If you are looking for the collection of the best movie speeches ever then you have come to the right place because in this post I have compiled a list of the top 15 inspirational movie speeches ever.
If you know anything about me then you will know that I love the art of communication. I love reading and I absolutely love speeches. Speeches are an extremely important part of our lives, whether you realise it or not.
I will enjoy movies not because of their action and adventure but because of their speeches. Speeches have the power to move you emotionally and to even change the way you think of life. Many people are afraid of speaking in public but if you can master the art of public speaking (like the characters in these movies have) it can impact your life dramatically.
There have been many great speeches in movies throughout movie history, some a lot better than others. I have compiled a list of what I believe to be the best movie speeches ever. All of these inspirational speeches from movies have some things in common.
They are extremely moving, they are uplifting and they inspire the viewer to live life to their full potential (even if they do it indirectly). These speeches come out of their character’s moment of strength and out of the wisdom they have gained from their lives (although fictional). By watching these you will be moved and changed forever, you might even pick up some tips about how to become a great public speaker.
I have listed them in ascending order. With the greatest movie speeches of all time being placed furthest down the page. These are all great movie speeches and I believe that everyone will agree. Watch them and enjoy.
15. The Replacements – Pain Heals, Chicks Dig Scars and Glory Lasts Forever
The replacements is a great movie about a team of misfits who are hired to play while the regular football starts go on strike for more money. The speech is short and sweet and informal, which is exactly fitting for this movie. Great speech and a movie well worth watching.
The movie doesn’t end at the grand final. The replacements are only hired for 4 games. This speech occurs during the final of their 4 games. They have already overcome bullying and much adversity to get them here. They are currently losing the game and need to make up for it in the final minutes.
14. Remember The Titans – A Lesson From The Dead
We all remember the remember the titans movie. It is awe inspiring, yet it contains humor and devastating drama. The story takes place at the time of integration of blacks and whites and this football team will have to deal with their colour issues if they ever want to win a game.
This film does not have a truly inspirational movie at the end. There is a locker room scene but it doesn’t qualify for the best movies speeches of all time. This speech however, does.
This speech occurs during a training camp where the black boys and the white boys are starting to come together as a team, despite much racial difficulty. After a long run coach Boone takes them to a sacred place to inspire unity between colors.
13. Dead Poets Society – Seize The Day
I have not seen this movie in a long time, but I was inspired by the fact that they could make a movie about poetry and it could still be interesting. Seize that day before it is too late.
This speech is delivered upon the introduction of the new teacher. He sets himself apart by teaching these boys about life and about the importance of every moment. The crescendo occurs later in the film where the teacher is forced out of his class (fired) and all the boys stand on their tables declaring “Oh Captain, My Captain”.
The concept of seizing the day and not letting it pass you by continues to inspire me, even though I first watched this movie over 10 years ago. Stand up, be inspired and make every day count. It is not so much the speech that is amazing but the impact it has on you.
12. Team America – Dicks F#@K Assholes – WARNING, LOTS OF SWEARING
Team America was a pretty controversial movie, and this speech is incredibly rude and strange. But yet it holds a great element of truth that we can all take home.
This speech happens towards the very end of the movie when Kim Jong Il and the Film Actor’s Guild are trying to destroy the world. This speech is hilarious, and if you look beyond the profanity it can actually be very inspiring.
11. Gladiator- My Name is Maximus
“My name is Maximus” – Damn I was I was as much of a man as this Gladiator was. The way he says it with such conviction is great to watch. Incredible movie and this speech continues to inspire me and give me goosebumps every time I watch it.
Maximus is stripped of his title as chief commander when the King is killed by his power hungry son. His wife is then murdered along with his children and he is forced to become a gladiator. He is so successful and becomes so famous that the new king comes to meet him and wants him to reveal his name.
The shock on the King’s face is priceless. He has just met his match. The movie then goes on to an epic battle between the Gladiator and the king.
10. Rocky Balboa – How Hard You Can Get Hit
Although Rocky does look like he has had a fair bit of plastic surgery he has a great story and gives a great speech all the same. It is amazing that the actor, Sylvestor Stallone, actually has a Rocky type story.
He got hit, and he got hit hard, but he kept coming back for more. He wanted to be an actor, and no one would have ever hired someone that looks like he does and that talks out of the side of their mouth like he does. But he got hit and came back, true inspiration.
9. Lord of The Rings – It is Not This Day
Lord of the Rings is the ultimate trilogy. This speech is given by Aragon, the king, at the black gates of Mordor. He was willing to give his life so that Frodo could have precious time to destroy the ring.
Obviously a poignant moment in the film, I find this speech more inspirational given the fact that Aragon and his army is facing certain death, unless of course Frodo and Sam can destroy the ring. A big gamble that pays off.
8. 300 – Final Speech
Man I wish I had bodies like these guys do, and spirits like they do. They know what they want, they know what they have to do and they go for it. If you are a guy you will love the movie for the raw masculinity, and if you are a woman you will love this movie for the raw masculinity also. 😉
7. The Miracle – Pre Game Speech
If it is based on a true story then it is all the more inspiring. This is the story of the Americans first victory over the Russians in Ice Hockey at the Olympics. They would not have achieved this without the genius of one coach, and they did achieve this and made history.
6. Independence Day – World Independence Day Speech
I watched independence day when I was a kid, but our TV was so blurry I couldn’t see what was happening. But I remembered it had a great speech. I watched it a second time JUST to see the speech. It is a good speech.
5. Armageddon – 14 Brave Souls Speech
Probably my favourite movie of all time, because it has everything in it – Action, Romance, Humour, Drama, Space. It is about the quest to destroy an asteroid heading towards earth (before it destroys the earth). It is extremely funny and emotional also. This speech is from the president of the united states as the astronauts are preparing to launch into space towards the asteroid.
4. Coach Carter – Our Deepest Fear Speech
Coach Carter is an incredible movie about a man who takes on coaching a basketball team in the trouble filled area of Richmond. This speach is from one of his students Timo Cruz who was almost killed working as a drug dealer. Inspiring speech and an incredibly inspiring movie.
3. Any Given Sunday – Al Pacino’s Speech
If I am completely honest with you I have never seen this movie. But I have watched this speech and I love it. An incredible speech and a great movie. Whoever wrote this is a genius.
2. Braveheart – Freedom
Obviously I was questioning putting this speech as number 1. It is based on a true story, it has an Australian in it (like me), it is based in Scotland (where my dad is from) and it is just an incredible speech of sacrifice for something higher than ourselves. But in the end I couldn’t justify putting it as the number 1 speech. Thus is comes in a close second for me in the running for the best movie speech of all time.
1. Lord of The Rings – The Tales That Mattered
It is expected that brave people like William Wallace make brave speeches to inspire those they lead. It is not expected that someone if relative insignificant, who is no great leader nor brave warrior, can make a speech so powerful that it brings you to tears and gives you goose bumps all over. This is definately the best inspirational movie speech of all time. Good work to the writers and the actors.
These are 15 great speeches, and I would say these are the 15 best inspirational speeches of all time. Over time more speeches will need to be added to this list, but these 15 speeches will remain great speeches that have touches the lives of thousands.