Look, this is a Disney sports movie from 2000, so temper your expectations about cinematic brilliance. That said, Remember the Titans does what it sets out to do remarkably well.

It's one of the better tools out there for talking to kids about school integration and racism without being preachy or unwatchable. The football framework keeps kids engaged while the real story—about people learning to see past their prejudices—unfolds. Denzel Washington brings gravitas, and the ensemble cast actually makes you care.

The downsides: it's definitely dated (that early 2000s Disney sheen, the pacing, the soundtrack), and the racial content is heavy. You'll hear slurs, see real animosity, and deal with a significant character death. This isn't background viewing—you need to be ready to pause and talk.

But here's the thing: if you're looking for a way to introduce civil rights history to middle schoolers that isn't a documentary they'll tune out, this actually works. The 93% audience score isn't lying—people genuinely connect with this movie. Just know it's a teaching tool disguised as entertainment, not the other way around.