10 Must-Watch Films About Disabilities

Description: This film explores the relationship between Charlie Babbitt, a selfish yuppie, and his autistic savant brother, Raymond, whom he discovers after their father's death. It's a poignant look at how disability can both divide and unite a family.

Fact: Dustin Hoffman's portrayal of Raymond earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. The film was also nominated for Best Picture.

Description: Al Pacino plays a blind, retired Army officer who takes a young student on a wild weekend in New York City. It's a story of mentorship, courage, and the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity.

Fact: Al Pacino won the Best Actor Oscar for his role, which was his first win after several nominations. The film also features a memorable tango scene.

Description: This film features Arnie Grape, a young man with an intellectual disability, and his brother Gilbert, who cares for him. It's a story of family, responsibility, and the quest for personal freedom.

Fact: Leonardo DiCaprio received his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Arnie.

Description: This iconic film follows Forrest, a man with an IQ of 75, who overcomes numerous obstacles with his unwavering optimism and love for his childhood friend, Jenny. His journey through life, marked by historical events, showcases his extraordinary achievements despite his intellectual disability.

Fact: Tom Hanks won his second consecutive Best Actor Oscar for his role as Forrest. The film also features a memorable scene where Forrest runs across America, which was inspired by real-life events.

Description: This biographical drama focuses on John Nash, a mathematical genius who battles schizophrenia. It's a compelling narrative about genius, madness, and the struggle to maintain a semblance of normal life.

Fact: Russell Crowe was nominated for Best Actor for his role as Nash, and the film won four Oscars, including Best Picture.

Description: This French film tells the story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, who suffers a massive stroke and becomes paralyzed, only able to communicate by blinking his left eye. It's a profound exploration of resilience and the human mind's capacity to adapt.

Fact: The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Director for Julian Schnabel. The entire film was shot from Bauby's perspective, reflecting his limited field of vision.

Description: A French comedy-drama about an aristocrat who becomes a quadriplegic from a paragliding accident and hires a young man from the projects to be his caregiver. Their unlikely friendship transcends class and disability.

Fact: The film was a massive hit in France, becoming the second most successful French film of all time. It was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.

Description: This film chronicles the life of physicist Stephen Hawking, focusing on his relationship with his wife Jane and his battle with motor neuron disease. It's an uplifting story of love, determination, and scientific discovery.

Fact: Eddie Redmayne won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Hawking. The film was adapted from Jane Hawking's memoir.

Description: Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick, known as the Elephant Man due to his severe deformities. The film examines his life, his treatment by society, and his inner beauty and dignity.

Fact: John Hurt's performance as Merrick was critically acclaimed, and the film was nominated for eight Academy Awards.

Description: Based on the true story of Christy Brown, who was born with cerebral palsy and could only control his left foot. The film captures his struggle and triumph in becoming a writer and artist, using his foot as his primary tool.

Fact: Daniel Day-Lewis won his first Best Actor Oscar for his role as Christy Brown. The film was adapted from Brown's autobiography.