Best Motivational TV Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now

by

Need a boost? Netflix has plenty of options to lift your spirits and inspire you – from funny comedies and moving documentaries to uplifting series and feel-good shows. While a weekend binge might not always feel productive, choosing something informative or cheerful can actually improve your mood and broaden your perspective. You can also escape with captivating travel shows or enjoy heartwarming reality TV – perfect for relaxing and recharging.

Need a creative boost? TV series can be incredibly inspiring, and because they have multiple episodes, that inspiration can stick with you longer than a movie. Here are some of the best motivational shows on Netflix that might give you the encouragement you’re looking for.

‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ (2015)


Netflix

If you’re looking for a fresh start and a boost of positivity, you should definitely watch Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The show follows Kimmy, who spent 15 years trapped in an underground bunker after being kidnapped and abused by the leader of a cult. Once he’s arrested, Kimmy is finally free to start over and build a new life for herself in New York City.

Despite dealing with a rather dark central idea, the show is a genuinely funny comedy that can brighten anyone’s day. Ellie Kemper, known for her role as Erin in the American version of The Office, leads this fantastic four-season series. It’s also created and written by Tina Fey, who infuses the show with her trademark warmth and wit.

‘My Life with the Walter Boys’ (2023)

In the series My Life with the Walter Boys, teenager Jackie Howard (Nikki Rodriguez) experiences a major life change when her parents unexpectedly pass away. She moves from New York to rural Colorado to live with a family friend and her many sons. Adjusting to a slower pace of life and coping with her loss proves challenging as she navigates this new environment.

Although My Life with the Walter Boys is primarily a teen romance, it’s resonated with a dedicated fanbase that appreciates more than just the typical storyline. At its core, the show is about overcoming challenges, finding where you belong, and the power of community and family. For viewers who feel lost or like they don’t fit in, the series offers a comforting and hopeful message, reminding them to persevere through tough times.

‘Physical 100’ (2023)


Netflix

Physical 100 is a Korean competition show where athletes from all over the country push their limits through a series of tough challenges. Contestants are eliminated until only one is left standing as the ultimate winner. The show’s success led to Physical Asia, a spin-off featuring teams from different Asian countries competing against each other.

Korean competition shows are great at highlighting the human side of things, and Physical 100 really emphasizes both athletic strength and the strong bonds between competitors. While the show might inspire you to get in shape, it’s the relationships between the athletes that truly make it special. Physical Asia, especially, was a heartwarming and enjoyable look at athletes from different countries, showcasing their skill and national pride, even with some natural moments of competition.

‘Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop’ (2023)


Netflix

In a TV landscape filled with options, the documentary series Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop stands out by celebrating the pioneering women of hip-hop. This four-part series weaves together past and present to share the inspiring stories of artists like Sha-Rock, Roxanne Shanté, and MC Lyte. These talented women overcame significant sexism in a male-dominated industry to pursue their passions and achieve success.

As a total film buff, I was really struck by this docuseries, which is beautifully directed by Carri Twigg, Raeshem Nijhon, Dream Hampton, and Hannah Beachler. It’s honestly a vital watch – it gives so much deserved recognition to the pioneering women who fearlessly chased their artistic visions. Seeing archival footage alongside really honest conversations with Queen Latifah, Rah Digga, Monie Love, and Remy Ma, you get a powerful sense of the struggles they faced, the obstacles they overcame in the ’80s, and ultimately, how they found their power.

‘Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates’ (2019)


Netflix

The three-part documentary series, Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates, offers a fascinating look at the life and mind of tech icon Bill Gates. Featuring interviews with Gates and those closest to him, the series reveals the story behind his decision to leave Harvard, his relentless dedication to building Microsoft, and how he balanced his career with family life. It explores both the energy and the quiet drive that fueled his success and endless curiosity.

This captivating documentary series, directed by Academy Award-winner Davis Guggenheim, provides a unique glimpse into the mind of Bill Gates. It’s a truly inspiring look at intelligence, highlighting that success means little without empathy and kindness. The series emphasizes that with dedication and generosity towards a passion, anything is possible.

‘Life on Our Planet’ (2023)


Netflix

Life on Our Planet explores the incredible four-billion-year story of life on Earth, showing how evolution has shaped the world we know today. Featuring stunning footage and narrated by Morgan Freeman, the series highlights the dramatic changes happening to our planet due to human impact. Despite these changes, nature’s ability to adapt and endure is powerfully displayed. This moving and hopeful series addresses the loss of plant and animal species, the effects of climate change, and what we can do to create a more sustainable future.

David Attenborough’s latest work, Life on Our Planet, shares the hopeful yet serious tone of his other documentaries. The eight-part series uses the story of Earth’s history to deliver an important message. It shows both the beauty of our world and the losses it has suffered, all with stunning visuals – particularly the engaging live-action footage. Ultimately, the series inspires viewers to work together to protect the planet and its inhabitants by highlighting nature’s vulnerability and resilience.

‘Down to Earth with Zac Efron’ (2020)


Netflix

Zac Efron, the famous actor, teams up with superfoods expert Darin Olien to travel the world and discover ways to live healthier and more sustainably. In the first season, they visit places like France, Puerto Rico, London, and Iceland, where Efron tries out unique activities – from beekeeping and milking goats to learning about apple farming in Peru and climbing trees in the Amazon. Through these experiences, Efron develops a deeper understanding and respect for nature and a simpler way of life.

Zac Efron’s engaging personality makes learning about sustainability fun and approachable. His show, Down to Earth with Zac Efron, has two seasons: the first travels the globe, while the second focuses entirely on Australia. The series is built around genuine experiences and stories, sparking new ideas with each adventure. While it’s entertaining, the show also encourages viewers to live more responsibly and take action.

‘Gentefied’ (2020)


Netflix

Gentefied is a funny and heartfelt series created by Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chávez. It’s set in Los Angeles, where a neighborhood is changing quickly, and follows three Mexican-American cousins as they try to achieve their dreams without losing touch with their family and culture. One of the cousins, Chris, is a talented chef who wants to save his grandfather’s taco shop, but he’s deciding whether to stick with tradition or pursue a career in upscale restaurants.

The show Gentefied—a play on the word “gentrified”—explores what happens when wealthier, more fashionable people move into a neighborhood. It realistically depicts the struggles within families and how communities change due to economic pressures. The conversations between characters are funny, honest, and direct, but always feel genuine. Gentefied promotes a feeling of acceptance and community, and critics have praised it as both deeply personal and hilariously relatable.

‘Cobra Kai’ (2018)


Netflix

Decades after the original Karate Kid movies, Cobra Kai brought the intense rivalry between Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso back to life. Johnny, struggling with his own life, reopened the Cobra Kai dojo, but focused on a harsh, uncompromising approach that went against the traditional values of the martial art. Meanwhile, the successful Daniel promoted kindness and balance. Over the series, their students constantly clash, but everyone involved also discovers inner strength, learns to push through challenges, and ultimately finds meaning in their lives.

The show initially seems focused on competition – between Johnny and Daniel, and among the students. But at its core, it’s a story about pursuing your dreams, no matter your age or situation. We see the characters learn from their errors and stay true to what they believe in. Plus, the show’s playful nods to pop culture remind us that valuable life lessons can come from unexpected places.

‘Family Business’ (2019)


Netflix

Joseph, a young and somewhat unlucky shop owner, is struggling to keep his family’s kosher butcher shop afloat. When France considers legalizing cannabis, he gets a bold idea: transform the shop into the country’s first marijuana café. “Family Business” tells the story of this Parisian family’s efforts to make that dream a reality.

Family is at the heart of the show. They support each other through challenges with hard work and quiet strength, showing empathy and resilience. While they sometimes disagree – as all families do – the show really connects with viewers because it beautifully blends dramatic moments with a deep sense of unconditional love and support.

Read More

2026-03-20 21:36