10 Best Movies That Get Real About Addiction

Julia Roberts trades her rom-com charm for a heart-wrenching portrayal of a mother dealing with her son’s addiction. Her son, Ben (Lucas Hedges), returns home for Christmas after rehab, but trouble seems to follow him like a bad hangover.

Tackling the harsh realities of the opioid crisis in America, this movie is a tense family drama that will make you clutch your armchair.

This film, directed by Robert Zemeckis, explores the complex relationship between addiction and heroism.

Denzel Washington takes flight in this intense drama about a pilot who miraculously lands a damaged plane but has a serious drinking problem. It’s like watching a high-stakes game of Russian roulette where the stakes are human lives.

Praised by American critics, including a perfect score from Roger Ebert, this indie classic follows a gang of drug-addicted criminals.
Directed by Gus Van Sant, the film brings to life the narrative penned by James Fogle. It’s a raw, uncompromising look at the lives of small-time criminals trying to score their next fix.

Ryan Gosling proves he’s more than just a pretty face in this gritty drama about a high school teacher struggling with addiction. This fresh film, which holds an impressive 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes, offers a real-world look at addiction that hits you hard.

Joaquin Phoenix brings his A-game to this inspiring story of a quadriplegic artist who overcomes addiction and finds new purpose in life. Based on the memoir of the same name, this comedy-drama is a feel-good film with a serious message.

If you’re looking for a feel-good movie, this ain’t it. Darren Aronofsky’s intense film is like a freight train barreling towards disaster. It’s a stark, unflinching look at the devastating consequences of addiction, and it’ll leave you questioning your life choices.
Just remember, after watching this, you might start seeing spoons in a whole new light.

This intense psychological drama, directed by Steve McQueen, explores the complexities of addiction through the character of Brandon, a high-functioning New Yorker struggling to control his compulsive behavior.

Michael Fassbender gives a performance so raw, you might need a cold shower afterward. This film delves into the emotional turmoil and isolation experienced by those battling addiction with a brutal honesty that’s both shocking and compelling.

Nicolas Cage delivers an Oscar-winning performance as a self-destructive alcoholic who heads to Las Vegas to drink himself to death.

Based on the novel by John O’Brien, this classic movie is a dark, depressing ride, but Cage’s performance is so raw and powerful, you can’t look away. The film is a stark reminder of the isolating and destructive nature of alcoholism.

Based on the true story of David Sheff and his son Nic, this heart-wrenching drama explores the devastating impact of addiction on both the addict and their loved ones.
Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet deliver powerful performances as father and son, navigating the complexities of a relationship fractured by addiction.

Beyond the glitz and glamour of the music industry, Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut offers a poignant portrayal of addiction’s destructive power. Cooper’s character, Jackson Maine, is a charismatic rock star whose meteoric rise masks a deepening spiral into alcoholism and drug abuse.

This film, which holds a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes, paints a heartbreaking picture of the toll addiction takes not only on the individual but on those closest to them.