Films About Autistic People
Films about autistic individuals serve to illuminate the diverse experiences and challenges faced by those on the autism spectrum. These films can encompass various genres, offering insights into the lives, struggles, and triumphs of autistic characters. By showcasing their unique perspectives, these films contribute to a greater understanding of autism, challenging stereotypes and promoting empathy.
Here’s a list of notable films that explore the lives of autistic individuals:
“Rain Man”, 1988
Director: Barry Levinson
This classic film follows Charlie Babbitt, who discovers that his estranged brother Raymond, an autistic savant, has inherited a fortune. As they embark on a cross-country journey, Charlie learns about Raymond's extraordinary abilities and begins to understand the complexities of autism.
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino, Gerald R. Molen, Jack Murdock, Michael D. Roberts, Ralph Seymour, Lucinda Jenney, Bonnie Hunt, Kim Robillard, Beth Grant, Dolan Dougherty, Marshall Dougherty, Patrick Dougherty, John-Michael Dougherty, Peter Dougherty, Andrew Dougherty, Loretta Wendt Jolivette, Donald E. Jones, Byron P. Cavnar, Donna J. Dickson, Earl Roat, William Montgomery Jr., Elizabeth Lower, Michael C. Hall, Robert W. Heckel, W. Todd Kenner, Kneeles Reeves, Jack W. Cope, Nick Mazzola, Ralph Tabakin, Ray Baker, Isadore Figler, Ralph M. Cardinale, Sam Roth, Nanci M. Harvey, Kenneth E. Lowden, Jocko Marcellino, John Thorstensen, Blanche Salter, Jake Hoffman, Royce D. Applegate, June Christopher, Anna Mathias, Archie Hahn, Luisa Leschin, Ira Miller, Chris Mulkey, Tracy Newman, Julie Payne;
Production year: 1988;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Rain Man” on the website imdb.com
“Atypical”, 2017
Director: Michael Patrick Jann, Ryan Case, Ken Whittingham, Michael Medico
Although technically a series, this coming-of-age dramedy centers on Sam, an 18-year-old on the autism spectrum, as he navigates life, love, and independence. The show offers authentic portrayals of family dynamics and the challenges faced by autistic individuals.
Starring: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Keir Gilchrist, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Michael Rapaport, Nik Dodani, Jenna Boyd, Graham Rogers, Fivel Stewart, Amy Okuda, Nina Ameri, Jeffrey Rosenthal, Domonique Brown, Rachel Redleaf, Raúl Castillo, Angel Laketa Moore, Kimia Behpoornia, Christina Offley, Wendy Braun, Kevin Daniels, Tal Anderson, Karl T. Wright, Allie-Rae Treharne, Ariela Barer, Michelle Farrah Huang, Kimmy Gatewood, Casey Wilson, Layla Weiner, Naomi Rubin, Graham Phillips, Sara Gilbert, Nikki Gutman, Nicole Zyana, Anthony Jacques, Jenny O'Hara, Marietta Melrose, Britney Ortiz, Megan Suri, Rizwan Manji, Michael Rady, Chris Grace, Eric McCormack, Annie Mebane, Spencer Harte, Lindsay Price, Jeremiah Birkett, Niles Fitch, Tess Aubert, Kue Lawrence, Major Curda, Eddie Montiel;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, comedy;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “Atypical” on the website imdb.com
“The Accountant”, 2016
Director: Gavin O'Connor
This action-thriller stars Ben Affleck as Christian Wolff, a highly skilled accountant with autism who uncovers financial discrepancies while dealing with criminal organizations. The film explores the intersection of autism and exceptional talent.
Starring: Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, John Lithgow, Jean Smart, Andy Umberger, Alison Wright, Jason Davis, Robert C. Treveiler, Mary Kraft, Seth Lee, Jake Presley, Izzy Fenech, Ron Prather, Susan Savoie, Gary Basaraba, Fernando Chien, Alex Collins, Tait Fletcher, Curtis Lyons, Buster Reeves, Ron Yuan, Sheila Maddox, Malachi Malik, Gregory Alan Williams, Kelly Collins Lintz, Jason MacDonald, Victor McCay, Michael Beasley, Viviana Chavez, Greg Sproles, Alex Huynh, Jade Halley Bartlett, Joe Hardy Jr., Carrie Walrond Hood, Roman Spink, David Anthony Buglione, Rick Moose, Nick Arapoglou, Angela Davis, Johnny Giacalone, Richard Pearson, Eric Goins, David de Vries, Randall Taylor, Scott Poythress, Nicholas Martin;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, crime, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 128 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Accountant” on the website imdb.com
“Mozart and the Whale”, 2005
Director: Petter Næss
Based on the true story of two people with Asperger's syndrome, this film depicts the challenges and triumphs of their relationship against the backdrop of their shared passion for music.
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Radha Mitchell, Gary Cole, Sheila Kelley, Erica Leerhsen, John Carroll Lynch, Nate Mooney, Rusty Schwimmer, Robert Wisdom, Allen Evangelista, Kelly B. Eviston, Jhon Goodwin, Christa Campbell, Jeffrey Brandle, Hollis Higgins, Bil Childress, Christopher Gabble, Shelli Lether, Mercedee Smith, Kristopher Higgins, Sharif Shawkat, Patrick McHenry-Kroetch, Norm McBride, Jerry Sciarrio, Suzanne Niles, Herb Tsuchiya, Mune Nakano, J.P. O'Shaughnessy, Wonder Russell, Scott Roddan, Ron Ford, Jon Fowler, Bethany Webley, Lee Lazarow;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 94 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
“Temple Grandin”, 2010
Director: Mick Jackson
This biographical film features Claire Danes as Temple Grandin, a woman with autism who becomes one of the top scientists in the humane livestock handling industry. The film highlights her unique perspective and the challenges she overcomes.
Starring: Claire Danes, Julia Ormond, David Strathairn, Catherine O'Hara, Stephanie Faracy, Barry Tubb, Melissa Farman, Steve Shearer, Richard Dillard, Jenna Elizabeth Hughes, Michael Crabtree, Charles Baker, David Born, Rutherford Cravens, Matthew Posey, Toby Metcalf, Cyndi Williams, Steve Uzzell, Rick Espaillat, Jim Flowers, Michael D. Conway, William Akey, Kristin McCollum, Penny Reeves, Chris Olson, Joe Nemmers, Gerry Robert Byrne, Aaron Johnson, Jacquejoy Littlefield, Cherami Leigh, John Rawley, Phil Harrington, Cassandra L. Small, Robert Newell, Jessica Looney, Cynthia Huerta, Ken Webster, Carl Savering, Brady Coleman, Butch Anderson, Megan Moser, Chloë Evans, Blair Bomar, Xochitl Romero, Tamara Jolaine, David Blackwell, Sheila Bailey, Wally Welch, Marissa Joy Davis, Cheryl Wheeler Duncan;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, biography;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
“Little Man Tate”, 1991
Director: Jodie Foster
Starring Jodie Foster, this film revolves around a child prodigy named Fred Tate, who struggles to fit in due to his exceptional intelligence and emotional challenges, showcasing the complexities of giftedness and autism.
Starring: Jodie Foster, Alex Lee, Adam Hann-Byrd, Michael Shulman, Nathan Lee, Celia Weston, Danitra Vance, Dianne Wiest, David Hyde Pierce, Debi Mazar, Richard Fredette, George Plimpton, Jennifer Trier, P.J. Ochlan, John Bell, Ishe Costa, Chucky Ocampo, Richard Hanson, Mar Ya Zuke, Mark Lienhart, Lauren Ashley Stacey, Josh Mostel, Michael Mantell, Erica Staton, Michael Keavy, Carolyn Lawrence, Harry Connick Jr., George Kaufman, Gordon Greene, Barry J. Williams, Alexandra Auder, Sam Womelsdorf, Ellen McElduff, Adam Midkiff, Sheadrick Richards, Elizabeth Frietsch, Bob Balaban, Lonzo Jones, Ramy Mam, Michael Newman, Julia Rosendale;
Production year: 1991;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 99 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Little Man Tate” on the website imdb.com
“The Good Doctor”, 2017
Director: Mike Listo, Steven DePaul, Rebecca Moline, Gary Hawes
Similar to a series, this medical drama features Freddie Highmore as Shaun Murphy, a young surgical resident with autism and savant syndrome, who faces skepticism and prejudice in the high-stakes world of medicine.
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Hill Harper, Richard Schiff, Christina Chang, Paige Spara, Fiona Gubelmann, Will Yun Lee, Antonia Thomas, Nicholas Gonzalez, Bria Henderson, Noah Galvin, Elfina Luk, Tamlyn Tomita, Chuku Modu, April Cameron, Jasika Nicole, Giacomo Baessato, Teryl Rothery, Brandon Larracuente, Beau Garrett, Juliana Wimbles, Sheila Kelley, Karin Konoval, Kayla Deorksen, Rachel Bay Jones, Brian Marc, Savannah Welch, Kayla Cromer, Wavyy Jonez, Graham Verchere, Bethany Brown, Adil Zaidi, Dylan Kingwell, Abbie Jenkins, Cathy Bruneau, Osvaldo Benavides, Lisa Edelstein, Summer Brown, Ricky He, Doron Bell, Michael Patrick Thornton, Zahf Paroo, Carly Bentall, Bess Armstrong, Chris D'Elia, Jennifer Birmingham Lee, Sharon Leal, Wonser De-Gbon, Alvina August;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama;
Age: 18+;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “The Good Doctor” on the website imdb.com
“Life, Animated”, 2016
Director: Roger Ross Williams
This documentary tells the inspiring story of Owen Suskind, a young man with autism who learns to communicate and connect with the world through Disney animated films, showcasing the power of storytelling.
Starring: Owen Suskind, Ron Suskind, Cornelia Suskind, Walter Suskind, Alan Rosenblatt, Emily Jathas, Michelle Garcia Winner, Jonathan Freeman, Gilbert Gottfried, Jeffrey Ortiz;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: documentary, fantasy, drama, melodrama, comedy, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 92 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Life, Animated” on the website imdb.com
“Everything's Gonna Be Okay”, 2020
Director: Silas Howard, Rachel Lee Goldenberg, Rachael Holder, Josh Thomas
This series follows a young man who becomes a guardian to his two half-sisters after their father's death, navigating the challenges of parenting a teenager on the autism spectrum while dealing with his own life struggles.
Starring: Josh Thomas, Kayla Cromer, Adam Faison, Maeve Press, Lillian Carrier, Lori Mae Hernandez, Maria Bamford, Vivienne Walshe, Richard Kind, Ivy Wolk, Carsen Warner, Charlie Evans, Mason Gooding, Timothy Brundidge, Hye Yun Park, Kimleigh Smith, Christian Valderrama, James M. Connor, Roxy Wood, C.J. Jones, Vico Ortiz, Christopher May, Amin El Gamin, Nate Mooney, Sarah Waisman, Dominique Columbus, Mercedes Cornett, Lally Katz, Jeffery Bowman, Chrisanne Eastwood, Nnete Inyangumia, Tiarre Mayden, Jessica Mastrippolito, Adam Gagan, Melanie Mosley, Dana Donnelly, Julia Metzler, Laila Pruitt, Cary Simms, Aidan Laprete, Anna Schubert, Yonatan Elkayam, Charles Maceo, William Sterling, Justin Abarca, Michael Armstead, Casara Clark, Reatha Grey, Scott Kradolfer, Gayla Johnson;
Production year: 2020;
Genre: comedy;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Everything's Gonna Be Okay” on the website imdb.com
These films not only entertain but also foster a deeper understanding of the complexities, strengths, and challenges associated with autism.
In exploring the selection of films about autistic people, it becomes evident that these movies have not only shed light on the unique experiences and challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum but have also fostered a greater understanding and acceptance in society. Each film delves into the complexities of autism, offering nuanced portrayals that humanize these characters and allow audiences to empathize with their struggles and triumphs. From heartwarming stories of personal growth to thought-provoking narratives that challenge societal norms, these films have undoubtedly played a crucial role in raising awareness and promoting inclusivity for autistic individuals. Through their compelling storytelling and powerful performances, these films have left an indelible mark on both the cinematic landscape and the collective consciousness, ultimately paving the way for a more compassionate and inclusive world.
