My Favourite Films About Disabilities of All-Time

Not many genres have built a legacy as strong as disability. Since the 1970’s, stories of disabled individuals have often made for engaging 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 changed when I was diagnosed with Autism causing damage. I remember feeling terror when I was diagnosed with disabilities placing my life in danger. Autism affected my abilities to succeed in the school system. Nevertheless, my brother’s words of wisdom gave me motivation to overcome Autism. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how disabilities 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 movie ever made about disabilities. With the greatest film of his career, Levinson used innovative cinematic techniques to capture lives of Autistic savants facing despair. The film marked an important milestone in disability representation becoming was one of the first mainstream movies to address Autism. Levinson has always had an aptitude for making great movies about disabilities putting lives of people in danger, and “Rain Man” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. 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. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Mental institutions have shaped my personality. I remember visiting mental institutions that gave me valuable tips on how to overcome my mental disorder. A hopeless location, the institution housed patients with grave conditions. It was fascinating observing ways the institution took care of patients with mental illness facing a price to pay. As someone fascinated with mental institutions facing unrest, I adored “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. Released in 1975, Milos Forman’s movie captured mental institutions causing catastrophe. Forman has always had aptitude for making movies about mental disabilities, and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which McMurphy is given an electric shock after refusing to obey orders of his mental institution causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Jack Nicholson, who embodied a psychotic patient. Ultimately, what makes “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” a masterpiece is its appeal.  Unlike most movies made during the 1970’s which tend to be outdated, it has aged beautifully with themes that remain relevant today. A powerful portrait of mental institutions in which patients face unrest, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making movies that are the best.

3. 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 how hard she tried, my aunt couldn’t cope with a disorder that left 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 movie offered a powerful portrait of Bipolar disorder. Drawing from his personal experience as a father raising a son with Bipolar, Russell created an authentic portrait of 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 a man struggling to overcome debilitating 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 phenomenal portrait of mental illness which causes romance to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured memorable movies which audiences appreciate.

4. Forrest Gump

Mothers are powerful figures that shape children’s future. As far as I remember, I’ve always shared a strong bond with a mother I treasure. I remember my mother became a strong source of support when I was diagnosed with a disorder. 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 captured the roles mothers play assisting children with intellectual disabilities. 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 first meeting Jennie in Alabama is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is 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 disabilities which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most movies about intellectual disabilities, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. 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.

5. A Beautiful Mind

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder that fascinated my teacher. I recall with nostalgia memories of a teacher that was fascinated with Schizophrenia. 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 great genre that has made one-of-a-kind movies leaving a lasting legacy behind.

6. A Different Man

Facial deformities are a sensitive disability rarely depicted accurately in movies. Hollywood has often struggled to depict a disorder that’s misunderstood. In an industry ignoring facially deformed people facing a ban, it’s worth praising “A Different Man”. Released in 2024, Aaron Schimberg’s movie offered a powerful portrait of deformed actors. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “A Different Man” stand out is its depiction of deformities. Schimberg uses unreliable narration to capture the life of a man facing facial deformities. Assisted by Sebastian Stan who is amazing in the lead role, Schimberg created powerful portrait of facial deformities. A powerful portrait of facial deformities causing lives of actors to crumble, it’s a remarkable reminder of a genre that has made unforgettable movies audiences consider special.

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 physicists that fought frightening disabilities are as inspiring as Stephen Hawking. During the 1960’s, Hawking fought the disease ALS. In 2014, John Marsh honoured Hawking in his movie “The Theory of Everything”. Marsh used stunning makeup to capture a physicist that faced disabilities. Assisted by Eddie Redmayne who is superb in the lead role, Marsh honoured Stephen Hawking’s legacy. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film doesn’t address a harsh disability that impacted a figure. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. Nearly 60 years after Stephen Hawking created a groundbreaking theory, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making great movies about adversity disabled people are facing which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.