Movies About Psychologists

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 tells the story of a rebellious prisoner named Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) who is sent to a mental institution for evaluation. While there, he inspires a rebellious spirit among the other patients, and encourages them to stand up to the oppressive and abusive staff. McMurphy's attempts to free himself and the other inmates eventually lead to a heartbreaking and poignant climax. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Jack Nicholson), Best Actress (Louise Fletcher), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Gus Van Sant, starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

Good Will Hunting is a 1997 Academy Award-winning drama directed by Gus Van Sant. It stars Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver and Stellan Skarsgård. The story follows Will Hunting, a troubled genius-level janitor who is discovered by a renowned MIT professor. The professor encourages Will to pursue a career in mathematics, but Will would rather live a life of freedom and struggle to deal with the emotional scars from his rough upbringing. With the help of a therapist and his friends, Will begins to find the strength to overcome his demons and accept his potential. Good Will Hunting is a powerful story of strength, friendship, and the power of self-discovery.

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

A Beautiful Mind is an Academy Award winning biographical drama directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe. The film tells the story of John Nash, a brilliant mathematician whose struggle with schizophrenia causes him to experience hallucinations and delusions. Despite his mental illness, Nash is determined to find a way to make a meaningful contribution to the world of mathematics and to overcome the obstacles in his life. With the help of his wife, Alicia, and his friends and colleagues, Nash is able to make great strides in his research and eventually wins the Nobel Prize in Economics for his work. Despite his success and acclaim, Nash still struggles with the symptoms of his mental illness and must find a way to continue to lead a productive life.

From Richard Kelly, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne
Rated R

Donnie Darko is a psychological thriller directed by Richard Kelly. It follows the story of Donnie, an eccentric teenager living in a small town in 1988. Donnie begins to experience visions of a giant, demonic-looking rabbit named Frank, who tells him the world will end in 28 days. As Donnie follows the instructions of Frank, his mental health begins to deteriorate and he finds himself in increasingly dangerous situations. He also discovers that he has the ability to manipulate time and Space-Time. With the help of his therapist, his sister, and his new girlfriend, Donnie must face the truth about his visions and fight to save the world from the impending apocalypse.

From Stephen Chbosky, starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Paul Rudd
Rated PG-13

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a 2012 coming-of-age drama directed by Stephen Chbosky. It follows the story of introverted teenager Charlie (Logan Lerman) and his journey to self-discovery and acceptance. Along the way, Charlie forms a strong bond with his two new friends, Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller). Together, they experience the highs and lows of teenage life, including first loves, heartbreaks, and the struggles of finding your identity. As Charlie gradually comes out of his shell, he discovers the joys of life and the importance of family, friendship and living in the moment. Ultimately, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a powerful story of self-acceptance, resilience, and the power of human connection.

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

Awakenings is a 1990 drama film directed by Penny Marshall and starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro. The film is based on the book by Dr. Oliver Sacks, which tells the story of a group of patients in a hospital in the Bronx, New York, who were affected by a sleeping sickness known as encephalitis lethargica. After 30 years of slumber, they are suddenly awakened by the experimental treatments of Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Williams), a newly hired neurologist. Though the treatment initially works wonders, the patients eventually regress back into their comatose states. Dr. Sayer struggles to keep their newfound consciousness alive and to find a way to permanently revive them. Throughout the course of the film, the patients and Dr. Sayer form a strong bond and ultimately, the patients are able to break free of their illness and experience a newfound joy in life.

From Robert Redford, starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton
Rated R

Ordinary People is a 1980 American drama film directed by Robert Redford, which tells the story of a suburban family struggling to cope with the death of one of their sons in a boating accident. It stars Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, and Timothy Hutton. The film follows the Jarrett family as they attempt to heal from the tragedy and move forward, while also facing issues of guilt and alienation. The film examines the relationships between the members of the family, and their attempts to come to terms with the loss of their beloved son. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor (Timothy Hutton).

From James Ivory, starring James Wilby, Rupert Graves, Hugh Grant, Denholm Elliott
Rated R

Maurice (1987) is a British romantic drama directed by James Ivory and based on the novel by E.M. Forster. The film follows Maurice Hall (Hugh Grant) as he navigates his sexuality in Edwardian-era England. Maurice struggles to reconcile his feelings of love for another man, Clive Durham (Rupert Graves), with his strict upbringing and the oppressive Victorian social norms of the time. Despite the societal pressures, Maurice and Clive pursue a passionate love affair that faces numerous obstacles. Along the way, Maurice's close friends, Alec Scudder (Ben Kingsley) and Dr. Barry (Simon Callow), support him in his journey of self-discovery. Ultimately, Maurice must choose between his love and his societal obligations.

From Anton Corbijn, starring Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Craig Parkinson, Alexandra Maria Lara
Rated R

Control is a 2007 British biographical film about the life of Ian Curtis, the lead singer of the 1970s post-punk band Joy Division. Directed by Anton Corbijn, the film follows Curtis (played by Sam Riley) from his teenage years to his untimely death at the age of 23. The film portrays Curtis' struggle with depression, his marriage to Deborah (Samantha Morton), his growing fame and his eventual suicide. The film also explores the relationship between Curtis and his bandmates Bernard Sumner (James Anthony Pearson), Peter Hook (Joe Anderson) and Stephen Morris (Harry Treadaway). The film is set in 1970s Manchester and features a soundtrack of Joy Division songs. Control won numerous awards, including the Cannes Film Festival's prestigious Technical Grand Prize.

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

Spellbound is a 1945 psychological thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck. The story follows psychiatrist Dr. Constance Petersen (Ingrid Bergman), who discovers that her new boss, Dr. Anthony Edwardes (Gregory Peck), is suffering from a mental breakdown, and is not actually who he claims to be. With the help of another doctor, Petersen sets out to uncover the truth about Edwardes' identity and save him from his delusions. With stunning visuals and a dreamlike atmosphere, Spellbound is a classic Hitchcock thriller that still resonates with audiences today.

From Denzel Washington, starring Denzel Washington, Derek Luke, Joy Bryant, Malcolm David Kelley
Rated PG-13

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

From Nunnally Johnson, starring Joanne Woodward, David Wayne, Lee J. Cobb, Edwin Jerome
Rated Approved

From Steven Soderbergh, starring Rooney Mara, Channing Tatum, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Rated R

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

From Gren Wells, starring Robert Sheehan, Dev Patel, Zoë Kravitz, Robert Patrick
Rated R

From Barbra Streisand, starring Barbra Streisand, Nick Nolte, Blythe Danner, Kate Nelligan
Rated R

From John McTiernan, starring Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo, Denis Leary, Ben Gazzara
Rated R

From Roger Kumble, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair
Rated R

From Mike Nichols, starring Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman
Rated R

From Robert Redford, starring Robert Redford, Kristin Scott Thomas, Sam Neill, Dianne Wiest
Rated PG-13

From Jeremy Leven, starring Johnny Depp, Marlon Brando, Faye Dunaway, Géraldine Pailhas
Rated PG-13

From Asger Leth, starring Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell, Mandy Gonzalez
Rated PG-13

From Nancy Meyers, starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski
Rated R

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