Best Movies About Teaching

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

The Hunt is a Danish drama film directed by Thomas Vinterberg and stars Mads Mikkelsen. The film tells the story of Lucas, a kindergarten teacher who is wrongly accused of a sexual assault of a young girl. As the accusations spread throughout the small Danish town, Lucas is ostracized and faced with disbelief from his closest friends and family. As the hunt for the truth ensues, Lucas struggles to prove his innocence in a world that has turned against him. The film explores themes of guilt, innocence, and the consequences of false accusations.

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

Good Will Hunting follows the story of the brilliant yet troubled Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a janitor at the prestigious MIT. After being arrested for attacking a police officer, Will is given the opportunity to avoid jail time by working with a court-appointed therapist, Dr. Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). As Will and Sean work together, Will confronts the unresolved issues of his past and learns to take responsibility for his future. Along the way, he meets and falls in love with Skylar (Minnie Driver), a Harvard student, and develops a close bond with his best friend, Chuckie (Ben Affleck). With the help of his newfound friends, Will eventually discovers his potential and the courage to pursue his dreams. As his story comes to a close, Will is given the chance to accept a prestigious scholarship and embark on a new path towards a better life.

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

Let's Go! India is a 2007 Indian road movie directed by Shimit Amin. The film follows a group of five friends – Rohan, Anu, Alex, Kavi and Boman – who set out on a road trip across India in search of the ultimate Indian adventure. During their journey, they encounter numerous challenges and experiences that test their relationships and ultimately test their spirit. Along the way, they also find love, friendship and a greater understanding of India and their own lives. The film follows their journey, as they find themselves in a variety of situations ranging from facing down the bureaucracy of Indian society to taking on the challenges of extreme sports. Ultimately, the film is a humorous and heartfelt exploration of the human spirit and India's vibrant culture.

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

Dead Poets Society (1989) is a drama film directed by Peter Weir and starring Robin Williams. Set in 1959 at the prestigious Welton Academy, a boarding school for boys, the film follows a group of students as they come of age under the guidance of their charismatic English teacher, John Keating (Williams). With Keating’s encouragement and inspired by his lessons in literature and poetry, the boys form a secret society called the Dead Poets Society and begin to challenge the traditional values of their school. As the boys enjoy their newfound freedom, their loyalty to Keating and their internal struggles to find their own paths in life become increasingly complicated. The film culminates in a powerful and moving climax as the boys strive to find their own voices in the world.

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

The Miracle Worker is a biographical drama directed by Arthur Penn and based on the life of Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan. The film follows Keller's journey as a deaf and blind child and her struggle to learn how to communicate. With the help of Annie Sullivan, a teacher who is determined to help her despite Keller's challenging behavior, Helen is able to learn how to read, write and speak. The film is a story of hope and perseverance, and ultimately celebrates the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. At the 35th Academy Awards, The Miracle Worker won Oscars for Best Actress (Anne Bancroft) and Best Supporting Actress (Patty Duke).

From Christophe Barratier, starring Gérard Jugnot, François Berléand, Jean-Baptiste Maunier, Kad Merad
Rated PG-13

The Chorus (Les Choristes) is a 2004 French drama directed by Christophe Barratier. The film tells the story of a newly appointed music teacher, Clément Mathieu, who takes a job at a juvenile detention center run by the strict headmaster Rachin. Clément attempts to inspire the children by forming a choir, and by giving them the opportunity to express their feelings through music. Through Clément's dedication, the choir grows and the boys' lives begin to change. The Chorus is a story of hope and redemption, as Clément and the boys are able to make a connection that transcends their difficult circumstances.

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

To Be and to Have is a 2002 documentary film by French director Nicolas Philibert. The film follows the daily life of a rural one-room schoolhouse in Auvergne, France, and its teacher, Georges Lopez. We observe the students, aged 4–11, as they learn and play, and watch as Lopez guides them through the year. With no special effects or interviews with experts, the film offers an intimate look at the joys and challenges of teaching in a simple setting. From the students’ first days of school to the end-of-year celebration, the film captures the special bond between Lopez and his students and the unique community they form in the classroom.

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

Remember the Titans is a 2000 American sports movie directed by Boaz Yakin. It stars Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst, and Donald Adeosun Faison. The film follows the story of a newly appointed African-American coach and his high school football team on their first season as a racially integrated unit in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971. The team, the Titans, is hosted by T.C. Williams High School, and is faced with the challenges of the desegregation of the school, as well as the integration of the football team. The Titans face many obstacles during the season—both on and off the field—but their determination, courage, and perseverance help them overcome their differences and bond as a team. Through their experiences, the team learns to work together, respect one another, and become a united front in the face of adversity. In the end, the Titans beat their biggest rival, the undefeated Big Red, in the state championship game and achieve racial harmony in their school.

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

October Sky is a 1999 biographical drama directed by Joe Johnston and starring Jake Gyllenhaal. It tells the story of Homer Hickam, a teenage boy in a small coal-mining town in West Virginia in the late 1950s who has dreams of working in space. With the support of his teacher, Homer and his friends form the Rocket Boys Club and begin building rockets to compete in a local science fair. Along the way, he has to overcome the doubts of his father and the harsh realities of life in a mining town. Ultimately, his ambition and hard work pay off when he is accepted into college and earns a scholarship to pursue a career in aeronautics.

From Tony Kaye, starring Adrien Brody, Christina Hendricks, Marcia Gay Harden, Lucy Liu
Rated Not Rated

Detachment is a 2011 drama film directed by Tony Kaye and written by Carl Lund. The film stars Adrien Brody as a substitute teacher who becomes a mentor to a troubled teen, Henry Barthes (played by Gooding Jr.), while slowly unraveling from the world around him. As Henry struggles to accept the loss of his mother, the teacher must help him to find the courage to survive and find his own identity. Along the way, he comes to understand the fragility of life, while learning to appreciate the power of human connection. Along with Brody and Gooding Jr., the cast includes Marcia Gay Harden, Lucy Liu, Christina Hendricks, and Blythe Danner. The film received mixed reviews, but was praised for its strong performances and powerful message.

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

Not One Less is a 1999 Chinese film directed by Yimou Zhang. It tells the story of a 13-year-old girl, Wei Minzhi, who is hired as a substitute teacher in a rural elementary school in Shuiquan Village. Wei must confront the challenges of teaching the students in the absence of their regular teacher, Gao, who has gone away to the city to earn money. Despite the lack of resources, Wei strives to keep her students motivated and ensure they do not drop out. As the school year progresses, Wei must find creative ways to keep her students engaged and motivated and face the challenge of an unsupportive community. In the end, she succeeds in keeping all of her students in school. Not One Less is a powerful story about the importance of education and the perseverance of young people in the face of adversity.

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

Freedom Writers is a 2007 American drama film written and directed by Richard LaGravenese and starring Hilary Swank, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey and Mario. The story is based on the book, The Freedom Writers Diary, written by the Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell, and is the real-life story of a teacher who inspires her students to believe in themselves, to stand up against racism and violence and to use writing as a tool for self-expression. The film follows Erin Gruwell, a first-year teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. She is assigned to a class of troubled, underprivileged and at-risk teenagers, many of whom are in the school's program for those who have been in trouble with the law. Through a combination of passion, determination and creativity, Ms. Gruwell helps her students to break down racial and social barriers. By teaching them to write their stories, she helps them to realize their potential and find the courage to face their individual challenges. Ultimately, the students learn to thrive and become successful in school and in life.

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, directed by James Clavell and based on E. R. Braithwaite's 1959 autobiographical novel of the same name. The story follows Mark Thackeray, an engineer from the Caribbean who moves to London and takes a job teaching a group of disaffected, delinquent and mostly white teens at a tough East London school. Thackeray discovers that the students are resentful and uninterested, so he decides to use unconventional methods to inspire them and help them discover the importance of education. He eventually earns their respect and helps them prepare for life after high school. Through his efforts, Thackeray ultimately changes their attitudes and teaches them the importance of self-respect, discipline and education. The film culminates with a scene in which Thackeray's students take part in a school parade, proudly displaying the banner they made for him as a sign of their appreciation.

From Philippe Falardeau, starring Mohamed Fellag, Sophie Nélisse, Émilien Néron, Danielle Proulx
Rated PG-13

Monsieur Lazhar is a film about an Algerian immigrant, Bachir Lazhar, who takes over a Montreal elementary school classroom after the death of the previous teacher. He quickly finds himself in a difficult situation, where he must navigate the cultural differences between himself and the students, as well as the distrust of the school staff. Throughout the course of the film, Bachir helps the students navigate their grief and guilt over the death of their teacher, while also dealing with his own trauma from his past. In the end, the students come to understand and accept Bachir as their teacher, and Bachir finally begins to put his own painful past to rest.

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

The Class is a French drama film about the day-to-day struggles and triumphs of a multicultural group of teenagers in a suburban Parisian high school. The film follows their teacher, François, as he attempts to keep order in his chaotic classroom while striving to give his students the best education possible. The film shows the contest between authority and camaraderie as he tries to engage his students in meaningful dialogue and activities. Through the course of the school year, the students, who come from a variety of cultural backgrounds, must deal with issues of race, class, and privilege. The Class is a thought-provoking look at the social, emotional, and educational issues facing today's youth.

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

The Great Debaters is a 2007 American biographical drama film directed by and starring Denzel Washington and produced by Oprah Winfrey. The movie tells the story of Professor Melvin B. Tolson and his efforts in 1935 to form the first debate team at the historically black Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. The debate team goes on to challenge Harvard University in the national championship, becoming the first African-American college to do so. Along the way, Tolson encourages the students to overcome their personal struggles, confront racism, and strive for excellence. Ultimately, the debate team's success brings national attention to Wiley and helps to preserve its existence as a college.

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

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

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

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

From Lee Daniels, starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey
Rated R

From Thomas Carter, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Rick Gonzalez, Robert Ri'chard, Rob Brown
Rated PG-13

From Gus Van Sant, starring Sean Connery, Rob Brown, F. Murray Abraham, Anna Paquin
Rated PG-13

From Stephen Herek, starring Richard Dreyfuss, Glenne Headly, Jay Thomas, Olympia Dukakis
Rated PG

From Ramón Menéndez, starring Edward James Olmos, Estelle Harris, Mark Phelan, Virginia Paris
Rated PG