Movies always induce different feelings in audiences, and while most of the time, these emotions are happiness or fear, things are not always that simple. Plenty of films focus on more significant cultural issues or tackle real-life stories. These will lead viewers to question their moral compass or societal problems.
Zodiac
Zodiac dives deep into real-life killings in San Francisco, concentrating on the police and their attempts to unravel the mystery. The complex nature of the clues left, the lives devastated, and how a cartoonist becomes crucial to helping will leave people questioning society.
Prisoners
How far would you go to find your kidnapped child? That’s the moral question that Prisoners will leave people with. Hugh Jackman’s character crosses lines that most people would deem acceptable, yet his decisions are with good intentions. It’s a fine balancing act; the highly emotional acting only further drives that message.
Click
Adam Sandler’s comedies are usually light-hearted and goofy, and Click is no different in many aspects. But the movie also has a deep moral undertone, showcasing how people shouldn’t just wish their lives away. Sandler’s character gets the chance to fast forward through aspects of his life that he doesn’t enjoy, such as work, but he then takes it too far and misses out on crucial moments. The movie packs an emotional punch towards the end, showcasing why nobody should want to rush through their time on Earth.
Avatar
Avatar might be one of the biggest blockbusters ever to be made and something that reached the heights of being the highest-grossing movie of all time, but that doesn’t mean there are no moral lessons. James Cameron often makes his audiences think, which is apparent here. The focus on the environment and looking after habitats radiates through, showcasing the power of togetherness at the same time.
12 Angry Men
12 Angry Men is a gripping and intense film focusing entirely on a jury deciding over a case. When eleven of them vote guilty, there are discussions to be had as every point is combed over in detail. It’s an example of not just following people’s opinions mindlessly and the importance of standing up for what is right. The moral conversations take place for all to see in this movie as it’s so dialogue-heavy, and the fact that it’s not hidden behind anything glamorous makes it unique.
The Breakfast Club
John Hughes knows how to engage an audience. He can make people laugh while creating distinct characters. The Breakfast Club is the best example of this. He brings together five high school students for detention, all with different personalities and attitudes. They might seem different on paper, but the movie showcases how people deal with similar issues that can connect them.
Wonder
Wonder focuses on a young boy named August, who has a facial deformity. Because of that, he deals with bullying at school. He works hard to fit in, but the movie showcases the importance of just being yourself while also leaving people questioning how they treat others. There are many emotions within this one, and that only helps drum up the moral choices rooted in the plot.
Onward
Onward might be a brilliant adventure movie that provides the usual levels of charm and comedy expected from Pixar movies. However, there are deeper meanings behind it all, as the Lightfoot brothers are forced to work together to deal with grief, and the film highlights how people deal with things differently.
La La Land
La La Land brings all the glitz and glamor of old-school Hollywood with the charm that musicals can provide when the songs are good. The chemistry between Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling is undeniable in this one, and it makes people fall in love with them as a couple, only for the ending to cause heartbreak. But despite it not turning out as people first imagine, there’s still happiness. The dream sequence allows audiences to decide the right way to go. Focusing on yourself and your ambitions is sometimes essential, which is a clear message.
The Lion King
The Lion King is a Disney classic. Its fun and bubbly characters, such as Timon and Pumba, help make the movie accessible to everyone. But deep down, there are lessons about grief, the importance of friendship, and the importance of self-belief, even in darker times.
Watchmen
Watchmen might be a classic comic book movie that features many of the usual tropes from that genre, but it also has a much deeper meaning. Ozymandias is the antagonist because he kills millions of people, but he argues that he saved billions by stopping a nuclear war. The movie leaves the decision in the hands of the viewer, which can lead to some fun debate afterward, depending on people’s morals.
Shallow Hal
Shallow Hal might be a comedy, but the entire movie is all about the perception of beauty. Hal is initially shallow, only focusing on looks and body image, but he learns that there’s more to a person than that, creating an instant lesson for the viewers.
A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange is a deep movie that explores various topics, from violence to medical procedures. It makes audiences question what is too far in experimentation regarding helping someone. The methods used in the movie do benefit the character of Alex, but are they extreme?
Dark Waters
Mark Ruffalo thrives in this role, which will force viewers to question society. The focus is on a defense lawyer trying to stop water pollution, causing legitimate health risks. But it’s the fact that this is a true story that will get audiences mad, with people having to come to terms with the fact that this is all real life, not just a movie.
The Truman Show
People are starting to understand that mass media has power over the world, whether marketing or creating advertising tailored to a person. But back in 1998, The Truman Show was already questioning how far media would go to control people’s lives. Jim Carrey brings some great comedy to this particular film, but the overall message still needs to be one that will make people think a little bit.
Thank You for Smoking
Specific jobs provide apparent moral dilemmas, and being involved in promoting smoking when there are noticeable adverse health effects is one of them. That’s the theme at the core of this movie, as the decision of whether the money is worth it even though the job is ultimately causing people harm. But with bills to pay and people to depend on, the decision to quit isn’t as easy as it might seem on paper, which are the complexities felt throughout this one.
Forrest Gump
Many consider Forrest Gump a classic and one of Tom Hanks’ defining roles. This one has tons of amazing quotes and a heartwarming story. However, it also emphasizes the importance of not judging people and treating everyone equally, making it a morally complex movie.
The Wolf of Wall Street
The Wolf of Wall Street is an intriguing movie because the antagonist is essentially positioned as a hero. Everything that Jordan Belfort does is morally and criminally wrong, from how he treats people to the laws he breaks, but because he’s positioned as cool, many viewers might want his life. This means people leave watching this one, questioning their moral compass.
Just Mercy
Just Mercy is based on a true story. The film centers on an attorney who attempts to stop an innocent man from receiving the death penalty. The story is profoundly emotional and provides a powerful message about racism and the justice system. Nobody leaves this one without being moved, which creates an exciting and vital topic of discussion.
Sophie’s Choice
People often use the term ‘Sophie’s Choice’ for legitimate life lessons now, and that showcases how powerful this movie is. In the film, Sophie must choose between her two children, determining which one survives. Both will lose their lives if she fails to make one. The film provides many moral questions and forces audiences to think about what they would do in her shoes.
The Green Mile
One of the most emotionally charged movies ever made, The Green Mile is based on the famous Stephen King novel and often brings viewers to tears. The acting is of a high quality, drawing out the emotions in audiences even more. It will teach people not to judge a book by its cover while also dealing with acceptance and grief.
