The American dream has been the cultural foundation of the United States for centuries. It might seem naive, but history has proven how the country provides opportunities to all. In essence, the image of success and wealth is open to anyone who is willing to work hard. Sure, there are hardships and that obsession consumes many, but once in a while, that dream works. Here are Hollywood movies that capture this spirit in all its complex—at times amazing, other times heartbreaking—glory. Take it as inspiration or a cautionary tale, the allure of the “American Dream” doesn’t fade.
10. Hidden Figures (2016)
Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, ‘Hidden Figures‘ is a powerful movie about African-American women mathematicians working at NASA during the Space Race. Yes, it’s based on real life. Women back then might have dominated with their intelligence, but they faced prejudice and scorn left and right. Race and gender hindered their advancement, and affected the scope of the United States’ space program. The emotional and underdog elements of the movie resonate quite hard. And, they held on, owing to their American dreams.
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9. Forrest Gump (1994)
The story of ‘Forrest Gump‘ might be straightforward, but its poignant life lessons are timeless. Tom Hanks embodied the spirit of the titular character, who refuses to give up, and has a positive approach to life. Through sheer hard work, Gump becomes a military hero and then a businessman. The real-life allegory here is a strong possibility: life can be lived with a soft and kind heart, success can be achieved with perseverance, and relationships can be founded upon honor and selflessness.
8. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Even though the movie is set in India, the rags-to-riches theme of the story forms the very essence of American Dream. Dev Patel plays the role of Jamal Malik, a young man rising from the slums of Mumbai to the winner of a show on television. He walks away with fame and a million dollars. His journey is an example of luck, talent, and perseverance that merits a triumphant victory despite the toughest of circumstances.
7. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Russell Crowe portrays the role of a real, but ill-fated mathematician named John Nash in the perfectly tragic movie, ‘A Beautiful Mind.’ Despite experiencing schizophrenic episodes, Nash contributes to chase a theory, never letting his brilliance and creativity subside. Ultimately, the genius is awarded a Nobel prize. His success is inspiring. Through his journey, his close circle offers support, despite being wary of him going too deep. But, Nash, even if broken and battered in the end, soars over the resistance and follows his heart.
6. Erin Brockovich (2000)
The movie adaptation of whistleblower Erin Brockovich’s life is the highlight of Pretty Woman Julia Roberts’ career in Hollywood. Brockovich is a divorced mother of three who works as a legal clerk to make ends meet. She doesn’t know the ins and outs of law, having never pursued a formal degree, but she understands the worth of life against corporate greed. She ends up transforming the nation’s leading water and environmental enforcer after uncovering corruption. The California utility was knowingly polluting the water which affected the health of many residents, and led to the unfortunate deaths of others. The movie shows how one ordinary person can have an enormous impact in the world through sheer courage and determination. Seeking justice and change against all odds and winning a huge class-action lawsuit, now that’s a textbook case of American dream.
5. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
In Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ Leonardo DiCaprio plays the role of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who makes staggering amounts of money by illegitimate means. Belfort is great at what he does, and that power gets to his head. The movie shows how American Dream can lead to moral collapse, rendering no room for redemption, much less a happy ending. Maybe rejecting vices is the resounding message.
4. The Social Network (2010)
Who knew the creation of Facebook would make such a compelling story? Well, ‘The Social Network’ doesn’t throw technical terms, it shows the magnificent madness of building an empire from scratch. Jesse Eisenberg portrays Mark Zuckerberg in this tale of American Dream in contemporary society. His drive, his ingenuity, his quest for perfection delivered once-in-a-lifetime success, but at what cost? The film questions humanity and ethics in a society that can’t sense trouble until its too late.
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3. Rocky (1976)
One of the greatest depiction of a sports legend in cinema, the film sees the hapless Sylvester Stallone climbing the ranks of great boxers and cementing his legacy as Rocky Balboa. This underdog didn’t just cinch the world’s heavyweight title, but showed how constant evolution through relentless hard work makes history. When opportunity presents itself, Rocky understands he has to dive in, fired up by his dream. The takeaway is to embrace your skills, deal with doubts and carry on regardless of what comes your way.
2. The Great Gatsby (2013)
As everyone knows, there’s a darker side to attaining the American Dream. It’s not just the path of getting there, but what you do when you have all the gold, the endless food and free-flowing drinks that matter. Perhaps the literary exploration of American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s beloved novel, ‘The Great Gatsby‘ provides the answer. Its adaptation by Baz Luhrmann became a luxurious window into Jay Gatsby’s life. He was a self-made millionaire and threw extravagant parties in the hopes of rekindling a lost romance. But elevating class and making money doesn’t guarantee happiness. The story reveals how satisfaction can be elusive even in a gilded frame.
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1. The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)
Regarded as one the most inspirational movies, ‘The Pursuit Of Happyness’ is a heart-touching father-son story portrayed by Will Smith and his real son, Jaden. The movie echoes hope through the eyes of Chris Gardner. Here is a man beaten down by life, but he doesn’t let go of his values and desire to provide for his family in the face of challenges. As a struggling salesman, the Gardners end up on streets, finding comfort and strength in their bond. Eventually, Chris becomes a high-profile stockbroker, and gives his son a better life. The joy reverberates through their smiles to audience’s eyes as emotions become heavy. The brutal reality and sweet warmth of American dream doesn’t get better than this.
