Best Movies Like Good Will Hunting, Ranked (2025)

Good Will Hunting was released in 1997, but its plot remains timeless. Directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, it tells the story of a janitor at MIT who's a self-taught math genius and recently paroled from jail. Stellan Skarsgård plays Professor Gerald Lambeau, who discovers the talent in Will Hunting, played by Matt Damon. Robin Williams plays Dr. Sean Maguire, the psychologist who's able to get through to Will and help him deal with his self-destructive tendencies.

The movie won Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Robin Williams' performance at the 1998 Academy Awards. It's widely considered one of the best movies of all time for its amazing performances and incredibly inspirational story that involves the topics of working-class resilience, mental health and the role of a mentor in a young person's life. It's not based on a true story, but Good Will Hunting does draw inspiration from real-life events and feels realistic despite the dramatization. With all of this in mind, other great movies stand out for sharing many of these same characteristics.

Updated December 9, 2024, by Arthur Goyaz: Good Will Hunting is a modern classic about mentorship and overcoming trauma. This list was updated to add more recommendations for similar films: some that inspired Good Will Hunting and others that were inspired by it.

20 The Iron Claw is a Tear-Jerking Story About Loss and Resilience

The Tragedy Outside the Ring

The Iron Claw tells the true story of the Von Erich brothers, wrestlers who shook the world of competitive wrestling in the '80s. The movie is less a movie about life in the ring than a moving family fable, following the personal struggles of each brother and the tragedies that fell upon them. Zac Efron leads the movie as the oldest and remaining brother, Kevin Von Erich, who goes through his own personal hell.

Good Will Hunting delivers a moving message about not letting one's inner demons win. The Iron Claw presents a more tragic outlook on this idea, telling the story of people who were the absolute best at what they did, showcasing enormous physical strength. However, the Von Erich brothers lacked the emotional resilience to deal with the pressure of fame, the fear of failure, and the miscommunication that took over their family ties. Kevin eventually lifts his head up and overcomes his trauma, but his brothers, unfortunately, succumb to sorrowful circumstances.

19 The Spectacular Now Addresses the Delusions of Love

Everyone Grows Up, Not Everyone Matures

The Spectacular Now is a charming coming-of-age movie about Sutter, a popular high school reveler who falls for Aimee, an introverted girl whom he meets by chance. Sutter tends to drink away his problems, overlooking the quiet trauma that has been eating him up. Aimee, on the other hand, has bright plans for life after school.

The contrast between their states of mind has the potential to either bring them closer or drive them apart forever. The Spectacular Now is, essentially, a movie about focus and the lack of it. Aimee has a promising life ahead of her, but she's getting carried away by someone who can't face his fears, living on lies and cheap distractions. The film reaches a harrowing climax that puts the romance between the two main characters at stake. Just like Good Will Hunting, The Spectacular Now is about coming to terms with maturing versus growing up. One must come clean to one's true self to enjoy and understand life, otherwise, life is just time spent.

18 The Passengers of the Night is a Movie About the Lovely Connections We Make in Life

The Magic of Nocturnal Paris in the '80s

What Good Will Hunting does for moving mentor/pupil stories, The Passengers of the Night does for found-family movies. It's set in Paris, in 1981, as the people prepare for big changes in the city. Elisabeth is also going through big changes: her marriage has fallen apart, and she now must support her two teenage children alone. She feels lost and lonely in the Parisian night and eventually stumbles upon Talulah, a teenager in trouble. She takes the girl home and a new cycle begins for the both of them.

The Passengers of the Night reminds viewers that every person we meet makes a huge impression on us, even if it doesn't seem so at first. It's a movie about the healing power of connections. There are people being people — making mistakes, falling in love, going through pain, and finding peace. The relationship between Elisabeth and Talulah is reminiscent of Good Will Hunting's Will and Sean; it's not only about guidance, for a true friendship flourishes in the process.

17 East of Eden is a Subversive Cain and Abel Tale

Sympathy for Bad Roots

The biblical story of Cain and Abel has inspired many stories, but few inspire the audiences to regard Cain with a sympathetic eye. East of Eden does just that, following the contrasting lives of two brothers against the backdrop of World War I. Adam Trask is a promising young boy whose contagious charisma enchants everyone. On the other hand, his twin brother, Carl Trask, is a reserved boy enveloped in a mysterious loneliness. As tension rises between them, an unsettling secret regarding their mother will change their lives forever.

James Dean is an actor who became a legend with only a few film roles. He delivers the performance of a lifetime as Cal Trask, capturing all the frustrations and insecurities of a troubled young man. East of Eden's biggest dilemma is whether Cal will choose to triumph over his sins or let the darkness inside of him take over. His rough journey is similar to Will in Good Will Hunting, who spends most of his life letting trauma and rage corrupt his mind. The difference here is that Cal has no one to guide him through his misery. He must face the dark corners of his mind alone.

16 Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Will Make You Cry

The Small, Crucial Lessons We Learn Along the Road

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl takes the best attributes of Good Will Hunting and adapts them into a stylized, indie narrative set in a quirky high school setting. It follows Greg, an aspiring filmmaker trying to make it through his senior years unnoticed. All he wants is to make weird movies with his friend Earl and leave this year behind, but when he unwillingly befriends Rachel, a classmate with leukemia, Greg's life takes an abrupt turn.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl manages to be very funny while addressing real and pertinent human struggles. Its witty writing resembles Good Will Hunting, and so does the unique bond developed between the main character and Rachel. They learn a lot from one another, but it gets increasingly clear that Greg is the only one with an entire life ahead of them.

15 The Intouchables Shows Two Very Different People Growing Inseparable

It is Based on a True Story

The Intouchables recounts the story of a real-life quadriplegic aristocrat, Philippe Pozzo di Borgo, and Driss, a man from a tough background who becomes Philippe's caretaker. After a rocky start, Driss' unconventional methods enchant Philippe, and the two evolve into inseparable friends. They find comfort in each other, and mutual understanding in their contrasting struggles, and learn to overcome them together.

Duality is the main theme of The Intouchables. There's a huge abyss between the two main characters, but their differences grow into the bridge that supports their unique relationship. Just like Good Will Hunting, The Intouchables explores different healing processes from contrasting perspectives. The Intouchables is moving, and a certified tearjerker, but also very funny and easy to relate to.

14 Monsieur Lazhar is About the Trauma and Grief of an Entire Classroom

Kids Dealing with Harsh Realities of Life

Monsieur Lazhar shares the same themes, though the setting moves from college to elementary school. Bachir Lazhar is an Algerian immigrant who steps in as a substitute teacher following a teacher's suicide. The class of children, still mourning their loss, is traumatized. What they don't know is that Lazhar is also coping with a harrowing tragedy. Like Robin Williams's character in Good Will Hunting, Lazhar is seen as an outsider but doesn't let external opinions distract him from his goal. Most importantly, Lazhar is just as hurt as the people he's hired to comfort and guide, making his quest all the more personal.

The clash between duty and intimacy is present in Monsieur Lazhar and Good Will Hunting, and the conclusion is the same. Regardless of one's background or personal struggles, every person is fighting their own battle. What's left to do is to grasp every bit of humanity left in favor of genuine human connections. That's what the two movies do best; remind viewers that they are real people, and human emotions are a burden that must be shared to be understood.

13 Short Term 12 Explores the Trauma of Vulnerable Youth

Seeking Shelter from One's Own Mind

Short Term 12 is about self-sacrifice and self-destruction, two distinctive paths colliding in an impactful drama. The film is centered around the lives of at-risk teens in a care facility, assisted by attentive volunteers. Moving back and forth from the perspective of troubled teenagers who need care and of those who provide it, Short Term 12 builds a delicate portrayal of empathy in times of distress.

The characters in Short Term 12 find themselves in a much more vulnerable state than Will in Good Will Hunting, but both movies share similarities when it comes to addressing this vulnerability. The character of Marcus, played by LaKeith Stanfield, mirrors Will. He's a resident with a bright future ahead but is constantly drawn back by the hardships of his condition. The two struggle to overcome their inner demons, but once they learn to trust the people around them, a new journey begins.

12 Ordinary People Addresses the Grief of a Privileged Family

The Drama of a Young Boy Overwhelmed With Guilt

Ordinary People is an underrated Best Picture winner, delivering a brilliant performance by Donald Sutherland. In the film, the death of a wealthy family's older son strains the relationship of those coping with the tragedy: Conrad; a guilt-ridden younger son, Beth; a demanding mother, and Calvin; a good-natured father.

Sutherland's despair as a grieving father in Ordinary People trying to save his remaining son is palpable, and so is Timothy Hutton's pain as the son. The bond developed by Conrad and Dr. Berger, played by Judd Hirsch, is similar to the explosive therapy sessions between Will and Sean. It offers an emotionally charged, yet comforting contrast to the chaos of the family strains. Ordinary People stands out as an impressive meditation on family trauma, grief, and the arduous process of getting rid of guilt.

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Ordinary People

R

The accidental death of the older son of an affluent family deeply strains the relationships among the bitter mother, the good-natured father and the guilt-ridden younger son.

Director

Robert Redford

Release Date

September 19, 1980

Cast

Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton, M. Emmet Walsh, Elizabeth McGovern, Dinah Manoff, Fredric Lehne

Runtime

124 Minutes

Main Genre

Drama

11 Finding Forrester Is About the Power of Literature

From the Same Director of Good Will Hunting

Finding Forrester is a 2000 drama directed by Gus Van Sant, who also directed Good Will Hunting. It follows the story of Jamal Wallace, a teenager from the Bronx who gets a scholarship at a prestigious private high school and befriends the reclusive writer William Forrester. Forrester encourages Jamal to pursue his dream of becoming a writer despite facing many obstacles. The film explores themes of race, mentorship, and the power of literature to transform lives. Jamal is played by Rob Brown, while Forrester is portrayed by the legendary James Bond actor Sean Connery.

Both films show the complexities of mentorship and the pursuit of intellectual growth and are inspirational tales of personal discovery and human connection. But Finding Forrester explores broader societal issues instead of focusing on the psychology of a troubled young man like Good Will Hunting. Finding Forrester emphasizes literature and opportunity in society, while Good Will Hunting emphasizes mathematics and trauma. Although his performance may not have been as memorable as Robin Williams', Sean Connery is also remarkable in the role of the young student's mentor.

10 Bull Durham is About Troubled Mentorship in the Context of Baseball

A Love-Hate Relationship With the Game

If Good Will Hunting fans ever wondered what the film would look like in a sports setting, Bull Durham is the answer. The film is centered around Crash Davis, a veteran baseball catcher sent to a minor league team to give directions to their pitching prospect, Nuke LaLoosh. Beyond the clash of generations, a peculiar love triangle sparks between them when beautiful Annie Savoy comes into the big picture, making Crash's task harder than anticipated.

There are many parallels between Bull Durham's Crash and Nuke's relationship and Good Will Hunting's Sean and Will's. For one, it's not a conventional mentor-and-pupil story. In both movies, the two characters are deeply flawed, complex individuals, who simultaneously comfort and repel each other. Like Will, Nuke is a prodigy who doesn't know what to do with his talent. It's up to Crash to show him he's got an entire life ahead of him—a very promising one, in fact. Though Bull Durham is sexier and funnier than Good Will Hunting, they share the same moving lessons.

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Bull Durham

R

Veteran catcher Crash Davis is brought to the minor league Durham Bulls to help their up and coming pitching prospect, "Nuke" Laloosh. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start and is further complicated when baseball groupie Annie Savoy sets her sights on the two men.

Director

Ron Shelton

Release Date

June 15, 1988

Cast

Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Trey Wilson, Robert Wuhl, William O'Leary

Runtime

108 minutes

Main Genre

Comedy

9 Little Man Tate Is About a Genius Child's Mental Health

Evolving Way Too Fast

Little Man Tate is a 1991 drama directed by Jodie Foster that centers around a 7-year-old boy named Fred Tate, who has extraordinary intellectual abilities. Jodie Foster herself plays Fred's hardworking single mother who struggles to understand her son's prodigious talents. Played by Adam Hann-Byrd, Fred navigates the challenges of being different and forms a bond with a psychologist named Jane Grierson, played by Dianne Wiest. All three actors give moving performances that may bring a tear to the viewer's eye.

Both Little Man Tate and Good Will Hunting explore the social perceptions of highly intelligent people. While Little Man Tate focuses on the journey of a child prodigy and how he can be nurtured by his mother and mentor, Good Will Hunting depicts a troubled individual and delves into adulthood, showing how vulnerability allows mentorship. Despite the differences, both films offer insights into the human need for acceptance and belonging.

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Little Man Tate

PG

Drama

Family

Director

Jodie Foster

Release Date

September 6, 1991

Cast

Dianne Wiest, Jodie Foster, Adam Hann-Byrd, Harry Connick Jr., David Hyde Pierce, Debi Mazar, P.J. Ochlan, Michael Shulman, Celia Weston, George Plimpton, Bob Balaban, Josh Mostel, Danitra Vance, Jennifer Trier, Carolyn Lawrence, Michael Mantell, Gordon Greene, Alex Lee, Ellen McElduff

Writers

Scott Frank

Runtime

99 minutes

YouTube Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9b5xPJt5xU

Producers

Peggy Rajski, Randy Stone

Character(s)

Jane Grierson, Dede Tate, Fred Tate, Eddie, Garth Emmerick, Gina, Damon Wells, Matt Montini, Miss Nimvel, Winston F. Buckner, Quizmaster, Physics Professor, Clinic Doctor, Grierson Institute Teacher, Sorority Girl, Coral Bay Owner, Fred's Doctor, Fred Tate at 2, Make-Up Woman

8 A Beautiful Mind Is About the Mental Struggles of a Genius

The Psychological Obstacles of a Bright Mind

A Beautiful Mind is a 2001 biographical drama directed by Ron Howard about the late John Nash, a brilliant mathematician who struggled with schizophrenia. Russell Crowe delivers a powerful performance as John Nash, as well as Jennifer Connelly as his wife Alicia. Despite the challenges of his mental illness that blur the line between reality and hallucination, Nash makes groundbreaking contributions to science. A Beautiful Mind is a captivating story of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.

While both main characters in A Beautiful Mind and Good Will Hunting are extremely intelligent and deeply troubled, their psychological challenges are very different. Will Hunting faces emotional scars from his past, while John Nash battles with his own mind as he tries to understand reality. But both movies are uplifting tales of resilience and focus on the importance of relationships when overcoming life's greatest challenges.

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A Beautiful Mind

PG-13

Biography

Drama

Mystery

A mathematical genius, John Nash made an astonishing discovery early in his career and stood on the brink of international acclaim. But the handsome and arrogant Nash soon found himself on a harrowing journey of self-discovery.

Director

Ron Howard

Release Date

January 4, 2002

Cast

Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Paul Bettany, adam goldberg, Johs Lucas, Anthony Rapp

Writers

Akiva Goldsman, Sylvia Nasar

Runtime

135 Minutes

Main Genre

Biography

7 Billy Elliot Is About Prejudice and Acceptance

Beating Stereotypes and Prejudice

Billy Elliot is a heartwarming 2000 British drama directed by Stephen Daldry and starring Jamie Bell. It's set in the mid-1980s during the UK miners' strike and follows the story of an 11-year-old boy named Billy Elliot, who discovers a passion for ballet dancing despite his father's plan for him to become a boxer like his brother. Julie Walters stars as Mrs. Wilkinson, Billy's strict but supportive ballet teacher who recognizes his talent. While Billy faces the prejudice of his family and community, he finds happiness through dance.

Good Will Hunting explores similar themes of personal ambition and breaking free from expectations but in a different context. Billy Elliot focuses on the journey of a young boy defying gender stereotypes and pursuing his passion for dance against the backdrop of a working-class community in turmoil. Meanwhile, Good Will Hunting focuses on an adult trying to exceed expectations based on his troubled past. Both share the message that following one's dreams is the way out of an unhappy situation.

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Billy Elliot

R

Drama

Music

The life of 11-year-old Billy Elliot, a coal miner's son in Northern England, is forever changed one day when he stumbles upon a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson. Before long, he finds himself in dance, demonstrating the kind of raw talent seldom seen by the class' exacting instructor, Mrs. Wilkinson. With a tart tongue and a never-ending stream of cigarettes in her hand, Mrs. Wilkinson's zest for teaching is revived when she sees Billy's potential.

Director

Stephen Daldry

Release Date

November 10, 2000

Cast

Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Jean Heywood, Jamie Draven, Gary Lewis, Stuart Wells, Mike Elliot, Billy Fane

Writers

Lee Hall

Runtime

110 Minutes

Main Genre

Drama

6 Precious Is About Distress and Education

The Long-Term Effects of Trauma

Precious is an intense 2009 drama directed by Lee Daniels about "Precious" Jones, a young woman living in Harlem in the late 1980s. Played by Gabourey Sidibe, Precious faces physical and sexual abuse by her parents. Mo'Nique delivers a stunning performance as Precious' abusive mother, and Paula Patton plays a caring teacher who offers Precious some much-needed support.

As Precious confronts the systemic barriers and societal expectations that have limited her opportunities, she discovers her own worth. It's not an easy watch, but a very powerful and necessary drama. Precious goes deep into trauma and its long-term effects, while Good Will Hunting uses it more superficially in comparison. Both films depict characters trying to overcome frustrating limitations, but Precious emphasizes race, class and gender in the protagonist's experiences.

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Precious

R

Drama

Pregnant by her own father for the second time, 16-year-old Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) can neither read nor write and suffers constant abuse at the hands of her vicious mother (Mo'Nique). Precious instinctively sees a chance to turn her life around when she is offered the opportunity to transfer to an alternative school. Under the patient, firm guidance of her new teacher, Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins the journey from oppression to self-determination.

Where to Watch

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Not available

*Availability in US

Director

Lee Daniels

Release Date

November 6, 2009

Cast

Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz, Gabourey Sidibe

Runtime

110 Minutes

Studio(s)

Lee Daniels Entertainment, Smokewood Entertainment, Harpo Films, 34th Street Films

Distributor(s)

Lionsgate

5 Beautiful Boy Is About a Father Trying to Guide His Drug-Addict Son

Moving Performances by Iconic Actors

Beautiful Boy is a 2018 drama directed by Felix van Groeningen, based on the memoirs of David Sheff and his son Nic Sheff about Nic's struggle with drug addiction. Steve Carell delivers a compelling performance as a loving father desperate to help his son, played by Timothée Chalamet. Carell can express heart-breaking guilt and helplessness, while Chalamet also brilliantly embodies the intelligent young man on the difficult path of recovery.

While Good Will Hunting focuses on the personal and intellectual growth of its protagonist, Beautiful Boy focuses on the impact of addiction. Both films depict characters struggling with inner demons, but Beautiful Boy emphasizes the need for a parent to let go of control and accept his son for who he is. Even with such contrasting thematic differences, these movies shine a light on the concept of wasted youth and how empathy can help change a young person's life.

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Beautiful Boy

R

Biography

Drama

Teenager Nicolas Sheff seems to have it all with good grades and being an actor, artist, athlete and editor of the school newspaper. When Nic's addiction to meth threatens to destroy him, his father does whatever he can to save his son and family.

Director

Felix Van Groeningen

Release Date

October 12, 2018

Cast

Timothee Chalamet, Kaitlyn Dever, Steve Carell, Amy Ryan, Maura Tierney

Writers

Felix Van Groeningen, Luke Davies

Main Genre

Drama

4 Whiplash Is About Dreams and the Myth of Perfection

Obsession in the Music Scene

Whiplash is a 2014 drama directed by Damien Chazelle about the intense relationship between an ambitious young drummer named Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) and his borderline-abusive music instructor Terence Fletcher, portrayed by J.K. Simmons in an Oscar-winning performance. The movie raises the question of how much an artist should sacrifice in pursuit of greatness and whether perfection even exists or is worth the struggle.

Although Whiplash focuses on the world of music and depicts a toxic mentorship, it's similar to Good Will Hunting in showing the high cost of ambition and its unexpected outcomes in a young man's life. Andrew and Will are the main characters struggling with decisions that will impact their future. But Whiplash brings a touch of acid humor that makes the drama much more nuanced.

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Whiplash

R

Drama

Music

Where to Watch

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Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Director

Damien Chazelle

Release Date

October 10, 2014

Cast

Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist, Austin Stowell, Nate Lang, Chris Mulkey, Damon Gupton, Suanne Spoke, Max Kasch, Charlie Ian, Jayson Blair, Kofi Siriboe, Kavita Patil, C.J. Vana, Tarik Lowe, Tyler Kimball, Rogelio Douglas Jr., Adrian Burks, Calvin C. Winbush, Joseph Bruno

Runtime

107 Minutes

Main Genre

Drama

3 Gifted Is About the Toll of Being a Genius Child

How a Family Deals with a Prodigy Among Them

Gifted is a heartwarming 2017 drama directed by Marc Webb about a young girl and mathematical prodigy named Mary Adler, played by Mckenna Grace. Chris Evans plays Frank Adler, Mary's uncle who raises her after her mother dies. Frank wants Mary to have a normal childhood, but Evelyn — his mother and Mary's grandmother, played by Lindsay Duncan — believes Mary needs specialized education. As Frank navigates parenthood and custody battles, Mary is herself discovering what she wants and needs in her life.

In comparison to Good Will Hunting, Gifted offers a different perspective on intellect and potential. Both films depict highly intelligent characters facing questions of purpose and belonging, but Gifted focuses on the importance of balancing intellectual gifts with emotional well-being during childhood. It's an update of concepts also seen in Little Man Tate, as it shows how a family deals with a child's extraordinary abilities.

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Gifted

PG-13

Drama

Comedy

Frank, a single man raising his child prodigy niece Mary, is drawn into a custody battle with his mother.

Director

Marc Webb

Release Date

April 7, 2017

Cast

Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan, Jenny Slate, Octavia Spencer, Glenn Plummer, Julie Ann Emery, Joe Chrest

Runtime

101 Minutes

2 Dead Poets Society Is About a Teacher’s Influence

Curiosity as an Escape from the Painful World

Dead Poets Society is a 1989 coming-of-age drama film directed by Peter Weir featuring another compelling performance by Robin Williams, who plays an inspiring English teacher named John Keating. The film is set in an elite all-boys preparatory school in the late 1950s, and Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles are among the talented cast members who play Keating's students. Keating uses unconventional teaching methods to inspire the boys to seize the day and pursue their passions, and his guidance impacts each student differently.

Similar to Good Will Hunting, this movie also explores the power of education and the role of mentorship. But Dead Poets Society has the mentor as the main character, instead of a student. As Keating challenges the boys to think for themselves and embrace their individuality, Dead Poets Society is an inspiration to embrace curiosity and confront limitations — a feeling also evoked by Good Will Hunting.

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Dead Poets Society

PG

Drama

Documentary

A new English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), is introduced to an all-boys preparatory school that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He uses unorthodox methods to reach out to his students, who face enormous pressures from their parents and the school. With Keating's help, students Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) and others learn to break out of their shells, pursue their dreams and seize the day.

Where to Watch

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*Availability in US

Director

Peter Weir

Release Date

June 2, 1989

Cast

Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles, Gale Hansen, Dylan Kussman

Runtime

128 minutes

Writers

Tom Schulman

Budget

$16.4 million

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

1 Legally Blonde Is About Challenging Expectations

Searching for True Potential

Legally Blonde is a 2001 comedy directed by Robert Luketic. It tells the story of Elle Woods, a bubbly sorority girl played by Reese Witherspoon. When Elle's boyfriend breaks up with her because he thinks she's not serious enough to date a law student, she decides to prove him wrong by enrolling in Harvard Law School and winning him back. Always confident through law school's many challenges, Elle discovers herself to be a capable and determined lawyer. Witherspoon is amazing at capturing Elle's transformation from an underestimated blonde to an empowered woman.

While Good Will Hunting has a dramatic approach to a troubled protagonist, Legally Blonde is a lighthearted and empowering story about a determined young woman. Despite this key difference in film styles, both movies depict young people striving to prove themselves and break free from stereotypes. In both stories, it's inspiring how they realize their full potential. Both share the message of staying true to one's dreams, no matter the odds.

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Legally Blonde (2001)

PG 13

Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) has it all. She wants nothing more than to be Mrs. Warner Huntington III. But there is one thing stopping him (Matthew Davis) from proposing: She is too blond. Elle rallies all of her resources and gets into Harvard, determined to win him back.

Where to Watch

• stream
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Not available

*Availability in US

Director

Robert Luketic

Studio

MGM

Cast

Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, Jennifer Coolidge

Writers

Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith

Runtime

96 minutes