Movies About Retirement Homes

From Florian Zeller, starring Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss, Olivia Williams
Rated PG-13

The Father is a 2020 French-British drama film directed by Florian Zeller and starring Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, and Olivia Williams. The film follows an elderly man, Anthony (Hopkins), who is plagued by memory loss and is unwilling to accept he needs help. His daughter Anne (Colman) tries to care for him while also struggling with her own problems. As Anthony's mental state worsens, he is forced to confront the realities of his declining health and the impact it has on his family. The Father is a powerful and emotional exploration of dementia and its effects on both those suffering and their loved ones.

From David Lynch, starring Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Jane Galloway Heitz, Joseph A. Carpenter
Rated G

The Straight Story is the true story of Alvin Straight, an elderly man who embarks on a remarkable journey. After learning that his estranged brother is ill, Alvin sets out on his old John Deere lawn mower to make the 300-mile trip from Iowa to Wisconsin. Along the way, he meets a variety of characters and learns valuable lessons about life and family. Heartwarming, humorous, and touching, The Straight Story is a testament to the power of the human spirit.

From Michael Haneke, starring Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert, Alexandre Tharaud
Rated PG-13

Amour is a 2012 French-language drama film written and directed by Michael Haneke, starring Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuele Riva, and Isabelle Huppert. It tells the story of Anne (Riva) and Georges (Trintignant), an elderly couple living in Paris who must face the decline of Anne's health and the possibility of her death. As Anne's health deteriorates, their relationship is tested as they cope with the physical, emotional, and spiritual implications of her illness. With each passing day, their love and commitment to one another is demonstrated and ultimately proves to be the only true means of survival for the couple. Amour is a powerful film that looks at the beauty and pain of aging, love, and mortality.

From Roger Donaldson, starring Anthony Hopkins, Diane Ladd, Iain Rea, Tessa Mitchell
Rated PG-13

The World's Fastest Indian (2005) is an inspiring biopic based on the true story of New Zealander Burt Munro. Set in the 1950's and 1960's, the film follows the elderly Munro as he attempts to break the land speed record on his Indian Scout motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Munro's quest for speed takes him on a journey of self-discovery, as he meets a range of characters with whom he develops close relationships. Along the way, Munro learns valuable life lessons, such as the importance of staying true to one's passion and persevering despite the odds. His ultimate success at Bonneville is an affirmation of his unwavering faith and commitment to his dream.

From Hannes Holm, starring Rolf Lassgård, Bahar Pars, Filip Berg, Ida Engvoll
Rated PG-13

A Man Called Ove is a Swedish dark comedy-drama film directed by Hannes Holm and based on the novel of the same name by Fredrik Backman. The story follows the titular character, Ove (Rolf Lassgård), an ill-tempered, isolated retiree in Stockholm who spends his days enforcing neighborhood association rules that only he cares about, and visiting his wife's grave. After a boisterous young family moves in next door and accidentally flattens Ove's mailbox, an unlikely friendship forms between Ove and the family. As Ove's past begins to unravel, he starts to become more compassionate and open-minded towards his neighbors, eventually allowing himself to be a part of the community. The film follows Ove's journey of self-discovery and his newfound purpose in life.

From Mark Rydell, starring Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, Doug McKeon
Rated PG

On Golden Pond is a 1981 American drama film directed by Mark Rydell and starring Henry Fonda, Katherine Hepburn, and Jane Fonda. The story focuses on aging couple Ethel and Norman Thayer, who spend each summer at their home on a lake called Golden Pond. During their forty-eighth summer, their estranged daughter, Chelsea, arrives with her fiancé and his son, Billy. As the summer progresses, tensions between Chelsea and her parents gradually dissolve, and the two families come to terms with their relationship. The film explores themes of aging, relationships, and family.

From Doris Dörrie, starring Elmar Wepper, Hannelore Elsner, Aya Irizuki, Maximilian Brückner
Rated Unrated

Cherry Blossoms is a German drama film that follows the story of Rudi (Gordon Piedesack) and Trudi (Hannelore Elsner), an elderly couple that have been married for decades. After Trudi's sudden death, Rudi is overwhelmed with grief and decides to go to Tokyo, Japan to fulfill Trudi's last wish, to see the cherry blossoms in bloom. In Japan, he meets his son, who is dealing with his own personal issues, and finds an unlikely companion in a young Japanese woman. With the help of his newfound friends, Rudi is able to come to terms with his grief and find a newfound appreciation for life.

From Stephen Frears, starring Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Mare Winningham
Rated PG-13

Philomena is a 2013 British-Irish drama film directed by Stephen Frears, based on the book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by journalist Martin Sixsmith. Starring Judi Dench as Philomena and Steve Coogan as Sixsmith, the film follows the true story of Philomena, an Irish woman who discovers that the son she was forced to give up for adoption in the 1950s is now a successful American lawyer. With the help of Sixsmith, she embarks on a journey to the United States to find her long lost son. Along the way, Philomena and Sixsmith form an unlikely friendship and she provides him with an important lesson about the power of forgiveness and faith.

From Ignacio Ferreras, starring Tacho González, Álvaro Guevara, Mabel Rivera, Raúl Dans
Rated Not Rated

Wrinkles is a Spanish animated film directed by Ignacio Ferreras that tells the story of Emilio, an elderly man with Alzheimer's who moves into a nursing home. Emilio struggles to adjust to his new environment, but forms a strong bond with his roommate, Miguel, a middle-aged man with Down Syndrome. With Miguel's help, Emilio slowly begins to reconnect with his past and discover the joy of life once more. Along the way, they encounter a variety of other residents and staff, and even a mysterious figure from Emilio's past. The film ultimately celebrates the power of friendship and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

From Dan Ireland, starring Joan Plowright, Rupert Friend, Zoë Tapper, Robert Lang
Rated Not Rated

Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont is a British-American drama film directed by Dan Ireland and starring Joan Plowright, Rupert Friend, Zoe Tapper, and Anna Massey. The film follows the story of Mrs. Palfrey (Plowright), an elderly widow who moves into a residential hotel in London, the Claremont. Here, she meets a variety of characters, including the cynical, yet kind-hearted, Ludo (Friend), and begins to form meaningful relationships with them. Despite the objections of her daughter, Mrs. Palfrey soon finds herself falling in love with Ludo, and the two develop a close relationship. With her newfound friends and a renewed sense of purpose, Mrs. Palfrey learns to embrace life and live it to the fullest.

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

Away from Her is a 2006 Canadian drama film written and directed by Sarah Polley and starring Julie Christie and Gordon Pinsent. The film tells the story of Fiona and Grant, an elderly married couple who have been together for many years. When Fiona begins to show signs of memory loss, Grant takes her to a nursing home. As Fiona's condition deteriorates, their relationship is tested as Grant struggles to come to terms with her deteriorating mental state. Through their story, the film examines the complexities of relationships, aging, and the ravages of Alzheimer's disease.

From Rob Reiner, starring Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes, Beverly Todd
Rated PG-13

From Paul Mazursky, starring Art Carney, Ellen Burstyn, René Enríquez, Herbert Berghof
Rated R

From Mike Leigh, starring Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen, Lesley Manville, Oliver Maltman
Rated PG-13

From Michael McGowan, starring James Cromwell, Ronan Rees, Geneviève Bujold, Campbell Scott
Rated PG-13

From François Dupeyron, starring Omar Sharif, Pierre Boulanger, Gilbert Melki, Isabelle Renauld
Rated R

From Robert Benton, starring Paul Newman, Bruce Willis, Jessica Tandy, Melanie Griffith
Rated R

From John Madden, starring Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson
Rated PG-13

From Alexander Payne, starring Jack Nicholson, Hope Davis, Dermot Mulroney, Kathy Bates
Rated R

From Roger Michell, starring Peter O'Toole, Jodie Whittaker, Leslie Phillips, Beatrice Savoretti
Rated R

From Andrew Haigh, starring Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay, Geraldine James, Dolly Wells
Rated R

From Nancy Meyers, starring Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo, Anders Holm
Rated PG-13

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

From Donald Petrie, starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith
Rated PG-13

From Charles Dance, starring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Daniel Brühl, Freddie Jones
Rated PG-13