Best Movies About Teachers

From Stars: Steve Blum, Kirk Thornton, Jun'ichi Suwabe, Wataru Takagi, starring
Rated TV-MA

Great Teacher Onizuka (1999) is a Japanese film directed by Stars. The movie follows the story of Onizuka, a 22-year-old ex-biker and troublemaker who has just been hired as a teacher at a prestigious private high school. Onizuka quickly finds himself struggling to win the respect and admiration of his students, who are generally uninterested in learning. He uses his street smarts and unconventional methods to capture their attention and ultimately teach them the importance of self-confidence and respect for others. Along the way, Onizuka must also deal with his own inner demons, as he confronts his past and learns to accept his own flaws. Through his interactions with his students, Onizuka slowly begins to realize the potential of his own teaching skills and the power of education to transform lives.

From Directors: Aamir Khan, Amole Gupte, starring Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan, Tisca Chopra, Vipin Sharma
Rated PG

Like Stars on Earth is a 2007 Indian drama film directed by Aamir Khan and Amole Gupte. The film tells the story of an eight year old boy, Ishaan Awasthi (Darsheel Safary), who has difficulty in school because of his dyslexia. Ishaan's parents send him to a boarding school, where he meets his art teacher, Nikumbh (Aamir Khan), who helps him to overcome his academic difficulties and to unlock his true potential. With the help of Nikumbh, Ishaan discovers his artistic skills, and ultimately triumphs over his learning disability. The film follows Ishaan's transformation from a struggling student to a confident and successful young man.

From Thomas Vinterberg, starring Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Annika Wedderkopp, Lasse Fogelstrøm
Rated R

The Hunt is a 2012 drama film directed by Thomas Vinterberg. It stars Mads Mikkelsen as Lucas, a kind and popular teacher and divorced father. After a series of misunderstandings and false accusations, he is accused of sexually assaulting a young student, Klara, and is quickly ostracized by the entire community. As the accusations escalate and the pressure mounts, Lucas must fight to prove his innocence and regain the trust of his family and friends. Through it all, Lucas' steadfast commitment to his basic principles of honesty and justice are put to the test. The film explores themes of mob mentality, morality and the loss of innocence.

From Gus Van Sant, starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

Good Will Hunting is a 1997 American drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The film stars Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård, Minnie Driver, and Casey Affleck. It follows 20-year-old South Boston janitor Will Hunting, an unrecognized genius who, as part of a deferred prosecution agreement after assaulting a police officer, becomes a client of a therapist and studies advanced mathematics with a renowned professor. Through his therapy sessions, Will re-evaluates his relationships with his best friend, his girlfriend and himself, facing the significant task of confronting his past and thinking about his future. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning two: Best Supporting Actor for Robin Williams and Best Original Screenplay for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

From Arthur Penn, starring Anne Bancroft, Patty Duke, Victor Jory, Inga Swenson
Rated Approved

The Miracle Worker is a 1962 biographical drama film directed by Arthur Penn. It tells the story of Anne Sullivan (Anne Bancroft), a teacher who is determined to help blind, deaf and mute Helen Keller (Patty Duke) learn to communicate with the world around her. The film follows Anne's struggle to teach Helen how to understand language, as well as her struggles with Helen's parents, who are resistant to Anne's methods. Ultimately, through patience and perseverance, Anne succeeds in helping Helen understand language, and the two form a strong bond. The film depicts a triumphant true story of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, as well as the power of human connection.

From Peter Weir, starring Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles
Rated PG

Dead Poets Society is a 1989 American drama film written by Tom Schulman and directed by Peter Weir. Set in 1959 at the fictional elite conservative Welton Academy, it tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of literature and poetry. The protagonists are Neil Perry, an overachieving student who struggles with his passion for acting and his desire to please his demanding father, and Todd Anderson, an introverted, shy student who is struggling to live up to the expectations of his strict parents. The film follows the story of these students and their interactions with other members of the Dead Poets Society, an underground club they form in order to share their mutual love of poetry and freedom of expression. Through the guidance of their teacher, John Keating, they come to challenge the rules and conventions of the school, and ultimately come to define who they are and what they are capable of becoming.

From Shimit Amin, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Malvade, Sagarika Ghatge, Shilpa Shukla
Rated Not Rated

Let’s Go! India is a documentary film directed by Shimit Amin and released in 2007. It follows three young Indians from very different backgrounds - a slum dweller from Dharavi, a middle-class family from Chennai, and a tribal family from the jungles of Madhya Pradesh - as they embark on a life-changing journey to explore the culture and people of India. Along the way, they meet people from all walks of life, discover the beauty and richness of India, and learn about its history, its diversity, and its potential for unity and progress. The film is an inspiring and thought-provoking look at the issues of poverty, caste, and gender in India and how they can be overcome.

From Stars: Mikhail Kononov, Evgeniy Leonov, Rolan Bykov, Aleksandr Zbruev, starring

The Long Recess is a 1973 Russian comedy drama directed by Mikhail Kononov and stars Evgeniy Leonov, Rolan Bykov, and Aleksandr Zbruev. The film follows a group of boys from a small village in Russia who spend their summer vacation in the nearby forest. As the boys explore the forest, they come across a mysterious old man who teaches them the value of friendship and the importance of nature. Through this experience, the boys learn a lot of life lessons and gain a newfound appreciation for the wonder of the natural world. The film is a charming and heartfelt story of friendship, adventure, and discovery.

From Hwang Dong-hyuk, starring Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Hyeon-soo Kim, Jee-Young Kim
Rated Not Rated

Silenced is a South Korean drama film based on the novel The Crucible by Gong Ji-young. The film follows Kang In-ho, a newly appointed teacher at a school for the hearing-impaired. He quickly discovers that the school is plagued by physical and sexual abuse at the hands of its administrators and staff. Determined to expose the truth, In-ho takes on the powerful forces determined to silence him and fights for the justice of his students. With courage and perseverance, he attempts to bring the perpetrators to justice and reveal the truth. Along the way, he faces opposition from a corrupt school system, a complicit police force, and a society that turns a blind eye to the suffering of the vulnerable.

From Stanislav Rostotskiy, starring Vyacheslav Tikhonov, Irina Pechernikova, Nina Menshikova, Mikhail Zimin

We'll Live Till Monday is a 1968 Soviet drama written and directed by Stanislav Rostotskiy. It tells the story of a young family in the rural Soviet Union struggling with financial hardship, illness, and family strife. The family is comprised of two young children, their mother, and their father, who is a veteran of World War II. The family's problems are exacerbated when the father decides to take a job in the city, leaving the mother to take care of the kids. As the family faces one hardship after another, they must rely on each other to survive until Monday, when the father is set to return home. Through a combination of realism and lyricism, We'll Live Till Monday paints a vivid portrait of a struggling family trying to make it through the weekend.

From Directors: Sam Wood, Sidney Franklin, starring Robert Donat, Greer Garson, Terry Kilburn, John Mills
Rated Unrated

Goodbye, Mr. Chips is a 1939 British drama film directed by Sam Wood and Sidney Franklin. The film stars Robert Donat as Arthur Chipping, a beloved school teacher at a British boys' private school who has dedicated his life to educating generations of students. The film follows his life from his arrival as a shy young man to his retirement as a respected headmaster. Along the way, he falls in love with a beautiful woman, Kathie, played by Greer Garson, who helps him to become the teacher that his students will never forget. The film is a touching story of devotion, love, and friendship that proves that age doesn't always have to mean a lack of joy and passion for life.

From Nicolas Philibert, starring Georges Lopez, Alizé, Axel Thouvenin, Guillaume
Rated Not Rated

To Be and to Have is a 2002 French documentary directed by Nicolas Philibert. The film follows the everyday life of a one-room schoolhouse in rural France, focusing on the teacher, Georges Lopez, and his students. It looks at the unique relationship between teacher and students, and how they work together to learn and to teach. The film shows the importance of education and the positive impact it can have on children’s lives. It also explores the difficulties of teaching in a small school, where teachers have to take on many responsibilities. Through this film, Philibert conveys a sense of timelessness, showing how the same methods and approaches used in a rural schoolhouse can still work today.

From Joe Johnston, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, Chris Owen
Rated PG

October Sky is a 1999 American biographical drama film directed by Joe Johnston, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, and Laura Dern. The film is based on the true story of Homer Hickam Jr., a coal miner's son from West Virginia, who is inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 to take up rocketry against his father's wishes, eventually forming the Rocket Boys. With the help of his high school teacher, Homer and his friends overcome poverty and other obstacles to pursue their dreams of working in the space program. Along the way, they experience a range of emotions, including excitement, frustration, and ultimately, success. October Sky is an inspiring story of determination and the power of dreams.

From Boaz Yakin, starring Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst
Rated PG

Remember the Titans is a 2000 American biographical sport drama directed by Boaz Yakin. The film is based on the true story of the 1971 T.C. Williams High School football team in Virginia, which is based around the racial integration of the team. The team's coach Herman Boone, played by Denzel Washington, is newly appointed and must take on the challenge of unifying the team in spite of their racial differences. This is a difficult task, as the team's star players are divided along racial lines, leading to conflict and tension on the team. Ultimately, Boone is able to bring the team together and lead them to victory, teaching the players the importance of teamwork and camaraderie. Along the way, the team learns to overcome prejudices and come together as a united team. The film is a powerful story of the power of friendship, faith, and teamwork to triumph over adversity.

From Yimou Zhang, starring Minzhi Wei, Huike Zhang, Zhenda Tian, Enman Gao
Rated G

Not One Less is a 1999 Chinese drama film directed by Yimou Zhang. It tells the story of Wei Minzhi, a thirteen-year-old girl from a poor rural village in China. She is appointed as a substitute teacher for the village school, and quickly learns the struggles of being a teacher in a rural area. When one of the students runs away, Wei embarks on a journey to find him, and learns valuable lessons about life and education along the way. The film highlights the importance of access to education in rural China, and the challenges faced by teachers in these regions. It won several awards, including a Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1999.

From James Clavell, starring Sidney Poitier, Judy Geeson, Christian Roberts, Suzy Kendall
Rated Approved

To Sir, with Love is a 1967 British drama film starring Sidney Poitier and featuring Judy Geeson, Christian Roberts, Suzy Kendall, and Lulu. The film was directed by James Clavell and was based on E.R. Braithwaite's 1959 autobiographical novel of the same name. The film follows Mark Thackeray (Poitier), a former engineering student who takes a teaching position at a tough school in a deprived inner-city London neighborhood. Despite initial resistance from the students, Thackeray gradually gains their respect and admiration as he teaches them important lessons in life. With the help of his colleague, Miss Barrow (Kendall), Thackeray helps the students overcome their behavioral and academic difficulties. In the end, Thackeray is rewarded for his hard work and dedication when the students give him a touching farewell.

From Dennis Gansel, starring Jürgen Vogel, Frederick Lau, Max Riemelt, Jennifer Ulrich
Rated Not Rated

The Wave is a 2008 German thriller drama film directed by Dennis Gansel and inspired by the 1967 "third wave" experiment by high school history teacher Ron Jones. The film follows high school teacher Rainer Wenger, who is asked to substitute for an ill colleague for one week. Despite his initial reluctance, Rainer tries to gain his students' respect by creating an experimental exercise in which he teaches them about the dangers of dictatorial rule. Through this exercise, Rainer's students create their own authoritarian regime, dubbed “The Wave”, that begins to take on a life of its own and quickly begins to spiral out of control. As the students become increasingly committed to the ideology of The Wave, Rainer realizes that he must take drastic steps to stop his experiment. Ultimately, Rainer must confront his students in order to save them from the same fate that befell Ron Jones' students more than forty years prior.

From Richard LaGravenese, starring Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey, Scott Glenn
Rated PG-13

Freedom Writers is a 2007 drama directed by Richard LaGravenese based on the book The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell. The film follows a young, idealistic teacher, Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank), who is assigned to teach a group of troubled and at-risk students at a high school in Long Beach, California. Despite being discouraged by her colleagues and the school administration, Gruwell is determined to make a difference and bring out the best in her students. With a combination of passion, creativity, and dedication, she encourages them to express themselves and share their stories through writing in a diary. Despite the obstacles they face, the students ultimately bond and form a strong sense of community. Through this experience, they learn to respect each other's differences and come to understand the power of education and hope.

From Denzel Washington, starring Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Nate Parker
Rated PG-13

The Great Debaters is a 2007 American drama film directed and produced by Denzel Washington and starring Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise and Nate Parker. The film is about the 1935 Wiley College debate team, which becomes the first African-American college team to challenge Harvard in the national championship. Denzel Washington stars as Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley who gives up his own career aspirations to coach the debate team. Forest Whitaker stars as James Farmer, Sr., the father of the team's lead debater, James Farmer, Jr. (Nate Parker). The team is composed of four college students: Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), the only female member; Henry Lowe (Denzel Whitaker, no relation to Forest); and Hamilton Burgess (Jermaine Williams). The team works to overcome racism, poverty, and personal differences to achieve success. The film culminates in the team's participation in the national championship debate against Harvard. The Wiley team ultimately wins the championship and earns the respect of the Harvard debaters and the audience.

From Laurent Cantet, starring François Bégaudeau, Agame Malembo-Emene, Angélica Sancio, Arthur Fogel
Rated PG-13

The Class is a 2008 French drama film directed by Laurent Cantet. It tells the story of François Marin, a French teacher in a multicultural high school in the outskirts of Paris. Throughout the film, François attempts to teach and connect with his students, despite their lack of enthusiasm and resistance to authority. He soon finds himself struggling to bridge the cultural and generational divides between him and his students, as well as his own feelings of alienation from society. The movie is a powerful take on the issues of race, class, and education in modern France, as well as a reflection on the difficulties faced by teachers in contemporary classrooms. The Class was the winner of the 2008 Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

From Richard Brooks, starring Glenn Ford, Anne Francis, Louis Calhern, Margaret Hayes
Rated Approved

From John G. Avildsen, starring Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd, Robert Guillaume, Alan North
Rated PG-13

From Steven Zaillian, starring Joe Mantegna, Ben Kingsley, Max Pomeranc, Joan Allen
Rated PG

From Niki Caro, starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Ramiro Rodriguez, Carlos Pratts
Rated PG

From Stars: Layton Williams, Ethan Lawrence, Jack Whitehall, Jack Binstead, starring
Rated TV-14