The Top 8 Movies to Encourage Classroom Empathy and Inclusion
Why Movies Work
The Top 8 Movies to Encourage Classroom Empathy and Inclusion give students an emotional “rehearsal space” to practice perspective‑taking. When paired with thoughtful prompts, films turn abstract ideas—kindness, respect, resilience—into vivid moments they can recall and apply. Each guide below embeds higher‑order questions and standards alignment; use the OPTIONAL ideas to stretch learning even further.
Younger Students (Grades 3 – 7)
Inside Out (2015) – Emotions Come to Life
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Rating | PG |
| Run Time | 95 min |
| Best For | SEL blocks, Grades 3‑6 |
| Plot in one line: Five animated emotions steer Riley through a cross‑country move and the turbulence of growing up. | |
OPTIONAL: Want to go beyond the movie guide?
|
Grab‑and‑Go Guide: Inside Out Movie Guide & Worksheet k12movieguides.com
Finding Dory (2016) – Persistence & Support
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Rating | PG |
| Run Time | 97 min |
| Best For | Grades 3‑5 science/SEL tie‑ins |
| Plot in one line: A forgetful blue tang crosses the ocean—helped by friends who adapt to her memory challenges—to find her family. | |
OPTIONAL: Want to go beyond the movie guide?
|
Grab‑and‑Go Guide: Finding Dory Movie Guide & Worksheet k12movieguides.com
Paddington (2014) – Welcoming the Outsider
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Rating | PG |
| Run Time | 95 min |
| Best For | Grades 3‑6 ELA, newcomer empathy |
| Plot in one line: A polite bear from Peru finds both prejudice and kindness while seeking a home in London. | |
OPTIONAL: Want to go beyond the movie guide?
|
Grab‑and‑Go Guide: Paddington Movie Guide & Worksheet k12movieguides.com
Wonder (2017) – Choosing Kind
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Rating | PG |
| Run Time | 113 min |
| Best For | Grades 5‑7 read‑aloud companion |
| Plot in one line: Auggie, born with facial differences, braves fifth grade and teaches peers that kindness is a choice. | |
OPTIONAL: Want to go beyond the movie guide?
|
Grab‑and‑Go Guide: Wonder Movie Guide & Worksheet k12movieguides.com
Older Students (Grades 7 – 12)
Bridge to Terabithia (2007) – Friendship & Grief
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Rating | PG |
| Run Time | 96 min |
| Best For | Grades 6‑8 ELA |
| Plot in one line: Two misfit friends create a fantasy refuge that helps them face real‑world loss. | |
OPTIONAL: Want to go beyond the movie guide?
|
Grab‑and‑Go Guide: Bridge to Terabithia Movie Guide & Worksheet k12movieguides.com
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) – Ability, Not Disability
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Rating | PG‑13 |
| Run Time | 97 min |
| Best For | Grades 8‑12 social‑studies, life‑skills |
| Plot in one line: Zak, a man with Down syndrome, sets out to become a wrestler—proving dreams have no labels. | |
OPTIONAL: Want to go beyond the movie guide?
|
Grab‑and‑Go Guide: The Peanut Butter Falcon Movie Guide & Worksheet k12movieguides.com
The Blind Side (2009) – Empathy Across Lines
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Rating | PG‑13 |
| Run Time | 129 min |
| Best For | Grades 9‑12 civics, economics |
| Plot in one line: The Tuohy family opens their home to Michael Oher, challenging stereotypes about race, class, and opportunity. | |
OPTIONAL: Want to go beyond the movie guide?
|
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Grab‑and‑Go Guide: The Blind Side Movie Guide & Worksheet k12movieguides.com
Freedom Writers (2007) – Stories Build Bridges
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Rating | PG‑13 |
| Run Time | 123 min |
| Best For | Grades 9‑12 ELA, history |
| Plot in one line: An idealistic teacher unites a racially divided class through journaling and Holocaust literature. | |
OPTIONAL: Want to go beyond the movie guide?
|
Grab‑and‑Go Guide: Freedom Writers Movie Guide & Worksheet k12movieguides.com
Lesson‑Builder Additional Ideas for Teachers
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Empathy Walk – Assign pairs to swap roles (e.g., newcomer vs. peer mentor) for a day and reflect.
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Inclusive Language Audit – Students scan school signage and announcements for bias and suggest revisions.
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Peer‑Support Action Plan – Groups design campaigns highlighting resources for grieving or isolated classmates.
Older‑grade titles align with your high‑school catalog for deeper discourse. k12movieguides.com Embed any of these guides into tomorrow’s plan and watch students translate on‑screen compassion into real‑world action.