10 movies about mental breakdown like Pink Floyd: The Wall

Pink Floyd has easily been one of the most influential and successful rock bands in the world, having sold more than 250 million albums worldwide and remaining relevant even today, almost 60 years after they first entered the music scene — amassing millions of fans across the globe. But here’s a true test if you call yourself a real Pink Floyd fan: did you know the band has a highly rated movie based on their work? Pink Floyd—The Wall is a 1982 film based on the band’s iconic 1979 album The Wall. The film was praised not only for having less dialogue and more emphasis on music back in the day but also for its raw and powerful portrayal of depression and mental breakdowns. So if you haven’t seen the film yet, then it’s definitely worth checking out. And what's more, it doesn’t end there, as there are many other great films that explore mental breakdowns just as effectively.

10 movies about mental breakdown

1) A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Now, can there really be a top 10 list without including a film by one of the greatest filmmakers of all time? Short answer: Nope! Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange is a dystopian crime film based on the 1962 highly acclaimed novel of the same name. This story about a psychopathic delinquent who undergoes psychological conditioning is bound to leave you gaping in shock! It’s disturbing, yet thought-provoking, with a touch of dark humor to add to the top—definitely a must-watch!

2) Requiem for a Dream (2000)

This psychological drama, directed by Darren Aronofsky and adapted from the popular 1978 novel of the same name, explores the stories of four characters affected by drug addiction and the devastating effects it has on their physical and mental health. It's quite the visually aggressive and disturbing film but provides a fascinating insight into the mental states of addicts!

3) Eraserhead (1977)

This one's a classic! Brought to you by the genius mind of legendary filmmaker David Lynch, imagine a 90-minute-long, nightmarish, surreal descent into anxiety, loneliness, and the subconscious. That’s Eraserhead for you, a film that tells the story of a man left to care for his grossly deformed child in a desolate industrial landscape and the devastating effect it has on him. This one is sure to knock you off your feet!

4) Black Swan (2010)

Another piece of cinematic gold from Darren Aronofsky, this film follows a ballerina’s obsessive quest for perfection that leads to a complete psychological breakdown. Watch it for its brilliant exploration of themes like obsession and the relentless pressure to achieve perfection—all brought to life by a phenomenal performance from Natalie Portman. It makes for a disturbing yet exhilarating movie experience!

5) Whiplash (2014)

This film follows the story of an aspiring jazz drummer who gets pushed to madness by his abusive teacher—so far, in fact, that he’s driven beyond the brink of sanity. Whiplash has several moments that will leave you stunned by the sheer intensity of what intimidation and pressure can really do to a person. Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Damien Chazelle, with incredible performances by Miles Teller as the drummer and J.K. Simmons as his ruthless instructor—the role that earned Simmons his first Academy Award—Whiplash is one film that will stay with you for days after watching it.

6) Birdman (2014)

One of the best films you can watch about mental breakdowns, Birdman brilliantly captures the struggles of a washed-up Hollywood actor, best known for playing a superhero named Birdman, as he attempts a comeback by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway play. Watch this film to witness the toll it takes on someone when fame and recognition are long gone, and they desperately chase past glory—even if it means spiraling into self-destruction.

7) Jacob’s Ladder (1990)

You probably know Tim Robbins from the classic crime thriller The Shawshank Redemption. But did you know that he also starred in one of the best psychological horror films in Hollywood? Jacob’s Ladder follows the story of a postal worker plagued by flashbacks, visions, and hallucinations tied to his broken marriage, the death of his son, and his traumatic military service in Vietnam—gradually driving him toward insanity as the line between reality and hallucination begins to blur. Sounds like quite the nerve-shattering experience, doesn’t it?

8) Persona (1966)

A lesser-known gem directed by one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers of all time, Ingmar Bergman, Persona is a film that few have seen but many will appreciate. The story follows a young nurse assigned to take care of a famous stage actress who suddenly lost the ability to speak. As the nurse opens up to her patient while still struggling to restore her speech, she begins to have trouble distinguishing herself from her patient. This psychological drama, where identity itself begins to dissolve, is both devastating and gripping.

9) Amadeus (1984)

Mental breakdowns aren’t just a modern phenomenon; they existed even 200 years ago. Don’t believe it? Well, then watch Amadeus. The film reimagines a rivalry between two 18th-century Viennese composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. As Salieri struggles with a mix of professional admiration and burning jealousy toward Mozart, he spirals into obsession, ultimately deciding to sabotage Mozart’s career as an act of vengeance against God. Amadeus masterfully explores genius, envy, and madness—and even swept the 1985 Oscars, which makes it an absolute must-watch!

10) Enter the Void (2009)

A psychedelic acid trip in which a young man takes a wild journey into the afterlife—what could go wrong, right? Well, everything. What begins as a drug-fueled experience soon transforms into an astonishing, mind-bending trip through life and death. Set against the neon-lit nightclubs of Tokyo and shot in a first-person point of view, this psychological drama delivers a surreal, out-of-body exploration of death, trauma, and emotional detachment—one you won’t be getting over anytime soon.

With that, you're about to embark on one of the wildest cinematic journeys into mental breakdowns and emotional struggle like no other. So you know what time it is—popcorn time!