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)

Updated December 2016