Top 9 Best Inspiring Us Movies On HBO Max In 2023 [Ranked]

 

Films documenting inspiring stories about people from the United States of America pack the spirit of resilience, determination, and the American Dream and are presented vividly to life on the silver screen.

 

These movies often shine a spotlight on ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances, and through their unwavering resolve, they inspire the audience to reach for their own dreams. They also remind us that in the face of adversity, innovation, and the pursuit of justice, remarkable transformations can occur.

 

Each film in this list of Inspiring US Movies available on HBO Max offers a glimpse into the human spirit's boundless potential, delving into themes of equality, social justice, and the pursuit of happiness and highlighting the power of unity, determination, and the unshakeable belief that positive change is possible.

 

 

1. Moneyball (2011)

 

 

Moneyball is one of the most acclaimed biography-drama features which is certainly worth giving a try.

 

Written for the screen by Steven Zaillian, and Aaron Sorkin and starring Brad Pitt, Robin Wright, and Jonah Hill in significant roles, the motion picture received favourable reviews from film critics. It managed a score of 7.6 from users on IMDb.

 

The general manager of the Oakland Athletics Billy Beane is distraught by the team's loss to the Yankees in the League Division Series. With the impending departure of the star players to free agency, he struggles against time to scout and put together a competitive team for the 2002 season within Oakland's limited budget.

 

 

 

2. In the Heights (2021)

 

 

Bankrolled by Warner Bros. and helmed by Jon M. Chu, In the Heights is a drama-musical that hit the screens in 2021.

 

Usnavi de la Vega runs a bodega known for selling the best coffee, in the neighbourhood of Washington Heights. He dreams of saving up money to return to his homeland of the Dominican Republic and restore his father's business.

 

He pines for the attention of the beautiful Vanessa, while his best friends Benny and Nina work on their dreams to help the immigrant community living in Washington Heights. But, the streets are made of songs and unity, and youthful optimism, something that the close-knit community will soon realise.

 

 

 

3. Sully (2016)

 

 

Featuring Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, and Laura Linney in the lead, Sully is a biography-drama movie that was released in 2016. It comprises a talented team of crew members Clint Eastwood (director), Todd Komarnicki, Chesley Sullenberger, and Jeffrey Zaslow (screenplay), Tom Stern (cinematography), and others.

 

The motion picture received a score of 7.4 on IMDb, while it received 74 out of 100 on Metacritic.

 

On the afternoon of January 15th 2009, Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles accidentally strike a flock of birds, leading to the damage of both engines of the Airbus A320. With little time to think and fearing that they won't be able to reach nearby airports, Sully lands the aircraft on the Hudson River.

 

Despite mild injuries, there are no fatalities and the crew and passengers are evacuated safely. While several hail Sully as a hero, some believe he was rather brash with his decision-making. Meanwhile, he too reels under the aftereffects of the crash.

 

 

 

4. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

 

 

The Pursuit of Happyness is a biography-drama film that has been helmed for the screen by Gabriele Muccino. It features actors Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, and Jaden Smith in pivotal roles. The motion picture was released in 2006 with a 1 hour and 57 min runtime.

 

A salesman in San Francisco, Chris Gardner, has his financial condition in shambles. With no money to pay rent, an inability to pay for income tax returns, and overflowing parking tickets, Chris shares an equally bad relationship with his wife.

 

Chris bags an unpaid internship as a stockbroker while hustling to meet potential clients, win them over, and study to get his broker license; he works simultaneously to keep a roof over himself and his son's head.

 

 

 

5. The Karate Kid (1984)

 

 

Bankrolled by Columbia Pictures and helmed by John G. Avildsen, The Karate Kid is an action-drama that hit the screens in 1984.

 

Daniel LaRusso and his mother Lucille move to California from New Jersey, and Daniel becomes the soft target of Johnny and the Cobra Kai dojo gang. Their apartment's handyman is the eccentric Mr Miyagi, who also happens to be a martial arts master.

 

As Miyagi saves Daniel from the bullying of the violent Cobra Kai boys, he decides to help train him in a more empathetic form of karate to deal with his tormentors once and for all.

 

Along the way, Daniel learns valuable life lessons that shape him as a person.

 

 

 

6. Unbroken (2014)

 

 

Featuring Jack O'Connell, Miyavi, and Domhnall Gleeson in the lead, Unbroken is an action-biography movie that was released in 2014. It comprises a talented team of crew members Angelina Jolie (director), Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Richard LaGravenese, and William Nicholson (screenplay), Roger Deakins (cinematography), and others.

 

The motion picture received a score of 7.2 on IMDb, while it received 59 out of 100 on Metacritic.

 

Louis Zamperini is a bombardier of the US Army Air Forces whose plane gets damaged and several crew members injured during combat. Going with the surviving members and replacements embark on a search and rescue operation using an old plane which crashes into the ocean, leaving just two others along with Louis, alive.

 

As they float at sea, they're seen by Japanese sailors and taken as prisoners of war.

 

 

 

7. The Blind Side (2009)

 

 

Actors Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, and Tim McGraw have delivered stellar performances in The Blind Side. Thanks to them, the feature film was able to receive various nominations and wins, including Academy Awards, USA, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards.

 

Football lover Michael 'Big Mike' Oher has spent all his life in foster care due to his mother's drug addiction, but he keeps running back to her. He joins his friend's school, despite his poor academic record and befriends Sean Tuohy Jr.

 

Soon, Sean's mother Leigh Anne comes across Michael and decides to take matters into her hands, not just helping to improve his education but also ensuring that he's able to pursue football well enough to qualify for an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship.

 

 

 

8. The Karate Kid (2010)

 

 

Looking for a movie to watch? The Karate Kid could be a good option. With a runtime of 2 hours and 20 min and released in 2010, it stars Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith, and Taraji P. Henson and was directed by Harald Zwart.

 

Dre moves countries with his mother, looking for a fresh start. He infatuates with a girl who reciprocates his feelings with the school bully; Cheng, unhappy with this development, bullies and often troubles Dre.

 

Things escalate when Cheng's kung-fu master gets involved and ultimatums Dre to beat his student in a match. Dre has no option but to ready himself to fight and meet Mr Han, who trains and becomes his mentor by building his esteem.

 

 

 

9. Father Stu (2022)

 

 

Bankrolled by CJ Entertainment and helmed by Rosalind Ross, Father Stu is a biography-drama that hit the screens in 2022.

 

A boxer turned priest, Stuart Long consistently motivates as many people as he can using his own life lessons that once lifted him up from a cycle of self-destruction to one of redemption.

 

Stuart was a lost soul who experienced a difficult life and plenty of suffering and challenges. But now, he uses those moments to help others, thus fulfilling a saint-like role in the name of god.