Movies on Anterograde Amnesia

April 21, 2025

Plot: Leonard, the protagonist, suffers from anterograde amnesia and uses Polaroid photos and tattoos to track information and investigate his wife’s murder. Why it stands out: The film’s unique structure mirrors Leonard’s condition — told in reverse chronological order.

Memento (2000)Dir. Christopher Nolan

Genre: Romantic Comedy Plot: Lucy suffers from short-term memory loss, so every day is a new day for her. Henry falls in love and tries to win her heart daily.

50 First Dates (2004)Dir. Peter Segal

Character: Dory, the blue tang fish, has short-term memory loss. Significance: A beautiful and child-friendly take on navigating life with memory issues while celebrating resilience and friendship.

Finding Dory (2016)Pixar

Plot: A woman wakes up every day with no memory of the past due to a traumatic incident. She starts to uncover disturbing truths about her life. Genre: Psychological thriller

Before I Go to Sleep (2014)Dir. Rowan Joffé

Plot: After a car accident, Paige forgets her husband, Leo, and he has to make her fall in love with him again. Note: Though more of a mix between retrograde and anterograde elements.

The Vow (2012)Inspired by true events

Plot: A private investigator with anterograde amnesia wakes up every day with no memory and must solve a crime. Tone: Comedic spin on the concept, starring Dana Carvey.

Clean Slate (1994)Comedy/Crime