My Favourite Disability Films of All-Time

Not many genres have built a legacy as strong as disability. Since the 1970’s, the disability genre has produced unforgettable movies. Whether it’s traumatized soldiers, disturbed professors or forgetful fathers, the genre has created many characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about disabilities that deserve to be celebrated.

1. Rain Man

Intellectual disability has impacted my identity. At an early age, my life forever changed when I was diagnosed with Autism causing emotional damage. I remember feeling a sense of terror when I was diagnosed with a disability that put my life in danger. Autism affected my abilities to succeed in a competitive school system. Nevertheless, my brother’s inspiring words of wisdom gave me motivation to cope with Autism. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how Autism can destroy relationships between families as powerfully as “Rain Man”. Ever since its release in 1988, Barry Levinson’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest disability film ever made. With the greatest film of his career Levinson used innovative cinematic techniques to capture an Autistic savant’s despair. The film marked a significant breakthrough because it was the first major Hollywood movie that addressed hardships Autistic people went through. Levinson has always excelled at capturing disabilities in his movies, and his strengths are clearly evident in “Rain Man”. For instance, the scene in which Raymond experiences a nervous breakdown when the noise of the smoke alarm starts ringing causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Dustin Hoffman, who created a powerful portrait of an Autistic savant. Ultimately, what makes “Rain Man” my favourite disability film of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about intellectual disabilities which are targeted towards a specific audience, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about bonds between siblings which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about salesmen seeking to care for brothers with Autism, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has achieved stardom making memorable movies offering wisdom.

2. Forrest Gump

Mothers are powerful figures that shape children’s future. As far as I remember, I’ve always shared a strong relationship with a mother I treasure. A hard-working woman, she has been a source of inspiration guiding my life in the right direction. Through her inspiring words of wisdom, I was able to cope with the challenges posed by Autism. As someone treasuring a mother that helped me cope with a disability causing a bump, I adored “Forrest Gump”. Released in 1994, Robert Zemeckis’ movie offered an authentic portrait of intellectual disability. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Forrest Gump” stand out is its compassionate voice-over narration. Zemeckis effectively uses voice-over narration to capture individuals with intellectual disabilities facing tension. For instance, the scene in which Forrest recounts with nostalgia memories of Alabama is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Tom Hanks, who created one of the most iconic characters in the genre. Ultimately, what makes “Forrest Gump” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about intellectual disabilities which would resonate with everyone. As precious as Forrest Gump’s memories of Alabama, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making iconic movies attracting audiences to the Cinema.

3. The Father

Dementia is a devastating disease that impacted my family. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a grandma that suffered from Dementia. My grandmother suffered from severe Dementia that had a huge impact on her behaviour. She developed the bad habit of forget about certain things in her life which were important. As someone that witnessed my grandmother suffer memory loss, I was deeply moved by “The Father”. Released in 2020, Florian Zeller’s movie offered a powerful portrait of Dementia. Zeller effectively used ingenious unreliable narration to capture the deteriorating mind of a father becoming forgetful. For instance, the ending scene in which Anthony breaks down in tears realizing he suffers from Dementia causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Anthony Hopkins, who embodied the devastating memory disorder. Ultimately, what makes “The Father” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about memory loss which would resonate with everyone. A devastating depiction of memory loss affecting fathers that are forgetful, it’s a powerful reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies audiences consider special.

4. Silver Linings Playbook

Bipolar is a devastating disease that impacted my aunt’s identity. Years ago, my aunt was diagnosed with bipolar disorder causing sorrow. Afflicted with illness, she found it hard to find silver linings in a disease affecting her happiness. No matter hard she tried, my aunt couldn’t cope with a disorder leaving her terrified. As someone treasuring an aunt with Bipolar that adopted a negative outlook, I adored “Silver Linings Playbook”. Released in 2012, David O. Russell’s Oscar-winning movie captured the negative impact of Bipolar disorder on a dysfunctional family. Drawing from his personal experience as a father raising a son with Bipolar, Russell captured the disorder. For instance, the scene in which Pat experiences a manic episode after he can’t find his wedding video causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Bradley Cooper, who embodied Bipolar disorder. Ultimately, what makes “Silver Linings Playbook” a disability masterpiece is its message. It delivers a positive message about importance of finding silver linings in life which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of mental illness which causes romantic relationships to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured memorable movies which audiences appreciate.

5. A Beautiful Mind

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder that fascinated my teacher. I recall with nostalgia a teacher that was fascinated with Schizophrenia. In high school, I formed strong bonds with a psychology professor interested in a disorder which was cruel. He sought to educate students about an illness causing lives to deteriorate. As someone treasuring a teacher that was fascinated with a disorder affecting the mind, I adored “A Beautiful Mind”. Released in 2001, Ron Howard’s movie captured the life of a renowned mathematician with Schizophrenia. Howard used captivating montages to capture the mind of a mathematician that’s declining. For instance, the scene in which John Nash has a nervous breakdown realizing the his roommate is simply a figment of his imagination causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Russell Crowe, who embodies a mathematician that suffered from severe mental illness years ago. Ultimately, what makes “A Beautiful Mind” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking tribute towards a mathematician with a beautiful mind, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has manufactured one-of-a-kind movies leaving a lasting legacy behind.

6. As Good as it Gets

OCD is rarely depicted in movies accurately. Hollywood has struggled to tell stories about a mental illness that’s misunderstood. As someone with OCD, I have often believed movies rarely capture the disease accurately. In an industry where OCD rarely gets portrayed accurately, it’s worth praising “As Good as it Gets”. Released in 1997, James L. Brooks’ movie offered a powerful portrait of OCD that’s true to reality. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “As Good as it Gets” stand out is its humour. Brooks uses sharp humour to capture a man with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Assisted by Jack Nicholson who is amazing in the lead role, Brooks created a compelling movie about OCD. A powerful portrait of OCD causing seniors to face tragedy, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made movies audiences love dearly.

7. CODA

Stories of deaf communities are rarely told in movies. Hollywood has always declined hard-of-hearing communities a quiet place in the industry. In an industry that has always ignored deaf communities facing trauma, it’s worth praising “CODA”. Released in 2021, Sian Heder’s Oscar-winning drama celebrated the deaf community. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “CODA” stand out is its disabled casting. Heder’s decision to cast real-life deaf actors lends a strong sense of authenticity to the film that’s missing from most disability movies. Assisted by Emilia Jones who is exceptional in the lead role, Heder honoured the deaf community. A powerful portrait of challenging hardships that deaf families face, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has always produced meaningful movies which audiences embrace.

8. The Shape of Water

Muteness is a devastating condition that’s rarely depicted accurately in movies. Hollywood has often struggled to capture experience of mute people living in a world of silence. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture hardship that mute people suffer as powerfully as “The Shape of Water”. Released in 2017, Guillermo Del Toro’s movie offered an empowering depiction of mute people. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Shape of Water” stand out is its use of silence. Del Toro effectively uses silence to capture a mute woman falling in love with a creature. Assisted by Sally Hawkins who is exceptional in the lead role, Del Toro honoured the mute community. As strong as Elisa’s desire for acceptance, it’s a spectacular reminder of a genre that has produced timeless movies earning a huge audience.

9. Scent of a Woman

Blindness is a complex condition rarely depicted in movies with respect. A tragic subject, blindness is seldom depicted in movies in ways which are realistic. In an industry that has often avoided depicting blindness causing destruction, its worth praising “Scent of a Woman”. Released in 1992, Martin Brest’s movie captured hardships that blind veterans go through. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Scent of a Woman” stand out is its portrayal of caretakers. Brest effectively uses montages to capture the strong bond between a caretaker and blind veteran. Assisted by Al Pacino is who is amazing in the lead role, Brest created a movie about blindness that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of blindness, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made unforgettable movies raising awareness for a complicated illness.

10. The Theory of Everything

Few figures that fought frightening disabilities in history are as inspiring as Stephen Hawking. During the 1960’s, Hawking fought the disease ALS. In 2014, Tom Hooper honoured the inspiring physicist in his movie “The Theory of Everything”. Hooper uses stunning makeup to capture ALS. Assisted by Eddie Redmayne who is amazing in the lead role, Hooper honoured Stephen Hawking’s legacy. Although I’m a fan of the movie, its depiction of disability has aged poorly. The film doesn’t entirely address a condition that impacted a historical figure. Nevertheless, it’s a valuable addition to the genre. Nearly 60 years after Stephen Hawking fought a grim disease to create iconic theories, it’s a bold reminder of a genre raising awareness about disabilities in timeless films I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love for movies.