There are always countless options to choose from for entertainment. If you are like me, I often get stuck trying to decide. What is the best use of my time? What can I read or watch that is enjoyable and edifying? Are there any pro-life movies or books that will encourage family discussion? In fact, we have learned that morality demonstrated in stories can alter judgement for early adolescents. Watching a pro-life movie or reading a pro-life book can encourage families to have a pro-life worldview. By pro-life worldview, I mean entertainment that encourages adoption, elevates the pre-born, appreciates those who have special needs and honors the elderly. Where can I find that kind of media?
Pro-Life Movies and Books
Here is an offering of pro-life movies and books that can be shared with the whole family, categorized by age. Please note that not all of these were created with a pro-life view in mind. So, a producer or writer may not be happy to have their product called pro-life. Yet, protecting the innocent and examining the inherent value of human life are universal themes – something that calls to the better side of our humanity and shows up in movies and books in a wide variety of ways.
As with all things, know your family. If a particular genre or theme is not for you, skip that idea and go to the next one. Entertainment – to a certain degree – is like art. We can have preferences based purely on like or dislike, and that is fine. Yet, in all things, enjoy the beauty and empowerment of the pro-life view. Find it in your pro-life movies and books, but more importantly, live it out. Protect the pre-born, enjoy those who have special needs and value the ones who have been on the journey a long while.
Pro-Life Books for the Early Years
Little Lives Matter – Book 2 by Elizabeth Johnston
- Little Lives Matter features a boy with a missing limb. It talks about his value and how his mother loves him just as he is. It is book two in a series of Brave Books that teaches conservative values. Each book ends with a Brave Challenge section that helps families engage, play games and ultimately talk about the lesson and how to apply it to their lives. The Brave Books series builds a universe where families can have learning experiences woven into story adventure.
Pro-Life Kids! and Coloring Activity Book by Bethany Bomberger
- Bethany Bomberger and her husband have worked to help illuminate the value of life for a long time. Pro-Life Kids and the Pro-Life Kids Coloring Book is one of their newer offerings and will help teach children an age-appropriate, pro-life worldview that embraces all types of children.
Horton Hears a Who! By Dr. Seuss
- While Dr. Seuss’s didn’t write explicitly pro-life books, “Horton Hears a Who!” aligns with certain pro-life values. This is demonstrated by Horton’s determination to protect the Who community that no one else can see or believes exists. A solid example that can easily be related to protecting the pre-born.
Bronco and Friends: A Party to Remember by Tim Tebow
- Tim Tebow and his wife have a long history of celebrating children with special needs through their organization, the Tim Tebow Foundation. That same celebratory heart comes through in Tim’s new children’s books, sharing about special needs as we find out Bronco and his friends, with their unique challenges, are essential guests at God’s big party.
You Are Special by Max Lucado
- In another classic pro-life book, Max Lucado demonstrates that the labels others put on us are not helpful or accurate, reminding us of our uniqueness. When we lean into God’s story, we find out just how special He made us.
Thoughtful: Discovering the Unique Gifts in Each of Us by Dorena Williamson
- This pro-life book shares important lessons about friendship, disabilities and the value we each have as God’s children.
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
- Another book that was not necessarily intended to be pro-life – yet, it is an excellent example of how life from the womb to the tomb is sacred. The beautiful journey of a mother loving her infant son, to her son eventually doing the same in her old age is extraordinary. The cycle of love and life they share brings dignity to both the parent and the child.
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
- Written in 1922, this classic story tells of how nursery toys come to life. More specifically, it demonstrates that real life – the one worth having – has a cost. This pro-life book displays a story of how the cost of love and sacrifice is what makes us better and more real.
Pro-Life Movies for the Early Years
- The Unbreakable Boy starts with the relationship of Scott and Teresa that ends up with an unexpected pregnancy. They choose life, but still have the ups and downs of new parents who are still learning about each other. In addition, their son has brittle-bone disease and is on the autism spectrum, so he is often misunderstood. This movie shows the value of life and the joy of rejoicing in life, even when it looks different from what we expected.
- The Wild Robot shows the love and beautiful sacrifice of motherhood when a robot becomes a gosling’s adoptive mother.
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!
- The concept of being alive but not seen is vital in helping children understand pre-born life. A famous line from the movie and book is, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” Also, the antagonist (a grumpy kangaroo) accuses Horton of telling lies. An excellent springboard for discussion about the debates surrounding pro-life and pro-choice perspectives.
- While there is a lot of toilet humor in this movie, one can’t help but be touched as the once-villainous Gru changes his way through the love of his adopted family. This pro-life movie encourages discussions about the adoption of sibling groups and all that entails.
- An animated movie that shares the adventure of an unexpected baby delivery. This pro-life movie shows the value of children through the delivery team that brings the baby to the family.
- A fantastic adoption movie about kids who are in foster care. Sometimes adoption is the right choice, and the family that comes together because of it can be amazing.
- The Ant Bully, Lucas, learns about the value of not picking on those smaller than him. This pro-life movie also conveys that when we work together to protect each other, we become better versions of ourselves.
- A comedy that shows caring for kids is even better than a high-powered career. It’s especially influential to see fathers and mothers making sacrifices for the good of their children.
- It is an accidental pro-life movie where two people choose to protect the child, Cruella, from death. This sacrifice on their part is seen as praiseworthy. Even the famously evil Cruella acknowledges her love for the woman who saved her.
How to Train Your Dragon (2025)
- Hiccup lives in a Viking village where killing dragons is their way of life. His choice not to kill but instead to befriend his captured dragon, Toothless, suggests that every life has value even when it is misunderstood.
- Paddington is a small bear from Peru who comes to London alone and is vulnerable. The Brown family takes Paddington in and cares for him as their own, reflecting the principle of defending those who cannot protect themselves.
- This pro-life movie centers around a young orphan girl and the BFG, a gentle giant who protects children from the other giants who wish to do them harm.
Pro-Life Books for Teens
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
- The diary of a young Jewish girl living in hiding from the Germans and concentration camps. It is a hard time in history to learn about, but seeing the humanity of a young girl deemed “subhuman” is an essential lesson that no one should forget.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- A horror book examining what happens when life and even death are not honored. A monster is created when humans try to play God and make decisions outside of nature.
The Children of Men by P.D. James
- A dystopian novel about a future where the human race is infertile. The idea that a world without children is a world without hope gives one something to ponder.
Waking Rose: (A Fairy Tale Retold #3) by Regina Doman
- A pro-life book that is a retelling of the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty, set in contemporary times. The theme of abortion is discussed in the book.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- Set in in Nazi Germany, Death tells the story that examines the value of life and foster care. Liesel, the book thief and main character, learns a great deal as her foster family hides a Jew in their basement.
Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
- What beliefs are so core to our existence that we would give up comfort and wealth for them? This pro-life book mixes humor mashed with profound questions about what we believe. Everything Sad is Untrue will give families a glimpse into how our faith and the value of family are worth everything.
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
- This book is full of profanity, drugs and questionable choices. Nevertheless, it still shows a young man accepting the demanding responsibility of being a teen, single father and the community that comes around him. It is a gritty tale that elevates choosing life and being responsible for our choices.
The Chosen: I Have Called You by Name by Jerry B. Jenkins
- The dramatized story of Mary, Matthew and Simon and their complete change from who they were by their connection with Jesus because He sees value in their life. Each life is unique and called into existence by God.
Tilly by Frank Peretti
- A story of a woman’s healing journey after discovering that an abortion from her past is causing her mental anguish. A story filled with grace.
Run, Rose, Run by James Patterson and Dolly Parton
- Authors James Patterson and Dolly Parton have created a well-written and immersive pro-life book. It’s a heaven-and-hell story of an abused young woman reaching for stardom, showing the horrors of human trafficking. Nevertheless, it finishes with a positive note of love, acceptance and redemption.
Pro-Life Movies for Teens
- This inspiring true story gives us a poignant glimpse at both sides of what it might feel like to make the courageous decision for adoption. The child later ponders if they want to reconnect with their birth mother, providing a deep, meaningful look at the beauty and mixed sorry of adoption.
- This teen movie about a boy with superhero qualities highlights a caring, healthy foster family.
- This continues the lovely story of Billy Batson’s foster family and their unconditional love for one another.
- Auggie’s mom calls him a “wonder,” and after 27 surgeries to help him function from his congenital disorder, he is a wonder. However, that doesn’t mean everyone else sees Auggie as a wonder, especially his classmates. Yet, the friends mature, and the family comes together in a way that encourages others to see the wonder in Auggie and themselves.
- In this story about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, we learn more about his triumphant and sometimes tragic life. The movie includes his work as an abolitionist, writing poems that pleaded for the cause of the South’s enslaved population.
- This pro-life movie goes on the historical journey with William Wilberforce as he works to abolish slavery in England. Slavery was a concept that was considered legal and perfectly acceptable, much like abortion today.
- Not necessarily intending to be a pro-life movie, this film highlights Katniss and her willingness to replace her sister in the Hunger Games. It also looks at a society that oppresses others and has so little value for life that they consider it entertainment, watching children fight to the death in their games.
Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 & 2
- This vampire and werewolf movie is not for everyone. However, when Bella finds out she is pregnant, all of her family and friends make extraordinary sacrifices to help Bella through her pregnancy. They also protect Bella’s child from those who mistrust a half-human, half-vampire child.
- A young orphan boy is bullied because he is different. Yet, he uses his differences, the music inside, to find himself and his family. This movie has a strong message of accepting everyone’s unique qualities and the importance of family.
- A mother grieves the death of her nine-year-old son. Yet, one day, she wakes up, and everyone denies he even existed. The mother fights back, showing that children are a blessing and affirms the humanity of preborn children.
- What happens when murder is no longer called murder? At the center of this pro-life movie is the examination of euthanasia and what happens when someone else determines which lives have value.
- The Island is a place where humans are genetically created to be “spare parts” for the rich and famous. Who has the “right” over another human body? If someone is “paid for,” do they belong to the buyer?
- Alita, a robot, is found in the trash. What others had deemed disposable, a kind doctor saw as something beautiful and worthy of life. The doctor repairs her, and she ends up helping others.
- In this pro-life movie, Nina doesn’t want to have her baby. She explains all the reasons why an abortion is a good idea to her new friend, Jose. Jose encourages her simply by listening to her story and being there as they ponder the layers of fear a young woman faces with an unexpected pregnancy.
- A young woman discovered that she was the result of a “failed” abortion. She then searches for her birth mother. A deep movie that highlights the value of redemption.
- Zak is a young man with down syndrome who dreams of becoming a wrestler. His journey to follow his dream reinforces that everyone deserves the chance to live fully.
- This film critiques a royal family where daughters are sacrificed to a dragon, treating their lives as expendable. Elodie’s efforts to protect her sister from this fate is a stance against the devaluation of human life.
- Centering on Ruby, the only hearing member of her deaf family, this pro-life movie focuses on respect for the dignity of every person, regardless of physical challenges.
- There is tension between raising Mary purely for her academic gifts versus allowing her to have a normal childhood. Mary’s uncle, Frank fights to give her a loving and stable home amidst heavy disagreement.
Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot
- A true story about a Christian couple from Texas who adopted four children and inspired 22 other families in their church to adopt 77 children from foster care.
Non-Fiction, Pro-Life Books With Mature Themes
Unexpected Choice by Patti Giebink, MD
- Learn from Dr. Giebink about her faith journey and how she left Planned Parenthood to become a pro-life advocate.
The Case for Life by Scott Klusendorf
- Recently extended, this pro-life book has a way of making the pro-life convictions easy to grasp and share. Klusendorf’s thoughtful approach helps even the most fearful pro-life person feel confident in engaging in the debates around abortion.
You Carried Me by Melissa Ohden
- The people we should be hearing from in the debate on abortion are those who have survived an abortion. How do they feel about abortion?
Fighting for Life by Lila Rose
- Fighting for Life is a guidebook on activism by Lila Rose of Live Action. In this pro-life book, readers will learn more about Rose’s journey and how they, too, can be pro-life advocates.
The Walls are Talking: Former Abortion Clinic Workers Tell Their Stories by Abby Johnson with Kristen Detrow
- Johnson shares stories of former abortion clinic workers and how they left the abortion industry after a change of heart. These are hard stories but also ones of hope.
Courageous: Students Abolishing Abortion in This Lifetime by Kristan Hawkins
- Generation Z is called the pro-life generation. Find out why and how they are making a difference for life.
- This is the pro-life book that inspired the creation of the movie “Unplanned.”
Pro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Arguments by Randy Alcorn
- A concise handbook that gives honest, easy-to-understand answers to common pro-choice arguments.
Hand of God: A Journey from Death to Life by the Abortion Doctor Who Changed His Mind by Dr. Bernard Nathanson
- Dr. Bernard Nathanson was famous for helping legalize abortions. He was involved with over 61,000 abortions, but then everything changed. This autobiography shares how the doctor of death became the defender of life. He converted to Christianity and helped create the documentary The Silent Scream.
Help Her Be Brave: Discover Your Place in the Pro-Life Movement by Amy Ford
- This pro-life book is a discovery process where everyone can learn their unique way to help empower women to choose life for themselves and their pre-born babies.
Pro-Life Movies and Documentaries With Mature Themes
- A pro-life movie about Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood Clinic Director, and how she changed her mind about abortion. Warning: there are a few graphic scenes depicting an abortion procedure.
- An inspirational pro-life documentary about Pastor Lee and his wife, who saved abandoned babies in South Korea.
- A film about infamous abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell, who kept the baby parts he helped abort.
- A historical movie about how Roe V. Wade came to the Supreme Court and became law.
The Silent Scream
- The 1984 anti-abortion film narrated by Dr. Bernard Nathanson, the original doctor who helped abortion become legal.
Pro-Life Thought Begins in the Bible
In conclusion, the pro-life movies and books listed can help us think through the critical topic of the value and sanctity of life. Of course, this is a listing of entertainment. Movies and books are good, but they are fluff compared to the foundation of Scripture. Below are several articles about passages of scripture that talk about life. So, as you choose the best movies and books for the whole family, keep your Bible handy!
- What Does the Bible Say About Abortion?
- What Does the Bible Say About the Beginning of Life?
- Scriptures Advocating for the Pre-Born
- Six Scriptures that Speak up for Those Who Can’t Speak for Themselves
- Is the Bible Really Pro-Life?
- Abortion in the Bible
- The History of Christianity and Abortion
- Is Abortion a Sin?
