5 Movies About Adoption

Adoption is beautiful, but it can also be confusing for those who aren’t familiar with it. Whether you’re looking to adopt a child or have already adopted, we want to make sure you have the best resources to help you understand adoption.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of adoption films to show you how other people have navigated their way through the adoption process. While pop culture can struggle to fully understand adoption, we love seeing attempts at positive depictions of adoption show up in more and more films.

If you’re considering adoption and want to learn more about the process, then you can fill out this contact form to get more free information now. We’d be more than happy to help you begin your adoption journey!

5 Adoption Movies

Trying to find a good adoption movie can be difficult. After all, not all movies about adoption are accurate, and most dramatize the process. We’ve rounded up five movies about adoption that we think are perfect for you to watch with your family. 

Note: Movies about adoption are going to be dramatized for the screen. Make sure to pre-screen anything you plan on showing your children so you can decide if it’s age-appropriate or if it might trigger past trauma.

1. Kung Fu Panda 2

Many children loved the first animated film, and the sequel is a beautiful story of family, love and reunion. The main character, Po, is a panda that lost his family as a young cub. He was raised by Mr. Ping, who is his adoptive father. In this sequel, Po goes on a search for his birth family. Kung Fu Panda 2 does a great job of showing the love that both birth and adoptive families have for their children and that love only grows with adoption.

2. The Blind Side

Based on a true story, this adoption movie tells the story of a teen who is given a chance at a better life by a wealthy family. The Blind Side tells the story of NFL player Michael Oher and his journey from poverty to being taken in.

The way adoption is depicted in this film shows that adoption can be as simple as helping someone when they need it. This movie shows just how unique adoption is and that it requires resilience and teamwork. But, once you realize things were meant to be, it can be a rewarding and gratifying experience.

3. The Tigger Movie

The Tigger Movie is perfect to watch with your children. It depicts Tigger, from Winnie the Pooh, who realizes he is different from his adoptive family. He goes on a search for his birth family with the help of his many friends. Watching a beloved character like Tigger experience these emotions can help your child process how they feel about their adoption.

Some of the prevalent adoption issues that are mentioned in this movie include loss and identity. This adoption movie can help you understand how your child is feeling as they grow up wondering about their adoption.

4. Lilo and Stitch

Lilo and Stitch is a movie that many families don’t realize is about adoption at first. Not only is Lilo in a kinship placement following the death of her parents, but Stitch is also “adopted” into their family.

There are two strong connections to adoption throughout the film: Lilo struggling to accept her sister as her mother and Stitch being “adopted” by a family far from home. This movie about adoption is a great way to show your child that their emotions matter and that, no matter what, family is everything.

5. Lion

Based on the true story of Saroo Brierley, Lion follows a 5-year-old boy who finds himself far from home and his family when he accidentally boards a train. He eventually gets adopted by an Australian couple and as time goes on he wonders about his birth family. 25 years later, using only google earth and a few distant memories he goes on the search of a lifetime. Lion focuses on some of the challenges of international adoption and how adoptive parents can support their adopted children.

Another common adoption theme that presents itself in this movie is how adopted children feel about their parents. Even though Saroo wants to find his birth mother, it doesn’t affect his relationship with his adoptive mother. Their relationship continues to get stronger.

If you’re a hopeful adoptive family wanting to learn more about the domestic adoption process, then you can fill out this contact form to get free adoption information now.

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