Audiences can feel a sense of empathy and shared experience thanks to films. In a manner that other media cannot, they are able to communicate complex emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Films that explore mental health concerns through storytelling might aid viewers in understanding and empathizing with the struggles of those who deal with mental health issues.
1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
– USA
The efforts of a group of patients in a mental hospital against the oppressive system are the subject of this movie. The movie, which stars Jack Nicholson in a legendary performance, tackles themes of power, control, and revolt.
In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), the power dynamics between patients and staff are depicted as they existed in the 1960s mental health system.
It emphasizes the value of individual liberty and the perils of powerful people abusing their position of authority. The idea of sanity and how it is defined and upheld by society are also topics covered in the movie.
2. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
– USA
In this biographical play, the life of mathematician John Nash—who has schizophrenia—is followed. It illustrates the difficulties he encounters while attempting to manage his personal and professional lives and maintain his mental health.
The biographical play A Beautiful Mind centers on John Nash, a mathematician, and his battle with schizophrenia. The movie shows how mental illness can affect a person’s personal and professional life and emphasizes the value of family support and professional assistance in treating mental illness symptoms.
3. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
– USA
This romantic comedy-drama centers on a bipolar guy who, after being discharged from a mental institution, moves home with his parents. He meets a woman who shares his troubles, and they become friends because of their commonality.
The romantic comedy-drama Silver Linings Playbook from 2012 portrays the hardships of people with bipolar disease and their attempts to find love and acceptance.
It emphasizes the value of counseling and medication in treating mental illness and shows how a caring environment may have a positive influence on the healing process.
4. The Soloist (2009)
– USA
This fictionalized account of a journalist who befriends a cello-playing homeless man is based on a factual incident. The man, who suffers from schizophrenia, finds it difficult to manage street life while coping with his mental illness.
The Soloist is based on the genuine account of a mentally ill homeless musician and the journalist’s efforts to assist him. The stigma around mental illness is brought to light in the movie, as well as the challenges people with mental illnesses encounter while trying to get help and assistance.
5. Girl, Interrupted (1999)
– USA
This drama is based on Susanna Kaysen’s memoir, who spent time in a mental institution in the 1960s. Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie give great performances as it examines topics of mental illness, institutionalization, and identity.
The 1999 film Girl, Interrupted is based on the genuine account of a young woman’s stay in a mental institution. The movie explores the difficulties faced by those who suffer from mental illness as well as the complexities of the mental health system, including the consequences of power relationships and stigma.
6. Shine (1996)
– Australia
The pianist David Helfgott, who has a mental collapse and is institutionalized, is the subject of this biographical drama. The film, which follows his quest for healing and repentance, stars Geoffrey Rush in a stunning performance.
The 1996 film Shinetells the tale of a talented pianist who battles schizophrenia. The movie emphasizes the value of family support, competent medical care, and self-care in dealing with mental illness.
7. Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
– USA
A high school student is followed as he negotiates life, love, and mental health in this coming-of-age drama. It addresses issues like trauma, despair, and healing and has a youthful cast that gives outstanding performances.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) shows the challenges faced by a teen with mental illness, such as depression and PTSD. The movie emphasizes how crucial it is to establish a supportive group of people and get expert assistance while dealing with mental health issues.
8. Melancholia (2011)
– Denmark/Sweden/France/Germany
This science fiction drama was produced in Denmark, Sweden, France, and Germany. It follows two sisters, one of whom struggles with depression, as they try to survive in a world that is in danger of colliding with a rogue planet. It examines issues like existential dread, mortality, and mental disease.
A lady suffering from despair and anxiety has a mental breakdown in the science fiction drama Melancholia(2011) while Earth is in danger of colliding with a planet. The movie looks at subjects including mortality, familial ties, and mental illness.
9. Blue Jasmine (2013)
– USA
This play centers on a woman who, after learning of her husband’s financial wrongdoing, experiences a nervous collapse. It explores issues of power, class, and mental illness, and Cate Blanchett gives a remarkable performance.
The film Blue Jasmine (2013) explores a woman’s battle with melancholy and anxiety following a horrific occurrence in her life. The significance of getting professional assistance, the negative impacts of trauma on mental health, and the difficulties of family connections are all highlighted in the movie.
10. Prozac Nation (2001)
– USA/Canada
This play is based on the biography of 1980s teenage writer Elizabeth Wurtzel, who battles addiction and depression. Self-destruction, creativity, and the pharmaceutical industry are among the subjects it examines.
A play on a young woman’s struggle with depression and the impact of medication on her mental health, based on a memoir, is called Prozac Nation (2001).
The film emphasizes the difficulties in managing medications and the value of therapy in the treatment of mental illness.
11. The Hours (2002)
– USA/UK
This drama explores the intertwining lives of three women, all of whom are coping with distinct mental health issues. Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and Julianne Moore all deliver outstanding performances as it examines issues of sadness, suicide, and the search for meaning.
The play The Hours from 2002 follows three ladies with mental illness through several eras of their lives. The movie emphasizes the value of family support and the complexity of mental illness as it affects people at various stages of life.
12. Birdy (1984)
– USA
Two childhood friends are the subjects of this drama, one of whom has PTSD from having served in the Vietnam War. Nicolas Cage and Matthew Modine give outstanding performances as it examines themes of trauma, identity, and the fight to reintegrate into society.
The drama Birdy, from 1984, is about the challenges of two friends, one of whom suffers from PTSD as a result of his experiences in the Vietnam War. The movie shows how trauma affects mental health and how crucial friendship and support are to healing.
13. Black Swan (2010)
– USA
This psychological horror-thriller depicts the tale of a ballerina who gradually loses her mind as she practices for a “Swan Lake” performance. It explores issues like perfectionism, paranoia, and the price of artistic achievement and Natalie Portman gives a remarkable performance.
Anxiety and depression-related mental breakdown of a ballet dancer are portrayed in Black Swan (2010), the psychological horror movie. The movie emphasizes the complexity of mental illness, especially the connection between perfectionism and difficulties with mental health.
14. It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010)
– USA
This coming-of-age comedy-drama centers on a young man who, after experiencing sadness and suicidal thoughts, checks himself into a mental health facility. It explores issues including mental illness, friendship, and the value of getting help. Keir Gilchrist and Emma Roberts give outstanding performances.
It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010) – An adolescent guy who is experiencing despair and suicidal thoughts is shown in the film. He checks himself into a mental health facility, and the movie follows him as he makes his way through his stay and toward recovery. The difficulties and complications of managing mental health concerns, particularly in teens, are vividly depicted in the film.
15. An Angel at My Table (1990)
– New Zealand/Australia/UK
This biographical drama chronicles the tale of writer Janet Frame, who spent years in mental facilities after receiving a false schizophrenia diagnosis. It boasts a great performance by Kerry Fox and addresses ideas of creativity, individuality, and the battle for acceptance of oneself.
An Angel at My Table (1990) – The true tale of New Zealand author Janet Frame and her struggle with mental illness served as the inspiration for the film.
Her battles with schizophrenia are depicted, as well as how she was handled by the mental health system in the 1940s and 1950s. The film makes a strong statement on the stigma associated with mental illness and the need for more sensitive and humane care.
16. Elling (2001)
– Norway
Two men with mental health issues are followed as they navigate life outside of a psychiatric facility in this comedy-drama. Christian Ellefsen and Sven Nordin give outstanding performances as it examines the strength of human connection, individuality, and friendship.
Elling(2001) – This Norwegian movie tells the tale of two guys who are ordered to cohabitate in a state-funded flat after being released from a mental facility.
As they attempt to acclimatize to life outside of the facility, the movie depicts their challenges with social anxiety, agoraphobia, and other mental health conditions.
The film offers a touching and light-hearted look at the struggles people with mental health concerns deal with on a daily basis.
17. The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005)
– USA
The singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston, who has battled schizophrenia and bipolar disease his whole life, is the subject of this documentary. It looks at topics like disease, creativity, and the ability of art to heal.
The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005) – The movie chronicles the life of Daniel Johnston, a talented singer-songwriter who also battles severe mental illness.
His battles with manic depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder are chronicled in the film. The portrayal of mental illness and how it can affect a person’s life and relationships is informative and honest.
18. The Babadook (2014)
– Australia
The Babadook, a terrifying supernatural being, haunts a single mother and her son in this horror movie. Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman give outstanding performances, as the film addresses issues of bereavement, trauma, and the evil that can lurk inside of us all.
The Babadook (2014) – The horror movie chronicles the effects of a single mother’s despair on her and her little kid. The mother’s mental condition and how it consumes her are metaphorically represented by the Babadook character in the film. The movie is a somber portrayal of the effects of mental illness on both the affected person and those around them.
19. Donnie Darko (2001)
– USA
This surreal movie portrays a troubled teen who has terrible images of a big rabbit that tricks him into doing bad things. It examines issues including time travel, mental illness, and the fuzziness of reality.
Donnie Darko (2001) – In the film, a teen kid who is having mental health problems and sees visions of a huge rabbit is the main character.
The movie shows the difficulties of dealing with mental illness, especially in youth, and how it can affect how one perceives the world. The film explores the human psyche in a bizarre and provocative way.
20. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
– USA
In this eerie movie, four people’s lives are seen as they spiral toward drug addiction and despair. Addiction, illusion, and the effects of one’s behavior are some of the issues it examines.
Requiem for a Dream (2000) – The representation of addiction and its effects on one’s mental health is dark and dramatic. It depicts the devastation that results from four people’s lives being consumed by their addictions. A heartbreaking portrayal of the downward spiral that addiction may lead to and the toll it takes on mental health can be found in the film.
21. The Snake Pit (1948)
– USA
In this timeless movie, a woman with amnesia fights to rediscover her memories while living in a mental hospital. It examines issues including institutionalization, the stigma associated with mental illness, and the value of compassion and empathy.
The Snake Pit (1948) – The narrative of a lady who is sent to a mental institution and her experiences there is told in this novel-based film. The film depicts the harsh treatment of patients and the stigma that existed at the time regarding mental illness.
The film’s revolutionary portrayal of mental illness contributed to the public’s increased awareness of the need for more empathetic and humane care.
22. I Am Sam (2001)
– USA
A guy with an intellectual impairment battles for custody of his daughter in this endearing drama. It looks at issues including stigma, prejudice, and the value of family support.
I Am Sam (2001) – An intellectually disabled dad battling for custody of his little daughter is the subject of the movie. The difficulties he encounters as a result of his impairment and how it affects his mental health are depicted in the film.
The hardships that people with intellectual disabilities encounter are poignantly and tenderly shown in the movie, underscoring the value of showing them care and respect.
23. Benny and Joon (1993)
– USA
A mentally ill woman and her relationship with an eccentric, free-spirited man are the subjects of this quirky romantic comedy. It looks at issues like love, acceptance, and the difficulties loved ones and persons with mental illness confront.
Benny and Joon (1993) – The narrative of a young woman with a mental illness living with her brother is depicted in the film. The difficulties that people with mental illness and their families experience are depicted in the movie, along with the significance of compassion and support. The film is an endearing representation of the relationship between siblings and the strength of love and acceptance.
24. As Good as It Gets (1997)
– USA
This romantic comedy-drama examines the odd relationships between a misanthropic writer with obsessive-compulsive disorder and his neighbor and a gay artist. It looks at the influence of human connection, social isolation, and mental disease.
As Good as It Gets (1997) is a movie about a misanthropic author who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. The difficulties that people with OCD encounter and the effects that it can have on their daily lives are depicted in the film. The movie portrays mental illness and how it may affect relationships in a moving and amusing way.
25. The Fisher King (1991)
– USA
This innovative movie depicts a former radio shock jock who tries to find forgiveness by aiding a mentally ill homeless guy. It looks at issues like guilt, trauma, and the effectiveness of forgiving and compassion.
The Fisher King (1991) – The narrative of a former radio DJ who is dealing with guilt and sadness following a tragedy is told in this film. The movie shows his battle with mental illness and how, thanks to his friendship with a homeless guy, he discovers hope and healing. The film is a compelling examination of the human psyche and the value of empathy and human connection.
26. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
– South Korea
This chilling horror movie centers on two sisters who, after a spell in a mental hospital, return to their family home. Themes of dysfunctional families, trauma, and the imprecise boundary between reality and illusion are all explored.
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) – The movie chronicles the tale of two sisters who, following a spell in a mental hospital, come home to their father and stepmother.
Their battles with mental illness and the effects it has had on their family are depicted in the film. The movie explores the impact of trauma and the human mind in an eerie and scary way.
27. Fight Club (1999)
– USA
This cult classic centers on a sleep-deprived office worker who creates a bloody underground club as a way to deal with his existential despondency. It looks at topics like materialism, machismo, and the darkest sides of the human psyche.
Fight Club (1999) – The movie is about a man who has sleeplessness and how he finds comfort at a support group for people with testicular cancer.
The impact on his mental health and how he becomes overtaken by his alter persona are both depicted in the film. The movie is a compelling examination of the human brain and how mental illness can skew our perceptions of reality.
28. Take Shelter (2011)
– USA
This psychological thriller centers on a man who experiences frequent end-of-the-world visions and who finds it difficult to distinguish between reality and his own mental condition. It looks at issues including paranoia, family relationships, and fear of losing.
Take Shelter (2011) – The film follows a guy who is persuaded that a devastating storm is approaching and has a growing obsession with building a shelter.
His battles with anxiety and how they affect his relationships and daily life are depicted in the movie. The influence of anxiety on mental health is thoroughly explored in this compelling film.
29. Clean, Shaven (1993)
– USA
This frightening movie depicts a guy suffering from schizophrenia as he looks for his daughter while being pursued by the police and his own illusions. Topics including stigma, medicine, and the hazy border between sanity and insanity are all explored.
Clean, Shaven (1993) – In this movie, a guy with schizophrenia is freed from a mental hospital and makes an effort to get in touch with his daughter.
The difficulties that people with mental illness encounter and the effects that it can have on their relationships are depicted in the film. The movie presents a real-life and unvarnished view of mental illness and the need for more understanding and assistance.
30. Pi (1998)
– USA
This frightening movie depicts a guy suffering from schizophrenia as he looks for his daughter while being pursued by the police and his own illusions. Topics including stigma, medicine, and the hazy border between sanity and insanity are all explored.
Pi(1998) is a 1998 film about a mathematician who has a growing obsession with spotting patterns in the stock market. His battles with anxiety and how they affect his mental health are depicted in the movie. The film is an intensive and bizarre examination of the human psyche and how mental illness can affect how one perceives reality.
31. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
– France/USA
This moving movie is based on the true tale of a journalist who has a stroke and develops locked-in syndrome, which limits his ability to speak by blinking his left eye. The fragility of the human body, the human spirit’s tenacity, and themes of mortality are all explored.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007): This movie is a heartwarming and motivational depiction of Jean-Dominique Bauby’s life after he had a stroke and lost all motor function—aside from his left eye.
His communication difficulties and the loneliness he experiences as a result of being unable to physically communicate with the outside world are depicted in the movie.
He uses a communication method that uses only his left eye to write his biography, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” thanks to his tenacity and willpower. This movie celebrates the strength of the human spirit and our capacity to overcome significant obstacles.
32. Amour (2012)
– France/Austria/Germany
The movie stars Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva as the major performers and covers themes of aging, love, and the difficulties of providing care.
At the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, Amourwon the Palme d’Or and garnered favorable reviews. It is a moving depiction of the difficulties of love as well as the facts of aging and disease.
Amour (2012) is a French movie about an elderly couple named Georges and Anne and how their lives are affected by Anne having a stroke.
The movie explores the realities of aging and disease and how they affect both the person and their loved ones. As they deal with the challenging decisions that come with illness and end-of-life care, the couple’s love and commitment to one another are put to the test. This movie emphasizes the value of compassion and empathy as well as the difficulties involved in providing care for a sick loved one.
33. The Seventh Seal (1957)
– Sweden
Ingmar Bergman is the director of the 1957 Swedish movie The Seventh Seal. It is a philosophical investigation of life, death, and the human condition presented in the movie.
In this Swedish movie, a medieval knight named Antonius Block travels to a region that has been decimated by the disease after returning from the Crusades.
In an effort to delay his demise, he confronts Death and challenges him to a game of chess. The search for purpose in life, faith, and mortality are all topics covered in the movie. The role of Death in the movie forces spectators to face their own mortality and consider the meaning of life.
34. Persona (1966)
– Sweden
The relationship between a nurse and her patient, an actress who has stopped speaking, is explored in a Swedish film by Ingmar Bergman. A detailed picture of mental illness and the psychological ramifications of trauma is provided in the film, which also tackles topics of identity, perception, and the hazy boundary between truth and illusion.
Persona(1966): This Swedish movie is about a nurse named Alma who is assigned to care for an actress named Elisabet who has unexpectedly gone mute.
Identity, mental illness, and the hazy boundaries between truth and fiction are some of the themes the movie examines. Viewers are prompted to consider their own sense of self and the purpose of their existence by the strange and contemplative tone of the movie.
35. Through a Glass Darkly (1961)
– Sweden
Ingmar Bergman’s 1961 Swedish drama Through a Glass Darkly examines the complexity of familial connections and mental illness.
Karin, a young woman, and her family are spending the summer on a secluded island in this Swedish film. Karin is battling mental illness, and her family’s efforts to support her only make things worse.
Family dynamics, mental illness, and the pursuit of purpose in life are all topics covered in the movie. The film’s bleak, contemplative aesthetic forces viewers to face the terrible reality of mental illness and its effects on families and relationships.
It talks about the strained relationships of a family on vacation. The movie discusses issues around mental illness, especially in relation to Karin, a character who battles schizophrenia.
The effects of mental illness on people and families are realistically and honestly depicted in the movie.
36. Wild Strawberries (1957)
– Sweden
This Swedish movie is about a senior professor named Isak Borg who is traveling to pick up a prize for his work. Along the journey, he faces his history and accepts his regrets and shortcomings.
The search for meaning in life, aging, and regret are all topics covered in the movie. The film’s reflective and introspective tone encourages viewers to consider their own lives as well as the value of friendships and personal development.
Films like La Dolce Vita (1960), Fanny and Alexander (1982), and Wild Strawberries (1957) all deal with existentialism, loneliness, and isolation. The films provide incisive commentary on the human condition and the psychological implications of these common difficulties, even though they do not directly talk about mental health issues.
37. Fanny and Alexander (1982)
– Sweden
Ingmar Bergman’s 1982 Swedish film Fanny and Alexander addresses the psychological anguish experienced by a family following the father’s unexpected death.
As Fanny and Alexander navigate their way through their grief and the turbulent emotions that come with it, the movie delves into the inner lives of the characters, especially the two kids.
The movie also examines the psychological effects of authoritarianism through the repressive and deceitful actions of the bishop who weds the mother of the children.
This part of the movie emphasizes how power relations, particularly in the case of vulnerable people like children, can harm mental health.
38. The Red Balloon (1956)
– France
The Red Balloon (1956): This classic French movie tells the tale of a little boy who makes a sentient red balloon his friend while walking through the streets of Paris.
Although the movie isn’t specifically about mental health, it’s been seen as a metaphor for isolation and loneliness and how the company of people, even inanimate objects, may offer solace and support.
39. The Double Life of Veronique (1991)
– Poland/France
Krzysztof Kielowski’s Polish-French film The Double Life of Veronique (1991) explores the idea of duality via the lives of two identical women who reside in Poland and France.
The film’s use of dreamlike sequences and symbolic imagery adds to the overall sense of unease and uncertainty surrounding the mental and emotional states of the two women.
It suggests that they may be experiencing some form of dissociation or existential crisis, which is further explored through their interactions with other characters and the events that unfold throughout the film.
40. Three Colors Trilogy
– France/Poland/Switzerland
Kieslowski’s Three Colours Trilogy, which consists of the films Blue (1993), White (1994), and Red (1994), addresses the concepts of liberty, equality, and fraternity, respectively.
The films don’t discuss mental health specifically, but they do touch on the difficulties of interpersonal relationships, the pursuit of meaning, and social connections, all of which have significant effects on mental health.
41. The Lives of Others (2006)
– Germany
German film The Lives of Others (2006) addresses the psychological costs of living under an oppressive system while examining topics of power, control, and the human spirit. The movie presents a complex picture of how isolation, fear, and monitoring affect people’s minds and how society functions.
In the German movie The Lives of Others (2006), a Stasi operative is charged with spying on a playwright and his lover in 1980s East Germany.
The movie tackles issues of monitoring, secrecy, and the damaging effects of authoritarianism on mental health. It also serves as a potent reminder of the value of individual autonomy and independence.
42. The Bicycle Thief (1948)
– Italy
In his 1948 Italian neorealist film The Bicycle Thief, director Vittorio De Sica tells the tale of a father and son who are looking for their stolen bicycle in post-World War Two Rome.
This famous Italian neorealist movie chronicles the journey of a father and son in post-World War II Rome as they look for their stolen bicycle.
Although not specifically about mental health, the movie shows how ordinary people who live in challenging situations suffer and how the strains of poverty and societal expectations may have a significant impact on mental health.
43. La Dolce Vita (1960)
– Italy
Another Italian film by Federico Fellini, La Dolce Vita (1960), depicts the life of a journalist navigating the decadence and excess of Rome’s high society. Hedonism, alienation, and the decline of traditional values are among the issues that are explored in the movie.
A journalist is followed as he navigates the decadent and hedonistic postwar Rome in this seminal Federico Fellini film. The movie explores themes of disillusionment, ennui, and the search for meaning in a world that frequently feels shallow and hollow, even if it isn’t directly about mental health. These themes can be especially pertinent to people who are dealing with mental health problems.
44. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
– Germany
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920): This vintage silent movie is regarded as one of the best horror films ever made. The movie is about a hypnotist who manipulates a sleepwalker to do his evil deeds.
The movie addresses themes of lunacy, obsession, and the consequences of unbridled power, none of which are specifically about mental health but have significant effects on it.
45. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
-UK
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957): During World War II, British POWs were made to build a bridge for their Japanese captors. This classic war movie depicts their story.
The movie tackles themes of survival, resilience, and the ways that trauma can mold and define us, even if it isn’t directly about mental health. These themes are especially pertinent to those who are dealing with mental health concerns.
