Humanity has created many inspiring stories. It’s good to revisit them now and then to take a break from the usual routine. Even if you don’t feel stuck in life, we recommend checking out our list of the best movies about life-changing moments. And if you do feel stuck — this is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Content
- Amélie
- The Greatest Showman
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
- Yes Man
- Eat Pray Love
- The Pursuit of Happyness
- The Intouchables
- Moneyball
- Life of Pi
- Fight Club
Amélie
IMDb: 8.3/10
2001, Comedy, Romance
France, R
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Top Cast: Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus
This is the story of Amélie. Someone can say she is a weirdo wandering the streets of Paris. Others can say she is a dreamer who finds life as it is. Whatever, Amélie is convinced she will see a cabaret stage by night.
Then one day, totally by chance, she finds an old box hidden behind a wall in her apartment. Who is the owner? Who put all these memories in it?
Amélie is inspired. She starts gently nudging people’s lives. Nothing big or showy, just small acts of kindness. A neighbor here, a coworker there, maybe a stranger she sees in the street. She never takes credit, never expects thanks — she just slips in, does something nice, and disappears again.
The Greatest Showman
IMDb: 7.5/10
2017, Biography, Drama, Musical
USA, PG
Director: Michael Gracey
Top Cast: Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Zendaya
The Greatest Showman is loosely based on P.T. Barnum’s life. Who is this guy? He’s a real showman with big ideas. So he builds something from nothing — the circus we know as Barnum & Bailey. His honest intention was to create a celebration of ambition, wonder, and all those people who never quite fit into boxes.
Barnum (played by Hugh Jackman) just wants to dazzle people, make them see magic. So he rounds up this motley crew — misfits, outsiders, people everyone overlooked — and creates a show no one ever saw.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
IMDb: 7.3/10
2013, Adventure, Comedy, Drama
USA, PG
Director: Ben Stiller
Top Cast: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Sean Penn
Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) is a quiet guy working as a photo editor at Life magazine, but he’s got this habit of slipping away from everyday life into epic daydreams, where he’s the bold hero of his own adventure-filled stories.
When an essential photo negative goes missing, Walter finds himself stepping out of his daydreams into an actual adventure to find the mysterious photographer (Sean Penn). His search takes him from Greenland’s icy coastlines all the way to the Himalayan peaks, transforming more than just his travels — it changes how he sees himself, too.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty speaks to dreamers, creatives, and those who feel stuck in the rhythms of everyday life. It’s a film for anyone who appreciates quiet humor woven into a heartfelt, reflective story.
Yes Man
IMDb: 6.8/10
2008, Comedy, Romance
USA, PG-13
Director: Peyton Reed
Top Cast: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper
Most of us were at Carl Allen’s (played by Jim Carrey) place. Everyone’s had moments in life where they felt stuck and unsure about what to do next. So, Carl Allen had the same problem. He is stuck in a rut, constantly dodging chances and playing it safe in his comfort zone.
His life made 180 after just one self-help seminar. That was quickly, but very effective. Carl commits himself to saying “yes” to everything — and what starts out as a playful experiment quickly becomes a wild ride filled with laughter, chaos, and unexpected friendships. Along the way, Carl discovers how embracing spontaneity and taking chances can lead to a richer, fuller life.
Yes Man brings back that classic Jim Carrey charm — full of goofy moments, real heart, and a hopeful vibe. The story’s pretty simple, but it works. Just say “yes” to new things to change the routine.
Eat Pray Love
IMDb: 5.8/10
2010, Biography, Drama, Romance
USA, PG-13
Director: Ryan Murphy
Top Cast: Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, James Franco
People can be successful, wealthy, and beautiful, but they fade very quickly without a sparkle. What is the sparkle? Life is what you make of it — it all depends on how you dress it up.
Take Liz (played by Julia Roberts) as an example. She is a successful writer. It seems like she has it all, but the feeling that something’s missing keeps chasing her.
After a tough divorce, she hits pause on her life and sets off on a year-long adventure. First, it was a savory food in Italy. Next, she is diving into spirituality in India. Then, she fell in love in Bali.
Eat Pray Love is a bestselling memoir written by Elizabeth Gilbert. The movie, inspired by this bestseller, is a visual treat for anyone who loves to travel, but it’s also a deeper story about healing, finding yourself, and learning to love life again.
The Pursuit of Happyness
IMDb: 8.0/10
2006, Biography, Drama
USA, PG-13
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Top Cast: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton
Like many other feel-good movies, The Pursuit of Happyness was inspired by a true story. It follows Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith), a single dad doing everything he can to build a better life for his young son. But it turned out not as easy as it was expected.
Chris is faced with homelessness and countless setbacks. Even in his darkest moment, he never lets go of hope. While juggling the challenges of fatherhood, Chris fights for a spot in a highly competitive internship that could change everything.
This is one of those rare films that really hits you in the best way. It’s a powerful look at resilience, love, and what it means to keep pushing forward when life knocks you down. Will Smith delivers one of his most honest and understated performances, perfectly capturing the quiet strength it takes to keep believing when you’ve got nothing left.
The Intouchables
IMDb: 8.5/10
2011, Biography, Comedy, Drama
France, R
Directors: Olivier Nakache, Éric Toledano
Top Cast: François Cluzet, Omar Sy
Inspired by a true story, The Intouchables tells of the unexpected bond between Philippe (François Cluzet), a wealthy quadriplegic, and Driss (Omar Sy), a spirited man from the projects who becomes his caregiver.
What begins as a simple job grows into a transformative connection, as the two men push each other to see beyond assumptions — about life, disability, and privilege — while navigating a journey filled with humor, tension, and unexpectedly tender moments. The lead duo shares a magnetic connection, bringing warmth and energy to a story that celebrates the power of human bonds across social and personal divides.
Moneyball
IMDb: 7.6/10
2011, Biography, Drama, Sport
USA, PG-13
Director: Bennett Miller
Top Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Moneyball tells the real-life story of Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), general manager of the Oakland A’s, who challenges baseball tradition by using data analytics to assemble a strong team on a limited budget. With the help of a young economics graduate (Jonah Hill), Beane sets out to challenge the system and reshape the way baseball is approached. If you’re into sports dramas or true stories — and enjoyed The Social Network or Ford v Ferrari — this one will likely hit the mark.
Life of Pi
IMDb: 7.9/10
2012, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
USA, PG
Director: Ang Lee
Top Cast: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussain
Once upon a time, there was a boy named Pi Patel. Why Pi? The reason’s simple — he was great at math and had memorized the number Pi by heart. Bright and full of promise, he had no idea what life had in store for him.
One day, he set off on a ship with his family. But this wasn’t your average voyage — the ship was packed with unusual passengers. Alongside elegant old ladies were monkeys, tigers, even hyenas. Not too surprising, considering this all happened in India.
During one of the storms, the ship went down. Pi survived — and so did a handful of wild animals that had somehow ended up in his lifeboat. The boy did whatever he could to stay alive. Somewhere along the way, he found an unexpected best friend: a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
Fight Club
IMDb: 8.8/10
1999, Drama
USA, R
Director: David Fincher
Top Cast: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter
Fight Club centers on an unnamed narrator (Edward Norton), a disillusioned white-collar worker trapped in a hollow, consumer-driven existence. After meeting the enigmatic and defiant Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), he’s drawn into the raw, chaotic world of underground fight clubs.
What starts as a raw form of male bonding quickly grows into a rebellious movement that questions society, identity, and the limits of the mind, building toward a startling, unforgettable twist.
This cult classic is intense, thought-provoking, and rich with philosophical layers. Beneath the surface of the fights lies a deeper exploration of masculinity, consumer culture, mental health, and the search for meaning.
