10 Movies That Focus on Depression

Depression is an ongoing issue in America and across the world. Trying to find 10 movies that focus on depression isn’t tough since Hollywood has made this a priority over the years.

Girl, Interrupted

A bit of dark comedy in this movie helped push the dialogue along, but it became extremely tense in certain moments. Susanna’s journey from mental illness to wellness was one that a lot of people could relate to, but at the same time, it was a painful reminder of how truly disturbed some people are.

Silver Linings Playbook

Pat and Tiffany were characters, that much is certain, but when paired together, they made a wonderful storm of energy that was interesting to watch. While Pat’s mental condition feels all over the place, his ability to sort out the mess of his life throughout the movie becomes a set of guidelines that others might follow, as an example at least, not as a rule.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Depression in teens is well-documented but not always fully understood. Charlie’s case is one of the more severe, considering that the SA he had to endure and the suicide of his friend make things even worse. However, things take a new direction when he meets and befriends Sam and Patrick. It’s not always the right direction, but it’s different enough to open his eyes.

Prozac Nation

Take the high-pressure life of a Harvard student, add a bit of depression, and try to top it all off with a pill addiction. Prozac explains how many people dealt with such issues during their college lives, and it was hopefully an eye-opener for many fans.

American Beauty

Depression hits at any age since it’s not just about young or old people who are going through one thing or another. The main character, played by Kevin Spacey, is going through it in this movie, and it’s not hard to feel this, especially when you’re of the same age.

Stand By Me

While depression doesn’t factor into the entire movie, the fact is that Gordie is stuck in a home where the dark pall of depression has taken over. When his older brother dies in a car accident, his parents shut down, almost appearing to forget that they have a younger son. Unfortunately, as one might predict, this neglect affects Gordie in a profound manner.

Little Miss Sunshine

How do you figure out how disturbing everyone’s quirks are in a family? Pile them all in a van and drive across the country. That’ll test anyone’s mental barriers.

The Virgin Suicides

There’s no denying that this was kind of a messed-up story about teenagers who didn’t know enough about each other before interacting. But the fact that the young women ended their own lives, and the people of the neighborhood went on living as though nothing happened, was even more disquieting.

Garden State

Andrew is a mess, but there are reasons as the movie continues, and much of it concerns his relationship with his father. When he meets Sam, things begin to change, and by the end, it becomes clear that he’s found another reason to keep moving forward with life, even if he doesn’t know what to do next.

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?

Gilbert’s family is a stunning mix of personalities, but there’s one unifying fact among them. It’s not that they’re poor; it’s that their family has a history in town, and it’s not entirely positive. But as the movie goes on, it becomes clear that as messy as their relationship with each other is, it’s a solid base that unites them and keeps them going.