The 20 most inspiring movies on Netflix to lift your spirits

14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible (2021)

This documentary has the inspirational movie recipe memorized. Just take one ambitious climber (Nirmal Purja), a huge dream (trekking the world’s 14 highest mountains in only seven months), and let those simmer for around two hours. Beyond the pulse-quickening story, this film largely succeeds thanks to the riveting footage shot by the expedition team. The other production efforts are still impressive, but nothing beats the raw experience of walking alongside those trying to make the impossible possible. —Chris Snellgrove

Where to watch 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible: Netflix 

Director: Torquil Jones

Cast: Nirmal Purja

Related content: The best documentaries on Netflix

Becoming (2020)

After Michelle Obama’s 2018 memoir became a best-seller, it was only a matter of time before it was adapted into a film. Director Nadia Hallgren had immense access to Obama, following her across a 34-city book tour and turning the introspective writing into a dynamic reflection of the author as the archetypal modern woman. As EW’s critic writes in the review, “[G]enerally, Obama comes across as she always has — commanding but approachable, thoughtful but funny, sincere but guarded. But after spending eight years in the White House glare, that guard is understandable.” —C.S.

Where to watch Becoming: Netflix

EW grade: B (read the review)

Director: Nadia Hallgren

Cast: Michelle Obama

Related content: Becoming director reflects on capturing the true essence of Michelle Obama

The Black Godfather (2019)

Clarence Avant, a music producer affectionately dubbed the “Godfather of Black music,” mostly flew under the mainstream radar with his brilliant artistic contributions. This documentary aims to change that by chronicling an unbelievable life that reshaped the music industry and made waves in politics, discussions of race, and business. With appearances from big names like Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, and even former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, this inspirational movie is the perfect send-off for Avant, who died in 2023. —C.S.

Where to watch The Black Godfather: Netflix

Director: Reginald Hudlin

Cast: Hank Aaron, Dina R. Andrews, Clarence Avant

Related content: Clarence Avant, music executive known as the 'Black Godfather,' dies at 92

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind may be a film about wind power, but the story runs on pure optimism. Chiwetel Ejiofor’s movie follows the titular boy (Maxwell Simba) who is kicked out of school because his parents can’t afford tuition. This doesn’t keep him from secretly studying science, however, as he builds a windmill that can provide power for his humble village’s broken water pump. Inspirational and innovative, this film instantly harnesses your attention and affection. —C.S. 

Where to watch The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Netflix

Director: Chiwetel Ejiofor

Cast: Maxwell Simba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lily Banda

The Greatest Night in Pop Music (2024)

The ‘80s were a different time, man. Back then, you could convince 45 of the world’s biggest musical artists to spend one night recording a song, with all sales intended to help fight famine in Africa. The song — “We Are the World,” co-written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson — facilitated one of the biggest and most successful charitable collaborations in musical history, and the story of how that one night came to pass makes for a pretty great documentary. Narrated by the living artists who participated in the recording, the film is a shining example of what can happen when celebrities combine their platforms for good, and its relevance is particularly strong today. Littered with celebrity anecdotes and musical history, The Greatest Night in Pop is a lovely reminder of the healing powers of music, and a moving tribute to the artists involved who have since died. —Ilana Gordon 

Where to watch The Greatest Night in Pop: Netflix

Director: Bao Nguyen

Related content: Prince's decision to skip 'We Are the World' wasn't about regret, says Sheila E.: 'It was just too much'

Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song (2021)

For Leonard Cohen fans, the dives don’t get much deeper than this. Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song unpacks the legendary singer’s life and career through the lens of his famous “Hallelujah.” That sounds like a premise better suited for a podcast series, but the film (based on the book The Holy or the Broken) works by leaning into a blunt truth: No matter how talented someone is, they’re still too often defined by their most popular work. —C.S.  

Where to watch Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song: Netflix 

Directors: Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine

Cast: Leonard Cohen, Sharon Robinson, John Lissauer

Related content: Leonard Cohen's 20 greatest songs

Is That Black Enough For You?!? (2022)

In the age of erroneous YouTube video essays, documentaries like Is That Black Enough For You?!? are more important than ever before. This Elvis Mitchell feature examines Black cinema (with an emphasis on 1970s Blaxploitation) and interviews stars like Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, and Laurence Fishburne to help bridge generations of Black performers and media. The result is a carefully crafted, inspiring record of Black excellence at the movies. —C.S.

Where to watch Is That Black Enough For You?!?: Netflix 

Director: Elvis Mitchell

Cast: Margaret Avery, Harry Belafonte, Charles Burnett

Lionheart (2018)

Though it was sadly snubbed at the Academy Awards, Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart is a still breathtaking directorial debut. The film focuses on Chief Ernest Obiagu (Pete Edochie), who must step down from running a company, and his daughter Adaeze (Nnaji), who wants to take his place. But after he chooses her brother instead, the pair must reconcile their resentment and cope with the practical fallout. Like some of the best inspirational movies, Lionheart weaves a captivating portrait with threads of loyalty, loss, and heartbreak. —C.S. 

Where to watch Lionheart: Netflix

Director: Genevieve Nnaji

Cast: Genevieve Nnaji, Nkem Owoh, Pete Edochie, Onyeka Onwenu, Kanayo O. Kanayo

Related content: Academy disqualifies Nigeria's Oscar entry from International Feature race due to predominantly English dialogue

Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (2022)

Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer Camp didn’t let the dissolution of their marriage stop them from collaborating on a poignant film about a small shell named Marcel, his grandmother, and the documentarian who follows Marcel’s attempts to reunite his family. A live-action/stop-motion animated mockumentary based on the viral character Slate and Fleischer Camp debuted in a series of short YouTube videos, Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (voiced by Slate) is just as adorable and earnest as you remember him, but now he’s dealing with the real-life problems that accompany viral fame. A meditation on love, loss, and moving on after divorce, Marcel and Dean (played by Fleischer Camp) cheer each other up during some of the loneliest moments of their lives, and after watching this film, you will find yourself similarly uplifted. —I.G.

Where to watch Marcel the Shell With Shoes On: Netflix

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Cast: Jenny Slate, Rosa Salazar, Thomas Mann, Dean Fleischer Camp, Lesley Stahl, Isabella Rossellini

Related content: Marcel the Shell team on capturing the 'staccato brokenness' of a stop-motion world

Moneyball (2011)

In Moneyball, Brad Pitt plays Billy Beane, the beleaguered general manager of the Oakland Athletics who finds clever ways to compete against wealthier teams despite his shoestring budget. Between the crazy true story and the stellar acting by Jonah Hill and Philip Seymour Hoffman, you don’t need to be a sports superfan to love this film. As EW’s critic points out in the review, “It’s a baseball drama about something novel and rich: Billy’s desire not just to win but to change the game — to take it back from the accountants and rediscover the joy of players who could still triumph by surprising you.” —C.S.

Where to watch Moneyball: Netflix

EW grade: A– (read the review)

Director: Bennett Miller

Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Related content: Jonah Hill on Moneyball and being an underdog: 'I was at the bottom of a list of other actors you'd expect to see in this part.'

My Octopus Teacher (2021)

My Octopus Teacher is a story of relationships, as told by a filmmaker who bonds with an octopus. Craig Foster spent a year free-diving and following the animal living in a South African kelp forest, and the more he understands her underwater way of life, the better he becomes at connecting with his son. This movie may be about a sea creature, but it's also an important story of humanity that is affecting, educational, and inspiring. —C.S.

Where to watch My Octopus Teacher: Netflix

Directors: Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed  

Cast: Craig Foster, Tom Foster 

Related content: The Boys cast explain the bizarre influence of My Octopus Teacher on season 3

Paddington (2014)

There are few things the internet can agree on, but the undisputed dominance of the 2015 semi-animated film Paddington, starring beloved children’s book character Paddington Bear, just happens to be one of them. Garnering a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and hailed for its charming script, family-friendly content, and excellent voice acting courtesy of Ben Whishaw, the movie has since amassed a following of Paddington loyalists, prompting a sequel in 2017 and a threequel slated for release in November 2024. If you’re looking for a heartwarming film, Paddington should be number one on your list  — and if you need a topical reason to check out the movie, you should know that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced everyone’s favorite bear in the film’s Ukrainian release. —I.G.

Where to watch Paddington: Netflix

EW grade: A (read the review)

Director: Paul King

Cast: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Nicole Kidman

Related content: Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, and Rachel Zegler join Paddington in Peru cast

Pelé (2021)

In certain corners of the world, the name of soccer (or should we say football?) star Pelé is spoken with the reverence reserved for saints. Because of this star power, it’s easy for even the biggest fans to lose sight of the real man, whose legend still grows by the day. Fortunately, this documentary blends interviews, games, and other archival footage into a heartfelt, honest portrait of the man behind the myth. —C.S. 

Where to watch Pelé: Netflix

Directors: Ben Nichols, David Tryhorn

Cast: Pelé

Related content: Pelé, Brazilian soccer legend who won three World Cups, dies at 82

Rustin (2023)

Rustin is a biographical drama with an impeccable pedigree: It’s directed by George C. Wolfe, produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground, and features great supporting actors like Chris Rock and Jeffrey Wright. Colman Domingo particularly shines as Bayard Rustin, a legendary LGBTQ+ activist who helped organize the March on Washington in 1963. He’s an often-overlooked figure, partially due to his sexuality, but this film helps further cement his place in American history. —C.S.

Where to watch Rustin: Netflix

EW grade: B (read the review)

Director: George C. Wolfe

Cast: Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Jeffrey Wright, Audra McDonald

Related content: Rustin director George C. Wolfe on recreating the March on Washington and the amazing man behind it

Shirley (2024)

According to Regina King, there are many elements of the biopic Shirley — the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first to compete for a presidential nomination from a major political party — that were a long time coming. King stars as Chisholm opposite her own real-life sister, Reina King, with whom she co-produced the project. As Regina tells EW, the sisters chose Shirley “because we realized there were far too many people who didn’t even know her name.” The film more than corrects this, detailing Chisholm’s inspiring attempt to secure the Democratic nomination in 1972, and drilling into the sexism and racism she had to overcome in order to win the respect of her peers. The script does an excellent job of detailing Chisholm’s political career and legacy, while still humanizing her with familial and relationship issues to overcome. And now all that history is available for you to watch on Netflix. —I.G.

Where to watch Shirley: Netflix

Director: John Ridley

Cast: Regina King, Lance Reddick, Lucas Hedges, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Christina Jackson, Michael Cherrie, André Holland, Terrence Howard

Related content: Shirley star Christina Jackson calls playing Rep. Barbara Lee the ‘opportunity of a lifetime’

Society of the Snow (2023)

Society of the Snow may be adapted from a non-fiction book, but this cinematic tale of a doomed rugby team’s plane crash in the Andes mountains brings several new elements to light. For one, the cast — most of them first-time actors from Uruguay — feels refreshingly authentic, while the crisp direction and artful cinematography make for a beautiful contrast with the characters’ cannibalistic fate. It’s not for the weak of heart, but this showcase of humanity’s resilience is inspirational on its own bleakly noble terms. —C.S.

Where to watch Society of the Snow: Netflix

Director: J. A. Bayona

Cast: Enzo Vogrincic, Matías Recalt, Agustín Pardella, Felipe González Otaño

The Theory of Everything (2014)

The name Stephen Hawking elicits certain images, but in 2014’s The Theory of Everything, the world gets a closer look at the theoretical physicist before his body was afflicted by a motor neuron disease. A biographical film that holds multiple love stories within, The Theory of Everything is a solid drama, but the movie’s real power rests with its actors. Felicity Jones, is excellent as Hawking’s wife, Jane, but it’s Eddie Redmayne as Hawking who blows minds. EW’s critic writes “It’s like watching an escape artist who’s bound and gagged break free from a straitjacket. What Redmayne does is breathtaking — and it never feels like a performance.” —I.G.

Where to watch The Theory of Everything: Netflix

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: James Marsh

Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox, Emily Watson

Related content: TIFF: Eddie Redmayne and capturing the smiling eyes of Stephen Hawking

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am (2019)

What you see is what you get with Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am. The movie celebrates the beloved author (and author of Beloved) who became one of the most authoritative voices on race, privilege, and raw emotion in American history. The late writer tells her story in her own words here, while other major figures (including Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama) bounce off her profound meditations. The very presence of the former leader of the free world says it all; When Toni Morrison speaks, we listen. —C.S.

Where to watch Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am: Netflix 

Director: Timothy Greenfield-Sanders

Cast: Toni Morrison

Related content: EW's guide to 15 brilliant, essential Toni Morrison books

Unbroken (2014)

Unbroken’s true story is so bizarre that it sounds made up. This inspirational odyssey centers on an American athlete (Jack O'Connell) whose Olympic dreams are dashed first by World War II and then by a plane crash, culminating in him becoming a Japanese POW. Based on the best-selling book of the same name, Angelina Jolie’s film is as visually lush as it is emotionally raw, with EW’s critic deeming it an “oddly old-fashioned drama” that is “gorgeously shot and beautifully acted, and it has moments of heartbreaking poignancy.” —C.S.

Where to watch Unbroken: Netflix

Director: Angelina Jolie

Cast: Jack O'Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Miyavi, Garrett Hedlund, Finn Wittrock

Related content: On the books: Laura Hillenbrand rewrote Unbroken as a YA book

Zero to Hero (2021)

Despite its jaunty title, Zero to Hero is a profound and serious story of human triumph in the face of adversity. This Hong Kong film’s guiding force is So Wa Wai (Chung-Hang Leung), a real athlete whose aspirations were nearly thwarted by cerebral spasms that made even walking difficult. Throughout the film, we see him remarkably regain his ability to run against all odds, paving the way for a major victory. If you need a truly inspirational movie, this is a solid place to start. —C.S.

Where to watch Zero to Hero: Netflix

Director: Chi-Man Wan

Cast: Chung-Hang Leung, Louis Cheung, Siu-ho Chin, Hoi-pang Lo