Psychology/Mental Illness Movie List
The movies listed below contain many elements of psychology and can be watched and
reported on as extra credit provided that you adhere to the policies stated below. You may
do one per semester and is worth up to 25 points. Doing it alone (in and of itself) doesn’t
entitle you to all the points.
Format:
1. Any movie rated R must first be cleared through me first with your parent’s written
consent. Bring it to me before you try to view. If your parent says no, then you
may not turn in that paper.
2. If you think you have another movie that meets criteria for inclusion on this list,
you may ask me if you may report on it. The same rule applies as towards a rated
R movie.
3. The paper must be in the following format: 2 pages (complete) – don’t just answer
the questions, double spaced, #12 Roman Numeral Font, anything other will
require you to redo your paper.
4. Summarize the movie(s) with the following questions in mind:
a. What is the main storyline?
b. What aspects of psychology are shown?
c. What mental illnesses are portrayed?
d. How do these illnesses affect the different people in the movie?
e. Are treatments/ways of dealing with the illnesses shown?
f. Are these true representations of mental illnesses?
g. How would you react in a similar situation to someone with that type of
mental illness?
Radio – PG
Sybil – PG
Mommie Dearest - PG
The Three Faces of Eve PG
Vertigo - PG
Benny and Joon - PG
As Good As It Gets –
PG13
Shine – PG13
The Three Faces of Eve PG
I am Sam – PG13
The Aviator – PG13
Manchurian Candidate
(1962) – PG13
Awakenings – PG13
The Other Sister – PG13
The Dream Team – PG13
K-Pax – PG13
The Scout – PG13
What’s Eating Gilbert
Grape – PG13
Of Mice and Men – PG13
Inception – PG13
Fight Club – R
Good Will Hunting – R
The Shining – R
Sling Blade – R
Shutter Island - R
Forrest Gump – PG13
Patch Adams – PG13
Red Dragon, Silence of the
Lambs, Hannibal – R
Rain Man - R
Primal Fear – R
Copycat - R
Seven - R
Girl, Interrupted – R
The Prince of Tides – R
Psycho(1960) – R
The Fisher King - R