Best Movies and TV Shows About Autism (created by an autistic)
by anna-58258 | created - 24 Jan 2023 | updated - 25 Jan 2023 | PublicAutism is a type of neurodiversity that is often misunderstood by society, largely due to outdated research and the way it is depicted in the media.
Autistic individuals make up about 2% of the world's population and come in all shapes and sizes, a variety of genders, with intelligence levels all across the board. Some are nonverbal, some prefer to live in solitude, while others are famous entrepreneurs, business people, or artists – no two share the exact same set of strengths or challenges. Despite what some would like to think, there is no limit to what autistic people can do given, especially given the right supports, encouragement, and acceptance.
Many are shying away from labeling autism as a 'disorder' and the autistic community largely prefer other terms such as condition or simply "autism" or "autistic spectrum". Asperger's syndrome was a previous diagnosis under the autism spectrum, however, most now simply use the term autistic. Some countries still give two separate diagnoses of either Asperger's or Autism/ASD.
Media plays an important part in how the world sees autistic individuals. While the films listed below depict an autistic character, keep in mind that not all of them are portrayed entirely accurately as most are not made by autistic creators or starring autistic cast members, with the exception of the short film, Mildly Different, which is made by, starring, and about autistic individuals. Despite this, the films below are still worth a watch if you are interested in learning more about autism or how the world sees autistic individuals.
(titles are not listed in any particular order)
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1. Mildly Different (2021)
28 min | Short, Drama
A young woman on the autism spectrum struggles with the world around her until the kindness of one person changes her life.
Director: Anna Czarska | Stars: Jordanne Jones, Ruby Connolly, Lara McIvor, Sarah Niland
Votes: 67
This film is made by, starring, and about autistic individuals -- A young woman on the autism spectrum struggles with the world around her until the kindness of one person restores her self-confidence and changes her life.
2. Atypical (2017–2021)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
Sam, an 18-year-old on the autism spectrum, decides it's time to find a girlfriend, which sets Sam's mom on her own life-changing path as her son seeks more independence.
Stars: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Keir Gilchrist, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Michael Rapaport
Votes: 103,483
Despite some glaring generalities, the character does exhibit similar thinking patterns of autistic individuals-- Sam, an 18-year-old on the autism spectrum, decides it's time to find a girlfriend, which sets Sam's mom on her own life-changing path as her son seeks more independence.
3. Hannah Gadsby: Douglas (2020 TV Special)
TV-MA | 72 min | Comedy
Hannah Gadsby ("Nanette") returns for her second stand-up special and shares her latest takes on popularity, identity, language, feminism and more.
Director: Madeleine Parry | Star: Hannah Gadsby
Votes: 4,687
Hannah is an autistic comedian known for being quite open about her diagnosis, her sexuality, and identity -- Hannah Gadsby ("Nanette") returns for her second stand-up special and shares her latest takes on popularity, identity, language, feminism and more.
4. The Drummer and the Keeper (2017)
94 min | Drama
An unlikely friendship develops between the bipolar drummer of a rock band and an institutionalized teen living with Asperger's syndrome.
Director: Nick Kelly | Stars: Dermot Murphy, Jacob McCarthy, Adrian Hudson, Aoibhinn McGinnity
Votes: 400
An unlikely friendship develops between the bipolar drummer of a rock band and an institutionalized teen living with Asperger's syndrome.
5. Mary and Max (2009)
Not Rated | 92 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
In 1976 Melbourne, a lonely 8-year-old girl strikes up a correspondence with an unlikely pen pal: a severely obese 44-year-old New Yorker with Asperger's syndrome.
Director: Adam Elliot | Stars: Toni Collette, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Eric Bana, Barry Humphries
Votes: 186,770
A tale of friendship between two unlikely pen pals: Mary, a lonely, eight-year-old girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max, a forty-four-year old, severely obese man with Asperger's Syndrome living in New York.
6. The Good Doctor (2017–2024)
TV-14 | 41 min | Drama
Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and Savant syndrome, is recruited into the surgical unit of a prestigious hospital.
Stars: Freddie Highmore, Richard Schiff, Hill Harper, Christina Chang
Votes: 112,780
Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and Savant syndrome, is recruited into the surgical unit of a prestigious hospital.
7. Please Stand By (2017)
PG-13 | 93 min | Comedy, Drama
A young autistic woman runs away from her caregiver in an attempt to submit her 500-page manuscript to a "Star Trek" writing competition at Paramount Pictures.
Director: Ben Lewin | Stars: Dakota Fanning, Alice Eve, Toni Collette, Lexi Aaron
Votes: 15,224 | Gross: $0.01M
A young autistic woman runs away from her caregiver in an attempt to submit her 500-page manuscript to a "Star Trek" writing competition at Paramount Pictures.
8. The Story of Luke (2012)
Not Rated | 96 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Sheltered by his grandparents, Luke, a young man with autism, is thrust into a world that doesn't expect anything from him. But Luke is on a quest for a job and true love. And he isn't taking no for an answer.
Director: Alonso Mayo | Stars: Lou Taylor Pucci, Jayne Eastwood, Pam Hyatt, Cary Elwes
Votes: 3,287
Sheltered by his grandparents, Luke, a young man with autism, is thrust into a world that doesn't expect anything from him. But Luke is on a quest for a job and true love. And he isn't taking no for an answer.
9. My Name Is Khan (2010)
PG-13 | 165 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
An Indian Muslim man with Asperger's syndrome takes a challenge to speak to the President of the United States seriously and embarks on a cross-country journey.
Director: Karan Johar | Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Sheetal Menon, Katie Amanda Keane
Votes: 116,352 | Gross: $4.02M
An Indian Muslim man with Asperger's syndrome takes a challenge to speak to the President of the United States seriously and embarks on a cross-country journey.
10. The A Word (2016– )
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama
The Hughes family work and love and fight like every other family. Then, their youngest son is diagnosed with autism and they don't feel like every other family anymore.
Stars: Max Vento, Lee Ingleby, Christopher Eccleston, Molly Wright
Votes: 2,412
The Hughes family work and love and fight like every other family. Then, their youngest son is diagnosed with autism and they don't feel like every other family anymore.
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