Films about being bullied tackle the sensitive and often painful subject of bullying, shedding light on the experiences of those who have been victimized. These films explore the emotional and psychological impact of bullying, as well as the resilience and strength of the individuals involved. Here are some existing films that delve into this theme:
“Mean Girls”, 2004
Director: Mark Waters
This iconic comedy-drama follows Cady Heron, a teenager who enters a new high school and becomes entangled in the manipulative world of “The Plastics,” a popular clique known for their bullying tactics.
Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lizzy Caplan, Lacey Chabert, Amanda Seyfried, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows, Jonathan Bennett, Daniel Franzese, Amy Poehler, Ana Gasteyer, Neil Flynn, Daniel DeSanto, Rajiv Surendra, Diego Klattenhoff, David Reale, Elana Shilling, Graham Kartna, Ely Henry, David Aherne, Ayo Agbonkpolo, Molly Shanahan, Jonathan Malen, Jeff Moser, Miranda Edwards, Les Porter, Eve Crawford, Jack Newman, Michelyn Emelle, Bathsheba Garnett, Ky Pham, Danielle Nguyen, Alisha Morrison, Chris Ploszczansky, Dwayne Hill, Jan Caruana, Wai Choy, Julia Chantrey, Jacky Chamberlain, Olympia Lukis, Stefanie Drummond, Kristen Bone, Jessie Wright, Tyson Fennell, Stephan Dickson, Andreja Punkris, Noelle Boggio, Jordan Dawe, Alexandra Stapley, Laura de Carteret;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Mean Girls” on the website imdb.com
“Bully”, 2001
Director: Larry Clark
A powerful documentary that offers an unflinching look at the issue of bullying in American schools. It follows the lives of several students who have been bullied and the tragic consequences that result from this pervasive problem.
Starring: Brad Renfro, Bijou Phillips, Rachel Miner, Nick Stahl, Michael Pitt, Leo Fitzpatrick, Kelli Garner, Daniel Franzese, Nathalie Paulding, Jessica Sutta, Ed Amatrudo, Steve Raulerson, Judy Clayton, Alan Lilly, Irene B. Colletti, Elizabeth Dimon, Ru Flynn, Jo-Aynne Von Born, Marc Pearson, Joseph Shrouder, Scott McHugh, John Parker, Phillip Ortiz, Lindzee Warren, Alexandra Steele, Sam Steele, Rick Amicucci, Rick Seguso, Jesse Dechant, Frank Ilarraza, Anthony Barrineau, Derek Oliveira, Carlos Hernandez, Danny Norton, Paul Aldanée, Trish Dempsey, Deborah Smith Ford, Brent Joseph, Sarah Knowlton, Joseph Marhee, Al Quinn;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 108 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Bully” on the website imdb.com
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, 2012
Director: Stephen Chbosky
Adapted from the popular novel, this coming-of-age film explores the struggles of Charlie, a high school freshman dealing with past trauma and the bullying he faces from his peers. It offers a poignant portrayal of the impact of bullying on mental health.
Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Nina Dobrev, Dylan McDermott, Kate Walsh, Paul Rudd, Mae Whitman, Adam Hagenbuch, Johnny Simmons, Erin Wilhelmi, Tom Savini, Joan Cusack, Melanie Lynskey, Tom Kruszewski, Zane Holtz, Reece Thompson, Nicholas Braun, Patrick de Ledebur, Brian Balzerini, Julia Garner, Emily Marie Callaway, Chelsea Zhang, Jesse Scheirer, Justine Nicole Schaefer, Jules Atlas, Leo Miles Farmerie, Isabel Muschweck, Jordan Paley, Timothy Breslin, Mark McClain Wilson, Atticus Cain, Stacy Chbosky, Dihlon McManne, Laurie Klatscher, Landon Pigg, Jennifer Enskat, William L. Thomas, Morgan Wolk, Tony Amen, Diedra Arthur-O'Ree, Tiffany Bell, Matt Black, Zachary Bolen, Andre Brassil, Ralph Browning, Lisa Buckley, Owen Campbell, Roberto Capriotti, Daniel Clayton;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” on the website imdb.com
“Carrie”, 2013
Director: Kimberly Peirce
Based on Stephen King's novel, this horror film revolves around Carrie White, a shy and introverted high school student who possesses telekinetic powers. She becomes the target of relentless bullying, leading to a dramatic and horrifying climax.
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore, Judy Greer, Portia Doubleday, Gabriella Wilde, Ansel Elgort, Alex Russell, Barry Shabaka Henley, Zoë Belkin, Samantha Weinstein, Karissa Strain, Katie Strain, Demetrius Joyette, Arlene Mazerolle, Evan Gilchrist, Eddie Max Huband, Tyler Rushton, Connor Price, Jefferson Brown, Cynthia Preston, Philip Nozuka, Kyle Mac, Max Topplin, Mouna Traoré, Derek McGrath, Chris Britton, Hart Bochner, Cassandra Caccioppoli, Annie Chen, Amanda Jane Crist, Mathew Dale, Natalie Dale, Lucy DeLaat, James Fanizza, Alex Gordon, Shawna Greenspan, Travis Hedland, Peter Hewitt, Samantha Hutchinson, Chanelle Larocque, William MacDonald, AirRese Marie, Holly Miranda, Michelle Nolden, Nykeem Provo, Arnold Pinnock, Irene Poole, Alana Randall, Kim Roberts, Amber Sharp;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: thriller, horror, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
More information about the film “Carrie” on the website imdb.com
“Wonder”, 2017
Director: Stephen Chbosky
This heartwarming film revolves around Auggie Pullman, a young boy with facial differences who starts attending public school for the first time. The story follows Auggie's journey of overcoming bullying and finding acceptance.
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;
“Cyberbully”, 2015
Director: Ben Chanan
This TV movie focuses on the issue of cyberbullying, as a teenager named Taylor becomes the target of online harassment. The film highlights the devastating effects of cyberbullying and the importance of addressing this modern form of harassment.
Starring: Maisie Williams, Ella Purnell, Wilson Haagens, Anthony Shuster, Haruka Abe, Jake Davies, Daisy Waterstone;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, detective;
Duration: 62 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Cyberbully” on the website imdb.com
“Heathers”, 1988
Director: Michael Lehmann
A dark comedy that satirizes the high school social hierarchy, this film follows Veronica Sawyer as she navigates her way through the manipulative and cruel world of the popular “Heathers” clique. It explores the toxic culture of bullying and the consequences of seeking revenge.
Starring: Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk, Kim Walker, Penelope Milford, Glenn Shadix, Lance Fenton, Patrick Labyorteaux, Jeremy Applegate, Jon Shear, Carrie Lynn, Phill Lewis, Renée Estevez, John Zarchen, Sherrie Wills, Curtiss Marlowe, Andrew Benne, Kevin Hardesty, Josh Richman, Bess Meyer, Jennifer Rhodes, William Cort, Larry Cox, Kent Stoddard, John Ingle, Stuart Mabray, Betty Ramey, Aaron Mendelsohn, Kirk Scott, Mark Bringleson, Chuck Lafont, Christie Mellor, Mark Carlton, James «Poorman» Trenton, Adrian Drake, Craig Braginsky, Michael Lindström, David McConnell, Mike Pont, Sylvia Tobias, Jeffrey Weissman;
Production year: 1988;
Genre: thriller, comedy, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 103 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Heathers” on the website imdb.com
“A Girl Like Her”, 2015
Director: Amy S. Weber
Shot in a mockumentary style, this film tells the story of Jessica Burns, a high school student who attempts suicide after enduring relentless bullying. The film explores the aftermath of the incident and the efforts made to prevent further bullying.
Starring: Hunter King, Lexi Ainsworth, Jimmy Bennett, Amy S. Weber, Stephanie Cotton, Mark Boyd, Christy Engle, Jon W. Martin, Madison Deadman, Anna Spaseski, Mariah Harrison, Emma Dwyer, Michael Maurice, Christy Edwards, Kevin Yon, Linda Boston, Paul Lang, Gino Borri, Sarah Kyrie Soraghan, Roop Raj, Jan Cartwright, Lisa Ortiz, Yana Lavovna, Bridget Maher, Terri Partyka, Kenyon Sprow, Jim Tuman, Frank El-Chaer, Sari Zalesin, Daisy Diaz, Sherry McCormick, Michaela Gutierrez, Hailey Hewitt, Abigail Moore, Erin Blackwell, Payton Vergis, Felecia Klotz, Natalie Smith, Danielle Oliveri, Hayley Jones, Holly Wingler, David Hosack, Andrew Timlin, Tylor Skory, Adrian Karnani, Ibrahim Abdullah, Ali Ahmed, Scout Ciora, Alex Florias, Katie Haddad, Tenaj Irvine, Mikaela Strech, Carly Schneider, Alexia Smith, David Scott II, Carlo Clavenna, Maxwell Abowd, Matthew Adam, Alexis Aghos, Amber Aikin, Alan Alexander II, Jane Allen, Vanessa Allen, Jose» Andradej, Jamie Arindaeng, Erin Atkinson, Jennifer Bakka, Brenndan Bartshe, Gavin Bates, Natalie Bean, Sara Benson, Holly Bice, Patrick Blair, Sam Bloch, Debra Boyer, Olivia Bryant, Jackson Callahan, Megan Casey, Tayler Casorio, Andrea J. Chonko, Brendan Cipriano, Karla Cipriano, Niki Cipriano, Carmay S. Claiborne, Kae'lyn Clark, Max Claussen, Meghan Cleveland, Mackenzie Cochran, Madeline Cocoran, Thomas Constand, Danielle Cooney, John Corrigan, Abbey Couch, Jane Crile, Allegra Cunningham, Shannon Curcuru, Kai Czajka, Bliss Elizabeth Dady, Ashley Darbe, Dennis Doyle Jr., Stacey DuFord, Carlotta Echols, Derrick Echols, Tyler Eick, Kelsey Estes, Michelle Estes, Giancarlo Evola, Zena Farida, Loriann Fill, Natalie Fill, Rafael Flicker, Michelle Forge, Mychael Foster, Karen Gallaway, Joshua Garretson, Lisa Gaulzetti, Pam German, Hannah Glodich, Dania Goike, David A. Goike, Maria Goike, Michael Goike, Sari Goodstein, Adrienne Goodwin, Justin Gordon, Mallory Granata, Alana Greenspan, Hanley Gurwin, Elise Halbert, Eric M. Hall, Mary Hamway, Ashley Hanes, Jillian Hanes, Zachary Hardin, Ben Harris, Glenn Harris, Emma Hildreth, Marielle Hill, Patti Hill, Caitlin Hiller, Teresa Hiller, Nathan Horn, Khari Huffman, Krystal Huffman, Dale Thomas Jackson, Dylan Jackson, Sylvia Jarrus, Jaclyn Jasgur, Marcell Johnson, Edie Jones, Pamela Jones, Austin Kaczmarek, Donovan Kajy, Justin Kajy, Lamar Kajy, Joseph Kalendose, Joanna Keil, Carla Keller, James A. Keller, Erica J. Kin, Hannah King, Robin Klotz, Barret Krull Jr., Justin LaBond, David Ladd, Karla Ladd, Kyle Lakin, Joseph Lease, Jordan Ledford, Paul Ledford, Beau Lerner, Victoria Li, Emma Lietz, Emily Lonze, McKenzie Magyar, Jeffrey Maldaver, Laya Mancik, Cally Marcuson, Jake Martin, Carol Mastroianni, Hannah May, Heather McClendon, Phillip E. McDermott, Kevin McGaffey, Robert E. McKinley, Tony Merlo, Amanda Meso, Garrett Meso, Olivia Meszaros, Ralph H. Meyer, Sophia Moore, Johnny Mullen, Rod Myers, Olivia Neilson, Dominic Joseph Nepa, Rose Anne Nepa, Meg O'Mara, Shae O'Sullivan, Charlie Obryan, Nancy Lynette Parker, Wesley Parker, Jaicee Partridge, Natalie Partyka, Othamian Peterson, Evelyn Joy Pointer, Robert Polk, Jacqueline Potash, Julia Qashat, Jenna Rautenberg, Kristie Rautenberg, Nick Rautenberg, Stephen Rautenberg, Kathleen Redebaugh, Keean Reynolds, Mallory Rice, Randy Richardville, Emily Richner, Colleen Rivers, Chandler Roberts, Chantal Robinson, Henry Roth, Marlene Roth, Alison Santucci, Thomas Scheidt, Allison Scherr, Suzanne Schlager, Steven Schoolmeesters, Kramer Schultz, Gabrielle Seguin, Patricia Seiler, Erica L. Shkembi, Saimir Shkembi, Jasmine Silvennoinen, Tracy Silvennoinen, Mariah Sitner, Madison Siwak, Gabriella Skory, Amy Sloan, Alexander Smith, Eric «Rick» Smith, Jacqueline M. Smith, Maggie Smith, Shelby Snider, Brianna Snitchler, Tina Snitchler, Lillie Spilman, Sinamon Stewart, Nicholas Stora, Nick Sword, Liz Tekus, Caroline Thomas, Jacqueline Thomas, Mark Thornton, Lauren Tischler, Shant Topouzian, Laurie Valko, Annette Vamvas, Elizabeth Vandevelde, Andrew Vanduinen, Rachel Vandyke, Austin Vergis, Hayden Vergis, Kaleigh Vogel, Vannua Vore, Catherine Waldbott, Alisibeth Watkins-Miller, Kirstin Watkins-White, Ayden Weber, Sharon Weber, Emily Weiss, Marcus Whitted, Audrey Williams, Hunter Williams, Taylor A. Williams, Melissa Woodworth, Julia Wright, Joseph Yezbick, Amanda Yousif, Staci Zemach, Sydney Zhang;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 91 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “A Girl Like Her” on the website imdb.com
These films provide a range of perspectives on the topic of bullying, offering insight into the experiences of those who have been bullied and emphasizing the need for empathy, understanding, and support.
In conclusion, films about bullying serve as powerful narratives that illuminate the complex emotional landscapes faced by victims, while also challenging viewers to reflect on societal attitudes and behaviors. These cinematic explorations not only shed light on the often-painful experiences of young people grappling with harassment and isolation, but they also foster empathy and understanding among audiences. Through compelling storytelling and character development, these films open up vital conversations about resilience, the importance of kindness, and the need for collective action against bullying. Ultimately, they remind us that while the scars of bullying can be deep, the journey toward healing and empowerment is possible, inspiring hope for a future where compassion prevails over cruelty.
