The “Wonder” movie is a heartwarming drama film based on the best-selling novel of the same name by R.J. Palacio. The film centers around the life of a ten-year-old boy named August “Auggie” Pullman, who is born with facial differences that make him stand out from others. It tells the story of Auggie’s struggles and triumphs as he navigates his way through school and life, and ultimately learns to embrace his uniqueness.
One of the primary themes of the movie is acceptance and kindness. “Wonder” encourages viewers to be more understanding and compassionate towards those who are different from themselves, to see beyond outward appearances, and to treat others with empathy and respect. The film also explores themes of family, friendship, and self-discovery, as Auggie and those around him learn important lessons about love, courage, and resilience.
People love “Wonder” for many reasons. Its heartwarming message and relatable characters resonate with viewers of all ages, and the film’s touching moments and emotional storylines have made it a favorite among families and movie-goers. Additionally, the movie features an impressive cast, including Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay, whose performances bring the characters to life with authenticity and depth.
“Wonder” has become incredibly popular since its release in 2017, grossing over $305 million worldwide. The film has received critical acclaim and has been praised for its message of inclusivity and positive representation of those with disabilities. “Wonder” has also inspired a nationwide “Choose Kind” movement, encouraging people to spread kindness and compassion in their daily lives.
Another interesting fact about “Wonder” is that the novel it is based on was inspired by a real-life incident. Author R.J. Palacio once encountered a young girl with a facial deformity and was struck by the way her appearance affected the reactions of those around her. This encounter inspired Palacio to write “Wonder” and share a message of acceptance and kindness with the world.
“Wonder” is a powerful and emotional film that has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. Its themes of acceptance, kindness, and resilience, as well as its impressive cast and relatable characters, have made it a beloved favorite among movie-goers of all ages. The story behind the movie’s inspiration and the impact it has had on society only add to its compelling appeal.
If you enjoyed the heartwarming and inspiring story of “Wonder,” here are 9 movies like it that you might also enjoy:
- “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012) – This coming-of-age story follows a high school freshman named Charlie as he navigates the ups and downs of adolescence.
- “A Monster Calls” (2016) – This fantasy drama tells the story of a young boy who seeks refuge in his vivid imagination after his mother falls ill.
- “The Fault in Our Stars” (2014) – This romantic drama follows two teenagers with terminal illnesses who fall in love and embark on a life-changing journey.
- “The Secret Life of Bees” (2008) – This period drama tells the story of a young girl in the 1960s who seeks solace and support from a group of beekeeping sisters after her mother’s death.
- “Good Will Hunting” (1997) – This drama follows a young janitor who possesses extraordinary mathematical abilities and receives mentorship from a caring therapist.
- “The Blind Side” (2009) – This biographical sports drama tells the story of a wealthy family who takes in a homeless teenager and helps him become a successful football player.
- “Bridge to Terabithia” (2007) – This family-friendly adventure tells the story of two fifth graders who create an imaginary world to escape the hardships of their everyday lives.
- “Freedom Writers” (2007) – This drama tells the story of an idealistic young teacher who inspires her at-risk students to believe in themselves and succeed academically.
- “Gifted” (2017) – This drama tells the story of a single man who raises his intellectually gifted niece and fights to keep her from being taken away by her grandmother.
All of these movies share similar themes of overcoming adversity, finding acceptance and belonging, and learning valuable life lessons. Each of them is sure to leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.
1. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012)
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a coming-of-age drama film based on the novel of the same name by Stephen Chbosky. The movie follows the life of an introverted teenager named Charlie (Logan Lerman) who is struggling to fit in and make friends in high school. He is taken under the wing of two seniors, Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller), who introduce him to a new world of music, literature, and friendship. As Charlie’s relationships deepen and he begins to confront his past traumas, he learns to embrace his true self and find his place in the world.
Similar to “Wonder,” “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” explores themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the power of friendship. Both films depict characters who are struggling to find their place in the world and who ultimately learn to embrace their uniqueness and find strength in their differences. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a touching and poignant movie that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
2. “A Monster Calls” (2016)
“A Monster Calls” is a fantasy drama film based on the novel by Patrick Ness. The movie follows the story of a young boy named Conor (Lewis MacDougall) who is struggling to come to terms with his mother’s terminal illness. Conor is visited by a tree monster (voiced by Liam Neeson) who tells him stories and helps him confront his fears and emotions. As Conor navigates the challenges of grief and loss, he learns to find strength in his imagination and his relationships with those around him.
Similar to “Wonder,” “A Monster Calls” explores themes of resilience, imagination, and the power of storytelling. Both films depict characters who are facing difficult challenges and who must find the courage to overcome them. “A Monster Calls” is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful movie that will leave you feeling inspired and moved.
3. “The Fault in Our Stars” (2014)
“The Fault in Our Stars” is a romantic drama film based on the novel by John Green. The movie follows the story of two teenagers, Hazel (Shailene Woodley) and Gus (Ansel Elgort), who meet at a cancer support group and fall in love. As they navigate their relationship and face the challenges of their illnesses, Hazel and Gus learn to appreciate the beauty and fragility of life.
Similar to “Wonder,” “The Fault in Our Stars” explores themes of acceptance, love, and the fragility of life. Both films depict characters who are grappling with difficult circumstances and who ultimately learn to find hope and joy in the midst of hardship. “The Fault in Our Stars” is a touching and heartwarming movie that will leave you feeling grateful for the people and experiences in your life.
4. “The Secret Life of Bees” (2008)
“The Secret Life of Bees” is a period drama film based on the novel by Sue Monk Kidd. The movie takes place in the 1960s and follows the story of a young girl named Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) who runs away from home with her caregiver Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) in search of answers about her mother’s past. They end up staying with a trio of beekeeping sisters (Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, and Sophie Okonedo) and become part of their family. As Lily learns more about her mother and her own identity, she also learns about the power of love and forgiveness.
Similar to “Wonder,” “The Secret Life of Bees” explores themes of family, belonging, and the power of love. Both films depict characters who are searching for their place in the world and who ultimately find acceptance and love in unexpected places. “The Secret Life of Bees” is a beautiful and touching movie that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired.
5. “Good Will Hunting” (1997)
“Good Will Hunting” is a drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. The movie follows the story of Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a brilliant but troubled young man who works as a janitor at MIT. When he is discovered to have an extraordinary talent for mathematics, he is mentored by a professor (Stellan Skarsgård) and a therapist (Robin Williams) who help him confront his past traumas and find his true potential.
Similar to “Wonder,” “Good Will Hunting” explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the power of mentorship. Both films depict characters who are struggling to overcome their pasts and find their place in the world, and who ultimately learn to believe in themselves and their abilities. “Good Will Hunting” is a powerful and emotional movie that will leave you feeling inspired and moved.
6. “The Blind Side” (2009)
“The Blind Side” is a biographical sports drama film based on the true story of NFL player Michael Oher. The movie follows the story of a wealthy family who takes in Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless teenager, and helps him become a successful football player. As Oher navigates the challenges of his new life, he learns about the power of family and the importance of believing in himself.
Similar to “Wonder,” “The Blind Side” explores themes of family, resilience, and the power of belief. Both films depict characters who are facing difficult circumstances and who find strength in the love and support of those around them. “The Blind Side” is a heartwarming and inspiring movie that will leave you feeling grateful for the people in your life who believe in you.
7. “Bridge to Terabithia” (2007)
“Bridge to Terabithia” is a fantasy drama film based on the novel by Katherine Paterson. The movie follows the story of two young friends, Jesse Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) and Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb), who create an imaginary world called Terabithia. As they face the challenges of growing up, including bullies and family issues, they find comfort in their imaginary world and each other.
Similar to “Wonder,” “Bridge to Terabithia” explores themes of friendship, imagination, and the power of resilience. Both films depict characters who are struggling to find their place in the world and who use their imaginations to cope with the challenges they face. “Bridge to Terabithia” is a touching and emotional movie that will leave you feeling inspired to believe in the power of imagination.
8. “Freedom Writers” (2007)
“Freedom Writers” is a biographical drama film based on the true story of Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank), a teacher who helps a group of at-risk students find hope and inspiration through writing. As Gruwell works to connect with her students and understand their experiences, she helps them to see the power of their own voices and stories.
Similar to “Wonder,” “Freedom Writers” explores themes of empathy, compassion, and the power of education. Both films depict characters who are facing difficult circumstances and who find hope and inspiration through the support and guidance of those around them. “Freedom Writers” is a powerful and uplifting movie that will leave you feeling inspired to make a difference in the world.
9. “Gifted” (2017)
“Gifted” is a drama film about a young girl named Mary (Mckenna Grace) who is a mathematical prodigy. When her uncle Frank (Chris Evans) takes her in after her mother’s death, he faces a custody battle with Mary’s grandmother (Lindsay Duncan) who wants to enroll Mary in a special school for gifted children. As Frank fights to keep Mary with him and in a normal school, he also confronts his own past and struggles to connect with the people in his life.
Similar to “Wonder,” “Gifted” explores themes of family, identity, and the challenges of giftedness. Both films depict characters who are navigating difficult family dynamics and who are struggling to find their place in the world. “Gifted” is a touching and heartfelt movie that will leave you feeling inspired to embrace your own strengths and the people in your life who support you.
Here is a table with the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomatoes scores for each of the movies listed:
| Movie Title | IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
| The Perks of Being a Wallflower | 8.0 | 85% |
| A Monster Calls | 7.5 | 86% |
| The Fault in Our Stars | 7.7 | 81% |
| The Secret Life of Bees | 7.3 | 59% |
| Good Will Hunting | 8.3 | 94% |
| The Blind Side | 7.6 | 66% |
| Bridge to Terabithia | 7.1 | 85% |
| Freedom Writers | 7.5 | 69% |
| Gifted | 7.6 | 73% |
Note: The Rotten Tomatoes scores are the percentages of positive reviews among all the reviews counted, and do not represent an average score like the IMDb ratings.