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15 Great Movies for the STEM Classroom

Topics:   Digital Citizenship News & Media Literacy

Use these powerful films to teach problem-solving and nurture students' curiosity.

If you're looking to get kids excited about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), show them the ways that popular media uses -- and misuses -- the concepts you teach daily. Used as part of a lesson, clips from movies can reinforce topics, spark discussion, and promote new perspectives.

There's still a great need to introduce kids, and especially girls, to STEM fields like neurobiology, nanotechnology, and civil engineering. Whether it's a short clip from a Hollywood film to reinforce the concept of gravity or a feature-length documentary that highlights the work of engineers, incorporating movies into your lessons can help kids connect what they're learning in the classroom to the world at large. And even after the credits roll, you can extend the learning: Create a model, start a debate, or begin a community project that the film -- and your teaching -- inspires.

Here are 15 film picks that showcase essential STEM skills for school, home, the workplace, and beyond.

The Lego Movie

This hilarious save-the-world tale appeals to the builder in all of us; creative engineering solutions abound as the heroes embark on their block-building journey. (See also: The Lego Movie 2 .)

Teacher tips : Have students identify the engineering design process at work in the movie. Bring some Lego bricks into the classroom (or use Minecraft ) and have students develop solutions to common problems, creating prototypes, testing designs, and iterating on their own designs. Students can document their findings and share the highs and lows of the creative process.

Discussion questions : Which of the movie's creations was your favorite, and why? How might real-life engineers change the design process when they have to make quick decisions? How do the characters in the film demonstrate teamwork, and why is this important for engineers?

In this Disney adaptation of a comic with the same name, a 14-year-old genius invents special microbots to join his brother’s university robotics program. After tragedy ensues, a group of heroes unites and uses their strengths in chemistry and engineering to overtake a crafty villain.  

Teacher tips : Ask students to choose a problem in their school or community and work together in teams to brainstorm, design, and build solutions using their own unique talents.

Discussion questions : How can engineering solutions and inventions help -- and sometimes hurt -- humankind? What skills do you have that might help a team overcome an obstacle? Which events or traits fuel each character's creativity in the movie? Is creativity always positive?  

Dream Big: Engineering Our World

This documentary highlights engineers from various backgrounds -- many of whom are women -- and the projects they're designing, from earthquake-proof structures to footbridges in developing countries.  

Teacher tips : Use the powerful stories about engineering and robotics clubs in schools to inspire your students to join (or create) their own. Have students research other engineering projects from around the world that are currently in the works, and discuss what kind of global impact they might have. Also be sure to check out the film's  education guide .

Discussion questions : How does engineering affect our everyday lives? How might engineers adapt as technology becomes more prevalent? Why do you think the movie highlights so many women engineers? Why is this type of diversity important?

Two female scientists study whale communication in this documentary that illustrates the excitement and frustrations of fieldwork. Follow them out to sea to capture whale songs and watch them study the data. In terms of iffy stuff, there's really nothing to worry about.

Teacher tips:  Not only is this film a great vehicle for representation of women in STEM, but it also shows the nitty-gritty elements of fieldwork. Discuss the scientists' process and the kind of data they're collecting. Along the way, you can get into cetacean biology and the science of sound.

Discussion questions:  Why is it valuable? What is their goal?

Inventing Tomorrow

Follow four teen scientists from around the world as they try to tackle environmental challenges that their communities are facing. The documentary culminates in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, where projects are compared. In terms of iffy content, there really isn't any to worry about!

Teacher tips:  There's plenty to discuss as you watch this film: You can talk about the details of the environmental challenges that each teen is addressing, the science they're using, and their methods.

Discussion questions:  How did they work through the scientific method? Are there different approaches they could take? What are some local issues that students could investigate and try to solve?

Hidden Figures

This inspiring true story of African American women at NASA in the 1950s and '60s helps shine a light on the need for humans even as technology continues to automate.

Teacher tips : Build off the film's  education guide : Have students construct and solve their own mathematical equations to describe the orbits of planets, or use computer simulations to model Newton's second law of motion. Talk about how technology makes these calculations easier.

Discussion questions : What are the positive and negative implications of technology taking over roles humans once held? What role did gender play in STEM fields in the 1950s and '60s? How much have those roles changed today?

Underwater Dreams

An underdog tale, this documentary tells the story of a robotics team from a lower-income high school that took on university teams -- including MIT -- in an underwater robotics competition.

Teacher tips : Introduce students to robots they can build and code like Sphero and Cue . Have students work in teams to focus on the design process and complete challenges. And while you're at it, why not start or promote a robotics club at your school?  

Discussion questions : What is it about the kids on this team that made them able to overcome such huge obstacles? What makes underwater robotics such a challenging problem to tackle? Besides through robotics clubs, what are some other ways to do STEM activities outside the classroom?

Minari and SEL: A Movie Guide and Lesson Plan for Your Classroom

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A classic and powerful take on the story of the doomed NASA spacecraft, this film highlights the technical issues astronauts faced (along with some of the do-it-yourself solutions they inspired) to land Apollo 13 on the moon. (See also: Apollo 11 .)

Teacher tips : Use the rocket launch and reentry scenes to model physics concepts. Have students build or code their own rockets and create journals to document the kinds of small adjustments and iterations needed to create a successful launch. Tip: Pairs well with a game like Kerbal Space Program .

Discussion questions : How has technology changed since the 1960s? Where should NASA focus its efforts in space exploration today? What does the film say about the role of engineers and their ability to use common items to fix highly technical problems?

Black Panther

Though this is an action movie from Marvel, it definitely invites kids into STEM concepts! From the suit to the airships, the tech in Black Panther far surpasses what's currently possible, but also builds on concepts that kids learn about in school. Note that there's lots of violence and some swearing.

Teacher tips : Shuri is really the star STEM character in Black Panther—as a young Black woman, she's a great example of what a technologist can look like. As she shows her brother, T'Challa, the new suits she's designed, she walks him through different features that build on concepts like kinetic and potential energy and the piezoelectric effect. Challenge students to find the science concepts introduced in the movie.

Discussion questions : What about interactive holograms? The way Shuri heals people with tech? How far away might some of these technologies really be?

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Based on the inspiring story of William Kamkwamba, this film (and book) showcases innovation and problem solving. In response to crops failing and hunger in his village, he creates a device that uses the power of wind to renew the farmland. There's a bit of swearing, some violence, and a few deaths.

Teacher tips : Because Kamkwanba uses spare parts in his invention, it's a perfect opportunity to get kids upcycling and creating with readily-available items. Talk about his process, from concept to final product, and how he works through challenges. And then, of course, you can discuss the science behind his invention and why it works!

Discussion questions : How does Kamkwanba get his ideas? What steps does he take when he runs into challenges?

Interstellar

While some of the film's ideas veer into science fiction, there's enough real science in this edge-of-your-seat thriller to make the heroes' search for habitable planets worth your time.  

Teacher tips : After taking a look at some TED-Ed lessons , have students talk about misconceptions and analyze the accuracy of some of the film's scientific questions. Students can hold a debate around what's a fact, what may be possible, and what's simply unattainable.

Discussion questions : What technological issues are holding humans back from interstellar travel? If you were building your own robot companion for space travel, what qualities would you deem most important? What are some ways viewers can separate fact from fantasy in science fiction movies?

The Martian

This sci-fi space thriller follows an astronaut who’s stuck on Mars and must problem-solve his way to safety using real scientific principles.

Teacher tips : Let students know it’s a movie about risk-taking and creativity and that, although the story is fictional, it's rooted in scientific fact. Have students take a look at some of the main character's creations in the movie: a sextant for navigation, his potato farm, or the water he makes from rocket fuel. Next, design a lesson where students are given a limited set of tools, a goal, and some constraints, then see what sort of innovative DIY projects they can launch.

Discussion questions : What is the hexadecimal system, and why is language so important in science and math? How important was it for the film's main character to keep a log? Why do we not yet have the technology to go to Mars?

This documentary provides evidence that it exists and has detrimental impacts. From facial recognition to credit card applications, students will see examples of how it occurs. At one point, an AI says "f---ing" and "I hate Jews."

Teacher tips : This documentary offers great opportunities to talk about computer science, AI, and the ethics of tech in general. Dig into how algorithms work and how they're used. Challenge students to create their own algorithms, and discuss ways the process could be improved.  

Discussion questions : What do you already know about AI? Who needs to be involved in developing future AI?

If You Build It

Want to show students that they have the talent and ability to make a difference? Then check out this documentary that follows 10 high school students who design and build a new farmer's market for their rural community.

Teacher tips : Kids will be inspired not only by the students' abilities but by their actions. Harness that sentiment to get kids out into their own communities. Have your students interview neighbors, collect data, and embark on a cross-curricular project-based learning assignment to solve an issue. Teach your students the necessary skills to build something, and then set them free to create.

Discussion questions : Which engineering processes did you notice throughout the movie? Were some more successful than others? What obstacles might you face if you were to promote a change at your school?

The Imitation Game

Cryptologists and mathematicians are front and center in this historical drama about the British government's attempt to crack the German Enigma code during WWII.  

Teacher tips : There's a lack of Hollywood movies that incorporate math in meaningful ways. Take advantage of kids' interest in this movie to host a code-breaking challenge event. Or, use cryptograms as an introduction to a matrix unit. If you provide Genius Hour  time, let students dig in and explore a topic of their interest. You could also have kids research other examples where STEM skills have helped shape significant historical events.  

Discussion questions : Would computers today be able to pass Turing's test to determine intelligence? Why do we typically see more movies and stories about biologists or engineers instead of mathematicians?  

Danny was Senior Editor, Education Reviews at Common Sense Education. His focus was on guiding the editorial direction of the Ratings & Reviews platform to discover the best in education technology. In addition to reviewing digital media for learning potential, Danny produced content and wrote articles for a variety of topics, including STEM and social and emotional learning. Previously, he was Curriculum Technology Integration Specialist for San Francisco Unified School District and a science and robotics teacher for a decade in the Midwest. Prior to his career in education, Danny worked as an Environmental Engineering consultant. 

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Best Movies for Critical Thinking: Top Picks to Challenge Your Mind

In today’s fast-paced world, movies have become an essential source of entertainment and learning, providing viewers with thought-provoking stories that challenge their intellect. One of the many subgenres of films that cater to this need is the category of movies for critical thinking. These films captivate audiences by presenting complex narratives that delve into unique philosophical concepts, moral dilemmas, and intricate character developments. A compelling critical thinking movie will often challenge perception and reality, encouraging viewers to reflect on the nature of humanity and the universe.

Key Takeaways

Understanding critical thinking, definition and importance.

The importance of critical thinking cannot be overstated. It enables critical thinkers to navigate complex situations, think creatively, and approach new challenges with confidence. It equips individuals to discern truth from falsehood, judge the credibility of sources, and differentiate between reliable and misleading information. By fostering critical thinking skills, people become more adept at reasoning, problem solving, and effective communication.

Relation with Movies

Films like Inception and A Beautiful Mind challenge viewers to employ critical thinking by exploring complicated storylines and themes. These movies encourage audiences to deconstruct the elements of the plot, evaluate the motivations and actions of characters, and critically assess the impact of choices made within the story. By engaging with complex narratives, viewers develop a deeper understanding of the world portrayed in the film and enhance their own critical thinking skills as they explore various perspectives and theories.

Critical Thinking in Dramas

Forrest gump, good will hunting.

Good Will Hunting is another remarkable drama that fosters critical thinking. The film revolves around a young, self-taught mathematics prodigy, Will Hunting, portrayed by Matt Damon, who faces the challenges of living in a tough, working-class environment in America. The movie delves into real-life issues of identity, relationships, and personal growth while presenting an enthralling story of brilliance, vulnerability, and human connection.

Exploring Philosophy and Beliefs through Movies

The truman show.

Another film that delves into the world of illusions is The Truman Show . This unique story captures the life of Truman, an unwitting participant in a reality TV show that is, unbeknownst to him, centered around his every move. As Truman starts to unravel the truth about his artificial world, the film delves into philosophical questions about the nature of existence, the role of the media in shaping our perceptions, and the importance of personal freedom. With its thought-provoking concepts, The Truman Show encourages critical thinking in the exploration of reality and the human experience.

Cloud Atlas

Movies that challenge perception and reality, being john malkovich.

Being John Malkovich is a quirky, surreal, and thought-provoking film directed by Spike Jonze. The story centers on a puppeteer, Craig Schwartz (played by John Cusack), who discovers a mysterious portal in his office that allows people to enter the mind of actor John Malkovich. This bizarre premise raises intriguing philosophical questions about identity, ego, and the nature of reality. As the film unfolds, the lines between the real world, the fantasy world, and the life of John Malkovich blur together, challenging our preconceived notions of perception and self-awareness.

Shutter Island

Critical thinking in time and space movies, predestination.

Predestination is a fascinating take on time travel, centered on the concept of a temporal agent who tries to prevent crimes before they happen. The movie keeps viewers on their toes, exploring themes of fate, free will, and identity. The protagonist’s journey through various time periods challenges the audience to think critically about the nature of time and the consequences of attempting to control it.

Interstellar

2001: a space odyssey, movies encouraging reflection on self and humanity, eternal sunshine of the spotless mind.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a thought-provoking film that delves into the concept of human memory and emotions. Starring Jim Carrey, this movie portrays the desire to erase painful memories in order to move on from a failed relationship. As the story unfolds, it offers a profound look into the soul, highlighting how memories define who we are and help us grow. Viewers are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and evaluate the importance of embracing both joyful and sorrowful moments in life.

Critical Thinking in Thriller Movies

Primer is a mind-bending science fiction thriller that leaves viewers questioning the nature of time and the consequences of playing with it. The movie’s complex narrative structure and attention to scientific detail encourage critical thinking in the audience. Directed by Shane Carruth, Primer tells the story of two engineers who accidentally discover time travel and grapple with the ethical implications of their newfound power. The film challenges viewers to think critically about the role that technology plays in our lives, as well as the potential dangers and moral dilemmas associated with scientific advancement.

V for Vendetta

Throughout these thriller films, notable actors such as Hugh Jackman and Brad Pitt have portrayed characters experiencing paranoia and the consequences of difficult choices. Directors like Darren Aronofsky have also contributed to the genre, crafting narratives that leave audiences questioning their understanding of reality and the human psyche. These movies prompt viewers to engage in critical thinking as they navigate intricate plotlines, consider ethical dilemmas, and grapple with philosophical questions.

Appreciating Movies as Art and Stories

In recent years, the exploration of artificial intelligence in movies has sparked critical thinking and raised ethical questions. For instance, Ex Machina is a visually captivating and intelligent science fiction film that delves into the complexities of human-like AI. The movie invites viewers to ponder the implications of creating and interacting with such technology, as well as the potential consequences that may arise.

In conclusion, the art of cinema offers a unique platform for telling thought-provoking stories that challenge and inspire the audience. By appreciating the artistic elements and themes present in movies, viewers can engage in critical thinking and find meaning in the stories shared on the big screen. [url=” https://www.theodysseyonline.com/movies-for-critical-thinkers “]

Empowering movies such as Good Will Hunting and Forrest Gump also instigate critical thinking while evoking themes of acceptance, loyalty, and appreciation. These must-watch critical thinking movies demonstrate the power of human resilience in overcoming personal and societal obstacles.

In summary, the captivating world of movies offers a vast array of films that foster critical thinking while providing audiences with thought-provoking and gratifying experiences. Whether they are fictional stories, biographical dramas, or even documentaries, these movies effectively serve as both educational and inspirational resources in today’s world.

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The 15 Best Movies About Resilience

Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress— such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors. It means “bouncing back” from difficult experiences (American Psychological Association).

However, even though resilient people can survive the tragedies they have endured, it does not mean that they do not experience emotional pain, difficulty or distress.

As with most things, a combination of factors contribute to resilience – mainly having supportive relationships that encourage love and reassurance, problem solving skills, the capacity to make realistic plans and take steps to carry them out and managing strong feelings and impulses. The listed films provide a wide range of instances in which the characters must endure their pain and trauma, and continue living.

An important distinction must be made between resilience and revenge. While there may be fights against injustice and an aim for retribution in these resilient-themed films, the characters do not use harmful means to do so – which is the main component in vengeance films like “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”, The Vengeance Trilogy, and Memento, and hence why these and others are not listed.

15. The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)

Gabriele Muccino’s biographical drama, based on Chris Gardner’s best-selling memoir of the same name, follows Gardner (Will Smith) in 1981, San Francisco as he tries his best to support himself and his five-year-old son, Christopher (Jaden Smith).

Gardner invests his entire life savings in portable bone density scanners and is able to sell most of them, until he loses one while running away from an angry taxi driver who he couldn’t pay.

The financial instability takes a turn for the worse since not only can he not continue selling scanners, but he also gets arrested for numerous unpaid parking tickets, his wife (Thandie Newton) leaves him, and they get evicted from their apartment – leaving Gardner and his son homeless.

During this time, he manages to become an intern at Dean Witter Reynolds, but the position is unpaid – with only the chance of him gaining a paid position as a broker striving him to move forward.

Despite his challenges and the fact that he spends his nights cradling his son at either a homeless shelter or in BART station, he never reveals his lowly circumstances to his colleagues, and never seeks evoke sympathy for profit or pity. For his performance, Smith was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Actor.

14. The Thin Blue Line (1988)

Errol Morris’ iconic American documentary uncovers the disturbing miscarriage of justice in the conviction of Randall Dale Adams, a man sentenced to death for a murder he did not commit.

Originally intended to be a documentary about the prosecution psychiatrist, Dr. James Grigson, who came to be known as “Dr. Death”, since his testimonies were almost always identical in more than 100 trials, and claimed that the defendant was an incurable sociopath, and would definitely kill again – leading to the defendants receiving death penalties.

His testimony about Adams was no different, but after meeting him, Morris became doubtful and switched gears to investigate what else was wrong with the handling of the Adam’s case.

An absorbing reconstruction, Morris manages to get quasi-abstract recreations of the crime with film noir overtones and a whodunit personality.

It also marks the first effective film score ever composed by Philip Glass and utilises juxtaposing images throughout his editing to ensure that a documentary is no less artistic than a fictional film. The film had a massive effect and led to Adams’ case being reviewed and finally released from prison approximately a year after its release.

13. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The best adaptations of Stephen King’s work has arguably been those of his non-horror short stories, including this film which was based on the originally titled, “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption”.

Frank Darabont’s drama follows an ordinary banker, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who, in 1946, is sentenced to two lifetimes in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover. The film follows the silent, wide-eyed prison newbie through the eyes of prison veteran Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman), the man who can get anything past the walls of the prison and who also narrates the film.

Over a period of twenty years, Red and Andy strike up a friendship, and Andy gradually learns to cope with life within Shawshank, and even thrives as he wins the respect of the governor and guards as he uses his accounting knowledge to do their tax returns and business dealings for them. Darabont’s remains true to the source material as the film deals with the triumph of the human spirit over injustice and indignity.

Although it was a box office disappointment, the film is considered to be one of the greatest films of all time. It also received multiple award nominations, including seven Oscar nominations, and raving reviews from critics.

12. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

Frank Capra’s American Christmas classic stars James Stewart as the iconic George Bailey, a selfless man who has sacrificed all his dreams so as to help others in need. However, his long list of altruistic deeds just prolong his quest for happiness, leaving him depressed and suicidal.

When George about to jump off a bridge, an angel named Clarence Odbody is assigned to save him. In order to do so, Clarence sees George’s entire life (with the audience) before meeting him.

Through these memories, we learn that even in his childhood he did his best to help others like saving his younger brother’s life, costing him his hearing in one ear. He gives up his dream of travelling around the world to work at his family business, the Bailey Brothers’ Building and Loan when his father dies. When economic difficulties strike and money problems become a bigger problem, George become responsible for the entire town and cannot handle the pressure and the risk of failure.

Realising that with a life insurance policy, he is worth more to the community dead than alive, he drunkenly wanders to the bridge back to the beginning, where the angel shows him a parallel world of what things would be like if he was never in it.

11. Life Is Beautiful (1997)

Roberto Benigni’s Italian comedy drama follows a comical and optimistic Jewish Italian book shop owner, Guido Orefice (played by Benigni himself) and his family during the 1930s.

At the beginning of the story, the film seems to be a romantic comedy as the protagonist falls in love with a teacher, who is set to be engaged to a rich but arrogant man. Guido sets up many spectacles as he tries to create “coincidental” meetings with his “principessa” and fulfils the romantic comedy tradition with making grandiose gestures to prove his love, one of which manages to include a horse.

Dora falls for his charm and their romance is fast-forwarded to 1939, where they are married, have a son, Giosuè, and are in the middle of the changing political climate in Italy and the growing Fascist wave. Guido and Giosuè are soon taken away and forced onto a train and taken to a concentration camp.

The film quickly shifts into a far more dramatic tale but Benigni manages to retain humour despite the tragedy his characters must face. Giosuè narrowly avoids being killed as he does not follow instructions and does not follow the other children who have been ordered to go to the “showers.”

Instead, Guido hides him in his bunk and also manages to hide their true situation. Guido explains to his son that the camp is actually a very complicated game in which he must perform the tasks Guido gives him, like remaining silent.

Each of the tasks will earn them points and whoever gets to one thousand points first will win a tank. Due to this, Guido must remain in character and upbeat through the atrocities he witnesses for the sake of his child.

The film was a critical and financial success, winning Benigni the Academy Award for Best Actor as well as the Academy Award for Best Original Dramatic Score and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

10. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

Based on Jean-Dominique Bauby’s memoir of the same name, Julian Schnabel’s French film depicts Bauby’s (Mathieu Amalric) life after suffering a stroke, which left him with an incrrdibly rare condition known as “locked-in syndrome”, which not only paralyzed him from the neck down, but left unable to speak.

Despite his extensively limiting circumstances, Bauby’s utilises his solely functioning left eye in order to communicate with others with the help of his speech therapist, Henriette (Marie-Josee Croze).

Holding up a card with the alphabet on it, the therapist reads the list of letters until Bauby blinks on the letter he wants. Even though this system is laborious, they become used to it -leading Bauby to write the memoir on which the biopic is based upon – through blinking.

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where Schnabel won the Award for Best Director. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing and Best Cinematography, and won a BAFTA award for Best Adapted Screenplay, as well as two César Awards for Best Editing and Best Actor. Schnabel also won Best Director at the Golden Globe Awards, where the film won Best Foreign Language Film.

9. Rust And Bone (2012)

Jacques Audiard’s French–Belgian romantic drama film based on Craig Davidson’s short story collection of the same name, follows two people who are faced with challenges and who become close to each other along the way of dealing with them.

Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts) is rough, powerfully-built and dreams of becoming a champion at fighting, but his lack of a steady job and newfound responsibility of taking his young son, Sam, into custody set him on a different path. Stéphanie (Marion Cotillard) is a trainer at a seaquarium, using her body language to command a tank filled with killer whales to rise up from the water to entertain sunburnt tourists – until she isn’t, and left legless.

Stéphanie’s path to recovery is dreadfully slow as she not only loses her legs, but also loses her self-confidence. Terrified to do the things she used do, Ali persuades her to not give up things she loves.

While the two have little in common, they enjoy each other’s company enough to withstand each other’s perceived flaws. Raw and unsentimental, the film could have easily become a melodrama, but with Schoenaerts’ brute immaturity and Cotillard’s nuanced and subtle performance prevents it from becoming such, and instead revels in the normality of their actions.

The film competed for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and received a ten-minute standing ovation. It was also nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award, two Golden Globes, two BAFTA Awards, and nine César Awards, winning four.

27 Best Movies About Teamwork and Working Together

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What makes a team awesome?

Is it having the most talented individuals working together toward a common goal?

Should a visionary be at the helm?

Is it where every member understands the value of effective communication?

Actually, it’s all of the above and then some.

Today’s collection of movies about teamwork showcases what we can achieve by working together. Each of the films provides clues regarding the important characteristics of stellar teams.

Success—whether in business, sports, academics, families, or at work—is made possible through the concerted efforts of every team member.

Having a good leader is important, but when everyone on the team pitches in, awesome things happen .

Before we get to our list of movies for this collection, let’s briefly talk about the hallmarks of a great team.

Table of Contents

Characteristics of an Awesome Team

The following traits are common in teams geared for success:

• All members are on the same page about their goals.
• The members communicate effectively.
• Conflicts within the team are resolved in a respectful and constructive manner.
• A strong leader is at the helm, motivating members to contribute their best to the team.
• Members have a clear understanding of their responsibilities within the team and perform them well.
• Members help each other.
• All members feel that they are directly contributing to the achievement of the team’s goals.

Continue reading for today’s movie collection. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed compiling it for you!

1. Invictus

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This inspiring movie was based on true events during the time when Nelson Mandela was newly elected as the president of South Africa.

At that time, South Africa was still reeling from the aftermath of apartheid. Mandela reached out to the captain of the country’s rugby team in an effort to unite South African citizens.

In this movie, several teams collaborated to help the South African nation stand together, united in the common hope of victory.

2. Avengers: Endgame

This is one of the most successful movies set in the MCU and is also a great example when you’re looking for a movie that shows what strong teamwork can achieve.

The movie shows several important aspects of teamwork:

• Trusting your team members
• Knowing your role within the team
• Sharing your skills and abilities to achieve your team’s goals
• Celebrating your group’s achievements, no matter how small

3. Ocean's Eleven

Ocean’s 11 is a heist movie that also offers several important lessons about the value of good teamwork.

In order to pull off their planned heist, all members of Danny Ocean’s team had to learn to value effective communication.

Under extremely stressful situations, a slight misunderstanding could make all the difference between success and failure.

4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

In this sweeping epic story, we witness the formation of the Fellowship that escorts Frodo to Mount Doom in order to get rid of the Ring of Power. The Fellowship encounters many challenging situations, both within the group and external threats such as the orcs.

Only by working together will they prevail and accomplish their mission.

5. Big Hero 6

This movie introduces us to an unlikely band of heroes—a bunch of “nerds” from the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. The group was accidentally formed after Hiro Hamada, a child genius, decides to bring to justice the person he thought was responsible for his older brother’s death.

6. School of Rock

In this movie, Black Jack takes on the role of a substitute music teacher for private school students. He gathers together the kids and inspires them to form a rock band and enter a battle of the bands.

Unfortunately, the kids’ parents and the school authorities are unaware of the plan.

On a related note, here's a list of our favorite songs about teams and teamwork .

7. Minamata

In this movie, a group of people work together to share their tragic story with the rest of the world. It also shows how the efforts of people who care can help others become accountable for the consequences of their decisions and actions.

8. A League of Their Own

In this movie, we follow the story of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was established in 1943. It is a wonderful example of how team members can set aside their personal differences and work hard for the good of the team.

9. Armageddon

Here’s a movie that shows an example of a high-performance team in action. In Armageddon , a group of people are being trained to detonate a nuclear bomb inside an asteroid in order to save Earth. They exhibit the following critical skills that are evident in any great team:

• Firm understanding of the team’s goals
• Finding solutions under pressure
• Conflict resolution
• Technical skills appropriate for the job

10. Hackers

This film was released in 1995 and was the first of a new genre known as “hacksploitation.” Although it wasn’t very successful in the box office during its theatrical release, it has gained a cult following over the years.

In the film, we follow the exploits of high school hackers who accidentally discovered a pilfering virus placed in the mainframe of a supercomputer at Ellingson Mineral Corporation.

Will they be able to set aside their personal grievances in order to uncover the true identity of the virus’ creator?

11. The Italian Job

Here’s another classic heist movie. This film was released in 2003 and is a remake of the 1969 film of the same title.

In this movie, we are introduced to a team of thieves who are intent on stealing back millions of dollars’ worth of gold bullion that was initially stolen from them. After a previous betrayal, will the team members still be able to trust each other in order to pull off the new heist?

12. The Great Escape

This epic film is based on true events during World War II. In the film, we witness a group of British Commonwealth POWs in their attempt to escape from a German prisoner of war camp.

The biggest challenge in their daring escape is the fact that there were 250 prisoners planning to break out all at once. Will everyone make it?

13. Facing the Giants

This movie is a great example if you’re looking for a teamwork movie with a Christian perspective. It is about an underdog football team about to begin their seventh season with a losing streak.

In addition to their troubles on the football field, the team members and their coach face personal problems. Their ultimate challenge is to learn to work together as a team and believe in each other despite having never won in the previous seasons.

14. Zootopia

Looking for a family-friendly movie that shows a good example of teamwork? Disney’s Zootopia introduces us to Officer Judy Hopps, a rabbit police officer, and Nick Wilde, a fox who hustles for a living.

Officer Hopps enlists the help of Nick Wilde and the two form an unlikely team, chasing after the bad guys who are sabotaging the peaceful coexistence of predator and prey in Zootopia.

15. Seven Samurai

What does it take to form an amazing team? This classic film from the great Akira Kurosawa offers some clues.

First, make sure that every member shares the belief that they’re doing something for a deeper purpose other than monetary reward or public recognition.

Second, choose team members who have the necessary skills. Look beyond physical appearances and bravado. Oftentimes, the most talented people are the ones sitting quietly at the back.

Third, discuss your goals with each other. Make sure that everyone is on the same page.

Finally, go out there and do something awesome.

Shrek is another movie that can teach younger audiences the value of teamwork.

For example, Donkey is a loyal friend. He is willing to put up with Shrek’s ogre nature and never leaves his side. A team can only be great if the members are loyal to each other.

17. Cool Runnings

When you think of Jamaica, you’d probably envision a tropical paradise—beaches, swaying palm trees, rainforests, and warm weather. You’d probably never associate the country with the Winter Olympics.

However, this movie tells the story of the Jamaica National Bobsled Team’s debut at the Winter Olympic Games in 1988 .

It’s a heartwarming and inspiring story and a wonderful example of how a team can work together to achieve their goals, no matter how impossible these goals seem to be.

18. Apollo 13

This film is about the United States’ aborted lunar mission, which planned to land the Apollo 13 spacecraft on the surface of the moon. It focuses on ensuring that the three astronauts aboard the spacecraft get back to Earth safely.

Throughout the film, we see the concerted efforts of those aboard the spacecraft and those at Ground Control to ensure that the mission to bring back the crew safely doesn’t fail.

19. Blades of Glory

In this sports comedy, we are introduced to two disgraced figure skaters: Chazz Michael Michaels and Jimmy MacElroy.

The two want to redeem themselves in the world of figure skating, and the only way to do so is to team up and enter a new figure skating category: the pairs’ skating competition.

Can two sworn enemies overcome their personal differences in order to achieve their goal of winning the world championship gold?

20. How to Train Your Dragon

In order to achieve its goals, an awesome team needs a strong leader to point them in the right direction.

In this heartwarming movie, we see how a young village outcast named Hiccup leads a team of strong, able-bodied Vikings to change their culture and worldview for the better.

21. The 355

Are you looking for a movie about teamwork with an all-female cast? You might want to watch The 355 . It is about a diverse group of female spies united in their mission to retrieve a device able to access any digital system in the world.

Along the way, they have to overcome being double-crossed, having their families threatened, and being arrested for crimes they didn’t commit. Will the group pull through and succeed in their mission?

22. Monsters University

In this movie, we witness how the unbeatable team of Mike and Sully was formed. The movie also takes us on a tour of new areas of the Monster realm that we didn’t see in Monsters Inc.

23. Remember the Titans

This movie shares a couple of important lessons about teamwork. The first one is about working together to achieve a common goal. The second is about accountability . Every member of the team has a responsibility to do their part so that they can meet their goals.

24. A Bug's Life

In this animated movie from Disney, we see how a group of beleaguered ants finally has the courage to stand up to their oppressors.

With the help of a motley group of bugs and the encouragement of a single ant who dares to go against the status quo, an ant colony is able to reclaim their autonomy from grasshoppers who demand an annual tribute.

25. Guardians of the Galaxy

This film shows us that, against all odds, members of a group can set aside their differences and work together as a team.

Each member has his or her own unique abilities to share with the team. When they’re used together, that team becomes formidable.

26. X-Men 2

People sometimes band together to have a better chance at survival. In the X-Men series, this is often the case for the mutants at Professor X’s school for gifted youngsters.

Shunned and mistrusted by humans, these gifted young people found refuge in the X-Mansion. Now they must work together to fight an enemy that poses a huge threat to everyone, not just mutants.

27. Finding Dory

In this film, Marlin and Nemo (of Disney’s Finding Nemo ) team up in a father-son tandem to search for their friend Dory.

Dory’s short-term memory loss creates complications for her and the rescue party. Marlin and Nemo (plus Dory) must overcome the challenges of the deep ocean to track Dory’s whereabouts and bring her safely back home.

Final Thoughts

There you have it—a collection of movies about teamwork. These movies are awesome examples of what can be achieved by working together.

Sometimes, it’s just a small achievement. However, there are times when it is our very survival that hinges on a team’s success.

We hope you enjoyed this collection and have picked up a new favorite or two.

If you need more resources about movies and shows for specific topics, you might want to check out the following posts:

• 11 Best Inspirational Entrepreneur Movies of All Time
• 15 Motivational Movies All Students Must Watch
• 17 Best Philosophical Movies of All Time
• 21 Best Family Shows on Netflix to Watch in 2022
• 11 Movies About Getting a Job or Finding a Career

In addition, you might be interested in the following posts, which feature good leadership and team-building:

• 15 Leadership SMART Goals Examples for Your Workplace
• 45 Team-Building Questions to Use as Icebreakers at Work
• 17 Team Building Problem Solving Activities & Exercises
• 14 Characteristics and Qualities of a Good Leader
• 5 SMART Goals Examples to Improve Workplace Teamwork

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63 Best Mystery Movies and Thrillers That Will Keep You Guessing Until the Very End

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The beauty of the best mystery movies and TV shows is that they prey on our human instinct to look for answers to questions. It can feel maddening to not know what’s going to happen next, and yet we love it when a crime thriller is impossible to predict. Even better if the mystery has you on the edge of your seat until the very last second.

Whether it’s a vintage whodunit or a terrifying small-town psychological thriller, the best mystery movies in particular never stop being fun. Trying to differentiate the bad from the good, guessing who’s lying or telling the truth, and attempting to solve a true crime thriller are all mental puzzles that are endlessly frustrating yet completely entertaining. We’re never not in the mood for more movies like Knives Out .

So with that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the best mystery films you can stream tonight. What is the best mystery movie of all time? We may not be able to pick just one. From Alfred Hitchcock classic movies to Oscar-winning M. Night Shyamalan thriller twists, these picks span every genre. If you’re in the mood for funny comedy , try something light like The Lovebirds. Fans of horror movies and crime thrillers will be intrigued by Get Out and Seven. Meanwhile, those who prefer a moving drama might enjoy Arrival. No matter what kind of mystery movie you’re feeling, we’ve got you covered.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Knives Out (2019)

Combine a mysterious death with a multimillion-dollar inheritance, and drama is bound to ensue. This comedic take on the classic whodunit, directed by Rian Johnson, follows an extremely dysfunctional wealthy family vying for their share of patriarch Harlan Thrombey’s money. When an anonymous member of the family hires Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) to figure out who’s responsible for the death of Harlan, things escalate even further in this thriller. Despite being relatively new, this is easily one of the best detective movies of all time, which is why a sequel was released in late 2022.

Available to stream on Prime Video

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

One of the best mystery movies on Netflix, this follow-up to Knives Out features a whole new case for Detective Benoit Blanc to solve. This time the whodunnit revolves around a mysterious billionaire (Edward Norton) who gathers his closest friends—and enemies—for a weekend getaway on his private island. Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Madelyn Cline, Dave Bautista, Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr., and Jessica Henwick also star.

Available to stream on Netflix

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

You can't have a list of the best mystery movies of all time without Agatha Christie. This adaptation of her most well-known novel stars Kenneth Branagh as the famed detective Hercule Poirot, with fun supporting roles for Penelope Cruz, Michelle Pfeiffer, and more A-listers.

Available to stream on Disney+

See How They Run (2022)

If a murder mystery is inspired by Agatha Christie, it simply must be on this list. Those are the rules. See How They Run is set in 1950s London, where the writer's play The Mousetrap is celebrating its 100th performance and on the verge of a big Hollywood adaptation. But when the film's director is found killed under strange circumstances, it's up to a jaded inspector (Sam Rockwell) and an earnest new recruit (Saoirse Ronan) to solve the crime.

Available to stream on Hulu

Missing (2023)

Storm Reid leads this clever anthology sequel to Searching (which you'll find further down this list) as a teenager who employs some serious online sleuthing skills after her mother disappears while on vacation with a new boyfriend.

The Wonder (2022)

The Wonder combines the lush sets and moving performances one expects in a period piece with the edge-of-your seat drama of a psychological thriller. In it, Florence Pugh stars as a nurse sent to investigate the mystery surrounding a young “fasting girl”—that is, a young woman who is seemingly able to survive without eating. You won't see the ending coming.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Reporter Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) is hired by wealthy Swedish industrialist Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) to solve the 40-year-old murder of Vanger’s niece. So Blomkvist joins forces with investigator Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) to discover the truth. The David Fincher–directed crime thriller drama works because it stays true to the hit book series the movie is based on.

Available to rent on Prime Video

Before I Go to Sleep (2014)

Christine Lucas (Nicole Kidman) is unable to remember her life due to amnesia brought on by a violent attack. Because of this, she wakes up every morning with no memories and has to remeet everyone she knows, including her husband. Before long she finds herself questioning everything about her past.

Kiss the Girls (1997)

This neo-noir film is based on the James Patterson novel of the same name. It tells the story of forensic psychologist Dr. Alex Cross (Morgan Freeman), who is searching for a serial kidnapper after his niece Naomi (Gina Ravera) goes missing. And the woman who assists him on his hunt? A survivor who managed to escape the very man they’re pursuing.

The Girl on the Train (2016)

Emily Blunt is mesmerizing as Rachel Watson, a struggling alcoholic reeling after the loss of her job and marriage. Instead of trying to move on, she rides in and out of Manhattan on a commuter train and spends her time obsessing over her ex-husband, Tom (Justin Theroux), and his new wife, Anna (Rebecca Ferguson). After Anna and Tom’s nanny, Megan (Haley Bennett) disappears, all eyes turn to Rachel because she was spotted in the vicinity. The problem is Rachel can’t remember anything.

The Invitation (2015)

A man returns to his former home—where his ex-wife now lives with her new husband—to attend a seemingly normal dinner party. Things take a dangerous turn, though, when he starts to question the true intentions of the event. Moral of the story: Don’t accept invites from your ex.

Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele’s layered horror film is a thought-provoking, deeply unsettling examination of race and the Black experience in America as photographer Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya) visits his white girlfriend’s family. We won’t spoil the end, but you’ve likely heard of the Sunken Place before.

Av a ilable to rent on Prime Video

Arrival (2016)

You know those movies that leave you questioning everything you watched long after the credits roll? Well, this is one. Amy Adams stars in this sci-fi thriller that received eight Academy Award nominations, including best picture, about humans trying to communicate with extraterrestrial visitors.

Donnie Darko (2001)

This indie starts off with Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) encountering a demonic-looking rabbit named Frank (James Duval). If that’s not weird enough, Frank then reveals to Donnie that the world will end in 28 days, and when Donnie returns home, he discovers that his room was demolished by a jet engine crash. Is this all in Donnie’s head? Or is the world really coming to an end?

Now You See Me (2013)

A team of illusionists called the Four Horsemen are able to pull off near-impossible bank heists and often reward the lucky guests at their shows with some of the money. Now they must evade an FBI agent, an Interpol agent, and the former magician they’ve hired to help expose the Four Horsemen’s tricks.

Primal Fear (1996)

When a 19-year-old altar boy is accused of murdering a revered Catholic archbishop, defense attorney Martin Vail (Richard Gere) jumps at the chance to represent the young man. His client, Aaron Stamper (Edward Norton), seems innocent, but the case becomes even more complicated once Aaron’s secrets are revealed.

Prisoners (2013)

When two girls go missing while on a walk, one of the fathers, Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman), becomes insistent that the owner of an RV parked on his street is responsible for the kidnappings. But when Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) finds no evidence linking the driver to the crime, Dover decides to take on the case himself.

Flightplan (2005)

With a mind-bending plot, this movie is a trip (pun intended) from start to finish. Jodie Foster stars in the psychological film about a woman who boards an international plane with her young daughter…and then the girl mysteriously vanishes while they’re still in the air. That's mysterious enough, but there’s also no evidence of her daughter on the flight plan. Is Foster’s character losing her mind? Or did something terrible happen?

Gone Girl (2014)

Based on Gillian Flynn’s novel of the same name—in fact, one of the best movies based on a book of all time— Gone Girl shows what can happen when a marriage goes very, very wrong. When Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) goes missing, her husband, Nick (Ben Affleck), looks increasingly guilty with each passing day. Was she kidnapped? Was she killed? Is he behind it? In the end, the truth turns out to be even more shocking than the theories.

Searching (2018)

Told you we'd get to this one: Searching has a unique format for a mystery movie—it’s told entirely through smartphones and shared computer screens. John Cho plays a father desperate to find his missing 16-year-old daughter. As he searches through her computer history and text messages, he discovers that he may not have known her as well as he thought.

Memento (2000)

Memory loss seems to be a trend among mystery movies, Memento included. After a man’s wife is killed, he decides to track down the culprit in this Christopher Nolan-directed film. However, this proves to be a difficult task because, while his long-term memory is intact, he has short-term amnesia and can’t remember anything that happened in the prior 15 minutes.

Unbreakable (2000)

Written, produced, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, Unbreakable follows security guard David Dunn (Bruce Willis), who survives a train crash with no injuries. Soon after, he meets comic book store owner Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), who proposes an interesting theory: What if superheroes really do exist?

Minority Report (2002)

This Steven Spielberg–directed movie, set in the year 2054, stars Tom Cruise as the leader of a unit that arrests people for crimes before they even happen. But the real mystery begins when he finds himself accused of the future murder of a man he’s never met.

Mulholland Drive (2001)

In this surreal film by David Lynch, a mysterious woman, played by Laura Elena Harring, finds herself wandering around Los Angeles after surviving a car crash that left her unable to remember anything. She meets Naomi Watts’s character, and the two work together to try to uncover the woman’s identity.

Annihilation (2018)

Annihilation follows Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, and Tuva Novotny as a group of scientists who agree to embark on a fact-finding mission inside a quarantined zone—called the Shimmer—caused by a mysterious alien presence. Almost as soon as they enter the Shimmer, strange things start happening.

The One I Love (2014)

Elisabeth Moss plays a woman whose marriage is on the rocks in this romantic thriller. So she and her husband (Mark Duplass) embark on a weekend getaway to work on their relationship…only to find out the secluded escape is not as peaceful as they’d hoped.

The Prestige (2006)

It’s all fun and games for rival magicians Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) until Angier’s wife tragically dies during a botched performance. As their careers take off, Angier is pushed to the brink of insanity as he attempts to figure out how the other magician created a teleportation trick.

The Lovebirds (2020)

The Lovebirds is proof that thriller movies can be funny too. It’s also one of the best crime movies on Netflix. Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) and Leilani (Issa Rae) are a couple on the verge of a breakup when they accidentally witness a murder. After they’re mistaken for the culprits, they go on the run and try to clear their name by solving the case themselves.

In the Heat of the Night (1967)

Sidney Poitier stars as Virgil Tibbs, a detective from Philadelphia who becomes involved in a Mississippi murder investigation in this critically acclaimed film. It won five Academy Awards, including best picture. In fact, the film is so culturally significant that the United States National Film Registry has preserved it in the Library of Congress.

Rear Window (1954)

The premise of Rear Window is as enticing as it is scary. (Would you expect anything less from an Alfred Hitchcock film?) The story follows a photographer confined to a wheelchair who believes he witnessed a murder. So he spies on his neighbors in nearby apartments as he grows more and more convinced that a crime took place.

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Set in 1890 London, this remake of the classic Sherlock Holmes character kicks off with the detective (Robert Downing Jr.) and his partner, Dr. John Watson (Jude Law), preventing the murder of a woman by villain Lord Henry Blackwood (Mark Strong). Despite their success, though, they realize Blackwood has an even bigger plot they must work to stop.

Shutter Island (2010)

Traveling to a psychiatric asylum on a remote island sounds like a terrible idea, but that’s exactly what U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner (Mark Ruffalo) do in this Martin Scorcese thriller. The two venture out to the ominous island to figure out how a murderous patient somehow managed to escape her locked room.

Seven (1995)

This neo-noir psychological thriller is not for the faint of heart, though it is one of the best mystery movies on this list. Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt play a pair of detectives investigating a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as a theme for his crimes.

Side Effects (2013)

Common side effects of some medicines might include dizziness, headaches, or even nausea. But sleepwalking spells that result in deadly consequences? Side Effects follows Emily (Rooney Mara), a woman who was prescribed experimental drugs by a psychiatrist and claims she murdered her husband as a result. Jude Law is the psychiatrist who doesn’t believe her. Who’s telling the truth?

The Pelican Brief (1993)

After two Supreme Court justices are killed, a young law student named Darby (Julia Roberts) writes a legal brief detailing her theories about their deaths. Soon after, she survives an attack and realizes her predictions were correct, so she teams up with a reporter (Denzel Washington) to uncover the truth.

Taking Lives (2004)

A stealthy serial killer takes on his victims’ identities in order to travel undetected, and FBI agent Illeana Scott (Angelina Jolie) is on his tail in this crime thriller. Illeana joins up with an eyewitness to the killer’s crime and soon sparks fly between the two.

True Story (2015)

After disgraced New York Times journalist Michael Finkel (Jonah Hill) realizes that alleged killer Christian Longo (James Franco) has taken his identity, he starts an investigation that turns into a cat-and-mouse game. In an effort to redeem himself, Michael meets with the accused killer.

Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)

Yes, mystery movies that are family-friendly exist! A loose adaptation of the video game of the same name, Detective Pikachu finds the beloved Pokémon (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) and trainer Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) working together to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Goodman’s father.

Where’d You Go, Bernadette (2019)

Based on the popular novel of the same name, this comedy-mystery follows Bernadette (Cate Blanchett), an agoraphobic architect who disappears. When her husband and teen daughter set out on a quest to find her, the story explores what it means to sacrifice yourself for your family and how to find your way back home.

Collateral (2004)

Jamie Foxx stars in this neo-noir film as Max, a cab driver who is taken hostage and forced to drive for a hit man played by Tom Cruise. What follows is a crazy night of fast-paced action and intrigue, all set in the streets of Los Angeles.

Zodiac (2007)

The fact that Zodiac is based on the true story of the unsolved murders that terrorized the Bay Area in the 1960s and 1970s adds another layer of scary to this crime story. Investigators (Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Edwards) and journalists (Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr.) become consumed with trying to capture the killer after receiving multiple letters from him addressed to the San Francisco Chronicle . Murder mystery movies don’t get better than this.

Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

The incredible lineup of stars alone makes Bad Times at the El Royale a fun watch—Jon Hamm, Cynthia Erivo, Chris Hemsworth, and Dakota Johnson are just a few of the big names you’ll see. And the story is intriguing too: A group of six strangers and one employee, each with their own complicated backstory, spend one fateful night at a hotel on the California-Nevada border.

Clue (1985)

How many movies have you seen based on a board game…that are actually good? ( Clue, that’s the list.) The dark comedy puts strangers Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Green, Professor Plum, and Miss Scarlet together in a secluded New England mansion. The best, and groundbreaking, part is that there’s more than one ending. When it was first released in 1985, theaters showed one of three possible conclusions so the true ending remained elusive—how mysterious!

A Simple Favor (2018)

When their sons become friends, Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) and Emily (Blake Lively) form a surprising bond—but then Emily suddenly disappears. As Stephanie, a widow, tries to find out what happened to her missing friend, she becomes increasingly close to the woman’s husband (Henry Golding).

The Sixth Sense (1999)

With one of the most famous plot twists of all time, this movie will have you thinking about it long after it ends. When a boy realizes he can see ghosts, he seeks the help of a child psychologist to understand his supernatural abilities. What follows is nothing short of a mystery classic.

Psycho (1960)

Once a classic, always a classic. There’s no way we could get through this list without including the Hitchcock psychological horror film about a woman who embezzles $40,000 and checks in to a motel while she’s on the run. There she meets a young man who is under the control of his mother, and…well, you can probably guess things don’t end well.

Enola Holmes (2020)

You’ve seen enough Sherlock Holmes stories—now it’s time to get to know his teen sister, Enola. One of the best mystery movies on Netflix, Enola Holmes stars Millie Bobby Brown in the title role as she travels to London to find her mother, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. “What happens next is an adventure, a romp through Victorian London with a few smart twists and a delightful heroine,” Glamour contributor Elizabeth Logan wrote in her review .

Enola Holmes 2 (2022)

Millie Bobby Brown returns as Enola Holmes in this charming and well-reviewed sequel, which finds the young detective on the case to find a missing match-factory worker.

Game Night (2018)

This movie has it all: action, comedy, mystery, and a cast full of all your favorites. Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Lamorne Morris, and more star as a group of friends whose game night turns into a real-life whodunnit.

Fear Street Trilogy (2021)

Based on the R.L. Stine novels, this horror thriller is actually made up of three separate movies: Part One: 1994, Part Two: 1978, and Part Three: 1666. Through each, a group of teens work to uncover the mystery of their cursed town and why it’s come back to haunt them.

The Nice Guys (2016)

Russell Crowe is a tough-guy private eye who prefers brass knuckles over conversation. Ryan Gosling is a down-on-his-luck private investigator and single dad. The two make a mismatched pair, but they must team up anyway to find a missing young woman and solve the somehow-connected murder of a popular porn star.

The Guest (2014)

Dan Stevens leads this thriller—which happens to also be one of our favorite action movies —about a soldier who unexpectedly shows up at the house of the family whose son died in combat. He claims he’s there to fulfill a final promise he made to their son—but it soon becomes clear there’s a lot more to the story.

What Lies Beneath (2000)

Michelle Pfeiffer stars opposite Harrison Ford in this thriller about a couple who may or may not be living in a haunted house. As the mystery surrounding their home starts to unravel, one thing becomes crystal clear: The marriage may not be as solid as they thought.

Death on the Nile (2022)

Gal Gadot, Rose Leslie, Letitia Wright, Annette Bening, and Russell Brand are just some of the famous faces who star in this big-screen adaptation of the 1937 Agatha Christie novel. The title says all you need to know about the plot: After a mysterious death happens on—you guessed it—the Nile, it’s up to famed detective Hercule Poirot to solve the case.

Last Night in Soho (2021)

When Eloise “Ellie” Turner (Thomasin McKenzie) starts having visions of a glamorous singer named Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy), the aspiring fashion designer is inspired to change her own life. She dyes her hair blonde, updates her wardrobe, and even gets a job at a pub. Things soon take a dark turn, though, and Ellie finds she must uncover what really happened to Sandie. Bonus: Of all the suspense movies on this list, Last Night in Soho has the best soundtrack.

Available to buy on Prime Video

Spiral (2021)

Spiral may be a spin-off of the Saw film series, but the tone is much more like a classic detective procedural than the gruesome horror of the OG franchise. While critics were torn on this new direction, others preferred it. Our suggestion? Just forget the Saw connection altogether.

The Night House (2021)

After her husband dies, grieving widow Beth (Rebecca Hall) starts experiencing strange, unexplainable events in her lakeside home. We’ll refrain from saying more—we don’t want to spoil the surprising twist.

Nope (2022)

Jordan Peele does it again with Nope, the latest thriller from the acclaimed director. Here’s what Keke Palmer told Glamour in her cover story tied to the film’s release : “Human beings are intrigued by spectacles, even when they can be dangerous or even when they are emotionally in danger more so than physically. But spectacles are something that we’ve been dealing with all of humanity, whether we’re watching the gladiators, or we’re watching political scandals, or we’re on the latest gossip site, or we’re on the freeway rubbernecking because we saw a car accident happen back there. We expose ourselves to so many spectacles online that it can sometimes alter the way we think about things positively or negatively…. And this movie does it in a unique way that’s fun, exciting, and within the horror genre.”

Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)

Daisy Edgar-Jones leads this adaptation of the controversial Delia Owens novel of the same name. She plays Kya, a young woman who is on trial for the murder of the town’s star football player. Okay, but did she do it? Watch the movie—or, sure, read the book—to find out.

Deep Water (2022)

While this movie isn’t actually that good—in fact, the Rotten Tomatoes score is a low 37%—it is incredibly fun to watch. See the flood of hilarious memes and reactions that hit social media after people watched this sexy psychological thriller about a couple with what may be the worst open marriage of all time.

The Kid Detective (2020)

As a child, Abe (the effortlessly charming Adam Brody) was so good at solving small crimes around his hometown that he became known as the “kid detective.” By 32, however, he’s a burnt out and depressed private detective struggling to keep his business afloat. When a high school student hires him to help investigate the murder of her boyfriend, he sees an opportunity to reignite his career.

Decision to Leave (2022)

If you liked The Handmaiden, one of the sexiest movies of all time , don’t sleep on director Park Chan-wook’s latest romantic mystery, Decision to Leave . It follows a detective who becomes obsessed with the woman he’s investigating for murder, and you won’t see this movie’s twists and turns coming.

Vengeance (2022)

B.J. Novak makes his directorial debut in this clever satire about a journalist’s attempts to turn the death of his onetime hookup into a murder-mystery podcast. Issa Rae, Dove Cameron, Boyd Holbrook, and Ashton Kutcher also star.

Still want more intrigue? Don't miss our guides to the best spy movies and true crime TV shows .

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Movies Where A Solution Becomes An Even Bigger Problem

We've all been there when grabbing a bag of popcorn and sitting down to take in a film. "Nice job breaking it, hero." A moment in a movie where a supposed solution to a problem ends up becoming an even bigger problem than the one they had in the first place. For example, Tony Stark and the Avengers are tasked with protecting the Earth. So, Tony and Bruce Banner create Ultron to help them protect the Earth, only for Ultron to become an even bigger threat to Earth than anything the Avengers had faced since the New York debacle from the original  Avengers  film. 

Sometimes, a decision just backfires . Ask the humans of  Snowpiercer  how fixing climate change worked out for them. Ask Marty McFly how saving his dad from a car accident in  Back to the Future  worked out for him. We're betting Sarah Connor wishes she could go back in time and destroy that leftover arm from the end of  The Terminator , as well. From time to time, a solution just blows up in your face.

I Am Legend

• Warner Bros. Pictures

The world would be an infinitely better place if we could figure out a cure for cancer. Imagine all the lives that could be saved on a yearly basis if we could, somehow, just create an antidote. Then again, if curing cancer could result in a mutated virus that causes the majority of humanity to turn into rabid zombie monsters, then maybe we could run a few more tests to make sure we get that cure as perfect as we possibly can.

The scientists of I Am Legend  created a variant of the measles virus that cures cancer, but the cure mutates again to create a virus that transforms most of humanity into zombie-like creatures. And these aren't your classic Romero zombies that shamble about at a leisurely pace. These are zombies more along the lines of World War Z  in that they are fast, strong, and dangerous. In summation: Cancer is a horrible plague on the human race that takes far too many loved ones to even count, but dooming the majority of the human race to zombie-ism is pretty bad, too.

Snowpiercer

• The Weinstein Company

Counteracting climate change is a genuine problem that everyone on Earth is facing together, whether they like it or not. This means there is plenty of narrative tension to be derived from a premise that centers around humanity monumentally screwing up their chance to save the planet. Case in point: 2013 sci-fi thriller  Snowpiercer . If we're talking about humanity messing up the climate worse than they already have, then  Snowpiercer  has to enter the conversation.

Before the events of the film, humanity tried to stop the rampant climate change that was slowly making the Earth more and more uninhabitable for humans by using climate engineering to bring the temperatures back down across the globe. Unfortunately, they did a little too well at stopping global warming, as they accidentally induced a whole new ice age. What is left of humanity ends up on a class-divided circumnavigational train, and the movie kicks off from there.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

• Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Ah, the best-laid plans of mice and men. Tony Stark and Bruce Banner may be two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's foremost geniuses - though we're betting Shuri could give them a run for their money - but having intelligence doesn't always mean you make good decisions. In fact, Tony Stark makes plenty of boneheaded decisions throughout his many MCU appearances, but none of them are as boneheaded as creating Ultron.

At the beginning of  Avengers: Age of Ultron , Tony wants to "put a suit of armor around the world," and he convinces Bruce to help him create Ultron to protect the Earth from all terrors, both foreign and domestic - "foreign" here meaning from outer space, of course. You all know what happens next; the pair successfully creates Ultron but are at a loss for words when Ultron decides the best way to protect the world is by getting rid of all of humanity. The jury is still out on if Ultron is right - we'd like to think he isn't, but he's got a point - but man, oh man, did Tony and Bruce mess up big time.

• Miramax Films

In another tale of "science gone wrong," Guillermo del Toro's 1997 sci-fi/horror flick  Mimic  is a ridiculous tale of unforeseen consequences. The film kicks off in Manhattan, where everyone's least favorite creepy-crawlies - cockroaches - are spreading the life-threatening condition known as "Strickler's disease," which is claiming the lives of children in the city left and right. Mira Sorvino's Dr. Susan Tyler creates a termite/mantis hybrid that releases an enzyme that accelerates the cockroaches' metabolism, causing them to expire and end the spread of the disease.

Of course, this hybrid was supposed to end after one generation as they were all female. Well... that didn't really happen, and the hybrid ended up evolving over thousands of generations over the course of a few years, which allows the bug to "mimic" the visage of their human targets. Get it? Mimic ? It's the name of the movie. Anyways, the hybrid becomes even more dangerous than the cockroaches they were created to eradicate. 

The Cloverfield Paradox

Much like the climate change crisis and the global water crisis, the ongoing, long-term energy crisis facing humanity is serious business. And serious business often lends itself well to dramatic tension in films, especially those with a sci-fi bent.  The Cloverfield Paradox  is about a group of astronauts aboard a space station in the near future who attempt to solve Earth's energy crisis by using a Shepard particle accelerator. If you're assuming everything works out, then you've clearly never seen  The Cloverfield Paradox .

What ends up happening when the crew uses the particle accelerator isn't a solution to Earth's energy crisis, but an opening of portals to parallel universes, allowing their horrors to threaten Earth. The crew ends up on the opposite end of the portal and has to fight to get back to their own reality. Of course, their firing of the accelerator also unleashed monsters from a parallel universe to wreak havoc on humanity. So, that's not great either.

The Terminator

• Orion Pictures

We're cheating a little bit here, but we'd be remiss if we didn't bring up how Cyberdyne's Skynet is a direct result of reverse engineering from the severed arm of the T-800 Terminator that was sent back in time to eliminate Sarah Connor in 1984's  The Terminator . Of course, we don't find that out until the 1991 sequel  Terminator 2: Judgment Day,  but it has to be mentioned regardless. 

Obviously, Sarah has to eliminate the Terminator however she can, and smashing it in a hydraulic press is a pretty solid way to do that. And after all of the pain Sarah goes through during the runtime of  The Terminator , it would make sense that she would just want to get out of dodge and move on with her life. But a lot of trouble could've been saved had she just reversed that hydraulic press a little, thrown the arm back in, and smashed it along with the rest of the murderbot. Alas, we probably would've gotten a sequel regardless, so... maybe we're overthinking it a bit.

The 8 Best Psychology Scenes from Your Favorite Movies

From classics to cult favorites, these movies show important ideas in psychology.

Posted August 31, 2013

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Psychological thrillers, dramas, and comedies abound in the movies, with plots involving people with a variety of disorders ranging from dissociative identity disorder (“multiple personalities”) to psychopaths (“antisocial personality disorder ”). Other psychologically-themed movies focus their spotlight on family relationships, “coming of age,” and the use by lead characters of advanced problem-solving skills. However, a number of other popular or cult favorites contain gems of psychological wisdom . These 8 are my nominees for imparting useful psychological knowledge in scenes that contain either the focal points of the film or, more commonly, random conversations between characters that demonstrate a known empirically-based effect.

The Waterboy: Knowledge of Brain Anatomy

Let’s start with this Adam Sandler film, one that contains plenty of goofy and occasional heart-warming moments, as a college team’s water boy (Bobby Boucher, played by Sandler) finds that he has unusual abilities to tackle and soon becomes the star player. The psychological scene in this movie occurs in class, when a Colonel Sanders-appearing professor asks the class why “alligators are so abnormally aggressive.” Bobby stands up and offers his explanation “Momma says that alligators are ornery because they got all them teeth but no toothbrush.” The professor repeats this sarcastically, asking the question again. Another student most studiously answers as follows: “Alligators are aggressive because of an enlarged medulla oblongata. It’s the section of the brain which controls aggressive behavior.” The professor announces that this is correct, repeating (in a strong Southern accent) “The medul-la ob-lon-gata!”

This scene provides an example of a psychological principle, but unfortunately it’s wrong. As any intro psych student knows, the medulla is the portion of the brainstem that controls autonomic functions such as breathing and heart rate. It’s, of course, the amygdala that controls (in part) aggression . This scene, would be useful for instructors who wish to show how even the “best sources” can be wrong (or you can use it as a trick question!).

The Sound of Music: Self-Efficacy

From zany comedy, we turn next to this classic movie musical. Maria is a young novice nun in late 1930s Austria who is told by the Mother Superior that she must help Captain Von Trapp care for his 7 children. As she rides the train from the convent to his home, she realizes that she knows nothing about taking care of children and is terrified at the thought of being put into this situation. To bolster herself, she sings the inspiring “ I Have Confidence .” The song begins with her expressing her mixed emotions of excitement and doubt, and ends “I have confidence in confidence alone; besides which, you see, I have confidence in me!”

The lyrics to this song contain the essence of social psychologist Albert Bandura’s notion of self-efficacy, or your belief in your ability to succeed at a given task. Donald Meichenbaum, a psychologist who developed a method to bolster a person’s self-efficacy known as “ self-talk ,” could have written the words of the song himself. Maria shows that by focusing on her strengths, she can imagine herself as successful and therefore has no need to worry. The rest of the story follows from this pivotal scene, because not only did she shine at her job, but she succeeded so well that she eventually became the stepmother of the entire Von Trapp brood.

Driving Miss Daisy: Adaptation to Aging

This Oscar-winning1989 film (also a stage play) portrays the complex relationship between the 70-something year old “Miss Daisy” (played by Jessica Tandy) and her driver (Morgan Freeman). In the opening scene, Daisy backs her car into a ditch. Her son Boolie (Dan Akroyd) then informs her that she will no longer be able to drive as no insurance company will cover her. In this scene, Daisy and Boolie argue, and Daisy insists that there’s nothing wrong with her, refusing to accept the stark fact that the accident was entirely her fault. As she defends her mental and visual skills, you can see a perfect example of the type of denial that may occur when older adults must first confront loss of a valued ability. Not only was this difficult for Daisy to accept because it reflected on her own aging, but also for the practical reason that loss of the ability to drive means loss of independence.

By the time the scene comes to an end, we see Daisy staring out the window of her home, longingly, as a car passes down the street. It’s clear that she now is coming to grips with the reality of her new situation. She’s clearly not defeated, though, and her ability to move on illustrates the principles of resilience and strength that many older adults show in the face of loss.

Gone with the Wind: Emotion -Focused Coping

Let’s go further back, now, to 1939, and a film that many consider the greatest of all time. Scarlett O’Hara, a spoiled teenager from Georgia, endures through the years of the Civil War with a strength that even she never knew she had. However, her main coping method relies heavily on denial (“fiddle-dee-dee” being her favorite expression) despite the fact that she often proves to be as hard-headed and cagey as the most problem-focused of copers.

In the last scene of the film, Scarlett shows that despite the psychological toll that her marriages, poverty, hunger, and disappointment have taken, she can still hope to live on because “After all, tomorrow is another day.” We can interpret this statement in two ways: Yes, she shows that she’s still an emotion-focused coper (relying on denial), but we can also take it as an example of how hope can get us through our most difficult moments in life.

Office Space: Early-Stage Career Development

In this low-budget cult classic of the 1990s, several young office workers (headed by Ron Livingston) must deal with the cruel disappointments that 20- and even 30-somethings face when they realize they’re stuck in a dead-end job that will bring tedium into their 9-to-5 worlds for the rest of their lives. In the opening scene of the film, we see its main themes introduced— annoying co-workers and even more annoying bosses, office machines that don’t work, nonsensical regulations, and just sheer boredom . As the main characters leave work for an early (i.e. 9:30 am) coffee break (due to a “case of the ‘Monday’s’), they sit in misery contemplating their future. “What if we’re still doing this when we’re 50?” Though his friend answers “It would be nice to have that kind of job security,” we get the feeling that this is the last thing that any of them want at the moment.

This is a great illustration of the stresses that young adults face, especially when their job is incongruent with their sense of self, interests, and abilities. As the plot unfolds, it’s clear that none of them will be in this job in their 50s. Though no career counselor would advocate such a strategy for even the unhappiest worker, the film provides a nice escapist relief, which undoubtedly explains its continued popularity.

Failure to Launch: The Plight of Empty-Nesters

More insights into developmental issues comes from this Sarah Jessica Parker- Matthew McConaughey rom-com, in which McConaughey is enjoying his life as a 30-something to the emotional expense of his parents (played by Kathy Bates and Terry Bradshaw). Again, the opening scene sets the psychological stage for depicting the stress placed on former empty nesters when their kids return home. Research shows that although parents of adult children don’t necessarily mind having their kids around for a while, their presence in the home definitely challenges their feelings of freedom to reignite the flames of romantic passion.

It takes only 2 and a half minutes for the opening scene to show the audience the frustration that Bates and Bradshaw are experiencing, and the lengths to which they’ll go to solve the problem. They “accidentally” walk in on the son (“Tripp”) who’s just brought a new date into his bedroom. Thoroughly embarrassed, she angrily runs out. Now back in bed with his wife, Dad announces “And she’s leaving,” to which Mom replies “Another one bites the dust.”

This film wasn’t a huge popular success, nor is does it qualify as a cult classic. However, it certainly would have comforted many a stressed-out former empty nester.

Forrest Gump: Divergent Thinking

The very popular, award-winning, Forrest Gump is known for many of its compelling themes: A man with intellectual disability who improbably succeeds at everything he attempts, the mother who shows eternal faith in him, and the ways in which we all become a part of history (though few as famously as Gump). I find this movie emphasizes a psychological theme that we rarely experience in film—the higher-order cognitive function known as divergent thinking. Tests of this ability ask you to rattle off as many uses of an object.

So by now you undoubtedly know which scene I’m thinking of, right? It’s when Bubba and Forrest are discussing the many ways to cook shrimp: In Bubba's words, “Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it." Anyone who can come up with 21 ways to cook anything certain earns the divergent thinking award of the year.

Napoleon Dynamite: Incentive Motivation

Our last film is another resident of Hollywood’s niche paradise—the cult favorite and very low-budget tale of a high school student whose relationships with his family and friends are beyond what anyone might even call “misfit.” Among the many travails that beset this strange, though affable, teenager involve his uncle’s scheme to sell plastic containers.

As he goes around the neighborhood peddling his plastic wares, the uncle demonstrates how, if his couple buys the 24-piece set, she’ll get a model schooner. Clearly, this is something that any household can easily do without. However, the wife’s exclamation “I want that!” shows that any of us can be lured into wanting anything by a good sales pitch, no matter how ridiculous or unnecessary the bonus may be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Whether you’re an educator, a student, or just a fan of psychology in general, I hope you’ll agree that these scenes provide ideal illustrations of such themes as learning, development, parenting , motivation, neuroscience , and cognitive processes. Of course, in my opinion, I find psychology lurking everywhere, but that’s another story!

Follow me on Twitter @swhitbo for daily updates on psychology, health, and aging . Feel free to join my Facebook group, " Fulfillment at Any Age ," to discuss today's blog, or to ask further questions about this posting.

Copyright Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D. 2013

Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D. , is a Professor Emerita of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her latest book is The Search for Fulfillment.

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It’s increasingly common for someone to be diagnosed with a condition such as ADHD or autism as an adult. A diagnosis often brings relief, but it can also come with as many questions as answers.

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14 Movies Where The Solution Is The Biggest Problem

There are times when the very thing that we believe will solve the problem becomes the biggest problem itself. Unfortunately, over the years, many attempted decisions simply just bounce back right on the face. For instance, we have seen the humans of ‘ Snowpiercer’   and Sarah Connor from ‘The Terminator.’ Here are a few more movies where the solution is the biggest problem.

1. Avengers: Age Of Ultron

Another MCU action movie. Tony Stark and Bruce Banner are probably the two elite geniuses. They have incredible minds that allow them to create sophisticated weapons. However, being intelligent enough doesn’t make you superior. The sole purpose behind creating Ultron was to protect the World. Ultron finally decided to destroy the whole of humankind to save the world. You know the rest.

Another science fiction horror story. The nightmare happens when Mira Sorvino’s Dr. Susan Tyler creates a mantis hybrid that releases an enzyme that accelerates the cockroaches’ metabolism, causing them to expire and end the spread of the disease. Eventually, they start evolving thousands of generations over and become even more dangerous than the cockroaches.

3. The Terminator

A lot of trouble could’ve been saved if Sarah could go back in time and demolish the leftover arm along with all the remainder of murderbots.

4. The Cloverfield Paradox

The group of astronauts abroad in a space station soon decided to solve Earth’s energy crisis. It didn’t work out quite well. However, they ended up opening different portals of parallel universes. And unleashed several monsters and their horrors to threaten Earth.

5. I Am Legend

Science is ruthless, indeed. For example, the scientists of I am Legend  made an attempt to re-engineer the measles virus to cure cancer genetically. Later, it becomes lethal, infecting 99% of the world’s population. Gradually, the solution becomes the destruction of humanity.

6. Frequency

This movie contains so many problems already, but when John started time-tempering to communicate with his father, it has cost him his own life. Later, it turned out; his time-tempering somehow managed to save the life of Jack Shepherd, a serial killer. But, right at that moment, it got messier.

7. Snowpiercer

In this sci-fi thriller, The humans tried fixing climate change and ended up inducing a whole new ice age, the biggest threat for Earth.

8. The Dark Knight

This is a classic. When The Gotham Police Department and Batman finally detain The Joker, they must’ve thought they got a big break. But wait, we all know Joker only gets caught when he wants to. Until and unless it’s not happening. Right? That is what happened next. It was all a part of his plan which led the policemen to a chaotic situation that became quite troublesome.

9. The Cabin In The Woods

At the end of the 2012 horror satire, the surviving leads find out they are a part of a ritual sacrifice to satisfy the “Ancient Ones.” And stop them from returning to the Earth’s ground and wreaking havoc on life. Afterward, lead characters save themselves; they doom all of Earth to annihilation at the hands of the powerful monstrosities that lie below.

10. Back To The Future

A smash-hit blockbuster where Marty McFly made his life even more difficult by saving his dad from a car accident. The story where a choice, reversed perfectly.

11. Ghostbusters

Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) has the brilliant idea of not thinking of anything so that Gozer has nothing to draw on for the Ghostbusters’ destruction form. So Ray Stantz, played by Dan Aykroyd, tried to think of the most harmless thing he could think of. That creature turned out to be the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. Unfortunately, Ray’s solution had the unintended consequence of becoming their problem.

12. Skyfall

Even after being the best among the operators, Judi Dench’s M made a terrible mistake. Handing over Raoul Silva directly led to M’s demise at the end of Skyfall.

13. Geostorm

Again a story of something bad associated with the weather. However, neutralizing climate change is a prominent cause; putting unlimited weather-based power in the hands of humanity probably is not.

14. The Dark Knight Rises

It all began when Taita Al Ghul and the League of Shadows used the nuclear fusion reactor. They used it to keep all of the Gotham City hostages and on lockdown. So to sum it up, Wayne’s solution to a very real problem becomes a very real problem itself.

Avengers: Age of Ultron Heath Ledger I Am Legend Skyfall The Dark Knight The Dark Knight Rises The Terminator Tony Stark

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10 Great Movies for the STEM Classroom

Table of Contents

Powerful films to teach problem-solving and nurture students’ curiosity By Danny Wagner

There’s still a great need to introduce kids, and especially girls, to STEM fields like neurobiology, nanotechnology, and civil engineering. Whether it’s a short clip from a Hollywood film to reinforce the concept of gravity or a feature-length documentary that highlights the work of engineers, incorporating movies into your lessons can help kids connect what they’re learning in the classroom to the world at large. And even after the credits roll, you can extend the learning: Create a model, start a debate, or begin a community project that the film — and your teaching — inspires.

Here are 10 film picks that showcase essential STEM skills for school, home, the workplace, and beyond.

The Lego Movie   (Grades 1+)

Teacher tips : Have students identify the engineering design process at work in the movie. Bring some Lego bricks into the classroom (or use  Minecraft ) and have students develop solutions to common problems, creating prototypes, testing designs, and iterating on their own designs. Students can document their findings and share the highs and lows of the creative process.

Discussion questions : Which of the movie’s creations was your favorite, and why? How might real-life engineers change the design process when they have to make quick decisions? How do the characters in the film demonstrate teamwork, and why is this important for engineers?

Big Hero 6   (Grades 2+)

Teacher tips : Try some of the experiments provided by the film’s producers. From there, ask students to choose a problem in their school or community and work together in teams to brainstorm, design, and build solutions using their own unique talents.

Discussion questions : How can engineering solutions and inventions help — and sometimes hurt — humankind? What skills do you have that might help a team overcome an obstacle? Which events or traits fuel each character’s creativity in the movie? Is creativity always positive?

Dream Big: Engineering Our World  (Grades 2+)

Teacher tips : Use the powerful stories about engineering and robotics clubs in schools to inspire your students to join (or create) their own. Have students research other engineering projects from around the world that are currently in the works, and discuss what kind of global impact they might have. Also be sure to check out the film’s  education guide .

Discussion questions : How does engineering affect our everyday lives? How might engineers adapt as technology becomes more prevalent? Why do you think the movie highlights so many women engineers? Why is this type of diversity important?

Hidden Figures  (Grades 4+)

Teacher tips : Build off the film’s  education guide : Have students construct and solve their own mathematical equations to describe the orbits of planets, or use computer simulations to model Newton’s second law of motion. Talk about how technology makes these calculations easier.

Discussion questions : What are the positive and negative implications of technology taking over roles humans once held? What role did gender play in STEM fields in the 1950s and ’60s? How much have those roles changed today?

Underwater Dreams  (Grades 4+)

An underdog tale, this documentary tells the story of a robotics team from a lower-income high school that took on university teams — including MIT — in an underwater robotics competition.

Teacher tips : Introduce students to robots they can build and code like  Sphero ,  littleBits Invent , and  Cue . Have students work in teams to focus on the design process and complete challenges. And while you’re at it, why not start or promote a robotics club at your school?

Discussion questions : What is it about the kids on this team that made them able to overcome such huge obstacles? What makes  underwater  robotics such a challenging problem to tackle? Besides through robotics clubs, what are some other ways to do STEM activities outside the classroom?

  Apollo 13  (Grades 6+)

Teacher tips : Use the rocket launch and reentry scenes to model physics concepts. Have students build or code their own rockets and create journals to document the kinds of small adjustments and iterations needed to create a successful launch. Tip: Pairs well with a game like  Kerbal Space Program .

Discussion questions : How has technology changed since the 1960s? Where should NASA focus its efforts in space exploration today? What does the film say about the role of engineers and their ability to use common items to fix highly technical problems?

Interstellar  (Grades 6+)

Teacher tips : After taking a look at the educator’s guide and some  TED-Ed lessons , have students talk about misconceptions and analyze the accuracy of some of the film’s scientific questions. Students can hold a debate around what’s a fact, what may be possible, and what’s simply unattainable.

Discussion questions : What technological issues are holding humans back from interstellar travel? If you were building your own robot companion for space travel, what qualities would you deem most important? What are some ways viewers can separate fact from fantasy in science fiction movies?

The Martian  (Grades 6+)

Teacher tips : Let students know it’s a movie about risk-taking and creativity and that, although the story is fictional, it’s rooted in scientific fact. Have students take a look at some of the main character’s creations in the movie: a sextant for navigation, his potato farm, or the water he makes from rocket fuel. Next, design a lesson where students are given a limited set of tools, a goal, and some constraints, then see what sort of innovative  DIY  projects they can launch.

Discussion questions : What is the hexadecimal system, and why is language so important in science and math? How important was it for the film’s main character to keep a log? Why do we not yet have the technology to go to Mars?

If You Build It  (Grades 7+)

Teacher tips : Kids will be inspired not only by the students’ abilities but by their actions. Harness that sentiment to get kids out into their own communities. Have your students interview neighbors, collect data, and embark on a cross-curricular  project-based learning assignment  to solve an issue. Teach your students the necessary skills to build something, and then set them free to create.

Discussion questions : Which engineering processes did you notice throughout the movie? Were some more successful than others? What obstacles might you face if you were to promote a change at your school?

The Imitation Game  (Grades 7+)

Teacher tips : There’s a lack of Hollywood movies that incorporate math in meaningful ways. Take advantage of kids’ interest in this movie to host a code-breaking challenge event. Or, use cryptograms as an introduction to a matrix unit. If you provide  Genius Hour  time, let students dig in and explore a topic of their interest. You could also have kids research other examples where STEM skills have helped shape significant historical events.

Discussion questions : Would computers today be able to pass Turing’s test to determine intelligence? Why do we typically see more movies and stories about biologists or engineers instead of mathematicians?

This piece originally appeared on Common Sense Education . Author

In addition to reviewing digital media for learning potential, Danny produces content and writes articles for a variety of topics, including STEM and social and emotional learning.

Previously, he was Curriculum Technology Integration Specialist for San Francisco Unified School District and a science and robotics teacher for a decade in the Midwest. Prior to his career in education, Danny worked as an Environmental Engineering consultant.

Follow Danny on Twitter .

Further Reading

• We Are Teachers – STEM Lessons From Famous Robots
• Middle Web – The Wow Factor: Science, Technology & the Movies
• Huff Post – ‘Hidden Figures’ Curriculum Brings Film’s Lessons To The Classroom

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Top 7 Movies To Put Your Critical Thinking Skills To Work

Last Updated on February 7, 2022 by Editorial Team

From understanding what your friend is upset about to giving a logical explanation about a recent incident to even identifying real and fake news, many situations that life throws us in can be overcome and understood well by critical thinking. This complex notion is the capacity to think clearly and rationally and form a logical relationship between concepts, subjects, and ideas. 

The ability to analyze and solve problems, creative thinking, great communication, and empathy comes with a person’s potential to think critically and intensely. But this is not something that can be taught theoretically in school or by books. A child needs practical learning to understand the basics of critical thinking and later exercise it in real life. 

A lot of learning about different skills comes from daily activities , games, and even movies. Movies teach us a lot of life and life skills, critical thinking being one of them. This article will be all about such movies which promote critical thinking and enable the individual to indulge and practice attributes like self-evaluation, drawing conclusions, creativity, emotional intelligence, and much more. 

Movies & Critical Thinking

When individuals are exposed to new information, they need to carefully and logically find out how this information relates to what they already know. Similarly, whenever a movie makes an individual aware of a certain emotion, feeling, or attribute, they begin to think consciously about it and try to fit it in their library of attributes.  

Once in a while, a clever movie comes in and plays with an individual’s mind, which in turn helps promote critical thinking. There lies suspense and twists at every stage of a good survival and thrilling movie, which compel the audience to use their mind critically. Fortunately enough, nature endows each individual with intrigue and vision that can be further enhanced if we indulge in the movies that make us question and think hard over our existing beliefs and notions. 

How do movies help in critical thinking?

Film or movies are an effective educational tool. Films can help individuals better comprehend and empathize with the life experiences of other persons by providing diverse views in compelling and emotional ways. 

Individuals learn to investigate, evaluate, synthesize, and understand using the movies and their plots as catalysts. Movies serve as a training tool for survival skills and real-world situations. Above all, movies are becoming a great medium to impart skills that help children think critically to solve problems. 

List of Movies for critical thinking 

1.  eternal sunshine of the spotless mind (2004).

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a romantic science-fiction film that questions all our beliefs. Being a psychological drama with a nonlinear storyline, this movie promotes critical thinking because of the unique plot. Having had memories removed to get rid of the traumatic past, this movie fills in the mind with many emotions and questions, which builds the various attributes of critical thinking.

2. Life of pi (2012)

Life of Pi is one movie that challenges our thoughts and helps us face the real world. Being an adventure drama film, this movie by Ang Lee centers around an Indian adolescent who tells a novelist about how he survives a shipwreck and ends up adrift in the pacific ocean. This aspect of the movie brings awareness to the audience. Life of Pi shows the struggle of the teenager to save his life, which induces the various attributes of critical thinking in the individual.  

3. Forrest gump (1994)

Forrest Gump is a comedy-drama film based on a kind guy who impacts numerous historical events in the United States in the 20th century. This movie is complex but will play with the strings of your heart. Promoting aspects like loyalty, appreciation, and honesty, Forrest Gump is perfect for adolescents as this will make them think hard and learn a lot.  

4. Good will hunting (1997)

Being an American Psychological drama, this film about a 20-year-old will change your life for good. The movie teaches you to break down the barriers and inspires you to fight the demons inside. This story about an unappreciated genius will persuade you to think emotionally and logically question your life and teachings. 

5.  Equilibrium (2002)

Starring Emmy Watson and Taye Diggs, this movie is an American science fiction that edifies an individual’s potential for creative expression. The movie revolves around how residents need to undergo daily medication to keep their emotions at bay, making their emotional intelligence more powerful. The way characters regulate their behavior makes the viewer more sensitive towards morals and society in general. All these aspects of the movie ultimately work towards the critical thinking of an individual.

6. Inside out (2015)

Set in the mind of an 11-year-old, this movie deals with strong emotions that we face daily. These feelings of anger, fear, disgust help the protagonist and give out plenty of inculcating moments. The movie teaches the viewers a lot about happiness, leaving a powerful message which challenges emotions and teaches them not to suppress them but rather express them. 

7. Moneyball (2011)

This American biographical film is based on a true story that is about Oakland Athletic’s former manager. Few movies enable the viewer to think out-of-the-box, and this is one of them. It shows the unique way of building a team and builds critical thinking attributes like teamwork and decision making. 

Wrapping up

Although movies cannot be used as a primary method of teaching attributes, skills, and abilities, they work perfectly as they push us to think intensely and build new qualities, such as critical thinking. These movies can be added to the class activities, and later the teacher can also host a debate, which will be even more beneficial for the student. These movies can also be given as homework for holidays, and later the teacher can discuss them in class to understand whether the child has comprehended the plot well. Movies are often looked at as a source of entertainment, but very few give out life lessons and make the individual more aware of their feelings, likes, dislikes, and so much more.

An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having  just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of  Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’, 

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The Passion Of The Christ 2: Cast, Story & Everything We Know

Jake gyllenhaal's $552m sci-fi disaster movie becomes netflix global hit 20 years later, george r. r. martin hopes to adapt his 1982 vampiric novel, confirms meeting with oscar-winning horror director: "he wants to do it".

Deep Water  was released on March 18th, and kept fans guessing throughout its 2hour and 33-minute runtime, with viewers trying to figure out where Melinda's love affairs have disappeared to. The movie saw many fans become detectives and delve into the lives of Melinda and Vic in search of clues which prompted many fans to seek out movies that encourage fans to solve the mystery alongside the characters.

From old school murder mysteries to black comedy horror flicks that take Groundhog Day to new levels, here are 10 movies that encourage viewers to become detectives and help the main characters to solve the mystery.

Old is one of the most unusual thrillers to date, with M. Night Shyamalan proving his uniqueness as a director and reinstating his huge fanbase. The movie utilizes its space to emanate fear and encourages viewers to raise suspicion about each character, especially when they start dying one by one.

RELATED:  10 Movies To Watch While Waiting For Knives Out 2, According To Reddit

The movie places viewers on the beach alongside the characters and allows them to work out what connects each character to the beach, including why death seems to follow them. The thriller didn't just provide viewers with a unique plot but also pushed fans to root for the characters and seek an answer as to what or who put them there, resulting in it becoming a movie that prompted conversation.

A Simple Favor (2018)

A Simple Favor is a fantastic mystery movie featuring infidelity as its theme and has become a staple within the thriller genre. Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick stir up an unlikely friendship that soon becomes an enigma for Stephanie and fans who seek to understand why Emily wants to remain invisible and where she is.

The movie provided fans with a suave, yet, somewhat chilling black comedy and ultimately kept viewers guessing Emily's story. A Simple Favor encouraged fans to work alongside Stephanie, and each clue allowed them to form their own conclusions about how it would end, with two female leads, the movie is something of a feminist flick that proved women can be enigmatic, cunning, and funny.

Happy Death Day (2017)

Happy Death Day takes Groundhog Day to a new level in this unusual horror-thriller that proves to be quite the black comedy. The film's unusual time loop was a fresh concept for the horror genre and made the thriller even more interesting for fans as it replaced the outdated narrative of women always becoming the victim.

Its structure encouraged fans to team up with Theresa each time she found herself in another loop to look for clues and eventually aid her in piecing together those hidden clues to uncover her attacker, resulting in the viewer receiving more satisfaction than they would from the typical thriller.

Death On The Nile (2022)

Whilst many Agatha Christie Novels are still waiting to receive a film adaptation, Death On The Nile is the most recent to hit screens. The movie took on a familiar vintage vibe to Murder On The Orient Express and perfectly captured the essence of Agatha Christie novels through its plot twists and stylish, sophisticated characters that fans can't help but be suspicious of.

Death On The Nile adopts the old-fashioned charm often seen in Agatha Christie adaptations, placing the characters aboard a boat that creates a fear of being trapped with a murderer. The whodunnit plot line encourages viewers to analyze all characters abroad, their motives and whether or not they are to be feared, it is the perfect flick for a murder mystery movie night.

Non-Stop (2014)

Starring Liam Neeson as a US Air Marshall, Non-Stop is an action-packed thriller that throws viewers into a sense of the unknown, and its claustrophobic setting only increases the suspense felt by viewers as they try desperately to uncover who is responsible before time runs out.

RELATED: Non-Stop & 10 Other Thriller Movies That Take Place On A Plane

Each passenger is met with suspicion from both Bill and viewers, with many fans seeking to reveal who the hidden threat is. Through cleverly directed scenes, the movie takes advantage of its setting and creates tension by heightened viewers' ability to look for small clues as to who it could be, making it a great movie that includes fans in solving the crime.

Searching (2018)

Searching is one of the best 'missing persons' movies to watch as it reimagined the way viewers were used to seeing this genre of the film play out by filming the whole movie through the electronic screen belonging to David Kim who desperately tried to gather information regarding his daughter.

It created a story that got viewers' blood pumping with its fast-paced, detective tone that allowed viewers to be a voyeur into the disappearance of Margot. Searching gave viewers access to digital files that would aid them in solving the case alongside David, making it a refreshing and innovative exploration into the role of technology in missing person cases.

Escape Room (2019)

With escape rooms becoming so popular, Adam Robitel sought to create an onscreen version that enticed fans to play along, and that's exactly what Escape Room  did. The movie brought to life the idea of being trapped alongside a bunch of strangers with a limited time to solve the puzzle in a bid to escape, but it wasn't just your usual mind-bending puzzles but rather a game of life and death.

Each room had an array of hidden death traps and cleverly put together puzzles that left fans in a frenzy as they also tried to solve the riddle whilst rooting for the characters to survive. Escape Room surprised fans with its clever plot and series of twists that left many fans racing as they tried to decipher each room and the answer to survival.

Game Night (2018)

Game Night homed in on the rise of game nights and created an offbeat action-comedy where the main characters find themselves wrapped up in a chaotic night of games. The movie kept viewers guessing as to what was real and what was a comedy, which led to its popularity, especially as fans were invited to join the couple on the night's escapades.

RELATED: The 10 Best Mystery Movies Of 2018, According To IMDb

The movie tricked many fans into thinking it was a spoof but instead provided them with a thoroughly well-written action movie that made them laugh, gasp and solve at the same time. Through clever camera work, the movie made viewers feel as though they were actually in the movie and allowed them to come up with answers as to how the Game Night had turned into much more than a night of socializing.

Murder Mystery (2019)

Murder Mystery is an obscure whodunit that every murder mystery fan needs to see, the movie combines comedy with drama in a bid to provide fans with a hilarious but interesting plot that challenges the general conventions of the typical whodunnit. The clever pairing of Jennifer Anniston and Adam Sandler saw them try to clear their own name by becoming the detectives themselves.

The comedic undertone of Murder Mystery plays into the charm of older whodunnits whilst also offering fans a place in solving the mystery alongside the married couple. The movie may be a comedy, but it is certainly packed with action and even had a solid plot twist that fans particularly liked, especially those who were clever enough to see it coming.

Knives Out (2019)

Knives Out provided viewers with an old-school whodunnit, similar to the likes of Clue, where viewers were invited to work alongside detective Benoit Blanc and Marta as they tried to piece together who killed Harlan. The movie's sepia tone, alongside its all-star cast, gripped fans from the very beginning and placed them directly within the mystery, making it a somewhat interactive watch.

The movie was such a hit that fans are actively anticipating the release of Knives Out 2 , and in terms of a whodunnit, it did a great job. Knives Out release clues to its viewers, encouraging them to connect the dots alongside the characters. Its old-school vibe, interesting cinematography, and incredible plot twist had some fans celebrating that they found the killer and others in awe of how the mystery of Harlan's death was revealed through its satisfying twist ending.

NEXT: 10 Best Mystery Movies, According To The AFI

31 Best Wordless Videos to Teach Problem Solving

Wordless videos are a fun and entertaining way to get your students learning and talking. Using wordless videos to teach problem-solving is a great way to keep your students stay engaged all while working on their goals.

Who Could Benefit From Wordless Videos?

Students who struggle to solve social problems can benefit from first practicing problem-solving someone else’s problems in a wordless animation, for example, prior to having to solve the social problems in their own lives. It’s easier to identify problems in someone else’s life than it is in your own life.

Ways in Which to Use Voiceless Videos

• Answering wh-questions: Have your students watch the animated short film and then ask them wh-questions.
• Retell a story/sequencing: After watching the films have your students retell or sequence the short film.
• Solving hypothetical problems: Use the following wordless videos to teach problem-solving. Stop the video throughout and have your students identify the problem and a possible solution to the problem. Then you can move on to practice solving problems in real life .
• Predictions/inferences: Stop the video throughout and have your students make predictions and inferences about what might happen next in the film.

Don’t Forget to Grab your Freebie!

Be sure to grab the freebie that goes along with this bundle of wordless videos. The freebie comes with:

• Problem-solving
• A set of wh-questions
• Story retell with predictions

There are 31 sets of the following worksheets.

Before you begin…

• I have watched all of these short animations to make sure they are appropriate. However, please preview the entire video prior to showing your students as you know best what is appropriate for your level of comfort and for your individual students.
• Almost all of these videos show ads prior to the start of the animation short. I suggest cueing up the video prior to showing the video to your students as some ads may not be appropriate.

31 Wordless Videos to Teach Problem Solving

1. t he small shoemaker: 5:32 minutes.

This short is about Mr. Botte’s shoemaker’s shop, and the passionate and skillful shoemaker’s daily life is about to be disturbed as another shoemaker creates a street vendor stall just in front of Mr. Botte’s store!

2. The Sweet Cocoon: 5:57 minutes

End video by 4:55. Please preview the end of this video prior to showing it to your students. I have decided to end this video by 4:55 minutes to avoid the sad ending for some of my students.

This animation is about two insects that decide to help a struggling caterpillar in her metamorphosis process!

3. The Wishgranter: 4:48 minutes

This short film is about a world where wishes are granted by mythical beings that live under fountains. The wish granter is forced to go above ground in order to grant a wish of love.

4. Dustin: 7:45 minutes

This super cute animation is about a pug learning to have a new roommate of an automatic cleaning robot.

5. Rollin’ Safari: 2:01 minutes

Enjoy this fun short film about what the world would be like if animals were round.

6. Piper: 3:20 minutes

Watch a hungry sandpiper hatchling as she ventures from her nest for the first time to dig for food by the shoreline. However, the only problem is that the food is buried under the sand where scary waves roll up onto the shore.

7. Hola Llamingo: 3:52 minutes

Enjoy this film about the beautiful, fleeting friendship between a boy and his pinata which comes to life.

8. Soar: 6:14 minutes

This short film called Soar is about a young girl who must help a tiny boy pilot fly home before it’s too late.

9. Brush A Fox Tale: 3:37 minutes

A young fox who enjoys painting has a crush on his neighbor. When he tries to hide it his other paintings come to life to try to convince him otherwise.

10. Fishing with Sam: 5:53 minutes

A pesky little penguin keeps stealing all the fish from a bear, a seal, and two other penguins, but they disguise a plan to take care of that pesky little penguin.

11. The Box: 7:01 minutes

This animation is about an old man who finds a mouse in his house. He ends up taming the mouse he first wanted to get rid of.

12. Coin Operated: 5:14 minutes

Watch this short film about the life of a young man that spans over 70 years in the life of one naive explorer.

13. Partly Cloudy: 5:49 minutes

Enjoy this super cute film. Everyone knows that it is a stork that delivers babies, but where do the storks get the babies from? The answer comes from the clouds, where cloud people sculpt babies from clouds and bring them to life.

14. Lifted: 5:03 minutes

A cute animation about a young alien who is in training to capture a human but gets overwhelmed with all the switches.

15. Ormie The Pig: 3:52 minutes

This fun short is about a pig named Ormie. Ormie wants a cookie. But they are out of reach…or are they? See Ormie’s attempts to gain the warm sweet taste that is his obsession.

16. Embarked: 4:24 minutes

Watch this super cute short about a treehouse who follows his family even after the young boy moves away.

17. SpellBound: 3:06 minutes

A young girl who is jealous of her sister must save her after writing negative thoughts that unexpectedly transform into monsters.

18. The Birds: 3:25 minutes

An animated short about a group of small birds that make fun of a larger funny-looking bird, but when they try and get rid of the larger funny-looking bird their plan backfires and the large bird is soon laughing at his bullies.

19. A Fox and A Mouse: 6:23 minutes

Enjoy this sweet animation as a lonely fox hunts a mouse – and their relationship evolves as two owls begin to get in the middle of the fox’s hunt!

20. Pigeon Impossible: 6:15 minutes

A newbie secret agent is faced with a problem seldom covered in basic training: what to do when a pigeon gets trapped inside your multi-million dollar, government-issued nuclear briefcase.

21. The Children’s Tree: 1:58 minutes

This short film is about an imaginative little girl, a good-hearted old tree, and a helpful butterfly.

22. Hey Deer: 6:15 minutes

This fun short film is about an adorable, cocoa-drinking deer who is eager to tidy and shovel show in front of his house every day. However, there is a suspicious earthquake every night which causes the mess day by day. Between two cups of cocoa, the amazing truth reveals itself which changes the deer’s life forever…

23. Catch It: 5:25 minutes

A group of meerkats takes care of their beloved and unique fruit but a twist happens when a vulture comes and disturbs their peace of mind.

24. Mouse for Sale: 4:16 minutes

This short is about a lonely mouse in a pet shop, craving to be bought by someone. But he’s got one big problem: his huge ears. The kids entering the store keep laughing at him. Will Snickers find the buddy he so desires, someone who will take him for who he is?

25. One Man Band: 4:02 minutes

Watch this super cute short about a young peasant girl with one coin left when she encounters two competing street performers who’d prefer the coin find its way into their tip jars. The little girl is caught in the middle as a musical duel ensues between the one-man-bands.

26. Dust Buddies: 4:05 minutes

A story about the friendship between two dust bunnies who live peacefully under a couch. When an evil maid comes to clean the house and sucks Fuzz into her vacuum, Lint must overcome his fears and set out to rescue his friend.

27. The Stubborn Donkey: 4:25 minutes

The short film is all about a stubborn donkey who is difficult to move but a bit of greek music just could do the trick.

28. The Egyptian Pyramids: 3:36 minutes

This cute animation is about an archaeologist who is about to discover the secret of the Egyptian Pyramids.

29. Minuscule: 5:09 minutes

The short film revolves around the day-to-day existence of slugs and how a caterpillar tries to blend into the family.

30. Jinky Jenkins and Lucky Lou: 3:52 minutes

When the misfortunate Jenkins and the Lucky Lou run into each other one morning, they find a thrilling and fulfilling change of pace as they hurtle down the hills of San Francisco in an ice cream cart.

31. Can I Stay: 3:48 minutes

This sweet short animation is about an apprehensive homeless girl who must traverse a dangerous, wintry city in order to escape her adorable pursuers.

Get me my Problem Solving Wordless Videos Freebie!

Problem Solving Restorative Justice Graphic Visual :

Use this Flip Book Graphic Visual to help your students solve their conflicts with others and to make things right.

• 1. Identify the Problem: Fill out the scenario by writing down what happened and drawing what happened.
• 2. Have your Student Identify their Feelings: Draw their emotions and write down their thoughts in the thought bubble.
• 3. Have the other Student Involved Identify their Feelings: Draw the other person’s emotions and write down the other person’s thoughts in the thought bubble.
• 4. Make Things Right: Identify how to make things better.
• 5. My Notes: Fill in any additional information you might find helpful to know or remember.

Get your students talking and problem-solving using these super cute wordless animation videos to teach them problem-solving skills. Also, you can use these short videos to teach story retell, sequencing, answering wh-questions, or inferences/predictions. Are your students ready to start solving real-life problems? Be sure to grab the 71+ problem-solving scenarios freebie to get additional problem-solving practice!

Tuesday 7th of February 2023

I have used this resource numerous times. This is amazing! I appreciate you taking the time to create this and for making it free. My students love them. you visuals and graphics are on point. Will you be making more. I would pay for it as I find it worth it and very useful. Some of the other Wordless Video I have seen that I like include: The Present, Snack Attack, Carrot Crazy, and The Bridge. There are others...Please let us know! Thanks again!

Melissa Berg

Wednesday 8th of February 2023

Hi Judith, Thanks so much for reaching out! I'm happy to know you like this resource. I currently don't have another set in the works, but since it is a fan favorite I can definitely add it to my list of ideas for the future. Thanks for the suggestion and additional videos to look into. All my best, Melissa

Monday 7th of November 2022

This is great for my high-functioning autism students!

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