With Boba Fett crawling out of the belly of the Sarlacc that swallowed him in Guardians of the Galaxy still overwhelmingly popular, not giving up is a theme at the heart of the very biggest movies and TV shows of today.
For viewers that seriously want to get inspired, Ranker posed the question of what the best movies about not giving up are to movie fans. The results include some of the most popular underdog tales of all time as well as some more niche gems.
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Akeelah And The Bee (2006)
Starring Keke Palmer as an 11-year-old girl determined to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee despite her mother's objections, Akeelah and the Bee is a movie all about what can be achieved if a person truly believes in themselves and their abilities. Keke's courage, nurtured by a kind tutor, unites a whole community around her.
Although the movie didn't do particularly well at the box office, it's a story that stays with the viewer for long after so it's not surprising that there are still plenty of fans. Lawrence Fishburne's turn as the eccentric tutor Dr. Larabee is another highlight of a feel-good film that anyone can enjoy.
Dark Waters (2019)
There have been some amazing legal dramas across the years about ordinary people battling for recognition against institutions with deep pockets and a vested interest in keeping things covered up. Based on a true story, Dark Waters is one of the best, starring Mark Ruffalo as Robert Bilot, an attorney determined to bring the truth about a chemical manufacturing company's careless and destructive actions to light.
Great movies all about environmental issues tend to be quite heavy in nature and Dark Waters is no exception. However, there is something compelling about a character determined to bring justice to the people of a town destroyed by reckless greed regardless of the powers he's up against. The movie resonated with a lot of people and proved an unsurprisingly popular choice with the movie fans on Ranker.
Hidden Figures (2016)
Loosely based on a non-fiction book about the African-American women who were crucial to the USA's victory in the space race and the barriers they faced that long went untold, Hidden Figures won a huge amount of critical acclaim for its story of perseverance. The movie features an impressive cast of talent including Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe in the central roles.
The movie doesn't shy away from showing the extent of the discrimination faced by women of color at that point in time but the strength of the characters involved shines through for the entire story. Fans were won over by the movie's unforgettable emotional moments and there are some Hidden Figures quotes that will always be powerful.
Rudy (1993)
Starring a pre-Rudy is about the real-life story of Rudy Ruettiger, a football player who aspires to play at the University of Notre Dame but doesn't have the grades to get in. Although it's a sports film, the movie is at its best when it shows Rudy overcoming his dyslexia to achieve his dream.
Full of the kinds of heartbreak and hope that only real life can provide, Rudy is a movie with a lot of heart. Whilst sports movies have their niche, it's rare for a film from that genre to have universal appeal. However, anyone can enjoy a story of a person rising despite their circumstances to achieve something genuinely amazing and that's reflected by the movie's significant fan base.
The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)
Arguably The Pursuit of Happyness is the biographical story of a bright salesman who is forced into the most brutal of circumstances while chasing a better life for himself and his son. The movie is tough to watch at times but it's more than worth it for the beautiful climax of the film that shows Will Smith at his absolute best.
Although it didn't receive overwhelmingly positive reviews, it's a crowd-pleasing movie that doesn't have any shortage of die-hard fans. The advantage of movies about perseverance is that they can lead to the most satisfying conclusions and that's certainly the case for the ever-popular The Pursuit of Happyness.
1917 (2019)
War films have a tendency to veer between inspirational and cynical and 1917 manages to tread the line well by showing the horrors of war whilst presenting a story of sheer perseverance in a dark moment of one of the deadliest wars the world has ever seen. Directed by Sam Mendes, the movie centers on two British soldiers on a mission to prevent a disastrous attempt at an offensive attack.
The movie sounds and looks incredible, thanks in no small part to the cinematography of Blade Runner 2049's Roger Deakins, and audiences appreciated that its emotional moments felt fully earned. As a result of getting nearly everything right, the movie managed to win over critics and fans alike.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Oddly for a story about not giving up, Good Will Hunting's main character, the titular Will Hunting, is an aimless youth who lacks ambition and sabotages almost any opportunity put his way. Will, played by Matt Damon, is a self-taught genius whose inner demons bring him into conflict even with the people trying to help him achieve his potential.
Instead, it is everyone else's perseverance and belief in Will that pays off, as he is finally able to confront the issues that cause him to drive them away. With a payoff that makes those struggles worth it, Good Will Hunting is almost a rarity in the form of a thoughtful and highly acclaimed film that is also a personal favorite for many.
Braveheart (1995)
A true underdog story from 13th-century Scotland, Braveheart stars Mel Gibson as Sir William Wallace, a warrior leading the Scots against the forces of England. Dramatic and full of the manliest of action as well as some questionable accents, Braveheart is a good old-fashioned war movie.
There are some famously brutal moments in the movie and points where it seems all hope is lost, but not giving up really is at the heart of Braveheart. The movie's idea of freedom being something worth fighting and even dying for still rings true for a lot of people today whilst an inspirational conclusion left many with a strong positive impression.
Rocky (1976)
A sports drama that spawned a franchise and launched Sylvester Stallone into global stardom, Rocky is still one of the most inspirational movies of all time. Rocky is the story of a working-class Philadelphia boxer called Rocky Balboa who was chosen at random to take on the world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed.
With what seems like insurmountable odds against him, a determined Rocky trains hard and his simple aim of lasting the full fight is endearingly humble. Winning the Academy Award for best picture despite its shoestring budget, Rocky is beloved by critics and fans alike, and for a lot of people, there isn't a movie more synonymous with perseverance.
The Martian (2015)
For most people, the prospect of being stranded on another planet after being left for dead is a horrific nightmare that could only end one way. In this Ridley Scott sci-fi, it's a situation that Mark Watney, portrayed by Matt Damon, is absolutely determined to survive. Making use of the meager supplies left behind to sustain himself, Mark dreams of a return to Earth.
Based on the novel of the same name by Andy Weir, the movie became a massive critical and commercial hit as its story of survival beyond the Earth's atmosphere captured audiences' imaginations. Now several years on, The Martian still remains the ultimate testament to a never-give-up attitude for a lot of movie fans.
