It is no wonder why adoption is on our minds, so here is our list of great adoption-themed movies.
These are not movies strictly about adoption necessarily, but rather movies that have a nice adoption story in them, whether it's the main plot or a subliminal theme. You will not find in this list many of the movies that might first come to mind when you think "adoption movie" (such as All Dogs Go To Heaven and other orphan movies--and no pet movies). Rather, these are movies that stand out in my mind that do a good job of showing the bond that is formed between individuals who are brought together through various circumstances and become a family based on love rather than blood. I hope you enjoy. Feel free to comment with questions, suggestions, or recommendations for other good movies.
Angels in the Outfield (1994)
"I thought you said you have to be somewhere." "I do... right here."
Roger prayed for a miracle that would bring him and his father together permanently. A miracle came, but not with the results that Roger hoped for. The angels didn't come to help fulfill his dad's promise, but rather to bring Roger (and J.P.) close to the one whose heart would be touched and would love him like a son. The rest of the movie is silly and cheesy (especially the whole arm-flapping part), but the closing scene is heartwarming.
These are not movies strictly about adoption necessarily, but rather movies that have a nice adoption story in them, whether it's the main plot or a subliminal theme. You will not find in this list many of the movies that might first come to mind when you think "adoption movie" (such as All Dogs Go To Heaven and other orphan movies--and no pet movies). Rather, these are movies that stand out in my mind that do a good job of showing the bond that is formed between individuals who are brought together through various circumstances and become a family based on love rather than blood. I hope you enjoy. Feel free to comment with questions, suggestions, or recommendations for other good movies.
Angels in the Outfield (1994)
"I thought you said you have to be somewhere." "I do... right here."
Roger prayed for a miracle that would bring him and his father together permanently. A miracle came, but not with the results that Roger hoped for. The angels didn't come to help fulfill his dad's promise, but rather to bring Roger (and J.P.) close to the one whose heart would be touched and would love him like a son. The rest of the movie is silly and cheesy (especially the whole arm-flapping part), but the closing scene is heartwarming.
Annie (1982)
"It'll be fine. Nothing to fear. She'll be as happy as she was here.... And I know I'll forget how much she meant to me and how she was almost my baby... maybe."
Okay, so there are exceptions to every rule, right? Yeah, I know, Annie is such a stereotypical orphan movie--maybe even the quintessential orphan movie. Still, above the singing and dancing and the comical storyline is the theme of love as Oliver Warbucks' realizes that he enjoys being a dad and that his heart has been stolen by a darling little girl. Their mutual love is revealed as they mourn their separation when Annie's "real parents" take her away. As you contemplate their developing relationship, it's hard not to tear up at this touching moment at the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jymwZyr6QCI&t=189
"It'll be fine. Nothing to fear. She'll be as happy as she was here.... And I know I'll forget how much she meant to me and how she was almost my baby... maybe."
Okay, so there are exceptions to every rule, right? Yeah, I know, Annie is such a stereotypical orphan movie--maybe even the quintessential orphan movie. Still, above the singing and dancing and the comical storyline is the theme of love as Oliver Warbucks' realizes that he enjoys being a dad and that his heart has been stolen by a darling little girl. Their mutual love is revealed as they mourn their separation when Annie's "real parents" take her away. As you contemplate their developing relationship, it's hard not to tear up at this touching moment at the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jymwZyr6QCI&t=189
Les Miserables (2012)
You'll probably guess that we like musicals, but don't worry, these are not all musicals. One of the touching things about adoption stories in movies is the personal change that happens to a person as they realize how another has become their whole life. Since this entire movie is sung, instead of quoting the movie, I will post the song the demonstrates this feeling by Jean Valjean for his adopted daughter, Cosette. (Side note: the song "Suddenly" is not in the original score, but was written for the movie.)
Australia (2008)
“I’ll sing you to me, Mrs. Boss.”
(Just in case you're wondering, the two Hugh Jackman movies is a coincidence.) This movie is a bit unique from the others in the list in that three separate people are brought together to form a family: mother, father, and son. A parallel subliminal theme of this movie is that of faith. This family turns out in the end because they each learn to have faith in each other in order to be reunited, and they learn as they gain that faith that they do indeed really love each other.“I’ll sing you to me, Mrs. Boss.”
P.S. Lesson learned: ensure privacy before you "make wrong side business."
The Sound of Music (1965)
“How do you solve a problem like Maria?”
“How do you solve a problem like Maria?”
By giving her seven adorable yet impossible children to care for. This movie is sort of a reverse adoption story in which the children adopt a mother while their widowed father also finds true love anew. In the end, this family are willing to leave everything else behind to escape with each other for their freedom.
Follow Me, Boys! (1966)
"Alright, you hoodlums, pile out of there. Oh, and Mr. Hastings, from now on I'm the only one that calls them that, alright."
An infertile couple finds the void of having children is filled by the many boys the husband mentors as a scoutmaster in the Boy Scout troop he started in a small rural town. They end up adopting one of them--a particularly troubled child--after the boy is orphaned. The movie in general is about the difference one man can make in a community through selfless service and brotherly love, but the subplot of the development of this family is a particularly touching aspect.
Last, but certainly not least...
The Blindside (2009)
“Would you like to become a part of this family?” “I kind of thought I already was.”
The best part about this movie is that it's a true story! In real life, older children in the adoption arena are less wanted and provoke less compassion than little children, so the charity--the pure love of Christ--shown by this mother is incredibly moving and inspiring. Everything about this movie (at least the parts that contribute to the happy ending) should bring joy to your heart.
“Would you like to become a part of this family?” “I kind of thought I already was.”
The best part about this movie is that it's a true story! In real life, older children in the adoption arena are less wanted and provoke less compassion than little children, so the charity--the pure love of Christ--shown by this mother is incredibly moving and inspiring. Everything about this movie (at least the parts that contribute to the happy ending) should bring joy to your heart.
Love it! Great movies, thank you for sharing!
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