DISCLOSURE: I am not a mental health professional. If you need help finding a mental health care provider, call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit Online Therapy to call, message, or video chat a certified therapist online. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I may also receive compensation from Online Therapy or other sources if you purchase products or services through the links provided on this page. You can read my full disclaimer.
Movies about loneliness delve deep into the human condition, exploring themes of isolation, alienation, and the quest for connection.
These 27 films featured below often resonate on a profound level, touching our hearts by portraying characters who navigate the complexities of feeling alone in a world filled with people.
List of Movies with Lonely Protagonists:
A lot of the movies on this list feature other sad themes, such as childhood bullying and abuse.
That being said, I’ve included content warnings for each movie with the help of DoesTheDogDie.com.
And now onto the movies filled with loneliness…
27 Best Films About Loneliness
Speaking of childhood, have you downloaded your free inner child healing workbook yet? 👇
1. GIRL IN PROGRESS (2012)
I’ve talked about Girl in Progress in several of my movie recommendation lists (like this one about childhood trauma).
Synopsis:
Grace is a single mom who’s too busy juggling work, bills, and her affair with a married man to give her daughter, Ansiedad, the attention she deserves (and needs).
After finding inspiration in the classic coming-of-age stories she’s reading in school, Ansiedad plots her “shortcut to adulthood” to fight the loneliness she’s living in.
Genre:
Coming-of-age drama comedy
Content:
Emotional neglect, bullying
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
2. EIGHTH GRADE (2018)
Eighth Grade showcases the irony of how, despite being more connected than ever through social media, young people can feel profoundly isolated and misunderstood.
Synopsis:
Kayla navigates the complexities of modern adolescence, where online personas can be both a refuge and a source of anxiety.
Her efforts to make friends and fit in, her silent battles with self-esteem, and her yearning for genuine connections reflect the universal struggle with loneliness that many of us faced during our formative years.
Genre:
Drama comedy
Content:
Sexual assault
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
3. THIRTEEN (2003)
While incredibly uncomfortable to watch at times, Thirteen delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the acute sense of loneliness that can accompany the teenage years.
Synopsis:
Tracy’s relationship with her mother is tested when she becomes best friends with troubled Evie.
Together, they forge down the path of self-destruction of drugs, drinking, sex, and petty crimes.
Genre:
Coming-of-age drama
Content:
Drug abuse, alcohol abuse, addiction, self-harm, underage sex, eating disorder, violence, bullying
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
4. THE NEVERENDING STORY (1984)
If you’re looking to fully immerse yourself in a movie, you need The Neverending Story in your life.
Synopsis:
Bastian is a bookworm who can’t devour books fast enough, and he uses books to escape the loneliness and bullying he endures at the hands of his classmates.
One book he was warned not to read, The Neverending Story, takes him deep into the wonderous fantasy world of Fantasia
Genre:
Coming-of-age fantasy
Content:
Bullying, animal death, death of a parent
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
More movies about bullying:
👉 28 Best Movies About Bullying (for Teens, Kids, and Adults!)
5. HER (2013)
Her beautifully explores themes of love, loneliness, and the complexities of human connections in the digital age.
Synopsis:
Theodore is navigating the aftermath of a painful divorce.
Feeling isolated and emotionally disconnected from the world around him, he forms an unlikely relationship with an advanced operating system named Samantha.
Genre:
Romance drama
Content:
Fatphobia, gaslighting
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
6. THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER (2012)
Based on the novel by the same name, The Perks of Being a Wallflower navigates the challenges of high school, family dynamics, and the process of self-discovery.
Synopsis:
Charlie is a shy, lonely teenager who just entered his first year of high school.
Struggling with the aftermath of losing his best friend to suicide, he’s not sure where he belongs.
But when free-spirited seniors Sam and Patrick take him under their wings, he learns to cope with loss and come to terms with his tumultuous past.
Genre:
Coming-of-age drama
Content:
Child abuse, domestic violence, bullying, addiction, drug abuse, sexual assault, self-harm, suicide, death, hate speech, homophobia
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
7. LOST IN TRANSLATION (2003)
Exploring themes of isolation, cultural disconnection, and the yearning for human connection, Lost in Translation portrays the feeling of being adrift in a foreign land.
Synopsis:
Americans Bob (an aging movie star) and Charlotte (a young woman questioning her marriage) form a bond while staying in a hotel in Tokyo.
They find solace and an unexpected friendship within each other while navigating a foreign country.
Genre:
Drama comedy
Content:
Eating disorder
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
8. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982)
A true 80s classic, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is an unforgettable story of the most unexpecting friendship.
Synopsis:
Ten-year-old Elliot is lonely until he befriends a lost, yet friendly alien.
Together, they summon the courage to find E.T.’s way back to his home planet.
Genre:
Coming-of-age sci-fi
Content:
Drug use
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
More movies about childhood friendships:
👉 27 Movies About Childhood Friends (Filled with Nostalgia)
9. THE SANDLOT (1993)
Despite depictions of bullying, The Sandlot remains one of the greatest comedy classics.
Synopsis:
It’s the summer of 1962, and Smalls (the new kid in town) is looking for a place to belong.
He is quickly taken under the wing of a young baseball prodigy and his rowdy team, resulting in many hilarious misadventures.
Genre:
Coming-of-age comedy
Content:
Sexual assault, bullying, fatphobia
Rent or buy here: Amazon
More movies about bullying:
👉 28 Best Movies About Bullying (for Teens, Kids, and Adults!)
10. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (2004)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a poignant exploration of loneliness, heartbreak, and how we’re all searching for someone to connect with.
Synopsis:
Joel undergoes a procedure to erase all memories of his ex-girlfriend, Clementine, from his mind.
As the procedure unfolds, Joel realizes that the memories he wants to keep the most are the ones that bring him the most pain.
Genre:
Romance drama
Content:
Gaslighting, animal abuse, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, hate speech (homophobia)
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
11. THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN (2016)
Everyone knows that growing up is hard, and The Edge of Seventeen encaptures the trials of everyday teenage life.
Synopsis:
High school junior Nadine is already at peak awkwardness when her all-star older brother, Darian, starts dating her best friend, Krista.
She feels more alone than ever until the unexpected friendship of a thoughtful boy gives her a glimmer of hope that things just might not be so terrible after all.
Genre:
Sexual assault, hate speech, parental death, suicide
Content:
Drama comedy
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
12. MOONLIGHT (2016)
Academy Award winner for Best Picture, Moonlight is a timeless story of self-discovery and connection.
Synopsis:
Growing up in a rough neighborhood in Miami, a young Black man named Chiron grapples with his identity and his sexuality.
Trying to escape from bullies all his life, he finds refuge when Juan, a drug dealer, takes him under his wing.
Watch as Chiron experiences these everyday hardships of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
Genre:
Coming-of-age drama
Content:
Child abuse, drug abuse, addiction, death of a parent, hate speech, homophobia
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
13. THE SPECTACULAR NOW (2013)
If teen romances are your thing, The Spectacular Now is a wonderful choice.
Synopsis:
Sutter, a charismatic and hard-partying high school senior, falls for the bookish girl next door, Aimee.
An unexpected romance blossoms between these opposites.
Genre:
Romantic drama
Content:
Pill addiction, alcoholism
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
14. CAST AWAY (2000)
Cast Away offers a more literal take on loneliness, while it explores human resilience and the deep-seated need for connection — even in the most dire circumstances.
Synopsis:
Chuck, a FedEx executive, becomes stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash.
Isolated from civilization, Chuck’s profound loneliness is palpable as he struggles to survive and maintain his sanity.
Genre:
Drama adventure
Content:
Suicidal ideation
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
15. MOON (2009)
A thought-provoking sci-fi drama, Moon delves into themes of isolation, identity, and the human condition.
Synopsis:
Sam is an astronaut nearing the end of his three-year stint on a lunar base grappling with isolation and identity.
As his contract approaches its conclusion, he begins to experience strange hallucinations and health issues, leading him to question his reality and the nature of his existence.
Genre:
Sci-fi drama
Content:
Parental death, self-harm
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
16. INTO THE WILD (2007)
Adapted from the book by Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild greatly examines complete isolation and the need for human interaction.
Synopsis:
Christopher is a young man who seeks solitude in the Alaskan wilderness.
However, as he faces the harsh realities of surviving alone in the wilderness, he begins to understand the profound need for human connection.
Genre:
Drama adventure
Content:
Domestic violence, child abuse
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
17. THE WAY, WAY BACK (2013)
The Way, Way Back is a coming-of-age film that poignantly explores themes of loneliness and self-discovery through the eyes of its young protagonist.
Synopsis:
Set against the backdrop of a summer vacation, Duncan struggles with feeling isolated and misunderstood by both his family and peers.
At the heart of his loneliness is a strained relationship with his mother’s overbearing boyfriend, Trent, who consistently belittles Duncan, exacerbating his sense of alienation.
Genre:
Coming-of-age comedy
Content:
Emotional abuse
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
Check out these coming-of-age TV shows:
👉 28 Coming-of-Age TV Shows (Bursting with 90s and 2000s Nostalgia)
18. A GHOST STORY (2017)
The central theme of A Ghost Story is loneliness, which is depicted through the ghost’s silent, solitary presence and his inability to interact with the living world.
Synopsis:
After his sudden death in a car accident, C becomes a ghost draped in a simple white sheet with two black eye holes and returns to the suburban home he shared with his wife, M.
Bound to the house, C silently observes as time passes and M struggles to cope with her grief and eventually moves on with her life
Genre:
Drama
Content:
Death
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
19. WHERE THE HEART IS (2000)
Where The Heart Is is one of my all-time favorite comfort movies.
Synopsis:
Teen mom Novalee was abandoned by her baby’s father in a Walmart parking lot.
Deserted (and with only $5.55 in her pocket), she has to find a way to survive.
Genre:
Drama comedy
Content:
Child trauma, domestic violence, kidnapping
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
20. A WALK TO REMEMBER (2002)
Based on the novel of the same name, A Walk to Remember is a tear-jerker filled with love, loss, and hope.
Synopsis:
Jamie Sullivan seems easy to make fun of for her conservative dress and religious values.
But everything changes when Landon Carter, the school’s delinquent, gets into trouble and is sentenced to perform in the school play.
Genre:
Coming-of-age romantic drama
Content:
Bullying, cancer, death
Rent or buy here: Amazon
21. SPEAK (2004)
When I found out that the book Speak (one of my most reread books) was adapted into a movie, I knew I had to watch it.
Synopsis:
Melinda suffers unspeakable trauma the summer before high school, which has caused her to become a selective mute.
Now, struggling with school, friends, and family, she finally speaks on the dark experience that shaped her.
Genre:
Drama
Content:
Sexual assault, self-harm, bullying, gaslighting, PTSD
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
22. CARRIE (1976)
For a Steven King horror classic, put on Carrie to witness the ultimate bullying revenge.
Synopsis:
Carrie is a shy and friendless teenage girl who is relentlessly tormented by her classmates.
However, when she learns she has telekinetic powers, she unleashes them in a bloody campaign of vengeance after she is humiliated at her senior prom.
Genre:
Horror
Content:
Child abuse, animal abuse, gaslighting, bullying, torture, death
Rent or buy here: Amazon
23. MATILDA (1996)
Probably one of the most popular kids movies on this list, Matilda takes an almost caricature approach to childhood abuse and alienation.
Synopsis:
Matilda is a young girl who is constantly ignored, talked down to, neglected, and abused by her parents.
She uses her intellectual and psychic powers to deal with her family and free her teacher from the headmistress.
Genre:
Coming-of-age comedy
Content:
Domestic violence, abuse, neglect
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
24. THE ROAD WITHIN (2014)
The Road Within features a delicate look into mental illness of three teenagers trying to make their way in the world.
Synopsis:
Vincent, a young man with Tourette’s Syndrome, embarks on a road trip with his recently deceased mother’s ashes.
With the help of two other teenagers (who both struggle with mental illness), they go on a life-changing road trip to deliver his mother’s ashes to the ocean.
Genre:
Coming-of-age drama
Content:
Eating disorder, mental illness, death, homophobia, racism
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
25. WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE (1995)
Welcome to the Dollhouse resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt marginalized or misunderstood.
Synopsis:
Set in suburban New Jersey, 11-year-old Dawn navigates the complexities of adolescence, marked by relentless bullying at school, a lack of understanding from her family, and a general sense of social alienation.
As she struggles to find her place in the world, Dawn’s journey encapsulates the raw, often painful experience of growing up.
Genre:
Coming-of-age comedy
Content:
Emotional abuse, child neglect, gaslighting, sexual assault, hate speech
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
26. FINDING NEMO (2003)
Heartwarming animated film Finding Nemo is a touching narrative about overcoming the fear of being alone, embracing the unknown, and the enduring power of family.
Synopsis:
Clownfish Nemo is captured by a scuba diver and placed in a fish tank in a dentist’s office.
Hoping to reunite with his son, Marlin (Nemo’s dad) teams up with a forgetful but endearing fish named Dory.
Genre:
Animation children’s
Content:
Death of parent
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
27. LADY BIRD (2017)
Lady Bird examines a tumultuous mother-daughter relationship, struggles with identity, and a desire to escape your hometown for a more culturally rich environment.
Synopsis:
Set during the early 2000s, Christine “Lady Bird” is a high school senior in Sacramento, California.
Watch as she navigates friendships, romantic relationships, and the pressures of academic life, all while yearning for a sense of belonging and understanding.
Genre:
Coming-of-age comedy drama
Content:
Child abuse, gaslighting, sexual assault
Rent or buy it here: Amazon
Movies with lonely characters:
Movies about loneliness offer a cinematic reflection on what it means to be lonely, presenting narratives that range from the deeply personal to the universally relatable.
Here’s a recap of the best ones…
Films about loneliness recap:
🎬 Girl in Progress
🎬 Eighth Grade
🎬 Thirteen
🎬 The Neverending Story
🎬 Her
🎬 The Perks of Being a Wallflower
🎬 Lost in Translation
🎬 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
🎬 The Sandlot
🎬 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
🎬 The Edge of Seventeen
🎬 Moonlight
🎬 The Spectacular Now
🎬 Cast Away
🎬 Moon
🎬 Into the Wild
🎬 The Way, Way Back
🎬 A Ghost Story
🎬 Where The Heart Is
🎬 A Walk to Remember
🎬 Speak
🎬 Carrie
🎬 Matilda
🎬 The Road Within
🎬 Welcome to the Dollhouse
🎬 Finding Nemo
🎬 Lady Bird
💾 Bookmark this page for when you need a movie recommendation about lonely characters!
More movie recommendations:
- 23 Heartbreaking Movies About Childhood Trauma (That are Therapeutic)
- 32 Sobering Movies About Addiction (Drugs and Alcohol)
- 27 Best Movies About Domestic Violence (That Are Cathartic)
- 27 Movies About Childhood Friends (Filled with Nostalgia)
- 28 Best Movies About Bullying (for Teens, Kids, and Adults!)
Did you know there’s online therapy?
Online Therapy is a complete online therapy toolbox.
Your therapy toolbox includes:
-
- Live video, voice, or text chat session with your therapist
- 8 easy-to-follow sections, including 25 worksheets
- Activity plan, journal, and tests
- Yoga and meditation videos
What I love about Online Therapy is that there are several life-changing options and therapists available, and you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home.
This means you never need to worry before getting help.
Get 20% off your first month with my exclusive link.
