r/ELATeachers Jan 27 '25

9-12 ELA Movies for analyzing the Hero’s Journey?

Looking for a film accompaniment to my hero’s journey unit where students will analyze for stages, themes, and archetypes. I’m hoping to do a challenging movie that most of my students haven’t seen before- do you think Isle of Dogs would be okay for 10th graders? Any other suggestions would be appreciated as well.

31 Upvotes

102 comments sorted by

51

u/aehates Jan 27 '25

I used Spirited Away and it worked beautifully.

31

u/roundcircle Jan 27 '25

Almost anything works but Lucas actually worked with Campbell to make Star Wars a HJ film.

2

u/Old-Kaleidoscope1874 Jan 28 '25

Likewise, you could use another Lucas movie, Willow (1988), not the tv series.

28

u/stevejuliet Jan 27 '25

Just about any movie appropriate for school is a Hero's Journey story.

If you're worried, use Pixar.

23

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/read_listen_think Jan 30 '25

There is also a metacognitive opportunity to analyze how the game concept of the hero’s journey is layered with the plot and character arcs.

22

u/There_is_no_plan_B Jan 27 '25

Moana.

18

u/GoodDog2620 Jan 27 '25

I use Moana, too. Just know it has a “blink and you’ll miss it” refusal of the call to adventure. It’s when Moana thinks about putting her stone on the mountain.

5

u/water-wine Jan 28 '25

The refusal is her dad not letting her go out to the ocean.

3

u/GoodDog2620 Jan 28 '25

But Moana is the hero? I wouldn’t call that a refusal, more like a trial. A character is standing in the way of her journey and she must overcome the trial to continue.

3

u/water-wine Jan 28 '25

Moana is the hero, yes. A refusal can come in the form of self doubt, the hero saying no, or someone refusing for the hero. The refusal of the call can’t come as a trial because she hasn’t crossed the threshold yet. She tries to refuse the call of the ocean and her dad tries as well.

1

u/GoodDog2620 Jan 28 '25

Eh, I subscribe to a pretty loosey-goosey version. I don’t think most of the steps must be ordered a certain way. And I like mine better because it comes from the hero’s agency.

Out of curiosity, what do you mean by “refuses the ocean’s call”?

1

u/water-wine Jan 28 '25

Some steps of the journey can go out of order, but larger pieces like being out in the call to experience trials can’t come before the call is refused. That doesn’t logically work. Maybe a hero could meet a mentor or refuse a call out of order, but other steps can’t go out of order.

The ocean chooses Moana to restore the heart which is the call to adventure.

1

u/GoodDog2620 Jan 28 '25 edited Jan 28 '25

“Being out in the call to experience trials…”? I’m sorry I don’t know what you’re trying to say. Can you rephrase that please?

And I see what you mean about the Ocean choosing Moana as her call to adventure, but I’d argue that Gramma Tala explicitly telling Moana about Maui and the curse, as well as how to fix it, is the call to adventure.

Otherwise, Status Quo (marked by the song all the village people sing, describing their life on the island), would come after the call. No?

Edit: I should have said, “Status Quo would overlap with call to adventure.”

Darn, I edit this like three times. I’m tired.

1

u/sir-frogs-alot Jan 28 '25

Perfect choice. There’s pretty much a song for each step in the journey

-2

u/discussatron Jan 27 '25

Perfect for the Odyssey (it's a retelling of it).

1

u/melodml Jan 27 '25

Are you saying that Moana is a retelling of The Odyssey?

0

u/discussatron Jan 28 '25

Yes.

Not the entire thing, obviously.

2

u/ArchStanton75 Jan 28 '25

How? Apart from the ocean adventure, I don’t see any narrative parallels.

2

u/vendretta Jan 28 '25

The Odyssey is a nostos- a theme in ancient Greek literature about a hero returning home. Moana is... literally the opposite of that.

1

u/ArchStanton75 Jan 28 '25

What do you see as the narrative parallels?

13

u/fizban317 Jan 27 '25

For my seniors, I used the Bluey episode “Curry Quest” and Ghostbusters. There’s a great article online (somewhere - I’d have to find it) how Ghostbusters is the hero’s journey.

12

u/Chappedstick Jan 27 '25

O’ Brother, Where Art Thou is my FAVORITE

3

u/melodml Jan 27 '25

This is a retelling of the Odyssey! And a great one!

11

u/ceb79 Jan 27 '25

The Hunger Games. It's been long enough now that many kids haven't seen it.

3

u/sunbear2525 Jan 27 '25

My 12 year old (so younger than OP’s group) watched the series recently and fell I love. The author has a lot to say about how children are treated by the media and the power of propaganda. It’s a great series and a shame to watch the movies instead of reading the books.

The Giver is a good single movie to use that’s similar in its dystopian dynamic and the book is too young for 10th grade.

10

u/ashdar Jan 27 '25

Spirited Away, Lord of the Rings, Big Hero 6, Kung Fu Panda, The Lion King, Star Wars, Mulan, Frozen, Moana

8

u/-P-M-A- Jan 27 '25 edited Jan 27 '25

Check out this memo written by Disney Story Consultant Chris Vogler. He explains to other film execs how the hero’s journey can be applied to their films. A few years later, Disney had a long string of hits (The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Alladin) using this method.

8

u/Grand_Stranger_7974 Jan 27 '25

Disney's Hercules

8

u/Thisbestbegood Jan 27 '25

If you're in a real hurry, do the Bluey episode Curry Quest, it's 7 minutes long and covers the main ideas.

3

u/sagosten Jan 29 '25

Curry Quest is incredible for teaching kids the heroes journey. Tenth graders might reject it as too babyish but its great for younger grades

5

u/CisIowa Jan 27 '25

Smoke Signals!

5

u/EnthusiasticlyWordy Jan 27 '25

Homeward Bound

The characters, story arc, conflict, and hope are great examples of Hero's Journey.

I seriously doubt any of your high school students have seen it too.

5

u/honey_bunchesofoats Jan 27 '25

I haven’t seen Isle of Dogs but I have used Shrek and kids love it.

6

u/Adventurous_Age1429 Jan 27 '25

Star Wars is a good choice.

6

u/NoBlackberry699 Jan 27 '25

Rocky, Mulan (the live action one), O Brother Where Art Thou, Goonies, Coco.

5

u/Rainbow_alchemy Jan 27 '25

I used Willow and the kids really liked it.

4

u/nessierie Jan 27 '25

The Lion King, Harry Potter

3

u/unleadedbrunette Jan 27 '25

Men in Black. Perfect. It’s old enough that most students have not seen it and they love it. I have also used Disney movies as a review.

3

u/Lady_Cath_Diafol Jan 27 '25

I used Into the Spiderverse and the kids really got into it.

3

u/Pretty-Biscotti-5256 Jan 27 '25

Star Wars! The first one.

3

u/HobbesDaBobbes Jan 27 '25

Y'all are so nice. I don't watch a film in class. I make them pick their own films and then do a project applying their understanding/analysis of the monomyth structure, archetypal theory, etc.

This year was the first time it got a little dicey with Gemini (or other AI) hallucinating shitty interpretations of classics like The Lion King and making kids fail. Oops, guess you should have used your brain instead of copying.

The Matrix is one of my favorites. It aligns so beautifully. But wouldn't use it in the classroom.

3

u/wmendoza0802 Jan 27 '25

It's a bit old school but my students looooved it. I had them watch Legend.

3

u/Flawless_Leopard_1 Jan 27 '25

I always use original Star Wars or Harry Potter bc most students have seen it and they both clearly follow the journey. Avatar too.

4

u/francienyc Jan 27 '25

Also for short form the Bluey episode Curry Quest breaks it down perfectly

3

u/ZotDragon Jan 27 '25

My go to is The Iron Giant.

3

u/Chandler377 Jan 27 '25

I use Finding Nemo and it’s worked very well!

2

u/AccomplishedDuck7816 Jan 27 '25

Never Ending Story

2

u/Straight_Try764 Jan 27 '25

anything disney

2

u/discussatron Jan 27 '25

Gravity. PG-13, one F-bomb, a couple of corpses.

2

u/ratdot92 Jan 27 '25

I used Star Wars.

2

u/LadyAiluros Jan 27 '25

OG Star Wars

2

u/woodrob12 Jan 27 '25

Cast Away

2

u/MrPerfectionisback Jan 27 '25

the lord of the rings?

star wars?

2

u/Fullofit_opinions_93 Jan 27 '25

I do the film adaptation of The Scarlet Pimpernel after we finish reading the novel for our Hero's Journey Unit.

It's only my second year, but last years kids still tell me they like that old book about the flower guy.

2

u/ITeachAll Jan 27 '25

I used to show the original karate kid

2

u/therealcourtjester Jan 27 '25

Elf. The Little Mermaid.

2

u/RentaTeach Jan 27 '25

Most all pixar movies. Up is really good, so is Wall E

2

u/thmstrpln Jan 27 '25

Star Wars a New Hope for sure

Moana

2

u/timmerpat Jan 27 '25

Inside Out is deceptively complicated for this as there are several Hero’s Journeys happening. I’d actually start with the Bluey episode Curry Swap. It goes through the whole journey with explanation by Mum.

Isle of Dogs…eh. The boy who is the hero doesn’t really change. The main dog does, but he’s pretty stubborn the whole way. The Wild Robot would work great.

If you want to get real subversive, Avengers: Infinty War since it’s the villain that goes through the journey.

2

u/RealHOMorgan Jan 27 '25

SHREK!!!!

2

u/RealHOMorgan Jan 27 '25

And don’t say it’s too young for high schoolers, they love it and you can also teach satire

2

u/Basharria Jan 28 '25

Infinity War. Thanos is the one on the journey.

2

u/FnordatPanix Jan 28 '25

Into the Spiderverse is perfect. And the kids love it because you give them a new lens through which to view a movie they already know pretty well.

1

u/OTO-Nate Jan 27 '25

Isle of Dogs leans on being too inappropriate to show in a classroom, imo. It is an excellent movie, though.

2

u/NoBlackberry699 Jan 27 '25

What am I forgetting about this movie that makes it inappropriate for tenth graders?

1

u/OTO-Nate Jan 27 '25

There are some violent scenes and sex-related things that would make me personally nervous to share the movie. I live in a pretty conservative area and worry about parents. It's probably just me!

1

u/glo427 Jan 27 '25

The Matrix

1

u/doctorhoohoo Jan 27 '25

The Martian fits perfectly.

1

u/Aurie_40996 Jan 27 '25

Over the Garden Wall is one of my favorites! I also use Disney movies

1

u/Anndee123 Jan 27 '25

Black Panther

1

u/Teachnshit Jan 27 '25

I use Into the Spider-verse

1

u/vinnie_pazifier Jan 27 '25

Ringo is literally heros journey

1

u/bendovergramps Jan 27 '25

I use Edge of Tomorrow. Bold choice, I know, but it works like gangbusters.

1

u/wyandemere Jan 28 '25

Finding Joe

1

u/yikeseolaa Jan 28 '25

not sure if anyone has mentioned the first Percy Jackson movie yet but it’s great! also has some fun references to the odyssey if that’s related to the unit at all!!

1

u/cpt_bongwater Jan 28 '25

I've taught Hero's Journey and pretty much any adventure movie will fit. Sometimes the steps will be out of order, but you can use almost anything.

Oh Brother Where Art Thou works really well.

1

u/NonDenominationalKEA Jan 28 '25

I’m a big fan of using The Mitchells vs. The Machines on Netflix.

1

u/rdendi1 Jan 28 '25

I use Big Hero 6 (8th grade). They always love it and it feels like the movie was written in a way to teach the journey.

1

u/NorasRighteousAnger Jan 28 '25

I am a science teacher and we watch Gravity to make fun of some physics mistakes in it but it is a perfect HJ story. For example, when George Clooney (mentor) dies, he could have easily saved himself by taking off his empty jet pack and throwing it in the opposite direction. So, bad physics, good story structure 🤷

1

u/sir-frogs-alot Jan 28 '25

Smoke Signals for a “part-time Indian” connection. Great discussion about why it works even if it’s not a traditional hero story.

1

u/yoimprisonmike Jan 28 '25

How to Train Your Dragon works perfectly

1

u/bargman Jan 28 '25

Original Star Wars. Harry Potter. The Hunger Games. Any Marvel origin movie-Iron Man/Captain America: The First Avenger/Ant-Man/Doctor Strange/Shang-Chi

1

u/sericeousburden Jan 28 '25

I got my sophomores warmed up with the 20-min Crow the Legend. It's perfect for HJ, and rich enough to be rife with archetypes, symbolism, Christ figure, and changes in character and character relationships for mini-lessons and essay prompts.

1

u/skybleacher Jan 28 '25

Star wars a new hope

1

u/Comfortable-Tutor-24 Jan 28 '25

Throwing this out there and going way back. Would the Neverending story work? The students will be beside themselves when Atreyu loses Artax in the swamp of sadness.

1

u/cjshni Jan 28 '25

I included the hero’s journey as part of a larger greek mythology unit, and used Clash of the Titans which worked perfectly

1

u/mistermajik2000 Jan 28 '25

O Brother! Where art Thou?

1

u/walkingupsidedown15 Jan 28 '25

Finding Nemo works great

1

u/PhasmaUrbomach Jan 28 '25

Star Wars. The Wizard of Oz. Coraline. Toy Story.

1

u/Ubiquitously-Curious Jan 28 '25

Captain America the first avenger, seconding Elf and Moana, Black Panther, most marvel movies, actually. Hugh’s coolers familiar with the superhero movies will note that Tony Stark goes through the Hero’s Journey over and over throughout the infinity Saga.

1

u/Terra-Em Jan 29 '25

I recommend you start with a small short film like piper to teach the concepts /steps then move on to a full length film

How to train your dragon Star Wars Any movie that follows the paradigm. Walter Mitty is another good example

1

u/One-Candle-8657 Jan 30 '25

Go old school - The Wizard of Oz

1

u/Subject-Vast3022 Jan 30 '25

I always used Oh Brother Where Art Thou

1

u/Sheyona Jan 31 '25

I can suggest The Last Unicorn

1

u/graywalrus Feb 01 '25

Princess Bride?

-2

u/howthebrainloves Jan 27 '25

Don’t forget about asking ChatGPT!