Hi friends,
I don’t know about you, but I love movies as much as I love books…okay, maybe not as much, but it’s very close. I love movies because they tell powerful stories in a couple hours, they have the visual component on the screen that books don’t, and my favorite part are the beautiful scores created for each movie. Such talent!
I believe movies can reach us in many different ways. They can take you on an adventure, along an inspiring journey, on an exciting thrill ride, or even provide the fun of guessing whodunit.
My hubby and I watched a new movie over the weekend, and it got me thinking that it would be fun to share my favorite inspirational films. These movies, in particular, have inspired me to be a better person, to persevere in the face of trials, to show me how Christ can change lives, and to watch characters triumph over great adversity. So, in no particular order, here are my top four favorite inspirational films. Two are based on true stories, and the other two are based on novels.
We watched Amazing Grace as a family many years ago, and every time I think of it, my heart is crushed for the atrocity of slavery. Yet I’m inspired by a man, who despite health issues and strong opposition, never wavered in his faith or gave up in his calling from God.
We just watched GREATER over the weekend. It was inspired by real events and it showed how faith in God and obedience in our lives for Him can anchor us like nothing else.
We read these books out loud as a family while we were homeschooling our girls. Seeing it in the movie together brought it even more to life. Watching Aslan sacrifice himself brought us all to tears. It gave us an even deeper appreciation for how Christ laid down His life for us.
We’ve read the books, seen each movie in the theatre, and own the extended edition trilogy. If you haven’t watched the extended edition you are seriously missing out. Each movie is close to an hour longer. There are so many nuances and pieces of background that deepen each film on the extended version. Not to mention all the behind-the-scenes footage and extras. My favorite part of all the films comes in The Return of the King with Samwise’s Worth Fighting For speech. You can read it here.
Question for you: What is your favorite inspirational movie?
Blessings,
Dani
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Chariots of Fire – one of the few films I have bothered watching more than once, & I still enjoy it!
That is such an inspiring story!
I watched the movie Just Mercy last year when it was free on Amazon Prime. I spent a good deal of the movie crying over the injustice the people faced. But how inspiring that one man continued to stand up and fight for them. Powerful movie.
It was such a powerful movie. Such horrible injustice but, you’re right, amazing how one man made such a difference.
Hi, Dani. I love movies, too. The one that immediately came to mind for me was Hacksaw Ridge. I almost didn’t watch it because it was rated R, but I’m so glad I pushed through the blood of war to watch this amazing story. An ordinary man who refuses to carry a gun into battle yet wants to serve his country becomes a medic. Belittled and despised by his comrades as a coward, he refuses to quit and ends up saving countless lives in one of the most horrific battles of WWII. His display of courage and faith changed the men around him and changed me as I watched the movie.
I normally don’t watch rated R either, Karen, but I did watch this. My husband read the book and said I had to see the movie. It was an absolute miracle what he did. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Such a powerful movie. Thanks so much for sharing!
“October Sky.” A group of high school boys from an impoverished coal mining town set their sights higher after Sputnik is launched in the 1950s, and wind up at the national science fair with their rockets. With every failure they are challenged to find new solutions, learn more, and dream bigger. Watched this with my dad, and he was bawling by the end.
Sounds fabulous. I’ll definitely have to watch it.Thanks for the recommendation.
Right now, I would say that Unplanned is my favorite inspirational movie. It’s a hard one to watch, but the story is SO amazing! Also in the list are Soul Surfer, October Baby, the three God’s Not Dead movies, Do You Believe.
The only one of those I haven’t seen is Greater, but after reading a little about it, we need to watch it! We love inspiring sports movies. As far as my favorite inspirational movie, I think I have to go all the way back to Chariots of Fire.