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The films & shows about mental health recommended on podcasts

The films, shows and documentaries that actually got recommended on episodes about mental health, with the quote and the timestamp for each one.

Dan Carlin's Hardcore History shows up 21 times when podcast guests talk mental health, more than any film or show in this set of 313. Chimp Empire and Uncut Gems follow with 18 and 16.

A history podcast landing on a mental health list tells you something about how loosely these conversations wander. We kept the loose ends in, because each recommendation is backed by a real quote and a real moment in the episode.

#1 · Hardcore History

Dan Carlin · Film / show · 21 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2511 - Terry Bradshaw in 2026. That episode features Terry Bradshaw, Four-time Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Hall of Famer, longtime Fox NFL broadcaster, and now a horse/cattle breeder, motivational speaker, and founder of Bradshaw Bourbon. In total it earned 21 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“there's a guy named Dan Carlin. He's got a fantastic series called uh Hardcore History. He had this series on Genghis Khan called The Wrath of the Khan.” — Joe Rogan 01:07:44
Every mention & where to get it

#2 · Chimp Empire

James Reed · Film / show · 18 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2428 - Michael P. Masters. That episode features Michael P. Masters, A biological anthropologist and professor at Montana Technological University, where he chairs the department. He's known for the theory that UFO occupants are time-traveling future humans, and is the author of four books plus a children's book. In total it earned 18 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“you ever watched Chimp Nation on Netflix. Amazing documentary. incredible docu series. Can't recommend it enough.” — Joe Rogan 02:45:21
Every mention & where to get it

#3 · Uncut Gems

Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie (inferred) · Film / show · 16 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2463 - Steve-O (2026-03-04). That episode features Steve-O, Stand-up comedian and Jackass star (Stephen Glover), famous for extreme stunts and self-inflicted pain. Now 18 years sober, touring a multimedia comedy show and building an animal sanctuary in Tennessee. It has been genuinely recommended 16 times on the show.

“You saw Uncut Gems, right? Oh my god, best movie ever. That movie was so good. Adam Sandler killed it in that movie.” — Joe Rogan 01:00:19
Every mention & where to get it

#4 · Ancient Apocalypse

Graham Hancock · Film / show · 11 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Jimmy Corsetti, on Joe Rogan Experience #2231 - Jimmy Corsetti & Dan Richards in 2024. That episode features Jimmy Corsetti & Dan Richards, Jimmy Corsetti runs the alternative-history YouTube channel Bright Insight; Dan Richards runs Dedunking (D Dunking), a channel that fact-checks both mainstream and alternative archaeology claims. In total it earned 11 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“I encourage everyone to go watch everyone go watch Ancient apocalypse Graham Hancock on Netflix think for yourself” — Jimmy Corsetti 03:00:27
Every mention & where to get it

#5 · Grizzly Man

Werner Herzog (inferred) · Film / show · 11 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2459 - Jim Breuer. That episode features Jim Breuer, Stand-up comedian and former SNL cast member (1995-1998), best known for the 'Goat Boy' character and the stoner movie Half Baked. A longtime friend of Rogan's from their early days on the New York/Boston comedy circuit. In total it earned 11 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“That's a great movie. That was one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. Greatest movie ever. Belly laughed watching that thing.” — Joe Rogan 02:07:51
Every mention & where to get it

#6 · Ex Machina

Alex Garland (inferred) · Film / show · 10 endorsements

Kevin Rose brought this up on New Health Gadgets, How to Drink Less, AI, & More (2025-05-23). Kevin is Tech entrepreneur and investor (founder of Digg, partner at True Ventures, host of the Modern Finance/Diggnation podcasts) and Tim Ferriss's recurring co-host on The Random Show. In total it earned 10 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“Have you seen a great movie, Ex Machina? Oh, of course. Fantastic movie. So good” — Kevin Rose 01:43:41
Every mention & where to get it

#7 · Tropic Thunder

Ben Stiller (inferred) · Film / show · 10 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Mark Normand, on Joe Rogan Experience #2471 - Mark Normand in 2026. Mark is Stand-up comedian known for rapid-fire jokes and his podcasts 'Tuesdays with Stories' and 'We Might Be Drunk.' He's a New York club regular promoting a brand-new Netflix special. In total it earned 10 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“the last completely politically incorrect movie and it is hilarious. I know it's so good.” — Mark Normand 01:40:08
Every mention & where to get it

#8 · Painkiller

Peter Berg (inferred) · Film / show · 9 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2492 - Ari Shaffir. That episode features Ari Shaffir, Stand-up comedian, host of the podcasts Skeptic Tank and You Be Tripping, and co-host of Legion of Skanks. Creator of the storytelling show This Is Not Happening, his Netflix special Jew, and his new self-financed show The End. It has been genuinely recommended 9 times on the show.

“Painkiller, that's what it was called. It was so good. That's Peter Berg's. Yeah, we talked about that the other day. It's an amazing series. Amazing series.” — Joe Rogan 01:13:30
Every mention & where to get it

#9 · Arrival

Denis Villeneuve (inferred) · Film / show · 9 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2344 - Amjad Masad (2025-07-02). That episode features Amjad Masad, Founder and CEO of Replit, an AI-powered platform that lets anyone build software by prompting from their phone. A Palestinian-Jordanian immigrant, former Facebook engineer, and outspoken commentator on tech, free speech, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. In total it earned 9 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“the Arrival was Oh yeah, Arrival was great too.” — Joe Rogan 01:18:27
Every mention & where to get it

#10 · The Hustler

Walter Tevis (inferred) · Film / show · 9 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2438 - John Mellencamp in 2026. That episode features John Mellencamp, Heartland rock legend behind hits like 'Jack and Diane,' 'Hurt So Good,' 'Small Town,' and 'Pink Houses,' originally marketed against his will as 'Johnny Cougar.' Co-founder of Farm Aid and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. It has been genuinely recommended 9 times on the show.

“I love that guy. Hustler. One of my favorite movies of all time.” — Joe Rogan 02:07:51
Every mention & where to get it

#11 · True Romance

Tony Scott (inferred) · Film / show · 9 endorsements

Recommended by Dan Houser on Dan Houser: GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar, Absurd & Future of Gaming | Lex . Dan is Legendary video game creator, co-founder of Rockstar Games, and lead writer behind the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series. He has since founded a new company, Absurdventures, building new worlds across books, comics, audio, and games. In total it earned 9 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“I love True Romance. Possibly the best, one of the best scripts ever written.” — Dan Houser 00:10:34
Every mention & where to get it

#12 · Holy Hell

Will Allen · Film / show · 8 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2010 - Marc Andreessen (2024-06-27). That episode features Marc Andreessen, Tech investor and entrepreneur; co-founder of Netscape and the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). It has been genuinely recommended 8 times on the show.

“there's a great documentary on it called holy hell you should watch it it's pretty Bonkers” — Joe Rogan 00:26:29
Every mention & where to get it

#13 · Kill Tony

Tony Hinchcliffe (inferred) · Film / show · 7 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Tom Segura, on Joe Rogan Experience #2005 - Tom Segura in 2024. Tom is Stand-up comedian, podcaster (2 Bears 1 Cave, Your Mom's House) and longtime friend of Joe Rogan, promoting his fifth Netflix special, Sledgehammer. It has been genuinely recommended 7 times on the show.

“The fact that that Kill Tony started out in the Belly Room at the Comedy Store to a half-filled crowd” — Tom Segura 02:00:35
Every mention & where to get it

#14 · Oppenheimer

Christopher Nolan (inferred) · Film / show · 7 endorsements

Recommended by Eric Weinstein on You’re Watching the End of the World in Real Time - Eric Weinstein. Eric is Mathematician, physicist, and provocative public intellectual known for his 'Geometric Unity' theory of physics and his critiques of academic and scientific institutions. Former managing director of Thiel Capital and host of The Portal podcast. In total it earned 7 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“So, go watch the movie Oppenheimer, if you will. But, this is why physics physicists are the only occupation” — Eric Weinstein 01:40:45
Every mention & where to get it

#15 · The Godfather

Francis Ford Coppola · Film / show · 7 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2329 - Ehsan Ahmad (2025-05-29). That episode features Ehsan Ahmad, Austin-based stand-up comedian who came up through the Comedy Store and now works the Mothership scene. Co-hosts 'The Solid Show' podcast with his friend Derek. In total it earned 7 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“The Godfather is one of the greatest movies of all time. It's a movie about the mob” — Joe Rogan 00:30:42
Every mention & where to get it

#16 · Contact

Robert Zemeckis (inferred) · Film / show · 6 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Katee Sackhoff, on Joe Rogan Experience #2400 - Katee Sackhoff in 2025. Katee is American actress best known for playing Kara 'Starbuck' Thrace in the rebooted Battlestar Galactica and Bo-Katan Kryze in The Mandalorian. She also hosts The Sackoff Show podcast. In total it earned 6 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“It's from the movie with Jodie Foster. Contact. Beautiful movie. It's a great movie.” — Katee Sackhoff 01:56:04
Every mention & where to get it

#17 · Chernobyl

HBO (inferred) · Film / show · 6 endorsements

Recommended by Lex Fridman on Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road | Lex Fridman Podcast #340. That episode features Chris Tarbell, Former FBI special agent and cybercrime specialist who tracked down and arrested Ross Ulbricht (Dread Pirate Roberts) of Silk Road and Hector Monsegur (Sabu) of LulzSec and Anonymous. He is now co-founder of the cybersecurity firm Naxo and co-hosts the podcast The Hacker and the Fed. It has been genuinely recommended 6 times on the show.

“shows like Chernobyl from HBO made me realize okay you can do a good job of a difficult story and reveal the human side but also reveal the technical side” — Lex Fridman 01:18:50
Every mention & where to get it

#18 · Game of Thrones

HBO (inferred) · Film / show · 6 endorsements

Action Bronson brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2487 - Action Bronson (2026-04-22). Action is Albanian-American rapper, chef, and TV host (Vice's 'F*ck, That's Delicious' and 'Ancient Aliens' fan-host) known for his food obsession, multi-hobby lifestyle, and larger-than-life personality. It has been genuinely recommended 6 times on the show.

“I'm rewatching Game of Thrones. I'm on the the final season now. God damn, it's good.” — Action Bronson 01:39:45
Every mention & where to get it

#19 · Peaky Blinders

Steven Knight (inferred) · Film / show · 6 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2511 - Terry Bradshaw in 2026. That episode features Terry Bradshaw, Four-time Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Hall of Famer, longtime Fox NFL broadcaster, and now a horse/cattle breeder, motivational speaker, and founder of Bradshaw Bourbon. It has been genuinely recommended 6 times on the show.

“he's phenomenal in Peaky Blinders.” — Joe Rogan 01:26:27
Every mention & where to get it

#20 · Spirited Away

Hayao Miyazaki (inferred) · Film / show · 6 endorsements

Recommended by Tim Ferriss on Q&A with Tim Ferriss — AI Companions, Longevity Levers, Writer's Block, Low-Back. Tim is Author, entrepreneur, angel investor, and host of The Tim Ferriss Show, in a solo live Q&A fielding pre-submitted and live-feed questions. It has been genuinely recommended 6 times on the show.

“Miyazaki Hayao is figurehead behind Ghibli. And my favorite movie, Spirited Away, is, I think, their crowning achievement” — Tim Ferriss 00:48:08
Every mention & where to get it

#21 · Yellowstone

Taylor Sheridan (inferred) · Film / show · 5 endorsements

John Fogerty brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2485 - John Fogerty (2026-04-17). John is Frontman, songwriter, and guitarist of Creedence Clearwater Revival, author of American rock anthems like Fortunate Son, Proud Mary, and Bad Moon Rising. A solo Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist still touring his Legacy Tour. In total it earned 5 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“I watch some TV shows and my favorites are the the the modern, you know, like Yellowstone and all the other ones after that.” — John Fogerty 01:56:47
Every mention & where to get it

#22 · Interstellar

Christopher Nolan (inferred) · Film / show · 5 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2066 - Ralph Barbosa in 2024. That episode features Ralph Barbosa, 27-year-old stand-up comedian from Dallas, Texas who blew up through online clips and a Netflix special; a former auto-body and candy-paint car painter before comedy took over. In total it earned 5 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“Matthew MCC yeah that was a great movie bro even he got back in the ship and was like nah I'm out” — Joe Rogan 02:21:38
Every mention & where to get it

#23 · The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Bethesda (inferred) · Film / show · 5 endorsements

Recommended by George Hotz on George Hotz: Tiny Corp, Twitter, AI Safety, Self-Driving, GPT, AGI & God | Lex F. George is Hacker famous for jailbreaking the iPhone and PS3; founder of comma.ai (self-driving) and tiny corp (tinygrad neural-network framework). Briefly an 'intern' at Twitter under Elon Musk. It has been genuinely recommended 5 times on the show.

“Skyrim and GTA 5. Skyrim yeah that's probably number one for me” — George Hotz 02:43:05
Every mention & where to get it

#24 · An American Werewolf in London

John Landis · Film / show · 5 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2291 - Bert Kreischer (2025-03-18). That episode features Bert Kreischer, Stand-up comedian and podcaster known for performing shirtless and his 'The Machine' story. A longtime friend of Joe Rogan whose Netflix special 'Lucky' was streaming at the time of recording. It has been genuinely recommended 5 times on the show.

“that's the greatest werewolf movie of all time no question because it's John Landis it's actually funny ... it's really good it's a good movie” — Joe Rogan 01:54:53
Every mention & where to get it

#25 · Slow Horses

Apple TV+ (inferred) · Film / show · 5 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Bert Kreischer, on Joe Rogan Experience #2445 - Bert Kreischer in 2026. Bert is Stand-up comedian, podcaster (Bertcast, 2 Bears 1 Cave), and longtime Rogan friend known for the 'Machine' story. He recently released a scripted Netflix series about his family and is recovering from a blood clot that forced him to stop drinking. It has been genuinely recommended 5 times on the show.

“We're watching every fucking episode until it's over right now. We're not moving. We're going to watch all of them.” — Bert Kreischer 02:01:44
Every mention & where to get it

Also recommended

5× recommended

Star Trek

Paramount+

Joe Rogan +44× recommended

Apocalypse Now

Francis Ford Coppola (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +44× recommended

Good Will Hunting

Gus Van Sant (inferred)

Joe Rogan +44× recommended

Watchmen

Zack Snyder (inferred)

Joe Rogan +44× recommended

Apocalypto

Mel Gibson

Joe Rogan +34× recommended

Black Mirror

Charlie Brooker (inferred)

Joe Rogan +34× recommended

Blade

Stephen Norrington (inferred)

Joe Rogan +34× recommended

Casino

Martin Scorsese (inferred)

Lex Fridman +34× recommended

Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Chris Ware

Debbie Millman

Tim Ferriss +34× recommended

Glass Onion

Rian Johnson (inferred)

Joe Rogan +34× recommended

Kingpin

Farrelly Brothers (inferred)

Joe Rogan +34× recommended

Prey

Dan Trachtenberg (inferred)

Joe Rogan +34× recommended

Severance

Apple TV+ (inferred)

Joe Rogan +34× recommended

Succession

HBO

Joe Rogan +34× recommended

The Alpinist

Joe Rogan +34× recommended

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Amazon Prime Video (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +34× recommended

The Northman

Robert Eggers (inferred)

Joe Rogan +34× recommended

Trip of Compassion

Tim Ferriss +33× recommended

American Primeval

Peter Berg (inferred)

Joe Rogan +33× recommended

The Insider

Michael Mann (inferred)

Joe Rogan +33× recommended

The Seven Five

Tiller Russell (inferred)

Joe Rogan +33× recommended

Babe

Chris Noonan (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +23× recommended

Basquiat

Julian Schnabel (inferred)

Andrew Huberman +23× recommended

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Larry David

Joe Rogan +23× recommended

Downfall

Oliver Hirschbiegel (inferred)

Joe Rogan +23× recommended

No Country for Old Men

Coen Brothers (inferred)

Joe Rogan +23× recommended

Stand by Me

Rob Reiner (inferred)

Andrew Huberman +23× recommended

Taxi Driver

Martin Scorsese (inferred)

Lex Fridman +23× recommended

The Beast in Me

Netflix

Joe Rogan +23× recommended

The Last Dance

ESPN (inferred)

Diary of a CEO +23× recommended

The Smashing Machine

Benny Safdie (inferred)

Joe Rogan +23× recommended

Vikings

Michael Hirst (inferred)

Joe Rogan +23× recommended

WALL-E

Pixar

Lex Fridman +23× recommended

What We Do in the Shadows

Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement (inferred)

Joe Rogan +22× recommended

MeatEater

Steven Rinella (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +42× recommended

Beast Games

MrBeast (inferred)

Diary of a CEO +22× recommended

Rich Men North of Richmond

Oliver Anthony

Joe Rogan +22× recommended

The Drive (podcast)

Peter Attia

Tim Ferriss +22× recommended

Tiger King

Netflix

Joe Rogan +22× recommended

Vision Quest

Harold Becker (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +22× recommended

A Prophet (Un prophete)

Jacques Audiard (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

American Werewolf in London

John Landis (inferred)

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

Arcane

Riot Games / Fortiche (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

Bab'Aziz: The Prince That Contemplated His Soul

Nacer Khemir (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

Barbie

Greta Gerwig (inferred)

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

Battlestar Galactica

Ronald D. Moore (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

Being There

Hal Ashby

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

Breaking Bad

Vince Gilligan (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

Burden of Dreams

Les Blank

Lex Fridman +12× recommended

Choke

Rickson Gracie (inferred)

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Terry Gilliam (inferred)

Lex Fridman +12× recommended

Freddy Got Fingered

Tom Green (inferred)

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

From

Epix / MGM+ (inferred)

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

Heat

Michael Mann (inferred)

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

Heavy Rhyme Experience

The Brand New Heavies

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

In and of Itself

Derek DelGaudio

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

Inglourious Basterds

Quentin Tarantino (inferred)

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

Jaws

Steven Spielberg (inferred)

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

David Gelb (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

Kumare

Vikram Gandhi (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +1

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