Top 10 Best Asylum Movies

A List of Flicks Featuring the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Asylum Movies.

Mental health is a pretty big deal, which is why this week I’m taking a look at the 10 best asylum movies that have been released over the years. Of course, not all the movies out there have an especially kind take on those who suffer from mental illness. All too often psychiatric hospitals are used as setting for horror films, especially the ones that have long since been abandoned. That’s why for this week’s top 10, I set a ground rule for films to qualify for this list. In order for them to be considered asylum movies, a major part of them has to take place in an active mental hospital. In other words, no movies with abandoned hospitals or where a character gets out in the first few minutes. That means you won’t see films like Silver Linings Playbook or House on Haunted Hill on here. Even still, this list features a collection of plenty of great asylum movies that you can enjoy.

10. K-Pax

Despite the news that Kevin Spacy was arraigned for sexual assault, K-Pax is a film that is greater than one scuzzy guy’s actions off-screen. For the sake of this list, I have to separate the artist from the art, especially since there were so many other people who worked on it. K-Pax is the story of a man, known as Prot, who believes that he’s actually an alien inhabiting a human body, which piques the interest of a psychiatrist working Psychiatric Institute of Manhattan. As the movie continues Prot displays some questionable abilities, such as incredible mathematics and astrophysics knowledge that seems almost beyond human, which causes the psychiatrist to question if his delusions are, in fact, real. If Spacey is a turn off for you, K-Pax also features Jeff Bridges and he’s a national treasure.   

9. Don Juan DeMarco

Don Juan DeMarco is a classic Johnny Depp flick that just so happens to qualify for this list of asylum movies. In it, he plays a delusional 21-year-old potential suicide risk that believes himself to be the legendary lover Don Juan. His therapist (played by Marlon Brando) might have his doubts but listens intently to the fantastic tales his patient weaves during his 10-day evaluation at a mental hospital. As the film goes on, the entire staff of the facility finds themselves inspired by Don Juan’s tales (especially his doctor). It’s a fanciful film that’s probably one of the more light-hearted ones to appear on this top 10 list, but that doesn’t make it any less deserving of a spot. If you’re a fan of classic Depp movies like Benny & Joon then this is a film you’ll definitely want to check out.

8. Glass

M. Night Shyamalan is a director known for “twists” so it seems like an appropriate one that his film Glass has earned a respectable spot among these asylum movies. The films here either feature people suffering from mental illness or those who don’t but are committed anyways. Well, Glass has both as it unites the heroes and villains from Unbreakable and Split on the big screen. Of course, James McAvoy’s character isn’t exactly the most stable with the 24 personalities inside all vying for control, but Mr. Glass and David Dunn hardly suffer from grand delusions. What makes this film so interesting is that all the characters in it have superpowers that are loosely based in reality. They’re all capable of incredible feats, but you won’t catch any of them flying through the air. That doesn’t stop their therapist from trying to convince them that it’s all in their heads though.  

7. It’s Kind of a Funny Story

Every once in a while a comedian takes on a more serious role and everyone is shocked that they’re actually a pretty good actor. This time around it’s Zach Galifianakis. The film follows a suicidal teenager who commits himself before making an attempt. During his week-long evaluation, he meets all sorts of colorful characters at a New York psychiatric hospital who slowly become close friends with him. As far as asylum movies go, It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a pretty uplifting look at the mental health issues so many face without saying anything and goes against the stigma they experience when considering seeking help. Most importantly, it’s a movie that understands that dealing with mental health is a journey you might be faced with for the rest of your life and there’s nothing wrong with that.

6. Girl, Interrupted

Girl, Interrupted is probably one of the better-known asylum movies to appear on this top 10 list, but how could I not include it? The film is a harrowing tale following an 18-year old, played by Winona Ryder, who attempts suicide and is committed to Claymoore Mental Hospital. There she finds out that she suffers from borderline personality and is manipulated by another girl there who is a sociopath (Angelina Jolie). The film doesn’t pull punches when it comes to the portrayal of the conditions the patients there are afflicted with and ended up winning Jolie a slew of awards for her performance in the movie. It also features an appearance by the late, great Brittany Murphy in the film. Girl, Interrupted is a pretty intense movie, but if you haven’t seen it you should definitely check it out.