From tales of unlikely geniuses to emotional journeys of self-discovery, these films – some already being cult classics, others being extremely underrated – are sure to hit that "Good Will Hunting" sweet spot.
25. "The Pursuit of Happyness" (2006)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he embarks on a life-changing professional endeavor, battling against all odds to build a better life.
24. "Freedom Writers" (2007)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%
A young, idealistic teacher inspires her at-risk students in a racially divided Los Angeles school to express themselves through writing, transforming their lives and her own.
23. "Finding Forrester" (2000)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 74%
A reclusive, renowned author mentors a gifted young African-American student from the Bronx, helping him develop his writing talent and navigate unexpected life challenges.
22. "A Beautiful Mind" (2001)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 74%
The true story of John Nash, a brilliant but asocial mathematician, who battles paranoid schizophrenia while making groundbreaking contributions to his field.
21. "The Theory of Everything" (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%
The life of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, focusing on his groundbreaking work and his relationship with his wife, amidst the challenges of motor neuron disease.
20. "Wonder Boys" (2000)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%
A creatively blocked college professor and writer grapples with his chaotic personal life and career over a tumultuous weekend that includes an eccentric student and a dead dog.
19. "Into the Wild" (2007)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
Based on a true story, a young man abandons his possessions and savings to journey into the Alaskan wilderness, seeking a deeper meaning to life.
18. "Dead Poets Society" (1989)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%
An unconventional English teacher inspires his conservative students at a prestigious boarding school to pursue their passions and "seize the day."
17. "Awakenings" (1990)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%
A dedicated neurologist uses an experimental drug to "awaken" catatonic patients who survived the 1917–1928 epidemic of encephalitis lethargica, leading to miraculous and poignant results.
16. "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%
A young underachiever is sent to Italy to retrieve a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy, but when the friendship sours, he goes to extreme lengths to maintain a high-society lifestyle.
15. "The Fisher King" (1991)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%
A suicidal radio DJ forms an unlikely friendship with a homeless man on a quest for the Holy Grail, finding redemption and healing in New York City.
14. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" (2012)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%
A socially awkward teen navigates the highs and lows of high school under the guidance of two seniors, exploring friendship, love, and the scars of his past.
13. "Garden State" (2004)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
A struggling actor returns to his hometown for his mother's funeral, rekindling old friendships and a new romance, which lead him to confront his past and his emotional numbness.
12. "Donnie Darko" (2001)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%
A troubled teenager, guided by an imaginary friend, a giant rabbit named Frank, navigates a series of bizarre and surreal events, culminating in a profound existential crisis.
11. "Rain Man" (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
A selfish young man discovers his estranged brother is an autistic savant, and as they journey across the country, he learns the importance of family and understanding.
10. "Ordinary People" (1980)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
A family struggles with loss and guilt after the death of one son and the attempted suicide of another, exposing deep emotional wounds and the journey towards healing.
9. "The Breakfast Club" (1985)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Five high school students from different social groups are forced to spend a Saturday together in detention, where they find common ground and challenge their stereotypes.
8. "The Dead Zone" (1983)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
After waking from a coma, a schoolteacher discovers he has psychic abilities, enabling him to see a person's future with a mere touch, leading to moral dilemmas and a dangerous political discovery.
7. "The Imitation Game" (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
The true story of Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician who decrypted German intelligence codes for the British government during World War II, while facing personal and legal struggles as a gay man.
6. "Stand and Deliver" (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
A determined math teacher inspires his underprivileged Hispanic students to overcome barriers and achieve academic success in advanced calculus.
5. "To Sir, with Love" (1967)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
An engineer turned teacher challenges the rowdy behavior of his disadvantaged students in London's East End, earning their respect and teaching valuable life lessons.
4. "Half Nelson" (2006)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
A young, idealistic teacher in an inner-city school forms a unique bond with a student, as both struggle with their personal demons and the realities of their environments.
3. "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
A dysfunctional family embarks on a cross-country trip in their VW bus to support their young daughter's dream of competing in a beauty pageant.
2. "October Sky" (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
Inspired by the first Sputnik launch, a young coal miner's son in 1950s West Virginia pursues his dream of building rockets, defying his father's expectations and his town's norms.
1. "Silver Linings Playbook" (2012)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
A man with bipolar disorder tries to rebuild his life and reconcile with his ex-wife, finding unexpected solace and understanding with a young widow.