Movies about intellectual disability - 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 Intellectual Disability?

Intellectual disability is a neurodevelopmental diagnosis characterised by below-average intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem-solving) etc.) and a lack of skills necessary for daily living. A child with an intellectual disability can learn new skills but will develop more slowly, or within narrower limits than other children.

In the past, the term mental retardation was used to describe this condition but this term is no longer used.

Abridged DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria for intellectual disability(intellectual developmental disorder)

Intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder) is a disorder with onset during the developmental period that includes both intellectual and adaptive functioning deficits in conceptual, social, and practical domains. The following three criteria must be met:

A. Deficits in intellectual functions, such as reasoning, problem solving, planning, abstract thinking, judgment, academic learning, and learning from experience, confirmed by both clinical assessment and individualised, standardised intelligence testing.

B. Deficits in adaptive functioning that result in failure to meet developmental and sociocultural standards for personal independence and social responsibility. Without ongoing support, the adaptive deficits limit functioning in one or more activities of daily life, such as communication, social participation, and independent living, across multiple environments, such as home, school, work, and community.

C. Onset of intellectual and adaptive deficits during the developmental period.

Movies about intellectual disability

If we missed an essential film about intellectual disability, 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: Champions

Release: 2018

Rated: 7.2

Cast: Javier Gutiérrez, Athenea Mata, Juan Margallo

Storyline: Marco Montes, a basketball coach with a volatile temper, who is sentenced to community service and assigned to coach a team of intellectually disabled players, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and the power of inclusivity.

Movie Title: The Peanut Butter Falcon - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2019

Rated: 7.6

Cast: Zack Gottsagen, Ann Pierce, Dakota Johnson

Storyline: Zak, a young man with Down syndrome escapes from a nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler, embarking on an adventure-filled journey with a kind-hearted drifter named Tyler as they navigate friendship, self-discovery, and the challenges of intellectual disability in a modern-day Mark Twain-like tale.

Movie Title: Crip Camp

Release: 2020

Rated: 7.7

Cast: James Lebrecht, Lionel Je'Woodyard, Joseph O'Conor

Storyline: The inspiring story of Camp Jened, a summer camp for teenagers with disabilities near Woodstock in the 1970s, where a transformative revolution takes place, empowering young individuals with intellectual disabilities to fight against isolation, discrimination, and institutionalization, ultimately sparking a landmark movement for disability rights.

Movie Title: Carol of the Bells - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2019

Rated: 7.7

Cast: RJ Mitte, Lee Purcell, Andrea F. Friedman

Storyline: A young man with a troubled past searches for his biological mother and discovers that she has an intellectual disability, requiring him to navigate the complexities of their relationship while also addressing the challenges and stigmas associated with intellectual disabilities.

Movie Title: Keep the Change - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2017

Rated: 6.5

Cast: Jessica Walter, Christina Brucato, Anna Suzuki

Storyline: A heartwarming New York City romantic comedy that follows the unlikely love story between two individuals who meet in a support group, exploring the challenges and joys of their relationship while navigating the complexities of intellectual disabilities.

Movie Title: Jeremy the Dud

Release: 2017

Rated: 8.6

Cast: Nicholas Boshier, Adam Bowes, Chloe Hayden

Storyline: Jeremy the Dud is a thoughtfully crafted comedy that draws inspiration from real-life experiences of individuals with disabilities, following the journey of its titular character as he challenges discrimination and stereotypes associated with intellectual disability.

Movie Title: I Am Sam - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2004

Rated: 6.9

Cast: Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning

Storyline: A man with intellectual disability fights for custody of his 7-year-old daughter and teaches the value of love and family to his cold-hearted lawyer.

Movie Title: Radio - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2003

Rated: 6.9

Cast: Cuba Gooding, Ed Harris, Debra Winger.

Storyline: A football coach befriends a boy with an intellectual disability. He mentors the boy to become an inspiration to their community.

Movie Title: Heavy Load

Release: 2008

Rated: 7.1

Cast: Jerry Rothwell

Storyline: The movie documents the life of an English punk band whose members include some musicians with intellectual disabilities.

Movie Title: Mission to Lars - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2012

Rated: 6.7

Cast: Kate Spicer, Tom Spicer, William Spicer

Storyline: A man with an intellectual disability, is a huge fan of Lars Ulrich of Metallica band. Together with his siblings, they went on a Mission to Lars.

Movie Title: Mother (South Korean) - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2009

Rated: 7.8

Cast: Hye-ja Kim, Bin Won, Ku Jin

Storyline: A widow lives in a small town with her son who has an intellectual disability. She takes the law into her hands to clear his son's name after being a suspect in a crime.

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 Is Intellectual Disability?: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/intellectual-disability/what-is-intellectual-disability

Facts about Intellectual Disability: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/developmentaldisabilities/facts-about-intellectual-disability.html

Intellectual Disability according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_disability

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