10 Movies Like Extraordinary Measures (2010)

Description: A powerful ensemble drama that explores the bonds of female friendship and community support during times of health crises and personal tragedy.

Fact: The story is based on Robert Harling's real-life experience with his sister's death from diabetes complications. The play was written in just ten days as a way for Harling to process his grief.

Description: A moving story about medical discovery and the temporary revival of catatonic patients, highlighting the fragility of life and the profound impact of human connection.

Fact: The film is based on Oliver Sacks' 1973 memoir of the same name, which documented his work with encephalitis lethargica patients. The real-life Leonard L. (played by Robert De Niro) was named Leonard Lowe.

Description: A deeply emotional drama centered around a family's relentless fight against a rare and fatal disease, showcasing the power of love and determination in the face of medical adversity.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of Augusto and Michaela Odone, who developed a treatment for their son's adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). The real Lorenzo Odone lived much longer than doctors initially predicted, thanks to the oil treatment.

Description: A groundbreaking courtroom drama that addresses discrimination and the fight for dignity in the face of a life-threatening illness, while exploring themes of justice and human rights.

Fact: This was the first major Hollywood film to address HIV/AIDS discrimination. Many scenes were shot in actual Philadelphia locations, including the courtroom scenes which were filmed in City Hall.

Description: A biographical drama that portrays the challenges of living with mental illness while achieving remarkable intellectual accomplishments, showing the power of love and support.

Fact: The film takes some dramatic liberties with John Nash's life story, particularly regarding visual hallucinations which Nash said he never experienced. Nash recovered enough to return to academic work, winning the Nobel Prize in Economics in

Description: An extraordinary portrayal of a man's physical limitations and his boundless imagination, demonstrating the triumph of the human spirit over extreme physical adversity.

Fact: The film was shot largely from the protagonist's perspective, with the camera mimicking his paralyzed state. It's based on the real memoir of Jean-Dominique Bauby, who dictated the book by blinking his left eyelid.

Description: An inspiring true story about overcoming extreme adversity and homelessness while caring for a child, demonstrating extraordinary perseverance against all odds.

Fact: Will Smith's real-life son Jaden plays his on-screen son. The misspelling of "happiness" in the title comes from a sign at the daycare center Chris Gardner (the real-life inspiration) used for his son.

Description: A heart-wrenching family drama that explores medical ethics, sibling bonds, and the lengths families will go to save a child's life, set against the backdrop of a serious illness.

Fact: The film features a significantly different ending from Jodi Picoult's novel. The story was inspired by real cases of

Description: A touching story about young love blossoming in the shadow of terminal illness, balancing humor and heartbreak while celebrating life's precious moments.

Fact: Author John Green based some aspects of the story on his experience as a chaplain at a children's hospital. The film's title comes from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars..."

Description: A poignant biographical drama that explores the challenges of living with a debilitating illness while celebrating human resilience, intellectual brilliance, and the strength of personal relationships.

Fact: The film is based on the memoir by Jane Hawking, which details her marriage to renowned physicist Stephen Hawking. Eddie Redmayne spent months studying ALS and meeting with Hawking to prepare for the role.