Top 15 Inspirational Movies To Fight Depression in 2025
Last Update on December 30, 2024 : Published on July 21, 2020
Hey fellas! If you are feeling low or your mind is bogging down with stressed thoughts, some of motivational movies may let you deviate your thought process. No matter what the reason for your depression is, YOU are the first one to help yourself.
To fight like an already winner, you need to stay motivated during depression or the hardest phase of life. One of the major pedals is watching movies when feeling depressed, believe me.
While going through the process of untangling negative thoughts to a breath-free stage, various great songs, regular exercises, meeting happy people and these inspirational movies are a great drive.
So watch them on any day or binge them on a weekend, just tell us in the end which ones were real supporters.
15 Best Motivational Movies To Fight Depression
1. Pursuit Of Happyness (Author’s Favorite)
IMDB Ratings: 8/10
Available On: Amazon Prime
This 2006 movie starring Will Smith is not just mine but a favorite of millions. It depicts the real-life struggles of Chris Gardner whose life earnings were all finished, his wife left him, and he had to take care of his kid in a homeless condition. The movie beautifully depicts how much a man and a father can fight financial glitches and reach a place where the world remembers him forever. Indeed the best inspirational movies of all time when feeling low!
2. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower
IMDB Ratings: 8/10
Available: Netflix, YouTube
When a depressed teen has been released from a mental health institution and begins his freshman high school, the movie journey begins as well. Consider it one of the best motivational movies that let teenage depression to take a bay and allows happiness to peek back into life.
Rolling up and down like a coaster, the movie certainly makes you smile with its ‘Tunnel song’.
3. 127 Hours
IMDB Ratings: 7.6/10
Available On: YouTube
Life is precious, and this message has been sent away to the world through 127 hours. It is once again a true story of the mountain climber who accidentally gets trapped in the canyon of Utah.
this 127 hours of battle to survive and winning at the end is totally unmissable. Kudos to the climber whose will power to stay alive worked and we could enjoy this inspirational movie as a happy side.
Also Read:- Top 10 Uplifting Movies On Netflix That Could Change Your Life
4. Amelie
IMDB Ratings: 8.3/10
Available On: Amazon Prime
Someone who is lost in her own imaginative thoughts can be a source of happiness to others. This motivational movie does teach you the depth of life where a cafe waitress is happy in helping people around her. It’s actually a happy movie to watch and we recommend its simplicity to get explored.
5. Life of Pi
IMDB Ratings: 7.9/10
Available On: YouTube
Surviving the lifeboat with a tiger on board is not an easy way, especially for a naive young boy. But his trust and struggle to reach the shore works till the end. The movie has emotions, a beautiful storyline, and a strong fight against the odds of life.
6. Silver Linings Playbook
IMDB Ratings: 7.7/10
Available On: Netflix, YouTube
After getting released from the mental health facility, this character faces a difficult love story. Even after having bipolar disorder, how his life flips with cool drama is the core of another one of the best motivational movies of its time.
7. Back To The Future
IMDB Ratings: 8.5/10
Available On: YouTube
An old American Science fiction, you can forget your stress and depression with this beautiful inspirational movie. It is a very light and breezy movie where adventure, romance, and science are all combined to make two people fall in love. Haven’t you seen this 1985 adventure? Watch it now!
8. Into The Wild
IMDB Ratings: 8.1/10
Available On: Netflix
Travel and hitchhiking are definitely a way to unwind your mind and free from depression. If you want to go through a virtual change, Into The Wild is one of the best motivational movies of all time. This student leaves all his possessions and lives in the wilderness, ultimately shaping his own life.
9. Moana
IMDB: 7.6/10
Available: YouTube
Fan of animation? Try out Moana where a strong-willed daughter of the chief of a village embarks a journey after her island’s plants and animals are dying due to blight. What is most beautiful about this best motivational movie is an amazing music backdrop that indeed delights mood and removes depression.
10. The Truman Show
IMDB: 8.1/10
Available On: YouTube
Jim Carry’s performance is a classic example of the top motivational movie where he realizes that his whole life has been nothing but a television show. Story of his unreal family members, his escape attempt and brilliant acting back up the whole drama to refresh your mood once again.
Also Read:- Top 21+ Uplifting, Inspiring and Feel-Good Latest Movies on Amazon Prime
11. The Princess Bride
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Available on: Amazon Prime
This adventure comedy movie of 1987 is an enactment of a book being read to a sick boy by his grandfather. The story revolves around a farm boy turned pirate who fights numerous obstacles, enemies and other allies to meet his true love. A tale of romance, adventure and fun makes it one of the best movies for depression and tries well to keep you smiling.
12. Inside Out
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Available on: YouTube
A beautiful 3D animated movie, Inside Out is another best movie to fight depression. This movie gives an interesting idea about emotions as Riley is experiencing emotions like Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger in her head. The movie tells us that expressing our sadness and anger is as important as expressing happiness, hence highly recommended.
13. Soul Surfer
IMDB Rating: 7/10
Available on:Netflix
Imagine doing something you love and being ditched! How will you ever get up for the courage? The real story of a young girl, Bethany is exactly the same. When she went to surf in the sea, she was bitten by a shark and lost her arm.
But the courage she possessed made her a world champion and she definitely embraces the gift of life. The movie is not only inspiring but one of the best movie to fight depression.
14. 50 First Dates
IMDB Rating: 7/10
Available on: YouTube
The idea of starting everything fresh every morning is kind of inspiring for all of us. However, the movie is pretty romantic but the selfless love and commitment to important people in your life ends the movie with a big smile on your face and may be little tears. This inspirational movie to fight depression shows new perspectives of love and life.
15. Eat, Pray, Love
IMDB Rating: 5.8/10
Available On: Netflix
The woman loses everything but takes her journey to explore the best food of Italy, pray in the beautiful location of India and fall in love in Indonesia. Before she falls in love with anyone or anything else, she falls in love with herself.
There is wisdom, there are beautiful locations and there is a sense of spirituality. The movie helps in fighting depression on a low mood day.
Wrap-Up!
The best motivational movies that we have mentioned above are really going to take your thinking level in another direction. We believe that you can always look at them and revive your inner happy soul once again. Let depression not take a toll over your head and for more assistance, TALK TO US!
Related Articles:
10 Popular Myths About Depression BUSTED
Top 20 Songs To Help With Depression and Anxiety
20 Best Inspirational Movies on Netflix to Motivate You
20 Most Inspirational TED Talks That Will Change Your Life
About The Author
Akanksha Soni
Akanksha is an active lifestyle blogger and writer at Calmsage. She has learnt various lessons on happiness and methods to fight depression through 'Gurus' as well as own experiences. An ardent practitioner of Yoga and meditation, she keeps traveling, writes and interacts with people to feel alive.
This 10 Inspirational Movies To Fight Depression (Weekend Special) site has helped me many times in health problems. This book helped me to heal and feel better.
Life of Pi is one of my favorite and it helps me a lot in my tough time.
Motivational movies change the way we live and think. Some movies in this list are my personal favorite.
I have watched Moana, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, 50 First Dates, Into the Wild and Life of Pi. These movies were amazing and I am going to watch the others mentioned in the list as all of them are motivational.