Films About Acts of Kindness
Films that center around acts of kindness often explore the profound impact that selfless behavior can have on individuals and communities. These stories not only highlight the goodness in humanity but also inspire viewers to reflect on their own actions and the potential for kindness in everyday life. From heartwarming tales of friendship to uplifting narratives of generosity, these films remind us of the power of compassion and the ripple effect it can create. Here’s a selection of films that beautifully encapsulate this theme:
“Pay It Forward”, 2000
Director: Mimi Leder
A young boy creates a plan to change the world by performing three acts of kindness for others, encouraging them to pay it forward. His simple yet profound idea sparks a movement that touches countless lives.
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, Haley Joel Osment, Jay Mohr, James Caviezel, Jon Bon Jovi, Angie Dickinson, David Ramsey, Gary Werntz, Colleen Flynn, Marc Donato, Kathleen Wilhoite, Liza Snyder, Jeanetta Arnette, Hannah Leder, Tina Lifford, Loren D. Baum, Nico Matinata, Zack Duhame, Shawn Pyfrom, Alexandra Kotcheff, Bradley White, Christi Colombo, Phillip D. Stewart, Justin Parsons, Myeshia Dejore Walker, Brenae Suzanne Davey, Molly Bernard, Andrew Patrick Flood, Tameila N. Turner, Julian Correa, Carrie Sullivan, Patricia Deanda, Ryan Berti, Gabriela Rivas, Carrick O'Quinn, Stephanie Feury, Bernard White, Tom Bailey, Tim DeZarn, Jonathan Nichols-Navarro, Ron Keck, John Powers, Bob McCracken, Frank Whiteman, Eugene Osment, Kendall Tenney, Sue Tripathy, Rusty Meyers, Leslie Dilley;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 123 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Pay It Forward” on the website imdb.com
“The Blind Side”, 2009
Director: John Lee Hancock
Based on a true story, this film follows the journey of Michael Oher, a homeless teenager who is taken in by a caring family. Their kindness transforms his life, leading him to success both academically and athletically.
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, Jae Head, Lily Collins, Ray McKinnon, Kim Dickens, Adriane Lenox, Kathy Bates, Catherine Dyer, Andy Stahl, Tom Nowicki, Libby Whittemore, Brian Hollan, Melody Weintraub, Sharon Morris, Omar J. Dorsey, Paul Amadi, Irone Singleton, Hampton Fluker, Rhoda Griffis, Eaddy Williams, Ashley LeConte Campbell, Stacey Turner, Elizabeth Omilami, Afemo Omilami, Maria Howell, Patrick G. Keenan, Eric Benson, David Dwyer, Catherine Combs, Kelly Johns, Robert Pralgo, Whitney Branan, Brian Sutherin, Rachel St. Gelais, Brandon Rivers, Jody Thompson, James Donadio, L. Warren Young, Brett Rice, Kevin Nichols, Preston Wigasi Brant, Matthew Atkinson, Trey Best, Omid Soltani, Destiny Long, April Rich, Jaye Tyroff, Ben Keen;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama, sport, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “The Blind Side” on the website imdb.com
“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”, 2019
Director: Marielle Heller
Inspired by the real-life friendship between journalist Tom Junod and Fred Rogers, this film explores the power of kindness and forgiveness through the lens of the beloved television icon.
Starring: Matthew Rhys, Tom Hanks, Chris Cooper, Susan Kelechi Watson, Maryann Plunkett, Enrico Colantoni, Wendy Makkena, Tammy Blanchard, Noah Harpster, Carmen Cusack, Kelley Davis, Christine Lahti, Maddie Corman, Daniel Krell, Jon L Peacock, Gretchen Koerner, Gavin Borders, Mark August, Tressa Glover, Jessica Hecht, Di Zhu, Diane Monroe, Maxine Roach, Lesa Terry, Tahirah Whittington, Nigel Swinson, Kayla Fan, Alexander Ment, Madeline Ment, Olivia Irene Ruiz, Kiesse Yengo-Passy, Marcel Kottmann, John Castagliola, Jimmy Preston Lopez, Reginald Bannerman, Spencer Lott, Haley Jenkins, Marc Petrosino, Kathleen Kim, Mike Ancas, Kathleen Antonia, Krizia Bajos, Greg Black, Tom Bonello, Chris Breen, Gregory Bromfield, Francesca Calo, William Caraballo, Lloyd Crago, Kitty Crystal;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: biography, drama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” on the website imdb.com
“Wonder”, 2017
Director: Stephen Chbosky
This touching story revolves around August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters a mainstream school for the first time. Acts of kindness from classmates and family help him navigate the challenges of acceptance and friendship.
Starring: Jacob Tremblay, Owen Wilson, Izabela Vidovic, Julia Roberts, Noah Jupe, Mandy Patinkin, Daveed Diggs, Sonia Braga, Danielle Rose Russell, Nadji Jeter, Mark Dozlaw, Rukiya Bernard, Jennifer March, Bryce Gheisar, Elle McKinnon, Ty Consiglio, Kyle Breitkopf, James A Hughes, J. Douglas Stewart, Millie Davis, Ali Liebert, Joseph Gordon, Cameron Roberts, Erika McKitrick, Ben Immanuel, Jason McKinnon, Izzy Lieberman, Hannah Hoberman, Michael Alan Healy, Nicole Oliver, Emily Delahunty, Lucia Thain, Sasha Neuhaus, Rachel Hayward, Callahan Brebner, Caleb Gordon, Grayson Maxwell Gurnsey, Emily Giannozio, Haley Goldin, Maccie Margaret Chbosky, Victoria V. Cruz, Crystal Lowe, Steve Bacic, Jason Tremblay, Liam Dickinson, Emma Tremblay, Armen Henry Bagdasrov, Lidya Jewett, Kaelyn Breitkopf, Gidget;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
“Pay It Forward”, 2000
Director: Mimi Leder
A young boy creates a plan to change the world by performing three acts of kindness for others, encouraging them to pay it forward. His simple yet profound idea sparks a movement that touches countless lives.
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, Haley Joel Osment, Jay Mohr, James Caviezel, Jon Bon Jovi, Angie Dickinson, David Ramsey, Gary Werntz, Colleen Flynn, Marc Donato, Kathleen Wilhoite, Liza Snyder, Jeanetta Arnette, Hannah Leder, Tina Lifford, Loren D. Baum, Nico Matinata, Zack Duhame, Shawn Pyfrom, Alexandra Kotcheff, Bradley White, Christi Colombo, Phillip D. Stewart, Justin Parsons, Myeshia Dejore Walker, Brenae Suzanne Davey, Molly Bernard, Andrew Patrick Flood, Tameila N. Turner, Julian Correa, Carrie Sullivan, Patricia Deanda, Ryan Berti, Gabriela Rivas, Carrick O'Quinn, Stephanie Feury, Bernard White, Tom Bailey, Tim DeZarn, Jonathan Nichols-Navarro, Ron Keck, John Powers, Bob McCracken, Frank Whiteman, Eugene Osment, Kendall Tenney, Sue Tripathy, Rusty Meyers, Leslie Dilley;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 123 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Pay It Forward” on the website imdb.com
“The Pursuit of Happyness”, 2006
Director: Gabriele Muccino
This inspiring film tells the true story of Chris Gardner, who faces homelessness while trying to provide for his son. Acts of kindness from strangers and his determination highlight the resilience of the human spirit.
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Brian Howe, James Karen, Dan Castellaneta, Kurt Fuller, Takayo Fischer, Kevin West, George Cheung, David Michael Silverman, Domenic Bove, Geoff Callan, Joyful Raven, Scott Klace, Rashida Clendening, Eric Schniewind, Peter Fitzsimmons, Maurice Sherbanee, Zuhair Haddad, Victor Raider-Wexler, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Darryl Fong, George Maguire, Joe Nunez, Adam Del Rio, Rocky LaRochelle, Erin Cahill, Rueben Grundy, Lo Ming, John Kovacevich, Bonnie Akimoto, Stu Klitsner, Esther Scott, Tina D'Elia, Rev. Cecil Williams, David Fine, George Moffatt, Amir Talai, Mike Garibaldi, Jason Frazier, Kevin Crook, David Haines, James Finnerty, Abigail Van Alyn, Bob Greene, Robert Anthony Peters, Terri Orth-Pallavicini, John Robb, Daniel Wilder!;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “The Pursuit of Happyness” on the website imdb.com
“About Time”, 2013
Director: Richard Curtis
A romantic comedy-drama that delves into the life of a young man who can time travel. He learns that the most meaningful moments are those spent showing kindness to the people he loves.
Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, Margot Robbie, Lydia Wilson, Lindsay Duncan, Richard Cordery, Joshua McGuire, Will Merrick, Vanessa Kirby, Tom Hughes, Clemmie Dugdale, Harry Hadden-Paton, Mitchell Mullen, Lisa Eichhorn, Jenny Rainsford, Natasha Powell, Mark Healy, Ben Benson, Philip Voss, Tom Godwin, Pal Aron, Catherine Steadman, Andrew Martin Yates, Charlie Barnes, Verity Fullerton, Veronica Owings, Olivia Konten, Sarah Heller, Jaiden Dervish, Jacob Francis, Jago Freud, Ollie Phillips, Sophie Pond, Sophie Brown, Molly Seymour, Matilda Sturridge, Tom Stourton, Rebecca Chew, Jon West, Graham Richard Howgego, Kerrie Liane Studholme, Kenneth Hazeldine, Barbar Gough, Jon Boden, Charlie Curtis, Haruka Abe, Fiaz Ali, Bhanu Alley;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: science fiction, fantasy, drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 123 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “About Time” on the website imdb.com
“Little Miss Sunshine”, 2006
Director: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
This quirky family road trip film showcases the importance of supporting each other through life's ups and downs, emphasizing the kindness found within familial bonds.
Starring: Abigail Breslin, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Steve Carell, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, Dean Norris, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Marc Turtletaub, Jill Talley, Brenda Canela, Chuck Loring, Justin Shilton, Gordon Thomson, Steven Christopher Parker, John Walcutt, Paula Newsome, Beth Grant, Wallace Langham, Lauren Shiohama, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Jerry Giles, Geoff Meed, Matt Winston, Joan Scheckel, Cassandra Ashe, Mel Rodriguez, Alexandria Alaman, Alissa Anderegg, Brittany Baird, Cambria Baird, Brenae Bandy, Kristen Holaas, Maliah Hudson, Destry Jacobs, Lindsey Jordan, Shane Murphy, Annabelle Roberts, Sydni Stevenson-Love, Nicole Stoehr, Lauren Yee, Erik David Barber, Terry Bolo, Marc De'Antone, Tara Dawn Holland, Ksenia Jarova, Spencer Kayden, Brittany Paige, Alva Loomis;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Little Miss Sunshine” on the website imdb.com
“The Help”, 2011
Director: Tate Taylor
Set during the Civil Rights Movement, this film follows the stories of African American maids working in white households. Through their acts of courage and kindness towards each other, they challenge societal norms and seek justice.
Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Ahna O'Reilly, Allison Janney, Sissy Spacek, Cicely Tyson, Mary Steenburgen, Anna Camp, Eleanor Henry, Emma Henry, Christopher Lowell, Mike Vogel, Brian Kerwin, Wes Chatham, Aunjanue Ellis, Ted Welch, Shane McRae, Roslyn Ruff, Tara Riggs, Leslie Jordan, Tiffany Brouwer, Carol Lee, Carol Sutton, Millicent Bolton, Ashley Johnson, Ritchie Montgomery, Don Brock, Florence Roach, Nelsan Ellis, David Oyelowo, La Chanze, Dana Ivey, Becky Fly, Sheerene Whitfield, Cleta Elaine Ellington, Henry Carpenter, John Taylor, Charles Cooper, Diana Cooper, Coyt Bailey, Wade Cottonfield, Kelsey Scot, Amy Beckwith, Sloane Fair, Anna Jennings, Lauren Miller, Elizabeth Smith;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 146 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “The Help” on the website imdb.com
These films not only entertain but also serve as poignant reminders of how acts of kindness can change lives, inspire hope, and foster a sense of community.
In the realm of cinema, films that explore acts of kindness have a unique ability to touch our hearts and remind us of the inherent goodness in humanity. This selection of films not only showcases the power of compassion, empathy, and selflessness, but also serves as a reminder that small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect, transforming lives and inspiring change. From heartwarming tales of strangers coming together to uplift one another, to stories of individuals finding redemption through acts of selfless love, these films leave an indelible mark on our souls. Through their poignant storytelling and authentic portrayals, they serve as a powerful reminder that kindness is a universal language that can transcend boundaries and bring us closer together. These films stand as a testament to the enduring power of kindness, and their impact will continue to resonate long after the closing credits roll.
