The Struggle Is Real: Movies About Older People For Older People
I love watching movies about older people who face the same challenges I face. Maybe I enjoy reveling in my miseries, but, movies about older people give me hope to overcome the difficulties of getting older.
SPOILER ALERT: You can read my list of movies at the bottom of this page, or you can test your movie lore skills and take the quiz version: Older Folks At the Movies Quiz
Here are some of my favorite movies about older people. There are many more I haven’t seen yet but have on my “Watch when the teenager is not around” list. If you have a favorite that is missing from my list, send an email to let me know. I’ll bump it to the top of my to-be-watched list.
Author’s note – I wanted to include photos of each movie but could not do so without breaking copyright laws or paying large sums of money. Instead, please enjoy the above image by Tima Miroshnichenko.
Favorite Movies About Older People
1. Second-Hand Lions (2003) PG – When a boy is forced to live with his aging uncles, he discovers stories, treasures, and truths about growing older and growing up.
2. Up (2009) PG – An elderly widower and a young boy scout embark on a thrilling adventure to South America in a house lifted by balloons.
3. Driving Miss Daisy (1989) PG – The evolving bond between a fiesty widow and her patient driver highlights themes of race, aging, and friendship.
4. Cocoon (1985) PG-13 – Residents of a retirement home uncover extraterrestrial secrets that grant them renewed vigor and a second chance at life.
5. Guarding Tess (1994) PG-13 – A dedicated Secret Service agent struggles with his assignment to protect a demanding former First Lady.
6. Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) PG-13 – Tales of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery unfold as an elderly woman recounts her past to a newfound friend.
7. Grumpy Old Men (1993) PG-13 – Two lifelong neighbors engage in a hilarious feud that takes unexpected turns when a new woman moves in next door.
8. A Man Called Ove (2022) PG-13 – A grouchy widower’s solitary life is disrupted by new neighbors, leading to an unexpected journey of friendship and healing.
9. On Golden Pond (1981) PG – An older couple’s summer at their lakeside cottage rekindles family bonds and confronts past struggles.
10. Grand Torino (2008) rated R – A gruff, retired auto worker forms an unlikely bond with his Hmong neighbors, challenging his prejudices and finding redemption.
11. The Straight Story (1999) G – Determined to mend family ties, a man travels hundreds of miles on a lawn tractor, meeting kind strangers along the way. This one is based on a true story.
12. The Bucket List (2008) PG-13 – Two terminally ill men set off on an adventure to complete their bucket list before they die.
Be sure to send me your favorite movies about older people list.
More oldies quizzes:
Kid Shows from the 60s and 70s
Oldies Music: Which Came First?