The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter is a 1968 film which tells the story of a deaf mute who befriends a troubled teenager. It stars Alan Arkin, Sondra Locke, Laurinda Barrett, Stacy Keach, Percy Rodriguez and Cicely Tyson.

The movie was adapted by Thomas C. Ryan from the 1940 novel by Carson McCullers. It was directed by Robert Ellis Miller.

It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Alan Arkin) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Sondra Locke).