7 Netflix Movies to Inspire You This Semester

Spring semester can be a pain in the you-know-what and it’s around this time that students can start to feel burned out. So in order to keep yourself inspired this semester take a look at some of these movies on Netflix. They’ll remind you that you can always rise after you fall, to never give up on your dreams, that you can make a difference, break barriers and find happiness.

1. “The Pursuit of Happyness”

In this true story, Will Smith plays the role of a struggling single-father doing everything in his power to provide for his son played by Smith’s real-life son— Jaden Smith. This touching and shockingly real story shows the unconditional love between father and son and what it takes to find happiness.

2. “Southpaw”

When tragic events destroy Billy “The Great” Hope’s career as a champion boxer and tears his family apart, he must rebuild himself from the ground up. In this thrilling and heartbreaking tale, audiences get to see the courage and strength it takes to rise from the ashes and reclaim one’s life.

3. “Lion”

This biographical drama follows the incredible journey of a boy named Saroo from India who loses his family and ends up in Australia. Years down the road, he decides to try and find his family again. This inspirational true story shows what it means to never give up on family and to never give up on your dreams.

4. “Spotlight”

When the editor of The Boston Globe has a team of journalists investigate a case of Catholic priests being accused of molesting children, the Spotlight office uncovers way more than they bargained for. This true story brings the struggles journalists face into an unflinching spotlight and reminds the journalism community of why they do what they do.

5. “Queen of Katwe”

Life in poverty is all Phiona and her family has ever known until Phiona learns the art of playing chess. With the help of a missionary she competes in chess tournaments. Her victories in the game lead to victories in her life. In this uplifting true story opportunity can be found in the most unexpected of places.

6. “13^th”

Taking a closer look at the injustice in America, filmmaker Ava DuVernay displays the racial inequality within America and its prisons. This film brings to the forefront the gross mistreatment of the African American population within the criminal justice system and attempts to strike fire into the hearts of those who want to affect change.

7. “42”

In this cinematic retelling of the famous story of Jackie Robinson, audiences get to see into his life and the journey that he faced when becoming the first African American major league baseball player. This true story captures the perseverance and determination that it takes to make dreams come true.

Gifs and images courtesy of Google Images and Giphy.com.