Since the advent of the VCR, the DVD and now Streaming, movies have entertained us, and have been a nice distraction from our day to day lives (and they were a great sub plan). However, movies are more than just a distraction, many of them have strong messages that can be used to deliver a lesson of leadership. Using movies to inspire, motivate, and teach kids about leadership is a powerful educational tool that blends entertainment with meaningful life lessons. Films capture attention and create emotional connections, making abstract leadership qualities like resilience, empathy, teamwork, and integrity more tangible and relatable. By presenting real-life scenarios or dramatized challenges, movies show students how leaders navigate obstacles, inspire others, and make impactful decisions. The best way to deliver this to kids is by creating an interactive and reflective learning experience: introduce the movie’s context, show targeted clips, and follow up with guided discussions and activities that encourage students to connect the lessons to their own lives. Providing worksheets or journal prompts can deepen engagement and help students articulate what they’ve learned, fostering critical thinking and personal growth. This approach transforms passive viewing into an active exploration of leadership in action. Here are 10 of my favorites that I have watched over and over and they never seem to lose their power.
1. Remember the Titans (2000)
Synopsis: Based on a true story, this film chronicles a high school football team in Virginia during desegregation in the 1970s. Coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) must unite players and staff from racially divided communities.
Leadership Themes:
- Overcoming adversity and biases
- The importance of team unity
- Leading with integrity and fairness
Lessons for the Classroom:
- Encourage teamwork by valuing individual strengths.
- Discuss how leaders address social issues and foster inclusivity.
Lesson Plan
- Introduction (2 minutes)
- Briefly explain the movie’s setting (1970s, desegregation, high school football).
- Discuss leadership qualities like teamwork and integrity.
- Clip Viewing (5 minutes)
- Show a key scene: Coach Boone’s speech about unity or the players bonding.
- Clip: Coach Boone’s speech about unity during training camp.
- Location: Around 00:32:00–00:35:00 (The Gettysburg speech scene).
- Discussion & Activity (3 minutes)
- Discuss: How does Coach Boone demonstrate leadership?
- Worksheet Question: What actions did Coach Boone take to unite the team?
Worksheet
- What is the main challenge Coach Boone faces?
- List two ways the players begin to overcome their differences.
- How does this scene relate to teamwork in real life?
2. Dead Poets Society (1989)
Synopsis: An inspiring English teacher, Mr. Keating (Robin Williams), challenges his students at a conservative prep school to think independently and “seize the day.”
Leadership Themes:
- Encouraging innovation and creativity
- Empowering others to find their voices
- Challenging norms respectfully
Lessons for the Classroom:
- Motivate students to express individuality within group dynamics.
- Discuss how to challenge rules while maintaining respect.
Lesson Plan
- Introduction (2 minutes)
- Explain Mr. Keating’s role as a teacher who inspires creativity.
- Discuss the phrase “Carpe Diem” (Seize the Day).
- Clip Viewing (5 minutes)
- Show the “Oh Captain! My Captain!” scene or the “Carpe Diem” speech.
- Clip: Mr. Keating’s “Carpe Diem” speech or the “Oh Captain! My Captain!” tribute.
- Carpe Diem Speech: Around 00:13:30–00:17:00 (first classroom scene).
- Oh Captain! My Captain!: Around 01:58:00–02:00:00 (final scene).
- Discussion & Activity (3 minutes)
- Discuss: How does Mr. Keating encourage leadership in his students?
- Worksheet Question: What does “Carpe Diem” mean to you?
Worksheet
- Write down one way Mr. Keating inspires the students.
- What risks does he take as a leader?
- How can his message apply to your life?
3. Invictus (2009)
Synopsis: After apartheid, Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) partners with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), to unite the nation through the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Leadership Themes:
- Bridging divides through a shared vision
- Leading with humility and grace
- Inspiring action in others
Lessons for the Classroom:
- Explore how shared goals promote collaboration across differences.
- Discuss how empathy strengthens leadership.
Lesson Plan
- Introduction (2 minutes)
- Share the historical context: Nelson Mandela’s leadership in uniting South Africa.
- Clip Viewing (5 minutes)
- Show the scene where Mandela discusses using rugby to bring people together.
- Clip: Mandela discusses using rugby to unite South Africa with Francois Pienaar.
- Location: Around 00:36:00–00:40:00 (Mandela and Pienaar’s meeting).
- Discussion & Activity (3 minutes)
- Discuss: How does Mandela use a common goal to unite a divided nation?
- Worksheet Question: What leadership traits does Mandela show?
Worksheet
- What problem is Mandela trying to solve?
- How does rugby symbolize unity?
- List two leadership traits Mandela shows in this scene.
4. McFarland, USA (2015)
Synopsis: Based on a true story, the film follows Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), who moves to a predominantly Latino high school in California and starts a cross-country running team. Despite cultural differences and challenges, he inspires the team to achieve great success.
Leadership Themes:
- Leading through cultural understanding and respect
- Identifying and nurturing potential in others
- Building trust and community
Lesson Plan
- Introduction (2 minutes)
- Briefly explain the setting: a struggling school in McFarland, California.
- Discuss leadership traits like perseverance, mentorship, and empathy.
- Clip Viewing (5 minutes)
- Show the scene where Coach White runs with the team to encourage them to push harder.
- Location: Around 00:55:00–01:00:00 (training sequence in the fields).
- Discussion & Activity (3 minutes)
- Discuss: How does Coach White inspire the team to believe in themselves?
- Worksheet Question: What does it mean to lead by example?
Works
heet
- What challenge does Coach White face in earning the team’s trust?
- How does he demonstrate respect for the community?
- List two ways he motivates the runners to achieve their goals.
5. Hidden Figures (2016)
Synopsis: This film tells the story of three African-American women mathematicians at NASA, who overcame racism and sexism to contribute to pivotal space missions in the 1960s.
Leadership Themes:
- Breaking barriers through perseverance
- The importance of recognizing and valuing diverse talents
- Advocacy for equality
Lessons for the Classroom:
- Encourage students to persist in the face of challenges.
- Discuss the impact of inclusivity in achieving goals.
Lesson Plan
- Introduction (2 minutes)
- Highlight the women’s leadership in breaking barriers at NASA.
- Clip Viewing (5 minutes)
- Show a scene where Katherine Johnson presents her calculations to the team.
- Clip: Katherine Johnson presents her calculations to the all-male NASA team.
Location: Around 01:10:00–01:15:00 (Katherine addresses the room of engineers).
- Discussion & Activity (3 minutes)
- Discuss: How does Katherine overcome challenges to lead?
- Worksheet Question: Why is it important to recognize diverse talents?
Worksheet
- What obstacle does Katherine face in this scene?
- How does her work inspire others?
- Write one way you can support equality.
6. 12 Angry Men (1957)
Synopsis: A jury deliberates the guilt of a young defendant in a murder trial. One juror (Henry Fonda) stands firm against a guilty verdict, inspiring others to rethink their biases.
Leadership Themes:
- The courage to stand alone for one’s beliefs
- Persuasion through logic and empathy
- Facilitating constructive dialogue
Lessons for the Classroom:
- Teach conflict resolution through respectful debate.
- Discuss how leaders address bias and uphold justice.
Lesson Plan
- Introduction (2 minutes)
- Discuss the idea of standing firm in one’s beliefs.
- Clip Viewing (5 minutes)
- Show the scene where the lone juror begins convincing others to reconsider.
- Clip: Juror 8 (Henry Fonda) begins convincing the jury to reconsider.
Location: Around 00:22:00–00:30:00 (First vote and Fonda presents his reasoning).
- Discussion & Activity (3 minutes)
- Discuss: How does one person change the group’s opinion?
- Worksheet Question: Why is listening important for leadership?
Worksheet
- What argument does the juror use to make others think?
- How does he show patience as a leader?
- Write one time you stood up for what you believed.
7. Hoosiers (1986)
Synopsis: A small-town Indiana high school basketball team, led by a coach with a troubled past (Gene Hackman), defies expectations to compete for the state championship.
Leadership Themes:
- Building trust and respect in teams
- Leading with second chances
- The value of discipline and hard work
Lessons for the Classroom:
- Use team activities to highlight the value of trust.
- Explore how setbacks can lead to leadership opportunities.
Lesson Plan
- Introduction (2 minutes)
- Explain how Coach Dale builds trust and discipline with his team.
- Clip Viewing (5 minutes)
- Show the scene where Coach Dale enforces teamwork over star players.
- Clip: Coach Dale enforces teamwork over individual players.
Location: Around 00:50:00–00:54:00 (The “pass four times before shooting” scene).
- Discussion & Activity (3 minutes)
- Discuss: Why is trust important in teams?
- Worksheet Question: How does Coach Dale earn the players’ respect?
Worksheet
- How does the coach show fairness in this scene?
- Write two traits of a good leader shown here.
- What does this teach about discipline?
8. Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
Synopsis: A young girl, Akeelah, from an underprivileged community competes in the National Spelling Bee with the support of her mentor, Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne).
Leadership Themes:
- Empowering others through mentorship
- Leading by example
- Overcoming fear of failure
Lessons for the Classroom:
- Discuss how leaders inspire confidence in others.
- Highlight the role of mentorship in achieving success.
Lesson Plan
- Introduction (2 minutes)
- Highlight Akeelah’s journey and Dr. Larabee’s mentorship.
- Clip Viewing (5 minutes)
- Show the scene where Dr. Larabee encourages Akeelah to believe in herself.
- Clip: Dr. Larabee encourages Akeelah to believe in herself and take the competition seriously.
Location: Around 00:48:00–00:52:00 (mentorship begins in earnest).
Alternate scene: Around 01:20:00–01:23:00 (Akeelah finds confidence).
- Discussion & Activity (3 minutes)
- Discuss: How does mentorship help Akeelah?
- Worksheet Question: How can mentors inspire leaders?
Worksheet
- What advice does Dr. Larabee give Akeelah?
- How does Akeelah respond to challenges?
- Write one thing you learned about perseverance.
9. Erin Brockovich (2000)
Synopsis: A legal assistant (Julia Roberts) uncovers a water contamination scandal affecting a small community and fights for justice against a powerful corporation.
Leadership Themes:
- Advocacy for the voiceless
- Resilience in the face of powerful opposition
- The impact of grassroots leadership
Lessons for the Classroom:
- Discuss how leaders can make a difference in their communities.
- Explore the importance of persistence and attention to detail.
Lesson Plan
- Introduction (2 minutes)
- Explain Erin’s role in fighting for justice.
- Clip Viewing (5 minutes)
- Show the scene where Erin connects with the affected families.
- Clip: Erin connects with the families affected by water contamination.
Location: Around 00:55:00–00:59:00 (Erin begins her outreach efforts).
- Discussion & Activity (3 minutes)
- Discuss: How does Erin’s leadership help others?
- Worksheet Question: What does “grassroots leadership” mean?
Worksheet
- Write one way Erin helps the community.
- How does she use her strengths to make a difference?
- Why is empathy important in leadership?
10. Apollo 13 (1995)
Synopsis: The story of NASA’s harrowing mission to save the Apollo 13 crew after a spacecraft malfunction, showcasing the leadership of astronaut Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks).
Leadership Themes:
- Staying calm under pressure
- Problem-solving with collaboration
- Adapting plans to overcome challenges
Lessons for the Classroom:
- Use problem-solving activities to teach adaptability.
- Discuss the role of clear communication in leadership.
Lesson Plan
- Introduction (2 minutes)
- Highlight teamwork and problem-solving in crisis.
- Clip Viewing (5 minutes)
- Show the scene where the NASA team brainstorms solutions.
- Clip: NASA engineers brainstorm how to create a CO2 filter using only the materials onboard.
Location: Around 01:25:00–01:30:00 (Team problem-solving sequence).
- Discussion & Activity (3 minutes)
- Discuss: How do the characters stay calm under pressure?
- Worksheet Question: Why is collaboration important?
Worksheet
- What problem does the team face?
- Write two ideas they use to solve it.
- How does this relate to leadership in your life?
General Lessons for Classroom Use
- Encourage students to identify leadership qualities they admire.
- Use movie clips or role-play scenarios to discuss decision-making.
- Highlight how different leadership styles can be effective in varying contexts.
These films not only entertain but offer valuable perspectives on what it takes to lead effectively in life and work. Each lesson and worksheet encourages critical thinking and connects leadership themes to real-world experiences, making these movies valuable tools for classroom learning.
Honorary Mention Movies
Movies that motivate and teach about leadership:
- Freedom Writers
- Lean on Me
- The Pursuit of Happyness
- Pay It Forward
- Rudy
- Glory
- The Great Debaters
- Miracle
- Coach Carter
- Amistad
- October Sky
- To Sir, With Love
- Schindler’s List
- We Are Marshall
- Soul Surfer
