Movies About Psychiatric Hospitals

From Milos Forman, starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Michael Berryman, Peter Brocco
Rated R

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Milos Forman, based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey. It stars Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, a criminal serving a short jail sentence on a prison farm who is transferred to a mental institution. The film follows McMurphy's antics within the institution, as he antagonizes and eventually rallies the other patients to challenge oppressive Nurse Ratched. It also features Louise Fletcher, Brad Dourif, William Redfield, and Christopher Lloyd among the ensemble cast. The film was highly acclaimed by both critics and audiences and was a box office success. It was the second most-successful film of 1975, grossing $109 million against a budget of $4 million. It also received five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Nicholson), Best Actress (Fletcher), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

From James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick
Rated R

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron. The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a cyborg, sent back in time to protect a young Sarah Connor and her son, John, from a highly advanced and indestructible cyborg from the future. The story follows Sarah and John as they struggle to survive against the threat of the Terminator and its attempts to terminate them both. With the help of a reprogrammed Terminator, Sarah and John must find a way to prevent a future where machines rule over humanity. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $519 million worldwide and winning four Academy Awards.

From Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence A. Bonney, Kasi Lemmons
Rated R

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller directed by Jonathan Demme, based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Harris. The film follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she teams up with the brilliant Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to apprehend a serial killer known as Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). Clarice must use her skills as an investigator, her wit, and her courage to outwit both Hannibal and Buffalo Bill. As the investigation progresses, Hannibal’s chilling insights into human behavior become ever more essential to Clarice’s success. The Silence of the Lambs won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Jodie Foster), Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

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

Shutter Island is an American neo-noir psychological thriller directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels. Daniels and his new partner, Chuck Aule, are sent to the remote Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of a patient from the Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane. As they investigate, Teddy begins to suspect that the hospital is hiding something far more sinister and begins to unravel a complex web of deceit and betrayal that could have devastating consequences for him and the rest of the world. The film follows Teddy's journey into the depths of his own mind and the terrifying truth that he discovers there.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Ken Watanabe, Liam Neeson
Rated PG-13

Batman Begins is a 2005 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson, Rutger Hauer, Ken Watanabe, and Morgan Freeman. It is the first installment of the The Dark Knight Trilogy. The film follows Bruce Wayne (Bale), who after a personal tragedy turns his back on his life as a rich playboy and chooses instead to become a vigilante that will protect the city of Gotham. With the help of his mentor, Ra's al Ghul (Neeson), Bruce is trained in the martial arts and the ways of stealth before he embarks on a mission to clean up the city. Along the way, Bruce has to confront his fears and face off against a new foe, the mysterious League of Shadows and its leader, the Scarecrow (Murphy). With the help of his trusted butler Alfred (Caine) and ally Lucius Fox (Freeman), Bruce must find a way to save Gotham from the clutches of evil.

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

12 Monkeys is a 1995 sci-fi thriller directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt, and Madeleine Stowe. The film is set in a dystopian future where a deadly virus has decimated the world’s population, and a group of scientists enlist a convict (Willis) to travel back in time to find the source of the virus. As the convict travels back in time, he becomes entangled in a complex web of events, and must confront his own fate in the process. Along the way, he meets a psychiatrist (Stowe) and a brilliant mental patient (Pitt) who may hold the key to the virus’ origin. As the convict attempts to find the virus’ source and prevent its spread, he discovers a shocking truth about the future.

From Penny Marshall, starring Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner, Ruth Nelson
Rated PG-13

Awakenings is a 1990 American drama film directed by Penny Marshall, based on the 1973 non-fiction book of the same name by neurologist Oliver Sacks. The film stars Robert De Niro and Robin Williams, with Julie Kavner, Ruth Nelson, John Heard, Penelope Ann Miller, and Max von Sydow in supporting roles. The movie tells the story of Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Williams), a British neurologist working in a New York City hospital in the 1950s. He discovers a miracle drug that helps catatonic patients awaken from nearly a decade of catatonia. Despite the skepticism of his colleagues, he continues to use the drug on the ward to bring his patients back to life. With the help of Nurse Eleanor Costello (Kavner), Dr. Sayer is able to help the patients lead more normal lives and even establishes a relationship with one of his patients, Leonard Lowe (De Niro). As the patients are slowly able to overcome their catatonia, they experience a range of emotions and challenges as they adjust to their new lives.

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

Spellbound is a 1945 psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film follows the story of Dr. Constance Petersen (Ingrid Bergman), a psychiatrist working in a mental hospital in Vermont. She meets the new director of the hospital, Dr. Anthony Edwardes (Gregory Peck), who appears to have amnesia. Soon, Petersen discovers that Edwardes is an imposter who has assumed the identity of the real Dr. Edwardes. Petersen and other members of the hospital staff set out to uncover the imposter's true identity and discover the secrets of his past. As the mystery unravels, Petersen finds herself increasingly falling in love with Edwardes, even as she works to save him from the consequences of his actions. Spellbound is a classic Hitchcock thriller, full of suspense and offbeat humor, as well as a heartfelt romance.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves
Rated R

From Iain Softley, starring Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges, Mary McCormack, Alfre Woodard
Rated PG-13

From James Mangold, starring Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea DuVall, Brittany Murphy
Rated R

From Graeme Clifford, starring Jessica Lange, Jonathan Banks, Bonnie Bartlett, James Brodhead
Rated R

From Directors: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, starring Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, Dana DeVestern
Rated PG-13

From John Carpenter, starring Sam Neill, Jürgen Prochnow, Julie Carmen, David Warner
Rated R

From Arthur Hiller, starring George C. Scott, Diana Rigg, Barnard Hughes, Richard Dysart
Rated PG-13

From Brad Anderson, starring Kate Beckinsale, Jim Sturgess, David Thewlis, Brendan Gleeson
Rated PG-13

From Chuck Russell, starring Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, Craig Wasson, Patricia Arquette
Rated R

From Mel Brooks, starring Mel Brooks, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, Harvey Korman
Rated PG

From Joby Harold, starring Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, Terrence Howard, Lena Olin
Rated R

From Michael Apted, starring Hugh Grant, Gene Hackman, Sarah Jessica Parker, David Morse
Rated R

From Zack Snyder, starring Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone
Rated PG-13

From Mathieu Kassovitz, starring Halle Berry, Penélope Cruz, Robert Downey Jr., Charles S. Dutton
Rated R

From John Carpenter, starring Amber Heard, Mamie Gummer, Danielle Panabaker, Laura-Leigh
Rated R

From Keith Gordon, starring Robert Downey Jr., Robin Wright, Mel Gibson, Jeremy Northam
Rated R

From Ivan Reitman, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, Emma Thompson, Frank Langella
Rated PG-13