Whether you are looking for a movie to support a lesson you've been teaching or a book your class has read, or if you would like to offer a reward for hard work well done, these movies offer education, inspiration, entertainment, and sometimes, even a warning. Most of these films are appropriate for high school and college-aged students, but some are even great for the younger set. Be sure to preview them yourself if you have concerns about content.
History and Social Studies
There is plenty of inspiration to be found in these stories, some fictional and some true, that depict historical events or people.
- Schindler's List. This story tells the heroic effort made by a businessman in Nazi Germany to save thousands of Jews from death.
- Gandhi. This biography tells the story of the famed leader of India, from his beginnings as a lawyer to his eventual embracing of non-violent protest to his assassination.
- The Duellists. Based on a story written by Joseph Conrad, The Duellists explores fencing as a means to induce justice and honor.
- The Grapes of Wrath. John Steinbeck's classic novel about life during the Great Depression is brought to life in this film, which has also reached classic status.
- Philadelphia. A lawyer fired from his firm because he has AIDS fights for his rights in this film.
- Mississippi Burning. Two FBI agents arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of civil rights activists and each uses their own approach to uncover the atrocities occurring.
- The Color Purple. Based on Alice Walker's book, this film details the life and struggles of an African-American woman in early 1900s America.
- Hotel Rwanda. This film tells the story of real hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina, who saved thousands of refugees fleeing the dangerous militia that had taken over Rwanda.
- The Fog of War. Former Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara shares lessons he learned about modern warfare.
These stories of survival serve as an inspiration to any viewer and work well with almost any lesson plan.
- Into the Wild. A free-spirited young man heads off into the Alaska wilderness to try his hand at survival with devastating results.
- Alive. This movie tells the true story of a rugby team from Uruguay that must survive in the Andes mountains after a plane crash.
- Touching the Void. This true story follows two climbers as they scale Siula Grande in Peru, the disaster that occurs, and how the two survive.
- Swiss Family Robinson. Based on the novel by Johann David Wyss, this film tells of a Swiss family deserted on an island and their journey to learn to survive.
- Cast Away. A white-collar executive must learn to survive when he finds himself alone on a deserted island after a plane crash.
- The Blue Lagoon. Two children are shipwrecked on an island and grow up together. Be aware this film does contain nudity.
Health and Environment
Show your students these films to inspire them to learn about responsible care for their bodies and the environment.
- Super Size Me. See what happens when one man lives on only McDonald's food for 30 days. You may be shocked to learn what a fast food diet does to your body.
- Erin Brockovich. Based on a true story, this film is about an ordinary woman who takes up a cause when she learns about dangerous pollution in the water.
- WALL-E. This touching animated film envisions a future that could be where modern culture takes itself without restraint.
- Earth Days. This documentary takes a look at the modern environmental movement through nine individuals who helped bring the issue into the public eye starting as far back as the 1950s.
- Food, Inc. The corporate culture that has taken over the food industry has created something far from healthy. This documentary has gotten lots of press recently.
- The Future of Food. Take a look at what is really in the food found on grocery store shelves in this eye-opening film.
- Be the Change. This documentary looks at people who have made the choice to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
- Hoot. A young man starts a fight to protect the owls whose ha