New Year's Resolutions 2026: 7 Movies To Motivate Your Fitness Journey
It’s now 2026, and the old motto “New Year, New You” will ring true to many out there who have embarked on their New Year’s resolutions. The most popular resolution is always to get in better shape. But for most, that fitness journey will be short-lived. If you hit the gym like me, you already know how common it is for gyms to get extremely crowded in January, and then to return to normal by February, with most people giving up on their health goals after a few short weeks.
But if you’re one of the dedicated few who really want to stick with it, you’ll need lots of inspiration to keep you motivated. Luckily, there are tons of great movies out there that can motivate and inspire you to be your best self and get in shape. If you find yourself struggling and needing an extra oomph to keep you going, check out the list below to discover great movies that’ll keep you motivated during your New Year’s fitness journey. Plus, find out where they’re all streaming on Prime Video, Apple TV, and more.
Brittany Runs a Marathon centers around Brittany (Jillian Bell), an overweight woman in her late 20s who is starting to feel the physical toll of her high-stress, low-joy lifestyle. To better herself, she decides to get in shape and run a marathon. But along the way, she discovers that she’s doing more than just losing weight; she’s gaining confidence and finding herself.
The movie is a great inspirational comedy, perfect for anyone who loves funny hits like Trainwreck (2015). Plus, it has a surprisingly great supporting cast, including SNL’s Mikey Day and Utkarsh Ambudkar from Ghosts (2021). For anyone starting their fitness journey, this is a seriously relatable (and totally uplifting) movie, guaranteed.
Based on the 2012 memoir of the same name by Cheryl Strayed, Wild sees Reese Witherspoon portraying Strayed as a depressed drug addict consumed by grief after the death of her mother, which caused her family to fall apart. Lost, miserable, and aimless, Strayed decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. With little to live for, she no longer cares if the hike kills her. But once she begins her journey, she discovers she’s stronger than she ever imagined.
Wild is a fantastic movie and earned both Witherspoon and Laura Dern Oscar nominations for their roles. If you love the ideas behind Eat Pray Love (2008), like finding strength and bettering yourself, but want a story that’s actually the real deal instead of just an overprivileged woman taking an extended vacay, this is the movie for you.
Also based on a famous book, 2015’s A Walk in the Woods is an adaptation of Bill Bryson’s hilarious memoir of the same name. In the book, the aging author meets up with an old buddy, and together they hike the Appalachian Trail. As two older men, the book is naturally filled with hilarious moments of creaky ankles and pulled muscles, making it a fun and motivational story for anyone getting into shape who understands all the snaps, crackles, and pops that come along with it.
Robert Redford stars as Bryson, with Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, Nick Offerman, and Mary Steenburgen joining him in the cast. If you loved 2010’s The Way (which is a fantastic movie, btw), but want a hiking story filled with a bit more joy instead of bittersweet remembrance, this is the movie for you.
Heavyweights centers around a group of boys who are sent to a summer “fat camp” to lose weight. Ben Stiller plays the oppressive, evil camp counselor, who adds a good dose of over-the-top comedy to the role. Heavyweights is a perfect film for anyone trying to lose weight because, despite being a funny, family-friendly movie, it tackles the stigma and mockery that our society places on obese people.
It’s a story of the “fat kids” getting revenge on their mean counselor, and finding friendship and motivation along the way. Think of it like The Sandlot (1993) but with a great fitness message at its heart. For anyone feeling intimidated by the gym or feeling insecure after putting on their first Lulu shirt and realizing the fabric will show Every. Single. Inch. of you beneath it, Heavyweights is a must-watch.
No, The Covenant has nothing to do with fitness or bettering yourself. But it is definitely a good movie for some fitness inspiration because it’s loaded with hunks who are often shirtless or naked. The plot has something to do with witches or whatever, but the film is basically a homoerotic romp about a group of guys who are magical. They swim in Speedos, they shower naked, and they have shirtless drama. It’s like horny Harry Potter.
Plus, it stars Sebastian Stan, Chase Crawford, and Taylor Kitsch. Whether you want these bodies or want their bodies, The Covenant definitely shows what’s possible with exercise and a good diet. Hubba hubba. If you liked The Craft (1996) but wish it had more hunks (was Skeet Ulrich not enough?), then watch The Covenant.
In Run Fatboy Run, funnyman Simon Pegg is struggling with depression, his weight, and self-esteem after ruining the best relationship he ever had. To win her back, he decides to join her new, more handsome, more fit boyfriend in a marathon to try and prove himself worthy. But, just like in Brittany Runs a Marathon, Pegg quickly discovers that getting in shape isn’t just about losing weight; it’s about gaining self-esteem and discovering the reason why you’re working toward the goal.
Run Fatboy Run is a great movie for anyone trying to get in shape, thanks to its heart and humor. It will also feel super relatable, too, since many people find themselves trying to get back in shape after a breakup.
Brendan Fraser won an Oscar for his performance in The Whale. The movie follows Charlie (Fraser), a morbidly obese teacher who has become reclusive because of his weight and the strain it’s put on his ability to live life. The Whale isn’t a story about getting into shape; it’s an incredibly painful movie about how morbid obesity can slowly kill you and take your life away. But sadly, it’s also the reality of what an unhealthy lifestyle can do.
Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need to motivate yourself to get in shape. It’s not just about six-pack abs or looking good in a bikini. Getting healthy is about keeping your body safe from the numerous health ailments that come from weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle. The Whale is a sobering, heartbreaking look at obesity. But it’s also a chance for viewers to vow to be better, healthier versions of themselves.
