Movies about posttraumatic stress 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 Posttraumatic stress disorder?

Posttraumatic stress disorder may occur in a person who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a serious accident, a natural disaster, a war, or sexual/physical assault.

In psychiatry, posttraumatic stress disorder is defined in the DSM-5 (diagnostic manual) as follows …

DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria of Posttraumatic stress disorder 309.81 (F43.10) | for educational purposes only (abridged)

A. Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.

B. Presence of one (or more) of the following intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred:

1. Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s).

2. Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of the dream are related to the traumatic event(s).

3. Dissociative reactions (e.g., flashbacks) in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic event(s) were recurring. (Such reactions may occur on a continuum, with the most extreme expression being a complete loss of awareness of present surroundings.)

4. Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolise or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).

5. Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that symbolise or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s).

C. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred.

D. Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred.

E. Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred.

F. Duration of the disturbance (Criteria B, C, D, and E) is more than 1 month.

G. The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

H. The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., medication, alcohol) or another medical condition.

More about PTSD

Movies about Posttraumatic stress disorder

If we missed an essential film about posttraumatic stress 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: Thank You for Your Service - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2017

Rated: 6.6

Cast: Miles Teller, Beulah Koale, Joe Cole

Storyline: A group of soldiers are returning from war battles with posttraumatic stress disorder while trying to adjust to civilian life.

Movie Title: Cherry

Release: 2021

Rated: 6.6

Cast: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo, Jack Reynor

Storyline: A young army medic returns from war and struggles with posttraumatic stress disorder as he spirals into addiction and crime.

Movie Title: Wildcat - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2022

Rated: 7.8

Cast: Dante Cueva Altamirano, Cristian De La Cruz, Erick Scott Vargas Laura

Storyline: A military veteran struggling with posttraumatic stress disorder embarks on a transformative journey to heal and reconnect with nature.

Movie Title: Blaze

Release: 2022

Rated: 6.0

Cast: Morgan Davies, Simon Baker, Yael Stone

Storyline: After accidentally witnessing a violent crime, a young girl develops posttraumatic stress disorder, becoming catatonic with shock, and finds solace and renewal in the vibrant world of her own imagination as she tries to make sense of what she experienced.

Movie Title: Compulsion

Release: 2022

Rated: 5.8

Cast: Leanne Best, Danny Ashok, Krissi Bohn

Storyline: Haunted by a traumatic past, a detective with posttraumatic stress disorder and depression becomes entangled in a high-stakes investigation, where her own psychological struggles threaten to unravel the truth.

Movie Title: Us - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2019

Rated: 6.8

Cast: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss

Storyline: A family's idyllic vacation turns into a nightmarish struggle for survival as they confront their own doppelgängers, leading to a harrowing exploration of identity, trauma, and the lingering effects of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Movie Title: The Outpost - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2019

Rated: 6.8

Cast: Scott Eastwood, Caleb Landry Jones, Orlando Bloom

Storyline: In the midst of a relentless battle against overwhelming odds, a group of soldiers at a remote outpost in Afghanistan must confront not only the physical dangers of war but also the haunting effects of posttraumatic stress disorder on their mental well-being.

Movie Title: A Day to Die - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2022

Rated: 3.5

Cast: Kevin Dillon, Bruce Willis, Frank Grillo

Storyline: Connor Connolly, who struggles with posttraumatic stress disorder, must gather his former military operations crew to secure two million dollars within a day to save his loved ones from peril.

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 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Three of the five stories are connected.

Movie Title: The Best Years of our Lives - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1946

Rated: 8.2

Cast: Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Myrna Loy

Storyline: After returning home at the end of World War II, three men who have posttraumatic stress disorder, face difficulties in adjusting to civilian life.

Movie Title: Mine Own Executioner

- Watch now on Prime

Release: 1947

Rated: 6.9

Cast: Burgess Meredith, Dulcie Gray, Michael Shepley

Storyline: London psychotherapist Felix Milne meets a World War II veteran who has posttraumatic stress disorder and begins intensive therapy with him.

Movie Title: Suddenly, Last Summer - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1959

Rated: 7.7

Cast: Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn, Montgomery Cliff

Storyline: A young girl suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder after witnessing her cousin's death on a trip to Europe. Her cousin's mother wants to hide the truth and attempts to bribe a surgeon to perform a lobotomy on the young girl. The surgeon tries to find out the truth before taking any action.

Movie Title: Captain Newman, MD - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1963

Rated: 7

Cast: Gregory Peck, Tony Curtis, Angie Dickinson

Storyline: Captain Newman, a military psychiatrist, treats soldiers who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder. He faces the dilemma of healing the soldiers so they can be sent back into battle.

Movie Title: Marnie - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1964

Rated: 7.2

Cast: Tippi Hedren, Sean Connery, Martin Gaber

Storyline: Marnie, a liar, and a thief, meets Mark, the customer of Marnie's former boss. Mark soon discovers that she has severe psychological issues and starts to help her to recover from posttraumatic stress disorder.

Movie Title: Red Desert (Italian) - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1964

Rated: 7.7

Cast: Monica Vitti, Richard Harris, Carlo Chionetti

Storyline: Giuliana suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder and attempts to cope by having an affair with her husband's friend who is more sensitive to her anxieties. Her mental state worsens.

Movie Title: Coming Home - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1978

Rated: 7.3

Cast: Jane Fonda, Jon Voight, Bruce Dern

Storyline: Sally meets a Vietnam war veteran Luke at a local veterans' hospital. She starts to fall in love with him but her husband who has posttraumatic stress disorder returns unexpectedly.

Movie Title: The Deer Hunter - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1978

Rated: 8.2

Cast: Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Cazale

Storyline: Three friends join the army to fight in Vietnam but all of them are haunted by the experience. Michael, realises that his deer hunting activities are not the same as they used to be, Steven becomes handicapped, and Nick suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder.

Movie Title: First Blood - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1982

Rated: 7.7

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Brian Dennehy, Richard Crenna

Storyline: John Rambo, a former US soldier, has posttraumatic stress disorder and gets into trouble with the local sheriff. Rambo's former commander tries to save both of them before the situation becomes worse.

Movie Title: Sudden Impact - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1983

Rated: 6.6

Cast: Clint Eastwood, Sandra Locke, Pat Hingle

Storyline: A woman who is a victim of gang rape, suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder. She develops a relationship with a violent police inspector who vows to seek revenge for her.

Movie Title: Birdy - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1984

Rated: 7.3

Cast: Matthew Modine, Nicholas Cage, John Harkins

Storyline: Two friends, Birdy and Al, return home from the Vietnam War. Birdy, who struggles with posttraumatic stress disorder and delusional disorder, thinks he is a bird.

Movie Title: Combat Shock - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1986

Rated: 6.4

Cast: Rick Giovinazzo, Veronica Stork, Mitch Maglio

Storyline: A Vietnam veteran who suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder. He returns to his miserable family and slowly falls into insanity.

Movie Title: Born on the Fourth of July - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1989

Rated: 7.2

Cast: Tom Cruise, Raymond J. Barry, Caroline Kava

Storyline: A New York teenager enlists in the Marines. He has posttraumatic stress disorder. Feeling betrayed, he becomes a human rights activist.

Movie Title: Jacob's Ladder - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1990

Rated: 7.5

Cast: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña, Danny Aiello

Storyline: A Vietnam War veteran suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder. He struggles to maintain his sanity because he is plagued by hallucinations and flashbacks.

Movie Title: The Prince of Tides - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1991

Rated: 6.6

Cast: Barbra Streisand, Nick Nolte, Blythe Danner

Storyline: A man, whose sister is suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder, meets his sister's psychiatrist to help his sister to recover. He and the psychiatrist falls in love with each other.

Movie Title: Fearless - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1993

Rated: 7.2

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Isabella Rossellini, Rosie Perez

Storyline: Max survived a plane crash and is suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder. He is unable to relate to his former life. The airline provides him and the other survivor, Carla, with a psychiatrist.

Movie Title: Forrest Gump - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1994

Rated: 8.8

Cast: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Garry Sinise

Storyline: Forrest Gump, a man with a low IQ, joins the army and finds new friends. One of his friends is Dan, who suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder after their battle in Vietnam. Forrest's only desire is to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart.

Movie Title: The War - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1994

Rated: 6.7

Cast: Elijah Wood, Kevin Costner, Mare Winningham

Storyline: A Vietnam War veteran who has posttraumatic stress disorder finds peace in his new life but he must deal with a war between his children and the neighbourhood kids.

Movie Title: Copycat - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1995

Rated: 6.6

Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Holly Hunter, Dermot Mulroney

Storyline: A doctor suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety after being assaulted by a man. She must face her fears to help the police to solve a series of murders.

Movie Title: Dead Presidents - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1995

Rated: 6.8

Cast: Larenz Tate, Keith David, Chris Tucker

Storyline: A Vietnam War veteran who has posttraumatic stress disorder, finds himself struggling to support his family. Desperate for a chance to have a good life, he teams up with a drug addict and a small-time crook to rob a bank.

Movie Title: When Andrew Came Home - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2000

Rated: 6.7

Cast: Park Overall, Jason Beghe, Seth Adkins

Storyline: A young child suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder after his father kidnapped him and abused him. He reunites with his mother but believing that she doesn't love him, he struggles to adjust.

Movie Title: Frida - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2002

Rated: 7.4

Cast: Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Geoffrey Rush

Storyline: Frida, a woman who was severely injured in an accident and plagued by infidelity, suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder as well as substance abuse and gender identity disorder.

Movie Title: Mystic River - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2003

Rated: 8

Cast: Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon

Storyline: The lives of Jimmy, Dave, and Sean are shattered when the daughter of Jimmy, who is an ex-convict, is murdered. Dave suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder because of childhood trauma. Sean, a detective, is heading up the case.

Movie Title: The Machinist - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2004

Rated: 7.7

Cast: Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason-Leigh

Storyline: A factory worker who suffers from insomnia and posttraumatic stress disorder become even more troubled. Soon he finds out the real cause of his insanity.

Movie Title: Mysterious Skin - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2004

Rated: 7.7

Cast: Brady Corbet, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elisabeth Shue

Storyline: Two boys both experienced traumatic events that cause them to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder. One becomes obsessed with UFOs while another becomes a gay hustler.

Movie Title: Speak - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2004

Rated: 7.4

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Elizabeth Perkins, Dick Hagerman

Storyline: A freshman high-school student is a victim of rape and suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder. She finds great support from her art teacher and her school friend.

Movie Title: Harsh Times - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2005

Rated: 7

Cast: Christian Bale, Eva Longoria, Freddy Rodrigues

Storyline: A former U.S. Army Ranger who suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder is soon offered a position in the Department of Homeland Security and he recruits his unemployed best friend.

Movie Title: In the Valley of Elah - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2007

Rated: 7.2

Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Jonathan Tucker

Storyline: The film is based on actual events, with themes including the Iraq war and posttraumatic stress disorder. It portrays a father's search for his missing son.

Movie Title: Reign Over Me - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2007

Rated: 7.5

Cast: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith

Storyline: Charlie Fineman, who lost his family in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder. He runs into his former classmate and their friendship helps him to recover from the grief.

Movie Title: Seven Pounds - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2008

Rated: 7.7

Cast: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson

Storyline: Ben is guilty of his mistake that killed seven people. He suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder and clinical depression . He uses the rest of his life to compensate for what he has done.

Movie Title: Stop Loss - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2008

Rated: 6.5

Cast: Ryan Phillippe, Abbie Cornish, Joseph Cordon-Levitt

Storyline: Sergeant King, a soldier, is unwilling to be redeployed. He goes AWOL with the help of his close friend, Michele. Michele's fiancé, Steve, has returned with a case of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Movie Title: Ordinary People - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1980

Rated: 7.8

Cast: Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore

Storyline: Conrad is tormented by guilt because of his brother's death. He deals with posttraumatic stress disorder. With the help of his psychiatrist, Dr. Berger, he tries to reconnect with his parents.

Movie Title: The Fisher King - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1991

Rated: 7.6

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams, Adam Bryant

Storyline: Parry, a former professor suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder after witnessing the brutal murder of his wife. He meets the depressed man who provoked the strange caller to murder a group of people in a bar. Lucas vows to help him to find the Holy Grail.

Movie Title: Testament of Youth - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2014

Rated: 7.3

Cast: Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Taron Egerton

Storyline: During World War I, an English woman serves as a voluntary nurse. She suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder but determined to find a new purpose in life.

Movie Title: Waltz with Bashir (Israeli) - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2008

Rated: 8

Cast: Ari Folman, Ron Ben-Yishai, Ronny Dayag

Storyline: An infantry soldier witnessed the Sabra and Shatila massacre and suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder. He has no memory of the event but he tries to recollect his experiences.

Movie Title: Brothers - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2009

Rated: 7.1

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire

Storyline: Captain Sam is shot down and presumed dead in Afghanistan. He survived but suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder. His brother, Tommy, vows to take care of Sam's wife and his children. Sam unexpectedly returns home and thinks that his wife cheated on him.

Movie Title: Martha Marcy May Marlene - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2011

Rated: 6.9

Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, Sarah Paulson, John Hawkes

Storyline: Martha suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder after escaping from an abusive cult. Her sister threatens to send her to a psychiatric hospital.

Movie Title: The Master - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2012

Rated: 7.1

Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams

Storyline: A World War II Navy veteran who has posttraumatic stress disorder struggles to adjust to a post-war society. He meets the leader of a religious movement called the Cause and finds solace in it.

Movie Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2012

Rated: 8

Cast: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller

Storyline: Charlie, who experienced the trauma of sexual abuse as a child , has the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. He meets two students who help him to discover a new world.

Movie Title: The Hunger Games Catching Fire - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2013

Rated: 7.6

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth

Storyline: Katniss suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder after winning in the 74th Annual Hunger Games. She senses a possible rebellion but the Capitol wants to prevent the revolution before it is too late.

Movie Title: American Sniper - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2014

Rated: 7.3

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner

Storyline: After returning home from the war in Iraq, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder. The horrors he has experienced affect his life and his marriage.

Movie Title: Iron Man - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2013

Rated: 7.3

Cast: Robert Downey Jr. Guy Pearce, Gwyneth Paltrow

Storyline: Tony Stark suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder after saving New York from destruction. He fights his powerful enemy known as Mandarin.

Movie Title: The Pawnbroker - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1964

Rated: 7.7

Cast: Rod Steiger, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Brock Peters

Storyline: A Jewish man, who is a German concentration camp survivor, runs a pawnshop in East Harlem. He suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder and the harsh realities of the city affect his life.

Movie Title: Apocalypse Now - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1979

Rated: 8.5

Cast: Marteen Sheen, Marlon Brandon, Robert Duvall

Storyline: Set in Cambodia, Captain Willard is on a mission to find an officer who suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder and completely gone mad.

Movie Title: Danika - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2006

Rated: 5.7

Cast: Marisa Tomei, Hannah Marks, Guy Camilleri

Storyline: Danika Merrick suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder after the death of his brother. Her disturbed mind leads her family to a tragedy.

Movie Title: Cracked Up

Release: 2018

Rated: 7.3

Cast: Darrell Hammond, Larry Laskowski, Lorne Michaels

Storyline: The story of Saturday Night Live veteran Darrell Hammond who suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder, clinical depression , and schizophrenia . The documentary is a powerful portrait of trauma and recovery.

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References and Links

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.978089042559

What is posttraumatic stress disorder?: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd

More about posttraumatic stress disorder: https://www.healthline.com/health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-traumatic_stress_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