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In our modern society, social anxiety disorder when not treated can lead to a nervous breakdown, suicide attempt, panic attacks, depression, and other mental issues. Whether you're looking for something to relate to or just curious about what it's like to have social anxiety, watching movies can piece it all together. [1]
We've put together a list of the top 10 movies that capture the struggles of social anxiety disorder and the variety of coping mechanisms people try out. Read on to discover which movie you should watch!
Synopsis: Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter, The King's Speech tells the story of the future King George VI and his struggles with a severe case of anxiety disorder. The film follows George as he seeks help from speech therapist Lionel Logue to overcome his debilitating stammer. As George gradually learns how to manage his anxiety and speak more confidently, he also learns to gain trust in himself and others.
Also, the film emphasizes on the essence of therapy sessions, like Online Therapy, when dealing with anxiety disorder and other mental health issues.
Rating: 4/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Where To Watch: VUDU Fandango, Prime Video, Apple TV
Movie Length: 1h 58m
Common Sense Media PG Rating: 14+
Synopsis: Silver Linings Playbook (2012) is an Academy Award-winning film that explores the struggles of living with mental health issues. The story follows Pat Solitano, played by Bradley Cooper, a young man who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After being released from a mental hospital, Pat moves back in with his parents and attempts to reconcile with his ex-wife.
Rating: 4.5/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Where To Watch: VUDU Fandango, Prime Video, Apple TV
Movie Length: 2h 2m
Common Sense Media PG Rating: 16+
Synopsis: Adaptation (2002) is a unique and thought-provoking movie that gives a realistic portrayal of an introverted writer who is struggling to adapt to his new surroundings. The movie tells the story of Charlie Kaufman, played by Nicholas Cage, as he attempts to write a screenplay based on a book called The Orchid Thief. He is constantly distracted and overwhelmed by his new environment, which leaves him with intense feelings of anxiety.
Rating: 3.5/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
Where To Watch: VUDU Fandango, Prime Video, Apple TV
Movie Length: 1h 54m
Common Sense Media PG Rating: 16+
Synopsis: Safe is an award-winning drama by director Todd Haynes that follows the story of Carol White (Julianne Moore), a successful suburban housewife who suffers from social anxiety. Carol's extreme avoidance of certain situations, her self-isolation, and her general difficulty in communicating with people all come to light when she visits a New Age retreat in search of positive ways of healing.
Rating: 3/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
Where To Watch: VUDU Fandango, Prime Video, Apple TV
Movie Length: 1h 59m
Google PG Rating: 18+
Synopsis: Directed by James L. Brooks, As Good As It Gets stars Jack Nicholson as the central character, Melvin Udall. Melvin is an obsessive-compulsive novelist living in New York City and is reluctant to connect with other people. Later on, Melvin’s character gets challenged when he starts to fall for Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt). Through her, he begins to understand the importance of social interactions and meaningful relationships.
Rating: 4/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
Where To Watch: VUDU Fandango, Hulu, Prime Video, Paramount+, Apple TV
Movie Length: 2h 18m
Common Sense Media PG Rating: 15+
Synopsis: Martin Scorsese’s 2004 biographical drama The Aviator is an independent film that tells the personal journey of eccentric aviation mogul Howard Hughes. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Hughes, the Aviator captures Hughes’s mysophobia (fear of germs) and his strong aversion to public appearances which creates an immense wall between himself and the outside world.
Rating: 3.5/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
Where To Watch: VUDU Fandango, Prime Video, Apple TV
Movie Length: 2h 46m
Common Sense Media PG Rating: 16+
Synopsis: Lars and the Real Girl is a unique and uplifting story about a man with social anxiety, Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling). Lars is an isolated individual who keeps to himself, but things change when he forms a relationship with a life-sized doll he orders from the internet. At first, his brother and sister-in-law think it’s strange and worrisome, but soon they realize that the doll gives Lars a purpose and a confidante, allowing him to express emotions and take baby steps towards social interaction.
Rating: 4/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 81%
Where To Watch: VUDU Fandango
Movie Length: 1h 47m
Common Sense Media PG Rating: 16+
Synopsis: Starring Adam Sandler, this offbeat and quirky comedy-drama follows Barry Egan, a lonely, socially anxious man struggling to cope with the pressures of modern life. After being taken advantage of by a phone sex scam, he decides to fight back and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. While the film contains its fair share of hilarious moments, Sandler's performance as Barry inspires heartwarming results, allowing viewers to sympathize with his plight and root for him as he slowly finds his place in the world.
Rating: 4/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 79%
Where To Watch: VUDU Fandango, Prime Video, Apple TV
Movie Length: 1h 35m
Common Sense Media PG Rating: 17+
Synopsis: Napoleon Dynamite is a cult classic that follows the socially awkward, shy, and often misunderstood life of its titular character, Napoleon. The movie captures the social awkwardness and anxiety of Napoleon's life as he navigates his way through high school and learns how to interact with his peers. It also sheds light on how he feels isolated and out of place in his small town.
Rating: 3/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 72%
Where To Watch: VUDU Fandango, Prime Video, HBO Max, Apple TV
Movie Length: 1h 26m
Common Sense Media PG Rating: 11+
Synopsis: This film is a 2016 American animated comedy film directed by Chris Renaud and co-directed by Yarrow Cheney. In this movie, the main character is Max, an anxious terrier who lives in a Manhattan apartment. When Max's owner adopts a second pet, a giant and boisterous Newfoundland named Duke, Max must learn to deal with his anxiety as he tries to adjust to the new situation.
Rating: 2/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 72%
Where To Watch: In Theaters, VUDU Fandango, Prime Video, Apple TV
Movie Length: 1h 31m
Common Sense Media PG Rating: 7+
Having social anxiety can be a difficult and isolating experience, but remember that you're not alone. Through movies, filmmakers share powerful stories that bring to light the real struggles of those who suffer from social anxiety.
By exploring these movies you can better understand and empathize with those who are affected by this condition.
You can take this quick anxiety test to confirm if you have social anxiety.
Several movies portray social anxiety and the struggles people with social anxiety face daily. Find out the best movies with social anxiety in this article.
No, social anxiety is not something people are born with. It is a learned behavior acquired over time through experiences and negative thought patterns. It's a reaction to real or imagined social situations that can cause intense fear and distress. [1]
Yes, some actors suffer from social anxiety. One example is the Academy Award-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis. Day-Lewis has spoken about his struggles with social anxiety, describing it as “a fear of public speaking, of public performance, of any kind of situation where I am exposed.”
Other famous actors who have acknowledged that they struggle with social anxiety include Emma Stone, Michael Cera, Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson, and Shia LaBeouf.
As these actors have shown, social anxiety can affect anyone, regardless of their level of fame or success. With awareness and support, it's possible to live with and manage the condition.
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