empathetic backdrop

Movies with empathetic vibe

Welcome to Marwen

11. Welcome to Marwen

Drama Comedy Psychological Drama
6.2

20181h 56min

Canada, Japan

Director: Robert Zemeckis

When a devastating attack shatters Mark Hogancamp and wipes away all memories, no one expected recovery. Putting together pieces from his old and new life, Mark meticulously creates a wondrous town named Marwen where he can heal and be heroic. As he builds an astonishing art installation — a testament to the most powerful women he knows — through his fantasy world, he draws strength to triumph in the real one.

Themes

Memory loss and recovery, Fantasy as coping mechanism, Art-based healing, Delusions and mental illness, Art installation as therapy, Resilience after trauma

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Two Is a Family

12. Two Is a Family

Drama Comedy Family Drama Buddy Comedy
7.3

20161h 58min

France, United Kingdom

Director: Hugo Gélin

A man without attachments or responsibilities suddenly finds himself with an abandoned baby and leaves for London to try and find the mother. Eight years later after he and his daughter become inseparable Gloria's mother reappears.

Themes

Single parent resilience, Unconventional family bonds, Custody dispute dynamics, Imagined maternal figure, Language barrier adaptation, Illness stakes

Available on

Apple TV
Netflix
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Lion

13. Lion

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
8.0

20161h 58min

Australia, United Kingdom

Director: Garth Davis

A five-year-old Indian boy gets lost on the streets of Calcutta, thousands of kilometers from home. He survives many challenges before being adopted by a couple in Australia; 25 years later, he sets out to find his lost family.

Themes

Adoption and belonging, Displacement and identity, Memory and mapping, Caregiving and trauma, Obsessive searching, Family loss and hope

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Arrival

14. Arrival

Drama Science Fiction Mystery Alien Contact Sci-Fi Investigation Mystery
7.9

20161h 56min

United States

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Alien ships arrive at multiple locations around the world. The U.S. government sends a team of scientists, led by a linguist and a physicist, to one of the ships to try to understand the visitors’ true purpose—before supporters of a military solution provoke a war.

Themes

Alien language tool, Time-manipulation perception, First contact implications, Extraterrestrial technology impact, Linguist driven inquiry, Spacecraft based collaboration

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Dolphin Tale 2

15. Dolphin Tale 2

Family Drama Animal Companion Family Family Drama
6.4

20141h 47min

United States

Director: Charles Martin Smith

The team of people who saved Winter's life reassemble in the wake of her surrogate mother's passing in order to find her a companion so she can remain at the Clearwater Marine Hospital.

Themes

Sea turtle companionship potential, Caregiver dolphin responsibility, Dolphin companionship needs, Sea turtle welfare priorities, Institutional constraints vs welfare, Dolphin welfare ethics

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

In Your Eyes

16. In Your Eyes

Drama Romance Science Fiction Passionate Romance Relationship Drama
6.9

20141h 46min

United States

Director: Brin Hill

Two seemingly unconnected souls from different corners of the United States make a telepathic bond that allows them to see, hear and feel the other's experiences, creating a bond that apparently can't be broken.

Themes

Isolation and longing, Consequences of past crime, Escape under pressure, Social scrutiny and stigma, Distant telepathic connection, Ambiguous morality of actions


The Way He Looks

17. The Way He Looks

Drama Romance Coming-of-Age Drama Coming-of-Age Romance
7.9

20141h 36min

Brazil

Director: Daniel Ribeiro

Leonardo is a blind teenager dealing with an overprotective mother while trying to live a more independent life. To the disappointment of his best friend, Giovana, he plans to go on an exchange program abroad. When Gabriel, a new student in town, arrives at their classroom, new feelings blossom in Leonardo making him question his plans.

Themes

Coming of age pressure, Disability as catalyst, Overprotective parenting constraint, Lgbt relationship navigation, Independence vs dependence, Friendship vs romance tension, Peer teasing and acceptance

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Soloist

18. The Soloist

Drama Music Entertainment Industry Drama Narrative Musical
6.7

20091h 49min

France, United States

Director: Joe Wright

A Los Angeles journalist befriends a homeless Juilliard-trained musician, while looking for a new article for the paper.

Themes

Mental illness stigma, Identity through performance, Marginalized artistry, Art as shelter, Journalistic responsibility, Dependency in care, Community-based rehabilitation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Happy Feet

19. Happy Feet

Animation Comedy Family Family Animation Animal Companion Family
6.4

20061h 48min

Australia, United States

Director: George Miller

Into the world of the Emperor Penguins, who find their soul mates through song, a penguin is born who cannot sing. But he can tap dance something fierce!

Themes

Ocean resource strain, Fish scarcity tension, Zoo confinement pressure, Antarctica isolation dynamics, Penguin identity through tap dancing, Family bonds under ridicule

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Cinderella Man

20. Cinderella Man

Romance Drama History Historical Drama Passionate Romance
8.0

20052h 24min

United States

Director: Ron Howard

The true story of boxer Jim Braddock who, following his retirement in the 1930s, makes a surprise comeback in order to lift his family out of poverty.

Themes

Economic hardship resilience, Underdog perseverance under pressure, Public hope during depression, Media framing of heroism, Family survival through work, Labor and sport convergence

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.