There’s no limit to what you can accomplish…after you finish watching these motivational films.

The 34 most inspiring movies on Netflix to lift your spirits

There’s no limit to what you can accomplish…after you finish watching these motivational films.

By Ilana Gordon

Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

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and Chris Snellgrove

on September 14, 2026 8:45 a.m. ET

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Kevin Costner as Ray Kinsella in ‘Field of Dreams’; David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. in ‘Selma’; Russell Crowe as James J. Braddock in ‘Cinderella Man’. Credit:

Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal; Atsushi Nishijima/Paramount Pictures; George Kraychyk/Universal

You might never be asked to captain the first spaceflight to land humans on the moon, or lead a gymnastics team to Olympic gold, but if you’re in need of some gumption, these movies can help light that spark.

Better act fast, though, because Netflix is preparing for a seasonal purge. *Apollo 13* (1995), *A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood* (2019), *Cinderella Man* (2005), *Nomadland* (2020), and *Talk to Me* (2007) all leave the platform at the end of the month. Catch them before they’re gone, plus consider two recent additions to the guide: *Ali* (2002) and *Don’t Say Good Luck* (2026).

Read on for **’s picks for the 34 most inspiring movies on Netflix.

14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible (2021)

Nirmal Purja in ‘14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible’.

This documentary has the inspirational movie recipe memorized. Just take one ambitious climber (Nirmal Purja), a huge dream (trekking the world’s 14 highest mountains in only seven months), and let those simmer for around two hours.

Beyond the pulse-quickening story, this film largely succeeds thanks to the riveting footage shot by the expedition team. The other production efforts are still impressive, but nothing beats the raw experience of walking alongside those trying to make the impossible possible. *—Chris Snellgrove*

Where to watch *14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible*: Netflix

**Director:** Torquil Jones

**Cast:** Nirmal Purja

Ali (2002)

Will Smith as Muhammad Ali in ‘Ali’.

Columbia/Courtesy Everett Collection

Muhammad Ali’s life required a biopic, and director Michael Mann was happy to oblige. But telling the story of the man who became the greatest heavyweight champion of all time wouldn’t have been possible without the performance of Will Smith, who walked away from the experience with his first Oscar nomination. Bookended by two of Ali’s most important fights — his championship debut and the Rumble in the Jungle — the movie still makes room for the story of Ali the activist.

EW’s critic called the film a “dazzling, flawed, achingly ambitious biographical epic,” and refers to Smith’s portrayal of the legendary boxer as “astonishing.” The second act is cornered during the years the boxer was banned from competing, but *Ali* remains one of the all-time great inspiring sports movies. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Ali*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Michael Mann

**Cast:** Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles, Ron Silver

Apollo 11 (2019)

Buzz Aldrin in ‘Apollo 11’.

Human achievement leveled up during the summer of 1969 when the U.S. successfully sent three astronauts to the moon. In the almost six decades since, the historic Apollo 11 mission has folded into American history and culture, but it’s never been experienced like this.

*Apollo 11*, a 93-minute documentary, takes viewers on an immersive journey behind the scenes of the launch and into the galaxy, thanks to an archival trove of 65mm footage and thousands of hours of audio recordings. The documentary is in a category all its own, with EW’s critic calling it “an inspiring, magical, and transcendent testament to human know-how, ambition, and achievement of the seemingly impossible. It’s, in a word, awesome.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Apollo 11*: Netflix

**EW grade: **A

**Director: **Todd Douglas Miller

**Cast: **Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Charles Duke, Bruce McCandless

Apollo 13 (1995)

Kevin Bacon as Jack Swigert in ‘Apollo 13’. Everett Collection

The United States’ fifth trip to the moon was expected to feature NASA’s third walk on the lunar surface. But when an explosion onboard the service module compromised the Apollo 13 mission and the safety of the astronauts, NASA’s priority shifted to getting their people home safely. Ron Howard’s dramatization of the 1970 space emergency was a hit among critics and viewers when it was released in 1995, earning nine Academy Award nominations, including a nod for Best Picture.

Howard’s interpretation of the events pledges fealty to the source material, sometimes at the expense of character development, but *Apollo 13*’s all-star cast is more than equipped to pick up the slack. As EW’s critic writes, the film chronicles “an American catastrophe that became an American victory.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Apollo 13*: Netflix through Sept. 30

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Ron Howard

**Cast: **Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers in ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’. Lacey Terrell/Sony

*Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood* was essential to so many childhoods, and in Marielle Heller’s biographical drama, *A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood*, audiences are reminded of why. The film is loosely adapted from a 1998 *Esquire* profile on Fred Rogers; Matthew Rhys plays Lloyd Vogel, a fictional character inspired by the journalist who wrote it.

Lloyd arrives for his first interview with Rogers (Tom Hanks) in a state of mental and physical disrepair. But the more time Lloyd and Rogers spend together, the more Lloyd’s mindset shifts. As EW’s critic writes, Hanks plays Rogers as “a sort of secular Buddha in a red knit cardigan whose gently probing questions and Zen proclamations work as a slow dissolving agent on Lloyd’s resistance.” *—Ilana Gordon*

Where to watch *A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood*: Netflix through Sept. 30

**EW grade: **B+

**Director: **Marielle Heller

**Cast:** Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Susan Kelechi Watson, Chris Cooper

The Black Godfather (2019)

Clarence Avant in ‘The Black Godfather’.

Clarence Avant, a music producer affectionately dubbed the “Godfather of Black music,” mostly flew under the mainstream radar with his brilliant artistic contributions. This documentary aims to change that by chronicling an unbelievable life that reshaped the music industry and made waves in politics, discussions of race, and business. With appearances from big names like Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, and even former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, this inspirational movie is the perfect send-off for Avant, who died in 2023. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *The Black Godfather*: Netflix

**Director: **Reginald Hudlin

**Cast: **Hank Aaron, Dina R. Andrews, Clarence Avant

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)

Maxwell Simba as William Kamkwamba in ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’.

*The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind* may be a film about wind power, but the story runs on pure optimism. Chiwetel Ejiofor’s movie follows the titular boy (Maxwell Simba) who is kicked out of school because his parents can’t afford tuition. This doesn’t keep him from secretly studying science, however, as he builds a windmill that can provide power for his humble village’s broken water pump. Inspirational and innovative, this film instantly harnesses your attention and affection. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind*: Netflix

**Director: **Chiwetel Ejiofor

**Cast:** Maxwell Simba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lily Banda

Cinderella Man (2005)

Russell Crowe as James J. Braddock in ‘Cinderella Man’.

Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

The Great Depression stole a decade from the people who lived through it. Ron Howard’s based-on-a-true-story sports action movie, *Cinderella Man*, tells the story of someone who inspired others to survive the desperate times and thrive anyway. Russell Crowe stars as James J. Braddock, a New Jersey boxer turned down-on-his-luck father who is determined to find a way to feed his family. When an opportunity to get back in the ring emerges, Braddock seizes it — and begins punching his way to a new reality.

EW’s critic writes that Crowe is so exceptional in the film, “he makes a good boxing movie feel at times like a great, big picture.” For viewers watching *Cinderella Man* today, almost 100 years after the Great Depression began, the film feels gritty, fierce, and disturbingly relevant. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Cinderella Man*: Netflix through Sept. 30

**Director: **Ron Howard

**Cast: **Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Paul Giamatti, Craig Bierko, Bruce McGill

Don’t Say Good Luck (2026)

Sunny Sandler as Sophie Birenbaum in ‘Don’t Say Good Luck’.

*Don’t Say Good Luck *is produced by Adam Sandler’s production company, but it is important you go into your viewing knowing that this is not a comedy. A musical drama about a high school student (Sunny Sandler) who learns she landed the lead in her school musical at the same time her mother’s (Melanie Lynskey) cancer has returned, the film lands squarely in the tearjerker category. Lynskey is routinely excellent; here she plays a parent struggling to shield her children from the realities of her fast-moving illness while celebrating her daughter’s success.

Broadway fans will appreciate that *Waitress** *— with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles — serves as the show within a show. The musical’s thematic focus on motherhood adds another layer to this sweet story about mothers and daughters, endings and new beginnings. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Don’t Say Good Luck*: Netflix

**Director: **Julia Hart

**Cast:** Sunny Sandler, Melanie Lynskey, Max Greenfield, Jack Champion, Stephanie Beatriz

Field of Dreams (1989)

Kevin Costner as Ray Kinsella in ‘Field of Dreams’.

Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

In *Field of Dreams*, Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) constructs a baseball diamond in his cornfield, summoning the ghosts of baseball icons, all in an attempt to repair a broken relationship with his deceased father. Ray Liotta and Burt Lancaster memorably portray former ballplayers Shoeless Joe Jackson and Dr. “Moonlight” Graham, respectively, while James Earl Jones plays a character inspired by writer J.D. Salinger, and recent Oscar winner Amy Madigan gives a strong performance as Ray’s wife, Annie.

Adapted from the 1982 Canadian novel *Shoeless Joe*, *Field of Dreams* is a movie about baseball, fathers, and fantasies. Savor it: It’s the kind of film that doesn’t get made today. (After watching, check out a trio of recent MLB at Field of Dreams games, including the 2026 one between the Phillies and Twins, also available to stream on Netflix — cornfield and past baseball legends included.) *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Field of Dreams*: Netflix

**Director: **Phil Alden Robinson

**Cast: **Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, Burt Lancaster

The Greatest Night in Pop Music (2024)

Artists featured in ‘The Greatest Night in Pop Music’.

Courtesy of Netflix

The ‘80s were a different time, man. Back then, you could convince 45 of the world’s biggest musical artists to spend one night recording a song, with all sales intended to help fight famine in Africa. The song — “We Are the World,” co-written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson — facilitated one of the biggest and most successful charitable collaborations in musical history, and the story of how that one night came to pass makes for a pretty great documentary.

Narrated by the living artists who participated in the recording, the film is a shining example of what can happen when celebrities combine their platforms for good, and its relevance is particularly strong today. Littered with pop culture anecdotes and musical history, *The Greatest Night in Pop *is a lovely reminder of the healing powers of music, and a moving tribute to the artists involved who have since died. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Greatest Night in Pop*: Netflix

**Director: **Bao Nguyen

**Cast:** Lionel Richie, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Huey Lewis

Green Book (2018)

Mahershala Ali as Don Shirley and Viggo Mortensen as Tony Lip in ‘Green Book’. Patti Perret/Universal

*Green Book* was a controversial choice for Best Picture when it won the Oscar in 2019. The film is inspired by the true story of the friendship between Black concert pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) and Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), the Italian American bouncer hired to drive him through the Southern and Midwestern parts of his musical tour.

Set in 1962 during the fight for civil rights, the film depicts the microaggressions, injustices, and outright racial violence that Shirley experienced during his travels. But it’s also a story of male bonding and learning to express love. EW’s critic writes, “In a world that seems to get uglier every day, this movie’s gentle heart and mere humanity feel like a salve.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Green Book*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B+

**Director:** Peter Farrelly

**Cast: **Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini

Harriet (2019)

Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman in ‘Harriet’.

Glen Wilson/Focus Features

American history comes to life in *Harriet*, a biopic centering on one of the U.S.’ greatest heroes. Cynthia Erivo inhabits the role of Harriet Tubman with the fierceness and physicality the story requires: *Harriet *isn’t an action movie, but the film takes on the characteristics of one as Harriet flees from those looking to enslave self-emancipated people and fights her way up and down the Mid-Atlantic.

Director Kasi Lemmons offers a straightforward exposition of Harriet’s life, emphasizing her subject’s softer side through her love story with her husband, a free man. In the review, EW’s critic calls it “an impassioned, edifying portrait of a remarkable life, and a fitting showcase for the considerable talents of its star.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Harriet*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Kasi Lemmons

**Cast:** Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn, Janelle Monáe

Hustle (2022)

Juancho Hernangómez as Bo Cruz and Adam Sandler as Stanley Sugerman in ‘Hustle’. Scott Yamano/Netflix

“Guys in their 50s don’t have dreams,” says Adam Sandler’s character, Stanley Sugerman, in the sports film *Hustle*. “They have nightmares and eczema.” Stanley is unwilling to admit it, but he hasn’t given up on his fantasy of becoming an NBA coach, even though he’s spent his life on the road working as an international scout for the Philadelphia 76ers.

But when Stanley’s mentor dies, precipitating a changeup in the 76ers’ front office, Stanley finds himself demoted back to talent scout. During a trip to Spain, he discovers Bo Cruz (former Toronto Raptors player Juancho Hernangómez), an unknown baller with an undeniable gift. But if Stanley is going to convince the league to take Bo seriously, both he and the budding athlete will need to put in some serious work. —*I.G.*

Where to watch *Hustle*: Netflix

**EW grade: **A–

**Director: **Jeremiah Zagar

**Cast: **Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah, Juancho Hernangómez, Ben Foster, Kenny Smith

Is That Black Enough For You?!? (2022)

Whoopi Goldberg in ‘Is That Black Enough for You?!?’.

In the age of erroneous YouTube video essays, documentaries like *Is That Black Enough For You?!?* are more important than ever before. This Elvis Mitchell feature examines Black cinema (with an emphasis on 1970s Blaxploitation) and interviews stars like Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, and Laurence Fishburne to help bridge generations of Black performers and media. The result is a carefully crafted, inspiring record of Black excellence at the movies. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Is That Black Enough For You?!?*: Netflix

**Director:** Elvis Mitchell

**Cast: **Margaret Avery, Harry Belafonte, Charles Burnett

Little Miss Sumo (2018)

Hiyori Kon in ‘Little Miss Sumo’.

This documentary short packs a lot into its 20-minute run time. *Little Miss Sumo* is the story of 20-year-old Hiyori Kon, one of the few female amateur sumo wrestlers competing in Japan. Tradition dictates that women are not allowed to enter the dohyō (wrestling ring). But Kon was a dominant sumo wrestler as a child, and refused to give up on the sport she loved as an adult.

*Little Miss Sumo* follows Kon as she competes in the 2018 Sumo World Championship, and does a great job of explaining the sport’s history and gendered limitations. Kon is a charming and determined subject, and *Little Miss Sumo* will leave you wanting to learn more about her and sumo wrestling. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Little Miss Sumo*: Netflix

**Director: **Matt Kay

**Cast:** Hiyori Kon

My Octopus Teacher (2021)

Craig Foster in ‘My Octopus Teacher’.

*My Octopus Teacher *is a story of relationships, as told by a filmmaker who bonds with an octopus. Craig Foster spent a year free-diving and following the animal living in a South African kelp forest, and the more he understands her underwater way of life, the better he becomes at connecting with his son. This movie may be about a sea creature, but it’s also an important story of humanity that is affecting, educational, and inspiring. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *My Octopus Teacher*: Netflix

**Directors:** Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed

**Cast:** Craig Foster, Tom Foster

Nomadland (2020)

Frances McDormand as Fern in ‘Nomadland’.

Searchlight Pictures/20th Century Studios

In Chloe Zhao’s Oscar-winning drama, fact and fiction intermingle in such a way that it’s almost impossible to tell where the film leaves off and real life picks up. A meditation on the generation of older Americans let down by the 2008 recession and the country’s lack of financial safety nets, *Nomadland* follows a widow named Fern as she moves out of her house and into a van, which she drives around the country in search of job opportunities.

Frances McDormand stars as Fern opposite a cast composed mostly of real nomads playing fictionalized versions of themselves. And from the jump, it’s clear how seriously McDormand took her work researching her character — while still in pre-production, she was offered a job working at Target. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Nomadland:* Netflix through Sept. 30

**EW grade: **A

**Director:** Chloe Zhao

**Cast: **Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Bob Wells, Peter Spears

The Only Girl in the Orchestra (2023)

Orin O’Brien in ‘The Only Girl in the Orchestra’.

Courtesy of Netflix

In 1966, there were 104 members of the New York Philharmonic: 103 men and one woman. The woman’s name is Orin O’Brien, and she was hired by Leonard Bernstein to play double bass. As the first woman invited to perform in the orchestra, O’Brien’s incredible story as a pioneer within classical music was captured by her niece, filmmaker Molly O’Brien, and won the Best Documentary Short at the 2025 Oscars. The film is only 35 minutes long, but it packs a punch, allowing O’Brien to reflect on her love of craft and 55-year career with the Philharmonic, which ended when she retired in 2021. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Only Girl in the Orchestra*: Netflix

**Director: **Molly O’Brien

**Cast:** Orin O’Brien

The Other Shore (2013)

Diana Nyad in ‘The Other Shore’. D Dipasupil/FilmMagic

Marathon swimmer Diana Nyad had a dream: to perform an unassisted swim from Florida to Cuba, a never before accomplished feat. Starting in the 1970s and ending in the 2010s, Nyad’s pursuit of this beyond-human endeavor offers more than a portrait of a standout athlete.

Nyad’s journey from shore to shore — also immortalized in the 2023 sports drama *Nyad* starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster — tells the story of a person striving to overcome trauma and achieve greatness at great personal cost. A tale of determination, friendship, aging on one’s own terms, and the resilience of the human spirit, *The Other Shore *is a story that will float to the top of mind when you’re least expecting it.* —I.G.*

Where to watch *The Other Shore*: Netflix

**Director: **Timothy Wheeler

**Cast: **Diana Nyad, Bonnie Stoll

Pelé (2021)

Pelé in ‘Pelé’.

In certain corners of the world, the name of soccer (or should we say football?) star Pelé is spoken with the reverence reserved for saints. Because of this star power, it’s easy for even the biggest fans to lose sight of the real man, whose legend still grows by the day. Fortunately, this documentary blends interviews, games, and other archival footage into a heartfelt, honest portrait of the man behind the myth. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Pelé*: Netflix

**Directors: **Ben Nichols, David Tryhorn

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Rustin (2023)

Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin in ‘Rustin’. David Lee/Netflix

*Rustin* is a biographical drama with an impeccable pedigree: It’s directed by George C. Wolfe, produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground, and features great supporting actors like Chris Rock and Jeffrey Wright. Colman Domingo particularly shines as Bayard Rustin, a legendary LGBTQ+ activist who helped organize the March on Washington in 1963. He’s an often-overlooked figure, partially due to his sexuality, but this film helps further cement his place in American history. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Rustin*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **George C. Wolfe

**Cast:** Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Jeffrey Wright, Audra McDonald

Selma (2014)

David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. in ‘Selma’.

Atsushi Nishijima/Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

*Selma* was released during a banner year for biopics and historical dramas, but according to EW’s critic, it’s the best of the bunch. Ava DuVernay’s film about Martin Luther King Jr.’s work advocating for voting rights for all people, *Selma* chronicles the three-month period in 1965 during which King exerted pressure on President Lyndon B. Johnson through nonviolent protests. (Which turned very violent once Alabama law enforcement got involved.)

While the history may be familiar, DuVernay compels you to experience firsthand the danger and fear that was endemic for people of color during this period. The supporting cast is excellent, but David Oyelowo somehow manages to channel King’s soul. Per EW’s critic, “He reveals to us the King who’s not in our history books — his humor, his human failings, and his self-doubt.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Selma*: Netflix

**EW grade: **A

**Director: **Ava DuVernay

**Cast:** David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Carmen Ejogo, Giovanni Ribisi, Alessandro Nivola

Shirley (2024)

Regina King as Shirley Chisholm in ‘Shirley’.

Glen Wilson/Netflix

According to Regina King, there are many elements of the biopic *Shirley *— the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first to compete for a presidential nomination from a major political party — that were a long time coming. King stars as Chisholm opposite her own real-life sister, Reina King, with whom she co-produced the project. As Regina tells EW, the sisters chose *Shirley* “because we realized there were far too many people who didn’t even know her name.”

The film more than corrects this, detailing Chisholm’s inspiring attempt to secure the Democratic nomination in 1972, and drilling into the sexism and racism she had to overcome in order to win the respect of her peers. And now all that history is available for you to watch on Netflix. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Shirley*: Netflix

**Director: **John Ridley

**Cast: **Regina King, Lance Reddick, Lucas Hedges, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Christina Jackson

Simone Biles Rising (2024)

Simone Biles in ‘Simone Biles Rising’.

Courtesy Netflix

Simone Biles took back her power in 2024 at the Summer Olympics, but before she ever set foot on a mat in Paris, fans got a chance to revisit her story in the first half of her four-part docuseries, *Simone Biles Rising*. Episodes 1 and 2 focus on Biles’ mental health issues during the 2020 Olympics and her struggle to prepare for 2024, while 3 and 4 concentrate on aging and injury within gymnastics, and Biles’ performance in Paris. If you’re too impatient to wait until the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, *Simone Biles Rising* is here to help you recapture some of that gymnastics magic. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Simone Biles Rising*: Netflix

**Cast: **Simone Biles

The Six Triple Eight (2024)

Milauna Jackson as Lt. Noel Campbell and Kerry Washington as Maj. Charity Adams in ‘The Six Triple Eight’.

Bob Mahoney/Perry Well Films 2/Courtesy Netflix

One of World War II’s lesser-known stories is the heroic tale of the Six Triple Eight. During the conflict, the 6888 was the only all-Black, all-female unit to serve overseas. Their mission was to improve morale by establishing a functional postal service capable of delivering three years’ worth of backlogged mail to troops and their loved ones.

Tyler Perry adapts and directs the true story of the Central Postal Directory Battalion into a dramatic and inspirational war movie. Kerry Washington stars as Maj. Charity Adams, the unflinching leader who battles racism and low expectations to do her duty and do right by her fellow soldiers. Hailed as Perry’s most ambitious cinematic feature to date, *The Six Triple Eight *is an empowering film, told from a perspective not often seen in World War II movies. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Six Triple Eight*: Netflix

**Director:** Tyler Perry

**Cast: **Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston, Oprah Winfrey

Skater Girl (2021)

Amrit Maghera as Jessica and Waheeda Rehman as Maharani in ‘Skater Girl’.

Kerry Monteen/Netflix/Courtesy Everett

A Netflix film based on India’s growing skateboarding culture, *Skater Girl *tells the story of Prerna (Rachel Saanchita Gupta), a teenager who becomes enamored with the sport after an outsider brings boards to her village. A coming-of-age movie that also explores gender roles and social norms within traditional Indian culture, *Skater Girl *is Prerna’s story, but it’s also that of other young Indian girls who have been empowered by the spirit and freedom skateboarding provides. Written by sisters Manjari and Vinati Makijany, *Skater Girl *is an uplifting sports drama that lands every trick it attempts. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Skater Girl*: Netflix

**Director: **Manjari Makijany

**Cast: **Rachel Sanchita Gupta, Shafin Patel, Amrit Maghera, Jonathan Readwin, Waheeda Rehman

Society of the Snow (2023)

Enzo Vogrincic as Numa Turcatti in ‘Society of the Snow’.

*Society of the Snow* may be adapted from a non-fiction book, but this cinematic tale of a doomed rugby team’s plane crash in the Andes mountains brings several new elements to light. For one, the cast — most of them first-time actors from Uruguay — feels refreshingly authentic, while the crisp direction and artful cinematography make for a beautiful contrast with the characters’ cannibalistic fate. It’s not for the weak of heart, but this showcase of humanity’s resilience is inspirational on its own bleakly noble terms. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Society of the Snow*: Netflix

**Director:** J. A. Bayona

**Cast:** Enzo Vogrincic, Matías Recalt, Agustín Pardella, Felipe González Otaño

Song Sung Blue (2025)

Kate Hudson as Claire Sardina and Hugh Jackman as Mike Sardina in ‘Song Sung Blue’.

Sarah Shatz/Focus Features

In a world defined by cynicism, it’s hard not to be charmed by the strange but true story of Lightning & Thunder, a Milwaukee couple who found popularity in the 1990s as a Neil Diamond tribute band. (You can watch the 2008 documentary about the band that inspired the film on YouTube.)

*Song Sung Blue* isn’t a Neil Diamond biopic, though the artist is a fan of the film. Instead, it’s a musical romance about finding love, making music, and withstanding the unforeseen tragedies life throws at you. Hugh Jackman is excellent as Mike Sardina, and Kate Hudson received a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her work as Claire Sardina, exactly 25 years after she earned her first Oscar nod for her work as Penny Lane in *Almost Famous* (2000). *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Song Sung Blue*: Netflix

**Director: **Craig Brewer

**Cast: **Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess

Straight Outta Compton (2015)

Aldis Hodge as MC Ren, Neil Brown Jr. as DJ Yella, Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E, O’Shea Jackson Jr. as Ice Cube, and Corey Hawkins as Dr. Dre in ‘Straight Outta Compton’. Jaimie Trueblood

One of the best musical biopics of this generation, *Straight Outta Compton* details the creation — and dissolution — of the hip hop group N.W.A. Set in Los Angeles in 1986, a time when the city was experiencing a crack epidemic and gang warfare, the film tells the story of the five members of N.W.A. — or as much of the story as can be crammed into 147 minutes.

Under F. Gary Gray’s direction, the movie is a sprawling musical memoir that highlights the embezzlement, infighting, racial profiling, and post-N.W.A rivalries the group members went through. With so much ground to cover, EW’s critic writes that the movie, at times, feels fragmented. Still, he says, “There are moments in *Straight Outta Compton* when the music is so thrilling and fierce, it’s enough to give you goosebumps.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Straight Outta Compton*: Netflix

**Director:** F. Gary Gray

**Cast: **O’Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Paul Giamatti

Sugar (2008)

Algenis Perez Soto as Miguel ‘Sugar’ Santos in ‘Sugar’.

Sony Pictures Classics/Courtesy Everett Collection

A story about baseball and the immigrant experience, *Sugar* is a fictional sports drama following Miguel “Sugar” Santos (Perez Soto), a teenager from the Dominican Republic who is drafted into the minor leagues and moves to Kansas to compete. As Sugar’s plan to propel himself and his family out of poverty comes into focus, the athlete questions whether success in baseball is the only path to achieving his American dream.

EW’s critic writes, “The film’s style is so ‘objective’ it’s a bit subdued, yet this is a sports drama of total originality, as well as the most authentic inside view of the immigrant experience the movies have given us in quite a while.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Sugar*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B+

**Directors:** Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

**Cast: **Algenis Perez Soto, Karl Bury, Michael Gaston

Talk to Me (2007)

Don Cheadle as Petey Greene and Taraji P. Henson as Vernell Watson in ‘Talk to Me’.

Michael Gibson/Focus Features

Don Cheadle took a break from playing dramatic roles in films like *Hotel Rwanda* (2004) to portray shock jock Petey Greene, a radio host who electrified Washington, D.C., during the ‘60s and ‘70s. A broadcast personality whose provocative on-air content created a path for folks like Howard Stern, Greene gets a lively period biopic care of director Kasi Lemmons, who concentrates her narrative around Greene’s conflict with radio executive Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and his struggles with alcoholism.

EW’s critic describes the acting, writing, “The elegant, magnetic Ejiofor makes Dewey a complexly divided man, embodying the vast contradictions of a reformed player who models himself on Johnny Carson. Cheadle plays Petey as an antic hedonist, fueled by booze, rage, and fear.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Talk to Me*: Netflix through Sept. 30

**EW grade:** A–

**Director: **Kasi Lemmons

**Cast: **Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Taraji P. Henson, Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps

Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team (2023)

The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team in ‘Under Pressure’.

When the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team won the FIFA World Cup in 1999, the sport changed. Women’s soccer became a phenomenon, and players like Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain became household names. But after years of dominating in international competitions, the U.S. began feeling the heat of other countries’ developing soccer programs.

The story of how the United States women’s soccer team became the team to beat — before getting beat themselves — is best expressed in their own words. The series unfolds in four episodes, all of which follow the players as they attempt to make it onto the squad and win the 2023 World Cup. A sports fan’s dream, *Under Pressure* gives exceptional insight into the process, training, and mental strength required to make it in women’s soccer. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team*: Netflix

**Cast: **Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Savannah DeMelo, Alyssa Thompson, Lynn Williams

Will & Harper (2024)

Will Ferrell and Harper Steele in ‘Will & Harper’.

*Saturday Night Live* launched Will Ferrell’s comedy career and turned castmates and co-writers into lifelong pals. Ferrell’s nearly 30-year friendship with one of the show’s former head writers changed one day when he received an email stating that said writer was transitioning to live as a woman.

*Will & Harper* follows Ferrell and comedy writer Harper Steele as the two embark on a road trip across America to better understand their new dynamic and explore this next phase in their friendship. A road trip comedy unlike any you’ve seen before, *Will & Harper* is a conversation about show business, platonic relationships, and living one’s authentic life in modern America. Since leaving *SNL*, Ferrell dabbled with dramatic roles, but never has he been more human and honest than in this prescient and funny documentary. *—I.G*

Where to watch *Will & Harper*: Netflix

**Director: **Josh Greenbaum

**Cast: **Will Ferrell, Harper Steele

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Source: “EW Movie”