Although we’re almost two weeks into 2025, talks of “fresh starts” and “new beginnings” have not yet gone out of our feeds. While some people have already embraced 2025 with a clear soul and mind, others are still stuck in 2024 seeking an exit. While some have embraced the new year with a clear mind and open heart, others are still stuck in 2024, searching for an exit. In today’s article, ELLE editors have curated a list of movies that will guide you out of the past and into a fresh start this 2025.
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (2012)
In this raw yet hopeful story, Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) grapples with bipolar disorder while trying to rebuild his life after a mental breakdown. As he navigates relationships with family, friends, and the enigmatic Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), he learns that healing often comes from the unlikeliest of places. It’s a journey of embracing imperfection, discovering love in unexpected forms, and finding peace within yourself.
UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN (2003)
After a painful divorce, Frances (Diane Lane) buys a crumbling villa in Tuscany, hoping for a fresh start. But what unfolds is more than just a renovation of her home; it’s a profound journey of self-rediscovery, learning to embrace life’s unpredictability, and finding beauty in the messiness of it all. In Tuscany, she finds not only a new beginning, but the courage to live fully once again.
EAT PRAY LOVE (2010)
Based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir, this film follows a woman in her mid-thirties who, after a painful divorce, sets out on a year-long journey of healing across Italy, India, and Indonesia. As she indulges in food, seeks spiritual peace, and learns to love herself, she discovers that true happiness and fulfillment lie not in external circumstances, but in the deep connection with one’s own soul.
BEGIN AGAIN (2013)
A struggling music producer (Mark Ruffalo) and a talented but disillusioned singer-songwriter (Keira Knightley) form an unlikely partnership, creating music on the streets of New York City. As their collaboration evolves, they both experience a powerful rebirth. The movie is a beautiful reminder that music, art, and human connection have the power to heal wounds and spark transformation, no matter how broken you might feel.
GOOD WILL HUNTING (1997)
Will Hunting (Matt Damon) is a young janitor at MIT with an extraordinary gift for mathematics. But his past is filled with pain, and he struggles to break free from the shadows of his troubled childhood. As he works with a compassionate therapist (Robin Williams), Will learns that embracing vulnerability and opening up to the love and support around him is the key to unlocking his true potential.
FORREST GUMP (1994)
The unforgettable story of Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks), a man with limited intelligence but a heart of gold, who becomes an unlikely hero in historical moments that shape the world. Through Forrest’s simple yet profound perspective, we are reminded that life is unpredictable, and the key to living fully lies in embracing each moment with love, sincerity, and an open heart.
THE BUCKET LIST (2007)
Two elderly men, Edward (Jack Nicholson) and Carter (Morgan Freeman), both diagnosed with terminal illnesses, embark on a journey to fulfill a list of things they want to experience before they die. As they check off their bucket list, they discover that the greatest gift is not in what they do, but in the connections they make and the meaning they find in their final days. It’s a story of friendship, adventure, and the profound impact of living without regret.
WILD (2014)
After the loss of her mother and a series of personal struggles, Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) hikes the Pacific Crest Trail alone in an attempt to heal. This grueling journey through the wilderness forces Cheryl to confront her deepest fears, regrets, and the trauma she’s been running from. As she pushes her body and spirit to their limits, she finds the strength to forgive herself and embrace the possibility of redemption.
INTO THE WILD (2007)
Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) rejects society’s expectations and abandons his possessions to search for meaning in the Alaskan wilderness. As he sheds his past and strives for total freedom, he discovers the profound truth that solitude can provide deep insights into oneself—but that true fulfillment also comes from human connection. His journey is a poignant reminder that finding yourself sometimes means returning to others.
THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (2013)
Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller), an ordinary man with a vivid imagination, spends most of his life daydreaming about adventure. But when his job and the life he’s known begin to unravel, Walter embarks on an extraordinary journey that takes him to places he never thought he’d go. In the process, he discovers the courage to break free from his self-imposed limitations, reminding us that sometimes the most transformative adventures are the ones we take within ourselves.