Movies That Represent and Celebrate Jewish Heritage

From books and music to movies and TV, Jewish stories can help demonstrate important character traits like empathy, courage, and perseverance, while making us think, reflect, and even laugh. This list highlights a few of our favorite movies that celebrate Jewish life. From the timeless adventures of Fievel the mouse in An American Tail to moving films such as the powerful Schindler's List, these movies can spark important conversations about lived experiences. Fancy sitting down with a good read instead? Be sure to check out our list of Books with Jewish Characters.

An American Tail Poster Image
MOVIE

An American Tail

age 5+

Heartwarming tale of immigrant mouse has some peril.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1986)
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The Rugrats Movie Poster Image
MOVIE

The Rugrats Movie

age 6+

'90s animated tale has some cartoon violence, peril.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1998)
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Paper Clips Poster Image
MOVIE

Paper Clips

age 8+

Docu is the best introduction to the Holocaust for tweens.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2004)
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The Prince of Egypt Poster Image
MOVIE

The Prince of Egypt

age 8+

Animated feature tells story of Moses; some violence.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1998)
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The Ten Commandments Poster Image
MOVIE

The Ten Commandments

age 9+

Stirring, even if it's as much showbiz as Bible.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1956)
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Fiddler on the Roof Poster Image
MOVIE

Fiddler on the Roof

age 10+

Epic musical story of Jews facing religious persecution.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1971)
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Yentl Poster Image
MOVIE

Yentl

age 12+

Romantic folk tale retold with music and classic Streisand.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1983)
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An American Pickle Poster Image
MOVIE

An American Pickle

age 13+

Rogen's double performance saves low-key comedy.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2022)
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Avalon Movie Poster
MOVIE

Avalon

age 13+

Character-driven Jewish family drama tackles mature themes.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1990)
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Crossing Delancey Poster Image
MOVIE

Crossing Delancey

age 13+

Delightful '80s romcom has some profanity, sexuality.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1988)
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Keeping the Faith Movie Poster
MOVIE

Keeping the Faith

age 13+

Romantic triangle with interfaith angle; language, drinking.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2000)
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Life Is Beautiful Poster Image
MOVIE

Life Is Beautiful

age 13+

Wrenching Holocaust fable with bittersweet humor.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1998)
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Brighton Beach Memoirs Poster Image
MOVIE

Brighton Beach Memoirs

age 14+

Poignant portrayal of puberty has sexual content, profanity.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1986)
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The Producers (1968) Poster Image
MOVIE

The Producers (1968)

age 14+

Slapstick comedy-musical -- not meant for kids.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1968)
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School Ties Poster Image
MOVIE

School Ties

age 14+

Stirring movie may be too heavy for some tweens.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2001)
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Kissing Jessica Stein Movie Poster
MOVIE

Kissing Jessica Stein

age 15+

Sweet girl-meets-girl comedy has language, sex.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2001)
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Schindler's List Poster Image
MOVIE

Schindler's List

age 15+

Accurate, heartbreaking masterpiece about the Holocaust.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1993)
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Shoah Poster Image
MOVIE

Shoah

age 15+

Holocaust narratives share sorrow of the era in epic docu.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1985)
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The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) Poster Image
MOVIE

The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)

age 16+

Family dysfunction with humor; mature themes, cursing.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2017)
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The Pianist Poster Image
MOVIE

The Pianist

age 16+

Powerful true story of a Jewish pianist has brutal violence.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2002)
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