We love rooting for the underdog in movies, their courage inspiring us to persevere through tough times.
Even moreso, something about watching a blind protagonist not only leaves a soft spot in our hearts, but sparks ideas of inspiration.
While blind characters were often depicted in a satirical light in movies of the past, now filmmakers are careful to shy away from stereotypes and try to create a story with an actual message.
Be sure to scroll all the way to the end to see our personal favorites.
| Rank | Poster | Name | Genre | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
| Ray (2004) | Amazon | |
| 2 | 
| A Patch of Blue (1965) | Amazon | |
| 3 | 
| Scent of a Woman (1992) | Amazon | |
| 4 | 
| The Book of Eli (2010) | Amazon | |
| 5 | 
| Wait Until Dark (1967) | Amazon | |
| 6 | 
| The Miracle Worker (2000) | Amazon | |
| 7 | 
| See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) | Amazon | |
| 8 | Ice Castles (2010) | Amazon | ||
| 9 | 
| Don't Breathe (2016) | Amazon | |
| 10 | 
| Blind Fury (1990) | Action | Amazon |
| 11 | 
| Dancer in the Dark (2000) | Amazon | |
| 12 | 
| Daredevil (2003) | Amazon | |
| 13 | 
| 23 Blast (2014) | Amazon | |
| 14 | 
| City Lights (1931) | Amazon | |
| 15 | 
| Butterflies Are Free (1972) | Amazon | |
| 16 | Ichi (2008) | Amazon | ||
| 17 | Love and Honor (2007) | IMDB | ||
| 18 | 
| The Eye (2008) | Amazon | |
| 19 | 
| Eyes (2002) | IMDB | |
| 20 | 
| Pride of the Marines (1945) | IMDB | |
| 21 | 
| Bright Victory (1951) | IMDB | |
| 22 | 
| Thaandavam (2012) | IMDB | |
| 23 | Life on a String (1991) | IMDB | ||
| 24 | If You Could See What I Hear (1982) | IMDB | ||
| 25 | 
| Eyes in the Night (1942) | IMDB | |
| 26 | Blind Detective (2013) | Crime | IMDB | |
| 27 | Quest for Camelot (1998) | Adventure | IMDB | |
| 28 | Jennifer 8 (1992) | Crime | IMDB | |
| 29 | 
| Blind (2017) | Amazon | |
| 30 | 
| Blind Man (2012) | IMDB | |
| 31 | Julia's Eyes (2011) | Amazon | ||
| 32 | All I See Is You (2017) | Drama | Amazon | |
| 33 | 
| Vaada (2005) | Crime | IMDB |
| 34 | 
| At First Sight (1999) | Amazon | |
| 35 | Lafangey Parindey (2010) | IMDB | ||
| 36 | Anma to Onna (1938) | Rotten Tomatoes | ||
| 37 | Love Leads the Way: A True Story (1984) | IMDB | ||
| 38 | Proof (1992) | Amazon | ||
| 39 | 
| The Color Of Paradise (2000) | Amazon | |
| 40 | Blind Dating (2007) | Amazon | ||
| 41 | 
| Once Upon a Warrior (2011) | Action | IMDB |
| 42 | 
| Blindsight (2006) | Amazon | |
| 43 | 
| Blind (2011) | Amazon | |
| 44 | What Love Sees (1996) | IMDB | ||
| 45 | 
| Ordinary Heroes (1986) | IMDB | |
| 46 | Going Blind (2010) | Special Interest | Amazon | |
| 47 | Black Sun (2009) | Special Interest | Amazon | |
| 48 | 
| Blind Revenge (2009) | Suspense | Amazon |
| 49 | Imagine (2015) | Amazon | ||
| 50 | 
| Cactus (1986) | Amazon | |
Editor’s Pick (Top 5)
1. Ray (2004)
Depicted with an unmatched performance by the talented Jamie Foxx, Ray is a biographical film that follows 30 years of the life and times of Ray Charles, blind musician and singing phenomenon. His spot-on depticiton, filled with raw emotion, is one of the best performances of the decade.
Foxx rightfully earned the Academy Award for Best Actor, as well as a Critics’ Choice Award, Golden Globe, BFTA, and Screen Actors Guild, making him the 2nd actor to win all 5 major awards for the same role, and the only actor to win a Golden Globe in the Musical category. His admirable performance, as well as a look into the interesting life of Ray Charles, is why this film is the best movie involving a blind character.
2. Daredevil (2003)
The one-and-only Ben Affleck commands the lead in this action-packed film as comic book hero Matthew Murdock, blinded by a freak accident involving radioactive material. Working by day as a blind lawyer in Hell’s Kitchen NYC, Murdock is motivated by his father’s untimely death to put a stop to all crime, as the vigilante Daredevil, by night. If you are a fan of movies that are a part of the Marvel franchise, inspired by comic book series, give yourself a taste of nostalgia with this fun thriller.
3. Book of Eli (2010)
A timeless action-packed thriller, this movie stars Academy Award-winning powerhouse Denzel Washington as the main character. The tale begins with Eli (Washington) travelling through what was once known as the United States 30 years after being destroyed by a nuclear apocalypse. Eli refuses to let his physical shortcomings deter him from his final mission and watching him maneuver skillfully and tactically throughout the film is entertaining in itself. This movie tells an amazing story, with a fulfilling underlying message, and is definitely worth watching!
4. Blind (2017)
Starring Alec Baldwin and Demi Moore, this movie is a suspenseful drama about Bill Oakland (Baldwin), once a successful author, who loses his wife and eyesight in a tragic car accident. Suzanne, played by Moore, faces repercussions due to her husband’s illegal activity. Forced to complete community service, Suzanne is introduced to Bill and ends up growing fond of him. If you enjoy a movie with an interesting buildup and intricate storyline with a little hint of “love story†sprinkled in, this is the movie for you!
5. The Eye (2008)
This horror movie starring Jessica Alba follows a blind woman who receives a cornea transplant. She begins seeing horrifying, ghostly figures and terrifying visions that normal people cannot. If you enjoy supernatural thrillers with unpredictable twists, this movie is perfect for you! (Also, if you enjoy The Eye, check out the original version of the movie, sharing the same title, directed by the Pang Brothers in 2002.)
Honorable Mention: Blindsight (2006)
This movie is a documentary about 6 blind Tibetan teenagers who are ousted from their culture and as a result they, with the help of their instructor, decide to bravely attempt to climb Mount Everest. As if a movie about climbing the virtually impossible mountain isn’t enough, the filmmakers double down by placing an even bigger physical obstacle in front of the protagonists. For a film with an uncommon storyline and heart-racing plot, this movie is definitely a noteworthy selection.
Up and Coming Movies with Blind Characters
With a projected release date of August 13, 2021, Don’t Breathe Again, the sequel to the thriller Don’t Breathe, is set to hit the big screens with a bang. Don’t Breathe follows three thieves as they target Norman, an older blind man, and decide to break into his home. Turns out, Norman is not as nearly as helpless as they assume he will be, and the nail-biting madness that ensues afterwards makes watching the movie worth every minute. If Don’t Breathe Again is as thrilling and suspenseful as its predecessor, it will definitely be worth the wait!
Summary
Whether action-packed, filled with twists and turns throughout the plot, an eerily scary selection consisting of thrills and chills, or a moving love story made up of tear-jerking sentiments, there are hundreds of movies with blind characters to choose from.
Enjoy one of these amazing movies with blind characters alongside your family today!
Sources
- “10 Best Movies With Blind Protagonists, Ranked | ScreenRant.” 5 Mar. 2020, https://screenrant.com/movies-blind-protagonists-ranked/. Accessed 19 Nov. 2020.
- “Ray – Awards – IMDb.” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0350258/awards. Accessed 20 Nov. 2020.
- “A ‘Don’t Breathe’ Sequel Is Coming Next Summer – Tyla.” 23 Oct. 2020, https://www.tyla.com/entertaining/tv-and-film-dont-breathe-sequel-august-2021-blind-man-horror-air-date-plot-cas-20201023. Accessed 20 Nov. 2020.
Leave a Reply