Movie Lessons About Self-Acceptance

by Adrian Johansen

While most people love movies for their entertainment value, it’s impossible to deny that many films carry important lessons. Some are subtle, while others are obvious. Either way, movies that leave you feeling inspired or desiring to make a change can create a great impact on your life. 

One of the most important lessons you can learn from the big screen is self-acceptance. And, you don’t have to search hard to find great films on this subject. Art imitates reality, and because about 85% of people suffer from low self-esteem, seeing that on film can really strike a chord with audiences. 

Whether it’s a coming-of-age film, a story about overcoming obstacles or just learning to accept one’s true self, there is no shortage of movies about self-acceptance. The lessons we all can learn from these films are extremely important, especially if you have a hard time loving and accepting who you really are. 

Let’s take a look at a few of those films that stand out. If you haven’t seen them before, now is a perfect time to watch and take their lessons to heart. 

Loving Your Appearance

Not loving the way you look is a huge problem for many people – especially young women. Because it’s such a prominent issue, there are dozens of movies that touch on this subject, including: 

• Dumplin’

• Hairspray

• Last Holiday

• I Feel Pretty

• Tall Girl

• Real Women Have Curves

These films, in particular, focus on how physical appearance can impact your self-esteem. Most depict women/girls feeling low or unaccepted because of their image. But, each one has its own lesson that helps the main character overcome those physical insecurities. 

In Hairspray, Tracy Turnblad uses her love of music and dancing to make new friends, stand out from the crowd, and even land the guy of her dreams. In I Feel Pretty, Renee experiences an accident that puts her in the mindset of a beautiful woman, boosting her confidence until she realizes that she was perfect in her own skin the whole time.

You can take lessons from these films to boost your own body image and foster positivity. Let them inspire you to: 

• Appreciate everything your body does

• Avoid comparisons with others

• Set realistic expectations for yourself

• Learn to love every part of yourself

Of course, girls aren’t the only ones who face physical struggles. Men have to deal with the same issues, including struggling with baldness, body height, or pant size. Movies like these are for everyone, and even if the subject doesn’t fit your self-image issue entirely, you can put yourself in the character’s shoes to see how they overcome it.  

Whether it’s weight, height, or any other aspect of your appearance, you can find inspiration in unexpected places that can make a difference, and be the hero in your own life, just like the characters were in these films. 

Overcoming Difficulties

It’s not uncommon to have low self-esteem and struggle with accepting yourself if you are in a situation that keeps you down. A perfect example of this is the 2011 film, The Help. Based on a book of the same name, this movie follows a group of African American maids in the deep south during the 1960s. 

This film depicts how poorly those women were treated and degraded, but it also shows how they initially responded. They had a low sense of self-worth, and they didn’t see their lives getting better any time soon. 

When an aspiring writer offers to tell their story, they start to see that they’re worth more than what they’ve been told. They become more confident. They fight back. They feel heard and valued, and eventually are able to love themselves because of who they are, rather than feel ashamed by it based on the opinions of others. 

There are many high school movies that follow this concept, too. It’s not uncommon for people to experience bullying in high school. Sometimes it’s because they look different or are considered “nerdy”. Other times, it might be because of their background. In the recent film Sierra Burgess is a Loser, the main character discovers that she doesn’t need to fake a persona or be someone “different” to fit in. Though she creates a lot of commotion in the film, by the end she realizes that she is enough for herself and anyone else who comes into her life. 

Setting Healthy Boundaries

Sometimes, other people can make it hard to accept yourself or how you want to live your life, and not just high school bullies. Unfortunately, your own family can often be the cause of your lack of self-worth. Some of the best films that depict this subject include: 

• Say Anything

• Matilda

• Wuthering Heights

• Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

Whether your family doesn’t approve of your career choice, your partner, or even where you want to live, you can likely find a film or a character going through the same things. It’s not an easy pill to swallow, especially when your family is supposed to love and support you. 

One thing these films can help you with is the motivation and nerve to set boundaries. Try things like: 

• Being assertive with your needs

• Learning to say “no” without guilt

• Explaining to your family when your personal space is being violated

No matter why you struggle with self-acceptance, you don’t have to live that way forever. Let some of the films listed here inspire you to be your best self, and to love yourself for exactly who you are at this very moment.