145 Essential Art House Films
145 titles
- 101
Brief EncounterMovie · 1945 · 86m · Drama, RomanceThis drama follows Laura Jesson, a suburban housewife who develops a deep connection with Dr. Alec Harvey while running errands. Their initial friendship deepens into a powerful emotional bond, testing their personal lives and societal norms. As their feelings grow, Laura and Alec grapple with the potential consequences of their relationship on themselves and those around them. The film explores the conflict between forbidden love and the familiar comforts of ordinary life.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.7 - 102
Short Term 12Movie · 2013 · 96m · DramaGrace works as a supervisor at a foster care center, dedicated to helping vulnerable teenagers. However, a new teen assignment forces Grace to confront painful memories from her past, causing her carefully constructed composure to weaken.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.8 - 103
Enter the VoidMovie · 2010 · 161m · Fantasy, DramaA young American drug dealer and addict named Oscar lives in Tokyo with his prostitute sister, Linda. The film follows Oscar's spirit as it journeys through life after death. He relives memories of his parents before they died, witnesses his own autopsy in the present, and observes his sister from beyond the grave in the future. This is all experienced from Oscar’s perspective.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.3 - 104
Seven SamuraiMovie · 1954 · 207m · Action, DramaA samurai, struggling financially, accepts a village’s plea for protection. The village is threatened by bandits, so the samurai assembles six companions to train the villagers in self-defense. In return, the villagers supply the soldiers with food.IMDb 8.6TMDB 8.5 - 105
A Single ManMovie · 2009 · 100m · Drama, RomanceIn 1962 Los Angeles, during the Cuban missile crisis, a British college professor struggles with his memories and uncertainty about what lies ahead. The film follows him through one day as a series of events and people prompt him to confront whether life can hold meaning following the loss of his partner, Jim.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.3 - 106
Zero Dark ThirtyMovie · 2012 · 157m · Thriller, DramaThis film chronicles the ten-year pursuit of al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden following the September 11, 2001 attacks, culminating in his death at the hands of Navy SEAL Team Six in May 2011.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.0 - 107
El CincoMovie · 2014 · 100mFollowing his expulsion from the fourth division Argentinian football league (Primera C) for a serious infraction during a game, Patón Bonasiolle, captain and midfielder for Talleres de Escalada, comes to the realization that his playing career is over. At 35, this marks the end of the world he's known since childhood. He and his wife, Ale, then begin searching for a new beginning.IMDb 6.3TMDB 5.6 - 108
Synecdoche, New YorkMovie · 2008 · 124m · DramaA theater director grapples with his artistic vision and personal relationships while working on a new play: a full-scale recreation of New York City built inside a warehouse.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.5 - 109
The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and DisappearedMovie · 2013 · 115m · Adventure, Comedy, DramaAllan Karlsson, after a long and eventful life, is now residing in a nursing home. On his 100th birthday, he escapes by jumping out a window and embarks on an unforeseen adventure.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 110
BoyhoodMovie · 2014 · 165m · DramaThis film chronicles the experiences of a divorced couple as they navigate parenthood while raising their young son. The story follows the boy over twelve years, from first grade at age six through his teenage years, exploring his evolving relationship with both parents as he matures.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.5 - 111
Magical GirlMovie · 2014 · 127m · Drama, ThrillerA father fights to fulfill his terminally ill daughter’s final wish: a very expensive collector’s costume from a Japanese TV show. His pursuit of this request leads him into the hidden world of his city.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.4 - 112
FrankMovie · 2014 · 95m · Comedy, Drama, MysteryA young musician eager to make it big joins an unusual pop band headed by the enigmatic Frank, and quickly realizes he's in over his head.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.9 - 113
The Invisible WomanMovie · 2013 · 111m · Drama, History, RomanceIn 1857, renowned novelist and social critic Charles Dickens develops a deep affection for teenage stage actress Nelly Ternan. She becomes his primary inspiration, but their relationship demands a life of hiddenness and sacrifice for both of them.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.9 - 114
Punch-Drunk LoveMovie · 2002 · 96m · Romance, Drama, ComedyA man who struggles with social situations and has a tendency to be unpredictable finds love when he's targeted by a group of criminals.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.1 - 115
Sleepwalk with MeMovie · 2012 · 81m · ComedyA comedian on the rise faces mounting pressure as his career hits a standstill. His relationship feels stagnant, and he's battling increasingly intense episodes of sleepwalking that he's trying to keep hidden.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.5 - 116
The Imaginarium of Doctor ParnassusMovie · 2009 · 123m · Adventure, Fantasy, MysteryA man is rescued by a traveling carnival group and, in return, agrees to assist their immortal leader. The leader needs him to gather five souls as part of a wager with the devil.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.4 - 117
The ReaderMovie · 2008 · 124m · Drama, RomanceMichael Berg, a young German lawyer in the late 1950s, had a relationship with an older woman named Hanna. She vanished for years, only to later become a defendant in a war crimes trial for her work as a concentration camp guard. Michael is the only one who suspects Hanna is illiterate and may be hiding this fact, jeopardizing her right to a fair trial.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.5 - 118
Starry Starry NightMovie · 2011 · 99m · Drama, FantasyMay, a lonely girl, feels disconnected from everyone. Worried about her parents' failing marriage, she longs for the woods where her grandfather lives. She befriends another boy who understands her loneliness. Together, they escape to a magical world that's uniquely theirs. This story explores the pain of isolation, grief, and the comfort of hope, resonating with both children and adults.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.3 - 119
IdaMovie · 2013 · 82m · Drama, HistoryIn 1960s Poland, a young woman named Anna is about to become a nun when she uncovers a hidden family history from the time of the German occupation.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.2 - 120
The Walking DeadMovie · 2006 · 117m · DramaA down-on-his-luck salesman becomes responsible for his son just as he's about to start a major opportunity in his career.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.9 - 121
&MeMovie · 2013 · 88mThree people who feel isolated find themselves drawn to Brussels, a city known for bringing things together, as they attempt to connect with each other.IMDb 5.2TMDB 4.0 - 122
Night Train to LisbonMovie · 2013 · 111m · Mystery, Romance, ThrillerRaimund Gregorius saves a beautiful Portuguese woman from suicide and discovers a captivating book by a Portuguese author. This discovery sparks a sudden desire to leave his mundane life behind and pursue an exciting adventure. Gregorius becomes a detective, piecing together clues involving political and emotional complexities with significant consequences, all in his quest to find the author. His journey spans history, medicine, and love, ultimately seeking a deeper purpose in life.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.5 - 123
August WindsMovie · 2014 · 77mShirley relocates from the city to a quiet seaside town to care for her grandmother. She works on a local coconut plantation driving a tractor, enjoys rock music, and aspires to be a tattoo artist. Feeling stifled by the small coastal community, she is involved with Jeison, a fellow farm worker who also free dives for seafood.IMDb 6.3TMDB 5.6 - 124
The Battle of AlgiersMovie · 1966 · 121m · Drama, War, HistoryThis film explores Algeria's struggle for independence from France through the eyes of Ali. Initially involved in small crimes, Ali joins the Front de Liberation Nationale (FLN), a movement fighting to end French rule. The movie follows his journey from an ordinary thief to an important member of the FLN. His rise is cut short when he is captured by French forces in 1957.
The film depicts the intense conflict between Algerian rebels and French colonizers, highlighting the escalating brutality on both sides. As the war intensifies, tensions rise among the characters, offering a deeply emotional look at this critical period in history. Ali’s story provides a personal perspective on the sacrifices, successes, and difficulties faced by those fighting for freedom during a time of major political upheaval.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.9 - 125
NightcrawlerMovie · 2014 · 118m · Crime, Drama, ThrillerSeeking a job, Lou Bloom enters the world of crime journalism in Los Angeles, gradually becoming involved in the stories he covers. He and Nina, a seasoned TV news professional, work together.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.7 - 126
Goodbye First LoveMovie · 2011 · 108m · Drama, RomanceA fifteen-year-old experiences the excitement and pain of a first romance with an older teenager. Years later, she struggles to recover from their separation.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.2 - 127
The English PatientMovie · 1996 · 162m · Drama, Romance, WarIn the mid-1930s, Hungarian cartographer Count Almásy joins a Royal Geographical Society expedition to map the vast Sahara Desert. He and his fellow researchers navigate the challenging landscape with skill and resolve. But as World War II approaches, their peaceful journey becomes entangled in a complex story of love, betrayal, and political unrest. The film portrays this pivotal historical period, exploring human emotions and the unexpected impact of war.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.1 - 128
The Life Aquatic with Steve ZissouMovie · 2004 · 119m · Adventure, Comedy, DramaDriven by revenge for a crewmate lost to a shark, celebrated oceanographer Steve Zissou sets out on a new expedition. He's joined by his usual crew, along with Ned, a man convinced Zissou is his father, and Jane, a journalist who is pregnant. Their journey across the ocean brings them frequent encounters with pirates and, more personally, a series of figures from Zissou’s past, including his estranged wife, Eleanor.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1 - 129
12 Years a SlaveMovie · 2013 · 134m · Drama, HistoryIn the United States before the Civil War, Solomon Northup, a free Black man from New York, is kidnapped and forced into slavery. He endures cruelty and kindness while fighting to survive and maintain his self-respect. During his twelfth year of captivity, a chance encounter with a Canadian abolitionist will change his life forever.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.9 - 130
Catch Me DaddyMovie · 2015 · 112m · ThrillerLaila is hiding with her boyfriend Aaron in West Yorkshire, escaping her family. Their refuge is shattered when her brother arrives with a dangerous group of men, forcing Laila to run for her life and confront a terrifying ordeal.IMDb 6.3TMDB 5.8 - 131
Tokyo TribeMovie · 2014 · 116m · Music, Science Fiction, ActionIn a Japan unlike our own, rival street gangs have united into powerful factions called the Tokyo Tribes. The underlying conflict between these groups is rapidly escalating, threatening to erupt into a full-scale war.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.5 - 132
The Darjeeling LimitedMovie · 2007 · 92m · Adventure, Drama, ComedyThree American brothers, estranged for a year, embark on a train journey through India hoping to reconnect and rediscover their bond. Their self-proclaimed "spiritual quest" quickly takes an unexpected turn, complicated by incidents involving medication, local remedies, and a case of pepper spray.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.2 - 133
FoxcatcherMovie · 2014 · 134m · Drama, ThrillerTwo brothers, who are the best Olympic wrestling team ever, join a training program run by wealthy benefactor John E. du Pont for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. This partnership results in unexpected and troubling events.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.7 - 134
Le Week-EndMovie · 2013 · 93m · Comedy, DramaFor their 30th wedding anniversary, Nick and Meg Burrows revisit Paris, the place where they first honeymooned, hoping to rekindle their romance. The film chronicles the couple's trip as long-simmering issues in their marriage resurface, leading to both funny and difficult moments.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.2 - 135
The Iron MinistryMovie · 2014 · 82mFilmed over three years on China’s railways, *The Iron Ministry* follows the extensive landscapes of a nation undergoing change: people and machines, sounds and sights, light and shadow, words and actions. Many train trips combine into one story, showing both the excitement and worries of social and technological shifts. The film draws viewers into brief connections and awkward moments between people and technology on the world’s largest railway system.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.6 - 136
Another Trip to the MoonMovie · 2015 · 80mAsa, the daughter of a shaman, embarks on a magical, surreal journey to confront her mother. She fights for her own life and freedom in the process.IMDb 6.2TMDB 4.2 - 137
LeviathanMovie · 2014 · 141m · Drama, CrimeIn a Russian coastal town, Kolya must fight against the corrupt mayor when he learns his house is slated for demolition. He enlists the help of a lawyer friend, but the friend's involvement unexpectedly brings more trouble to Kolya and his family.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.4 - 138
SelmaMovie · 2014 · 128m · History, Drama"Selma" is the story of a pivotal march in Alabama, a region deeply marked by racial segregation. The march, which ended in violence, prompted President Lyndon B. Johnson to deliver a powerful speech. This event ultimately paved the way for the passage of the Voting Rights Act.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 139
Black OrpheusMovie · 1959 · 100m · Drama, RomanceDuring Carnaval in Rio's favelas, Orfeu and Eurydice are chased by a mysterious figure representing Death. Their escape is complicated by Orfeu’s former lover, Mira, who wants revenge. Caught between reality and dream, the young lovers navigate a complex emotional journey while experiencing the energy of Brazil through bossa nova music, brought to life by the soundtrack of Luiz Bonfá and Antonio Carlos Jobim. The film is a captivating reimagining of the classic Greek myth, blending love, danger, and music set against the vibrant streets of Rio.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.0 - 140
Still the WaterMovie · 2014 · 121m · Drama, RomanceOn the Japanese island of Amami, Kaito and his girlfriend Kyoko navigate life without strong parental support, searching for their paths. Kaito grapples with the absence of his father, who left for Tokyo after Kaito's birth. Meanwhile, Kyoko faces the difficult reality of her mother's terminal illness.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.8 - 141
Wild TalesMovie · 2014 · 122m · Drama, Thriller, ComedyThe pressures of everyday life can push people to the breaking point. This story follows several individuals who reach their limit: a waitress dealing with a demanding loan shark, a road rage incident between two drivers, a disastrous wedding reception, and a wealthy man attempting to resolve his family's problems with money.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.9 - 142
Being John MalkovichMovie · 1999 · 113m · Comedy, Drama, FantasyA struggling puppeteer named Craig discovers a strange portal at work. Stepping through allows anyone to briefly inhabit the body and mind of John Malkovich. The film explores identity, ambition, and desire as characters become obsessed with this ability to experience life from another person's perspective. As Craig and others grapple with the consequences of possessing someone else's mind and body, the lines between reality and illusion become blurred in this captivating story.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.4 - 143
Reservoir DogsMovie · 1992 · 99m · Crime, ThrillerPaul and Jamie Buchman are a contemporary couple building a life together in 1990s city life. The film explores their journey as they navigate the joys and difficulties of marriage, blending their lives and personalities. Their relatable struggles include dealing with in-laws and balancing careers with family life, all presented with humor and sharp timing. This story offers a lighthearted look at love and partnership.IMDb 8.2TMDB 8.1 - 144
Let the Right One InMovie · 2008 · 115m · Horror, DramaTwelve-year-old Oskar, a shy and often bullied boy, befriends his new neighbor, Eli, a mysterious and somewhat withdrawn girl. Their friendship begins tentatively, but Oskar and Eli gradually grow close. However, it soon becomes clear that Eli is not like other children.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.5 - 145
Fists in the PocketMovie · 1965 · 110mA young man struggling with mental illness and epilepsy makes a quiet decision to kill his family members, believing he is acting for their own good.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.8
