Background Using commercially available television and movies is a potentially effective tool to foster humanistic, compassionate and person-centred orientations in medical students.

Aim We reviewed pedagogical applications of television and movies in medical education to explore whether and why this innovation holds promise.

Methods We performed a literature review to provide a narrative summary on this topic.

Results Further studies are needed with richer descriptions of innovations and more rigorous research designs.

Conclusion As we move toward evidence-informed education, we need an evidence- based examination of this topic that will move it beyond a ‘show and tell’ discussion toward meaningful implementation and evaluation. Further exploration regarding the theoretical basis for using television and movies in medical education will help substantiate continued efforts to use these media as teaching tools.