Best Movies About Parkinson’s Disease Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Parkinson's Disease
5 Movies Every Person With Parkinson s Disease Should Watch
Almost anyone can appreciate these films about how the condition can affect relationships, be helped by exercise, and inspire greatness in everyday life. By Reilly BradfordReviewed: April 24, 2018Fact-CheckedTwentieth Century Fox/Everett Collection; Provided by the FilmmakersAll products and services featured here are chosen for their potential to inspire and enable your wellness. Everyday Health may earn an affiliate commission on items you purchase. Movies are used as vessels to either escape reality or connect with the reality we live in now. For those who have experience with Parkinson’s disease, these films serve both purposes. If you or a loved one has Parkinson’s, you know how draining it can be, physically as well as emotionally. The condition is also associated with high rates of depression and anxiety. The Parkinson’s Foundation estimates that at least 50 percent of those diagnosed with the disease will experience some form of depression, while 40 percent will be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. That can make for a lot of bad days, and sometimes the best cure for a bad day is to watch a movie that reflects what you’re going through. The films listed here range from tear-jerking love stories to historical dramas to inspiring documentaries. Here are the best out there: 1 ' Love and Other Drugs' 2010
Twentieth Century Fox/Everett CollectionJake Gyllenhaal stars as Jamie, the charming, handsome drug salesman who meets Maggie (Anne Hathaway), a woman with early onset Parkinson’s disease. One thing leads to another and, in spite of their stated desire to keep things casual, a relationship begins. The film follows the highs and lows of Jamie and Maggie’s love story, including the strain the disease puts on it. A beautiful story about looking past hardship and making sacrifices for the one you love, Love and Other Drugs is an eye-opening film that will definitely turn on the waterworks. Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, profanity, and drug material Love and Other Drugs, $9.99, Amazon.com 2 ' Capturing Grace' 2014
Poster Design by Erik MaceCapturing Grace is a documentary that follows Dance for PD, an organization founded in Brooklyn, New York, where dancers John Heginbotham and David Leventhal, of the Mark Morris Dance Group, give dance classes to people with Parkinson’s disease. The classes provide a community for the participants, a space where they can express themselves free from judgment, and the opportunity to feel creativity and joy. Dance for PD classes are now offered in numerous cities around the United States and countries around the world. Overall, the film is uplifting and inspirational. Not Rated Capturing Grace, Free with Amazon Prime, Amazon.com 3 ' Awakenings' 1990
Columbia Pictures/Everett CollectionThe movie Awakenings is based on the nonfiction book by the same name by Oliver Sacks, MD, about patients he encountered in 1969 in a hospital in the Bronx, New York, who had been “frozen,” by encephalitis lethargica, a severe viral disease that spread throughout the world between 1917 and 1928. The disease killed many of its victims and left many others in a catatonic state now known as post-encephalitic parkinsonism. The drug that “awakened” these patients was the then-new L-dopa, or levodopa, which is still used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease today. The film version of Awakenings was nominated for three Academy Awards, and features performances by Robin Williams, as the doctor, Julie Kavner, as a nurse, and Robert De Niro, as one of the patients. Rated PG-13 Awakenings, $3.99, Amazon.com 4 ' Ride with Larry' 2014
Provided by the FilmmakersDiagnosed with Parkinson’s disease over two decades ago, at age 42, Larry Smith refuses to give up on living life to the fullest. In spite of having difficulty walking, he is able to get around town independently on his recumbent tricycle, bake bread — a talent that led to the founding of Mister Smith's Bakery, Cafe & Catering in Vermillion, South Dakota — and teach others to bake bread. In 2011, with the support of his wife, Elizabeth, and other family members and friends, Larry embarked on a 300-mile bike ride across South Dakota to raise awareness of the disease and to prove to others who have it that they can still accomplish incredible things. Ride with Larry shows Larry’s tenacity as he lives out his philosophy, “If you love life, you’ll fight for it.” Not Rated Ride With Larry, Free with Amazon Prime, Amazon.com 5 ' Back to the Future' 1985 1989 1990
Universal Pictures/Everett CollectionWhile Parkinson’s disease does not directly play a role in any of the Back to the Future movies, they all star Michael J. Fox, who has since become one of the best-known individuals alive with Parkinson’s disease. The actor was diagnosed in 1991, and he has used his name recognition as a platform to build awareness of the condition, creating the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Since 2000, the foundation has funded over $750 million in research toward finding a cure for Parkinson’s and improving therapies for people living with Parkinson’s currently. So time-travel back to the future with Fox, watch him reprise the role in 2015, then check out some of his foundation’s videos on Parkinson’s disease, the work of the foundation, and the people behind the foundation. Rated PG Back to the Future, $3.99, Amazon.com NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Healthy Living Newsletter
SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Parkinson' s Disease
Parkinson s Disease and the Flu Shot Advice From an Expert
If you have Parkinson’s disease, don’t miss this important part of preventive care.By Brian P. DunleavyAugust 29, 2022 What Is Parkinson s Wellness Recovery and How Can It Help With Parkinson s Symptoms
This cutting-edge organization uses the latest research to help improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease.By Becky UphamAugust 1, 2022 Parkinson s Disease and Sleep 7 Problems and Solutions
Treating underlying issues can often improve sleep in people with PD.By Becky UphamJuly 6, 2022 Eating With Parkinson s Disease Problems and Solutions
Both Parkinson’s disease and the primary medication used to treat it can cause a variety of eating problems.By Becky UphamJune 21, 2022 Best Parkinson s Bloggers and Influencers to Follow in 2022
Everyone will love these truthful and inspiring blogs about living with an incurable chronic illness.By Laura McArdleMay 12, 2022 10 Things Women With Parkinson s Disease Can Do to Get the Care They Need
Research suggests women with Parkinson’s often go without proper diagnosis and treatment. Here’s how to make sure this doesn’t happen to you.By Brian P. DunleavyMarch 4, 2022 Parkinson s Disease Treatment
Treatment options to manage symptoms of the disease include surgery, physical therapy, and alternative approaches.By Erin Archer Kelser, RNFebruary 23, 2022 Parkinson s Disease Symptoms and Diagnosis
There’s no single test for Parkinson’s disease, but a person’s symptoms and response to treatment can guide diagnosis.By Erin Archer Kelser, RNFebruary 14, 2022 What Is Parkinsonism
There are several different types of parkinsonism. Parkinson's disease is the most common and treatable.By Erin Archer Kelser, RNFebruary 4, 2022 Healthcare Needs of Women With Parkinson s Disease Are Going Unmet Advocates Say
The view that PD is primarily a disease of white older men has led to gaps in care for women and people of color who have Parkinson’s, researchers assert...By Brian P. DunleavyJanuary 24, 2022 MORE IN PTSD Symptoms and Diagnosis
Resources for Parkinson s Disease
Best Parkinson s Bloggers and Influencers to Follow in 2022