Freedom Writers

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2:16

Freedom Writers

PG-13

2007

2h 3m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

Crime

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

124 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

A dedicated teacher (Hilary Swank) in a racially divided Los Angeles school has a class of at-risk teenagers deemed incapable of learning. Instead of giving up, she inspires her students to take an interest in their education and planning their future. She assigns reading material that relates to their lives and encourages them all to keep journals.

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Critics Consensus

Freedom Writers is a frank, formulaic entry in the inspirational inner-city teacher genre, with an energetic Hilary Swank leading the appealing cast of unknowns.

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Kat Halstead

Little White Lies

Feb 27, 2007

3/5

You'll be embarrassed, sad, happy then exhausted.

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Anna Smith

BBC.com

Feb 27, 2007

3/5

Has its inspiring moments - especially given the true story - and some tense, dramatic scenes amid the speedy montages of confusing gang action.

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Liz Moody

Empire Magazine

Feb 27, 2007

2/5

Despite solid work from the engaging cast, there's nothing new here to distinguish Freedom Writers as anything beyond a C+.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Aug 19, 2023

LaGravenese tends to simplify and lean on the melodrama but he tells the stories of the students with compassion, notably Eve (April Lee Hernandez), who has grown up in a war zone of an inner city defined by ethnic boundaries.

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James Croot

The Post NZ

Oct 21, 2022

3.5/5

This film delivered an injection of fresh ideas into a stale genre.

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Kaleem Aftab

The List

Nov 3, 2018

3/5

A touching performance from Hilary Swank ensures that Freedom Writers is not just another tripe genre movie.

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Jasmine W

@jasniquejewels Aug 31, 2026

inspirational moving and impacting.

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LV F

@RT56654992 Aug 19, 2026

This movie is solid and one of my favorites! It makes you think through other people's perspective on racial wars. And how it is possible to unite different cultures under pressure.. It's not just one persons story, but several. Regardless of the reviews from the critics, it's a great movie and in my collection.

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Austin G.

@Horrorislife Jun 23, 2026

This movie is moving and inspirational. It shows that it doesn’t matter where you come from this is rook for everyone to grow and prosper.

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andrea C

@Charst May 25, 2026

Film emozionante, che non ha paura di prendersi momenti di puro dramma melenso e di affrontarli di petto, con una protagonista perfetta soldatessa per la causa con i sani e saldi principi che porta avanti senza mai avere paure e ripensamenti. Probabilmente, oltre alle storie degli studenti e al buon rapporto creato tra vita privata e professionale della protagonista, ad essere vincente è soprattutto il connubio che si crea tra riscatto sociale dei ragazzi e storia dell'Olocausto; due mondi lontanissimi ma allo stesso modo drammatici che si uniscono per creare un prodotto di riscatto sociale che colpisce nel segno ed emoziona, senza paura di essere troppo melodrammatico.

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Chris B

@Papa13070 May 13, 2026

It is seldom you come across a movie that is actually awe inspiring, the people the stories, the feelings, and it's based on a true story. No matter how many times I watch, Freedom Writers always makes me think of their stories. The stories of these kids are so real and so compelling, and one woman standing in the thick of it all, trying to make sense and help. you can't help but feel compassionate. That one woman would go through so much to change peoples lives. it's amazing and wonderful. Hilary Swank was incredible in this film. Highly Recommended!

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Dakota H

@RT25496867 Apr 6, 2026

Top 5 All-time, skip every husband scene; Marcus is the main character.

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Richard LaGravenese

Director

Hilary Swank

Erin Gruwell

Patrick Dempsey

Scott

Scott Glenn

Steve

Imelda Staunton

Margaret Campbell

April L. Hernandez

Eva

Freedom Writers: Official Clip - We Mattered

2:06

Now Playing

Freedom Writers: Official Clip - You Are Not Failing

1:35

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Freedom Writers: Official Clip - You Don't Even Like Them

2:13

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Freedom Writers: Official Clip - Paco Did It

2:05

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Freedom Writers: Official Clip - I Am Home

2:01

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Freedom Writers: Official Clip - When Will I Be Free?

1:54

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Freedom Writers: Official Clip - You Are The Heroes

2:05

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Freedom Writers: Official Clip - Not So Different

1:45

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Freedom Writers: Official Clip - I Saw the War for the First Time

1:27

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Freedom Writers: Trailer 1

2:16

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Synopsis

A dedicated teacher (Hilary Swank) in a racially divided Los Angeles school has a class of at-risk teenagers deemed incapable of learning. Instead of giving up, she inspires her students to take an interest in their education and planning their future. She assigns reading material that relates to their lives and encourages them all to keep journals.

Director: Richard LaGravenese
Producer: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher
Screenwriter: Richard LaGravenese
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Double Feature Films, Paramount Pictures, Jersey Films, MTV Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Thematic Material|Language|Violent Content)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Comedy, Crime
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 5, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $36.6M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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