Unless you’ve lived it yourself, it is hard to imagine what someone else may be struggling with. Here is a list of family-friendly movies we urge you to sprinkle into your watch-list. Each is sure to teach your family about the importance of having empathy and compassion for others.
Inside Out (PG, 2015)
This adorable film won the 2016 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It’s the story of a young girl’s emotions embodied as characters who help guide her through a tough time in her life. Not surprisingly, a film about walking, talking emotions does a great job of illustrating the importance of all emotions. It also teaches us why it’s important to empathize with others and understand their feelings.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (PG, 1982)
One of the all-time classics, E.T. explores the friendship between a boy and an alien stranded on Earth. The film is all about teaching empathy, compassion and understanding. The main character creates a strong bond with a being he can hardly communicate with, who is totally different from him and who others are afraid of. Ultimately, the film teaches us that it’s important to stand up for others who are commonly misunderstood.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (PG, 2019)
This is the story of Fred Rogers’ real-life relationship with a reporter profiling him for a piece on cultural heroes. The film focuses on the pair building a relationship and in the process, the reporter opens his heart to father figures, including his own dad.
Beauty and the Beast (G, 1991)
The “tale as old as time” was the first animated film to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Initially repulsed by the beast, Belle eventually loves him as she sees past his looks to uncover the kindness within.
Freaky Friday (PG, 2003)
In this family comedy, a mother and daughter are struggling to relate to each other and are forced to literally walk a mile in each other’s shoes when they switch bodies. When they must live each other’s lives they begin to understand more about their each other and themselves in the process.
Inside Out (PG, 2015)
This adorable film won the 2016 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It’s the story of a young girl’s emotions embodied as characters who help guide her through a tough time in her life. Not surprisingly, a film about walking, talking emotions does a great job of illustrating the importance of all emotions. It also teaches us why it’s important to empathize with others and understand their feelings.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (PG, 1982)
One of the all-time classics, E.T. explores the friendship between a boy and an alien stranded on Earth. The film is all about teaching empathy, compassion and understanding. The main character creates a strong bond with a being he can hardly communicate with, who is totally different from him and who others are afraid of. Ultimately, the film teaches us that it’s important to stand up for others who are commonly misunderstood.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (PG, 2019)
This is the story of Fred Rogers’ real-life relationship with a reporter profiling him for a piece on cultural heroes. The film focuses on the pair building a relationship and in the process, the reporter opens his heart to father figures, including his own dad.
Beauty and the Beast (G, 1991)
The “tale as old as time” was the first animated film to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Initially repulsed by the beast, Belle eventually loves him as she sees past his looks to uncover the kindness within.
Freaky Friday (PG, 2003)
In this family comedy, a mother and daughter are struggling to relate to each other and are forced to literally walk a mile in each other’s shoes when they switch bodies. When they must live each other’s lives they begin to understand more about their each other and themselves in the process.