Movies About Adoption And Foster Care

From Garth Davis, starring Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara, Sunny Pawar
Rated PG-13

Lion is a 2016 drama directed by Garth Davis, based on the true story of Saroo Brierley. Saroo (Dev Patel) is a young Indian boy who gets lost on a train and eventually finds himself thousands of miles from home, in an unfamiliar city in Kolkata. After being taken in by an orphanage, he is eventually adopted by an Australian couple, played by Nicole Kidman and David Wenham. As an adult, Saroo begins to search for his birth family and homeland, eventually finding his way back home. Along the way, he learns about his past and discovers what it really means to be a part of a family. The film received numerous awards and nominations, including six Academy Award nominations.

From Mike Leigh, starring Timothy Spall, Brenda Blethyn, Phyllis Logan, Claire Rushbrook
Rated R

Secrets & Lies tells the story of Hortense, a successful black optometrist, who discovers the white woman she thought was her mother is actually her foster mother. Hortense then embarks on a search to find her biological mother, uncovering plenty of secrets and lies along the way. Through her journey, Hortense discovers the importance of family and learns to accept the truth. The film stars Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Timothy Spall and Brenda Blethyn and won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress in a Leading Role.

From Destin Daniel Cretton, starring Brie Larson, Frantz Turner, John Gallagher Jr., Kaitlyn Dever
Rated R

Short Term 12 is a 2013 American drama film written and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. The film stars Brie Larson as Grace, a supervisor at a foster-care facility for at-risk teenagers. Throughout the film, Grace must not only help the kids cope with the difficulties of their lives, but also grapple with her own troubled past. Her boyfriend and co-worker, Mason (John Gallagher Jr.), provides her with support during her struggles. The film also follows the stories of Marcus, a rebellious teenager with a troubled past, and Jayden, a quiet but troubled girl. The story culminates in a touching and powerful climax that shows the power of human connection and understanding.

From Kenneth Lonergan, starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges
Rated R

Manchester by the Sea is a 2016 American drama film written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan and starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, and Lucas Hedges. The story follows Lee Chandler, a janitor living in Quincy, Massachusetts, who is suddenly made the sole guardian of his teenage nephew, Patrick, following the death of his brother. While struggling to deal with his own personal grief, Lee must confront the forces that tore his life apart, and try to come to terms with his past. Ultimately, he must learn to forgive himself and find a way to reconcile with his estranged family.

From David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond
Rated PG-13

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a 2008 fantasy drama directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, and Tilda Swinton. The film follows the extraordinary life of Benjamin Button, a man born in his eighties who ages backward. His journey takes him from the World War I-era to the 21st century, as he experiences love, loss, and all of life’s ups and downs. Along the way, he discovers that life’s most valuable lesson is to accept the love that is offered. Despite appearances, Benjamin Button proves that age is merely a number, and that life is worth living no matter how unusual the circumstances.

From Stephen Frears, starring Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Mare Winningham
Rated PG-13

Philomena is a 2013 drama film directed by Stephen Frears and written by Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope. The film stars Judi Dench and Steve Coogan and is based on the 2009 book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by journalist Martin Sixsmith. The story follows Philomena Lee (Dench) who, as a young woman in the 1950s, was sent to an Irish convent, where she was forced to give up her son for adoption. Fifty years later, Philomena, now elderly and living with her daughter, meets Martin Sixsmith (Coogan), a recently unemployed BBC journalist with whom she begins a journey to find her long-lost son. The film follows Philomena and Martin as they travel to America and discover the secrets about her son's past. Along the way, Philomena and Martin grow closer, and she learns to forgive her painful past. Ultimately, their journey leads to a bittersweet reunion with Philomena's son, who has since become a successful lawyer.

From Directors: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud, starring Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews
Rated PG

Despicable Me is a 2010 computer-animated comedy film directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud and produced by Illumination Entertainment. It stars Steve Carell as Gru, a supervillain who hatches a plan to steal the moon. In order to do so, he recruits three orphan girls, Margo, Edith, and Agnes, to help him. With the help of his minions and his mad scientist, Dr. Nefario, Gru must evade the pursuit of super-agent, Lucy Wilde, and carry out his plan. Along the way, Gru discovers that being a parent to the three girls comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. In the end, Gru must choose between his life of villainy and the love of the three girls.

From John Lee Hancock, starring Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Jae Head
Rated PG-13

The Blind Side is a biographical sports drama, based on the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American teenager who is taken in by a well-to-do white family, the Tuohy family. Michael starts off on a difficult path, but with the help and guidance of the Tuohys and his coach, he develops both as a football player and a person. With the support of his surrogate family, Michael matures and eventually earns a scholarship to the University of Mississippi, where he goes on to become an All-American left tackle. The Blind Side is a story of determination, courage, and the power of family love.

From Jessie Nelson, starring Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning, Dianne Wiest
Rated PG-13

I Am Sam is a heartwarming drama directed by Jessie Nelson. The film focuses on Sam Dawson, an intellectually disabled father of a young daughter, Lucy Diamond. Despite his disability, Sam is a loving and devoted father, and he enlists the help of an attorney, Rita Harrison, to gain custody of his daughter when her mother abandons them. Sam is determined to prove that he is capable of taking care of his daughter, and he receives help from an unlikely ally, Annie, a young lawyer who takes on his case pro bono. Through the efforts of his attorney and with the help of his friends in the 'Sam-ily', Sam's battle to keep custody of his daughter is put to the test. Ultimately, Sam proves that he is capable of being a loving and devoted father, and his bond with Lucy is strengthened.

From Brian Percival, starring Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Ben Schnetzer
Rated PG-13

The Book Thief is a 2013 drama film about a young girl, Liesel Meminger, who is sent to live with a foster family in Nazi Germany during World War II. There, she meets her foster father, Hans, who teaches her to read. Despite the harsh realities of life in Nazi Germany, Liesel finds solace in books and friendship. She begins to steal books from Nazi book-burnings and shares them with her neighbors, even as she struggles with the realities of living in an oppressive regime. Along the way, she also learns the power of words to make a difference. Ultimately, Liesel's courage and love of books helps her to survive the chaos of wartime.

From Jason Reitman, starring Elliot Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman
Rated PG-13

Juno is a 2007 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody. The story follows Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page), an independent-minded teenager navigating the complications of pregnancy and adulthood after a one-night stand with her best friend Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera). With the help of her parents, Juno decides to face an unplanned pregnancy by taking on the responsibility of becoming a young mother. The film also stars Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman as Juno’s parents. Juno’s journey to motherhood is filled with comedic moments, poignant moments of introspection, and a cast of characters who support her decisions. The film was a commercial success and was critically acclaimed, receiving four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Page.

From Directors: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne, starring Thomas Doret, Cécile de France, Jérémie Renier, Fabrizio Rongione
Rated PG-13

From Kirsten Sheridan, starring Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terrence Howard
Rated PG

From Lasse Hallström, starring Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron, Michael Caine, Delroy Lindo
Rated PG-13

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

From Rodrigo García, starring Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Kerry Washington, Alexandria M. Salling
Rated R

From Vic Sarin, starring Connie Nielsen, Aidan Quinn, John Bell, Jack Gleeson
Rated PG

From Peter Kosminsky, starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Renée Zellweger, Robin Wright, Alison Lohman
Rated PG-13

From Norman Taurog, starring Cary Grant, Betsy Drake, Lurene Tuttle, Randy Stuart
Rated Approved

From Bruce Beresford, starring Pierce Brosnan, Julianna Margulies, Aidan Quinn, Sophie Vavasseur
Rated PG

From Alison Eastwood, starring Kevin Bacon, Marcia Gay Harden, Miles Heizer, Marin Hinkle
Rated PG-13

From Menno Meyjes, starring John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Bobby Coleman, Sophie Okonedo
Rated PG

From Wiebke von Carolsfeld, starring Molly Parker, Rebecca Jenkins, Stacy Smith, Marguerite McNeil
Rated Unrated

From Mike Binder, starring Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, Gillian Jacobs, Anthony Mackie
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin, starring Rachel Hendrix, Jason Burkey, John Schneider, Jasmine Guy
Rated PG-13