The 20 Most Inspirational Speeches On Movies

There are plenty of good movies made every year. But some movies stand out from the rest for various reasons. In this case, we're talking about inspirational speeches, the kinds of speeches given by important characters to a group of people of any size, small or large, prodding them to look inside themselves and find the ability to achieve something great. In some cases its as fun as a sports victory, in other cases it's as important as saving the world. But in every case, it's about finding courage and not being afraid of doing the right thing.

19.) Knute Rockne, All American (1940)

Why It's Inspirational:

George Gipp, the famous football player from Notre Dame lay dying from a throat infection, and asked Knute Rockne to "win just one." Who can deny a dying man's last request?

Best Line:

"Win just one for the Gipper."

16.) Wall Street (1987)

Why It's Inspiring:

People are always afraid of being "greedy," but Gordon Gekko is showing that greed makes the world turn.

Best Line:

"Greed is good."

15.) Friday Night Lights (2004)

Why It's Inspiring:

For the people who played high school sports, you understand the idea of playing a final game; after high school, your organized sports career is over. Billy Bob Thornton plays on this concept, uses it to inspire his seniors into playing their best--one last time.

Best Line:

"Put each other in your hearts forever, because forever is about to happen here in a few moments."

13.) Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Why It's Inspiring:

This speech stands out in that it's not a positive speech...Baldwin is just shitting on the guys in the office, but he's still technically inspiring them to sell real estate.

Best Line:

Impossible to pick one. The entire speech is amazing.

12.) 300 (2007)

Why It's Inspiring:

Leading an army to face a gigantic enemy army is the exact situation that requires a dramatic speech

Best Line:

"This day, we rescue a world from mysticism and tyranny, and usher in a future brighter than anything we can imagine."

11.) Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Why It's Inspiring:

On paper, the decision to send men to save just one life seems like a bad call. Why risk these men when they could be useful to the war in other places? But George Marshall uses the great Abraham Lincoln as a model for what he believes; sometimes the right thing can't be put on paper.

Best Line:

"That boy's alive. And we're going to get him the hell outta there."

10.) Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Why It's Inspiring:

How can you not be inspired when R. Lee Ermy is screaming rapid fire insults into your face?

Best Line:

The entire scene is too amazing to pick just one line.

9.) Any Given Sunday (1999)

Why It's Inspiring:

Al Pacino should start a business giving inspiring speeches for money. He could just use the speeches from his films and adapt the words to whatever situation you need. Anyway, Tony D'Amato is a man who accepts the fact that he's made mistakes, and relates his life experiences to football, inspiring his team to be the best they can.

Best Line:

"In either game, life or football, the margin of error is so small, I mean, one half a step too late or too early, and you don't quite make it, one half second too slow or too fast, you don't quite catch it, the inches we need are everywhere, they're all around us."

8.) Band Of Brothers

Why It's Inspiring:

A lot of people might find this to be an interesting choice for an "inspiring speeches" list, but notice that the German General delivering the speech is from the regular German army, not associated with SS of the Nazi party. Despite defeat, his words ring true for any man in combat.

Best Line:

"We have found in one another a bond that exists only in combat."

7.) Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003)

Why It's Inspiring:

Fighting the forces of evil already takes some brass balls, but even the brassiest of balls requires a little shove. Aragorn's quick speech incites strength into his men, which they then used to fuck up some orcs.