From a thread on UnschoolingDiscussion list came this collection of "unschooly-type nonconformist movies."
Julie:
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest A Room with a View Cool Hand Luke
Harvey - Imagination and delight in a stuffy, proper world
Being There - Simplicity trumping schooled professionalism, uneducated main character, unabashed delight in TV
Forrest Gump - Simplicity and joy, cultivating a variety of interests, succeeding despite schooly definitions/expectations, having a strong parent advocate/ally
Nancy B:
Good Will Hunting (adult in many places, but great movie about doing things your own way)
Finding Nemo (letting kids go and trusting them)
Can't Buy Me Love (being yourself)
Chocolat (never shows girl at school, letting your child learn from surroundings, letting kids and selves be free)
Scent of a Woman (more anti-school maybe, than unschooling, but sooooo good!)
The Secret of Roan Inish (probably one of THE BEST unschooling movies there is)
Uncle Buck (more anti-school, but also being yourself, having fun, doing things differently)
Amy Bowers
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill - The subject, Mark Bittner, seems to be living an unschooling life. He is really smart, and totally utilizes institutions only when he needs them - the rest of the time he is creating the life he wants and searching for his peace and creative sustenance.
To Kill a Mockingbird (Kids learn so much from life around them)
Sandra Dodd
My longtime list of movies that will help with deschooling:
Mary Poppins
Heidi (with Shirley Temple)
The Sound of Music
Searching for Bobby Fischer ("Innocent Moves" is the British title)
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Linda
Curious George - I was amazed at how overtly unschooly it was!
Robyn Coburn
Kiki's Delivery Service
Castle In The Sky
Schuyler
Whalerider
The Weeping Camel
Never Cry Wolf
Elaine
Mostly they are movies that make you think:
Rabbit-proof fence
The Incredible Shrinking Man (not the B movie it appears to be)
My Neighbour Totoro
Spirited Away
Whistle Down the Wind. (starring Hayley Mills and Alan Bates)
The Snow Goose (starring Alan Bates)
Kes (gritty and sad)
Danielle Conger
Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang
Linda K.
October Sky
School of Rock
Carri Ann
Fly Away Home (based on a true story)
Emily D.
Explorers (14yr old science whizzes build a spaceship in their homemade lab in lieu of getting beat up at school)
Goonies
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (I know someone mentioned it already but ...)
Katy J.
With Honors- Obsessed college student meets a homeless guy and learns that there are more important things than graduating with honors. Great movie, more adult though (extremely boring to my 10yo).
Sarah
Pippi Longstocking!
Lindsay B.
Lords of Dog Town. Its an excellent movie and very unschooly. A must see for kids who have any interest in skateboarding (parents too!)
Esther Ritmeester
The World's Fastest Indian. about an older guy who beats all the know-it-alls in a motorcycle race on a homebuild do it your self motorcycle in a 'follow your dream' themed movie. Great for all the family.
Pay it Forward. about what a difference one person can make in the world.
Jenny Neary
School of Rock.
Karen/Kidgie
Rock N Roll High School and Harold and Maude are EXCELLENT unschooly movies... ;) .
