We have compiled a list of our favorite films with inspiring stories of bravery and courage in the face of adversity. We hope you enjoy and would love to hear your thoughts!
- The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) – A heartwarming true story about a struggling salesman who overcomes homelessness and adversity to achieve success.
- Miracle (2004) – An inspiring sports drama chronicling the true story of the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team, led by coach Herb Brooks, as they defy expectations and achieve a historic victory against the dominant Soviet team.
- The Fighter (2010) – A captivating biographical drama depicting the tumultuous rise of boxer Micky Ward, his complex family dynamics, and his relentless pursuit of success against the backdrop of working-class Lowell, Massachusetts.
- 127 Hours (2010) – Based on real events, this film recounts the harrowing experience of a mountain climber who becomes trapped under a boulder and must summon extraordinary courage to survive.
- Hacksaw Ridge (2016) – A gripping war drama recounting the extraordinary true story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who served as a medic during World War II and saved 75 lives without firing a single shot on the brutal battlefield of Okinawa.
- Southpaw (2015) – A gritty sports drama following the turbulent journey of boxer Billy “The Great” Hope as he battles personal demons, tragedies, and the harsh realities of professional boxing in his quest for redemption.
- Cinderella Man (2005) – A stirring biographical drama that chronicles the remarkable comeback story of boxer James J. Braddock, who rises from poverty during the Great Depression to become a symbol of hope and resilience in the boxing world.
- Gladiator (2000) – An epic historical drama that follows the journey of a betrayed Roman general, Maximus Decimus Meridius, who rises as a gladiator seeking vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and betrayed him.
- Million Dollar Baby (2004) – A poignant drama that follows the unlikely bond between a determined female boxer and her grizzled trainer as they navigate the harsh realities of the sport and strive for greatness in the face of adversity.
- Cool Runnings (1993) – A heartwarming comedy based on the true story of Jamaica’s first bobsled team as they defy the odds, overcome stereotypes, and pursue their dreams of competing in the Winter Olympics.
- Cast Away (2000) – A riveting survival drama that follows the harrowing journey of a FedEx executive stranded on a deserted island, where he must confront isolation, desperation, and the struggle for survival.
- The Revenant (2015) – An intense and visually stunning survival epic that follows frontiersman Hugh Glass as he embarks on a grueling journey of vengeance against those who left him for dead in the unforgiving wilderness after a brutal bear attack.
- Rudy (1993) – An inspiring sports drama based on a true story, following the relentless pursuit of dreams by undersized Rudy Ruettiger as he overcomes obstacles to fulfill his lifelong ambition of playing football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
- Men of Honor (2000) – A powerful biographical drama based on the life of Carl Brashear, the first African American master diver in the U.S. Navy, as he battles racism and adversity to achieve his dreams and earn respect in a predominantly white institution.