Movies about memory loss have become increasingly popular in Hollywood. Although it’s not a common phenomenon in our society and everyday lives, per Medical News, the themes these movies touch upon are universal and in a way it’s a still genuine fear that’s not beyond the realm of possibility.

Many of the films listed below are about people who have suffered or are suffering from some form of amnesia and are trying to figure out and piece together who they are and what their life was beforehand, which sets itself up perfectly for a good old-fashioned mystery story, with a twist. Other movies, however, have taken a different approach and use the human memory as a plot device in a more sci-fi-type setting. Charlie Kaufman's movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a good example of this: it presents a story about people being able to intentionally have certain memories eradicated for their own wellbeing.

It's also interesting to note that, while the idea of memory loss can be a frightening one, not all the movies on this list are dark, haunting thrillers. Movies like 50 First Dates and Finding Dory focus a little more on the positive sides of things, showing that, while it’s certainly a difficult situation to be in, there is still joy to be found. With all this in mind, we take a look below at the best movies that deal with the issue of memory loss and amnesia.

7 Before I Go to Sleep

before-i-go-to-sleep
StudioCanal

Before I Got to Sleep is a twisting, turning mystery slash psychological thriller. It tells the story of a woman who, following a vicious attack, now suffers from anterograde amnesia and is unable to form new memories. Every morning, she becomes reacquainted with her husband and the other constants in her life. She begins to keep a video diary to help her with her memories, but soon starts to discover that not everything is as it seems, and begins to question everything and everyone around her. Admittedly, it’s not the most original plot, but the acting is strong across the board, with Nicole Kidman delivering a particularly strong performance opposite Colin Firth and Mark Strong.

Related: Best Psychological Horror Movies, Ranked

6 Mulholland Drive

Naomi Watts in Mulholland Drive
Universal Pictures

Written and directed by renowned auteur David Lynch, Mulholland Drive was a weird and wonderful ride that received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike, and is widely regarded as one of his finest works. The main plot itself is fairly straightforward: a young woman finds herself suffering from amnesia following a car accident, and along with an aspiring actress, the pair try to piece together her life. However, it’s the way this story twists and turns through trippy dream-like sequences and half memories, as well as the multiple quirky subplots, that make this such an intriguing, exciting and memorable piece of art from Lynch.

5 50 First Dates

Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler in 50 First Dates
Columbia Pictures

While anyone suffering from any form of amnesia or memory loss can attest that it can be an extremely traumatic condition, it’s nice to see a movie on this list that isn’t all doom and gloom. 50 First Dates sees Adam Sandler’s character wooing Drew Barrymore’s character on a daily basis, owing to the fact she suffers short term memory loss and cannot remember anything from the previous day. Although it’s played as a romantic comedy and there are multiple moments that make us laugh and smile, it’s never exploitative, and the humor is surprisingly nuanced for a Sandler flick. There is plenty of heart, and both the lead actors give it their all, making for a thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience.

4 The Bourne Identity

jason bourne matt damon bourne identity
Universal Pictures

One of the most exciting action films in modern history, The Bourne Identity follows the story of Jason Bourne (played by Matt Damon), a man who wakes up battered and bruised and suffering from complete amnesia. As the story progresses and Jason tries to piece together his life and who he is, he quickly discovers that he is not your average civilian. The movie spawned a successful franchise and has given us possibly the most beloved and iconic character in the spy thriller genre since James Bond.

Related: Top 10 Movies With Hallucination Scenes, Ranked

3 Finding Dory

Finding Dory hank
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

This list’s only animated entry, and perhaps the most light-hearted, is Finding Dory. Of course, that’s not to say it’s not full of heart, pathos, and is just the kind of emotional rollercoaster you’d expect at this point from a Disney Pixar movie. 2003’s Finding Nemo was a hit with critics and audiences around the globe. It features a whole host of intriguing, funny, complex, and lovable marine life, from Albert Brooks’ portrayal of Nemo’s overprotective clownfish father and Willem Dafoe’s fish tank-bound Moorish idol fish Gill to the hilarious giant sea turtle Crush and his son Squirt. One character, however, really seemed to capture the hearts of the public: the lovable, but slightly annoying, Dory, a regal blue tang with short-term memory loss, voiced by Ellen DeGeneres. The character and performance made such an impression that it was the subject of an entire spin-off movie, 2016’s Finding Dory. The movie further explored her difficulties with memory loss and endeared her to an entire generation as the movie went onto become a huge worldwide hit.

2 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Jim Carrey as Joel in Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
Focus Features

More about the actual process of losing one’s memory than the aftermath, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a wildly imaginative and creative science fiction story that sees as an ex-couple (played by Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, delivering some of their finest work to date) undergo a procedure to delete all memories of each other. The movie received universal acclaim, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and is placed on many critics’ top movies of year lists.

1 Memento

Memento
Summit Entertainment

Like numerous movies dealing with the concept of memory loss, Memento plays out in a non-linear fashion; a well-thought-out decision that makes perfect sense given the nature of the main protagonist (played fantastically in a career defining moment from Guy Pearce) and his short-term memory loss condition (anterograde amnesia), which prevents him from the ability to form new memories. It follows him as he attempts to track down those who murdered his wife, using a memory system he created involving Polaroid photographs and tattoos to function as reminders of the memories he loses. The movie’s narrative is presented as two different sequences of scenes intercut throughout. A series set in the past presented chronologically in black and white and a series of color sequences shown in reverse order, representing the mental state of Pearce’s character. Both meet at the end, revealing the audience one of cinema’s all-time greatest twists.