DinoJim - The 100 Most Inspirational Movies

The 100 Most Inspirational

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Also on the 10th Anniversary (20), Romance (8), and Greatest (11) Lists - The classic about a man who feels his life is in the dumps and then a miracle grants him his wish of never being born and shows to him how much of an impact he has had. The epitome of the idiom "careful what you wish for." A little impractical at times, especially the view of the world without him, but uplifting and enjoyable non the less.

2. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Also on the Greatest (34) and 10th Anniversary (25) Lists - The movie takes place in Alabama during the Great Depression. Not a very racial friendly place now, not even close to it then. The movie is about a black man wrongly accused of raping a white girl and the following turmoil that the hearing brings. Based on the novel that is also on the 100 Greatest list, it is listed as one of the best racial relations movies ever made. Makes one stop and think and realize our past is not as good as one might think.

3. Schindler's List (1993)

Also on the Greatest (9) and 10th Anniversary (8) Lists - The rather depressing look at life in a concentration camp and how a man named Oscar Schindler tried to rescue them. Just knowing that this movie is based off real life makes it hit that much harder. A must watch so that we don't forget history, you know all that doomed to repeat it stuff.

4. Rocky (1976)

Also on the Thriller (52), 10th Anniversary (57), and Greatest (78) Lists - What is there really to say about this movie. The perfect movie about the underdog winning out over unspeakable odds. Much better than all the sequels puts together.

5. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Also on the Greatest (29) and 10th Anniversary (26) Lists -

6. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Also on the Thriller (44), 10th Anniversary (24), and Greatest (25) Lists - What can I say about this movie that nobody already knows. Not the original of Spielberg's alien stories but definitely the best one. Heartwarming and tender.

7. The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

Also on the Greatest (21) and 10th Anniversary (23) Lists - Based on one the 100 Greatest Books, of which I have not read yet. The story is about migrant workers of the Great Depression and their difficulty in finding work when their Oklahoma farms turns into a dustbowl and they are promised work in California. Of course you don't need me to tell you that work was not to be found. A gripping tale of people's struggles in the face of tragedy.

8. Breaking Away (1979)

9. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

10. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Also on the 10th Anniversary (71) and Thriller (45) Lists - A rather grisly tale about some soldiers going to take one soldier who lost all his brothers out of WWII. The movie is bloody and shocking and very realistic. As one review I read, "this movie pulls no punches." Very good and heartwarming and inspirational tale of courage and war.

11. The Best Years of Our Life (1946)

Also on the Greatest (37) and 10th Anniversary (37) Lists -

12. Apollo 13 (1995)

The thrilling real life movie based on the third manned moon mission. On their way to the moon the shuttle starts to break down and oxygen is leaking. This is a rather exciting movie since most people nowadays do not know much if anything about this mission. This is also fairly accurate based on several sources I have seen. A very good and definitely inspirational movie.

13. Hoosiers (1986)

14. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Also on the Thriller (58), 10th Anniversary (36), and Greatest (13) Lists - Another war movie for war movie lovers. Although Veronica did not like this one that much, I thought it was terrific. Alec Guinness played the perfect lead role and the story line was riveting. The plot follows a British POW in Burma who is forced to build a train bridge. Since they are doing this they decide to build the best one they can. While building the bridge, Colonel Nicholson (Guinness) looses sight of what he is supposed to be doing in Burma when the British try and blow up the bridge. I thought it was fantastic and a must watch, but that is just my opinion.

15. The Miracle Worker (1962)

16. Norma Rae (1979)

17. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Also on the Greatest (20) and 10th Anniversary (33) Lists - A very funny look at inmates in an insane asylum staring Jack Nicholson. Jack plays the part of a new patient who rallies the other patients with him incurring the wrath of the nurses including the now infamous Nurse Ratchet. Though not listed on the 100 greatest comedies list for some reason. It has my vote.

18. The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)

This is a very depressing movie about the tragedies that abounded in WWII. Like most people I watched this movie in history class and it was disheartening to know the cruelties man is capable of. I can understand why it is on the inspirational list because it shows the courage that the Jewish people had to endure during such a time but it is very very sad as well. The movie is based a diary of a little girl that was in hiding during the Jewish raids of WWII. They are eventually found and sent to a concentration camp. Again a very good movie about the tragedies of war.

19. The Right Stuff (1983)

20. Philadelphia (1993)

21. In the Heat of the Night (1967)
Also on the 10th Anniversary (75) -

22. The Pride of the Yankees (1942)

23. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Also on the 10th Anniversary (72) -

24. National Velvet (1944)

25. Sullivan's Travels (1941)

Also on the 10th Anniversary (61) and Comedy (39) Lists -

26. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Also on the 10th Anniversary (10), Thriller (43), Musical (3), and Greatest (6) Lists - Another of the classics, but unlike some of the others, I think everyone has seen this one. Don't know what to say about this one that people don't know. After reading some descriptions of the movie, there have been quite a few remakes of the book and this one does not seem entirely true to the book unlike some of those others, but this is the best and most loved of the lot. The original directed by Baum himself apparently had Dorothy as the dethroned princess of OZ. Makes me want to read the book.

27. High Noon (1952)

Also on the Thriller (20), 10th Anniversary (27), and Greatest (33) Lists -

28. Field of Dreams (1989)

I love this movie. "If you build it, they will come", so he does. This is a fantastic movie about following your heart and listening to unknown voices telling you to do seemingly crazy things.

29. Gandhi (1982)

30. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Also on the Thriller (23), 10th Anniversary (7), and Greatest (5) Lists - Another excruciatingly long movie but I enjoyed it, unlike my wife who could not wait till it was over. I enjoyed the direction and the story thoroughly. The plot follows the real life exploits of T. E. Lawrence as he went from innocent observer to leader of Arabs against the Turks during the 1920's. Highly enjoyable for those of us who like war epic movies, otherwise can be considered boring since it is rather long and slow in some parts.

31. Glory (1989)

One of those movies most kids now a days are forced to watch in history class. I never looked forward to most of those movies but this one was different. It was actually enjoyable and I became a big fan even though my child like attention span could not handle it at the time. Looking back it is actually interesting since I have been to the battlefield where the movie takes place, The Battle of Antietam.

32. Casablanca (1942)

Also on the 10th Anniversary (3), Romance (1), Thriller (37) and Greatest (2) Lists - Definitely worth its place as number 2. A great movie that was not a romance as I thought it would be, being more like an anti-romance taking place during WWII. I was hesitant to watch this movie at first but afterwards I will recommend this to anyone. The main plot is about 2 people trying to escape German occupied Morocco to the US. The dialogue is very strong and it contains several underlying plotlines not immediately noticeable. It very easily drags you into the movie.

33. City Lights (1931)

Also on the Comedy (38) and Romance (10) Lists -

34. All the President's Men (1976)

Also on the 10th Anniversary (77) and Thriller (57) Lists -

35. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

Also on the Romance (58) and Greatest (99) Lists - And yet another movie on the list regarding tolerance and race relations. Though it has a pretty simple plot white girl brings black guy home to her overly protective parents in the strict 60's. What made this movie different was the simplicity with how they presented the subject. The male was a top of his class, handsome physician. In other words he is the perfect mate to make any parent proud to have as a son-in-law. The only problem, he's black. The movie is lighthearted at times with still the reality that her parents need to come grips with the fact that her daughter is in an interracial relationship.

36. On the Waterfront (1954)

Also on the Greatest (8) and 10th Anniversary (19) Lists - Right off the bat this movie resembled a cross between Gangs of New York and The Sopranos. The first half of the movie was rather depressing with all the deaths but it definitely turned around by the end. The acting was superb and the story line was great. The is no wonder why this is the 8th greatest movie of all time.

37. Forrest Gump (1994)

Also on the Greatest (71) and 10th Anniversary (76) Lists - One of the most enjoyable movie's to watch on the list. A modern classic of a mentally retarded man who always finds himself in the most famous places of recent history, meeting presidents, fighting in Vietnam, participating (sort of) at the anti Vietnam rally, ping-pong with China, and so on. Many of the movie's more humorous parts are when Forest Gump unwittingly causes some of histories famous moments including teaching Elvis how to dance. Heart warming and one of the best of the lot in my mind.

38. Pinocchio (1940)

The Disney story about a marionette that wants to be a real boy. This is the most inspirational story for any puppets that want to be real. Otherwise it is still a pretty good movie, not one of Disney's best though, at least I don't think so.

39. Star Wars (1977)

Also on the Thriller (27), 10th Anniversary (13), and Greatest (15) Lists - Definitely one of my favorite movies of all time. Not only is this the first of the modern sci-fi movies but its special effects completely revolutionized the movie industry. Also the only Star Wars movie able to stand on its own. The lore of Star Wars is expanded upon on my website elsewhere.

40. Mrs. Miniver (1942)

41. The Sound of Music (1965)

Also on the 10th Anniversary (40), Romance (27), Musical (4), and Greatest (55) Lists - One of the most popular musicals of all time. It is based on the Von Trapp family who during WWII were eventually forced to leave their native Austria. The main plot of the movie follows a former nun who finds her true calling as a governess to the family and eventually melts the heart of the once stern father. This all occurs in lighthearted nature over several irritatingly get stuck in your head musical numbers. Obviously their situation was portrayed not as dire as it actually was but it is still an enjoyable movie.

42. 12 Angry Men (1957)

Also on the 10th Anniversary (87) and Thriller (88) Lists -

43. Gone With the Wind (1939)

Also on the Romance (2), 10th Anniversary (6), and Greatest (4) Lists - The classic itself, if not one of the longest movies on the list. The romantic movie of the Civil War era, if any others were even made. Considered by many to be the best romance of all time. The story consists of a love quadrangle that contains the horrors of war as it's backdrop. A must watch for anyone, and one of my wife's favorites.

44. Spartacus (1960)

Also on the Greatest (62) and 10th Anniversary (81) Lists -

45. On Golden Pond (1981)

Also on the Romance (22) List -

46. Lilies of the Field (1963)

47. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Also on the Thriller (40), 10th Anniversary (15), and Greatest (22) Lists -

48. The African Queen (1951)

Also on the Romance (14), 10th Anniversary (65), and Greatest (17) - A rather fun movie about a rough around the edges man who saves a prim and proper girl. Eventually they sail down a river chasing after a German ship so that they can destroy it. Bogart plays the part of the rough guy perfectly and the match up of the two main characters is pure magic. The story seems to slow down a bit in the middle as they are just on a steamship in the river for most of the time but the movie works well with it.

49. Meet John Doe (1941)

50. Seabiscuit (2003)

This is one of the extremely recent movies on any of the lists. This is one of the few movies I saw in the theatre. It is about a horse that seems past his prime and a boy too big to be a jockey who end up winning race after race. Very good and enjoyable movie.

51. The Color Purple (1985)

52. Dead Poets Society (1989)

This is a very touching movie about a professor that influences a bunch of students to create their own secret society. Someone eventually dies and the teacher gets blamed, but a fantastic movie about watch teaching should be all about.

53. Shane (1953)

54. Rudy (1993)

55. The Defiant Ones (1958)

56. Ben-Hur (1959)

Also on the Thriller (49), 10th Anniversary (100), and Greatest (72) Lists -

57. Sergeant York (1941)

58. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Also on the Thriller (31), 10th Anniversary (64), and Greatest (64) Lists - Spielberg's second best and second most famous alien movie. The plot line mainly follows several mysterious events that leads people to believe that something big is going to happen, hence an alien invasion. Very good acting and rather good suspense in the movie but again not his best. I personally felt it moved a bit slow at times although the special effects were especially well done for the time.

59. Dances with Wolves (1990)

Also on the Greatest (75) List - It appears stories of persecution seem to have a leg up to get on the list. This particular movie is about a Civil War officer who went out to explore the final frontier and is forced to move the Native Americans living there elsewhere. He eventually feels for their plight and becomes one of their tribe. It is a very sentimental movie about how westward expansion was not all the glories history proclaimed it to be. The scenes are at times very monumental and very well done, a must watch, although it is slow at some times.

60. The Killing Fields (1984)

61. Sounder (1972)

62. Braveheart (1995)

Also on the Thriller (91) List - This is back when Mel Gibson was normal. The movie is very inspiring about a man come back to Scotland to free his country by inciting the people. A rather enjoyable movie but it seems to drag on a bit.

63. Rain Man (1988)

I don't know what prompted me to start watching this movie but I enjoyed it. It is about an autistic savant who inherits a lot of money and his younger brother tries to essentially get it. The main roles by Hoffman and Cruise (before he went loco) were expertly done and you can understand why they are paid as much as they are. This movie goes to show that just because the man is autistic does not mean that he is not a man.

64. The Black Stallion (1979)

65. A Raisin in the Sun (1961)

66. Silkwood (1983)

67. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Also on the Thriller (82) List -

68. An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)

Also on the Romance (29) List -

69. The Spirit of St. Louis (1957)

70. Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)

71. Cool Hand Luke (1967)

72. Dark Victory (1939)

Also on the Romance (32) List -

73. Erin Brockovich (2000)

74. Gunga Din (1939)

75. The Verdict (1982)

76. Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)

77. Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

My wife and I watched this movie one day in Undergrad since we saw it on the shelf and figured why not. This movie is about prejudice and how even old dogs can learn new tricks. Miss Daisy is an old southern woman who stops being able to drive herself around due to the accidents she gets into so her son hirers a driver for her. Over the 20 years they spent together Miss Daisy learned to get over her prejudices and learn that if you give someone a chance, no matter the color of their skin, they just might become a friend.

78. Thelma & Louise (1991)

Also on the Thriller (76) List - This is another movie I don't think I would put on the "Thriller List" It is a very enjoyable movie about a couple of women on the run from the law but a great thriller? I don't think so. Although I would definitely consider this an inspirational movie.

79. The Ten Commandments (1956)

80. Babe (1995)

81. Boys Town (1938)

82. Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

83. Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)

Also on the Comedy (70) List -

84. Serpico (1973)

85. What's Love Got to do With It (1993)

86. Stand and Deliver (1988)

87. Working Girl (1988)

Also on the Romance (91) List -

88. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

Also on the Musical (18), 10th Anniversary (98), and Greatest (100) Lists -

89. Harold and Maude (1971)

Also on the Comedy (45) and Romance (69) Lists -

90. Hotel Rwanda (2004)

91. The Paper Chase (1973)

92. Fame (1980)

I know I have seen this movie because my wife performed in it for her high school musical so she made me watch the original movie, but I can remember nothing about it. From what I remember it is a very musical movie which surprises me since it is not on the musical list. Again I don't remember it well so I can't write anything good or bad about it, just not memorable.

93. A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Another of the recent movies on the list. This is about a man coping with his mental disorder where he sees people that don't exist. A brilliant man who worked for the FBI but only in his mind. Very enjoyable and inspiring to overcome such disabilities.

94. Captains Courageous (1937)

95. Places in the Heart (1984)

96. Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)

97. Madame Curie (1943)

98. The Karate Kid (1984)

"Wax on, wax off." This movie single handedly inspired me to start karate. The great movie about a kid who keeps getting picked on so he has an old master teach him karate where he eventually beats up everyone who picked on him, or something like that. This should be higher on the list in my opinion.

99. Ray (2004)

100. Chariots of Fire (1981)

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