CBHD often receives requests from educators and other individuals for popular resources that engage bioethics through various media (fiction, film, and television). In this resource, we offer a recap of relevant materials that have premiered on the silver screen or television. Readers are cautioned that the films represent a wide variety of genres and may not be appropriate for all audiences. The reason for the rating classification is provided where available. Viewers are encouraged to read annotations/synopses available through such websites as www.movieweb.com or www.imdb.com. If there is a film you think we missed, email us at info@cbhd.org.

Biotechnology | Clinical Ethics | Cloning | Disability Ethics | Emerging Technology | End-of-Life | Genetic Ethics | Global Bioethics | Healthcare | Human Dignity | Human Enhancement | Neuroethics | Organ Donation & Transplantation | Patient's Rights / Informed Consent / Human Dignity | Public Health | Public Policy | Reproductive Ethics | Research Ethics | Transhumanism

Biotechnology

  • I Am Legend (2007, PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence)
  • Repo! The Genetic Opera! (2008, R for strong bloody violence and fore, language, some drug and sexual content)

Clinical Ethics

  • Awakenings (1990, PG-13)
  • A Clockwork Orange (1972, R)
  • The Constant Gardener (2005, R for language, some violent images and sexual content/nudity)
  • Doc Hollywood (1991, PG-13)
  • The Doctor (1991, PG-13)
  • Dying Young (1991, R)
  • Elephant Man (1980, PG)
  • Extreme Measures (1996, R for violence, language, some nudity, and graphic ER activity)
  • Heartsounds (1984, PG)
  • The Hospital (1972, PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content and drug references)
  • K-Pax (2001, PG-13 for a sequence of violent images, brief language, and sensuality)
  • Losing Isaiah (1995, R for drug related material and brief strong language)
  • Miss Evers’ Boys (1997, PG for theme and related elements)
  • My Sister’s Keeper (2009, PG-13 for mature thematic content, some disturbing images, sensuality, language, and brief teen drinking)
  • Passion Fish (1992, R)
  • A Place for Annie (1994, PG for thematic elements and language)
  • Regarding Henry (1991, PG-13)
  • Side Effects (2013, R for sexuality, nudity, violence, and language)
  • Something the Lord Made (2004, NR)
  • The Verdict (1982, R)

Cloning

  • Blade Runner (1982, R for violence)
  • The Boys from Brazil (1978, R)
  • Cloud Atlas (2012, R for violence, language, sexuality/nudity and some drug use)
  • Godsend (2004, PG-13 for violence including frightening images, a scene of sexuality, and some thematic material)
  • The Island (2005, PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sexuality and language)
  • Moon (2010, R for language)
  • Never Let Me Go (2010, Rated R for some sexuality and nudity)
  • Oblivion (2013, PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, brief strong language, and some sensuality/nudity)

Disability Ethics

  • Away from Her (2007, PG-13 for some strong language)
  • Charly (1968, PG)
  • Elephant Man (1980, PG)
  • Guarding Eddy (2005, PG for thematic elements, language, some mild violent content and brief smoking)
  • The Intouchables (2012, R for language and some drug use)
  • Mask (1985, R)
  • Music Within (2007, R for including sexual references and some drug content)
  • Praying with Lior (2008, NR, documentary)

Emerging Technology

  • Artificial Intelligence (2001, PG-13 for some sexual content and violent images)
  • Avatar (2009, PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking)
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015, PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action, violence and destruction, and for some suggestive comments)
  • Babylon A.D. (2008, PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, language and some sexuality)
  • Bicentennial Man (1999, PG for language and some sexual content)
  • Chappie (2015, R for violence, language, and brief nudity)
  • Elysium (2013, R for strong bloody violence and language throughout)
  • Ex Machina (2015, R for graphic nudity, language, sexual references, and some violence)
  • Gamer (2009, R for frenetic sequences of strong brutal violence throughout, sexual content, nudity, and language)
  • Her (2013, R for language, sexual content, and brief graphic nudity)
  • Inception (2010, PG-13 for sequences of violence and action throughout)
  • Maze Runner (2014, PG-13 for thematic elements and intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, including some disturbing images)
  • Real Steel (2011, PG-13 for some violence, intense action and brief language)
  • Repo Men (2010, R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, language, and some sexuality/nudity)
  • Robot & Frank (2012, PG-13 for some language)
  • Surrogates (2009, PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, disturbing images, language, sexuality, and a drug-related scene)
  • Terminator Genisys (2015, PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and gunplay throughout, partial nudity and brief strong language)
  • Terminator Salvation (2010, PG-13 for language and intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action)
  • Transcendence (2014, PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence, some bloody images, brief strong language and sensuality)
  • Tron Legacy (2010, PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and brief mild language)
  • Ultraviolet (2006, PG-13 for sequences of violent action throughout, partial nudity, and language)

End-of-Life

  • 50/50 (2011, R for language throughout, sexual content and some drug use)
  • Amour (2012, PG-13 for mature thematic material including a disturbing act, and for brief language)
  • Away From Her (2007, PG-13 for some strong language)
  • Barbarian Invasions (2003, R for language, sexual dialogue, and drug content)
  • The Descendants (2011, R for language including some sexual references)
  • Exit: The Right to Die (in French with subtitles) (2006, NR, documentary)
  • The Fault in Our Stars (2014, PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality and brief strong language)
  • The Giver (2014, PG-13 for a mature thematic image and some sci-fi action/violence)
  • Griffin and Phoenix (2006, PG-13 for sexual content, some thematic elements, and brief strong language)
  • Happy Tears (2010, R for language, drug use, and some sexual content including brief nudity)
  • It’s My Party (1996, R for language and brief nudity)
  • A Little Bit of Heaven (2012, PG-13 for sexual content, including crude references, and language)
  • Lorenzo’s Oil (1993, PG-13)
  • Love and Other Drugs (2010, R for strong sexual content, nudity, pervasive language, and some drug material)
  • Marvin’s Room (1997, PG-13 for thematic elements and brief language)
  • Million Dollar Baby (2005, PG-13 for violence, some disturbing images, thematic material, and language)
  • My Life (1993, PG-13 for mature subject matter)
  • The Sea Inside (2004, PG-13 for intense depiction of mature thematic material)
  • Seven Pounds (2008, PG-13 for thematic material, some disturbing content, and a scene of sensuality)
  • Source Code (2011, PG-13 for some violence including disturbing images, and for language)
  • Still Alive (2014, PG-13 for mature thematic material, and brief language including a sexual reference)
  • Tuesdays with Morrie (1999, NR)
  • When Did You Last See Your Father? (2007, PG-13 for sexual content, thematic material, and brief strong language)
  • Whose Life Is It Anyway? (1981, R)
  • Wit (2001, PG-13 for some thematic material)

Genetic Ethics

  • Avatar (2009, PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking)
  • Babylon A.D. (2008, PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, language and some sexuality)
  • Bourne Legacy (2012, PG-13 for violence and action sequences)
  • Code 46 (2004, R for a scene of sexuality, including brief graphic nudity)
  • Extraordinary Measures (2010, PG for thematic material, language, and a mild suggestive moment)
  • Gattaca (1997, PG-13 for brief violent images, language, and some sexuality)
  • The Giver (2014, PG-13 for a mature thematic image and some sci-fi action/violence)
  • Hanna (2011, PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sexual material and language)
  • I Am Legend (2007, PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence)
  • In the Family (2008, NR, documentary)
  • In Time (2011, PG-13 for violence, some sexuality and partial nudity, and strong language)
  • The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996, PG-13 for sci-fi violence, horror, and gore involving mutant creatures)
  • Isolation (2006, R for violence/gore, language, and a scene of sexuality)
  • Jurassic Park (1993, PG-13 for intense science fiction terror)
  • Man of Steel (2013, PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, action and destruction, and for some language)
  • Memory (2007, R for language and frightening images)
  • My Sister’s Keeper (2009, PG-13 for mature thematic content, some disturbing images, sensuality, language, and brief teen drinking)
  • Resident Evil: Extinction (2007, R for strong horror violence throughout and some nudity)
  • Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, PG-13 for intense and frightening sequences of action and violence)
  • Splice (2010, R for disturbing elements including strong sexuality, nudity, sci-fi violence and language)
  • The Twilight of the Golds (1997, PG-13 for thematic elements and brief language)
  • Ultraviolet (2006, PG-13 for sequences of violent action throughout, partial nudity, and language)

Global Bioethics

  • The Constant Gardener (2005, R for language, some violent images and sexual content/nudity)
  • Pregnant in America (2008, NR, documentary)

Healthcare

  • And the Band Played On (1993, PG-13)
  • Critical Care (1997, R for language and a scene of sexuality)
  • The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007, PG-13 for nudity, sexual content, and some language)
  • The Doctor (1991, PG-13)
  • Elysium (2013, R for strong bloody violence and language throughout)
  • An Enemy of the People (1978, G)
  • John Q (2002, PG-13 for violence, language, and intense thematic elements)
  • Patch Adams (1998, PG-13 for some strong language and crude humor)
  • Side Effects (2013, R for sexuality, nudity, violence, and language)

Human Dignity

  • Children of a Lesser God (1986, R)
  • Coming Home (1979, R)
  • Do You Remember Love? (1985, NR)
  • Elephant Man (1980, PG)
  • Erin Brockovich (2000, R for language)
  • Good Will Hunting (1998, R for strong language, including some sex-related dialogue)
  • The Intouchables (2012, R for language and some drug use)
  • Iris (2001, R)
  • Miss Evers’ Boys (1997, PG for theme and related elements)
  • My Left Foot (1989, R)
  • My Life (1993, PG-13 for mature subject matter)
  • Normal (2003, NR)
  • One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1976, R)
  • Philadelphia (1993, PG-13 for some graphic language and thematic material)
  • Rain Man (1988, R)
  • When a Man Loves a Woman (1994, R for language)

Human Enhancement

  • The Age of Adaline (2015, PG-13 for a suggestive comment)
  • Elysium (2013, R for strong bloody violence and language throughout)
  • Gattaca (1997, PG-13 for brief violent images, language, and some sexuality)
  • Hanna (2011, PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sexual material and language)
  • In Time (2011, PG-13 for violence, some sexuality and partial nudity, and strong language)
  • The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996, PG-13 for sci-fi violence, horror, and gore involving mutant creatures)
  • Limitless (2011, PG-13 for thematic material involving a drug, violence including disturbing images, sexuality and language)
  • Lucy (2014, R for strong violence, disturbing images, and sexuality)
  • Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, PG-13 for intense and frightening sequences of action and violence)
  • Self/less (2015, PG-13 for sequences of violence, some sexuality, and language)
  • Transcendence (2014, PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence, some bloody images, brief strong language and sensuality)
  • Tron Legacy (2010, PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and brief mild language)
  • Youth Knows No Pain (2009, NR, documentary)

Neuroethics

  • Elysium (2013, R for strong bloody violence and language throughout)
  • Gamer (2009, R for frenetic sequences of strong brutal violence throughout, sexual content, nudity, and language)
  • The Giver (2014, PG-13 for a mature thematic image and some sci-fi action/violence)
  • Inception (2010, PG-13 for sequences of violence and action throughout)
  • Just Another Love Story (2008, NR)
  • Limitless (2011, PG-13 for thematic material involving a drug, violence including disturbing images, sexuality and language)
  • Lucy (2014, R for strong violence, disturbing images, and sexuality)
  • Maze Runner (2014, PG-13 for thematic elements and intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, including some disturbing images)
  • Self/less (2015, PG-13 for sequences of violence, some sexuality, and language)
  • Side Effects (2013, R for sexuality, nudity, violence, and language)
  • Source Code (2011, PG-13 for some violence including disturbing images, and for language)
  • Surrogates (2009, PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, disturbing images, language, sexuality, and a drug-related scene)
  • Total Recall (2012, PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, some sexual content, brief nudity, and language)
  • Transcendence (2014, PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence, some bloody images, brief strong language and sensuality)

Organ Donation & Transplantation

  • Coma (1978, PG)
  • Dirty Pretty Things (2002, R for sexual content, disturbing images, and language)
  • The Eye (2008, PG-13 for violence/terror and disturbing content)
  • John Q (2002, PG-13 for violence, language, and intense thematic elements)
  • Never Let Me Go (2010, R for some sexuality and nudity)
  • Repo! The Genetic Opera! (2008, R for strong bloody violence and fore, language, some drug and sexual content)
  • Repo Men (2010, R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, language, and some sexuality/nudity)
  • Seven Pounds (2008, PG-13 for thematic material, some disturbing content, and a scene of sensuality)
  • Steel Magnolias (1989, PG)

Patient’s Rights / Informed Consent / Human Dignity

  • Children of a Lesser God (1986, R)
  • Coming Home (1979, R)
  • Do You Remember Love? (1985, NR)
  • Elephant Man (1980, PG)
  • Erin Brockovich (2000, R for language)
  • Good Will Hunting (1998, R for strong language, including some sex-related dialogue)
  • The Intouchables (2012, R for language and some drug use)
  • Iris (2001, R)
  • Miss Evers’ Boys (1997, PG for theme and related elements)
  • My Left Foot (1989, R)
  • My Life (1993, PG-13 for mature subject matter)
  • Normal (2003, NR)
  • One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1976, R)
  • Philadelphia (1993, PG-13 for some graphic language and thematic material)
  • Rain Man (1988, R)
  • When a Man Loves a Woman (1994, R for language)

Public Health

  • Contagion (2011, PG-13 for disturbing content and some language)
  • The Insider (1999, R for language)
  • The Ryan White Story (1998, NR)

Public Policy

  • Delivery Man (2013, PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content, some drug material, brief violence and language)

Reproductive Ethics

  • 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2008, NR)
  • Baby Mama (2008, PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language and a drug reference)
  • The Back-Up Plan (2010, PG-13 for sexual content including references, some crude material and language)
  • The Brothers Solomon (2007, R for language and sexual content)
  • Choices of the Heart: The Margaret Sanger Story (1995, NR)
  • Delivery Man (2013, PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content, some drug material, brief violence and language)
  • Flatliners (1990, R)
  • The Giver (2014, PG-13 for a mature thematic image and some sci-fi action/violence)
  • The Handmaid’s Tale (1990, R)
  • If These Walls Could Talk (1996, R for realistic depiction of abortions, a graphic shooting and some language)
  • Interstellar (2014, PG-13 for some intense perilous action and brief strong language)
  • Juno (2007, PG-13 for mature thematic material, sexual content and language)
  • The Kids Are All Right (2010, R for strong sexual content, nudity, language, and some teen drug and alcohol use)
  • Kids Like These (1987, NR)
  • Malice (1993, R for sexuality, language and some violence)
  • Maybe Baby (2001, R for sexual content and language)
  • Misconception (2010, NR)
  • Miss Conception (2008, R for language and some sexual content)
  • My Sister’s Keeper (2009, PG-13 for mature thematic content, some disturbing images, sensuality, language, and brief teen drinking)
  • Pregnant in America (2008, NR, documentary)
  • A Private Matter (1992, PG-13)
  • The Switch (2010, PG-13 for mature thematic content, sexual material including dialogue, some nudity, drug use, and language)
  • A Walk to Beautiful (2008, NR, documentary)

Research Ethics

  • Autopsy (2009, R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, language and drug content)
  • Bourne Legacy (2012, PG-13 for violence and action sequences)
  • The Constant Gardener (2005, R for language, some violent images and sexual content/nudity)
  • Extraordinary Measures (2010, PG for thematic material, language, and a mild suggestive moment)
  • Gamer (2009, R for frenetic sequences of strong brutal violence throughout, sexual content, nudity, and language)
  • I Am Legend (2007, PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence)
  • Isolation (2006, R for violence/gore, language, and a scene of sexuality)
  • Maze Runner (2014, PG-13 for thematic elements and intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, including some disturbing images)
  • Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011, PG-13 for intense and frightening sequences of action and violence)
  • Shutter Island(2010, R for disturbing violent content, language, and some nudity)
  • Source Code (2011, PG-13 for some violence including disturbing images, and for language)
  • Splice (2010, R for disturbing elements including strong sexuality, nudity, sci-fi violence and language)

Transhumanism

  • Lucy (2014, R for strong violence, disturbing images, and sexuality)
  • Self/less (2015, PG-13 for sequences of violence, some sexuality, and language)
  • Source Code (2011, PG-13 for some violence including disturbing images, and for language)
  • Tron Legacy (2010, PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and brief mild language)
  • Transcendence (2014, PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence, some bloody images, brief strong language and sensuality)