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My family and I recently watched Akeelah and the Bee–a story about an inner-city girl who has a gift for spelling who makes it to the National Spelling Bee.  Not only could our family relate in our own small way (my wife’s youngest brother made it to the National Spelling Bee a couple years back), but it was entertaining.  My only gripe was that, from the best I can tell, it’s totally fictional.  I recognize that many movies that are “based on a true story” sometimes only slightly follow a true story, but at least there’s some element of truth to them.  (I had the same gripe about Goal-The Dream Begins–good story, but anyone can WRITE an inspirational story.  To me, it’s more inspiring if someone LIVED the story.)

Regardless, however, after the movie, my kids were going around asking for us to give them words to spell and one of my daughters actually wanted to read the dictionary.  And it struck me that movies can have an inspirational impact on our kids.  So my wife and I thought it would be a good idea to periodically watch inspirational movies–ideally based on true stories, but that isn’t mandatory–with our kids.

So I thought it would be a good idea to start a list of inspirational movies and ask for your help in building the list.  Here are a few that I can think of off the top of my head.  Please feel free to comment to add more to the list.

Cool Runnings (one of our family’s favorites)
Rudy
Miracle
Invincible
Akeelah and the Bee
Goal–The Dream Begins
Rocky I, II, III, and IV (I refuse to consider V and the jury is out on Rocky Balboa–at least in my opinion)

Let me know what others you feel are inspirational.

Brent