What makes something “inspiring” can be hard to pin down.

And what inspires you’ve got the option to change day-to-day.

Below are the films that give us hope and encouragement and hopefully they’ll do the same for you.

THE GRAPES OF WRATH

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Here, in chronological order, are EW’s 25 most essential inspirational movies.

and richly saturated pinks contrasting with Cambridge’s drab grayscale.

It’s an unpredictable and awe-inspiring ride and it’s one of the most moving films on this list.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, Larry Simms, Jimmy Hawkins, James Stewart, Donna Reed, Karolyn Grimes

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Their outlooks, their opinions, and their priorities are completely misaligned…until they’re not.

So, in 1965, King took matters into his own hands.

The fourth,Emilia Jones, plays Ruby, the one hearing member of the Rossi family.

HIGH NOON

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It’s a common coming-of-age theme, but what’s uncommon is the unique perspective the film gives us.

Ruby’s family can’t hear her talent, at least not in the traditional way.

the Daniels, is a delight that needs to be seen to be believed.

MBDTOKI EC010

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Where to watchEverything Everywhere All at Once: Paramount+

Related content:

Rocky - 1976

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THE COLOR PURPLE, Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Rae Dawn Chong, 1985, (c) Warner Brothers/courtesy

Warner Bros.

Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis taking Polaroid of themselves in a scene from the film ‘Thelma & Louise’, 1991. (Photo by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

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COOL RUNNINGS, Malik Yoba, Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, 1993, (c)Buena Vista Pictures/courtes

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Sean Astin in ‘Rudy’

Sean Astin in ‘Rudy’.TriStar Pictures/Everett Collection

FORREST GUMP, Tom Hanks, 1994. (c) Paramount Pictures/ Courtesy: Everett Collection.

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OCTOBER SKY, Chris Owen, William Lee Scott, Jake Gyllenhaal, Chad Lindberg, 1999, (c)MCA/courtesy E

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ERIN BROCKOVICH, Julia Roberts, 2000

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LEGALLY BLONDE, Reese Witherspoon, Bruiser, 2001, photo: (c) MGM/courtesy Everett Collection

Reese Witherspoon in ‘Legally Blonde’.Everett Collection

Parminder Nagra in ‘Bend It Like Beckham’

Parminder Nagra in ‘Bend It Like Beckham’.Christine Parry/Fox Searchlight

Whale Rider - 2002

New Zealand Film Comm/Kobal/Shutterstock

Little Miss Sunshine

Eric Lee/Fox Searchlight

Milk (2008)Sean Penn

Phil Bray/Focus Features

INTOUCHABLES (2012)L-R Anne Le Ny, Francois Cluzet and Omar Sy

THIERRY VALLETOUX

Wild (2014) Reese Witherspoon

Anne Marie Fox/Searchlight Studios

David Oyelowo

Atsushi Nishijima/Paramount

LION

Mark Rogers

HIDDEN FIGURES, from left: Taraji P. Henson, as Katherine G. Johnson, Janelle Monae, as Mary

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CODA

Troy Kotsur and Marlee Matlin in ‘CODA’.Apple TV +

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE

Michelle Yeoh in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’.David Bornfriend/A24