Top Ten Medical Movies

The following are my top ten personal favorite medical movies.   These are movies that deal with characters who have serious medical diseases at some point in the film.  A few have humorous parts, but for the most part they are intense and emotional movies for those that appreciate a good cry and then can remember it is just a movie.

“When my son was born healthy, I never asked why. Why was I so lucky? What did I do to deserve this perfect child, this perfect life? But when he got sick, you can bet I asked why! I demanded to know why! Why was this happening?”–Mrs. Lowe (Awakenings)

# 10.  The Bucket List (2007).  Because of this movie, many healthy people have started their own bucket lists, without needing a terminal diagnosis to do it.   

#9. Seven Pounds (2008).  It’s amazing how one can change people’s lives by giving part of themselves. 

#8. Patch Adams (1998).   Based on a true story of an unconvential doctor who made his patients laugh. 

#7. Step Mom (1998).  This almost missed the list, because it is mistakingly portrayed as a comedy, when it really is about the unfairness of medical problems.   

#6. The Doctor (1991).  I’m sure we all wish our personal physican had learned the wisdom that can only come from being a patient.

#5. Shadowlands (1993).  The real life story of C.S. Lewis and his wife Joy is very touching. 

#4. City of Joy (1992).  It is often in the unexpected things in life that we find the joy in helping others. 

#3. Extraordinary Measures (2010).   When it’s a matter of life and death for a child, parents will go to extraordinary measures. 

#2. Lorenzo’s Oil (1992).  It’s amazing how the simplest discovery can help the quality of life of so many, if the powers that be will only listen.

# 1. Awakenings (1990).   We don’t measure a medical treatment by the length of days it provides but by the beauty of those days.