Looking for inspirational movies for you and your family?

I love movies with a message and meaning that inspires us and bring out the greatness within us. Here are my top 5 favorite inspirational movies. (not in any order).  I have included the link for each movie as well as a trailer.  Happy viewing <3

1. The Ultimate Gift 2006 PG based on the best selling book

TOPICS AND THEMES:

life lessons, character, inheritance, money, work, legacy.

I have watched and recommended this inspirational movie with a message more times than I can count! There is a powerful life message for grandparents, parents, and kids alike.

PLOT

A rich grandfather, Howard “Red” Stevens (James Garner), passes away, His grandson, played by Jason (Drew Fuller), is an angry, irresponsible, and reckless young man. When he discovers that his billionaire grandfather has left him an inheritance he is met with a surprise, His inheritance comes with a condition! Jason must complete 12 separate assignments within a year in order to receive his inheritance. Each assignment is centered around a “gift”. Each “gift” was carefully planned and chosen by Red to teach Jason a lesson and develop his character. If Jason succeeds at fulfilling the requirement of one gift, he is to be given the next, until at last, he receives “the ultimate gift.

The lessons are deep and moving life lessons we all can benefit from reflecting upon. They are powerful lessons he would never have developed as an instant millionaire. Examples of gifts include the gift of work and the gift of friendship. I will not spoil the movie by sharing anymore. Just get the movie.

FINAL THOUGHTS

There are somethings we truly only learn by experience. Preparation and teaching, however, can lay a powerful foundation. As many of us baby boomers and beyond advance ready.  It is thought-provoking to consider what we will leave to our kids and if they are prepared to wisely handle the resources. The character lessons are so well taught in the movie that I also believe it is a great movie for the whole family to enjoy. There are questions that accompany the movie that would make for a valuable family discussion!

2. Same Kind of Different as Me 2017 American Christian drama film based on best selling book of the same name. PG-13

I am passionate about seeing an end to racism. I dislike prejudice in all forms. This film is one of the most meaningful movies I have seen in a long time. The powerful themes of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation make it one of my highly recommended inspirational movie favorites!

TOPICS AND THEMES:

Love, hope faith, humility, prejudice, slavery, racism, homelessness, marriage, death, charity, compassion

PLOT

The movie opens with Ron Hall, played by Greg Kinnear, a wealthy and successful art dealer, who is writing a book about his life and experiences. We are immediately transported back to see his story.

Two years earlier, Ron admitted having an affair. His wife Debbie, played by Renée Zellweger, decides to give him a second chance. She gives him some unexpected conditions for reconciling that include working a local homeless shelter. Initially, Ron is less than pleased, judgemental, and anxious to get out of this arrangement.

On one occassion an angry and violent member of the shelter comes to get food making quite a scene. Debbie lovingly persuades Ron to friend this man named Denver, played by Djimon Hounsou.

Over time, Ron and Debbie become very fond of Denver. He shares his life story as a plantation slave. He relives the time when the KKK attacked him for having a white friend and offering to help a white woman. Debbie offers grace, love, and forgiveness. It is then later revealed that Debbie has terminal cancer.

The story continues with many powerful stories of love and forgiveness. One of the most beautiful scenes includes right before she dies when Ron and Denver both share a dance with her.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The end of the movie includes Ron finishing his book with Denver’s help and the two travel cross country sharing their story and getting funds for other homeless shelters around. The pictures of the real men and the difference they made together were absolute icing on the cake! Whenever I finish a great movie with a message and discover it is based on real events I love it all the more!

3. Peaceful Warrior 2006 drama film based on the novel Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman.

This is another inspirational movie that is filled with deep insights and life lessons we can all benefit from. It is engaging, riveting and good to the last second!

TOPICS AND THEMES:

life, happiness, consciousness, dreams, vision, perseverance, wisdom, respect, determination.

PLOT

Dan Millman, played by Scott Mechlowicz, is a college student gymnast with a vision to win a National Championship. One night while restless and unable to sleep, he runs to the local gas station where he encounters an old man named Socrates, played by Nick Nolte, who has an uncanny way of “knowing” Dan. Unsettled by Socrates’ sense of seeing right through him and by the fact that Socrates appeared to him in a nightmare, Dan begins a relationship with him. Socrates gives him a series of tasks and lessons that contain an overarching lesson of the importance of staying in the present moment. Eventually, Dan learns the importance of appreciating every moment and enjoying the journey as much as the destination. As a result, he increases his gymnastic skills and self-control.

Often while visiting the service station and working Dan also meets Joy, who has learned from Socrates’ and whos life is powerfully exemplifying the wisdom she has gained.

Everything comes to a crash (literally) for Dan when his motorcycle collides with a car and shatters his leg. After the doctors place a metal bar in his leg his coach tells him he will never again be able to compete. Secretly under Socrates’ tutelage, Dan is restored to full health and strength and is able to compete in the U.S. Trials for the Olympics.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This is an inspirational movie with a message of perseverance and awareness. Some of the questions Socrates asks and Dan’s answers including “Where are you, Dan?” “Here.” “What time is it?” “Now.” “What are you?” “This Moment.” are gems for each of us to remember to ask our self.

Turns out that the character Dan in this movie about personal growth and Dan the author of the book on which the film is based are one and the same. Once again, we learn this inspirational movie is based on true-life events.

4. Hector and the Search for Happiness 2014 British-German-Canadian comedy, drama adventure 2014 R based on the best-selling novel by the same name

This inspirational movie is not one I recommend for the little ones. It is a powerful movie with a good message about true happiness.

TOPICS AND THEME:

Happiness, love, purpose, the meaning of life, adventure, life-lessons, gratitude

PLOT:

Hector, (Simon Pegg), is a psychiatrist that is sick and tired of his routine filled ordinary life.. He announces to his girlfriend Clara,(Rosamund Pike), that he is dissatisfied and feels like a fraud and is going to travel the world in search of happiness. The advice he gives his patients does not seem to change anything. So Hector decides to break free from his ordinary humdrum life. With a child-like sense of adventure, he heads out for an international quest to discover the secret to true happiness. The results of his adventure are inspirational and worthy of note-taking and absolutely hilarious!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Current research on happiness is showing that having money or possessions doesn’t guarantee happiness. Once a person has enough to comfortably feed, clothe, and house themselves, any additional money, no matter how much, does not greatly affect the level of happiness. This movie about happiness, life, transformation is a must-see!

5. Fireproof 2008 American Christian Drama PG

TOPICS AND THEMES: love, faith, forgiveness, relationships, marriage, perseverance

This adventure-packed, faith-based movie with a message is about a firefighter, Capt. Caleb Holt played by Kirk Cameron, who feels frustrated and trapped by his failing marriage with Catherine, played by Erin Bethea. When reminded of the firefighter’s creed to never leave a partner behind he has not figured out how to make that principle work at home. After 7 years of marriage, the constant bickering over career, housework, finances, and outside interests splinters the couple. They then move forward to dissolve their marriage,

Caleb’s father John, played by Harris Malcolm, presents his son with a challenge: called “The Love Dare,”. In the last-ditch effort, he accepts his father’s challenge to take part in a 40-day experiment and make one last attempt to save his marriage. He faithfully presses on although his hostile wife rejects every loving gesture.. I won’t spoil the end of the movie but it is definitely a must-see.

FINAL THOUGHTS
When Caleb struggles to show love to a woman who does not appear to be receiving or in any way responding back he comes to deeply understand the love God has for each one of us. This inspirational movie is rich with meaning and is a powerful reminder to treasure all the people in our life. Although it is a Christian film any faith will benefit from this story of the true meaning of love and forgiveness.

I pray you have enjoyed this summary of 5 of my favorite inspirational movies with a good message. Please leave your comments on what you thought of the movies. Also please share YOUR favorite!

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