With a global pandemic at hand, 2020 is by far an extremely challenging year that changed everything. From total lock-down and economic recess to a major change in the workflow of different industries. Whether you are working remotely, started to get back to the office or never stopped going to work at the first place, it must have been hard.

During the hard times, we tend to be overwhelmed or drained from what is happening around us. Hence, we made a list of movies and TV shows that will help you feel refreshed, and spark your passion and enthusiasm to work again.

1) Lan Aeesh Fe Gelbab Abi- لن أعيش فى جلباب أبي

Lan Aeesh Fe Gelbab Abi

Lan Aeesh Fe Gelbab Abi is one of the Egyptian drama’s classics. The TV show follows Egypt’s favorite family, Abd El Ghafour El-Boraay (Nour El-Sherif) and his household going through the ups and downs of life. The success story of Abd El Ghafour, from being an illiterate street beggar to a billionaire is genuinely inspiring. With the relatable and funny character of his wife, Fatma (Abla Kamel), and the lovable ensemble cast, Lan Aeesh Fe Gelbab Abi is the perfect entertaining success story you could watch!

2) She Made Me a Criminal- جعلتني مجرماً

She Made Me a Criminal’s movie poster

She Made Me a Criminal is one of Ahmed Helmy’s most famous movies, that is now streamed on Netflix. The comedy movie is about a wealthy girl, Malak (Ghada Adel), who fakes her own kidnapping, alongside a naive guy, Roshdy (Ahmed Helmy), in order to get her trust fund money from her wealthy, yet miserable father. The constant yet failed aspirations of Roshdy to become a successful businessman is somehow inspirational.

Malak’s shenanigans and the romantic spark between the 2 main characters spice up an indirect struggle story of a wannabe entrepreneur. “Eat yourself before someone else eats you”, is one of Roshdy’s quotes, that shows his great potential. He finally makes it, even though he was rejected at first. This is one encouraging and light success story that might inspire you to ‘make it’ too!

3) The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness’ movie poster

Based on a book with the same name, The Pursuit of Happyness is a biographical movie about Chris Gardner, a struggling salesperson who takes an unpaid internship at a highly competitive brokerage firm, after losing his life’s earnings to a failed investment. Starred by Will Smith and his son Jaden, the movie is a strong portrait of struggle and resilience to achieve one’s aspirations, without having the odds in one’s favor.

The duo between the main character, Chris Gardner and his son Christopher is extremely inspiring, where a father tries so hard to set a good example for his son and teach him valuable lessons in life. The movie’s dialogue and story-line is insightful and will certainly leave you inspired to work and meet that deadline. Moreover, the movie is available on Netflix, so this is a plus!

4) Spotlight

Spotlight’s movie poster

Directed by Tom McCarthy, Spotlight, the Academy award winner for Best Picture, is the story of Boston Globe’s one-year-long investigative reporting that unravels the massive child molestation of the local Catholic Church, and its cover-up for decades. The true story is extremely inspiring, on so many levels. The passion and dedication of the six reporters to find truth, bring justice to the victims and fight the patriarchy of the US’ religious institution is furious and energizing.

The Pulitzer-winning newspaper sets a great example in the proficiency of the journalistic job, putting the public’s welfare above anything. In addition, this movie is a must-watch for journalism students, since it gives useful insights and information about the great coverage of the incident.

5) The Intern

The Intern’s movie poster

Starred by Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway, The Intern is the perfect “after work, need something light to watch” kind of movie. The story is about Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro), a 70-year-old widower, who takes a senior internship to fill his free time, in a fashion start-up. The exposure of Whittaker, the old typical employee to the modern startup’s workplace is funny and uplifting.

Over the course of the movie, the senior intern changes the workplace’s policies to ones that are more efficient. Moreover, he acts as a mentor for both his co-workers and boss. The message of the movie is to invest your free time in something productive, and boldly sends a message to the audience that it is never too late to learn. The ensemble of the main characters makes the movie relatable and funny. This is a must-watch, and it is available on Netflix.

6) The Internship

The Internship’s movie poster

When 2 salesmen Nick (Owen Wilson) and Billy (Vince Vaughn) find themselves unemployed, they take an internship at Google. Trying to compete in Silicon Valley’s technology firm, they learn many lessons along the way. The unknowledgeable pair gets through many challenges that help them to rediscover many important notions, including competition, teamwork and learning.

Through their funny failures, the movie shows us that it is never too late to learn and experience something new. Moreover, it makes us realize how it is important to always be up-to-date with what is happening around us, whether in technology or other industries. Highly recommended!

7) The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada’s movie poster

The Devil Wears Prada is a typical portrait of the tyrannical demanding boss, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), and the aspiring journalist, Andy (Anne Hathaway) who comes to New York to achieve her dreams. The 2006-American movie touches our professional aspirations and focuses on the fine line between doing your job and ruthlessly becoming a workaholic. A movie about aspirations, moral dilemmas, office policies and the relation between the employee and the boss. All of these important topics, with a twist of fun and compassion.

Lacking personal motive and experiencing burn out is hard and challenging, let alone experiencing this during a global pandemic! That is why it is important to take a break, refresh, revisit your passion and eager that made you choose that job in the first place and most importantly to enjoy your 5 to 9!