533 Essential Existentialist Films
528 titles
- 501
The Last LaughMovie · 1924 · 90m · DramaThis drama tells the story of an elderly doorman whose respected career at a high-end hotel ends abruptly with his dismissal. Once known for his wit and refined manners, he now battles to maintain his pride as he confronts societal disapproval. Abandoned by friends and the subject of gossip, the protagonist must cope with a growing isolation that tests his sense of community and who he is. The film explores aging, social standing, and the strength of the human spirit when facing hardship.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.8 - 502
Open Your EyesMovie · 1997 · 117m · Drama, Thriller, Science FictionThis is a moving story about a handsome man who unexpectedly finds love. His life changes dramatically when a serious accident leaves him with severe facial disfigurement. He then undertakes a challenging journey to rebuild his appearance and regain his self-esteem, grappling with how his changed looks affect himself and those he cares about. The film explores the complexities of beauty, love, and identity, prompting viewers to consider societal views on physical attractiveness and the strength of human relationships when facing hardship.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.4 - 503
Bad LieutenantMovie · 1992 · 96mA jaded New York City police detective, battling severe drug and gambling problems, becomes involved in the investigation of a young nun who has been raped. As he works the case, he attempts to confront his demons and seek redemption.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.0 - 504
The KidMovie · 1921 · 68m · Comedy, DramaA homeless man discovers an abandoned baby and raises him as his own. Over time, they develop a strong connection, defying societal norms. Their life together is disrupted when the boy's birth mother returns, driven by guilt and a desire to reclaim her son. This moving story examines family, love, and the power of human bonds formed through hardship.IMDb 8.2TMDB 8.1 - 505
Ad AstraMovie · 2019 · 123m · Science Fiction, DramaIn the near future, facing growing challenges on Earth, humanity turns its attention to space. When a strange phenomenon threatens to wipe out life, astronaut Roy McBride is sent on a perilous mission across the galaxy. He must investigate the fate of a decades-old expedition that ventured into deep space in search of answers.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.1 - 506
The Sea InsideMovie · 2004 · 126m · DramaRamón Sampedro, a former ship mechanic and poet, became paralyzed after a diving accident. For thirty years, he tirelessly campaigned for the legal right to end his life. He forms strong bonds with his lawyer Julia and his friend Rosa, who encourages him to appreciate life. Even in his condition, Ramón inspires those around him to embrace life.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.6 - 507
What Dreams May ComeMovie · 1998 · 113m · Drama, Fantasy, RomanceWhen Chris Neilson dies, he finds himself in a paradise unlike anything he imagined—except for one heartbreaking absence: his wife, Annie. He learns she died by suicide after his passing, and now resides in hell. Determined to be reunited with her, Chris undertakes a perilous journey, risking his own eternal fate for the chance to bring Annie back from hell to the heaven he now inhabits. The film is about sacrifice, love, and the lengths people will go to overcome the barrier between life and death.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.2 - 508
StayMovie · 2005 · 99m · Mystery, Thriller, DramaPsychiatrist Sam Foster takes on a new patient, Henry Letham, who insists he is suicidal. As Sam attempts to understand Henry, he contacts Henry's previous therapist and locates his mother, despite Henry’s claims of murdering both parents. As the truth becomes increasingly confusing, Sam's own mental state begins to unravel. He discovers a potential detail about when and how Henry plans to commit suicide and races to prevent it.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.6 - 509
The WrestlerMovie · 2008 · 109m · Drama, RomanceRandy "The Ram" Robinson, an aging wrestler past his prime, is eager to return to the pro-wrestling circuit. Following a severe injury, Randy retires, begins a relationship with a fellow stripper, and attempts to reconcile with his daughter. However, he ultimately finds himself drawn back to the ring and prepares for a comeback.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.5 - 510
GravityMovie · 2013 · 91m · Science Fiction, Thriller, DramaMedical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone accompanies veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski on what's supposed to be his final Shuttle mission. During a routine spacewalk, disaster occurs when the Shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalski adrift in space, tethered only to each other. Cut off from Earth and any possibility of rescue, they face the terrifying silence of the void and dwindling oxygen supplies. Their only hope of returning home may lie in venturing deeper into the vastness of space.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.2 - 511
LuckyMovie · 2017 · 88m · DramaA 90-year-old atheist living in a peculiar desert town unexpectedly faces a life-altering moment, prompting a journey of personal discovery amidst the town's eccentric residents.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.3 - 512
Defending Your LifeMovie · 1991 · 111m · Comedy, Fantasy, RomanceAfter he dies, advertising executive Daniel Miller arrives in Judgment City, a place where life after death involves facing challenges and making choices. He must prove he lived a meaningful life on Earth to move on.
There, he meets Julia, a vibrant woman who is also unsure of her place. Together, they explore Judgment City and form a connection that helps them both. As they navigate this strange world, Daniel questions what it means to be alive, confronting his own doubts and finding strength within himself.
This story combines romance and adventure with questions about life's purpose and love. Watching Daniel's journey in Judgment City invites viewers to consider their own beliefs about existence and what comes after.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.9 - 513
Hour of the WolfMovie · 1968 · 88m · Drama, HorrorA struggling artist and his pregnant wife seek refuge on a secluded German island. Surrounded by peace, the artist's hidden desires resurface, leading to a breakdown that threatens their relationship.
The film explores the artist’s inner conflict as he confronts buried emotions amidst the island's beauty. It examines self-discovery and the challenges of balancing personal desires with the responsibilities of starting a family.
As the couple struggles through this emotional journey, their bond is tested. They must face the question of whether love can overcome their difficulties. The film’s thoughtful story invites viewers to connect with the artist as he tries to reconcile his past and present in pursuit of personal growth.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 514
The Elephant ManMovie · 1980 · 124m · Drama, HistorySet in Victorian London, this drama tells the story of a man with severe disfigurement who is rescued from a life as a sideshow attraction by a kind surgeon. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick, the film reveals his surprising intelligence and emotional depth beneath his appearance. As John Merrick struggles with societal challenges in 19th-century England, the story is a moving portrayal of strength and how compassion can conquer hardship. The film is a thoughtful look at an exceptional life and the prejudices prevalent during that time.IMDb 8.2TMDB 8.1 - 515
The Karamazov BrothersMovie · 2008 · 110mDostoevsky's epic novel exploring a family of siblings and their father is a cornerstone of world literature, grappling with fundamental questions of morality and faith: Does God exist? Is there a devil? And in a world without moral boundaries, are all things permissible? Even the question of whether patricide can be considered a crime arises. Czech director Petr Zelenka's adaptation, *The Karamazovs*, follows a group of actors from Prague as they travel to Krakow, Poland, to stage the play in a decaying steelworks for the Closer to Life Festival. The project seems cursed from the outset. Upon arrival, the building is structurally unsound, forcing the actors to wear helmets. Their only regular audience member is a factory worker (Andrzej Mastalerz) who observes rehearsals rather than attending to his seven-year-old son, who is grieving a tragic accident at the factory.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.0 - 516
The BelieverMovie · 2001 · 98m · DramaA deeply prejudiced white supremacist leads a gang fighting against what he believes is a Jewish plot to control America. He harbors a secret: he was born Jewish and is a highly intelligent scholar. His doubts about his own faith have fueled anger and confusion, leading him to oppose those he views as having a painful past.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.9 - 517
Sullivan's TravelsMovie · 1941 · 91m · Comedy, Romance, AdventureRenowned director John L. Sullivan seeks inspiration by immersing himself in hardship, disguising himself as a hobo and traveling the country. He meets a woman who joins him on his journey, but their connection is brief. Sullivan's search for authentic experience takes a dangerous turn when he loses his memory and is wrongly imprisoned. The film explores his quest for truth and self-discovery as reality and fiction begin to merge in his pursuit of a compelling story.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.4 - 518
Last Year at MarienbadMovie · 1961 · 95m · Drama, RomanceIn a remote, abandoned chateau, two strangers meet. A man believes he recognizes the woman, and he's determined to understand their connection. As they explore shared memories and puzzling coincidences, their conversation deepens, questioning what they remember and how they perceive reality. The chateau’s unsettling atmosphere further complicates things, blurring the line between what's real and imagined, leaving everyone wondering what the truth is.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.4 - 519
EmptiesMovie · 2007 · 103m · ComedyJosef Tkaloun, a retired Czech literature teacher, suddenly finds himself disconnected from his students and resigns in a dramatic fashion. He hadn't anticipated that this decision would also leave him feeling adrift and alienated from the world around him.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.7 - 520
The Quiet EarthMovie · 1985 · 91m · Drama, Science Fiction, ThrillerA major failure during a top-secret scientific experiment causes a devastating end to the world, leaving a brilliant but exhausted researcher as Earth's only survivor. He struggles to accept this impossible reality and begins a difficult journey through deserted cities. Facing loneliness and the burden of his unique position, the scientist must navigate the ruined landscape searching for answers – or perhaps a way to atone for humanity’s errors. This intense story is a psychological exploration of survival, loss, and hope in the face of utter chaos.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.6 - 521
The Man Who Stole the SunMovie · 1979 · 147m · Crime, Thriller, ActionThis drama centers on a high school science teacher who is often ridiculed by his students for his quiet personality and unusual habits. During a field trip, their school bus is hijacked, and the teacher unexpectedly finds himself in a dangerous situation. It turns out he has been secretly building an atomic bomb in his apartment. This shocking discovery changes how everyone sees him, revealing hidden depths to his character and prompting questions about the impact of his choices. The film explores themes of identity, control, and the perils of obsession, all within the context of high school life and teenage rebellion.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.3 - 522
The Sweet HereafterMovie · 1997 · 112m · DramaThis drama explores the impact of a devastating school bus accident on a tight-knit Canadian mountain town, which resulted in the loss of over twelve young lives. A lawyer from the city arrives to help the grieving families pursue legal action, but his efforts to bring them together instead create further division within the community.
Amidst the community's struggle with loss and their pursuit of justice, a teenage survivor begins their own path to healing. Dealing with physical and emotional wounds from witnessing the tragedy, they must come to terms with a world irrevocably altered. The film offers a sensitive look at grief, recovery, and the search for meaning when confronted with unimaginable hardship, revealing the complex emotions that emerge during times of profound adversity.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.9 - 523
Slaughterhouse-FiveMovie · 1972 · 100m · Drama, Science Fiction, WarThis film follows Billy Pilgrim, a war veteran who experiences time non-linearly. Haunted by his experiences as a prisoner of war in Dresden during World War II, Billy begins to time travel involuntarily. He journeys from his childhood to the war, and then to a planet called Tralfamadore. There, he encounters new ways of understanding life and death, questioning our perceptions of time and memory. The film combines science fiction with a deeply personal story, offering a unique look at what it means to exist.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.5 - 524
PlayTimeMovie · 1967 · 115m · ComedyThis charming comedy follows Monsieur Hulot as he tries to get through modern Paris, a city full of new technology and busy people. His trip to meet a business associate becomes a series of unexpected events, similar to an American tourist's experience in the same city. The two men, each dealing with their own problems, occasionally meet and become interested in each other.
As they both navigate Paris, they get involved in funny situations with all sorts of quirky locals. The story builds to a chaotic but heartwarming scene in a lively restaurant where everyone comes together. The film playfully looks at ideas about connecting with others, differences in culture, and finding happiness even when things are complicated.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.7 - 525
Five Easy PiecesMovie · 1970 · 98m · DramaA young man leaves behind a comfortable life for the harsh reality of oil rigs and rough environments. He moves from job to job, motel to motel, searching for meaning. In bars, gas stations, and other places where he finds temporary refuge with others like himself, he struggles with who he is and how to fit in – a world very different from his past. This story explores feelings of isolation, the gap between social classes, and the difficulty of finding one's place in a world that often seems uncaring.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.1 - 526
Lonely are the BraveMovie · 1962 · 107m · Western, DramaA free-spirited cowboy orchestrates a daring plan to free his wrongly imprisoned friend. He fakes a crime to get himself jailed, intending to escape with his loyal companion and seek justice. The film highlights their strong bond as they face the lawless frontier, navigating danger and evading capture. It's a story about loyalty, sacrifice, and the lengths friends will go to protect each other.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 527
Cries and WhispersMovie · 1972 · 95m · DramaThis film is a deeply emotional story about three sisters facing a loved one’s approaching death and their own personal difficulties. As Agnes battles cancer, her sisters are consumed by their own emotional struggles, making it hard for them to offer the support she needs in her final days. The drama explores how family can both comfort and hinder healing during difficult times. It examines themes of acceptance, forgiveness, and complicated relationships, offering a close look at the painful process of dealing with loss and mortality.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.9 - 528
Crime and PunishmentMovie · 1970 · 221mRaskolnikov, a former student, commits murder while desperately trying to cover his rent. As the police investigate the crime, Raskolnikov grapples with concealing his guilt and the mounting pressure to confess.IMDb 7.7TMDB 5.7
