Foster Care on Screen: Three New Movies that Tackle the Issues

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month! This month is all about shining a light on the specific challenges faced by children in foster care, like frequent placement moves, aging out, finding a permanent family.

That’s why we’re excited to share our foster care viewing guide. These three movies simultaneously entertain and present compelling characters who are shaped by their experience in the foster care system. So get some popcorn ready and check out our recommendations below:

Shazam!

This new superhero flick tells the story of Billy Batson, a boy who was abandoned by his mother when he was just 2 years old and has grown up in the foster care system, cycling through foster homes in an all-too-familiar pattern. But when Billy moves into a new home and is granted superpowers, he discovers what love and family mean for him.

Read the Children’s Rights Shazam! movie review here »

I Am Somebody’s Child

This touching Lifetime movie, based on a true memoir by Regina Louise about her time in foster care, is all about the special connection between Regina, a young black girl, and Jeanne, an employee at a children’s shelter who treats Regina as her own daughter. But when Jeanne attempts to legally adopt Regina, the court denies them because it “didn’t think a White woman could raise a Black child.” Fortunately, this movie and its real-life corrolary both have a happy ending, so be sure to check it out!

Find out how to watch it here »

Foster

A new HBO documentary, Foster, gives an unprecedented look into the foster care system. Revolving around compelling stories from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, the largest county child welfare agency in the country, the documentary shines a light on issues from juvenile justice and healthcare to education and advocacy.

Foster is available on May 7th — bookmark it here!