Movies like The Great Debaters
If you like "The Great Debaters" you are looking for inspirational, realistic and touching movies about / with racism, mentor, debate, african american, college, teacher and black american themes of Biography, Drama and Romance genre shot in USA.
Find your next favorite and similar movies in two steps:
1. Identify all themes of interest from this film (block below).
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The Great Debaters (2007)
66K
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 126 min.
Story:
The true story of a brilliant but politically radical debate team coach who uses the power of words to transform a group of underdog African American college students into an historical powerhouse that took on the Harvard elite.
Style:
inspirational, realistic, touching, political, emotional, entertaining, period piece, sentimental, sincere, feel good ...
Plot:
racism, mentor, debate, african american, college, teacher, black american, professor, biopic, segregation, discrimination, racial segregation, contests and competitions, campus, confrontation, prejudice, civil disobedience, black, dialogue, labor union, life changing, society, college life, opponent, teachers and students ...
Time:
1930s, year 2007, 20th century, 30s
Place:
texas, africa, oklahoma, new york, usa, harlem, manhattan new york city ...
Most similar movies to The Great Debaters
The list contains related movies ordered by similarity. Recommendation engine sorted out inspirational, serious, sincere and realistic films with plots about african american, biopic, black, racism, hopes, black history and mentor mostly in Drama, Biography and Sport genres. Some movies like The Great Debaters: Freedom Writers (2007), Hidden Figures (2016), Remember the Titans (2000), 42 (2013), Pride (2007). The matching attributes are highlighted in bold.
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 123 min.
Story:
A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school.
Style:
inspirational, touching, feel good, sentimental, rough ...
Audience:
teens, chick flick, girls' night, kids, teen drama ...
Plot:
high school, teacher, dedicated educator, teachers and students, lifestyle change, racism, teenage life, strong female lead, mentor, school teacher, bonding, idealism ...
Time:
year 2007, 20th century, year 1961, year 1999, year 2006 ...
Place:
california, los angeles, long beach california, usa
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 127 min.
Story:
The untold story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – brilliant African-American women working at NASA and serving as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history – the launch of astronaut John Glenn into ...
Style:
inspirational, exciting, touching, feel good, historical drama ...
Audience:
girls' night, family friendly, date night, chick flick, kids ...
Plot:
racism, mathematics, nasa, space program, stereotypes, african american, prejudice, sexism, genius, scientist, strong female character, racial segregation ...
Time:
60s, year 1961, 20th century, year 2016, 2010s ...
Place:
indiana, persia, usa, virginia, langley virginia
Similarity:
86%
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min.
Story:
After leading his football team to 15 winning seasons, coach Bill Yoast is demoted and replaced by Herman Boone – tough, opinionated and as different from the beloved Yoast as he could be. The two men learn to overcome their differences and turn a ...
Style:
touching, sentimental, inspirational, emotional, feel good ...
Audience:
kids, teens, chick flick, family friendly, family outing ...
Plot:
racism, high school, african american, american football, civil rights, racial tension, racial prejudice, against the odds, high school football, football, prejudice, life lesson ...
Time:
70s, 20th century, year 2000, y2k, 2000s
Place:
virginia, boston, usa, america, africa ...
Similarity:
100%
108K
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 128 min.
Story:
The powerful story of Jackie Robinson, the legendary baseball player who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier when he joined the roster of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The film follows the innovative Dodgers’ general manager Branch Rickey, the ...
Style:
sentimental, period piece, touching, factual, intense ...
Audience:
family outing, kids
Plot:
racism, baseball, athlete and trainer, african american, rise to the top, racial segregation, civil rights, athlete's life, against the odds, biopic, black history, justice ...
Time:
1940s, year 1946, 2010s, year 2013, 20th century ...
Place:
africa, new york, usa, pasadena california, empire state building manhattan new york city ...
Similarity:
100%
Movie in collections
7K

Genre: Drama, Sport
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 104 min.
Story:
In this uplifting film based on a true story, coach Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard) shocks the community and changes lives when, aided by a local janitor (Bernie Mac), he sets out to form Philadelphia's first black swim team. But the odds are ...
Style:
inspirational, serious, uplifting, emotional, realistic ...
Audience:
family outing, kids
Plot:
racism, swimming, life is a bitch, against the odds, teacher, african american, human spirit, rivalry, athlete's life, youth, swimmer, black ...
Time:
70s, year 2007, 20th century, 60s
Place:
philadelphia, africa, usa, new jersey, new orleans
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min.
Story:
Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story is a movie based on the life story of world-renowned neurosurgeon Ben Carson from 1961 to 1987.
Style:
uplifting, sincere, inspirational, christian film, realistic ...
Audience:
family outing
Plot:
medical, african american, against the odds, neurosurgeon, human spirit, medicine, surgeon, ambition, biopic, medical school, physician, doctor ...
Time:
70s, 60s, 2010s, 20th century, 80s
Place:
cuba, usa, detroit, west germany
Similarity:
100%
111K
Genre: Biography, Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min.
Story:
Based on the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes, and eventually became a NASA scientist.
Style:
inspirational, touching, realistic, sentimental, feel good ...
Audience:
teens, kids, family outing, date night, teen drama
Plot:
friendship, small town, teacher, follow your dream, teenage life, against the odds, competition, mathematics, generation gap, scientist, biopic, nerd ...
Time:
1950s, 50s, year 1957, year 1999, 90s ...
Place:
west virginia, virginia, usa, indianapolis indiana, appalachia ...
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 90 min.
Story:
Matthew Perry is real-life inspiration Ron Clark, a passionate and innovative teacher who leaves his small hometown to teach in one of Harlem's toughest schools. But to break through to this students, Clark must use unconventional methods, ...
Style:
serious, emotional, uplifting, realistic, inspirational ...
Audience:
family outing, teens, teen drama
Plot:
dedicated educator, teacher, human spirit, changing lives, hardcase students, hopes, teachers and students, teacher student relationship, new job, profanity, school teacher, obstacle ...
Time:
20th century, 90s, year 1994, year 1998
Place:
harlem, usa, north carolina, new york, manhattan new york city
Similarity:
100%
Movie in collections
Genre: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 126 min.
Story:
Will Hunting has a genius-level IQ but chooses to work as a janitor at MIT. When he solves a difficult graduate-level math problem, his talents are discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau, who decides to help the misguided youth reach his potential. ...
Style:
psychological, philosophical, emotional, sentimental, intellectual ...
Audience:
girls' night, teens, chick flick, family friendly, date night ...
Plot:
mathematics, genius, professor, prodigy, life, life philosophy, psychology, philosophy, mentor, psychotherapy, university, life lesson ...
Time:
year 1997, 20th century, 90s, 2010s
Place:
boston, harvard university, america, persia, massachusetts ...
Similarity:
100%
29K
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, History
Country: USA, China, Hong Kong
Duration: 118 min.
Story:
Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, battles through one of his career-defining cases.
Style:
suspense, captivating, tense, period piece, inspirational ...
Plot:
court, racism, lawyer, courtroom, injustice, african american, racial segregation, african american protagonist, racial discrimination, trial, jury, justice ...
Time:
1940s, year 2017, 2010s, year 1954, year 1967
Place:
new york, connecticut, maryland, philadelphia, manhattan new york city ...
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min.
Story:
A sailor prone to violent outbursts is sent to a naval psychiatrist for help. Refusing at first to open up, the young man eventually breaks down and reveals a horrific childhood. Through the guidance of his doctor, he confronts his painful past and ...
Style:
thought provoking, inspirational, sincere, touching, emotional ...
Plot:
redemption, african american, psychiatrist, child abuse, destiny, family reunited, hopes, u.s. navy, human spirit, loneliness, changing lives, therapist ...
Time:
2000s, 20th century, year 2002, 21st century
Place:
usa, mexico, san diego california, cleveland ohio, africa ...
Similarity:
100%
110K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Japan, USA
Duration: 202 min.
Story:
A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the '50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left ...
Style:
political, factual, inspirational, thought provoking, intense ...
Plot:
civil rights, racism, politics, african american, black history, civil rights movement, assassination, islam, biopic, childhood, black, anti racism ...
Time:
20th century, 90s, 60s, 50s, 1940s ...
Place:
usa, africa, new york, saudi arabia, manhattan new york city ...
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min.
Story:
In the 1960s, two entrepreneurs hatch an ingenious business plan to fight for housing integration—and equal access to the American Dream.
Style:
touching, inspirational, captivating, sincere, political ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
money, racism, investor, banker, black american, new house, entrepreneurship, black, deep south, african american, white supremacy, racial slur ...
Time:
2020s, year 1939, 1950s, year 1963, year 1965 ...
Place:
los angeles, washington d.c., america
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min.
Story:
Chronicles a single day in the summer of 1989 when the future president of the United States, Barack Obama, wooed his future First Lady on an epic first date across Chicago's South Side.
Style:
light, sincere, political, sentimental, retro ...
Audience:
chick flick
Plot:
african american, love, lawyer, wooing, black, president, biopic, civil rights movement, politics, u.s. president, social issues, african american protagonist ...
Time:
year 1989, 80s, year 1961, future
Place:
chicago, africa, illinois, america, kenya ...
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 119 min.
Story:
In this David vs. Goliath drama based on a true story, college professor Robert Kearns (Greg Kinnear) goes up against the giants of the auto industry when they fail to give him credit for inventing intermittent windshield wipers. Kearns doggedly ...
Style:
inspirational, thought provoking, sentimental, sincere, serious ...
Plot:
business, underdog, inventor, entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, legal, lawsuit, marketing, courtroom, lawyer, car, justice ...
Time:
20th century, year 2008, 60s, 70s, 80s
Place:
michigan, usa, detroit, california
Similarity:
67%
123K
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 132 min.
Story:
A look at the life of Cecil Gaines who served eight presidents as the White House's head butler from 1952 to 1986, and had a unique front-row seat as political and racial history was made.
Style:
touching, inspirational, political, factual, historical drama ...
Audience:
teens, date night
Plot:
racism, president, u.s. president, civil rights, black history, racial discrimination, butler, injustice, african american, politics, civil rights movement, father son relationship ...
Time:
80s, 70s, year 2013, 60s, year 1961 ...
Place:
washington d.c., usa, birmingham alabama, nashville tennessee, america ...
Similarity:
28%
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 118 min.
Story:
In 1966, Texas Western coach Don Haskins led the first all-black starting line-up for a college basketball team to the NCAA national championship.
Style:
inspirational, emotional, sincere, period piece, intense ...
Audience:
boys' night, kids, family friendly, teens, girls' night
Plot:
basketball, underdog, athlete and trainer, racism, college, racial discrimination, teamwork, coach, racial segregation, basketball coach, racial prejudice, civil rights ...
Time:
20th century, 60s, year 1966
Place:
texas, usa, el paso texas, indiana, mexico ...
Similarity:
27%
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min.
Story:
When principal Joe Clark takes over decaying Eastside High School, he's faced with students wearing gang colors and graffiti-covered walls. Determined to do anything he must to turn the school around, he expels suspected drug dealers, padlocks ...
Style:
inspirational, feel good, hood, realistic, political ...
Audience:
teens, girls' night, kids
Plot:
african american, teenager, high school, teacher, black, mentor, school, urban, teaching, school teacher, violence, teenage pregnancy ...
Time:
80s, year 1989, 20th century, 60s
Place:
new jersey
Similarity:
25%
Movie in collections
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 129 min.
Story:
Oversized African-American, Michael Oher, the teen from across the tracks and a broken home, has nowhere to sleep at age 16. Taken in by an affluent Memphis couple, Michael embarks on a remarkable rise to play for the NFL.
Style:
touching, inspirational, sentimental, emotional, motivational ...
Audience:
chick flick, family outing, teens, kids, family friendly ...
Plot:
american football, adoption, life, african american, football, christian, interracial relations, human spirit, family drama, rising to stardom, interracial adoption, strong female character ...
Time:
year 2009, 20th century, 2000s, 21st century
Place:
usa, boston, tennessee, america, mississippi ...
Similarity:
25%
107K
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 146 min.
Story:
The story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer wrongly imprisoned for murder, and the people who aided in his fight to prove his innocence.
Style:
touching, inspirational, factual, thought provoking, sociological ...
Plot:
boxing, prison, prison life, racism, courtroom, legal, injustice, death penalty, african american, discrimination, justice, lawyer ...
Time:
80s, 20th century, 60s, 70s, 1940s ...
Place:
new jersey, africa, canada, toronto ontario canada
Similarity:
25%
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 130 min.
Story:
Based on the incredible true story, The Express follows the inspirational life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.
Style:
inspirational, factual, serious, realistic, sincere ...
Audience:
family outing, family friendly
Plot:
american football, african american, athlete and trainer, college, racism, biopic, friendship, courage, mentor, ambition, success, against the odds ...
Time:
20th century, 1940s, 1950s, year 2008, 60s ...
Place:
new york, usa, cleveland ohio, new jersey, texas
Similarity:
24%
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min.
Story:
Former Marine Louanne Johnson lands a gig teaching in a pilot program for bright but underachieving teens at a notorious inner-city high school. After having a terrible first day, she decides she must throw decorum to the wind. When Johnson returns ...
Style:
inspirational, touching, sentimental, sexy, hood ...
Audience:
teens, date night, kids, girls' night, teen drama
Plot:
high school, teacher, school teacher, profanity, hopes, coming of age, hip hop, school, teaching, ghetto, mentor, gangster ...
Time:
90s, 20th century, 80s
Place:
california, bay area, usa, san francisco, new jersey
Similarity:
24%
99K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK, France, USA
Duration: 128 min.
Story:
"Selma," as in Alabama, the place where segregation in the South was at its worst, leading to a march that ended in violence, forcing a famous statement by President Lyndon B. Johnson that ultimately led to the signing of the Civil Rights ...
Style:
thought provoking, sincere, political, period piece, factual ...
Plot:
racism, civil rights, justice, politics, racial discrimination, civil rights movement, african american, biopic, discrimination, idealism, injustice, righting the wronged ...
Time:
year 2014, 20th century, 2010s, 60s, year 1964 ...
Place:
alabama, birmingham alabama, indiana, usa, southern usa ...
Similarity:
24%
Movie in collections
110K
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 157 min.
Story:
In 1964, a brash, new pro boxer, fresh from his Olympic gold medal victory, explodes onto the scene: Cassius Clay. Bold and outspoken, he cuts an entirely new image for African Americans in sport with his proud public self-confidence and his ...
Style:
sincere, thought provoking, uplifting, touching, motivational ...
Plot:
boxing, muslim, african american, racism, civil rights, biopic, friendship, black history, roman empire, boxer, politics, islam ...
Time:
70s, year 2001, 60s, year 1964, year 1974 ...
Place:
africa, nigeria, usa, louisville kentucky
Similarity:
24%
38K
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 123 min.
Story:
The story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple, whose challenge of their anti-miscegenation arrest for their marriage in Virginia led to a legal battle that would end at the US Supreme Court.
Style:
romantic, inspirational, melancholic, thought provoking, period piece ...
Audience:
family friendly
Plot:
interracial couple, racism, marriage, interracial marriage, interracial love, interracial romance, husband wife relationship, supreme court, civil rights, love story, forbidden love, miscegenation ...
Time:
50s, 1950s, 60s, year 2016, 2010s ...
Place:
virginia, washington d.c., richmond virginia, usa, australia
Similarity:
23%
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min.
Story:
The story of the civil rights heroine whose refusal to obey racial bus segregation was just one of her acts in her fight for justice.
Style:
uplifting, thought provoking, realistic, serious, political ...
Plot:
civil rights movement, civil disobedience, african american, civil rights, racial segregation, racism, black history, fighting the system, rebellion, social differences, injustice, legal ...
Time:
year 1955, 50s, 20th century, 1950s
Place:
alabama, america, usa
Similarity:
23%
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min.
Story:
Jaime Escalante is a mathematics teacher in a school in a hispanic neighbourhood. Convinced that his students have potential, he adopts unconventional teaching methods to try and turn gang members and no-hopers into some of the country's top ...
Style:
inspirational, touching, sentimental, realistic, independent film ...
Audience:
teens, family outing, girls' night, kids, teen drama
Plot:
mathematics, teacher, high school, dedicated educator, bullying, school, biopic, mentor, chicano, civil rights, school teacher, coming of age ...
Time:
80s, 20th century, 1930s
Place:
los angeles, america, usa, california
Similarity:
23%
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min.
Story:
A moving and uplifting drama about the effects of interracial marriage in the 1960s. Friends since childhood, and loved by both families, this couple are exiled after their wedding and have to wage a courageous battle to find their place in America ...
Style:
political, thought provoking, uplifting, serious, realistic ...
Plot:
white male black female relationship, biracial, interracial marriage, interracial relations, miscegenation, racism, interracial love relationship, civil rights, love, interracial, interracial romance, interracial couple ...
Time:
90s, 60s
Place:
america, virginia, usa, southern usa, washington d.c. ...
Similarity:
23%
174K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 134 min.
Story:
Newly elected President Nelson Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's rugby ...
Style:
inspirational, sincere, christian film, uplifting, political ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
human spirit, rugby, racism, politics, president, apartheid, leadership, underdog, leader, biopic, politician, life philosophy ...
Time:
year 2009, 90s, 2000s, year 1995, 20th century
Place:
south africa, africa, cape town south africa, johannesburg south africa, england ...
Similarity:
23%
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 118 min.
Story:
The true story of William Wilberforce's courageous quest to end the British slave trade. Although meeting intense opposition, his minister, John Newton, urges him to see the cause through.
Style:
emotional, inspirational, period piece, costume drama, factual ...
Audience:
teens, family outing
Plot:
slavery, politics, politician, mentor, civil rights, slave trade, friendship, freedom, christian, british empire, religion, biopic ...
Time:
18th century, 19th century, ancient times, 1800s, georgian era ...
Place:
england, london, britain, paris france, france ...
Similarity:
22%
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