6 Best Psychiatrist and Therapy Session Movies

By Vlad Zakh · April 25, 2026

The quiet, intimate space of the therapist’s office has powered some of cinema’s most psychologically rich dramas about healing and self-discovery. In Good Will Hunting (1997): A brilliant but troubled young janitor forms a bond with a therapist who helps him confront his past. Just as strong is Ordinary People (1980): A grieving family struggles to cope after the death of one son and a suicide attempt by the other.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

TMDB ★ 7.7

A man recently released from a mental institution navigates recovery while falling for a troubled young woman.

Directed by David O. Russell · 2h 02m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: YouTube TV, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

A Dangerous Method (2011)

TMDB ★ 6.6

The complex professional and personal relationship between Freud and Jung unfolds through a shared patient.

Directed by David Cronenberg · 1h 39m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Good Will Hunting (1997)

IMDb ★ 8.4 RT 97% Metacritic 71

A brilliant but troubled young janitor forms a bond with a therapist who helps him confront his past.

Directed by Gus Van Sant · 2h 07m · Rated R

Won 2 Oscars25 wins & 61 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Apple TV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Prince of Tides (1991)

TMDB ★ 7.0

A man's therapy sessions to help his suicidal sister uncover devastating childhood family secrets.

Directed by Barbra Streisand · 2h 12m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Ordinary People (1980)

IMDb ★ 7.7 RT 90% Metacritic 86

A grieving family struggles to cope after the death of one son and a suicide attempt by the other.

Directed by Robert Redford · 2h 04m · Rated R

Won 4 Oscars21 wins & 14 nominations

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Spellbound (1945)

TMDB ★ 7.5

An amnesiac psychiatrist suspected of murder must uncover his true identity to clear his name.

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock · 1h 51m

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Psychiatrist and Therapy Session Movies

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

A Dangerous Method (2011)

Good Will Hunting (1997)

The Prince of Tides (1991)

Ordinary People (1980)

Spellbound (1945)

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