Movies About Redemption

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. Adapted from the Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, the film tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker who is wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary. During his long stretch in prison, Dufresne comes to be admired by his fellow inmates, especially Red, a lifelong convict, for his integrity and unquenchable sense of hope. The film details Andy's friendship with Red and his struggle to adjust to and eventually gain his freedom from prison. The film is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time, and is known for its inspiring message of hope.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Caroline Goodall
Rated R

Schindler's List is a 1993 American historical drama film directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg. It is based on the novel Schindler's Ark by Australian novelist Thomas Keneally, which is based on the true story of German businessman Oskar Schindler during the Holocaust. The film follows Schindler, a member of the Nazi Party who saved the lives of more than a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees from the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. It stars Liam Neeson as Schindler, Ralph Fiennes as his accountant, and Ben Kingsley as Schindler's Jewish accountant. The film also features a special appearance by Holocaust survivor and Schindler's List Foundation founder, Poldek Pfefferberg. The film was a commercial and critical success, winning seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It was also nominated for twelve other Academy Awards, including Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Original Score. It is considered to be one of the greatest films of all time and has been praised for its technical accuracy and its powerful and emotional story.

From Gus Van Sant, starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

Good Will Hunting is a drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Stellan Skarsgard. It follows the story of Will Hunting (Damon), a troubled genius janitor working at MIT who is discovered by a professor (Skarsgard). With the help of the professor and psychotherapist Sean Maguire (Williams), Will begins to confront his past and his inner demons in order to discover his true potential. Along the way, he also discovers love with a Harvard student (Minnie Driver) and finds purpose in life by helping others learn from their own struggles. The film won two Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay for Affleck and Damon, and Best Supporting Actor for Williams.

From Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky
Rated PG

Groundhog Day is a 1993 comedy film directed by Harold Ramis. The film follows Phil Connors (Bill Murray), a cynical television weatherman who is sent to the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to report on the annual Groundhog Day event. Phil finds himself stuck in a time loop, forced to relive the same day over and over again. Initially Phil is confused and frustrated, but over time he begins to make the most of his circumstances and turns the situation into an opportunity to better himself and reconnect with the world around him. Ultimately, Phil learns the true meaning of love and finds the contentment he has been seeking.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Craig Bierko, Paul Giamatti
Rated PG-13

Cinderella Man is a 2005 biographical sports drama film directed by Ron Howard and written by Cliff Hollingsworth and Akiva Goldsman. The film stars Russell Crowe as James J. Braddock, a former heavyweight boxer from New Jersey, who unexpectedly returns to the ring in the 1930s to provide for his family. Braddock is inspired by his wife Mae (Renée Zellweger) and his manager Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti) to take on the greatest heavyweight champion of all time, Max Baer (Craig Bierko). The film follows Braddock's recovery from depression, caused by his boxing career, to the rise of his boxing career once again. Along the way, he faces many obstacles and discovers the true meaning of courage and hope. Ultimately, Braddock manages to become the heavyweight champion of the world and inspires a nation in the midst of the Great Depression.

From Gabriele Muccino, starring Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Jaden Smith, Brian Howe
Rated PG-13

The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a homeless and struggling single father who eventually attains financial security and personal happiness. Chris and his young son, Christopher, are evicted from their San Francisco apartment and struggle to make ends meet as Chris seeks employment as a stockbroker. Through determination, resilience, and sheer luck, Chris lands a lucrative unpaid internship with a prestigious stock brokerage firm. Despite long hours spent studying and training, and the difficulties of raising a child while struggling to make ends meet, Chris eventually acquires the skills he needs to become a successful stockbroker and provide a secure future for himself and his son. The Pursuit of Happyness is a heart-warming and inspiring story of the power of will, determination, and hard work.

From Penny Marshall, starring Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner, Ruth Nelson
Rated PG-13

Awakenings is a 1990 drama film directed by Penny Marshall, based on Oliver Sacks' 1973 memoir of the same name. The film stars Robin Williams as a compassionate doctor who discovers a new drug that helps awaken people from a decades-long coma. Robert De Niro plays the role of one of the patients who is awoken. The film follows the journey of Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Williams) and his patients as he helps them re-discover the joys of everyday life, and the challenges they face as they try to make sense of a world they left decades ago. As Sayer and his patients overcome personal struggles, they form a unique bond and discover the true power of friendship and family.

From Kevin Reynolds, starring Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Christopher Adamson, JB Blanc
Rated PG-13

The Count of Monte Cristo is an adaptation of the famous Alexandre Dumas novel of the same name. The film follows the story of Edmond Dantes, a young sailor falsely accused of treason. After being arrested and imprisoned on the isolated island of Chateau d'If, Edmond escapes with the help of an older prisoner and sets out to exact revenge on those who wronged him. With the help of a mysterious benefactor, Edmond transforms himself into a nobleman called the Count of Monte Cristo. With his newfound power and wealth, Edmond seeks his revenge and becomes embroiled in a complex web of political and romantic intrigue. Along the way, Edmond must remain vigilant as powerful enemies attempt to discover his true identity and stop him from achieving his goals.

From Norman Jewison, starring Denzel Washington, Vicellous Shannon, Deborah Kara Unger, Liev Schreiber
Rated R

The Hurricane is a 1999 biographical drama film directed by Norman Jewison and starring Denzel Washington. It is based on the life of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a middleweight boxer who was wrongly convicted of murder and subsequently freed after spending almost 20 years in prison. The film follows Carter's struggles to prove his innocence, and the difficult legal and political process that followed. It also focuses on the relationships he made with other inmates and prison staff, as well as the public support he received from people all over the world. At its core, The Hurricane is a story of resilience, strength, and justice.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams, Adam Bryant, Paul Lombardi
Rated R

The Fisher King is a 1991 drama-fantasy film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Robin Williams, Jeff Bridges, Mercedes Ruehl, and Amanda Plummer. The story follows Jack Lucas (Bridges), a former shock jock who has caused a tragedy in his past and has suffered a mental breakdown as a result. Jack is saved by Parry (Williams), a homeless man who is on a quest to find the Holy Grail. Together, they form an unlikely friendship as Parry helps Jack reconcile his past while Jack helps Parry on his quest. Along the way, they must confront their demons and fight through some difficult times. In the end, they both help each other find redemption.

From Cameron Crowe, starring Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renée Zellweger, Kelly Preston
Rated R

From Mel Gibson, starring Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci, Maia Morgenstern, Christo Jivkov
Rated R

From Martin Brest, starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Claire Forlani, Jake Weber
Rated PG-13

From Brett Ratner, starring Nicolas Cage, Téa Leoni, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Piven
Rated PG-13

From Mike Nichols, starring Harrison Ford, Annette Bening, Michael Haley, Stanley Swerdlow
Rated PG-13