In order to motivate a student, conventional classroom teaching might not be enough. Children tend to be inclined toward entertainment, so if you’re planning to motivate them, inspirational movies can be an effective tool. If you’re a teacher or parent, you’ll know this well. A student has to love the fact that he or she is getting to learn something new and getting to watch a movie in the classroom, might get them engaged. Another good thing is the potential to extend their knowledge beyond the textbook.
These days, it has become really easy to screen a movie. A majority of schools have smart classrooms that come with screens and projectors. So, given that, here are some educational and inspirational Hollywood movies ideal for watching in and classroom from grade school to college.
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The Great Debaters
The Great DebatersThis is a motivating movie released in 2007. The movie features Denzel Washington and is based on the article about the debate team of Wiley College. The story is based on Melvin B. Tolson’s life, a professor who gave students the confidence to compete against Harvard in a championship debate. The touching take will lift students up, especially if they’ve been inspired by a teacher at some point in their life.
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The Paper Chase
The Paper ChaseDirected by James Bridges, The Paper Chase features Lindsay Wagner, John Houseman, and Timothy Bottoms. The Paper Chase is about hard-working student James T. Hart, who faces many obstacles during his first year at Harvard, but pushes hard to balance his school work and a new relationship. It’s just the perfect movie for someone who is having a hard time keep motivated, or for a student who might not like to study.
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Good Will Hunting
Good Will HuntingFeaturing some then unknown actors like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon (who both wrote the story) along with more famous names Stellan Skarsgard and Robin Williams, the movie It tells the story of a twenty-year-old genius played by Damon. He is gifted with extraordinary skills in chemistry and mathematics. However, he fails to realize his own capability before he gets help from a professional (Williams), who changes everything. An Academy Award-winning film that still inspires.
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21
21Directed by Robert Luketic, 21 stars actors Kevin Spacey and Jim Sturgess in a story about a Blackjack Team at MIT, as featured in the Ben Mezrich book Bringing down the House. The film revolves around a talented student who goes to Harvard University. However, he has an experience that not all other students at the university normally have, which he does in hopes of getting a scholarship. It’s not easy. Nonetheless, he meets a math teacher who realizes the student’s potential and helps him. In case you find yourself in a situation like this or are a student thinking who will help write my essay, you should watch this movie.
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42
42This sports drama tells the story of Jackie Robinson, an African American baseball icon, who broke down barriers in the Majors. It stars Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford and is an excellent film to help students learn about racism in some of the more turbulent times in American history. Furthermore, it’s a great lesson in the importance of perseverance.
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Forrest Gump
Forrest GumpThis classic movie starring Tom Hanks is very motivating. It’s about a man who has low IQ but manages to be part of many important moments in modern history, able to achieve a lot, even given a Medal of Honor for his bravery. Gump inspires a popular dance for Elvis Presley and even plays ping pong in China. No student should miss out on this movie. Nothing is impossible if you have the will to do it … and a box of chocolates.
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Freedom Writers
Freedom WritersHere’s a movie based on a teacher named Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank), who motivates her mischievous class to continue with their studies when they are done with high school. In the process, she has to face the troubles of the students who are at risk and divided among themselves, struggling with money shortage and money. A great lesson on tolerance and commitment, no student should miss it.
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Stand and Deliver
Stand and DeliverThis one tells the real story of a teacher of mathematics in high school who goes by the name Jaime Escalante (Edward James Olmos). He’s a teacher supportive of his students and uses unorthodox methods in his class. It is a great movie for students who are feeling demotivated with their studies and feel that they cannot do what they dream. Look for a great turn from Lou Diamond Phillips, too.
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The Social Network
The Social NetworkWritten by Aaron Sorkin, this motivational Hollywood movie is the story about the journey of the super-talented Harvard student, Mark Zuckerberg. It shows how he became a multi-millionaire and builds the Facebook empire, dealing with all the consequences that follow. The movie is a great inspiration for students and full of valuable life lessons. Dreams can come true, but there is always a price.
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Rudy
RudyDaniel Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) is ‘Rudy’ and this is the story of how he had a dream to play football for the University of Notre Dame. He didn’t give up on his dream irrespective of his teachers, father, and neighbor’s discouragement that he cannot do it because of the mental and physical characteristics needed to get through the team. However, after working hard for several years, he gets a chance. This is one of the greatest inspirational movies ever made. Your whole class will cheer.
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The Pursuit of Happiness
The Pursuit of HappinessThis is a biographical film based on Chris Gardner, the entrepreneur. Will Smith stars, playing the downtrodden man who turns rags into riches, starting as homeless man with a young son. He turns it all around with great determination and endurance, refusing to believe he doesn’t deserve a better chance. You can’t help but feel good about your own future watching this.
Making a student watch movies can prove to be really beneficial. It enhances their capability to understand. Movies can add more fun to the learning experience of the students. When a teacher adds a movie time to their class, it will entertain the students and will keep them motivated. Eventually, they will start to take some interest in studying. Students will learn what people have to go through in their life and will develop some good values.
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