Brighthill Healing Center:

Movies about healing the inner child
The movies on this page all deal with healing the inner child in some way. If you are working on your inner child, movies such as these can be very helpful. For movies with a spiritual theme that we recommend, see our Movies with Spiritual Themes page. The 10th Kingdom This is a long series; it took us 4-5 evenings to watch. When it first starts, it feels like a well done, but fairly standard fantasy series. It has humor and originality, but it doesn't seem very deep. But as you go along, it starts to reveal its depth, and by the time you get to the last 2 hours or so, you understand that this series is really about the inner child of the protagonist, Virginia. In this series, there is an alternate universe where fairy tales are real, and there is no more potent framework for our subconscious mind than fairy tales. Everything in them is archetype and metaphor. In this story, you are left wondering how much of it is real and how much of it is Virginia. It was quite powerful, really. Ages 13 and up. A Christmas Carol, or Scrooge This isn't just a Christmas movie. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge's healing reaches back into his childhood, back to his original pain. No movie version of this story illustrates this better than Alastair Sim's from 1951. Brilliantly acted, the screenplay is incredibly faithful to the story, and this film really touches the heart. The joy and exhuberance that Alastair portrays when Scrooge is transformed at the end is infectious. This story reminds us that we can all choose to be happy and surrounded by people, or we can choose to be unhappy and lonely. Good for all ages. Fred Rogers: America's Favorite Neighbor This documentary celebrates the career of Fred Rogers. It's the story of a man who followed his heart, and spirit, and made a positive mark on the world. His message to children was that they were all special and wonderful, just as they are. I cried when I watched it, because I never got the kind of gentle praise and encouragement that he fostered in every episode of "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood." It really doesn't get better than this. Good for all ages. The Hanging Garden This is an odd movie about the inner child that we like a lot. It features a young man who returns home after many years for his sister's wedding. While away from home, he was able to heal some of his issues, but as soon as he walks back into his childhood home, old demons reappear. He sees himself as a child throughout the film, struggling with his toxic and dysfunctional upbringing. Ages 13 and up, but be aware that there is an imagined suicide (hanging) in the film. House of D This is a coming of age story about a man who left his home in New York at the age of 13 after his life there falls apart. He moves to Paris and eventually becomes a father himself. On his son's 13th birthday, he decides to tell him and his wife the story of his life. Eventually, he is able to heal his past wounds and move forward, healing his relationship with his family. Robin Williams appears as the young boy's mentally challenged friend. Ages 13 and up. The King's Speech This is based on the true story of the Duke of York, who later became King George VI of England when his brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne. King George VI (or "Bertie") had a lifelong, crippling stammer. The stammer and his fears originated with his inner child pain, which is very movingly portrayed here. Geoffrey Rush plays the speech therapist who helps him to overcome his stammer so that he can give the speeches that are required of him as a monarch. This is the story of a man's battle with himself, with his own fears. He was not given the chance to avoid them; instead, he was forced to face them, and he did so with remarkable courage. This is also the story of a unique friendship, and I can't recommend it highly enough. Superb. Ages 13 and up; some language. The Three Faces of Eve This film is based on a true story, though highly dramatized. Joanne Woodward portrays Eve, a woman with multiple personalities, all of whom surfaced in her childhood. The film chronicles her treatment and the effect that this had on her life. Very touching. Where the Wild Things Are This film is somewhat based on the children's classic by Maurice Sendak, but it has a strong inner child theme running throughout. Who am I? Am I loved regardless of who I am? Am I loved even if I get angry? Am I safe? Can I be angry and safe at the same time? This movie does a fantastic job of presenting the world from Max's point of view: his fears, his feelings, and his need to feel safe and loved and warm and fed. Our 4-year-old begged to see it, and we worried that it might be scary, but she was enthralled. Watch this film before showing it to your kids, because some children might find some scenes a little scary. But on the whole, I'd say it's fine for many children, ages 4 and up, though I wouldn't call this a children's film. It's definitely an inner child film. You Can Heal Your Life This documentary is about Louise Hay, author of You Can Heal Your Life and founder of Hay House Publishing. She grew up in an abusive household, but she learned how to turn her life around and heal it. This film highlights her amazing life and career and will inspire you. Ages 13 and up.

Movies about healing the inner child

The movies on this page all deal with healing the inner child in some way. If you are working on your inner child, movies such as these can be very helpful.

For movies with a spiritual theme that we recommend, see our Movies with Spiritual Themes page.

The 10th Kingdom
This is a long series; it took us 4-5 evenings to watch. When it first starts, it feels like a well done, but fairly standard fantasy series. It has humor and originality, but it doesn't seem very deep. But as you go along, it starts to reveal its depth, and by the time you get to the last 2 hours or so, you understand that this series is really about the inner child of the protagonist, Virginia. In this series, there is an alternate universe where fairy tales are real, and there is no more potent framework for our subconscious mind than fairy tales. Everything in them is archetype and metaphor. In this story, you are left wondering how much of it is real and how much of it is Virginia. It was quite powerful, really. Ages 13 and up.

A Christmas Carol, or Scrooge
This isn't just a Christmas movie. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge's healing reaches back into his childhood, back to his original pain. No movie version of this story illustrates this better than Alastair Sim's from 1951. Brilliantly acted, the screenplay is incredibly faithful to the story, and this film really touches the heart. The joy and exhuberance that Alastair portrays when Scrooge is transformed at the end is infectious. This story reminds us that we can all choose to be happy and surrounded by people, or we can choose to be unhappy and lonely. Good for all ages.

Fred Rogers: America's Favorite Neighbor
This documentary celebrates the career of Fred Rogers. It's the story of a man who followed his heart, and spirit, and made a positive mark on the world. His message to children was that they were all special and wonderful, just as they are. I cried when I watched it, because I never got the kind of gentle praise and encouragement that he fostered in every episode of "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood." It really doesn't get better than this. Good for all ages.

The Hanging Garden
This is an odd movie about the inner child that we like a lot. It features a young man who returns home after many years for his sister's wedding. While away from home, he was able to heal some of his issues, but as soon as he walks back into his childhood home, old demons reappear. He sees himself as a child throughout the film, struggling with his toxic and dysfunctional upbringing. Ages 13 and up, but be aware that there is an imagined suicide (hanging) in the film.

House of D
This is a coming of age story about a man who left his home in New York at the age of 13 after his life there falls apart. He moves to Paris and eventually becomes a father himself. On his son's 13th birthday, he decides to tell him and his wife the story of his life. Eventually, he is able to heal his past wounds and move forward, healing his relationship with his family. Robin Williams appears as the young boy's mentally challenged friend. Ages 13 and up.

The King's Speech
This is based on the true story of the Duke of York, who later became King George VI of England when his brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne. King George VI (or "Bertie") had a lifelong, crippling stammer. The stammer and his fears originated with his inner child pain, which is very movingly portrayed here. Geoffrey Rush plays the speech therapist who helps him to overcome his stammer so that he can give the speeches that are required of him as a monarch. This is the story of a man's battle with himself, with his own fears. He was not given the chance to avoid them; instead, he was forced to face them, and he did so with remarkable courage. This is also the story of a unique friendship, and I can't recommend it highly enough. Superb. Ages 13 and up; some language.

The Three Faces of Eve
This film is based on a true story, though highly dramatized. Joanne Woodward portrays Eve, a woman with multiple personalities, all of whom surfaced in her childhood. The film chronicles her treatment and the effect that this had on her life. Very touching.

Where the Wild Things Are
This film is somewhat based on the children's classic by Maurice Sendak, but it has a strong inner child theme running throughout. Who am I? Am I loved regardless of who I am? Am I loved even if I get angry? Am I safe? Can I be angry and safe at the same time? This movie does a fantastic job of presenting the world from Max's point of view: his fears, his feelings, and his need to feel safe and loved and warm and fed. Our 4-year-old begged to see it, and we worried that it might be scary, but she was enthralled. Watch this film before showing it to your kids, because some children might find some scenes a little scary. But on the whole, I'd say it's fine for many children, ages 4 and up, though I wouldn't call this a children's film. It's definitely an inner child film.

You Can Heal Your Life
This documentary is about Louise Hay, author of You Can Heal Your Life and founder of Hay House Publishing. She grew up in an abusive household, but she learned how to turn her life around and heal it. This film highlights her amazing life and career and will inspire you. Ages 13 and up.