1. Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
The movie is inspired from the life of a man called Christopher Gardner. The story is set in 1981. Chris Gardner is a family man who invests a lot of money in a device called bone-density scanner. The scanner is marginally better, but a lot costlier than an X-ray machine. He should sell at least three machines a month to meet the basic expenses of the family, but he is unable to sell the machines, resulting in his wife Linda continually working double shifts. This puts a huge strain on their relationship, and Linda decides to leave him. Chris competes for the position of a Stockbroker Intern at Dean Writter. He has to go through a 6-month unpaid training before he could land a job, but this might his best opportunity to land a steady job. He loses his house and money and is forced to live on the streets with his son. He tries to sell the scanners to provide for his son. He’s fixed on pursuing a life-changing career.
2. Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump is a man with low IQ who lives a happy life despite the insults that the society hurls at him. Gump trusts that only good things will happen to him. He turns every setback into happiness. This characteristic of his helps him escape bullies during his growing up years. In the course of his life, he wears leg braces, gets shot, saves the lives of soldiers, gets a football scholarship and achieves almost every desire of his, but he is unable to win the heart of Jenny Curan. Jenny is his childhood friend. As they grow up, they grow apart. He often thinks of her. Jenny’s life is messed up, and this upsets Gump. He proves that everybody is worthy of love. Forrest Gump is a positive and inspiring movie.
3. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The story is narrated by Red who is serving a life-term sentence at the Shawshank jail for murdering his wife by disabling the brakes of her car, accidentally causing the death of a neighbor and a child. Andrew Dufrense, a famous American banker is jailed for a crime that he did not commit. His wife and her lover are found dead, and all the evidence point at him, thus, landing him in jail. His new life in jail is torturous. Being hopeful is his only solace. With the course of time, he makes friends and gains respect. He is courageous, determined, and hopeful. He stresses the importance of having dreams and pursuing them.
4. Good Will Hunting (1997)
Will Hunting is a born genius who leads a rough life. His difficult childhood explains him spending nights at bars with his friends. He runs into trouble with the law and almost gets arrested, but an MIT professor bails him out and makes him visit Sean Maguire who is instrumental in turning Will’s life around.
5. The Blind Side (2009)
Michael Oher is an oversized, homeless teen. Leigh Anne Tuohy and Shawn Tuohy take him in for a night and later become his legal guardians. Leigh Anne wants Michael to pursue whatever he likes, and succeed in life. When she gets to know that he is interested in football, she supports him and talks to his football coach about his skills. She hires a private tutor to help him overcome his learning disability, and improve his grades so that his poor grades do not stand in the way of his football dreams.
6. Braveheart (1995)
The English invade the 13th century Scotland and attack the Scots. William Wallace’s father and brother lose their lives while trying to free the country from the hands of the Englishmen. The English ruler Edward even permits the Englishmen to steal the brides of Scotland, and rape them. He makes life, a living hell for the Scottish people. William leads his people to rebel against the English ruler Edward and puts up a brave fight to free his country.
7. Rocky (1976)
Rocky Balboa is a small-time boxer who wants to achieve greater things in life. He makes a living by collecting debts for a local criminal called Gazzo. Heavyweight champ Apollo Creed plans to fight against a small-time boxer in Philadelphia. Rocky is chosen to fight against Apollo, thanks to his nickname “The Italian Stallion”. This is Rocky’s only chance to make it big in the field of boxing, and earn fame, so he trains hard for the upcoming match.
8. 127 Hours (2010)
American outdoorsman and engineer Aron Ralston travels to Blue John Canyon for the weekend without informing anyone, to climb the isolated canyon. He meets a couple of teenage girls Kristi, and Megan who are lost. After spending a couple of hours together, the teenagers leave, and Aron climbs the canyon. While descending his arm gets wedged between a boulder and the wall of the canyon. He tries to free his arm but it seems to be an impossible task. After five days of trying hard, he decides to cut off his forearm to survive.
9. Pay it Forward (2000)
Trevor McKinney is asked to come up with an idea to improve mankind, by his social studies teacher Mr.Simonet. He comes up with the idea of doing three good deeds to others. The recipients of the good deeds will have to pay it forward by doing three good deeds each, to other people. His first batch of goodwill recipients are- a drug addict, his scarred teacher, and one of his classmates. The tree of good deeds spreads rapidly, and a lot of people are happy to give and receive kindness.
10. Eat Pray Love (2010)
Liz Gilbert is a newly divorced woman who is confused, lost, and in pain. She realizes the need to change the course of her life. She risks everything to travel the world in order to discover herself. She discovers bits of herself in different places.