Movies about grief - 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 Grief?

Grief is an overwhelming emotion experienced in response to the loss of someone or something that's important to you. One can experience grief for a number of reasons. It may be because a loved one died, a job is lost, a chronic illness is experienced, or a relationship ends.

Movies about Grief

If we missed an essential film about grief, 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: Pieces of a Woman

Release: 2020

Rated: 7.0

Cast: Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf, Ellen Burstyn

Storyline: Martha and Sean, a grieving couple, navigate the depths of grief and the complexities of their relationship following the heartbreaking loss of their baby during a home birth.

Movie Title: If Anything Happens I Love You

Release: 2020

Rated: 7.8

Cast:

Storyline: Two grieving parents navigate the depths of grief and heartache as they confront the tragic loss of their daughter, who was taken from them in a school shooting.

Movie Title: The Lost Husband - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2020

Rated: 6.1

Cast: Leslie Bibb, Josh Duhamel, Nora Dunn

Storyline: Grieving widow Libby navigates the challenges of single motherhood, finding solace and a new sense of self while living with her critical mother and embarking on a journey of self-discovery.

Movie Title: This Is Where I Leave You - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2014

Rated: 6.6

Cast: Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Jane Fonda

Storyline: A family comes together to mourn the loss of their father, navigating a web of complex relationships, unresolved grievances, and shared grief as they spend a week sitting shiva under one roof.

Movie Title: One Week and a Day - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2016

Rated: 6.7

Cast: Sharon Alexander, Shai Avivi, Tomer Capone

Storyline: A grieving father embarks on a cathartic journey of self-discovery and unconventional coping methods after the loss of his son.

Movie Title: Batman Begins - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2005

Rated: 8.3

Cast: Christina Bale, Michael Caine, Ken Watanabe

Storyline: A young boy witnesses his parents' death and the grief pushes him to rescue Gotham City against evil.

Movie Title: Term of Endearment - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1983

Rated: 7.4

Cast: Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger

Storyline: The story is about a mother-daughter relationship. The mother focuses on her only daughter to lessen the grief she felt when her husband died. Family problems occur but their terms of endearment help them to move forward in their grief journey.

Movie Title: Up - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2009

Rated: 8.2

Cast: Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, John Ratzenberger

Storyline: An old man lost the love of his life and grief has kept him isolated and angry. He takes their house to Paradise Falls by equipping it with balloons. He discovers a young stowaway aboard the house.

Movie Title: Reign Over Me - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2007

Rated: 7.5

Cast: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith

Storyline: A man named Charlie, lost everything important in his life. He runs into his old friend and their friendship helps Charlie to recover from his grief.

Movie Title: Rabbit Hole - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2010

Rated: 7.0

Cast: Rinko Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest

Storyline: The story is about a couple who is trying to overcome grief after the death of their four-year-old son.

References and Links

What is grief? https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/support-groups/what-is-grief

More on grief: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/grief

Grief according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grief

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

Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash