Films About Achieving Goals
Films that center around achieving goals often showcase the journey of determination, ambition, and perseverance. These narratives inspire audiences by exploring the struggles faced by characters as they strive to reach their aspirations, whether personal, professional, or altruistic. Such films not only entertain but also motivate viewers to pursue their own dreams, often highlighting the importance of resilience, teamwork, and self-belief in the face of adversity.
Here are some notable films that embody the theme of achieving goals:
“Rocky”, 1976
Director: John G. Avildsen
This classic sports drama follows Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer who gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight for the heavyweight championship. Through relentless training and determination, he strives to prove himself against the odds.
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith, Thayer David, Joe Spinell, Jimmy Gambina, Bill Baldwin, Al Silvani, George Memmoli, Jodi Letizia, Diana Lewis, George O'Hanlon, Larry Carroll, Stan Shaw, Don Sherman, Billy Sands, Pedro Lovell, DeForest Covan, Simmy Bow, Tony Burton, Hank Rolike, Shirley O'Hara, Kathleen Parker, Frank Stallone, Lloyd Kaufman, Jane Marla Robbins, Jack Hollander, Joe Sorbello, Christopher Avildsen, Frankie Van, Lou Fillipo, Paris Eagle, Robert L. Tangrea, Peter Glassberg, William E. Ring, Joseph C. Giambelluc, Joe Frazier, Butkus Stallone, Don Cannon, Bobby Cassidy, Randy De La o, Michael Dorn, Arnold Johnson, Daniel King, Robert Leh, Jeri McBride, Stu Nahan;
Production year: 1976;
Genre: drama, sport;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “Rocky” on the website imdb.com
“The Pursuit of Happyness”, 2006
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Based on a true story, this film portrays Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who faces homelessness while raising his son. His pursuit of a better life leads him to an unpaid internship at a prestigious brokerage firm, showcasing his relentless determination to achieve success.
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Brian Howe, James Karen, Dan Castellaneta, Kurt Fuller, Takayo Fischer, Kevin West, George Cheung, David Michael Silverman, Domenic Bove, Geoff Callan, Joyful Raven, Scott Klace, Rashida Clendening, Eric Schniewind, Peter Fitzsimmons, Maurice Sherbanee, Zuhair Haddad, Victor Raider-Wexler, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Darryl Fong, George Maguire, Joe Nunez, Adam Del Rio, Rocky LaRochelle, Erin Cahill, Rueben Grundy, Lo Ming, John Kovacevich, Bonnie Akimoto, Stu Klitsner, Esther Scott, Tina D'Elia, Rev. Cecil Williams, David Fine, George Moffatt, Amir Talai, Mike Garibaldi, Jason Frazier, Kevin Crook, David Haines, James Finnerty, Abigail Van Alyn, Bob Greene, Robert Anthony Peters, Terri Orth-Pallavicini, John Robb, Daniel Wilder!;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “The Pursuit of Happyness” on the website imdb.com
“A Beautiful Mind”, 2001
Director: Ron Howard
This biographical drama tells the story of John Nash, a brilliant but troubled mathematician who battles schizophrenia. Despite his struggles, Nash continues to work towards his goal of recognition in the field of mathematics, ultimately winning the Nobel Prize.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Paul Bettany, Adam Goldberg, Josh Lucas, Anthony Rapp, Jason Gray-Stanford, Judd Hirsch, Austin Pendleton, Vivien Cardone, Jill Marie Simon, Victor Steinbach, Tanya Clarke, Thomas F. Walsh, Jesse Doran, Kent Cassella, Patrick Blindauer, John Blaylock, Roy Thinnes, Anthony Easton, Cheryl Howard, Rance Howard, Jane Jenkins, Darius Stone, Josh Pais, Alex Toma, Valentina Cardinalli, Teagle F. Bougere, David B. Allen, Michael Esper, Eva Burkley, Amy Walz, Tracey Toomey, Jennifer Weedon, Yvonne Thomas, Holly Pitrago, Isadore Rosenfeld, Tommy Allen, Dave Bayer, Brian Keith Lewis, Tom McNutt, Will Dunham, Glenn Roberts, Ed Jupp Jr., Christopher Stockton, Gregory Dress, Carla Occhiogrosso, Matt Samson;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: biography, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “A Beautiful Mind” on the website imdb.com
“Moneyball”, 2011
Director: Bennett Miller
Based on a true story, the film follows Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics, as he challenges traditional baseball recruiting methods. By using data analytics to assemble a competitive team on a tight budget, Beane's innovative approach aims to achieve success in Major League Baseball.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Chris Pratt, Robin Wright, Stephen Bishop, Reed Diamond, Brent Jennings, Ken Medlock, Tammy Blanchard, Jack McGee, Vyto Ruginis, Nick Searcy, Glenn Morshower, Casey Bond, Nick Porrazzo, Kerris Dorsey, Arliss Howard, Reed Thompson, James Shanklin, Diane Behrens, Takayo Fischer, Derrin Ebert, Miguel Mendoza, Gerardo Celasco, Tom Gamboa, Barry Moss, Artie Harris, Bob Bishop, George Vranau, Phil Pote, Art Ortiz, Royce Clayton, Marvin Horn, Brent Dohling, Ken Rudulph, Lisa Guerrero, Chris Dehau Lee, Joe Satriani, Simon James, Greg Papa, Bob Costas, Tim McCarver, Eddie Frierson, Glen Kuiper, Joe Provost, John Brantley Cole, Jake Wilson, Robert P. Macaluso, Keith Middlebrook;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, sport, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Moneyball” on the website imdb.com
“The Social Network”, 2010
Director: David Fincher
This film chronicles the founding of Facebook and the ambition of Mark Zuckerberg. It explores the challenges he faces in turning his idea into a global phenomenon, highlighting themes of innovation, competition, and the pursuit of success.
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Rashida Jones, Brenda Song, Rooney Mara, Bryan Barter, Joseph Mazzello, Dustin Fitzsimons, Patrick Mapel, Toby Meuli, Alecia Svensen, Jami Owen, James Dastoli, Robert Dastoli, Scotty Crowe, Jayk Gallagher, Marcella Lentz-Pope, Trevor Wright, Barry Livingston, Marybeth Massett, Randy Evans, Denise Grayson, John Getz, Carrie Armstrong, Henry Roosevelt, Joshua Pence, David Selby, Pamela Roylance, Brian Palermo, Brett Leigh, Chris Gouchoe, Nicholas Tubbs, Kevin Chui, Richie Ferris, Burke Walton, Anh Tuan Nguyen, Inbal Amirav, Dane Nightingale, Stephen Fuller, John He, Nick Smoke, Cali Fredrichs, Shelby Young, Steve Sires, Melise, Victor Z. Isaac, Abhi Sinha;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “The Social Network” on the website imdb.com
“Hidden Figures”, 2016
Director: Theodore Melfi
This inspiring film tells the true story of three African American women mathematicians who played a crucial role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. Their determination and brilliance help achieve monumental goals in space exploration.
Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell, Kimberly Quinn, Olek Krupa, Kurt Krause, Ken Strunk, Lidya Jewett, Donna Biscoe, Ariana Neal, Saniyya Sidney, Zani Jones Mbayise, Tre Stokes, Selah Kimbro Jones, Corey Mendell Parker, Ashton Tyler, Alkoya Brunson, Karan Kendrick, Jaiden Kaine, Gregory Alan Williams, Maria Howell, Arnell Powell, Ron Clinton Smith, Crystal Lee Brown, Tequilla Whitfield, Dane Davenport, Evan Holtzman, Travis Smith, Scott Michael Morgan, Chris Cavalier, Robert G. McKay, Rhoda Griffis, Karen Wheeling Reynolds, Kate Kneeland, Joe Knezevich, Paul Ryden, Frank Hoyt Taylor, John Atwood, Jon Edwin Wright, Wilbur Fitzgerald, Michael Hartson, Bob Jennings, Gary Weeks, Afemo Omilami;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Hidden Figures” on the website imdb.com
“Erin Brockovich”, 2000
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Based on a true story, this film follows Erin Brockovich, a single mother who becomes a legal assistant and fights against a corporation responsible for polluting a city's water supply. Her relentless pursuit of justice and her goal to help the affected community ultimately leads to a landmark legal victory.
Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Peter Coyote, Cherry Jones, Tracey Walter, Conchata Ferrell, Marg Helgenberger, David Brisbin, Dawn Didawick, Valente Rodriguez, George Rocky Sullivan, Pat Skipper, Jack Gill, Irene Olga López, Emily Marks, Julie Marks, Scotty Leavenworth, Gemmenne de la Peña, Erin Brockovich-Ellis, Adilah Barnes, Irina V. Passmoore, Ron Altomare, Charles John Bukey, Randy Lowell, Jamie Harrold, Sarah Ashley, Scarlett Pomers, T.J. Thyne, Joe Chrest, Meredith Zinner, Michael Harney, William Lucking, Mimi Kennedy, Scott Sowers, Kristina Malota, Wade Williams, Cordelia Richards, Ashley Pimental, Brittany Pimental, Larry Martinez, LeRoy A. Simmons, Don Snell, Gina Gallego, Ronald E. Hairston, Veanne Cox, Scott Allen, Sheila Shaw, Matthew Kimbrough;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Erin Brockovich” on the website imdb.com
“Whiplash”, 2013
Director: Damien Chazelle
This intense drama follows a young jazz drummer, Andrew Neiman, as he strives to achieve greatness at a prestigious music conservatory. Under the harsh mentorship of an abusive instructor, Andrew's ambition is tested, leading to a gripping exploration of ambition and sacrifice.
Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist, Austin Stowell, Nate Lang, Chris Mulkey, Damon Gupton, Suanne Spoke, Max Kasch, Charlie Ian, Jayson Blair, Kofi Siriboe, Kavita Patil, C.J. Vana, Tarik Lowe, Tyler Kimball, Rogelio Douglas Jr., Adrian Burks, Calvin C. Winbush, Joseph Bruno, Michael Cohen, Jocelyn Ayanna, Keenan Henson, Janet Hoskins, April Grace, Clifton «Fou Fou» Eddie, Marcus Henderson, Tony Baker, Henry G. Sanders, Sam Campisi, Jimmie Kirkpatrick, Keenan Allen, Ayinde Vaughan, Shai Golan, Yancey Wells, Candace Roberge, Krista Kilber, Shannon Adawn, Cici Leah Campbell, Damien Coates, Ellee Jane Hounsell, Stephen Hsu, Herman Johansen, Brittany Paige, Wendee Lee, Dakota Lupo, Jesse Mitchell, Arnold Montey, Amanda Noriko Newman;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,5;
“The King's Speech”, 2010
Director: Tom Hooper
This inspiring film tells the story of King George VI, who seeks help from a speech therapist to overcome his stammer. As he prepares to lead his nation during World War II, his goal of delivering a powerful speech becomes a symbol of courage and resilience.
Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall, Anthony Andrews, Michael Gambon, Claire Bloom, Derek Jacobi, Jennifer Ehle, Eve Best, Patrick Ryecart, Roger Parrott, Robert Portal, Richard Dixon, Paul Trussell, Adrian Scarborough, Andrew Havill, Charles Armstrong, Roger Hammond, Calum Gittins, Dominic Applewhite, Ben Wimsett, Freya Wilson, Ramona Marquez, David Bamber, Jake Hathaway, Teresa Gallagher, Simon Chandler, Orlando Wells, Tim Downie, Dick Ward, John Albasiny, Danny Emes, John Warnaby, Sarah Molkenthin, Peter Agnelli, Dean Ambridge, Mike Archer, Mihai Arsene, Max Callum, Corgi, James Currie, Graham Curry, Philip Dehany, Julie Eagleton, Tony Earnshaw, Adam Eveson, Jon Adam Freeman, Benjamin Haller;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 118 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
“Remember the Titans”, 2000
Director: Boaz Yakin
Based on a true story, this sports drama follows a high school football team in Virginia during the early 1970s as they navigate racial tensions and work together to achieve their goal of winning the state championship. The film emphasizes teamwork, unity, and overcoming adversity.
Starring: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst, Donald Faison, Craig Kirkwood, Ethan Suplee, Kip Pardue, Hayden Panettiere, Nicole Ari Parker, Kate Bosworth, Earl Poitier, Ryan Gosling, Burgess Jenkins, Neal Ghant, David Jefferson, Preston Wigasi Brant, John Michael Weatherly, Gregory Alan Williams, Brett Rice, Richard Fullerton, J. Don Ferguson, Krysten Leigh Jones, Afemo Omilami, Andrew Masset, Tim Ware, Tom Turbiville, Tom Nowicki, Jim Grimshaw, David Dwyer, Bo Keister, Lou Walker, Marion Guyot, Rhubarb Jones, Bob Neal, Dan Albright, Mike Pniewski, Sharon Blackwood, Paula Claire Jones, Kelly Cheston, Walker Jones, Ronald L. Conner, Courtney James Stewart, E.Y. Coley, John Wesley Register, B. Keith Harmon, Andy Francis, Stuart Greer, Derick Marshall, Scott Thomas;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: biography, sport, drama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Remember the Titans” on the website imdb.com
These films not only depict the pursuit of goals but also highlight the transformative power of determination and the human spirit.
In the world of cinema, films about achieving goals have always captivated audiences with their inspiring narratives and relatable characters. Whether it's a heartwarming story of an underdog triumphing against all odds or a tale of self-discovery and personal growth, these films remind us of the power of perseverance and the importance of pursuing our dreams. From classic favorites like “Rocky” and “The Pursuit of Happyness” to modern gems like “Whiplash” and “La La Land,” these movies not only entertain but also motivate us to chase our own aspirations. They serve as a reminder that with dedication, hard work, and unwavering determination, anything is possible. So, the next time you find yourself doubting your abilities or facing obstacles, turn to these films for a dose of inspiration and a reminder that achieving your goals is within reach.
