One of the best ways to talk to children is to use characters in a movie as the discussion starter. Asking kids how they see similarities in their lives and those of the characters in the film can provide insights into how kids see their lives in the foster care system or as adopted children in a family.
Below are some of the best movies on foster care and adoption for children of all ages. Watching these with your kids is an activity for the whole family, and it can be a way to bring everyone in the family to a greater sense of awareness around foster care and adoption issues.
Instant Family
Instant Family is 2018 movie starring Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne who decide to become foster parents but end up being talked into adopting a teen and her two siblings. While things start out positive, this soon changes as the teen is cynical of her new parents.
Martian Child
This is a wonderful movie about a man (John Cusack) who adopts a boy who believes he is from Mars. This belief provides for some very unusual behavior, and everyone tries to help the young boy move past his delusions, while still allowing him to be himself.
The Great Gilly Hopkins
A comedy drama, this 2015 movie is about an 11-year-old girl who has been bounced around the foster care system and has a reputation as being difficult and mean. She finally ends up in a home with a new foster mom, Trotter, who is a positive person and proves herself as a strong supporter.
Anne of Green Gables
This is a classic book and a movie that traces the life of an 11-year-old orphan girl in Nova Scotia, Canada. Despite living in servitude, she soon enters an orphanage and is adopted. The family and Anne have their struggles, with Anne often difficult to manage, but she finds herself in school and thriving, and goes on to experience a range of events as she ages.
Angels in the Outfield
This is a 1994 remake of a classic sports and comedy drama. A young boy in foster care loves the California Angels, a down-and-out baseball team, and sneaks in to watch games.
The Blind Side
Based on a true story, this is a movie about a traumatized boy who had been through the foster care system, and is adopted as a teen by a family who truly cares for this very gifted football player. With support, love and caring, Michael Oher increases his academics to stay on the team and is drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round in 2009.
The Book Thief
Set in Nazi Germany, a young adopted girl starts to share books with Jewish refugees who are being protected and sheltered in her foster home. While she initially cannot read, she becomes an avid reader, and her “borrowing” of books almost leads to the capture of hidden refuges.
Annie
Another classic, Annie is the story of an orphan living in the Great Depression in an abusive and horrific orphanage in New York City. Annie keeps waiting for her parents to come to get her.
She and her dog are invited to stay with Oliver Warbucks, a billionaire, to improve his image. Through a series of plot twists, Annie is adopted by Warbucks but then kidnapped for a ransom. Annie thwarts the attempt and is officially adopted with much celebration and a classic rendition of the Tomorrow song.
Let Them Know You Care
Movies about foster care are a great way to let kids in foster care know they are not the only ones experiencing the many different emotions about their circumstance. Another way to let children and teens in care know they are not alone is by making a contribution to the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation in Phoenix. Your gift tells them that someone cares for them by helping them participate in normal, every day kid activities such as sports, art classes and ballet., just like their friends.