Films About Dying of Cancer
Films that explore the theme of dying from cancer often delve into deeply emotional narratives, highlighting the struggles, resilience, and human connections formed in the face of terminal illness. These films resonate with audiences by capturing the complexities of life, love, and loss, often blending moments of humor with profound sorrow. As they navigate the challenges of diagnosis, treatment, and the impending end of life, these stories remind viewers of the fragility of existence and the importance of cherishing every moment.
“The Fault in Our Stars”, 2014
Director: Josh Boone
Based on John Green's bestselling novel, this poignant film follows the love story between two teenagers, Hazel and Gus, who meet at a cancer support group. As they navigate their illnesses, they learn about life, love, and the impact of their short time together.
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, Nat Wolff, Willem Dafoe, Lotte Verbeek, Ana Dela Cruz, Randy Kovitz, Toni Saladna, David Whalen, Milica Govich, Allegra Carpenter, Emily Peachey, Emily Bach, Tim Hartman, Mike Birbiglia, Bethany Leo, Alexis Hodges, Jean Brassard, Carly Otte, Lily Kenna, Silvio Wolf Busch, Viviana Cardenas, Jordan Drexel, P.J. Rosotto, Tanner Boatwright, Cheyenne Hurley, Jennifer Kline, Carole Weyers, Lauren Blumenthal, Nikki Lipinski, Sebastian Dean, Alexander Murph, Taylor Detorre, Josh Potter, Steven Edmonds, Cindy Zeng, C.J. Evans, Daniel Booko, Jacqueline Piñol, Sitara Attaie, Jim Pirri, Jean Gilpin, Joey Richter, Nicholas Guest, Danielle Hartnett, Matthew Wolf, Dina Morrone, Sophie Guest;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “The Fault in Our Stars” on the website imdb.com
“A Walk to Remember”, 2002
Director: Adam Shankman
This romantic drama tells the story of Landon and Jamie, two high school students from different backgrounds. As their relationship blossoms, Jamie reveals her secret battle with leukemia, leading to transformative experiences for both of them.
Starring: Shane West, Mandy Moore, Peter Coyote, Daryl Hannah, Lauren German, Clayne Crawford, Al Thompson, Paz de la Huerta, Jonathan Parks Jordan, Matt Lutz, David Andrews, David Lee Smith, Xavier Hernandez, Marisa Miller, Paula Jones, Erik Smith, Al Butler, Seth Howard, Julia Ann West, Frances E. Davis, Dean Mumford, Anne Fletcher, Robin Clark, Vivian Cherry, Arlene Martell Martin, Nikki Gregoreff, Elaine Caswell, Diva Gray, Cassidy Ladden, Janie Barnett, Gordon Grody, Kevin Osborne, Jason Paige, Janette Andrade, Charles E. Bailey, Sheila Brothers, Kelly Cole Childers, Jason Cicardo, Jenny Gulley, Spencer Kayden, Kevin Lapsley, Tony Moore, Ryan Sweeney, Chip Thomas, Robert C. Treveiler;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
“Terms of Endearment”, 1983
Director: James L. Brooks
This classic film chronicles the complicated relationship between a mother and daughter over several years, culminating in the daughter's battle with cancer. The film expertly balances humor and heartbreak, showcasing the enduring bond between them.
Starring: Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson, Jeff Daniels, Lisa Hart Carroll, John Lithgow, Danny DeVito, Betty King, Huckleberry Fox, Troy Bishop, Shane Serwin, Megan Morris, Tara Yeakey, Norman Bennett, Jennifer Josey, Kate Charleson, Tom Wees, Paul Menzel, F. William Parker, Amanda Watkins, Buddy Gilbert, David Wohl, Shelley K. Nielsen, Bette Croissant, Charles Beall, Lelise Folse, Sharisse Baker-Bernard, Judy Dickerson, Devon O'Brien, Dana Vance, Alexandra O'Karma, Nancy Mette, Holly Holmberg Brooks, Lear Levin, Albert Brooks, Lanier Whilden, Helen Stauffer, Barbara Balik, Michelle Watkins, John C. Conger, Sandra Newkirk, Elaine McGown, Mary Kay Place, David Boles, Peg Sheldrick;
Production year: 1983;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 132 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Terms of Endearment” on the website imdb.com
“My Life”, 1993
Director: Bruce Joel Rubin
Starring Michael Keaton, this drama focuses on a man diagnosed with terminal cancer who creates a series of video messages for his unborn child, reflecting on his life and the lessons he hopes to impart.
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Michael Keaton, Bradley Whitford, Queen Latifah, Michael Constantine, Rebecca Schull, Mark Lowenthal, Lee Garlington, Toni Sawyer, Haing S. Ngor, Romy Rosemont, Danny Rimmer, Ruth de Sosa, Richard Schiff, Stephen Taylor Knott, Andrew Camuccio, Brian Camuccio, Colby Sawyer Garabedian, Mary Ann Thebus, Brenda Strong, Rudi Davis, Mark Holton, Lissa Walters, Bruce Jarchow, Jane Morris, Kenneth Tigar, Ray Reinhardt, Frank DiElsi, Billy L. Sullivan, Michael Gallagher, Christopher Miranda, Nora Taylor, Dianne B. Shaw, Sondra Rubin, Sylvia Kauders, Sharon Conley, Jeffrey Culver, Vasek Simek, Magda Harout, Mark Zingale, Jonathan Fish, James Rubin, Jennifer Flackett, Gary A. Rubin, Susan Breslau, Wendy Sax, Charlotte Zucker, Blanche Rubin, Ari Rubin, John Steciw;
Production year: 1993;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “My Life” on the website imdb.com
“The Bucket List”, 2007
Director: Rob Reiner
Featuring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, this film follows two men who, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, embark on a road trip to fulfill their bucket list dreams. It explores themes of friendship, adventure, and the meaning of life.
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes, Beverly Todd, Rob Morrow, Alfonso Freeman, Rowena King, Annton Berry Jr., Verda Bridges, Destiny Brownridge, Brian Copeland, Ian Anthony Dale, Jennifer Defrancisco, Angela Gardner, Noel Gugliemi, Jonathan Hernandez, Hugh B. Holub, Andrea Johnson, Dawn Lewis, Jordan Lund, Richard McGonagle, Jonathan Mangum, Karen Maruyama, Amber Mead, Nikki Novak, John O'Brien, Serena Reeder, Christopher Stapleton, Taylor Ann Thompson, Alex Trebek, Roy Vongtama, MaShae Alderman, Brent Battles, Lauren Cohn, Diego DiGiovanni, Jaime Fabregas, Joonee Gamboa, Eddie Garcia, Michael J. Gutierrez, James Hunter, Travis Knox, Frank Maharajh, Vin Scully, Thurop Van Orman, George F. Watson;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: drama, comedy, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “The Bucket List” on the website imdb.com
“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”, 2015
Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
This coming-of-age film tells the story of Greg, who, after being forced to befriend a classmate diagnosed with leukemia, learns valuable lessons about friendship, creativity, and facing mortality.
Starring: Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler, Olivia Cooke, Nick Offerman, Connie Britton, Molly Shannon, Jon Bernthal, Matt Bennett, Katherine Hughes, Masam Holden, Bobb'e J. Thompson, Gavin Dietz, Edward DeBruce III, Natalie Marchelletta, Chelsea Zhang, Marco Zappala, Kaza Marie Ayersman, Etta Cox, Karriem Sami, Hugh Jackman, Cheryl Kline, Joan Augustin, Mark Granatire, Kayana White, Linda Kanyarusoke, Drew Palajsa, Elly Silberstein, Nicole Tubbs, Bruno Mello, Jennifer Nicole Baker, Andrew James Bleidner, Zachary Bolen, Randon Bopp, Colleen Clark, Jessica David, Eric Filo, Joe Fishel, Richard Guesman, Conor Hannon, Harmony Kasper, Cory Kopa, Frank Lagana, Jeremy Long, Jordan LoNigro, Zander Lyons, Brian Mendelssohn, Jackson Nunn, LaTrallo Presley, Richard Restivo, Vince Ruggieri;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” on the website imdb.com
“Le scaphandre et le papillon”, 2007
Director: Julian Schnabel
While primarily focused on a stroke victim, this film also touches on themes of terminal illness and mortality. It tells the true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, who experiences life through his imagination while trapped in his own body.
Starring: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josée Croze, Anne Consigny, Patrick Chesnais, Niels Arestrup, Olatz Lopez Garmendia, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Marina Hands, Max von Sydow, Gérard Watkins, Théo Sampaio, Fiorella Campanella, Talina Boyaci, Isaach De Bankolé, Emma de Caunes, Jean-Philippe Écoffey, Nicolas Le Riche, Anne Alvaro, Françoise Lebrun, Zinedine Soualem, Georges Roche, Agathe de La Fontaine, Yves-Marie Coppin, François Delaive, Franck Victor, Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, Virginie Delmotte, Daniel Lapostolle, Philippe Roux, François Filloux, Elvis Polanski, Cedric Brelet von Sydow, Sara Séguéla, Vasile Negru, Marie Meyer, Ilze Bajare, Anna Chyzh, Antoine Bréant, Azzedine Alaïa, Michael Wincott, Jean-Baptiste Mondino, Lenny Kravitz, Farida Khelfa;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Le scaphandre et le papillon” on the website imdb.com
“Still Alice”, 2014
Director: Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland
Although primarily about Alzheimer's disease, this film features themes of illness and the impact it has on family and relationships. It follows a linguistics professor as she copes with her diagnosis and the effects on her life and loved ones.
Starring: Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth, Shane McRae, Hunter Parrish, Seth Gilliam, Stephen Kunken, Erin Darke, Daniel Gerroll, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Maxine Prescott, Orlagh Cassidy, Rosa Arredondo, Zillah Glory, Caridad Martinez, Cal Freundlich, Charlotte Robson, Dan Adams, Jean Burns, José Báez, Victoria Cartagena, Jeannette Gould, Takako Haywood, Samantha Kelly, Diane Kimbrell, Cat Lynch, Kristin Macomber, Joanne Perica, Jamie Lee Petronis, Christopher Seufert, Nancy Ellen Shore, Eha Urbsalu, Gail Yudain;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Still Alice” on the website imdb.com
“50/50”, 2011
Director: Jonathan Levine
A darkly comedic take on cancer, this film follows a young man who is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and his journey through treatment. It highlights the importance of friendship and support during difficult times.
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston, Serge Houde, Andrew Airlie, Matt Frewer, Philip Baker Hall, Donna Yamamoto, Sugar Lyn Beard, Yee Jee Tso, Sarah Smyth, Peter Kelamis, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Daniel Bacon, P. Lynn Johnson, Laura Bertram, Matty Finochio, Luisa d'Oliveira, Veena Sood, Jason Vaisvila, Brent Sheppard, Marie Avgeropoulos, Adrian Mcmorran, Stephanie Belding, Andrea Brooks, Ryan W. Smith, Karen van Blankenstein, Stewart William Big Sleeps, Bonnie Bollivar, Beatrice Ilg, Chilton Crane, Amitai Marmorstein, Lauren Miller Rogen, Richard C. Burton, Neil Corbett, Karolina Anna Sabat, Christopher De-Schuster, Susan De West, Marlow the Wonderdog, Denver, William, Stephen Colbert, D.C. Douglas, Tom MacNeill, Kiwi O'Gorman, Cameron K. Smith, Ally Tully;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
These films not only entertain but also evoke empathy and understanding, inviting viewers to reflect on life's precious moments in the face of mortality.
In conclusion, films that explore the theme of dying from cancer often serve as poignant reflections on the fragility of life, the complexities of human relationships, and the profound moments of beauty that can emerge even in the face of terminal illness. These narratives not only evoke deep empathy and understanding but also challenge audiences to confront their own mortality and the values they hold dear. Through powerful storytelling and compelling performances, these films remind us of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of cherishing every moment, ultimately leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and minds.
