List of Movies That Portray Authentic Masculinity

If we look at cinema and entertainment, we see today a lack of authentic manhood. Today’s shows are portraying men as sissies, ladies’ man who can’t be committal to just one woman, or someone who doesn’t display strong leadership.

The good news is that plenty of movies, mainly during the Golden Era of Hollywood, will inspire someone to bring back the positive message of manhood. While the article features ten movies, there is plenty to add to the growing list. We can only hope that Hollywood will go back to positively portraying men as strong, tough, and even brave.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Atticus. That is all that needs to be said. He shares how a man should display moral courage in adversity.

Rocky

Rocky Balboa has shown us, movie after movie, what it takes to overcome the odds against him. He showed the world that he was one in a million.

One example is how he accepted Apollo’s request for a rematch. Though he nearly gave up he was able to build up the confidence and determination to go into the ring again and the distance against Creed.

Another example is how he was able to have a positive demeanor outside of the ring with Paulie and Gazzo. He even threw away his grudge against his trainer, Mickey, to have him prepare for the title bout.

We Were Soldiers

This is based on a true story film that follows Col. Hal Moore (a Catholic) and his leadership during the Battle of Ia Drang Valley, the first major battle of the Vietnam War.

Moore is portrayed as someone who was determined to lead his men into battle, ensure that all would make it home, dead or alive, and most importantly willing to foster relationships with the men who look up to him.

One scene that strikes me is how he talks to a young lieutenant who recently became a father and struggles with being a father and soldier. Moore gives his advice, which sticks with him. They end the time together praying.

Captain America

The first Avenger deserves a spot on the list. Steve Rogers is some scrawny kid from Brooklyn who is selected to be the first Super Soldier to defeat the Nazis.

Dr. Abraham Erskine would speak with the young volunteer about why he was chosen. He tells Rogers, “The serum amplifies everything that is inside, so good becomes great; bad becomes worse. This is why you were chosen. Because the strong man who has known power all his life, may lose respect for that power, but a weak man knows the value of strength, and knows... compassion.”

In the end, Captain America shows us how he became a good man and did not comply with his physical strength but what was within him.

Braveheart

Mel Gibson’s portrayal of William Wallace was one for the ages. Wallace teaches men to stand up and find a cause worth fighting for. Even if it means defending one’s inalienable rights.

Gladiator

The 2000 Oscar winner follows a disavowed Roman general who seeks revenge against the emperor for betraying him and murdering his family.

Maximus takes part in a series of gladiator battles that would bring him to Rome. He wasn’t afraid of showing everyone who he was despite.

The Bells of St. Mary

Okay, everyone who is reading this would like for me to add a movie that positively portrays a priest. Well, thank me later. Bing Crosby’s character Father O’Malley makes the list. The 1945 classic tells the story of a priest and nun coming together to save a school from being shut down.

Father O’Malley helps a mom reunite with the father of one of his students.

The Fugitive

Dr. Richard Kimble is convicted of murder. Here’s the problem: he is innocent. When a fellow inmate planned an escape, he used it as a chance to prove his innocence.

Kimble went far to prove his innocence, even reaching out to a close colleague who would later be revealed that he was involved in his wife’s murder.

He never gave up on proving that he never killed Helen. The movie teaches man to stand up for what is right and never stop until the end.

The Patriot

This Historic movie is set during the American Revolution. Benjamin Martin, a veteran of the French and Indian War was living a quiet life on a farm in South Carolina raising his seven children alone.

When he was summoned to Charlestown to help pass a measure to favor independence, he sides in not taking part in the war.

It would change when a British soldier kills his son and attempts to hang his oldest son for spying against the crown.

Martin and his oldest son would form a militia to hold the British in the south until the French arrived on the side of the Continentals. As he formed the ragtag renegade, he led by example, freed his captive men, and helped turn the tide of the war.

Martin teaches us to always fight for a cause worthy of dying for. He also teaches that leaders must be willing to bore the good and bad of war. He also teaches to be a protector and provider for one’s family.

Lord of the Rings

The trilogy gives us a glimpse of what manhood is about. There is no doubt Tolkien was smiling at how the film would run away with some Oscar wins in the early 2000s.

First, let’s look at Aragorn. He is tough and brave. He is unafraid of taking up the gauntlet. He even shares knowledge of survival. He helps the hobbits to navigate territory they are not familiar with.

Frodo and Sam displayed platonic friendship through the trilogy. They were able to show how much each meant to each other, support one another, and have each other’s back. This was done without displaying sin.

Who would you add to the list?