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Meaning Through Movies

Movies can be great resources for articulating powerful messages, all under the guise of entertainment. Meaning Through Movies (or MTM for short) by The Family and Youth Institute is about jazzing up your family movie night with teachable moments. Scroll to view our guides for meaningful reflections and conversation-starters for movie night! The guides below unpack themes from each movies and provide discussion questions for meaningful conversations with you and your family. Pick a movie, pop the popcorn, and use the guide to get talking about the meaningful themes in each movie. 

Movie Guides Available For:

  • Soul
  • Encanto
  • Finding Nemo
  • Onward
  • Inside Out

Videos

Blogs

Meaning Through Movies

Soul Movie Discussion Guide — Part 4: Power of Community; Representation Matters

In the Soul Movie Guide series so far, we have discussed themes about death, purpose of life, our souls, and...

Meaning Through Movies

Soul Movie Discussion Guide — Part 3: Our Souls and Brains Are Amazing

In part 1 and part 2 of the Soul Movie Guide Series, we discussed how the movie provides insight and...

Meaning Through Movies

Soul Movie Discussion Guide — Part 2: It’s the Journey That Matters

In part 1 of the Soul Movie Guide series, we discussed themes about the blessing of knowing about the afterlife...

Meaning Through Movies

Soul Movie Discussion Guide — Part 1: The Blessing of Knowing about the Afterlife

If you’re looking to “jazz” up your family movie night with meaningful reflections and teachable moments, the Disney Pixar Soul...

Meaning Through Movies

Making Meaning out of the Movies – An Emotionally Intelligent Look at Pixar’s Inside Out

Making Meaning out of the Movies An Emotionally Intelligent Look at Pixar’s Inside Out Sorry, Finding Nemo, your stellar ranking...

Meaning Through Movies

Untying the Knots of Generational Trauma in Encanto: 3 Takeaways for Your Family

This article was written by Duaa Haggag, LPC. It was reviewed by Issra Killawi, BA, and Madiha Tahseen, PhD. Click...

Meaning Through Movies

Onward: 4 Conversations-Starters for the Family

This article was written by Duaa Haggag, LPC. It was reviewed by Issra Killawi, BA, and Madiha Tahseen, PhD. Click...

Nemo from the movie Finding Nemo swimming in the ocean

Four Lessons Finding Nemo Taught Me About Parenting

This article was written by Duaa Haggag, LPC. It was reviewed by Issra Killawi, BA, and Madiha Tahseen, PhD. Click...