes higher."
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
Year of Release: 2012
Cast: Suraj Sharma, Tabu, Rafe, Gerard Depardieu and Irfan Khan
Genre: Adventure, Survival, Suspense
Life of Pi is considered one of the best inspirational movies for students of all time. It talks about life and its realities and teaches us how to overcome the challenges we face in life. Suraj Sharma, despite no prior acting experience, learned how to sail, swim with limited visibility, and even perform basic animal care tasks. This says a lot! The movie is about Pi Patel surviving on a lifeboat lost in the sea while living with a tiger. One major lesson from the movie is that we must not lose hope – it is one of the main themes of this highly acclaimed and inspirational movie for students.
Storyline: This motivational movie for students tells the story of Pi Patel, who survives a shipwreck and is stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Pi's journey explores faith, survival, and the power of storytelling amidst the vastness of the sea.
12. It's A Wonderful Life
"When a bell rings, an angel gets its wings."
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
Year of Release: 1946
Cast: John Stewart, Frank Capra, Donna Reed
Genre: Children’s film, Melodrama, Fantasy
It's A Wonderful Life, a classic and one of the best motivational movies for students, tells the story of George Bailey, who is unaware of the good he does for everyone around him. He saves them from becoming as mean and ungrateful as Potterville. This movie indirectly teaches us how unintentional good can pay off at the right time. Despite its heartwarming message, the movie was filmed during a scorching summer heatwave in California with fake snow. It is one of the most motivational movies for students if they want to discover some answers about good and bad.
Storyline: This inspirational movie for students follows George Bailey, a man contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve. An angel shows him how his life has positively impacted others. George realizes the value of family and community, finding hope and gratitude in the midst of hardship.
13. The Great Debaters
"Speak the truth even if your voice shakes."
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
Year of Release: 2007
Cast: Denzel Washington, Denzel Whitaker, Forest Whitaker
Genre: Action, Animation, Thriller
The Great Debaters is the story of the most life-changing journeys for Professor Melvin B. Tolson’s students. It tells the tale of how a professor from Wiley College motivated students through debates and built the most phenomenal debating teams in history. Director Denzel Washington encouraged the young actors to find their voices and connect with the historical figures they were portraying. The Great Debaters has become one of the most inspiring movies for students because it focuses on education as a tool for empowerment.
Storyline: This motivational movie for students is based on a true story about a college professor who coached an African-American debate team in the 1930s. They challenge racial inequality through intellectual prowess, ultimately competing against prestigious universities. The film celebrates courage, resilience, and the power of words.
14. Lean On Me
"Self-respect permeates every aspect of your existence. If you don't have respect for yourself, you're not gonna get it from anyone else."
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
Year of Release: 1989
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd, Karen Malina White
Genre: Action, Melodrama, Teen
Lean On Me is about the second chance in life. Morgan Freeman reportedly mentored real students from Eastside High School, helping some get scholarships to colleges and universities. This motivational movie for students is based on the true story of a teacher who returns to high school. He finds it heart-wrenching to see the degradation in the system and how he encourages students to achieve their dreams. This is one of the best inspirational films for students, which can change your perspectives. Lean On Me is a fan-favourite movie and one of the best English movies for students to watch.
Storyline: This inspirational movie for students is based on a true story about Joe Clark, a tough high school principal in New Jersey. He transforms a troubled school by imposing discipline and inspiring students to excel. Clark's unconventional methods spark controversy but lead to positive change and academic improvement.
15. The Paper Chase
"You come here with a skull full of mush, you leave thinking like a lawyer."
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
Year of Release: 1973
Cast: Timothy Bottoms, Lindsay Wagner, John Houseman
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama
The Paper Chase showcases the struggle of a student in the learning phase. The young student navigates his way through college and the various struggles that are the byproduct of it. This is one of the most inspiring movies for students. Moreover, the movie is not about grand gestures or overcoming odds. John Houseman wasn't originally the first choice for the role, but he impressed the director with his audition and landed the part.
Storyline: This motivational movie for students follows law student James Hart as he navigates Harvard Law School. He faces intense pressure from his demanding professor, Charles Kingsfield, while balancing relationships and personal challenges. James learns the value of dedication and perseverance in pursuit of his academic goals.
16. 3 Idiots
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
Year of Release: 2009
Cast: Amir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R. Mahadevan, Boman Irani
Genre: Comedy, romance, adventure, tragicomedy, coming-of-age story
"3 Idiots" is a heartwarming motivational movie for students of college life and friendship. It follows a student's journey, navigating through the challenges and pressures of academia. Unlike typical inspirational movies for students, it doesn't rely on grand triumphs but offers a relatable source of motivation for students. This inspirational bollywood movie for students resonates with many because of its down-to-earth portrayal of the struggles and joys of student life. 3 Idiots was filmed in reverse, with present-day scenes shot first, followed by college scenes. Aamir Khan's character questions why people study engineering, then management, and become bankers
Storyline: This inspirational movie for students is about three college friends navigating the pressures of higher education and societal expectations in India. They challenge traditional teaching methods and pursue their passions. Through humour and drama, the film highlights the importance of individuality, friendship, and following one's dreams.
So, next time you feel burnt out, grab some popcorn and catch one of these motivational movies for students. The films are not only entertaining but also some of the best movies on students, life, and perseverance, as they also advocate for mental health support for students. These inspiring movies for students will help them understand the stories of triumph and find their voice. While staying ahead with the best movies for students, you cannot ignore the best horror movies. So, sit back and let the action begin!