The Great Debaters is a 2007 American (Cinema of the United States) biopic (biography film) period drama film (period drama) directed by and starring two-time Academy Award (Academy Awards) winner Denzel Washington and produced by Oprah Winfrey and her production company, Harpo Productions. It is based on an article written about the Wiley College debate team by Tony Scherman for the 1997 Spring issue of American Legacy..

The film co-stars Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Denzel Washington, Nate Parker, Denzel Whitaker, Gina Ravera, Jermaine Williams and Jurnee Smollett. The screenplay was written by Robert Eisele. The film was released in theaters on December 25, 2007.

The film was rated PG-13 (Motion Picture Association of America#The five ratings) for "depiction of strong thematic elements including violence and disturbing images, and for language (profanity) and brief sexuality (sexual content)".