Top 20 Movies That Explore Depression and Mental Health

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - February 23rd 2025, 18:25 GMT+1

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For this list, we’re diving into movies that perfectly capture depression, its causes, and its consequences – because, let’s be honest, few things hit harder than a film that truly *gets* it. To keep things neat (and to take you on a cinematic journey through time), we’ve arranged these movies in chronological order.

Think we missed a must-watch film that deserves a spot here? Drop it in the comments! We love discovering new movies that make us question life, cry into our popcorn, or stare blankly at the ceiling for an hour after the credits roll.

Cropped Interiors — Interiors (1978)

Woody Allen takes a break from his usual neurotic, fast-talking comedies to deliver this beautifully somber drama about – you guessed it – depression. *Interiors* follows a wealthy yet deeply dysfunctional family, grappling with an absent father, an emotionally fragile mother, and enough bottled-up resentment to fill an entire therapist's notepad. It’s stark, quiet, and meticulously crafted, with performances that feel uncomfortably real. If you enjoy films where people express their emotions through long, lingering silences and impeccably designed rooms, this one’s for you. Just maybe don’t watch it on a rainy day unless you have a warm blanket and a strong cup of tea nearby. | © United Artists

Cropped Ordinary People — Ordinary People (1980)

This is the kind of movie that sneaks up on you, packs an emotional gut punch, and then leaves you staring at the credits in contemplative silence. Directed by Robert Redford (yep, *that* Robert Redford), *Ordinary People* dives into the aftermath of a family tragedy, exposing how grief, guilt, and repressed emotions can quietly unravel a household. Timothy Hutton gives a heartbreakingly raw performance as a teen struggling with depression, while Mary Tyler Moore shocks audiences with a cold, distant mother role that’s about as far from her sitcom days as you can get. A beautifully devastating film that reminds us that sometimes, the people who seem the most "ordinary" are dealing with the heaviest burdens. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Girl Interrupted — Girl, Interrupted (1999)

Think of it as *One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest*, but with late '90s angst and a killer female-led cast. Based on Susanna Kaysen’s memoir, *Girl, Interrupted* throws us into a 1960s psychiatric hospital where Winona Ryder’s character, Susanna, is trying to figure out whether she’s actually mentally ill or just a little lost (relatable, right?). Angelina Jolie steals the show as Lisa, a charismatic yet dangerous sociopath who makes every scene feel electric. The film tackles everything from borderline personality disorder to the complexities of institutionalization, all wrapped in a moody, introspective package. It’s a must-watch for anyone who enjoys rebellious female leads, philosophical late-night conversations, and questioning the very nature of sanity. | © Columbia Pictures

Cropped The Virgin Suicides — The Virgin Suicides (1999)

Sofia Coppola’s dreamy, pastel-hued directorial debut somehow manages to be both breathtakingly beautiful and deeply unsettling. *The Virgin Suicides* follows a group of suburban boys who become obsessed with a family of enigmatic sisters, all while the weight of teenage melancholy, repression, and longing hangs over every frame. With an ethereal soundtrack by Air and cinematography that looks like a faded memory, the film perfectly captures the eerie, tragic beauty of adolescent sadness. It's the kind of movie that lingers in your mind long after it ends, making you question whether nostalgia is a gift or a curse. Proceed with caution if you’re in a fragile emotional state – you might need a moment (or an entire therapy session) after this one. | © Paramount Classics

Cropped The Royal Tenenbaums — The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Leave it to Wes Anderson to make depression look stylish. *The Royal Tenenbaums* is the story of a brilliant but broken family, where nearly every member is dealing with some form of existential crisis. There's Richie, the former tennis prodigy whose heartache sends him into a spiral; Margot, the disillusioned playwright who hasn't smiled since childhood; and Chas, the overprotective widower whose trauma manifests as obsessive safety measures. The film is packed with Anderson’s signature dry humor, symmetrical framing, and characters who say the most devastating things in the most deadpan way possible. It’s quirky, melancholic, and somehow comforting – because if the Tenenbaums can be this dysfunctional and still find moments of joy, maybe the rest of us have a shot, too. | © Touchstone Pictures

Cropped Prozac Nation — Prozac Nation (2001)

Ah, the early 2000s – when every indie drama featured a brooding protagonist, existential crises, and lots of voiceover narration. *Prozac Nation* follows Lizzie (Christina Ricci), a talented but self-destructive writer struggling with depression and the numbing effects of – you guessed it – Prozac. Based on Elizabeth Wurtzel’s memoir, the film takes us deep into Lizzie’s turbulent mind, complete with reckless behavior, doomed relationships, and therapy sessions that feel all too real. It’s raw, moody, and sometimes a little melodramatic, but hey, so is depression. If you ever needed proof that being young, gifted, and depressed is not as glamorous as it sounds, this film lays it all bare. | © Miramax Films

Cropped The Hours — The Hours (2002)

You know a film means business when it features Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, and Nicole Kidman (with a prosthetic nose, no less). *The Hours* weaves together the lives of three women across different time periods, all connected by Virginia Woolf’s *Mrs. Dalloway* and a profound sense of longing. Nicole Kidman gives a haunting performance as Woolf herself, struggling with mental illness while writing her masterpiece. Meanwhile, Julianne Moore’s 1950s housewife is quietly suffocating under the weight of a life that doesn’t fit, and Meryl Streep’s modern-day character is drowning in emotional exhaustion. It’s elegantly depressing – like if your existential crisis had an Oscar-worthy soundtrack. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Sylvia — Sylvia (2003)

If you know anything about Sylvia Plath, you know this film isn’t exactly a lighthearted romp. *Sylvia* stars Gwyneth Paltrow as the brilliant but tortured poet, chronicling her passionate and ultimately tragic relationship with fellow poet Ted Hughes (played by Daniel Craig). The movie dives into the complexities of Plath’s genius and the darkness that consumed her, with Paltrow delivering a performance that’s equal parts mesmerizing and heartbreaking. While it doesn’t shy away from the heaviness of mental illness, it also celebrates Plath’s creative fire – because sometimes, the brightest flames burn out the fastest. Just don’t expect a happy ending. | © Focus Features

Cropped Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind — Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

What if you could erase heartbreak, pain, and all those memories that keep you up at night? *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind* asks that very question and somehow turns it into a sci-fi love story that will emotionally wreck you in the best way possible. Jim Carrey ditches his comedic persona to play Joel, a man who undergoes a procedure to erase all memories of his ex, Clementine (Kate Winslet, in peak manic-pixie-dream-girl mode). As the memories slip away, Joel realizes that even the painful ones are worth keeping. It’s trippy, poignant, and proves that depression isn’t just about sadness – it’s about the way we hold onto, or let go of, the things that shape us. | © Focus Features

Cropped Garden State — Garden State (2004)

If *Garden State* were a mood, it would be staring out the car window while The Shins play in the background. Written, directed by, and starring Zach Braff, this indie darling follows a struggling actor who returns to his hometown after years of emotional detachment (because nothing screams "mental health crisis" like avoiding your feelings for a decade). Enter Natalie Portman as the quirky, free-spirited love interest, here to shake him out of his existential funk with a mix of charm and randomly screaming in public. The film blends humor and melancholy in a way that makes you laugh, cry, and seriously contemplate your life choices. Love it or roll your eyes at it, *Garden State* is peak early 2000s sad-boy cinema. | © Fox Searchlight Pictures

Cropped Little Miss Sunshine — Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

A dysfunctional family, a yellow VW bus, and a child beauty pageant – what could possibly go wrong? *Little Miss Sunshine* is the rare kind of movie that manages to be both deeply funny and painfully real. While the film is packed with quirky humor, at its heart, it’s about a family struggling with failure, depression, and the general chaos of life. Steve Carell plays a suicidal scholar who just lost everything, Paul Dano’s teen character takes a vow of silence because, well, life sucks, and Alan Arkin’s foul-mouthed grandpa is dealing with addiction. And yet, somehow, amidst all the mess, there's an underlying message of hope: that even if you’re losing at life, at least you’re not alone. Bonus points for one of the most awkward yet strangely heartwarming dance sequences in cinema history. | © Fox Searchlight Pictures

Cropped Helen — Helen (2009)

Not exactly a light Friday-night watch, *Helen* delves into the silent, creeping despair of clinical depression with unflinching honesty. Ashley Judd delivers a raw performance as Helen, a woman who seems to have it all – until she doesn’t. Her downward spiral is depicted with painful realism, showing how depression can strip away everything familiar, even when it looks like nothing’s wrong from the outside. This isn’t a melodramatic take on mental illness – it’s quiet, unsettling, and doesn’t offer easy answers. If you’ve ever struggled with the weight of your own mind, this film will feel all too real. Just don’t expect a quirky indie soundtrack or a last-minute epiphany to make it all okay. | © Insight Film Studios

Cropped Worlds Greatest Dad — World’s Greatest Dad (2009)

Dark comedy doesn’t get much darker – or smarter – than this. Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, *World’s Greatest Dad* stars Robin Williams as a failed writer and high school teacher who suddenly finds himself thrust into the spotlight after a tragic accident involving his awful teenage son. What follows is a biting satire on grief, social media sensationalism, and the way people rewrite history when it suits them. It’s one of Williams’ most underrated performances, balancing humor and heartbreak with effortless precision. And while the film takes some bold (and wildly uncomfortable) turns, at its core, it’s about loneliness, desperation, and the absurdity of human nature. If you like your movies funny, sad, and just a little bit messed up, this one’s for you. | © Magnolia Pictures

Cropped Melancholia — Melancholia (2011)

Leave it to Lars von Trier to make the *end of the world* feel like the perfect metaphor for depression. In *Melancholia*, Kirsten Dunst plays a bride whose battle with crippling depression takes center stage as an actual planet hurtles toward Earth, promising total annihilation. (Cheery, right?) The film is visually stunning, deeply unsettling, and eerily accurate in its depiction of how depression warps reality. Some people panic when faced with impending doom – Dunst’s character simply accepts it, because when you already feel like the world is ending, what’s one more apocalypse? Beautiful, bleak, and emotionally devastating, this is the kind of movie that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll. | © Zentropa

Cropped Perks Of Being A Wallflower — The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Few films capture the highs and lows of teenage mental health as well as *The Perks of Being a Wallflower*. Based on Stephen Chbosky’s novel, the film follows Charlie (Logan Lerman), a shy high school freshman navigating PTSD, depression, and the general awkwardness of being young and misunderstood. With the help of his charismatic new friends, played by Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, Charlie experiences moments of joy, love, and connection – only to be pulled back into the depths of his trauma. The film doesn’t sugarcoat mental illness, but it also offers a much-needed message of hope: that healing is possible, and even when you feel small, you *are infinite*. Bonus: If you didn’t already have *Heroes* by David Bowie on your playlist, you will after watching this. | © Summit Entertainment

Cropped Silver Linings Playbook — Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

A romantic comedy about mental illness? Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen – but *Silver Linings Playbook* somehow pulls it off. Bradley Cooper plays Pat, a guy with bipolar disorder who's trying (and mostly failing) to put his life back together after a mental breakdown. Enter Jennifer Lawrence’s Tiffany, a sharp-tongued widow with her own share of emotional baggage, and suddenly, things get messy – in the best way possible. The film walks a fine line between humor and heartbreak, proving that sometimes, the best way to deal with life’s chaos is through dance competitions, football superstitions, and people who truly see you for who you are. Plus, if you ever doubted J-Law’s Oscar-winning talent, this movie will shut that down real quick. | © The Weinstein Company

Cropped The Skeleton Twins — The Skeleton Twins (2014)

If you’ve ever wanted to see Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig swap SNL comedy for soul-crushing sadness (with a side of sibling dysfunction), *The Skeleton Twins* is the movie for you. This indie dramedy follows estranged twins Milo and Maggie, who reconnect after a near-tragedy and realize their lives are equally falling apart. It’s got everything: childhood trauma, bad life choices, painfully awkward family reunions, and one glorious lip-sync scene to Starship’s *Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now*. Hader and Wiig’s chemistry is effortlessly real, making this film both hilarious and devastating – like a therapy session that makes you cry but also gives you a really great playlist. | © Roadside Attractions

Cropped Cake — Cake (2014)

Jennifer Aniston ditches the glam and comedy for this heavy, unfiltered look at chronic pain and depression. In *Cake*, she plays Claire, a woman dealing with physical and emotional wounds that have left her bitter, isolated, and deeply reliant on prescription painkillers. As she becomes obsessed with the suicide of a woman from her support group, we get a raw, unflinching portrait of grief and trauma. Aniston’s performance is quietly powerful, proving she’s capable of much more than just perfect hair and sitcom punchlines. The film isn’t here to sugarcoat suffering – but it does remind us that even in the worst moments, there’s still a sliver of hope (and maybe even some dark humor). | © Cinelou Films

Cropped Anomalisa — Anomalisa (2015)

Ever felt like everyone around you is blending into the same monotonous blur? Welcome to the existential crisis that is *Anomalisa*. Written by Charlie Kaufman (the king of cinematic melancholy), this stop-motion animated film follows Michael, a lonely motivational speaker who perceives every single person in the world as having the same voice – until he meets Lisa, an anomaly in his gray, repetitive life. What starts as a love story quickly spirals into a deeper, unsettling look at depression, self-loathing, and the terrifying realization that happiness might just be an illusion. It’s weird, poetic, and deeply human – because sometimes, the saddest movies are the ones about people just trying to feel *something*. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Manchester by the Sea — Manchester by the Sea (2016)

Imagine the saddest movie you’ve ever seen. Now multiply that by ten, and you get *Manchester by the Sea*. Casey Affleck gives a gut-wrenching performance as Lee, a man drowning in grief and guilt after an unimaginable loss. When he’s forced to return to his hometown to care for his nephew, old wounds are reopened, and we get a brutally realistic depiction of depression – the kind that doesn’t have a clean resolution or a feel-good ending. The film is devastating, but in a way that feels authentic rather than manipulative. It’s a reminder that some pain never fully heals, but life keeps moving forward anyway – whether we’re ready for it or not. Just maybe don’t watch this one if you’re already having a rough day. | © Amazon Studios

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Movies have a unique way of shedding light on complex emotions, and few topics are as deeply personal and impactful as depression and mental health. Whether through raw realism, artistic storytelling, or psychological depth, films that tackle these themes can offer comfort, awareness, and even catharsis for those who relate to the struggles portrayed on screen.

In this list, we highlight 20 powerful movies that explore depression, anxiety, and mental health challenges with honesty and sensitivity. From award-winning dramas to thought-provoking indie films, these movies provide insightful portrayals of mental illness, fostering empathy and understanding.