13 Must-Watch Movies About the Pursuit of Dreams and Ambitions

Written by Ali Wang & Likewise Pix | Sep 10, 2024 Dive into these 13 inspiring films where characters chase their dreams and ambitions, confronting challenges and eluding improbabilities to realize their goals. Each story vividly illustrates the triumph of passion and perseverance.

Whiplash

Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity.

Release Date: 2014-10-10 | Average Rating: 4.2

La La Land

Mia, an aspiring actress, serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions and Sebastian, a jazz musician, scrapes by playing cocktail party gigs in dingy bars. As success mounts, they face decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair and threaten to rip them apart.

Release Date: 2016-11-29 | Average Rating: 3.9

The Pursuit of Happyness

A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional career.

Release Date: 2006-12-14 | Average Rating: 4.2

Ratatouille

Remy, a resident of Paris, appreciates good food and has quite a sophisticated palate. He would love to become a chef so he can create and enjoy culinary masterpieces to his heart's delight. The only problem is, Remy is a rat. When he winds up in the sewer beneath one of Paris' finest restaurants, the rodent gourmet finds himself ideally placed to realize his dream.

Release Date: 2007-06-21 | Average Rating: 4.2

The Social Network

A punk genius who sparked a revolution changed the face of human interaction for a generation, and perhaps forever. Chronicling the formation of Facebook and the battles over ownership that followed upon the website's unfathomable success, The Social Network bears witness to the birth of an idea that rewove the fabric of society even as it unraveled the friendship of its creators.

Release Date: 2010-10-01 | Average Rating: 3.8

A Star Is Born

Seasoned musician Jackson Maine discovers and falls in love with struggling artist Ally. She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer — until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally's career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.

Release Date: 2018-10-03 | Average Rating: 3.6

Slumdog Millionaire

A teenager reflects on his life after being accused of cheating on the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"

Release Date: 2008-11-12 | Average Rating: 4.2

Billy Elliot

County Durham, England, 1984. The miners' strike has started and the police have started coming up from Bethnal Green, starting a class war with the lower classes suffering. Caught in the middle of the conflict is 11-year old Billy Elliot, who, after leaving his boxing club for the day, stumbles upon a ballet class and finds out that he's naturally talented. He practices with his teacher Mrs. Wilkinson for an upcoming audition in Newcastle-upon Tyne for the royal Ballet school in London.

Release Date: 2000-09-28 | Average Rating: 4

Joy

A story based on the life of a struggling Long Island single mom who became one of the country's most successful entrepreneurs.

Release Date: 2015-12-24 | Average Rating: 3.2

Hidden Figures

The untold story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – brilliant African-American women working at NASA and serving as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history – the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big.

Release Date: 2016-12-10 | Average Rating: 3.7

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

A timid magazine photo manager who lives life vicariously through daydreams embarks on a true-life adventure when a negative goes missing.

Release Date: 2013-12-18 | Average Rating: 3.9

Rocky

An uneducated collector for a Philadelphia loan shark is given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fight against the world heavyweight boxing champion.

Release Date: 1976-11-20 | Average Rating: 4

The Greatest Showman

The story of American showman P.T. Barnum, founder of the circus that became the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Release Date: 2017-12-20 | Average Rating: 4

These movies depict the incredible journeys of characters striving to achieve their dreams. Whether through perseverance, innovation, or sheer willpower, these films remind us that dreams and ambitions are worth the pursuit.