What to Watch: Uplifting Movies for World Autism Month

LEARNING YOU tells the moving story of Ty, who takes his autistic son Elijah on a road trip to the beach, and inspires many others along the way. LEARNING YOU is a moving story that shines a light on the underrepresented community of caregivers to those with special needs. The movie has a strong Christian worldview, showcasing prayer and faith, but contains some scenes depicting Elijah’s meltdowns that some viewers might find upsetting, as well as a character showing suicidal ideation, but otherwise contains no objectionable content.

THE UNBREAKABLE BOY tells the true story of a boy with brittle bones and autism, and how his relentless optimism changes everyone he meets. THE UNBREAKABLE BOY is a heartwarming true story with a wonderful script, excellent performances, and a strong Christian, morally uplifting worldview stressing faith, prayer, forgiveness, redemption, attending church, and talking to God, but the father has an alcohol problem because of all the stress he encounters, so caution for older children is advised.

LILO & STITCH is the story of two outcasts who find each other and, through many dangers and trials, change each other for the better and find love and “Ohana,” the Hawaiian name for family. Cartoon violence and two brief comical references to evolution and voodoo are the only things which mar the moral worldview of LILI & STITCH, which is appropriate for older children.

INSIDE OUT is an animated comedy about a young girl who has a wonderful life, until her family moves to San Francisco and her emotions get out of control. INSIDE OUT is a well-made, delightful movie with a great plot line, excellent animation and a strong moral worldview.

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.

FINDING DORY, the animated sequel to the classic family movie FINDING NEMO, shows Dory suddenly remembering she has a mommy and a daddy and getting help from her friends, both old and new, to reunite with them. FINDING DORY is another heartwarming, funny, whimsical fish story from Pixar and Disney showing that family and friends make life worth living.

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.