Movies About Disabilities

From Frank Capra, starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell
Rated PG

It's a Wonderful Life is a beloved holiday classic directed by Frank Capra in 1946. The film follows George Bailey, a small-town resident whose dreams of escape and adventure have been quashed by family obligations and a sense of responsibility to his community. After a series of unfortunate events, George finds himself standing on a bridge, contemplating suicide. At the last minute, he is saved by his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody, who shows George what life in his town would have been like had he never been born. Throughout the film, George's life is shown in contrast with what could have been, and he eventually discovers the great value of his own life and the lives of his loved ones. He is able to accept his circumstances, find joy in his blessings, and be grateful for the wonderful life he has.

From Arthur Penn, starring Anne Bancroft, Patty Duke, Victor Jory, Inga Swenson
Rated Approved

The Miracle Worker is a 1962 biographical drama directed by Arthur Penn, based on William Gibson's 1959 play of the same name. The film focuses on the story of Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan, and their struggles to communicate. Blind, deaf and mute since the age of two, Helen is isolated from the world until Anne arrives, determined to teach her language and the ability to communicate with the outside world. Through her patience and dedication, Anne eventually succeeds in teaching Helen to communicate, paving the way for the deaf and blind to be integrated into normal society. The film stars Anne Bancroft as Anne Sullivan and Patty Duke as Helen Keller, and won Oscars for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.

From Martin Brest, starring Al Pacino, Chris O'Donnell, James Rebhorn, Gabrielle Anwar
Rated R

Scent of a Woman is a 1992 American drama film directed by Martin Brest and starring Al Pacino and Chris O'Donnell. The film follows Charlie Simms (O'Donnell), a high school student who takes a job as an assistant to retired Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade (Pacino). Slade is blind and bitter—hiding away in his New York home and planning to commit suicide. Simms soon learns that Slade has a plan to travel to Florida for a few days of fun before he ends it all. Simms decides to accompany Slade on his journey and soon realizes that Slade is not the grumpy old man he first appeared to be. Along the way, the two get into a variety of adventures, and Simms learns that life can be both joyous and heartbreaking. The film culminates with a dramatic climax in which Slade has his chance to redeem himself and Simms learns the power of self-sacrifice in the face of adversity.

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 directed by Barry Levinson and written by Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass. It tells the story of an abrasive and selfish young wheeler-dealer, Charlie Babbitt (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 whom Charlie never knew existed. Charlie is left with only his father's car and $3,000. He decides to take Raymond on a cross-country trip to Los Angeles in order to get a share of the estate. Along the way, Charlie learns to appreciate his brother and, eventually, to love him. Forced to open up to Raymond, Charlie finds happiness in their relationship as well as a new sense of self-understanding. The film was an instant classic, winning four Academy Awards—those for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Actor (Hoffman).

From Jim Sheridan, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Alison Whelan, Kirsten Sheridan
Rated R

My Left Foot is a 1989 biographical drama directed by Jim Sheridan and starring Daniel Day-Lewis. The film tells the true story of Christy Brown, an Irishman born with cerebral palsy who only has control of his left foot. Despite his disability, Christy goes on to become a celebrated writer, painter and poet. With the help of his loving family and a determined doctor, Christy is able to overcome the limitations of his physical disability and develop his talents. The film also focuses on his complex relationship with his mother. My Left Foot was nominated for five Academy Awards and won two, including Best Actor for Day-Lewis's performance.

From Andrew Niccol, starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Gore Vidal
Rated PG-13

Gattaca is a sci-fi thriller set in a future where genetic engineering determines success in life. Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) is born into a world of limited opportunities because of his genetically inferior traits. Undeterred, he sets out to realize his dream of space travel, but is hindered by the restrictions of his genetically inferior status. He soon finds himself in a race against time where he must outwit his genetically superior rivals in order to achieve his goal. He finds an ally in Irene (Uma Thurman) who helps him join the Gattaca space program by providing him with genetic material belonging to a genetically perfect man. Through his will and determination, Vincent is able to beat the odds to achieve his dream.

From Andrew Davis, starring Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward, Julianne Moore
Rated PG-13

The Fugitive is a 1993 American action-thriller film based on the 1960s television series of the same name. It stars Harrison Ford as Dr. Richard Kimble, an innocent man who is unjustly convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to death. After escaping from custody, Kimble embarks on a quest to find the one-armed man who truly committed the crime. He is relentlessly pursued by U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) and a team of U.S. Marshals, leading to an action-packed, thrilling and suspenseful cat-and-mouse chase. In the end, justice prevails as Kimble is vindicated and the fugitive is brought to justice.

From Directors: James Lebrecht, Nicole Newnham, starring James Lebrecht, Lionel Je'Woodyard, Joseph O'Conor, Ann Cupolo Freeman
Rated R

Crip Camp is a 2020 documentary film directed by James Lebrecht and Nicole Newnham. The film follows the journey of a group of disabled individuals from the 1970s who attended the camp known as “Crip Camp”, located in the Catskill Mountains. Through interviews and archival footage, the film recounts the experiences of disabled individuals who attended the camp and how it shaped their lives and political activism. The film also highlights the major events of the disability rights movement, such as the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as it follows the stories of some of the camp’s attendees. The film has received positive reviews, earning a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 93rd Academy Awards.

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

What's Eating Gilbert Grape is a 1993 American drama film directed by Lasse Hallström and starring Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, and Mary Steenburgen. The film follows Gilbert Grape (Depp), a young man living in a small town in Iowa. Gilbert lives with his parents, his two sisters, and his younger brother Arnie (DiCaprio), who has a developmental disability. Gilbert works in a local grocery store and is tasked with taking care of his brother, who often runs into trouble with the law. As Gilbert's frustration with his home life builds, he meets a free-spirited young woman named Becky (Lewis). As Gilbert falls in love with her, he begins to see a way out of his mundane small-town life, while his family continues to struggle with their own issues. The film follows Gilbert as he navigates family tragedy, discovers a newfound purpose, and ultimately learns to accept and love his family for who they are.

From Matthew Vaughn, starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Bacon
Rated PG-13

X-Men: First Class is a 2011 superhero film directed by Matthew Vaughn. The film follows the origin story of the X-Men, focusing on the relationship between Professor Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr, who would become the villain Magneto. The two characters meet as young men in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis and enlist a team of mutants to prevent a global nuclear catastrophe. Along the way, they must confront their own personal differences as they learn to come together, put aside their differences, and fight for the cause of mutantkind. The film stars James McAvoy as Xavier and Michael Fassbender as Lehnsherr, along with other mutants such as Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) and Beast (Nicholas Hoult).

From Taylor Hackford, starring Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Clifton Powell
Rated PG-13

Ray is a biopic about the life of legendary musician Ray Charles. The film follows Ray from his humble beginnings as a musical prodigy in the segregated South to his eventual rise to fame. Along the way, Ray must overcome his personal struggles with drug addiction, a tumultuous relationship with his wife, and the racism of the era. Ultimately, Ray overcomes these obstacles to become one of the most beloved and influential musicians of all time, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to resonate with modern audiences. The film stars Jamie Foxx in the titular role and features an all-star cast that includes Kerry Washington, Regina King, Clifton Powell, and Bokeem Woodbine.

From Damien O'Donnell, starring James McAvoy, Steven Robertson, Romola Garai, Alan King
Rated R

Rory O'Shea Was Here is a 2004 Irish drama film about a young man living with muscular dystrophy who moves into a Dublin home for disabled people. He befriends another young man living with motor neuron disease, Michael Connolly, and together they form an unlikely friendship. With Rory's help, Michael is able to experience some of the joys of life that he has been missing out on, such as going to pubs and clubs. Through their friendship, both Rory and Michael learn more about themselves and become more independent from their caregivers. The film deals with themes of friendship, independence, and disabilities in a humorous and heartfelt way.

From Directors: Henry Alex Rubin, Dana Adam Shapiro, starring Joe Soares, Keith Cavill, Mark Zupan, Robert Soares
Rated R

Murderball (2005) is an inspiring documentary about the competitive sport of quad rugby, or "murderball," as it is affectionately referred to by its players. Following the lives of several hard-hitting athletes, the film highlights the physically and emotionally demanding nature of the sport. Despite the fact that all of the players are wheelchair-bound due to spinal cord injuries, they refuse to let anything stand in their way of achieving greatness on the court. Through interviews and game footage, the film captures the fierce competition, camaraderie, and spirit of these remarkable athletes. Ultimately, they reveal that their disability is not an obstacle, but rather a source of strength.

From Directors: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz, starring Zack Gottsagen, Ann Pierce, Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern
Rated PG-13

The Peanut Butter Falcon is a 2019 American adventure comedy-drama film directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz. It follows Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Down Syndrome, who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). Along the way, he befriends a small-time outlaw named Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), who becomes his coach and ally. Together, they set out on an adventure of a lifetime, braving danger and unexpected encounters as they pursue their dreams. Along the way, they meet Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), a kind-hearted nursing-home employee who joins them in their journey. Together, each of them learns important lessons about friendship, loyalty and the importance of believing in yourself.

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 as Sam Dawson, a mentally disabled father raising his daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning). Sam's love for his daughter and his determination to maintain custody of her despite his disability lead him to seek help from a high-powered attorney, Rita Harrison (Michelle Pfeiffer). Through the unlikely combination of Sam's life lessons and Rita's legal expertise, the pair embarks on a journey to prove in court that Sam is a competent parent. Along the way, the two form a special bond, and Sam's commitment to his daughter and his own growth as a person inspire both of them in unexpected ways.

From Tom McCarthy, starring Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Bobby Cannavale, Paul Benjamin
Rated R

The Station Agent is a 2003 comedy-drama film, written and directed by Tom McCarthy. It follows the story of a lonely man, Fin (Peter Dinklage), who, after losing his job, inherits a deserted train station in rural New Jersey. His plans to be alone are disrupted when two eccentric characters, a chatty hot-dog vendor (Bobby Cannavale) and a grieving artist (Patricia Clarkson), enter into his life and become his unlikely friends. Fin's newfound friendship helps him find his place in the world and ultimately leads him to a better understanding of life.

From Bryan Singer, starring Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen
Rated PG-13

From M. Night Shyamalan, starring Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Robin Wright, Spencer Treat Clark
Rated PG-13

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

From Stephen Herek, starring Richard Dreyfuss, Glenne Headly, Jay Thomas, Olympia Dukakis
Rated PG

From Peter Bogdanovich, starring Cher, Eric Stoltz, Sam Elliott, Estelle Getty
Rated PG-13

From Randa Haines, starring William Hurt, Marlee Matlin, Piper Laurie, Philip Bosco
Rated R

From Oliver Stone, starring Tom Cruise, Bryan Larkin, Raymond J. Barry, Caroline Kava
Rated R

From Richard Wong, starring Grant Rosenmeyer, Hayden Szeto, Ravi Patel, Gabourey Sidibe
Rated Not Rated

From Sean McNamara, starring AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood
Rated PG