Child abuse and domestic violence have steadily increased throughout the years, and sadly it is a common problem in many American homes. There are a number of movies out there that take a detailed, and sometimes graphic approach to the topic of child abuse. While some of the movies on this list are fictional, others are completely based on a real-life story and abusive relationships. The films on this list are the best movies that look at the issue of an abused child, often at the hands of abusive parents.
There’s nothing better than a movie that discusses a true event that happened in a person’s life, detailing the way they overcame the odds that were stacked against them and rose to the challenges before them. Movies like The Blind Side and Antwone Fisher capture the true stories of child abuse victims and their fight to overcome the pain and trauma that was left behind due to their home lives.
This list has the best child abuse movies, including: Precious, The Color Purple, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, One Missed Call, Mommy Dearest, This Boy’s Life, Once Were Warriors, The Girl Next Door, and Tideland.
Vote up the most well done film about child abuse so others know which ones to watch next.
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22262Bastard out of Carolina
Christina Ricci, Jennifer Jason LeighReleased: 1996
Directed by: Anjelica Huston
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18051Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Mariah Carey, Lenny KravitzReleased: 2009
Directed by: Lee Daniels
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14842The Color Purple
Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi GoldbergReleased: 1985
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
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14143An American Crime
James Franco, Ellen PageReleased: 2007
Directed by: Tommy O'Haver
5
18186No Child of Mine
Brooke Kinsella, Colin SalmonReleased: 1997
Directed by: Peter Kosminsky
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8325This Boy's Life
Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De NiroReleased: 1993
Directed by: Michael Caton-Jones
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7924The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Emma Watson, Nina DobrevReleased: 2012
Directed by: Stephen Chbosky
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8229Sybil
Jessica Lange, JoBeth WilliamsReleased: 2007
Directed by: Joseph Sargent
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8029Carrie
John Travolta, Sissy SpacekReleased: 1976
Directed by: Brian De Palma
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6618Radio Flyer
Tom Hanks, Elijah WoodReleased: 1992
Directed by: Richard Donner, David M. Evans
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8335The Blind Side
Sandra Bullock, Lily CollinsReleased: 2009
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
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5918Flowers in the Attic
Heather Graham, Ellen BurstynReleased: 2014
Directed by: Deborah Chow
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7331Serenity
Matthew McConaughey, Anne HathawayReleased: 2019
Directed by: Steven Knight
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6323Lost Children
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4610Something About Amelia
Glenn Close, Ted DansonReleased: 1984
Directed by: Randa Haines
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4814The Elizabeth Smart Story
Dylan Baker, Amber MarshallReleased: 2003
Directed by: Bobby Roth
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6532The Girl Next Door
Catherine Mary Stewart, William AthertonReleased: 2007
Directed by: Gregory Wilson
18
305Good Will Hunting
Ben Affleck, Robin WilliamsReleased: 1997
Directed by: Gus Van Sant
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329The Butterfly Effect
Ashton Kutcher, Amy SmartReleased: 2004
Directed by: J. Mackye Gruber, Eric Bress
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5239Antwone Fisher
Denzel Washington, Viola DavisReleased: 2002
Directed by: Denzel Washington
21
3522Daddy's Little Girls
Gabrielle Union, Idris ElbaReleased: 2007
Directed by: Tyler Perry
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3726The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things
Winona Ryder, Jeremy RennerReleased: 2004
Directed by: Asia Argento
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3424Gracie's Choice
Kristen Bell, Anne HecheReleased: 2004
Directed by: Peter Werner
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4134Not Without My Daughter
Sally Field, Alfred MolinaReleased: 1991
Directed by: Brian Gilbert
25
2112One Missed Call
Meagan Good, Ariel WinterReleased: 2008
Directed by: Eric Valette
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