Top 10 Family Movies That Celebrate Overcoming Adversity

Poster courtesy of MMPA

Top 10 Family Movies That Celebrate Overcoming Adversity

By Movieguide® Contributor

Who doesn’t love a good underdog story? We’ve all overcome obstacles in life, and it’s a really good reminder that others have, too, even if it’s just portrayed in a movie. Be inspired by these stories of triumph, like OVERCOMER and AKEELAH AND THE BEE. Here are our top ten family movies that celebrate overcoming adversity.

INSIDE OUT 2

Quality:
****
Content:
+2 Moderately questionable elements.
SUMMARY: INSIDE OUT 2 is a sequel to the popular, acclaimed 2015 animated comedy from Pixar and Disney. Riley, the young girl of the first movie, turns 13 and a bunch of unruly teenage emotions, led by Anxiety, take over Riley’s psyche and banish Riley’s other emotions, including Joy. INSIDE OUT 2 is a delightful, inventive, heartwarming movie about “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10c) and doing the right thing, controlling your emotions, caring for your friends, both old and new, and promoting kindness, friendship, repentance, and forgiveness.

OVERCOMER

Quality:
****
Content:
+4 Biblical, usually Christian, worldview, with no questionable elements whatsoever.
OVERCOMER is the heartwarming, often funny, poignant story of a young, new track star named Hannah who runs to Christ with the help of a basketball coach. OVERCOMER features a very strong Christian worldview and is filled with many touching, poignant moments.

OUT OF MY MIND

Quality:
****
Content:
+3 Some minor questionable elements. (Media-wisdom is suggested to discuss.)
OUT OF MY MIND on Disney+ highlights the abilities of those with disabilities as a young girl with cerebral palsy proves she’s just as capable as a normal girl. OUT OF MY MIND is a wonderful, uplifting movie stressing the inherent value all humans have along with the importance of a strong family and includes some prayers and positive references to God.

RESCUED BY RUBY

Quality:
****
Content:
+2 Moderately questionable elements.
RESCUED BY RUBY is a comedy on Netflix based on a true story about an aspiring K9 officer and a shelter dog named Ruby who he adopts to help achieve his professional goals and provide for his growing family. RESCUED BY RUBY is a terrific, heartwarming movie for the whole family, with a strong moral worldview and some light Christian references to God, but there is some jeopardy involving police work.

REMEMBER THE TITANS

Quality:
****
Content:
+3 Some minor questionable elements. (Media-wisdom is suggested to discuss.)
Based on a true story, REMEMBER THE TITANS depicts the forced integration of an all black high school with an all white school and its impact on football in 1971 Alexandria, Virginia. Faced with the need to unify their team, two coaches, one of them played by Denzel Washington, must help the team to learn that the real victory lies in changed hearts. Humorous as well as dramatic, TITANS is a moral, uplifting, well-acted tale.

FACING THE GIANTS

Quality:
****
Content:
+4 Biblical, usually Christian, worldview, with no questionable elements whatsoever.
FACING THE GIANTS is a thoroughly entertaining high school football movie with a strong evangelistic thrust. When Coach Grant realizes that the importance of the football team is not winning the game but serving God, he completely rebuilds the team, revival breaks out in the school, and miracles start to happen. MOVIEGUIDE® commends the filmmakers for producing such an inspiring, entertaining movie.

THE BLIND SIDE

Quality:
****
Content:
-1 Caution advised for older children, including teenagers, and sensitive adults.
THE BLIND SIDE is a compelling, feel great drama that tells the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless young black teenager who is welcomed into a caring Christian family. Though there are unneccessary elements requiring caution, this wonderful drama is a faith filled, truly inspiring movie with overt Christian values.

GOD'S NOT DEAD

Quality:
****
Content:
+4 Biblical, usually Christian, worldview, with no questionable elements whatsoever.
GOD’S NOT DEAD is an entertaining, profound, powerful Christian movie about a college student who has to stand up for his faith when bullied by an atheist professor. Despite some of the smartest dialogue ever, GOD’S NOT DEAD entertains viewers as well as enlightens and inspires them. The ending is terrific.

WONDER

Quality:
****
Content:
-1 Caution advised for older children, including teenagers, and sensitive adults.
WONDER is a family drama about Auggie, a young boy with a facial deformity who’s entering school for the first time after being homeschooled by his mother. The movie looks at Auggie’s first year in school from his perspective and the perspective of those around him. WONDER is a terrifically empathetic, uplifting movie that will bring tears of joy, but there’s brief, mostly light foul language.

AKEELAH AND THE BEE

Quality:
****
Content:
+1 Moderately questionable elements. (Discernment required for young children.)
AKEELAH AND THE BEE is an inspiring, entertaining drama about an 11-year-old spelling bee champion who inspires almost everyone she meets. AKEELAH AND THE BEE is an extremely uplifting, heartfelt movie with strong moral messages, but it has some instances of PG-rated foul language.

Watch TOY STORY
Quality: - Content: +3
Watch THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS
Quality: - Content: +2