Movies About Teachers

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

Good Will Hunting is a 1997 American drama written and starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, directed by Gus Van Sant. The film follows Will Hunting (Damon), a genius-level janitor at M.I.T. who is struggling to find his way in life. When a professor discovers Will's intellect, he encourages him to take advantage of his natural gifts. With the help of his therapist (Robin Williams) and a new girlfriend (Minnie Driver), Will begins to take control of his life and find the success he deserves. Along the way he must confront his inner demons and face his troubled past. Ultimately, Good Will Hunting is a story of self-discovery, friendship, and the power of love and understanding.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer
Rated PG-13

A Beautiful Mind is a 2001 biographical drama film directed by Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe as John Nash, a Nobel Laureate in Economics. The story follows Nash's struggle with schizophrenia, a mental illness that affects his ability to do mathematics and to have relationships with others. The film begins with Nash arriving at Princeton University where he quickly excels at math. He meets his future wife Alicia and soon begins working at MIT. As time passes, Nash starts to experience delusions, paranoia and hallucinations, which cause him to withdraw from society. Nash's friends and family help him receive treatment and medication, and eventually he is able to work again. Despite his mental illness, Nash is eventually able to win the Nobel Prize in Economics, due to his groundbreaking work in game theory. In the end, Nash is able to overcome his illness through his determination and the love of his family.

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

Dead Poets Society is a 1989 American drama film directed by Peter Weir, written by Tom Schulman, and starring Robin Williams as John Keating, a teacher at an all-boys preparatory school. Set in 1959, the story follows an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry and literature. Keating encourages his students to make their lives extraordinary by standing on their desks to look at the world from a different angle and by embracing non-conformity. He emboldens them to choose their own paths, seek their own truths and make their mark on the world. The film follows the students as they explore freedom, experience heartache, and ultimately find themselves. The film received two Academy Awards and was nominated for a third. It also received commercial success, grossing over $235 million on a $16 million budget.

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

To Be and to Have is a 2002 French documentary film directed by Nicolas Philibert. The film follows a year in the life of Georges Lopez, a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Auvergne, France. The film examines the daily life of the teacher and his students, as well as the challenges faced by a rural, one-room school. It offers a glimpse into the lives of the children, as well as a reflection on the importance of education for all children, regardless of their socio-economic status. Through interviews with Lopez and his students, the film explores the relationships between the teacher and his students, as well as the impact of the rural classroom environment on the students' learning. It is a touching and humorous film which captures the essence of teaching and learning, and highlights the power of a simple and dedicated teacher.

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, Scott Glenn, and Imelda Staunton. It is based on the true story of Erin Gruwell, an idealistic young teacher who tries to make a difference in the lives of her at-risk students. Set in 1994 in Long Beach, California, the film follows Erin who is assigned to teach a classroom of high school freshmen who are divided into different ethnic groups and do not get along with each other. With the help of an inspiring English-teacher-turned-mentor, Erin encourages her students to take part in a writing assignment in which they express their feelings about their lives and their experiences. Through this assignment, her students learn to express themselves and break through their barriers. In the end, the students' writings get published into a book called "The Freedom Writers Diary," and their story gains national recognition. Erin's students are able to move on from their troubled pasts and look to a brighter future.

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

To Sir, with Love is a classic 1967 British drama film directed by James Clavell. The film stars Sidney Poitier as Mark Thackeray, an engineer who moves to London and takes up a teaching job in a rough East End school. Initially the students are dismissive of their new teacher and the situation is made worse when a former student returns to school as the new headmaster. However, Thackeray gradually wins the trust of the students and helps them to change their attitudes and behaviour. With his patience and dedication, Thackeray earns the respect of the students and the community. The film follows the students' journey from being disruptive and unruly to becoming responsible, mature and successful individuals. In the end, Thackeray receives a farewell gift from the students, a painting that reads 'To Sir, with Love'.

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 by and starring Denzel Washington. It is based on an inspirational true story of a small, African-American college debate team's rise to national prominence amidst racial prejudice and adversity in the 1930s. Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) is a professor at Wiley College in Texas and the school's first African American debate team coach. He leads the team to a competition in the national college debate championships. Along the way, they face racism and bigotry, and discover the power of knowledge and determination. They also learn the importance of having a voice and standing up for what is right. By the end of the film, the Wiley College debate team has earned a place in history.

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

The Class is a French drama film directed by Laurent Cantet, released in 2008. It follows the lives of a group of teenagers as they progress through their final year of junior high school, or collège, in a Paris suburb. The film focuses on the teacher, François Marin, who struggles to connect with his students and make them understand the importance of education. Throughout the course of the year, Marin's class is exposed to a variety of issues and conflicts, from racial tensions to clashes between different social classes. As the year progresses, Marin's relationship with his students deepens, and he learns valuable lessons about education and understanding. The Class ultimately shows how all of us, regardless of our backgrounds, can connect and learn from one another.

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

From Richard Eyre, starring Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, Andrew Simpson, Tom Georgeson
Rated R

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

From Alexander Payne, starring Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell
Rated R

From Curtis Hanson, starring Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire, Frances McDormand, Robert Downey Jr.
Rated R

From Mimi Leder, starring Kevin Spacey, Haley Joel Osment, Helen Hunt, Jay Mohr
Rated PG-13

From Richard Linklater, starring Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack, Adam Pascal
Rated PG-13

From Ryan Fleck, starring Ryan Gosling, Anthony Mackie, Shareeka Epps, Jeff Lima
Rated R

From Michael Hoffman, starring Kevin Kline, Emile Hirsch, Joel Gretsch, Embeth Davidtz
Rated PG-13

From Nicholas Hytner, starring Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour, Clive Merrison, Samuel Anderson
Rated R

From Mel Gibson, starring Mel Gibson, Nick Stahl, Margaret Whitton, Fay Masterson
Rated PG-13

From John N. Smith, starring Michelle Pfeiffer, George Dzundza, Courtney B. Vance, Robin Bartlett
Rated R