Hallmark Movies About Amnesia

From Christopher Nolan, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Ken Watanabe
Rated PG-13

Inception is an action-packed sci-fi thriller directed by Christopher Nolan. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a highly-skilled thief, who specializes in extracting valuable information from the subconscious during dream states. He is offered the opportunity of a lifetime to perform an "inception" - planting an idea into someone's mind instead of stealing one. To do so, he must assemble a team of experts to perform the job. As the mission progresses, they find themselves in a dangerous world of dreams within dreams, which they must navigate to succeed. In the end, they must decide how far they are willing to go to accomplish their objectives and if they will ever be able to return to reality.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone Junior
Rated R

Memento is a psychological thriller film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. The film follows Leonard Shelby, a man with anterograde amnesia who is searching for the man responsible for the death of his wife. Leonard is unable to make new memories, so he tattoos himself with clues and photographs to help him in his quest for revenge. Along his journey, he is aided by Teddy, a friend who helps him piece together the past, and Natalie, a shady bartender who has her own agenda. As Leonard follows the clues he has left for himself, he discovers a deeper mystery behind his wife's death, and finds himself ensnared in a complex web of deceit.

From Michel Gondry, starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, Gerry Robert Byrne
Rated R

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 romantic science fiction drama film directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman. The film stars Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet as a couple who have erased each other from their memories. The film follows the two characters as they struggle to rekindle their relationship and discover the true meaning of love and happiness. The film uses a nonlinear narrative to explore the human mind, memory, and the nature of romantic love. It received critical acclaim, receiving an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and two other nominations. The film has since become a cult classic and is widely considered one of the best films of the 2000s.

From Directors: Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, starring Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe
Rated G

Finding Nemo is a 2003 animated film from Disney/Pixar directed by Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich. The film follows the journey of an overprotective clownfish named Marlin and his son Nemo. When Nemo is taken from his home in the Great Barrier Reef and sent to a dentist's office in Sydney, Marlin embarks on a daring journey to find him. Along the way, Marlin makes new friends and learns important lessons about the value of family and friendship. With the help of a forgetful fish called Dory and many other sea creatures, Marlin and Nemo eventually make their way back to the reef and are reunited with each other. The film highlights the struggles of parenthood, the beauty of the ocean, and the power of friendship.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley
Rated R

Shutter Island is a psychological thriller directed by Martin Scorsese. The film follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he investigates the disappearance of a patient from a mental hospital on an island off the coast of Massachusetts. Teddy quickly discovers that the hospital is conducting some mysterious experiments, and that a conspiracy is at work to keep the truth hidden. With the help of his partner Chuck (Mark Ruffalo), Teddy must unravel the clues and face his own demons in order to uncover the dark secret of Shutter Island.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, Joseph Melito
Rated R

12 Monkeys is a 1995 science fiction film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, and Brad Pitt. The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic future in which a deadly virus has nearly wiped out the entire human race. A convict, James Cole (Willis), is sent back in time from 2035 to discover the source of the virus in order to help scientists in the future find a cure. In his travels, Cole meets Dr. Kathryn Railly (Stowe) and Jeffrey Goines (Pitt), the son of a brilliant scientist, and together they embark on a quest to save the world. Along the way, they are pursued by a mysterious organization known as the Army of the Twelve Monkeys, and must confront the truth of their pasts in order to save the future.

From Doug Liman, starring Franka Potente, Matt Damon, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen
Rated PG-13

The Bourne Identity is a 2002 action-thriller directed by Doug Liman and starring Matt Damon. When a man, Jason Bourne (Damon), is recovered from the Mediterranean Sea with amnesia, he is taken in by an Italian fisherman who discovers his American passport, money and various weapons. After evading the police and CIA agents, Bourne attempts to piece together his past, only to discover he's a trained assassin. In a race against time and his own identity, Bourne must find out who he is and why the CIA is intent on hunting him down before they do. Along the way he meets Marie (Franka Potente), who helps him stay one step ahead of the CIA.

From David Lynch, starring Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Jeanne Bates
Rated R

Mulholland Drive is a psychological mystery-thriller film directed by David Lynch and starring Naomi Watts, Laura Elena Harring, and Justin Theroux. The film follows two women, Betty Elms (Watts) and Rita (Harring) as they try to uncover the mystery surrounding Rita's identity and the strange occurrences that seem to be linked to them. As they dig deeper, they begin to uncover a complex web of deceit, betrayal, and hidden agendas that connect to the dark underbelly of Hollywood. As the story unravels, Betty and Rita find themselves on a journey of self-discovery and transformation, with the events of the film leading to a shocking and unexpected conclusion.

From Duncan Jones, starring Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey, Dominique McElligott, Rosie Shaw
Rated R

Moon is a sci-fi film about a man named Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) who is nearing the end of a three-year solitary stint as a lunar miner on the far side of the moon. He spends most of his time in a lonely outpost, talking to GERTY, the station’s computer, and longing for the day when he can go home. As his contract reaches its end, he begins to experience strange events, and soon discovers there is more to the moon than he ever imagined. With the help of GERTY, he must unravel the mystery behind his mission, and ultimately decide where his true home lies.

From Nick Cassavetes, starring Gena Rowlands, James Garner, Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling
Rated PG-13

The Notebook is a romantic drama film directed by Nick Cassavetes and based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The film stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as two teenagers who fall in love in the 1940s. Despite their families' disapproval, the two stay together until the outbreak of World War II. Years later, an elderly man named Noah (James Garner) reads their story to a woman (Gena Rowlands) in a nursing home, revealing that their love survived the years apart. As their memories come flooding back, Noah and Allie (McAdams) must confront the choices they have made in life in order to find true happiness.

From Todd Phillips, starring Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha, Ed Helms
Rated R

The Hangover is a 2009 American comedy film directed by Todd Phillips, starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Heather Graham, and Jeffrey Tambor. The plot follows three groomsmen who travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party, only to awake to find they have lost the groom and have no memory of the night before. To find the groom and figure out what happened during the night of partying, they must retrace their steps and unravel the various clues and secrets of the night. Through their wild and often hilarious adventures, the three men learn more about themselves and each other as they try to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

From Directors: Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber, starring Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart, Melora Walters, Elden Henson
Rated R

The Butterfly Effect is a 2004 psychological thriller film about a young man named Evan (Ashton Kutcher) who discovers he has the power to go back in time and alter his past to change the present. As he explores his newfound ability, Evan begins to realize the consequences of his actions, finding himself in a downward spiral of chaos and destruction. Throughout the course of his journey, Evan soon discovers the butterfly effect, which states that even the smallest of changes can have huge, unforeseen consequences. With his life spiraling out of control, Evan must find a way to fix his mistakes before all those he loves are destroyed.

From Alex Proyas, starring Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt
Rated R

Dark City is a 1998 neo-noir science fiction film directed by Alex Proyas and starring Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, and William Hurt. The film follows John Murdoch, an amnesiac man who finds himself suspected of murder. He discovers the world he lives in is a construct created by a race of alien beings known as The Strangers, who stop time and manipulate the citizens of the city to perform experiments. With the help of a psychiatrist and a mysterious figure called The Drifter, Murdoch attempts to discover his true identity and unravel the conspiracy behind the Strangers' activities.

From Jean-Pierre Jeunet, starring Audrey Tautou, Gaspard Ulliel, Jodie Foster, Dominique Pinon
Rated R

A Very Long Engagement is a 2004 French romantic drama film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and starring Audrey Tautou. Set during World War I, the film tells the story of an 18-year-old woman named Mathilde who searches for her missing fiancé, Manech, who was sent to the front line and declared missing in action. As Mathilde discovers the truth behind Manech's disappearance, she discovers a tangled web of deceit and betrayal. Along the way she is aided by a variety of colorful characters and learns to become a strong and independent woman. The film is a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of tragedy and suffering.

From Sarah Polley, starring Julie Christie, Michael Murphy, Gordon Pinsent, Stacey LaBerge
Rated PG-13

Away from Her is a 2006 drama film written and directed by Sarah Polley about a couple, Grant (Gordon Pinsent) and Fiona (Julie Christie), who have been married for 44 years. When Fiona is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Grant is forced to confront the challenges of caring for his wife while struggling to maintain their relationship. As Fiona gradually loses her memory, Grant attempts to bring her back to her former self in a series of heartfelt conversations. Meanwhile, Grant must come to terms with the fact that Fiona is slipping away from him, and that she may eventually forget all of their memories together. Despite the heartbreaking nature of their journey, Grant and Fiona's relationship remains strong and true, ultimately proving that love can endure any circumstance.

From Jim Kohlberg, starring Lou Taylor Pucci, J.K. Simmons, Julia Ormond, Cara Seymour
Rated PG

The Music Never Stopped is a 2011 drama directed by Jim Kohlberg and starring JK Simmons. The film tells the story of a father and son who have a strained relationship due to their different personalities. After the son suffers a brain tumor that affects his memory, his father attempts to connect with him through music from the past. Through music, the father is able to build a bridge to his son and ultimately bring them closer together. The Music Never Stopped is a story of human connection and the power of music to transcend time and space.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Michael Chekhov, Leo G. Carroll
Rated Approved

Spellbound is a 1945 psychological mystery-thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. This classic stars Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck as two psychiatrists trying to unravel the identity of a mysterious patient. When Bergman's character, Dr. Constance Peterson, is asked to analyze a new patient at the mental hospital where she works, she discovers he is a murderer on the run, with amnesia due to the trauma of his crime. With the help of Peck's character, Dr. Anthony Edwardes, she strives to uncover the truth of his identity and past. As the mystery deepens, a romantic connection between the two grows, but will they be able to unlock the secrets of the patient's past before it's too late?

From Paul Verhoeven, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Rachel Ticotin
Rated R

Total Recall is a 1990 science fiction action film directed by Paul Verhoeven. The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sharon Stone. The movie follows construction worker Douglas Quaid (Schwarzenegger) who suddenly discovers that his entire life is actually an implanted false memory. He is then thrust into a journey of self-discovery to learn the truth about his identity and the world around him. The film also features appearances from Ronny Cox, Rachel Ticotin, and Michael Ironside. The movie received critical acclaim and was a box office success. It is regarded as one of Verhoeven's best films and became part of popular culture.

From Barry Sonnenfeld, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D'Onofrio
Rated PG-13

From Bryan Singer, starring Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen
Rated PG-13

From Nik Fackler, starring Martin Landau, Ellen Burstyn, Elizabeth Banks, Adam Scott
Rated PG

From Jake Schreier, starring Peter Sarsgaard, Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, Liv Tyler
Rated PG-13

From Frank Darabont, starring Jim Carrey, Martin Landau, Bob Balaban, Jeffrey DeMunn
Rated PG

From Garry Marshall, starring Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Edward Herrmann, Katherine Helmond
Rated PG

From Cameron Crowe, starring Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Kurt Russell
Rated R