Need some extra motivation? It’s ok to take a break every now and then! Movies can be a great way to allow your imagination to run wild. Here are the top 10 most inspirational movies to help motivate you to study!

Do you need to keep a focus on your studies and get motivated for the weeks ahead? Whatever type of work you’re trying to get done, these movies will give you the “brain break” you’ve been needing.

Take a journey with these lead characters – women and men, teachers and students. The one thing they have in common? They all want to achieve something significant and contribute to the world in a big way.

1. Freedom Writers

The perfect motivational study movie for people who may have had a challenging time in high school or those who found study difficult early in life. This is the movie of a young teacher inspiring her class to apply themselves and pursue further education. Great for when you need to remember your ultimate end goal.

2. Good Will Hunting

Could you unlock a secret talent? A janitor at MIT is incredibly gifted in maths and chemistry but doesn’t realise what his potential can offer. This film will inspire you to discover hidden talents you may have – perhaps by using a different part of your brain. This is the go-to motivational movie for number-crunchers. Perfect for accounting and finance students.

3. Dead Poet’s Society

An awkwardly shy teenager is forced to live up to the high expectations set by his parents. He is forced into a strict school and is encouraged to move against the status quo by the boys in the class. They all eventually find their individuality, so this movie is a great pick-me-up for students who want to remember why they followed their love of learning in the first place – to improve themselves and change the world.

4. Stand and Deliver

Are you an ‘outside the box’ learner? An idealistic mathematics teacher encourages his “no-hoper” students to study and further their education by adopting unconventional teaching methods. Stand and Deliver should offer up some great inspiration for anyone who likes to go against the grain when learning.

5. Legally Blonde

Sometimes when we begin to study, we feel out of our depth. Elle Wood managed to rise above her feelings of inferiority to get into one of the most prestigious colleges around – Harvard. This motivational movie even contains an inspiring study montage which shows that working hard eventually pays off. This movie is a great way to remind yourself that sometimes, we have more potential than we realise.

6. The Great Debaters

Thinking of teaching or training others? This movie is the dramatic retelling of the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor who inspired his students to challenge Harvard at the debating championships. Produced by Oprah and starring Denzel Washington, this is a heart-warming tale to lift your study spirits, especially if you’ve been inspired at some point by a wonderful teacher who saw your potential.

7. Rudy

Through sport, health and fitness, you can achieve your goals. A “no-hoper” who grew up in a steel mill town is desperate to play football at Notre Dame University in the US. At only half the size of the other players, with poor athletic ability and low grades, no one believes he can make it.  You’ll find Rudy particularly inspiring if you’re studying a course in fitness, such as the Certificate IV in Fitness.

8. Lean on Me

Do you need a second chance at study or your career? Based on a true story, an unorthodox teacher returns to the idyllic high school from which he had been fired as the principal, only to find it void of the success it used to have.  There’s nothing like a true story to really lift your spirits. This movie will help build you up and get you through that pile of study!

9. The Blind Side

Based on the true story of Michael Oher, who is taken in by a loving family and given all the opportunity he has only ever dreamed of. It doesn’t get any more heart-warming than this. This tale of kindness and hope will surely make you thankful and get you motivated, keeping that ultimate qualification in sight.

10. The Paper Chase

Sometimes study doesn’t come easily. The Paper Chase focuses on the hardworking and studious James T. Hart who faces many challenges during his first year at Harvard. Perfect for anyone struggling and finding it difficult to keep the motivation alive.