Movies About Teacher

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

Good Will Hunting is the story of Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a young, working-class genius from South Boston who is struggling to find his place in the world. He works as a janitor at MIT and spends most of his free time drinking with his best friend, Chuckie (Ben Affleck). When Will is arrested for a scuffle, he is offered a deal by the authorities to either go to jail or undergo therapy with a renowned psychologist, Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). Sean helps Will come to terms with his inner demons, enabling him to confront the past and move on with his life. With the help of Sean and his friends, Will begins a journey of self-discovery and learns to appreciate the value of his intelligence.

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

Dead Poets Society is a coming-of-age drama set in 1959 at an elite all-boys preparatory school in New England. Professor John Keating (Robin Williams) uses unorthodox methods to inspire his students to think for themselves, including taking them on field trips to the nearby forest, and reciting poetry to them. The boys soon form a club, the Dead Poets Society, where they read, write and discuss poetry, and challenge each other to make their lives more meaningful. Despite the school's strict rules and the disapproval of their parents and headmaster, the boys explore the boundaries of their freedom and discover the power of their own individual voices. As they come to terms with their own beliefs, they learn that sometimes you must take risks in order to follow your dreams.

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

The Miracle Worker is the story of Helen Keller, a young girl who was struck deaf, blind and mute at the age of 19 months. Despite these disabilities, Helen is determined to learn to communicate with her family. Her parents hire Anne Sullivan, a former student at the Perkins School for the Blind, to help her. With Anne's help, Helen learns to understand language, and eventually, to speak. The film follows Anne and Helen's struggles as they eventually come to an understanding. In the end, Helen is able to overcome her disabilities, and learns to communicate with the world around her.

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

October Sky is an inspirational drama based on the true story of Homer H. Hickam Jr., a young man living in a mining town in West Virginia. Driven by his dream of becoming a rocket scientist, Homer defies his father's wishes and enters a national science contest. With the help of his teacher, local businesses, and the entire town, Homer sets out to build a rocket that will launch him into his future. Along the way, he learns about friendship, perseverance, and the power of believing in yourself.

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

To Be and to Have is a French documentary film directed by Nicolas Philibert. It follows a year in the life of a rural one-room schoolhouse in Auvergne, France, where teacher Georges Lopez works with a dozen children, ranging in age from four to eleven. The film follows the daily routines of the school, along with Lopez's gentle and humorous interactions with the children. Throughout the film, we witness the tenderness of their bond, Lopez's dedication to the children, and their progress as they learn to read, write, and develop social skills. The film is an observational documentary and does not contain any narration or interviews with the characters. It provides an intimate look at the learning environment and the relationship between Lopez and his students, showing the importance of education and the power of a strong teacher-student bond.

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 film directed by Christophe Barratier. Set in the late 1940s, it tells the story of Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot), a music teacher who is hired to teach at a boy's boarding school, which is run by a strict headmaster, Rachin (François Berléand). Despite initial resistance from the boys and Rachin, Clément's enthusiasm and passion for music soon wins over the students, and he begins to teach them to sing in a choir. As the boys' confidence and singing improve, Clément helps them to develop both their musical and personal potential, eventually leading to a triumphant performance at the school. The film is a story of hope, transformation, and redemption.

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

Remember the Titans is a 2000 American sports drama film directed by Boaz Yakin. The film is based on the true story of the 1971 T. C. Williams High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia. After the former coach is replaced by an African American coach, the team must overcome a series of conflicts and their own prejudice to become a successful team. The team's struggle to accept each other and bond as a team helps to bring the town together in the pursuit of a common goal. Led by head coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) and assistant coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton), the Titans ultimately overcome the obstacles placed in front of them to achieve success and become an integrated team. The film highlights the prejudices faced by African Americans in the 1970s and how sports can provide a platform for social change.

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

Detachment is an American drama film written by Carl Lund and directed by Tony Kaye. Taking place in a public school system in New York City, the film follows substitute teacher Henry Barthes (Adrien Brody) as he attempts to navigate his way through a system that often overlooks the importance of teaching and learning. He quickly learns that he has the ability to make a difference in the lives of the students he meets, and his own life in the process. Along the way, he forms unlikely friendships with his colleagues and students, as he struggles with his own sense of loneliness and detachment. Ultimately, he is able to help his students realize their potential and discover the importance of compassion, understanding, and connectedness.

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

Freedom Writers is a 2007 drama film starring Hilary Swank and directed by Richard LaGravenese. The movie is based on the true story of English teacher Erin Gruwell (Swank), who takes a teaching job at a high school in Long Beach, California in 1994. Despite the students’ initial reluctance to learn, Gruwell’s passion for teaching and her determination to make a difference in their lives helps the students find the courage to overcome the racial and social boundaries that have kept them from achieving their full potential. Through reading and writing, the students learn to express themselves and form a bond with each other. In the process, Gruwell also learns from her students as much as they learn from her. In the end, all of them are inspired to make a positive difference in the world.

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

To Sir, with Love is a 1967 British drama film, directed by James Clavell, which stars Sidney Poitier as Mark Thackeray, an idealistic engineer-turned-teacher who comes to teach a class of "problem" students at an East London school. Despite initial resistance from the students, Mr. Thackeray soon begins to win them over with his unconventional teaching methods and respect for their individualities. As the students learn to appreciate and respect Mr. Thackeray's efforts, they come to realize the importance of education and the power of self-discipline. Ultimately, the film ends with the class coming together to thank their teacher for his guidance and teaching them to appreciate life.

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 and based on the 2006 novel, Entre les Murs, by François Bégaudeau. The film follows a year in the life of a French teacher and his students at a multicultural high school in Paris. It focuses mainly on the relationship between Mr. Marin (the teacher) and his class; they challenge each other, test boundaries, and discuss difficult topics such as culture, race, and identity. The film examines the struggles and triumphs of the characters as they try to make sense of their lives and the world around them. By the end of the year, the relationship between the teacher and the students is stronger and their learning experiences have been enriched.

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

Monsieur Lazhar is a French-Canadian film that follows Bachir Lazhar (Mohamed Fellag), an Algerian immigrant who arrives in Montreal, Canada in search of a new life. After the tragic suicide of an elementary school teacher, Bachir volunteers to take her place and helps the students deal with their grief. Through his unconventional teaching methods, Bachir helps the students process their feelings and move on with their lives. The film is a powerful and touching story of resilience, trust, and the healing power of friendship.

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

The Great Debaters is a 2007 drama directed by Denzel Washington and starring Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, and Denzel Whitaker. Set in the 1930s, the film focuses on the Wiley College debate team and their efforts to gain national recognition in the face of racial inequality. Led by their professor, Melvin Tolson (Washington), they strive to prove that they are the best in the country. Along the way, Tolson must also deal with the racism and bigotry of their opponents as well as the tensions between the team members. Ultimately, the team makes it to the national championship and puts everything on the line to make history. The Great Debaters is an inspiring story of courage, perseverance, and ultimately, success.

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

From David Anspaugh, starring Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, Dennis Hopper, Sheb Wooley
Rated PG

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

From Doug Atchison, starring Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Keke Palmer, Curtis Armstrong
Rated PG

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

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

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

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

From John G. Avildsen, starring Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, Martin Kove
Rated PG

From Randa Haines, starring William Hurt, Marlee Matlin, Piper Laurie, Philip Bosco
Rated R

From Lewis Gilbert, starring Michael Caine, Julie Walters, Michael Williams, Maureen Lipman
Rated PG

From James Gartner, starring Josh Lucas, Derek Luke, Austin Nichols, Jon Voight
Rated PG