Empire of the Sun
1987 · TMDB 7.5/10 · 2,166 votes
Jamie Graham, a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Curated by SceneIt · United States
Inspiring Movies
This SceneIt list helps you quickly choose acclaimed dramas and true-story favorites with an uplifting arc. Results are selected for the United States and balance audience response with practical watchability.
Updated 2026-08-03 · Ratings from TMDB
How we chose these titles
We rank eligible titles using TMDB audience ratings, vote confidence, relevance to the theme, and current popularity. Ratings can change as new votes are added.
BlackBerry
2023 · TMDB 7.2/10 · 937 votes
Two mismatched entrepreneurs – egghead innovator Mike Lazaridis and cut-throat businessman Jim Balsillie – joined forces in an endeavour that was to become a worldwide hit in little more than a decade. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Elephant Man
1980 · TMDB 8.0/10 · 3,986 votes
A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Bridge on the River Kwai
1957 · TMDB 7.8/10 · 2,407 votes
The classic story of English POWs in Burma forced to build a bridge to aid the war effort of their Japanese captors. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Thirteen Lives
2022 · TMDB 7.8/10 · 1,539 votes
Based on the true nail-biting mission that captivated the world. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Lion in Winter
1968 · TMDB 7.4/10 · 408 votes
Christmas 1183, Angevin Empire: King Henry II plans to announce his successor to the throne. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Downton Abbey
2019 · TMDB 7.1/10 · 1,275 votes
The beloved Crawleys and their intrepid staff prepare for the most important moment of their lives. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
King Richard
2021 · TMDB 7.6/10 · 2,892 votes
The story of how Richard Williams served as a coach to his daughters Venus and Serena, who will soon become two of the most legendary tennis players in history. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Iron Claw
2023 · TMDB 7.5/10 · 1,295 votes
The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Favourite
2018 · TMDB 7.5/10 · 5,974 votes
England, early 18th century. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Tetris
2023 · TMDB 7.7/10 · 1,950 votes
In 1988, American video game salesman Henk Rogers discovers the video game Tetris. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Malcolm X
1992 · TMDB 7.6/10 · 1,946 votes
A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
BlacKkKlansman
2018 · TMDB 7.5/10 · 8,170 votes
Colorado Springs, late 1970s. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Courier
2020 · TMDB 7.0/10 · 1,364 votes
Cold War spy Greville Wynne and his Russian source try to put an end to the Cuban Missile Crisis. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Burial
2023 · TMDB 7.1/10 · 636 votes
When a handshake deal goes sour, funeral home owner Jeremiah O'Keefe enlists charismatic, smooth-talking attorney Willie E. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Ed Wood
1994 · TMDB 7.5/10 · 2,549 votes
The mostly true story of the legendary "worst director of all time", who, with the help of his strange friends, filmed countless B-movies without ever becoming famous or successful. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Death of Stalin
2017 · TMDB 7.0/10 · 2,172 votes
When dictator Joseph Stalin dies, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to become the next Soviet leader. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
2019 · TMDB 7.9/10 · 1,894 votes
Against all the odds, a thirteen year old boy in Malawi invents an unconventional way to save his family and village from famine. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
Utøya: July 22
2018 · TMDB 7.1/10 · 456 votes
A teenage girl fights for survival and to locate her young sister during the 2011 terrorist attack at a political summer camp on the Norwegian island of Utøya. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.
The Physician
2013 · TMDB 7.3/10 · 1,208 votes
England, 1021: Born in a miserable mining town, Robert Cole swears to become a physician and vanquish disease and death. This title fits the list's theme and selection thresholds.