Is someone terminally ill?
Browse movies, tv shows, books and more where someone is terminally ill.
A surprise cancer diagnosis or an unexpected subplot/plot twist about a grave or even terminal disease can be upsetting to viewers, especially if they or one of their loved ones recently went through something similar themselves. It’s often not apparent from the synopsis of a movie/show that illness will be major aspect of the story. Sometimes cancer or a similar sickness is just added for extra drama or raising the stakes or softening the blow of a character’s death, so it’s not foreseeable. It would be very helpful to have this as a category. Thanks everyone! <3
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TV Show • 2008 Report
Yes
14
No
0
2
Pantalones
Walt's lung cancer was most likely incurable but not untreatable. There are several scenes where he has discussions with doctors regarding treatment and prognosis. He does NOT ultimately die of cancer.
Movie • 2004 Report
Yes
12
No
0
5
bricker
The antagonist's terminal illness is a key aspect of his characterization
TV Show • 2023 Report
Yes
11
No
1
0
S1
E1
The neighbor elderly relative is in a wheelchair and seems disabled/terminally ill
TV Show • 2021 Report
Yes
11
No
3
0
Gothy17
S2
E2
Someone is revealed to have cancer
Movie • 2023 Report
Yes
11
No
1
TV Show • 2016 Report
Yes
10
No
1
2
thesco
Hopper's daughter, shown in flashbacks, died from terminal cancer
Movie Report
Yes
10
No
0
Movie • 1999 Report
Yes
9
No
0
4
Chloe in the cancer support group. She dies later on
Movie • 2023 Report
Yes
9
No
2
2
Anonymous
It is mentioned that a character died of illness
TV Show • 2013 Report
Yes
8
No
0
1
Pantalones
Jack's wife Bella has terminal cancer.
TV Show • 2011 Report
Yes
8
No
3
TV Show • 2017 Report
Yes
8
No
0
TV Show • 2011 Report
Yes
8
No
1
Movie • 2015 Report
Yes
7
No
0
3
twitchywitchy
nux is ill and receiving blood transfusions, it is not revealed what he is sick with
Movie • 2021 Report
Yes
7
No
0
0
MajaLouiseVesterdorfLange
Almost half of the main characters have severe illnesses.
Book • 2003 Report
Yes
7
No
0
2
HarlanJenkins
Many cats die from chronic illness
Video Game • 2023 Report
Yes
7
No
0
1
doggofriendo
It's revealed fairly early that Bearers who use their powers enough tend to become terminally ill with a magical sickness causing immense pain and eventually turning them to stone.
TV Show • 2013 Report
Yes
7
No
0
1
uncreative
Miss Rosa has terminal cancer.
TV Show • 2004 Report
Yes
7
No
0
Video Game • 2020 Report
Yes
7
No
0
Movie Report
Yes
7
No
0
TV Show • 2019 Report
Yes
7
No
2
Anime • 2016 Report
Yes
6
No
0
1
marsmartis
During the cannibalism arc two characters are struck with an ability that renders them comatose and pending to die within 48 hours, which could technically be terminal illness.
TV Show • 2014 Report
Yes
6
No
1
1
Herb gets cancer
TV Show • 2005 Report
Yes
6
No
4
1
JayR
S3
E3
While not an illness, a main character makes a deal with a demon in season 3 and only has a year to live until he is killed and taken to hell. Multiple episodes in this series touch upon the fear and grief this character and his loved ones experience while faced with this information, which may be upsetting to watch
Video Game • 2020 Report
Yes
6
No
2
0
Basil’s grandmother is in hospice for the latter segments of the game. It isn’t a huge focus but does seem to be a leading factor in his struggles.
Movie Report
Yes
6
No
0
2
lapinamoric
Usopp's mother is terminally ill, and passes away on-screen.
Video Game • 2001 Report
Yes
6
No
0
0
SiRenfield
The reason why Maria was living on the ARK alongside Gerald and Shadow is that she had a terminal illness that her grandfather was trying to cure
Video Game Report
Yes
6
No
0
1
SpeakYourMind
A characters mother is mentioned to be terminally ill, this scene is unavoidable
TV Show • 2006 Report
Yes
6
No
0
0
SiRenfield
Poor little Juliette :( ,as well as Dimneld Sefltcrackt, Toki’s father, and possibly Roy Cornickelson but he’s the only one that actually recovers