19 Dementia Movies That Will Leave You Speechless! | 2024

Movies possess a remarkable ability to transport us into different worlds, allowing us to experience a myriad of emotions and gain profound insights into the human condition.

When it comes to addressing complex and sensitive topics like dementia, the power of cinema truly shines.

In this article, we embark on a journey through the world of cinema, delving into some of the best movies about dementia ever made.

These extraordinary films not only provide a captivating cinematic experience but also serve as poignant vehicles for raising awareness and understanding about the realities of this debilitating disease.

Best Dementia Movies To Watch In 2024

Whether you’re seeking emotional journeys or a deeper understanding of dementia, these 19 movies are worth adding to your must-watch list in 2024.

1. The Notebook (2004)

2. Aurora Borealis (2005)

3. Still Alice (2014)

4. Away From Her (2007)

5. The Savages (2007)

6. Still Mine (2012)

7. A Song For Martin (2001)

8. The Iron Lady (2011)

9. Hanging Up (2000)

10. The Father (2020)

11. Age Old Friends (1989)

12. A Vow to Cherish (1999)

13. First Cousin Once Removed (2013)

14. Supernova (2021)

15. Poetry (2010)

16. Iris (2001)

17. Schism 2008

18. Logan (2017)

19. Amour (2012)

1. The Notebook (2004)

The Notebook, based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel, is a heart-wrenching movie about dementia. 

This film portrays the love story of Allie and Noah, with Allie in her later years suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. 

The movie showcases the strength of love in the face of dementia, offering viewers a poignant depiction of the condition’s impact on both the individual and their loved ones.

Runtime: 2 hours 3 minutes

Director: Nick Cassavetes

Genres: Drama, Romance

Country:  United States

Release date: June 25, 2004 

Language: English

2. Aurora Borealis (2005)

“Aurora Borealis” is one of the best dementia movies, providing a realistic portrayal of a family coping with a patriarch’s Alzheimer’s disease. 

The film explores how dementia can change family dynamics and how love and understanding can help alleviate the pain and confusion associated with the disease. 

It’s a compassionate exploration of the effects of dementia on the individual and their loved ones.

Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes

Director: James C.E. Burke

Genres: Drama, Romance

Country:  United States, Canada

Release date: April 22, 2005

Language: English

3. Still Alice (2014)

Still Alice is a critically acclaimed movie about dementia, featuring Julianne Moore in an Oscar-winning performance as a linguistics professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

The film provides a nuanced depiction of the swift progression of dementia and its profound effects on the patient’s identity, career, and relationships. 

Still Alice ranks among the best films about dementia, thanks to its brutally honest and emotional portrayal of the disease.

Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes

Director: Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland

Genres: Drama

Country: United States, United Kingdom, France

Release date: February 20, 2015 

Language: English

4. Away From Her (2006)

Away From Her is a powerful movie about a woman’s struggle with Alzheimer’s and the toll it takes on her marriage. 

The film tackles the issue with delicacy, offering a profound exploration of love, loss, and acceptance in the face of dementia. 

It’s one of the top dementia movies, lauded for its realistic and compassionate depiction of the condition.

Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes

Director: Sarah Polley

Genres: Drama

Country: Canada, United States, United Kingdom

Release date: May 25, 2007

Language: English

5. The Savages (2007)

The Savages provides an unflinching look at dementia and its impacts on a family. This film centers on adult siblings who must care for their estranged, ailing father. 

The film brilliantly captures the difficulties and dilemmas faced by families when a loved one is afflicted with dementia, earning it a spot among the best movies about dementia.

Runtime: 1 hour 53 minutes

Director: Tamara Jenkins

Genres: Comedy, Drama

Country: United States 

Release date: January 17, 2008

Language: English

Related: Exploring 11 Best Caregiver Movies: A Reel of Compassion

6. Still Mine (2012)

Still Mine is a poignant movie about dementia that tells the story of Craig Morrison, an elderly man who battles the local authorities to build a safer home for his wife, Irene, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. 

The film beautifully captures the challenges, determination, and unwavering love amidst the struggles of dementia, making it one of the top dementia movies.

Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes

Director: Michael McGowan

Genres: Drama

Country: Canada 

Release date: June 6, 2013

Language: English

7. A Song For Martin (2001)

“A Song For Martin” is a touching movie about a couple, both successful musicians, whose lives are upended when the husband is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. 

The film beautifully explores how dementia can change a loving relationship, adding a significant narrative to the collection of the best movies about dementia.

Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes

Director: Bille August

Genres: Drama, Music, Romance

Country: Sweden

Release date: March 16, 2001

Language: Swedish

8. The Iron Lady (2011)

“The Iron Lady” is a poignant biographical movie about former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Not only does it provide an intimate glimpse into her storied political career, but it also emerges as one of the most impactful films about dementia.

By portraying her later life through the lens of this disorder, the film deftly intermixes present-day scenes of Thatcher grappling with the condition and flashbacks of her time in office. It’s a haunting depiction of the disorientation and confusion that comes with dementia, making it an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes

Director: Phyllida Lloyd

Genres: Biography, Drama

Country: United Kingdom, France 

Release date: January 13, 2012

Language: English

9. Hanging Up (2000)

Hanging Up explores the struggles of three sisters caring for their aging father who suffers from dementia. 

The movie provides a compelling and relatable portrayal of the highs and lows, the frustrations, and the emotional toll that caring for a loved one with dementia can take. 

It undoubtedly holds a place among the best movies about dementia.

Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes

Director: Diane Keaton

Genres: Comedy, Drama

Country: Germany, United States

Release date: February 18, 2000

Language: English

10. The Father (2020)

The Father is one of the most acclaimed dementia movies in recent years. It offers an immersive experience of what it’s like to live with dementia, using clever cinematography and narrative techniques. 

With an Oscar-winning performance by Anthony Hopkins, the movie paints a deeply affecting, intimate picture of a man’s descent into dementia.

Runtime: 1 hour 37 minutes

Director: Florian Zeller

Genres: Drama, Mystery

Country: United Kingdom, France, United States 

Release date: February 26, 2021

Language: English

11. Age Old Friends (1989)

Age Old Friends stands out in the realm of dementia films as a heartfelt portrayal of two elderly friends navigating life in a retirement home. As one of them gradually loses his memory to dementia, the movie beautifully illuminates the enduring theme of friendship amidst the poignant challenges of aging.

This unique perspective on dementia, intertwined with the strength of companionship, is often missing in popular cinema, making the film a significant touchstone in the genre.

Runtime: 1 hour 27 minutes

Director: Allan Kroeker

Genres: Comedy

Country: United States, Canada 

Release date: December 16, 1989

Language: English

12. A Vow to Cherish (1999)

A Vow to Cherish stands out among movies with dementia themes as a profound depiction of a husband’s unwavering dedication to his wife diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

The film doesn’t just offer a narrative; it paints a vivid portrayal of the sacred marriage vows ‘in sickness and in health.’ As we watch the husband grapple with the heart-wrenching challenges of caring for a spouse who is slowly losing her memories and cognitive abilities, the movie becomes an evocative testament to the unyielding power of love.

Beyond a mere story, it provides a realistic depiction of the toll dementia can exact on a relationship, shedding light on the emotional struggles, hurdles, and deep-seated commitment such situations demand.

Runtime: 1 hour 24 minutes

Director: John Schmidt

Genres: Drama, Family

Country: United States 

Release date: 1999

Language: English

13. First Cousin Once Removed (2012)

First Cousin Once Removed is a powerful documentary that captures the life of poet and translator Edwin Honig as he battles Alzheimer’s. 

The film’s raw and intimate portrayal of dementia makes it one of the most poignant movies about the subject.

Runtime: 1 hour 18 minutes

Director: Alan Berliner

Genres: Documentary 

Country: United States  

Release date: February 13, 2014

Language: English

14. Supernova (2021)

Supernova, one of the new movies about dementia, offers a touching narrative about a gay couple grappling with early-onset dementia.

Its nuanced depiction of love, memory, and loss not only resonates deeply with viewers but also adds a fresh and unique perspective to the ever-growing collection of dementia movies. The film stands as a testament to the evolving portrayal of dementia in contemporary cinema.

Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes

Director: Harry Macqueen

Genres: Drama, Romance

Country: United Kingdom

Release date: January 29, 2021

Language: English

15. Poetry (2010)

Poetry is a South Korean film about an elderly woman dealing with the early stages of Alzheimer’s while seeking solace in poetry. 

The movie’s sensitive portrayal of dementia and the role of creativity and art in navigating such a condition make it a notable addition to the field.

Runtime: 2 hours 19 minutes

Director: Lee Chang-dong

Genres: Drama

Country:  South Korea

Release date: February 11, 2011

Language: Korean

16. Iris (2001)

Iris is a compelling biographical movie about the life of British novelist Iris Murdoch, who had Alzheimer’s disease. 

The film switches between young and old Iris, skillfully showcasing the contrast between her vibrant youth and her life with dementia. 

It stands out among dementia movies for its stark portrayal of the disease.

Runtime: 1 hour 31 minutes

Director: Richard Eyre

Genres: Biography, Drama, Romance

Country: United States  

Release date: March 29, 2002

Language: English

17. Schism (2008)

Schism is a dramatic film that tells the story of a man with Alzheimer’s disease who starts to piece together his past with the help of his son. 

The movie effectively captures the fragmented nature of memory and the emotional journey of families affected by dementia, contributing to the broader narrative about this condition in film.

Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes

Director: John C. Lyons

Genres: Drama

Country: United States   

Release date: April 17, 2008

Language: English

18. Logan (2017)

Logan, the final installment of the Wolverine series. Subtly explores dementia through the character of Charles Xavier, showcasing the devastating effects of the disease, even on the world’s most powerful minds. 

As a mainstream superhero film touching on this topic, it broadens the scope of dementia movies, highlighting the disease’s indiscriminate reach.

Runtime: 2 hours 17 minutes

Director: James Mangold

Genres: Action, Drama. Sci-Fi

Country: United States    

Release date: March 3, 2017

Language: English, Spanish

19. Amour (2012)

Amour is a French film that provides a heartbreaking look at an elderly couple’s life when one of them starts suffering from dementia after a stroke. 

The film’s realistic and emotionally intense portrayal of love, aging, and dementia earned it a spot among the top dementia movies and recognition at the Academy Awards.

Runtime: 2 hours 7 minutes

Director: Michael Haneke

Genres: Drama

Country: Austria, France, Germany 

Release date: September 20, 2012

Language: French, English

Long Story Short

Movies about dementia play an invaluable role in portraying the realities of this disease. They provide a platform for raising awareness, educating the public, and initiating critical discussions about the condition.

These films offer a window into the lives of individuals affected by dementia, fostering empathy and understanding among viewers.

The impact of these films extends beyond the screen, shaping societal perceptions, attitudes, and policies toward dementia.

Let us know by commenting if you have watched any of these movies and your experience! This particular dementia movie list we have made is based on stories related to dementia.

That doesn’t mean all the stories directly depict dementia, but they are connected to the theme.