Movies About Autism

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer
Rated PG-13

A Beautiful Mind is an Academy Award-winning film directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe. The movie is based on the true story of the Nobel-prize winning mathematician John Nash. It follows Nash from his early days at Princeton University, through his struggles with schizophrenia, to his eventual triumph over the illness. Throughout the course of the film, Nash gradually rises to the top of the academic world and discovers his true love, Alicia. He also learns to cope with his mental illness and ultimately triumphs over it. The film is an inspiring and emotional look at Nash's journey from a brilliant but misguided young man to a Nobel Laureate.

From Barry Levinson, starring Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino, Gerald R. Molen
Rated R

Rain Man is a 1988 American road comedy-drama film written by Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass and directed by Barry Levinson. It tells the story of an abrasive and selfish young wheeler-dealer (Tom Cruise) who discovers that his estranged father has died and bequeathed all of his multimillion-dollar estate to his other son, Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), an autistic savant, of whose existence Charlie was unaware. Charlie is determined to get a piece of the estate by bringing Raymond to Los Angeles and exploiting his abilities as a card-counting expert in blackjack. Through this process, Charlie learns to appreciate his brother, who teaches him that true intelligence comes in many different forms and that there is more to life than money. In the end, Raymond is returned to the mental institution, where he is happy, and Charlie is given a $3 million inheritance.

From Morten Tyldum, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Allen Leech
Rated PG-13

The Imitation Game is a 2014 biographical drama film directed by Morten Tyldum, based on the true story of Alan Turing, the British cryptanalyst who played a vital role in cracking Nazi Germany's Enigma code to help the Allies win World War II. Turing is portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, and the other cast members include Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Mark Strong, and Charles Dance. The story follows Turing and his team of code-breakers at Britain's top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park as they race against time to crack the Germans' Enigma code and turn the tide of the war. As they grapple with the complex mathematics that lay behind the Enigma code, they also battle against prejudice and bureaucracy to prove that Turing's revolutionary machine, the "bombe", is the only way to win the war. In the end, it is the team's courage, perseverance, and ingenuity that triumphs, though Turing's own tragic fate proves the ultimate price for his genius.

From Karan Johar, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Sheetal Menon, Katie Amanda Keane
Rated PG-13

My Name Is Khan is a 2010 Indian drama film directed by Karan Johar and starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in lead roles. The film tells the story of Rizwan Khan, an Indian Muslim man with Asperger's Syndrome, and his journey from India to the United States in search of his wife, Mandira. Along the way, he meets a range of people from different backgrounds who help him in his quest. The film explores themes of racial and religious prejudice and terrorism, as well as the power of love and acceptance. The film received positive reviews and was successful at the box office.

From Niels Arden Oplev, starring Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Ewa Fröling, Lena Endre
Rated R

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a 2009 Swedish mystery thriller film directed by Niels Arden Oplev. It is based on the bestselling novel of the same title by Stieg Larsson. The film follows investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander as they investigate the disappearance of Harriet Vanger, a sixteen year old heiress who vanished 40 years earlier. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a dark family history of abuse and a series of murders over the years. Their investigation leads them to uncover a centuries-old conspiracy involving industrialists, fascists, and criminals. The film culminates in a shocking climax as the two uncover the truth.

From Lasse Hallström, starring Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen
Rated PG-13

"What's Eating Gilbert Grape" is a 1993 drama film written by Peter Hedges and directed by Lasse Hallström. Set in the fictional small town of Endora, Iowa, the film stars Johnny Depp as Gilbert Grape, a 24-year-old young man who is taking care of his obese mother, Bonnie (Darlene Cates), and his developmentally disabled younger brother, Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio). Gilbert's life is further complicated by unresolved family issues and a strained relationship with his father. As the story unfolds, Gilbert and his family are challenged by the arrival of a mysterious woman (Juliette Lewis) who stirs up both joy and chaos in their lives. Through Gilbert's journey of self-discovery, the film explores themes of family bonds, personal responsibility, and overcoming obstacles.

From Jessie Nelson, starring Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning, Dianne Wiest
Rated PG-13

I Am Sam is a 2001 drama film directed by Jessie Nelson and starring Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer. It tells the story of Sam Dawson, a mentally challenged father raising his daughter Lucy, played by Dakota Fanning. Sam is a kind, gentle soul, and his love for Lucy is unconditional and unending. When Lucy's intellectual abilities outpace her father's, social services threatens to separate them. Sam enlists the help of a high-priced attorney, Rita Harrison, to help win back custody of his daughter in a custody battle. With the help of Rita, Lucy's teacher, and Sam's friends from the local coffee shop, Sam is able to prove that he is a capable and loving father, and the judge grants him custody of Lucy. In the end, Sam and Lucy remain a family, and the bond between them is strengthened.

From Marc Evans, starring Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, Carrie-Anne Moss, Emily Hampshire
Rated Not Rated

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Adam Sandler, Emily Watson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jason Andrews
Rated R

From Daniel Alfredson, starring Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Lena Endre, Annika Hallin
Rated R

From Elissa Down, starring Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Toni Collette, Erik Thomson
Rated PG-13

From Max Mayer, starring Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Peter Gallagher, Amy Irving
Rated PG-13

From Daniel Alfredson, starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre, Peter Andersson
Rated R

From Alonso Mayo, starring Lou Taylor Pucci, Jayne Eastwood, Pam Hyatt, Cary Elwes
Rated Not Rated

From Stephen Daldry, starring Thomas Horn, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Max von Sydow
Rated PG-13

From Nick Castle, starring Lucy Deakins, Jay Underwood, Bonnie Bedelia, Fred Savage
Rated PG

From Sam Fleischner, starring Jesus Sanchez-Velez, Andrea Suarez Paz, Azul Zorrilla, Tenoch Huerta
Rated Not Rated

From Lasse Hallström, starring Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried, Richard Jenkins, Henry Thomas
Rated PG-13

From Janet Grillo, starring Beth Broderick, Ashley Rickards, Aramazd Stepanian, Promotion
Rated TV-G

From Harold Becker, starring Bruce Willis, Miko Hughes, Alec Baldwin, Chi McBride
Rated R

From John Duigan, starring Elisabeth Shue, Aaron Eckhart, Jill Hennessy, Thomas Jane
Rated PG-13

From Chuck Russell, starring Kim Basinger, Jimmy Smits, Rufus Sewell, Holliston Coleman
Rated R