Movies about bipolar disorder- Mental Health Related Films

Human lives and behaviour are far more nuanced and emotive than any psychiatric diagnostic system or symptom checklist can ever portray.

Most people recognise aspects of themselves in at least a few psychiatric diagnostic categories. The difference between normal and disorder is not straightforward and often has more to do with degree rather than kind, i.e. does it cause big problems?

While movies are not perfect depictions of reality, they often present themes in relatable, enriching, usefully challenging, and thought-provoking ways.

We invite you to explore mental health through movies that raise awareness, open dialogue, present complexity, entertain, and/or normalise experiences.

Click to see the Ultimate List of Mental Health Movies index

What is Bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis (see abridged criteria below) pointing to extreme shifts in mood over time. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression. Symptoms include episodes of depression and also an extremely elevated mood called mania or hypomania (a less severe form of mania). While people with bipolar disorder may have difficulty in managing everyday life or maintaining relationships, many afflicted individuals live outstandingly successful lives, particularly between episodes (unlike borderline personality disorder which also involves moods shifts but has a more consistent impact).

Psychiatry, and DSM-5 (diagnostic manual), divides bipolar disorder into two types, i.e. Bipolar Disorder I and Bipolar Disorder II. Experiencing a full manic episode is required to diagnose Bipolar Disorder I, whereas Bipolar Disorder II requires only a hypomanic episode. Hypomanic episodes are shorter in duration and don't disrupt functioning or require hospitalisation.

Not interested in the diagnostic criteria of bipolar disorders? No problem, scroll straight to the movies below.

Abridged DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria for Bipolar I Disorder 296.41 (F31.11) | Provided for educational purposes

For a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, it is necessary to meet the following criteria for a manic episode. The manic episode may have been preceded by and may be followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes.

Manic Episode

A. A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased goal-directed activity or energy, lasting at least 1 week and present most of the day, nearly every day (or any duration if hospitalisation is necessary).

B. During the period of mood disturbance and increased energy or activity, three (or more) of the following symptoms (four if the mood is only irritable) are present to a significant degree and represent a noticeable change from usual behaviour:

1. Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity.

2. Decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep).

3. More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking.

4. Flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing.

5. Distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli), as reported or observed.

6. Increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation (i.e., purposeless non-goal-directed activity).

7. Excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments).

C. The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning or to necessitate hospitalisation to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features.

Hypomanic Episode

A. A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased activity or energy, lasting at least 4 consecutive days and present most of the day, nearly every day.

B. During the period of mood disturbance and increased energy and activity, three (or more) of the following symptoms (four if the mood is only irritable) have persisted, represent a noticeable change from usual behaviour, and have been present to a significant degree:

Note: See the same 7 points for a manic episode above.

C. The episode is associated with an unequivocal change in functioning that is uncharacteristic of the individual when not symptomatic.

D. The disturbance in mood and the change in functioning are observable by others.

E. The episode is not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning or to necessitate hospitalisation. If there are psychotic features, the episode is, by definition, manic.

F. The episode is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, other treatment).

Major Depressive Episode

A. Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad, empty, or hopeless) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful).

2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.

3. Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.

4. Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.

5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others; not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).

6. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.

7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick).

8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others).

9. Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.

B. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Movies about Bipolar disorder

If we missed an essential film about bipolar disorder, please let us know. We would love to include it.

Note: Movies may trigger painful memories and emotions. Please use your judgement and ensure support is available if need be.

Movie Title: Bipolar Rock 'N Roller - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2018

Rated: 7.6

Cast: Mauro Ranallo, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Conor McGregor

Storyline: An unflinching story about boxing and combat sports broadcaster Mauro Ranallo's struggle with bipolar disorder.

Movie Title: Sylvia - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2003

Rated: 6.3

Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow, Daniel Craig, Lucy Davenport

Storyline: Sylvia is a biographical drama starring Gwenyth Paltrow as Sylvia Plath, about her fight with bipolar disease while managing a successful writing career.

Movie Title: Mad World

Release: 2016

Rated: 7.2

Cast: Shawn Yue, Eric Tsang, Elaine Jin

Storyline: A former financial analyst with severe bipolar disorder as he is released from a psychiatric hospital into his truck-driver father’s care.

Movie Title: Modern Love - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2019–2021

Rated: 7.9

Cast: Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Andy Garcia

Storyline: Terri Cheney, a writer and former entertainment lawyer announced her bipolar diagnosis in a strong and public way after hiding her issues from coworkers and love partners for years. Anne Hathaway portrays Cheney's real experience with bipolar depression and mania in the series.

Movie Title: Repentance - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2013

Rated: 4.9

Cast: Anthony Mackie, Forest Whitaker, Sanaa Lathan

Storyline: Angel (Forest Whitaker), a man with bipolar disorder, has lost his mother and, to a lesser extent, his wife, and now all he has is his house and his kid.

Movie Title: The Ghost and the Whale - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2017

Rated: 4.3

Cast: Jonathan Pryce, Monica Keena, Tippi Hedren

Storyline: While sailing, Joseph Hawthorne lost his wife overboard. His village is divided by the mystery of what truly transpired. Joseph's untreated bipolar disorder causes mania, melancholia, and beach conversations with a gray whale.

Movie Title: Touched with Fire - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2015

Rated: 6.2

Cast: Katie Holmes, Luke Kirby, Christine Lahti

Storyline: Two bipolar patients meet in a psychiatric hospital and engage on a romance that highlights both the beauty and misery of their condition.

Movie Title: The Year Between - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2022

Rated: 6.1

Cast: J. Smith-Cameron, David Brown, Steve Buscemi

Storyline: Clemence returns home after dropping out of college and being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Movie Title: Fear Strikes Out - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1957

Rated: 7

Cast: Anthony Perkins, Karl Malden, Norma Moore

Storyline: A father who is obsessed with baseball pushed the sport on his son. As the young man achieves his father's goal, he battles with bipolar disorder.

Movie Title: Splendor in The Grass - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1961

Rated: 7.8

Cast: Natalie Wood, Waren Beaty, Pat Hingle

Storyline: A young man and his highschool sweetheart who suffer from bipolar disorder are weighed down by their parents' expectations. Both realise that they must accept what life has thrown at them.

Movie Title: A Woman Under the Influence - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1974

Rated: 8.2

Cast: Gena Rowlands, Peter Falk, Fred Draper

Storyline: A woman with bipolar disorder displays odd behaviour. Her husband sends her to an institution believing she has become a threat to herself and to others.

Movie Title: Mr. Jones - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1993

Rated: 5.7

Cast: Richard Gere, Lena Olin Ann Bancroft

Storyline: A man suffering from bipolar disorder, is taken to a psychiatric hospital where he meets the love of his life.

Movie Title: Manic - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2001

Rated: 7.4

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Bacall, Zooey Deschanel

Storyline: A violent teenager is placed in a mental institution where he encounters a group of troubled teens who are abused, sexually confused, and violent. He befriends a young man who suffers from bipolar disorder.

Movie Title: The Hours - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2002

Rated: 7.6

Cast: Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore

Storyline: The story is about the novelist Virginia Woolf who suffers from bipolar disorder and is trying to write the novel Mrs Dalloway, Laura Brown, a housewife who is reading the novel and Clarissa Vaughan, who throws a party for a gay poet who often calls her Mrs Dalloway.

Movie Title: The Devil and Daniel Johnston - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2005

Rated: 8

Cast: Daniel Johnston, Mabel Johnston, Bill Johnston

Storyline: This documentary film honours the complex artistry of Daniel, a songwriter who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He experienced delusions and episodes of mania with creativity.

Movie Title: Michael Clayton - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2007

Rated: 7.3

Cast: George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson

Storyline: An attorney tries to fix the mess after one of his law firm's top litigators suffers from bipolar disorder and a breakdown. As he discovers what is fully going-on, he faces the biggest challenge of his career and his life.

Movie Title: The Informant - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2009

Rated: 6.5

Cast: Matt Damon, Tony Hale, Patton Oswalt

Storyline: An executive exposes the illegal tactics of the ADM company. He goes through many problems and suffers from bipolar disorder.

Movie Title: Dad's in Heaven with Nixon - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2010

Rated: 7.4

Cast: Tom Murray

Storyline: A documentary film focuses on the history of the Murray family especially his brother, a man with autism whose paintings of cityscapes have garnered praise. Over three generations of Murray, patriarchs struggled with alcoholism and bipolar disorder.

Movie Title: Of Two Minds - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2012

Rated: 6.8

Cast: Terri Cheney, Carlton Davis, Cheri Keating

Storyline: A documentary of three people with bipolar disorder who experience struggles and successes.

Movie Title: Silver Linings Playbook - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2012

Rated: 7.8

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro

Storyline: A man with bipolar disorder is sent to a mental health facility after brutally attacking his wife's lover. Things get complicated when he meets a woman (who may have a borderline personality disorder) who offers to help him reconnect with his wife if he will partner with her in an upcoming dance competition.

Movie Title: Surviving Family - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2012

Rated: 8

Cast: Sarah Wilson, Billy Magnussen, Tara Westwood

Storyline: A woman named Terry learns that she's not the only one in the family with secrets. Her young niece Lily has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She must face the truth behind her mother's suicide and her father's alcoholism.

Movie Title: Call Me Crazy, A Five Film - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2013

Rated: 7

Cast: Jennifer Hudson, Sarah Hyland, Melissa Leo

Storyline: Five short films about different psychiatric disorders; schizophrenia, depression , bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Movie Title: Filth - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2013

Rated: 7.1

Cast: James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, Eddie Marsan

Storyline: A cop with bipolar disorder begins to experience severe hallucinations as he tries to solve the murder of a Japanese student.

Movie Title: Infinitely Polar Bear - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2014

Rated: 7

Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana, Imogene Wolodasky

Storyline: A man with bipolar disorder tries to win back his wife by taking full responsibility for his two daughters while his wife attends graduate school.

Movie Title: Misery - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1990

Rated: 7.8

Cast: James Caan, Kathy Bates

Storyline: After a serious car crash, the novelist is rescued by a former nurse named Annie. She has bipolar disorder, a severe borderline (possible anti-social) personality disorder with schizoid and obsessive-compulsive features, and sadomasochism. Annie becomes violent as she forces the author to change his writing to suit her twisted fantasies.

Movie Title: Running with Scissors - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2006

Rated: 6.2

Cast: Joseph Cross, Annette Bening, Brian Cox

Storyline: Based on the personal memories of Augusten Burroughs, his mother who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder left him to the family of the therapist she is seeing. Through his stay in the therapist's house, he learns about love and makes big decisions at a young age.

Movie Title: Heroine (Hindi) - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2012

Rated: 5.1

Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Randeep Hooda

Storyline: A renowned actress with bipolar disorder goes into depression . To save her sinking career, she takes a step that she regrets later.

References and Links

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

What are Bipolar disorders?: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/bipolar-disorders/what-are-bipolar-disorders

What Is a Person with Bipolar Disorder Like?: https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_a_person_with_bipolar_disorder_like/article.htm

Bipolar disorder according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder

Acknowledgements

The above article was written under my close direction and supervision. However, much credit goes to Charlene Poliquit (my right-hand man) and Andri Eigenberger (my beloved aunt) for their huge efforts in bringing this task to life.

Vincenzo Sinisi

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay