GUEST COLUMN: 5 Uplifting Movies To Watch

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5 Uplifting Movies To Watch 

by Lewis Robinson

Anyone who has ever tried looking for a movie to watch during the age of streaming services knows the struggle. The more options you have, it seems, the harder it is to find something you'll enjoy. You switch from Netflix to Hulu to HBO Max, and before you know it, an hour has gone by. If you're looking for an uplifting movie to watch, just choose something on this list and skip the search.

The Pursuit of Happyness

Some of the very best movies that have ever been made are based on true stories, and that's certainly true for The Pursuit of Happyness. The film, starring Will Smith and his son, Jaden Smith, tells the story of Chris Gardner. Chris is a hard-working father whose family is constantly on the brink of poverty and finally ends up on the streets with his young son. Through it all, however, Chris manages to stay true to his values and keep his focus on his pursuit of happiness - but there's also an undercurrent of ambition that makes this movie an inspirational masterpiece. Christ doesn't just want a good home for himself and his son - he wants a mansion.

Good Will Hunting

A classic that graces top-ten lists everywhere, Good Will Hunting is a movie everyone should see at least once in their lives. Written by and starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, the movie tells an incredible and unpredictable story about a working-class kid with a genius IQ who is finally noticed by a math professor at MIT. Not only does this story show the rapid ascent of its titular character, but it also shows how Will confronts his personal demons with the help of a new psychiatrist friend, played masterfully by Robin Williams. If you don't cry at least once during Good Will Hunting, you truly have a heart of stone.

Chef

For food-lovers everywhere, Chef is a guaranteed hit. Directed by and starring Jon Favreau, Chef follows Carl Casper, a professional chef who quits his job once he realized his creativity and passion have been sapped by restaurant life. Amid breathtaking scenes where Casper creates dishes like pasta aglio e olio and Cubano sandwiches, the audience watches the chef open a food truck, complete with lead management, and take it on the road. The truck is a smash hit wherever it goes, but the real story is in the relationships that blossom as Casper gets back in touch with his love for food and for the people he's with. 

Julie & Julia

Another one for the foodie crowd, Julie and Julia is a fun and exhilarating story played in two alternating parts - Julie Powell, played by Amy Adams, attempting to cook all 524 recipes in "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" by Julia Child, and the story of Julia Child herself living in Paris and writing the cookbook. If you love food and want to know more about one of the most influential cooks who ever lived, this movie is for you. While the film has its ups and downs, it's ultimately an uplifting story with plenty of mouth-watering shots of bruschetta, boeuf bourguignon, and chocolate cake.

Chariots of Fire

What can be more uplifting than a sports movie? Sports and athletics offer a really simple template for an uplifting and inspirational story because they often show how humans overcome physical and mental obstacles to become the greatest in their sport. A classic from the '80s, Chariots of Fire tells the story of two separate runners, each training for the 1924 Paris Olympics. Both have to overcome a lot to get to the finish line, and make individual personal sacrifices  - it's up to the viewer to decide if it's all worth it in the end. Add in one of the best movie soundtracks of all time, and you have one uplifting experience.

Final Thoughts

Not only are these some of the most uplifting movies you'll ever see, but they're also some of the best movies ever made. Skip the scrolling and put one of these on the next time you're in need of a mood boost.