Feeling stuck in a rut? Dreaming of ditching the cubicle life and chasing that wild idea? Buckle up, because these movies are about to inject your ambition with an adrenaline shot!
This list packs ten incredible movies guaranteed to light a fire under your backside and get you reaching for your goals. Get ready to meet a motley crew of dreamers, schemers, and artists who dared to defy the odds.
Table of Contents
- Temple Grandin
- Moneyball
- Whiplash
- Hidden Figures
- Inside Llewyn Davis
- The Fabelmans
- Frances Ha
- Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
- First Man
- The Founder
1. Temple Grandin (2010)
Ever felt like your brain operates on a different frequency? This movie is here to tell you that’s a superpower, not a disability. This biographical film dives into the incredible life story of Dr. Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who forever changed how we understand and interact with animals.
Claire Danes delivers an Oscar-worthy performance as Temple in this movie that holds an amazing 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
If you’ve ever felt like an outsider or struggled to fit into the mold, Temple Grandin’s story is a must-watch.
2. Moneyball (2011)
Forget the steroid-fueled home runs and million-dollar contracts. This movie, which has an impressive 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes, throws a curveball by following Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), the general manager of the perpetually underfunded Oakland A’s. With a shoestring budget and a revolutionary approach that relies on statistical analysis over star power, Beane rewrites the rules of the game.
If you’re feeling like David facing Goliath in your own professional life, this movie is the perfect pick-me-up to remind you that smarts and strategy can be the ultimate game-changers.
3. Whiplash (2014)
This thriller-like drama, directed by Damien Chazelle, might be your cinematic cup of ambition-fueled espresso.
The film is a pressure cooker that follows a young drummer (Miles Teller) relentlessly pursued by a tyrannical instructor (J.K. Simmons in an Oscar-winning performance that will leave your palms sweaty). Get ready for blistering intensity, psychological warfare disguised as music lessons, and drumming so ferocious it’ll leave your palms sweaty.
It’s a brutal and beautiful exploration of ambition, sacrifice, and the cost of chasing greatness.
4. Hidden Figures (2016)
Did you know that the brains behind one of NASA’s greatest achievements were three brilliant African-American women? This movie shines a light on Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), mathematicians who played a pivotal role in the early days of space exploration.
This heartwarming film, which has a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, sheds light on their fight against racial and gender barriers, reminding us that brilliance can come from the most unexpected places.
5. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
Step into the smoky world of 1960s Greenwich Village folk music with Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac), a talented but perpetually down-on-his-luck musician.
This Coen Brothers gem, which has a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes, is a poignant and often darkly funny look at the struggles of an aspiring folk musician grappling with self-doubt and the harsh realities of the music industry.
If your path to success isn’t paved with glitter and stadium tours, this film is a relatable (and oddly comforting) companion.
6. The Fabelmans (2022)
This movie, which has a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes, is a coming-of-age story that will resonate with anyone who’s ever dreamt of wielding a camera instead of a briefcase.
Based on Steven Spielberg’s own childhood, the film follows young Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle), a budding filmmaker navigating family dynamics, first love, and the undeniable pull of the silver screen.
Witness the struggles and triumphs of a young artist finding his voice, all while navigating a world that might not understand his passion.
7. Frances Ha (2012)
Feeling lost in your twenties, adrift in a sea of post-grad uncertainty? This black-and-white indie movie, which has a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes, perfectly captures the whimsical chaos of this ever-confusing decade.
Meet Frances (Greta Gerwig), a dancer with a free spirit and an even freer apartment situation (think constant couch-surfing). Constantly comparing herself to her more successful best friend, Frances grapples with self-doubt and the ever-looming pressure to “adult.”
This film, directed by Noah Baumbach and co-written with Gerwig, is a hilarious and relatable portrait of chasing dreams (both professional and personal) while navigating friendships, self-discovery, and the ever-present question: “What am I even doing with my life?”
8. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
Ever dreamt of ditching your day job and reclaiming your artistic glory? This movie, which won several awards including the Academy Award for Best Picture, is a darkly comedic exploration of washed-up actor Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), desperate to shed his superhero persona and achieve critical acclaim with a self-directed Broadway play.
Prepare for dark humor, surreal imagery, and a film that will make you question the true meaning of success and the masks we wear for the world.
9. First Man (2018)
Ever dreamt of achieving the seemingly impossible? This movie chronicles the incredible journey of Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling), the first human to walk on the moon.
This isn’t your typical, flag-waving space exploration film. Instead, it’s a grounded and intimate portrait of Armstrong, focusing on the immense pressure, personal sacrifices, and unwavering dedication required for such a monumental feat.
Directed by Damien Chazelle, this movie reminds us that even the smallest steps can lead to giant leaps, not just for mankind, but for the pursuit of our own ambitious dreams.
10. The Founder (2016)
Ever have a million-dollar milkshake idea brewing in your brain? This movie explores the rise of the McDonald’s fast-food phenomenon, spearheaded by the ambitious (and sometimes ruthless) Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton).
The film delves into the cutthroat world of business, the power of innovation, and the ethical dilemmas that can arise when chasing the ultimate dream of success. It’s a story that will leave you pondering your own entrepreneurial spirit and the values you want to embody on your path to success.
So, there you have it! Ten incredible films guaranteed to ignite your inner dreamer and propel you towards your goals.
Remember, even if your dreams don’t involve launching yourself into space or revolutionizing the fast-food industry, these movies offer a powerful reminder: never stop chasing that crazy idea in your head. After all, you never know what milkshake-fueled empire you might build along the way.
