Life is often made up of the small and seemingly insignificant moments that we tend to overlook in the rush of routines of our daily lives. However, the following movies are a mix of Hollywood along Bollywood gems that will remind you of the beauty in life’s quieter moments and leave you reflecting on what truly matters. These stories are not only just entertaining but they are also powerful reminders to cherish the little things. In this article, we explore the ten unforgettable Netflix movies that help you appreciate the small joys of your life.
1. The Pursuit of the Happyness (2006)
The Pursuit of Happyness is the heart-wrenching as well as inspiring story of Chris Gardner, and it was played by Will Smith. The Gardner is the struggling salesman who faces homelessness while raising his young son (played by Jaden Smith). What makes this movie deeply touching is its portrayal of the perseverance of the Gardners in the face of unrelenting hardship. Despite the countless setbacks, his undying hope, as well as his love for his son, keep him going.
Lesson: The beauty of life lies in resilience and love, and even during the darkest times, holding onto hope can be the biggest strength.
One of the greatest pieces of advice from a movie.
— cinemathusiast (@cinemathusiast) September 23, 2024
🎬The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) pic.twitter.com/NE2l4Pme0A
2. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara takes us on a road trip across Spain with the three friends including, Arjun, Imran as well as Kabir, played by Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar along with Abhay Deol. What starts as the trip of the bachelor soon becomes a journey of self-discovery and the film underlines living in the present, embracing the adventure as well as facing your fears.
Lesson: Life is meant to be lived in the present, and don’t wait for the “right” moment just take a leap and live it fully now.
Here’s celebrating a film that taught us how to truly live! Here’s to 8 Years of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara!@FarOutAkhtar #KatrinaKaif @iHrithik @kalkikanmani @AbhayDeol @ritesh_sid #ZoyaAkhtar#8YearsOfZNMD pic.twitter.com/rtoqwYcJ9C
— Excel Entertainment (@excelmovies) July 15, 2019
3. Forrest Gump (1994)
The Forrest Gump is the timeless Hollywood classic starring Tom Hanks as the titular character whose innocence, along with their simple approach to life, makes him a memorable figure. On top of that, the movie takes us through Forrest’s extraordinary life, full of unexpected achievements, from becoming the war hero to running across the country.
Lesson: Kindness as well as simplicity guide us through the difficulties of life, and sometimes, all it takes is doing the right thing, no matter how small.
On #ThisDayinHistory 1994, the movie Forrest Gump opens in U.S. theaters. The film starred Tom Hanks in the title role of Forrest, a good-hearted man who winds up at the center of key cultural and historical events. #lifeislikeaboxofchocolates pic.twitter.com/SK9YZ5nWwL
— HISTORY (@HISTORY) July 6, 2018
4. Piku (2015)
Directed by Shoojit Sircar, the Piku is a refreshing Bollywood film about the intricate relationship between the Piku (Deepika Padukone) as well as her ageing father (Amitabh Bachchan). As the Piku grapples with her professional life, she also cares for her father, who is obsessed with his health and particularly his issues of digestion and their trip of the road to Kolkata brings out frustrations, humour and very deep love.
Lesson: Love lies in the small, and sometimes it is in the irritating details of life. Cherishing family, even in their quirks, will bring unexpected joy.
5. Amélie (2001)
In this French gem directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Amélie (Audrey Tautou) is the quirky young woman living in Paris who decides to bring happiness to the lives of others through small, secret acts of kindness. Most importantly, her journey to help others also leads her to find herself as well as love.
Lesson: The magic of life lies in the small moments, and even the smallest acts of kindness can transform lives, including your own.
Amélie (2001) pic.twitter.com/cJrUxCSXM5
— Film Craze (@film_craze) June 14, 2024
6. Dear Zindagi (2016)
This movie Starring Alia Bhatt and the king of Romance, Shah Rukh Khan, Dear Zindagi, is a Bollywood film about mental health, self-discovery as well as healing. The Kaira (Alia Bhatt) is a young cinematographer dealing with unresolved emotional issues when she meets Dr. Jehangir Khan (SRK), who helps her find the way of life’s difficulties.
Lesson: Mental health is just as important as physical health. Accepting as well as loving your imperfections leads to a fuller, richer life.
dear zindagi is literally the kind of comfort movie i would always relate to pic.twitter.com/HOJzBE2zc8
— 𓅪 (@alfiyastic) October 15, 2024
7. Soul (2020)
This Pixar animation tells the story of Joe Gardner (voiced by Jamie Foxx) the jazz musician who finds himself at the crossroads between life as well as the afterlife. The Soul is the profound exploration of the purpose, passion, along meaning of life. While Joe initially believes his purpose is to play jazz, he later learns that life’s true beauty lies in the small everyday moments like eating a slice of pizza or feeling the wind on your face.
Lesson: The drive of life is not about one outstanding achievement, but more than that, it is about enjoying every moment, no matter how simple it is.
8. The Lunchbox (2013)
This movie is directed by Ritesh Batra as well and it revolves around the mistaken delivery by the famous lunchbox delivery system of Mumbai. It connects the two lonely individuals, Saajan (Irfan Khan) along Ila (Nimrat Kaur). Moreover, through the exchange of the notes in the lunchbox, they both form an unexpected bond as well as it remind us of the beauty of human connection. Lastly, the lunchbox is a subtle yet powerful reminder of how small gestures like a well-cooked meal or a kind of lovely note can touch someone’s heart.
Lesson: from this movie, the lesson is that even the small signals of kindness, as well as connection, have profound effects on others.
10 years ago today #TheLunchbox released in India. A wishing train I got on by sheer providence that continues to take me to all the right stations…
— Nimrat Kaur (@NimratOfficial) September 20, 2023
The fragrance grows, the taste gets richer and the love deepens.
Long live the magic of movies…💌♥️♾️ #10YearsOfTheLunchbox… pic.twitter.com/xYuOOIAZd7
9. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
This great movie was directed and starring by Ben Stiller. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty follows the journey of the timid man who boards on an extraordinary adventure to find the missing photograph; well, this movie inspires the viewers to step out of their ease zones and live life fully instead of just imagining it and the transformation of the Walter from the passive observer to an active participant in the life reminds us to grab the moment and take the risks.
Lesson: Do not only envision life. Just living that life, as well as also taking the leap into the unknown, leads to odd experiences.
the secret life of walter mitty (2013) dir. ben stiller pic.twitter.com/s2vuZMfLli
— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) March 30, 2024
10. Barfi (2012)
This Indian Bollywood movie Barfi is directed by Anurag Basu, and it stars Ranbir Kapoor as Barfi, mute along with the deaf man and here the actress Priyanka Chopra as Jhilmil, a girl with autism and the film beautifully portrays the love between these two characters despite their disabilities, along with the issues they face.
Lesson: Barfi teaches us that pleasure does not depend on the physical abilities or the expectations of society but on love as well as acceptance.
Box Office, Budget, and Verdict Summary
| Movie | Lead Actors | Director | Producer | Budget (USD / INR) | Box Office (USD / INR) | Verdict |
| The Pursuit of Happyness | Will Smith, Jaden Smith | Gabriele Muccino | Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal | $55M / ₹460 Cr | $307M / ₹2,570 Cr | Blockbuster |
| Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara | Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Katrina Kaif | Zoya Akhtar | Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar | ₹60 Cr / $7.2M | ₹90 Cr / $12M | Hit |
| Forrest Gump | Tom Hanks | Robert Zemeckis | Wendy Finerman | $55M / ₹460 Cr | $678M / ₹5,600 Cr | Blockbuster |
| Piku | Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan | Shoojit Sircar | N.P. Singh, Ronnie Lahiri | ₹25 Cr / $3M | ₹141 Cr / $19M | Hit |
| Amélie | Audrey Tautou | Jean-Pierre Jeunet | Claudie Ossard | $10M / ₹83 Cr | $173M / ₹1,420 Cr | Blockbuster |
| Dear Zindagi | Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan | Gauri Shinde | Gauri Khan, Karan Johar | ₹35 Cr / $4.2M | ₹139 Cr / $18.5M | Hit |
| Soul | Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey | Pete Docter | Dana Murray | $150M / ₹1,260 Cr | $121M / ₹1,000 Cr | Hit |
| The Lunchbox | Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur | Ritesh Batra | Guneet Monga | ₹22 Cr / $2.6M | ₹100 Cr / $13M | Hit |
| The Secret Life of Walter Mitty | Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig | Ben Stiller | Samuel Goldwyn Films | $90M / ₹760 Cr | $188M / ₹1,580 Cr | Hit |
| Barfi | Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra | Anurag Basu | Ronnie Screwvala | ₹30 Cr / $3.6M | ₹175 Cr / $22M | Blockbuster |
FAQ
What are the themes of these movies?
These movies highlight resilience, love, self-discovery, and appreciating small moments in life.
Are these films suitable for all ages?
Most films are family-friendly, though some may tackle mature themes and emotions.
Where can I watch these movies?
All the listed movies are available for streaming on Netflix.
Do these films have positive messages?
Yes, they emphasize the importance of kindness, love, and cherishing life’s little moments.
Are there any adaptations among the movies?
Some films, like “The Lunchbox,” have been adapted from short stories or novels.
What is the significance of the lessons learned?
The lessons encourage viewers to reflect on their lives and appreciate everyday experiences.