Movies and TV shows about autism

Cinema and the world of series sometimes help us to see things from another point of view, to discover different realities, to learn… They are tools that reflect reality, although they often go beyond it. In this article we bring you 13 movies and series about autism that you cannot miss. As you will see, they show very different realities around autism, and through them you will be able to meet characters of all ages, with different degrees of autism and with also disparate stories.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) encompass a group of disorders characterized by persistent difficulty in the development of the socialization process (social interaction and social communication), together with a restricted pattern of behaviors and interests. Within the ASD we find Asperger’s Syndrome, formerly called ‘high-functioning autism’, since in this case the person does not present alterations in language and does have a better degree of functionality compared to autism.

Love on the Spectrum (2019 – 2021)

Reality show in which seven young adults with autism are immersed in a dating pool and explore the unpredictable world of love and relationships.

Atypical (2017 – 2021)

‘Atypical’ is about an 18-year-old boy, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, who has decided that it is time to have a girlfriend and experience his first relationships with girls.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)

It is a South Korean television series starring a lawyer with ASD, who works in a large law firm and who has a high IQ (164), an outstanding memory, and a creative way of thinking. Her social skills are, on the other hand, somewhat different, which allows us to get closer to the day-to-day life of people with autism.

As we see it (2022)

‘Nuestra mirada’ drama-comedy that follows the story of some flatmates -Jack, Harrison and Violet- who are in their twenties and whose peculiarity is that they are all autistic. The series invites us to learn how they strive to overcome the challenge that this disorder entails in situations such as searching for, making friends or falling in love.

The Good Doctor (2017 – )

Based on the life of Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism who leaves his quiet life in his hometown to move to a prestigious hospital and work in the surgical unit.

The Big Bang Theory (2007 – 2019)

A series that became known worldwide, recommended from the age of 15, and that you surely know; The Big Bang Theory stars Sheldon Cooper, a character with very characteristic patterns of autism.

Young Sheldon (2017 – )

Young Sheldon is a spin-off of The Big Bang Theory series, and it focuses on the character of Sheldon Cooper. Sheldon lives with his family in Texas, and the series is very focused on addressing his relationship with them, his life in high school, with the other classmates, etc.

Asperger’s Are Us (2016)

In this documentary, a group of comedians made up of four friends with autism spectrum disorder prepare to give one last show before going their separate ways.

Temple Grandin (2010)

A biopic based on a woman with autism who revolutionized animal handling practices on cattle ranches and slaughterhouses.

The Specials (2019)

Specials is a French film that tells the story of two friends, Bruno and Malik, who have lived in a different world for 20 years. They are dedicated to training young people to be caregivers in extreme cases, through two non-profit organizations.

The Lighthouse of the Whales (2016)

A Spanish film suitable for children and adolescents, with very good reviews from critics. It shows the story of Lola, a mother who travels with her son with autism, Tristán, “to the end of the world”, to meet Beto.

Dear John (2010)

This time we bring you a romantic drama that explains the story of John, a young soldier who is seen by others as someone very eccentric and reserved. During a leave he meets Savannah, a college student with whom he begins a love affair with certain obstacles. But in this film, autism is not suffered by the protagonist, but by his father, so the approach to autism is rather peripheral.