My Favourite Films About Alcoholism of All-Time

Not many genres have earned appreciation of alcohol addiction. Since the 1980’s, stories of alcoholics have made for memorable movies. Whether it’s shallow singers, shining authors or airline pilots in dangers, the genre has created several 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 alcoholism that deserve to be celebrated.

1. Leaving Las Vegas

Alcohol addiction is a painful process putting people under stress. Several years ago, I witnessed a companion experience grim consequences of alcohol addiction. An alcoholic, he always loved engaging in excessive heavy drinking without any concern for grim consequences that could be tragic. Nothing in the whole world ever gave him as much satisfaction as spending all his days drinking. Our friendship ended when I decided I could no longer bear to witness him getting wasted. Few films that I’ve ever seen have captured the damaging consequences of alcohol addiction as powerfully as “Leaving Las Vegas”. Ever since its release in 1995, Mike Figgis’ movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about alcoholism. With the greatest film of his career, Figgis used innovative cinematic techniques to capture an alcoholic experiencing despair. For instance, the scene in which Ben experiences a nervous breakdown in a casino after a night of heavy drinking causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an great role by Nicolas Cage, who embodied an alcoholic facing emotional damage. Ultimately, what makes “Leaving Las Vegas” my favourite film about alcoholism of all-time is its commemorated appeal. Unlike most movies about alcohol addiction, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a profound message about grim effects of alcohol addiction that would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of alcohol addiction causing lives of writers to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost abilities to captivate making movies audiences appreciate.

2. The Wolf of Wall Street

Wall Street stockbrokers fascinated my father. At an early age, I formed bonds with a father admiring stockbrokers causing damage. He admired the way stockbrokers got away with crimes without a price to pay. As someone treasuring a father fascinated with stockbrokers on Wall Street, I adored “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Released in 2013, Martin Scorsese’s movie depicted the lives of drug-addicted stockbrokers on Wall Street. Scorsese effectively used voice-over narration to capture the life of a Wall Street stockbroker with severe drug addiction. For instance, the scene in which Jordan Belfort faced the high of quaaludes for the first time wrecking his car causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, who embodies a stockbroker that abused dangerous drugs years ago. Ultimately, what makes “The Wolf of Wall Street” a great movie about addiction is its universal appeal. Unlike most Wall Street movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a cautionary message about dangers of excessive drug use which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Jordan Belfort’s desire to become a stockbroker on Wall Street, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has produced memorable movies audiences consider undeniable treat.

2. Rocketman

Elton John is a legendary musician that always earned my mother’s appreciation. I remember forming strong bonds with a mother that adored the famous singer. She would always praise iconic melodies composed by a tiny dancer singer that shaped her identity. Drawn to the yellow brick road, she adored a singer that had inspired her to follow her dreams years ago. In 2019, Dexter Fletcher honoured the iconic musician in his movie “Rocketman”. Fletcher uses captivating musical montages to honour a legendary musician that struggled to come to terms with his alcohol addiction. For instance, the scene in which Elton John discloses the truth about his sexual identity telling his mother that he is queer causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Taron Edgerton, who embodied the larger-than-life personality of an iconic musician. Ultimately, what makes “Rocketman” a great musical biopic is its honesty. Unlike most musical biopics, it doesn’t shy away from addressing severe alcohol addiction Elton John faced in his career. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the musician to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 60 years after Elton John overcame the barrier of sexual identity to become a famous singer, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made iconic movies which audiences commonly always treasure.

4. Manchester by the Sea

Family tragedy causing tension can often cause people to face alcohol addiction. Several years ago, my grandfather was heartbroken when his brother passed away causing sorrow. My grandfather turned to alcoholism as a coping mechanism. He saw drinking as an effective way of coping with a loss that was devastating. As someone treasuring a grandfather that faced alcoholism causing tragedy, I adored “Manchester by the Sea”. Released in 2016, Kenneth Lonergan’s movie captured impact of alcoholism on grieving men facing tragedy. Lonergan used captivating flashbacks capturing the life of a grief-stricken man turning to alcohol addiction to cope with depression. For instance, the police station scene in which Lee recounts the memories of his family’s death causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Casey Affleck, who embodied an alcoholic that’s tragic. Ultimately, what makes “Manchester by the Sea” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about depression, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about loss which would resonate with everyone.  A powerful portrait of grief tearing families apart, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made precious art with the power to mend a shattered heart.

5. The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is a great book that my teacher would always appreciate. I remember a school teacher that grew up to treasure a book about millionaires facing disaster. He would always speak fondly about a book that captured alcoholic millionaires in the 1920’s. Drawn to the green light, he adored a book capturing the barriers that alcoholics fight. In 2013, Baz Luhrmann honoured the great book about alcoholism in his movie “The Great Gatsby”.  Luhrmann has always thrived at making lavish movies about the lives of alcoholics in danger, and “The Great Gatsby” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Gatsby is first introduced to Nick Carraway in a drunken state at a party causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, who embodied an alcoholic millionaire facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “The Great Gatsby” a great movie is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the famous book to appreciate it. The film delivers a meaningful message about social class inequalities that would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about a millionaire that’s mysterious, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made great movies which audiences consider extremely precious.

6. Babylon

Substance abuse is a serious addiction that impacts celebrities in the filmmaking profession. Since the 1920’s, drugs have played a pivotal role in lives of celebrities. During this tense era, drugs became a way for celebrities to cope with pressure of stardom. In 2022, Damien Chazelle depicted alcohol addiction of celebrities during this era in his movie “Babylon”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Babylon” stand out is its depiction of Hollywood. Chazelle used captivating montages capturing lives of doomed celebrities using substances that are frightening. Assisted by Margot Robbie who is superb in the leading role, Chazelle captured drug use in Hollywood’s dark history. A heartbreaking portrait of drug addiction in 1920’s Hollywood, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has created movies audiences have commonly understood.

7. Flight

Plane crashes are terrifying tragedies that have always scared me. As far as I can remember, I have often feared planes crashing causing disaster. As someone fearing the scary crash of an airline flight, I adored “Flight”. Released in 2012, Robert Zemeckis’ movie captured impact of drug use on airline pilots. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Flight” stand out is its depiction of pilots. Zemeckis uses harrowing flashbacks to capture a plane crash caused by substance use. Assisted by Denzel Washington who is amazing in the lead role, Zemeckis captures how substance abuse causes lives of airline pilots to spiral out of control. A fantastic portrait of barriers that airline pilots with drug addiction fight, it’s a fabulous reminder of a genre making movies shining light on controversial issues that are often hidden in plain sight.

8. The Hangover

Humour is a rare quality that is seldom seen in movies about alcohol addiction. Due to the dangerous nature of alcohol addiction, it is often depicted in movies that are serious. In an industry avoiding tackling alcohol addiction with humour, it’s worth praising “The Hangover”. Released in 2009, Todd Phillips’ movie offered a comedic depiction of alcohol addiction. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Hangover” stand out is its sharp sense of humour. Phillips uses captivating comedy to capture the lives of bachelors experiencing hangovers causing catastrophe. Assisted by Bradley Cooper who is extraordinary in the lead role, Phillips created a captivating alcoholism comedy. A captivating comedic portrait of hangovers that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre manufacturing great movies worth absolutely celebrating.

9. Walk the Line

When it comes to the greatest musicians that suffered from rash alcoholism, it’s worth discussing Johnny Cash. Earning fame in the 1950’s, Cash composed timeless melodies. Despite his severe alcoholism, Cash achieved great stardom. In 2005, James Mangold honoured the divine musician in his movie “Walk the Line”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Walk the Line” stand out is its depiction of musicians. Mangold uses captivating non-linear storytelling capturing alcoholic hardships that Johnny Cash was facing. Assisted by Joaquin Phoenix who is outstanding in the lead role, Mangold honoured a legendary musician. As strong as Johnny Cash’s love for music, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated genre that has made iconic movies about tragic alcoholism which have captivated the movie-going public.

10. The Shining

Few movies ever made about obstacles alcoholics are facing are as beloved as “The Shining”. Since its release in 1980, Stanley Kubrick’s movie has become a horror classic. Kubrick used captivating foreshadowing capturing the hardships that alcoholic parents raising children in hotels are facing. Assisted by Jack Nicholson who is extraordinary in the lead role, Kubrick created a shining horror movie. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of alcoholics that abuse their authority treating children with cruelty has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As precious as the Overlook Hotel, it’s a shining reminder of a genre with timeless stories to tell about alcoholism which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of Cinema in which I commonly excel.