The 30 most inspirational movies of the last 100 years | Though this is a list of the most inspiring movies released over a century, the top films cover a period of about 60 years — from 1939 to 1998. Most of the movies are dramas, but quite a few are comedies that will inspire people to never give up.Unlike happy comedies, some inspirational films,Some, however, don’t have a happy ending. That is not surprising considering that good films often forge an emotional connection between the viewer and the characters, making it all the more impactful when tragedy strikes. (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

The 30 most inspirational movies of the last 100 years | Though this is a list of the most inspiring movies released over a century, the top films cover a period of about 60 years — from 1939 to 1998. Most of the movies are dramas, but quite a few are comedies that will inspire people to never give up.Unlike happy comedies, some inspirational films,Some, however, don’t have a happy ending. That is not surprising considering that good films often forge an emotional connection between the viewer and the characters, making it all the more impactful when tragedy strikes. (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

The 30 most inspirational movies of the last 100 years

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Using information generated by the American Film Institute, 24/7 Tempo has picked the 30 most inspirational movies of the past 100 years. For similar lists visit 24/7 Wall St. .

The 30 most inspirational movies of the last 100 years

The 30 most inspirational movies of the last 100 years | Though this is a list of the most inspiring movies released over a century, the top films cover a period of about 60 years — from 1939 to 1998. Most of the movies are dramas, but quite a few are comedies that will inspire people to never give up.Unlike happy comedies, some inspirational films,Some, however, don’t have a happy ending. That is not surprising considering that good films often forge an emotional connection between the viewer and the characters, making it all the more impactful when tragedy strikes. (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

The 30 most inspirational movies of the last 100 years | Though this is a list of the most inspiring movies released over a century, the top films cover a period of about 60 years — from 1939 to 1998. Most of the movies are dramas, but quite a few are comedies that will inspire people to never give up.Unlike happy comedies, some inspirational films,Some, however, don’t have a happy ending. That is not surprising considering that good films often forge an emotional connection between the viewer and the characters, making it all the more impactful when tragedy strikes. (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

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30. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

30. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) | RT critics score: 93% (122 votes) - RT audience score: 93% (75,221 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.3/10 (279,577 votes) - Directed by: David Lean (Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

30. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) | RT critics score: 93% (122 votes) - RT audience score: 93% (75,221 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.3/10 (279,577 votes) - Directed by: David Lean (Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

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29. Mahatma Gandhi: 20th Century Prophet (1953)

29. Mahatma Gandhi: 20th Century Prophet (1953) | RT critics score: N/A - RT audience score: N/A - IMDb rating: N/A - Directed by: Stanley Neal (Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive via Getty Images)

29. Mahatma Gandhi: 20th Century Prophet (1953) | RT critics score: N/A - RT audience score: N/A - IMDb rating: N/A - Directed by: Stanley Neal (Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive via Getty Images)

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28. Field of Dreams (1989)

28. Field of Dreams (1989) | RT critics score: 87% (63 votes) - RT audience score: 86% (193,036 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.5/10 (114,412 votes) - Directed by: Phil Alden Robinson (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

28. Field of Dreams (1989) | RT critics score: 87% (63 votes) - RT audience score: 86% (193,036 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.5/10 (114,412 votes) - Directed by: Phil Alden Robinson (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

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27. High Noon (1952)

27. High Noon (1952) | RT critics score: 97% (58 votes) - RT audience score: 89% (25,494 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.0/10 (100,814 votes) - Directed by: Fred Zinnemann (Courtesy of United Artists)

27. High Noon (1952) | RT critics score: 97% (58 votes) - RT audience score: 89% (25,494 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.0/10 (100,814 votes) - Directed by: Fred Zinnemann (Courtesy of United Artists)

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26. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

26. The Wizard of Oz (1939) | RT critics score: 99% (145 votes) - RT audience score: 89% (876,535 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.0/10 (379,669 votes) - Directed by: Victor Fleming (Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

26. The Wizard of Oz (1939) | RT critics score: 99% (145 votes) - RT audience score: 89% (876,535 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.0/10 (379,669 votes) - Directed by: Victor Fleming (Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

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25. Sullivan's Travels (1941)

25. Sullivan's Travels (1941) | RT critics score: 100% (35 votes) - RT audience score: 89% (8,614 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.9/10 (25,353 votes) - Directed by: Preston Sturges (Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)

25. Sullivan's Travels (1941) | RT critics score: 100% (35 votes) - RT audience score: 89% (8,614 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.9/10 (25,353 votes) - Directed by: Preston Sturges (Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)

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24. National Velvet (1944)

24. National Velvet (1944) | RT critics score: 100% (27 votes) - RT audience score: 78% (9,941 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.3/10 (6,789 votes) - Directed by: Clarence Brown (Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

24. National Velvet (1944) | RT critics score: 100% (27 votes) - RT audience score: 78% (9,941 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.3/10 (6,789 votes) - Directed by: Clarence Brown (Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

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23. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

23. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) | RT critics score: 91% (77 votes) - RT audience score: 98% (887,061 votes) - IMDb rating: 9.3/10 (2,465,993 votes) - Directed by: Frank Darabont (Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

23. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) | RT critics score: 91% (77 votes) - RT audience score: 98% (887,061 votes) - IMDb rating: 9.3/10 (2,465,993 votes) - Directed by: Frank Darabont (Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

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22. The Pride of the Yankees (1942)

22. The Pride of the Yankees (1942) | RT critics score: 94% (32 votes) - RT audience score: 89% (6,847 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.7/10 (10,495 votes) - Directed by: Sam Wood (Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures)

22. The Pride of the Yankees (1942) | RT critics score: 94% (32 votes) - RT audience score: 89% (6,847 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.7/10 (10,495 votes) - Directed by: Sam Wood (Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures)

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21. In the Heat of the Night (1967)

21. In the Heat of the Night (1967) | RT critics score: 95% (55 votes) - RT audience score: 92% (23,226 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.9/10 (70,935 votes) - Directed by: Norman Jewison (Courtesy of United Artists)

21. In the Heat of the Night (1967) | RT critics score: 95% (55 votes) - RT audience score: 92% (23,226 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.9/10 (70,935 votes) - Directed by: Norman Jewison (Courtesy of United Artists)

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20. Philadelphia (1993)

20. Philadelphia (1993) | RT critics score: 81% (57 votes) - RT audience score: 89% (183,439 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.7/10 (232,142 votes) - Directed by: Jonathan Demme (Courtesy of TriStar Pictures)

20. Philadelphia (1993) | RT critics score: 81% (57 votes) - RT audience score: 89% (183,439 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.7/10 (232,142 votes) - Directed by: Jonathan Demme (Courtesy of TriStar Pictures)

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19. The Right Stuff (1983)

19. The Right Stuff (1983) | RT critics score: 96% (51 votes) - RT audience score: 90% (22,982 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.8/10 (59,492 votes) - Directed by: Philip Kaufman (Courtesy of Warner Bros.)

19. The Right Stuff (1983) | RT critics score: 96% (51 votes) - RT audience score: 90% (22,982 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.8/10 (59,492 votes) - Directed by: Philip Kaufman (Courtesy of Warner Bros.)

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18. The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)

18. The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) | RT critics score: 79% (19 votes) - RT audience score: 77% (27,964 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.4/10 (12,447 votes) - Directed by: George Stevens (Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox)

18. The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) | RT critics score: 79% (19 votes) - RT audience score: 77% (27,964 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.4/10 (12,447 votes) - Directed by: George Stevens (Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox)

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17. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

17. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) | RT critics score: 94% (83 votes) - RT audience score: 96% (279,963 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.7/10 (954,449 votes) - Directed by: Milos Forman (Courtesy of United Artists)

17. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) | RT critics score: 94% (83 votes) - RT audience score: 96% (279,963 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.7/10 (954,449 votes) - Directed by: Milos Forman (Courtesy of United Artists)

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16. Norma Rae (1979)

16. Norma Rae (1979) | RT critics score: 89% (28 votes) - RT audience score: 79% (7,199 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.3/10 (11,112 votes) - Directed by: Martin Ritt (Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox)

16. Norma Rae (1979) | RT critics score: 89% (28 votes) - RT audience score: 79% (7,199 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.3/10 (11,112 votes) - Directed by: Martin Ritt (Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox)

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15. The Miracle Worker (1962)

15. The Miracle Worker (1962) | RT critics score: 96% (26 votes) - RT audience score: 88% (5000+ votes) - IMDb rating: 8.1/10 (18,110 votes) - Directed by: Arthur Penn (Courtesy of United Artists)

15. The Miracle Worker (1962) | RT critics score: 96% (26 votes) - RT audience score: 88% (5000+ votes) - IMDb rating: 8.1/10 (18,110 votes) - Directed by: Arthur Penn (Courtesy of United Artists)

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14. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

14. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) | RT critics score: 95% (61 votes) - RT audience score: 93% (54,763 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.1/10 (211,307 votes) - Directed by: David Lean (Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

14. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) | RT critics score: 95% (61 votes) - RT audience score: 93% (54,763 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.1/10 (211,307 votes) - Directed by: David Lean (Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

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13. Hoosiers (1986)

13. Hoosiers (1986) | RT critics score: 91% (45 votes) - RT audience score: 88% (50,777 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.5/10 (44,999 votes) - Directed by: David Anspaugh (Courtesy of Orion Pictures)

13. Hoosiers (1986) | RT critics score: 91% (45 votes) - RT audience score: 88% (50,777 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.5/10 (44,999 votes) - Directed by: David Anspaugh (Courtesy of Orion Pictures)

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12. Apollo 13 (1995)

12. Apollo 13 (1995) | RT critics score: 96% (93 votes) - RT audience score: 87% (433,114 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.6/10 (280,785 votes) - Directed by: Ron Howard (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

12. Apollo 13 (1995) | RT critics score: 96% (93 votes) - RT audience score: 87% (433,114 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.6/10 (280,785 votes) - Directed by: Ron Howard (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

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11. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

11. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) | RT critics score: 98% (91 votes) - RT audience score: 93% (10,855 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.1/10 (60,996 votes) - Directed by: William Wyler (Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures)

11. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) | RT critics score: 98% (91 votes) - RT audience score: 93% (10,855 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.1/10 (60,996 votes) - Directed by: William Wyler (Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures)

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10. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

10. Saving Private Ryan (1998) | RT critics score: 93% (143 votes) - RT audience score: 95% (993,591 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.6/10 (1,292,653 votes) - Directed by: Steven Spielberg (Courtesy of DreamWorks Pictures)

10. Saving Private Ryan (1998) | RT critics score: 93% (143 votes) - RT audience score: 95% (993,591 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.6/10 (1,292,653 votes) - Directed by: Steven Spielberg (Courtesy of DreamWorks Pictures)

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9. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

9. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) | RT critics score: 96% (47 votes) - RT audience score: 87% (47,635 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.9/10 (44,092 votes) - Directed by: George Seaton (Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox)

9. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) | RT critics score: 96% (47 votes) - RT audience score: 87% (47,635 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.9/10 (44,092 votes) - Directed by: George Seaton (Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox)

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8. Breaking Away (1979)

8. Breaking Away (1979) | RT critics score: 95% (41 votes) - RT audience score: 88% (9,357 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.7/10 (22,679 votes) - Directed by: Peter Yates (Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox)

8. Breaking Away (1979) | RT critics score: 95% (41 votes) - RT audience score: 88% (9,357 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.7/10 (22,679 votes) - Directed by: Peter Yates (Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox)

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7. The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

7. The Grapes of Wrath (1940) | RT critics score: 100% (48 votes) - RT audience score: 88% (24,341 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.1/10 (89,505 votes) - Directed by: John Ford (Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox)

7. The Grapes of Wrath (1940) | RT critics score: 100% (48 votes) - RT audience score: 88% (24,341 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.1/10 (89,505 votes) - Directed by: John Ford (Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox)

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6. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

6. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) | RT critics score: 98% (133 votes) - RT audience score: 72% (32,314,349 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.8/10 (387,356 votes) - Directed by: Steven Spielberg (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

6. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) | RT critics score: 98% (133 votes) - RT audience score: 72% (32,314,349 votes) - IMDb rating: 7.8/10 (387,356 votes) - Directed by: Steven Spielberg (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

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5. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

5. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) | RT critics score: 96% (47 votes) - RT audience score: 94% (45,892 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.1/10 (111,428 votes) - Directed by: Frank Capra (Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

5. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) | RT critics score: 96% (47 votes) - RT audience score: 94% (45,892 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.1/10 (111,428 votes) - Directed by: Frank Capra (Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

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4. Rocky (1976)

4. Rocky (1976) | RT critics score: 93% (67 votes) - RT audience score: 69% (33,403,994 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.1/10 (539,886 votes) - Directed by: John G. Avildsen (Courtesy of United Artists)

4. Rocky (1976) | RT critics score: 93% (67 votes) - RT audience score: 69% (33,403,994 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.1/10 (539,886 votes) - Directed by: John G. Avildsen (Courtesy of United Artists)

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3. Schindler's List (1993)

3. Schindler's List (1993) | RT critics score: 98% (128 votes) - RT audience score: 97% (411,879 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.9/10 (1,267,232 votes) - Directed by: Steven Spielberg (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

3. Schindler's List (1993) | RT critics score: 98% (128 votes) - RT audience score: 97% (411,879 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.9/10 (1,267,232 votes) - Directed by: Steven Spielberg (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

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2. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

2. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) | RT critics score: 92% (66 votes) - RT audience score: 92% (179,186 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.3/10 (304,387 votes) - Directed by: Robert Mulligan (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

2. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) | RT critics score: 92% (66 votes) - RT audience score: 92% (179,186 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.3/10 (304,387 votes) - Directed by: Robert Mulligan (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

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1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) | RT critics score: 94% (87 votes) - RT audience score: 95% (219,179 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.6/10 (422,508 votes) - Directed by: Frank Capra (Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures)

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) | RT critics score: 94% (87 votes) - RT audience score: 95% (219,179 votes) - IMDb rating: 8.6/10 (422,508 votes) - Directed by: Frank Capra (Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures)

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