Are you in need of some good stuff to watch this holiday season?
If so, why not pair your entertainment with some education and social awareness?
The films in this list are considered some of the best about homelessness; as well as relevant issues like poverty, mental health, hunger and addiction.
We hope you enjoy these Top 10 Movies About Homelessness.
1. Pursuit of Happyness
2006 – PG-13 – 117 minutes – Drama, Biography Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton , as well as relevant issues like poverty, mental health, hunger,Directed by Gabriele Muccino
Life is a struggle for single father Chris Gardner. Evicted from their apartment, he and his young son find themselves alone with no place to go. Even though Chris eventually lands a job as an intern at a prestigious brokerage firm, the position doesn't pay. The pair must live in shelters and endure many hardships, but Chris refuses to give in to despair as he struggles to create a better life for himself and his son.
2. The Lady in the Van
2015 – PG-13 – 104 minutes – Biography, Drama, Comedy Maggie Smith, Jim Broadbent, Alex Jennings Directed by Nicholas Hytner
The true story of Miss Shepherd, an eccentric homeless woman of uncertain origins, who `temporarily' parked her broken-down van in writer Alan Bennett's London driveway, and proceeded to live there for the next 15 years.
3. Time Out Of Mind
2014 – Unrated – 120 minutes – Drama Richard Gere, Jena Malone, Ben Vereen Directed by Oren Moverman.
George seeks refuge at Bellevue Hospital, a Manhattan intake center for homeless men, where his friendship with a fellow client helps him try to repair his relationship with his estranged daughter.
4. The Public
2018 – PG-13 – 119 minutes – Drama Alec Baldwin, Emilio Estevez, Taylor Schilling Directed by Emilio Estevez.
An act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek shelter from the bitter cold.
5. The Soloist
2009 – PG-13 – 117 minutes – Drama, Biography, Music Jamie Foxx, Catherine Keener, Robert Downey Jr. Directed by Joe Wright
Los Angeles columnist Steve Lopez has reached an impasse in his life. His marriage is on the rocks, and he's disillusioned with his job. Then, while wandering through L.A.'s Skid Row, he spots a homeless man playing a two-stringed violin with a virtuoso's skill. Lopez initially thinks of the man, named Nathaniel Ayers, as just a story idea. But as he begins to unravel the mystery of Ayers' strange fate, Lopez realizes that a change is happening within himself.
6. The Fisher King
1991 – R – 137 minutes – Drama, Comedy, Fantasy Robin WIlliams, Jeff Bridges, David Hyde Pierce Directed by Terry Gilliam.
A former radio DJ, suicidally despondent because of a terrible mistake he made, finds redemption in helping a deranged homeless man who was an unwitting victim of that mistake.
7. Same Kind Of Different As Me
2017 – PG-13 – 119 minutes – Biography, Drama Greg Kinnear, Renee Zellweger, Jon Voight Directed by Michael Carney.
Greg Kinnear, Renee Zellweger, Jon Voight. International art dealer Ron Hall must befriend a dangerous homeless man in order to save his struggling marriage to his wife, a woman whose dreams will lead all three of them on the journey of their lives.
8. Dark Days
2000 – Not Rated – 82 minutes – Documentary Directed by Marc Singer.
A cinematic portrait of the homeless population who live permanently in the underground tunnels of New York City.
9. Shelter
2014 – TV-MA – 165 minutes – Drama Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Mackie, Drama. Greg Kinnear, Renee Zellweger, Jon Voight. Directed by Michael Carney. International
Directed by Paul Bettany, Hannah and Tahir fall in love while homeless on the streets of New York. Shelter explores how they got there, and as we learn about their pasts, we realize they need each other to build a future.
10. A Street Cat Named Bob
2016 – Not Rated – 103 minutes – Biography, Drama, Family Luke Treadaway Directed by Roger Spottiswoode Based on the international best-selling book.
The true feel-good story of how James Bowen, a busker and recovering drug addict, had his life transformed when he met a stray ginger cat.* Some of these movies are not suitable for children due to profanity and graphic content. These are movies that have been included on many lists of the top movies about homelessness, and are not necessarily the recommendations of staff at Springs Rescue Mission. The information in this article was aggregated from IMDB and Wikipedia.
Turn Compassion Into Action
The stories in these films remind us that homelessness is never just about lacking a place to live. Behind every person is a unique story, real challenges, and the hope of a new beginning. At Springs Rescue Mission, those stories are unfolding every day. Men and women in Colorado Springs are finding meals, safe shelter, recovery, job training, and the support they need to rebuild their lives. When you join our Monthly Giving community, your recurring gift provides more than immediate relief—it helps create lasting transformation. For just $25 a month, you can provide nutritious meals, safe shelter, and compassionate care for a neighbor in need. Start your monthly gift today and help write the next success story.
