Movies have a way of drawing us into different worlds and experiences. One world they often explore is mental health. While some movies about mental illness reinforce inaccurate or even harmful stereotypes, many others handle this topic with care and precision, giving us a real look at what it’s like to deal with mental health issues. So, what are some movies that portray mental health accurately?

We sat down with Ashlie Lund-Richardson, LCSW, LAC, program manager of WellPower’s Wellshire Behavioral Services, to get her take. Read on for her list of the top five movies about mental health that get it right.

Movies About Mental Health that Get It Right

1. Inside Out (2015) and Inside Out 2 (2024)

Starting off with a double feature, Lund-Richardson says that both Inside Out films “hit it out of the park” when it comes to showcasing the role of mental health in our lives, particularly as we grow up.

Inside Out follows 11-year-old Riley as she navigates a move to a new city with her emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust. In Inside Out 2, we join Riley again as she prepares to enter high school. This time, her emotions create a new place in her mind called the “Sense of Self,” and we meet new ones: Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui.

According to Lund-Richardson, Inside Out 2 resonated especially powerfully for adolescents. “My friend’s teen teared up and said it was one of the best movies that actually understood her,” she said. In personifying the many emotions we experience as we transition from childhood to early adulthood, the film adeptly portrays the complex and at times chaotic interplay of our different feelings. It also accurately depicts the importance of learning to harmonize our emotions for better mental health. One emotion is not necessarily better than the other – what matters is how we learn to recognize and successfully manage each one.

2. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

The second installment in our list of hits is Silver Linings Playbook, a movie that follows Pat Solitano, a man with bipolar disorder, as he tries to rebuild his life after a mental health crisis and the breakdown of his marriage. While navigating his recovery, he meets Tiffany, a troubled young widow, and the two form an unexpected bond as they agree to partner in a dance competition.

Silver Linings Playbook makes our list because of how realistically it represents bipolar disorder and the dynamics within a family affected by it. Bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions are highly individualized and can look different from person to person. In showing the main characters’ idiosyncratic journeys with mental health and the complex interplay of relationships, personal experiences and what is happening in the world around us, this movie offers a realistic glimpse into this part of mental health.

“Those are the pieces we want to see – our mental health is affected by the things around us – the vulnerability, stress, loss, but also the supports, the routine,” said Lund-Richardson.

3. A Beautiful Mind (2001)

“One of the most powerful things about A Beautiful Mind is spotlighting how different mental illness can show up for each of us, and how we can still be successful in areas of our lives,” explained Lund-Richardson.

A Beautiful Mind tells the story of John Nash, a brilliant mathematician whose groundbreaking work earns him acclaim but whose life is disrupted by the onset of schizophrenia. Through perseverance, support and determination, Nash learns to manage his condition, ultimately earning the Nobel Prize for his contributions to economics.

Schizophrenia is highly nuanced, with a wide range of symptoms and presentations; people with schizophrenia experience it in different ways. In depicting not only Nash’s heart-wrenching challenges but also his moments of joy and ultimate accomplishment, A Beautiful Mind shows how a full, meaningful and successful life is possible with mental illness. “When we’re managing our symptoms well, that can mean that our lives can look very different,” said Lund-Richardson. “We can see success within the experience.”

One caveat, though: The visual hallucinations (seeing things that aren’t really there) the film depicts are not as common in most experiences of schizophrenia, which is usually characterized by varying levels of auditory hallucinations (hearing voices).

4. It’s a Wonderful life (1946)

It’s a Wonderful Life follows George Bailey, a kind-hearted man who faces financial ruin and contemplates ending his life, but is shown how profoundly he has impacted others by an angel named Clarence. Realizing his worth and the love of those around him, George finds renewed purpose and celebrates the value of his life.

“This is one that depicts the impact of situational stress extremely well,” said Lund-Richarson. When we experience certain events, relationships, life transitions, pressure at work or school, or other challenging circumstances, that can be accompanied by significant levels of what is often referred to as “situational stress.” In It’s a Wonderful Life, George encounters life-changing situational stress during the run on his bank and the prospect of causing harm not only to his family, but to his whole town. His ensuing journey through despair with the support of an advisor (Clarence) depicts a compelling path to recovery based on hope – one of the most important concepts in mental health treatment.

5. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Rounding out our list of hits is a movie about mental health that made a big splash in the mid-2000s: Little Miss Sunshine. We join the dysfunctional Hoover family as they embark on a cross-country road trip to support young Olive’s dream of competing in a children’s beauty pageant. Along the way, they confront personal struggles, including career failures, self-esteem issues and mental health challenges, which strain their relationships but also bring them closer together.

Like the other selections of accurate mental health movies on this list, Little Miss Sunshine adeptly portrays the wide-ranging presentations of mental health conditions, in this case depression. Several characters manage their own mental health challenges throughout their journey, encountering elements such as suicide, loss, disappointment and, ultimately, a return to hope. This hope does not mean that everything is resolved, but that the characters see the possibility of their circumstances improving in the future. The movie also shows the complexity of family dynamics, particularly when mental health is a factor, and the importance of working with a whole family in recovery.

Bonus: Improving Mental Health with Movies

Now that we’ve covered a few movies that get mental health right, you might be wondering, “Can movies do more than just depict mental health? Can they actually affect it?”

The answer is, not surprisingly, yes.

Going out to the movies can support our mental health, and seeking thrills through scary movies can even give our well-being a boost. Similarly, what we watch when we’re feeling a certain way can have an impact. Here is one rule of thumb for using movies to manage our own mental health:

Use movies to create an equal and opposite reaction to your mood.

“If we’re feeling really low or we’re feeling anxious, we want to watch movies that create opposite reaction,” Lund-Richardson advised. “A movie that’s funny, one that’s a love story, maybe even an action movie to create a different emotion.”

How about the tendency to tuck into a sad film when we’re feeling low? “Generally when we’re feeling sad or depressed we wouldn’t recommend watching a depressing movie or horror because it could increase the intensity of the emotions we’re already experiencing,” said Lund-Richardson. Basically, try to avoid reinforcing or even compounding the low mood we’re already experiencing.

And try not to feel guilty about indulging in something lighter – according to Lund-Richardson, creating moments of joy or happiness is one of the most impactful things we can do to manage our mood.

That’s a Wrap

This was one short list of movies that represent mental health well, and a few that don’t. What do you think? Any movies you’re wondering about? Let us know: communications@wellpower.org.

Now, time to go watch your favorite comedy. A WellPower mental health professional said so.