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

122 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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Jamie M

@RT90644126 Oct 28, 2026

An A+ emotional core. If your metric for a good film is cold, detached novelty, you might dismiss this as "nothing new." But for the rest of us, Freedom Writers is a raw, unforgettable powerhouse that reminds you why real stories matter. Don't let the cynics fool you—this one earns every single tear.

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Juan G

@RT11381069 Oct 21, 2026

Powerful message, inspirational, eye opener on how childrens life are impacted by gang life. Watch it with an open mind & non critic lense.

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Essence S

@RT00379309 Oct 21, 2026

Freedom Writers is an exceptional film that merits close attention to its intricate details and inspiration. By presenting diverse perspectives, the movie fosters a deeper understanding; it is profoundly inspirational and encouraging.

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treeart Z

@RT18173845 Oct 6, 2026

早期的伪3d动画，但很显然没有做好，动作表情太僵硬

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Cammy S

@cameron.scott Oct 5, 2026

Inspirational and moving.

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Jasmine W

@jasniquejewels Aug 31, 2026

inspirational moving and impacting.

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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

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Freedom Writers: Official Clip - You Are Not Failing

1:35

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

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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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