Inspiring Medical Biopics: 10 Films You Must See

Description: Based on Oliver Sacks' memoir, this film depicts the true story of a doctor who discovers the beneficial effects of the drug L-Dopa on catatonic patients.

Fact: Robin Williams and Robert De Niro both received Academy Award nominations for their roles. The film was inspired by Sacks' book of the same name.

Description: This film follows the journey of a successful surgeon who, after being diagnosed with cancer, gains a new perspective on patient care and the human side of medicine.

Fact: William Hurt, who plays the lead, was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance. The film is based on the book "A Taste of My Own Medicine" by Dr. Edward Rosenbaum.

Description: This film chronicles the early years of the AIDS epidemic, focusing on the efforts of Dr. Don Francis to identify the virus and combat the disease.

Fact: The film was based on Randy Shilts' best-selling book of the same name. It received multiple Emmy nominations.

Description: Based on the life of Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams, this film showcases his unconventional approach to medicine, focusing on humor and empathy to treat patients.

Fact: Robin Williams' portrayal of Patch Adams was inspired by his own experiences visiting sick children in hospitals. The real Patch Adams was a consultant on the film.

Description: This HBO film tells the story of the pioneering heart surgery team of Dr. Alfred Blalock and his African-American assistant, Vivien Thomas, whose contributions were often overlooked due to racial segregation.

Fact: The film won three Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Made for Television Movie. It was based on an article in Washingtonian Magazine.

Description: This film captures the life of Jean-Dominique Bauby, who, after suffering a massive stroke, could only communicate by blinking his left eye, yet managed to write a memoir.

Fact: The film was shot from the perspective of Bauby, with the camera representing his limited field of vision. It was nominated for four Academy Awards.

Description: This film portrays the true story of John Crowley, whose children suffer from Pompe disease, and his efforts to fund research for a cure.

Fact: Brendan Fraser and Harrison Ford star in this film, which was inspired by the book "The Cure: How a Father Raised $100 Million – And Bucked the Medical Establishment – in a Quest to Save His Children."

Description: While focusing on Stephen Hawking's personal life, this film also highlights his contributions to medical science through his work on motor neuron disease.

Fact: Eddie Redmayne won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Hawking. The film was adapted from the memoir "Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen" by Jane Hawking.

Description: This film explores the story of Henrietta Lacks, whose cancer cells were taken without her knowledge and became one of the most important tools in medicine.

Fact: Oprah Winfrey stars as Deborah Lacks, Henrietta's daughter, and also served as an executive producer. The film was based on Rebecca Skloot's book.

Description: This film tells the story of Joseph Merrick, a man with severe deformities, and the doctor who cared for him, highlighting issues of medical ethics and human dignity.

Fact: John Hurt's performance as Merrick was critically acclaimed, earning him a BAFTA nomination. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards.