539 Essential High Art Films
531 titles
- 501
On the Other SideMovie · 2016 · 85mTwenty years ago, Vesna relocated her family to Zagreb to escape a traumatic past. But a sudden phone call forces her to confront a long-buried secret she's desperately kept hidden.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.6 - 502
DogtoothMovie · 2009 · 98m · DramaThree teenagers are isolated in a remote country estate that feels otherworldly. Confined within its walls, they spend their time listening to homemade tapes that introduce them to a completely new vocabulary. Any word from outside their home is redefined. For example, "the sea" means a large armchair, and "zombies" are little yellow flowers. To maintain control, their overbearing parents force them to pretend they have an estranged brother who disobeyed them.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.1 - 503
ManderlayMovie · 2005 · 139m · DramaIn 1933, a young woman and her father stumble upon an Alabama plantation where the people live as if slavery still exists. Feeling compelled to help, she decides to stay and lead the people to freedom, guiding them through their first harvest. She teams up with four of her father's colleagues and a lawyer to undertake the difficult task of rebuilding the plantation, Manderlay.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.9 - 504
DisobedienceMovie · 2018 · 114m · Drama, RomanceNew York photographer Ronit travels to London upon hearing of her estranged father's death. She returns to the Orthodox Jewish community that ostracized her years ago because of her feelings for Esti, a female friend. Their unexpected reunion rekindles their intense connection as they navigate questions of faith and desire.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.9 - 505
WitnessesMovie · 2003 · 88mWitnesses presents a multi-perspective account of events in the Balkans during wartime. The story unfolds like Rashomon, offering differing viewpoints that reveal the intricate complexities of war and human nature. It begins in a rural home where a woman in black (Mirjana Karanovic) stands with her husband's coffin, and then weaves together the narratives of a small town grappling with ethnic hatred and difficult moral choices.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.5 - 506
The CrematorMovie · 1969 · 101mIn 1930s Prague, a Czech cremator who believes cremation offers release from suffering finds himself increasingly drawn to the rising Nazi movement.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.8 - 507
How the War Started on My IslandMovie · 1997 · 97mIn early 1991, the Yugoslav army still occupied military installations in Croatia, refusing to recognize Croatian independence. Gajski journeys to an island to secure his son's release from the army. The islanders have surrounded the barracks, staging a festival of song and poetry, hoping to persuade Major Aleksa and his troops to surrender. However, Aleksa has planted explosives throughout the barracks, intending to destroy the island.IMDb 7.8TMDB 6.2 - 508
Family Romance, LLCMovie · 2019 · 110m · DramaFamily Romance is a company that rents people to fill roles in life. Founder Yuichi Ishii helps his customers achieve their desires. However, things become complicated when a mother hires Ishii to pretend to be her missing father for her son. The distinction between acting and real life begins to fade.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.2 - 509
The Stepford WivesMovie · 1975 · 117m · Mystery, Thriller, Science FictionJoanna Eberhart and her family move to the idyllic town of Stepford, Connecticut, where the women seem too perfect. As Joanna observes her new neighbors, she notices something unsettling: the women are unnaturally docile, almost like robots, devoid of independent thought or feeling.
Driven by suspicion, Joanna uncovers a disturbing secret hidden beneath the town's charming exterior. She resolves to expose the truth about these artificial women and protect herself and the remaining genuine residents from a terrifying fate.
A chilling story unfolds as Joanna grapples with mounting dread, questioning how far she'll go to dismantle a system that seeks to eliminate the humanity of others.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.7 - 510
HäxanMovie · 1922 · 105m · Documentary, Horror, HistoryBenjamin Christensen’s innovative film examines medieval witchcraft through a series of dramatic scenes. It compares the accusations against witches in the Middle Ages to the mental illnesses of his own time, exploring the psychological roots of these frightening events.
The darkly comedic film combines horror, disturbing visuals, and unsettling humor for a memorable experience. The story features grave robbing, brutal torture, and a group of possessed nuns holding a satanic ritual.
Blending frightening sequences with macabre wit, the film takes viewers to another time while prompting reflection on superstition, belief, and the human mind's susceptibility to mass hysteria.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.6 - 511
Benny's VideoMovie · 1993 · 110m · Crime, DramaA 14-year-old boy is obsessed with violent movies and wants to make his own shocking film to impress his parents. His attempt to do so has devastating and lasting consequences for him and his family. The film explores youthful rebellion, the dangers of obsession, and the way fantasy can bleed into reality.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.9 - 512
What Keeps You AliveMovie · 2018 · 99m · Horror, ThrillerA married couple's first anniversary celebration is overshadowed by treacherous secrets and deceit. Their idyllic setting of majestic mountains and a tranquil lake becomes a backdrop for devastating betrayals.IMDb 5.7TMDB 5.8 - 513
Aguirre, the Wrath of GodMovie · 1972 · 95m · History, Adventure, DramaFollowing the collapse of the Inca Empire, a bold Spanish expedition journeys into the Amazon to find the legendary city of El Dorado. Captain Aguirre leads the men on a dangerous trek through unexplored territory, driven by the hope of great wealth.
As they travel down the river, the pursuit of fortune transforms into a desperate struggle for power. Aguirre's control over his crew intensifies, breeding suspicion and madness.
This intense story of exploration and ambition explores the darker side of humanity, depicting a harrowing fight for survival amidst extreme hardship. The expedition’s quest for El Dorado raises the question of whether the promise of riches will ultimately save or ruin them.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.5 - 514
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2Movie · 1986 · 100m · Horror, ComedyTexas Ranger Lefty Enright seeks revenge after discovering his family was brutally killed by the Sawyer family. He teams up with a radio DJ who has infiltrated their organization, tracking them to a hidden underground slaughterhouse.
Inside this terrifying place, Lefty confronts his fears and witnesses the horrifying truth of a family consumed by cannibalism. The film blends suspense and dread as it explores revenge and the lengths a man will go to protect his family and find justice for their murders.
This intense story, with powerful performances and graphic violence, reveals the darkness hidden within seemingly peaceful communities and the lengths a grieving father will travel to avenge his loved ones.IMDb 5.6TMDB 5.7 - 515
MidsommarMovie · 2019 · 147m · Horror, Drama, MysteryA group of friends journeys to Sweden for a summer anthropology program, centered around a rare, ninety-year festival in the secluded hometown of one of them. What starts as an idyllic getaway in a land of perpetual daylight slowly descends into a terrifying ordeal. The enigmatic locals lure the friends into their unsettling festival traditions, transforming their dream vacation into a horrifying nightmare.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.2 - 516
Gloria BellMovie · 2019 · 102m · Drama, RomanceGloria, a divorced woman with a carefree spirit, works a conventional office job but finds liberation dancing in Los Angeles clubs. A chance encounter with Arnold leads her into a surprising romance, navigating the excitement of new love alongside the complexities of identity and family.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.0 - 517
You Can Count on MeMovie · 2000 · 111m · DramaA single mother's life is disrupted when her younger brother, who has been largely absent, unexpectedly returns home.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.8 - 518
PersepolisMovie · 2007 · 95m · Animation, DramaIn 1970s Iran, young Marjane "Marji" Satrapi experiences the Iranian Revolution of 1979 as a hopeful moment for her family, who had long desired the overthrow of the Shah. But as Marji matures, she witnesses firsthand how the new Iran, governed by Islamic fundamentalists, transforms into a repressive and tyrannical regime.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.9 - 519
It FollowsMovie · 2015 · 101m · Horror, MysteryAfter a sexual encounter, a young woman finds herself relentlessly pursued by an unseen supernatural presence.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.6 - 520
UsMovie · 2019 · 116m · Horror, MysteryGabe and Adelaide Wilson bring their children to their beach house for a relaxing getaway with friends, intending to disconnect. However, their peaceful retreat unravels as unexpected and unsettling guests arrive after dark, turning their evening into one of escalating tension and disruption.IMDb 6.8TMDB 7.0 - 521
RavenousMovie · 1999 · 101m · Adventure, Western, HorrorIn the rugged Western frontier, Captain John Boyd is called to investigate the strange disappearances at Fort Spencer. Arriving with his regiment, he meets a wounded frontiersman who recounts a disturbing massacre in the wilderness – the guide for the missing was a notorious U.S. Army colonel. Concerned for the missing, Boyd and his soldiers venture into the wild to uncover the truth and face the darkness within those who are supposed to keep them safe.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.9 - 522
The Hills Have EyesMovie · 1977 · 90m · Horror, ThrillerThe Carter family travels across America hoping for a better life in California. Their journey becomes dangerous when they take a wrong turn. Stranded in the desert after their RV breaks down, they discover they are being hunted by monstrous cannibals hiding in the hills. As darkness falls and hunger grows, the family must fight to survive against these predators.
The film is a suspenseful story about survival and family, exploring how far people will go to protect each other when facing impossible danger. Set in the desolate American Southwest, it’s an unforgettable tale of resilience.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.2 - 523
GummoMovie · 1997 · 89m · Drama, ComedyIn San Francisco, a team of dedicated trauma specialists at City Hospital race against time to provide life-saving care during emergencies. Using land vehicles, boats, and helicopters, these professionals quickly reach patients across the city – from high-rise buildings like the Transamerica Pyramid to the San Francisco Bay. They risk their own safety while working to help people in extreme conditions, finding deep meaning in their efforts. This documentary offers a powerful look into urban trauma care and its effect on both those who are injured and the people who rescue them.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.6 - 524
MugMovie · 2018 · 91m · Drama, ComedyFollowing a workplace accident that leaves him disfigured, outgoing metalhead Jacek undergoes Poland's first face transplant. The procedure thrusts him into the public eye, transforming him into both a symbol of hope and a media sensation. However, Jacek struggles to reconcile his new appearance with his sense of self.IMDb 6.4TMDB 5.9 - 525
MemoriesMovie · 1995 · 113m · Fantasy, Animation, Science FictionThis animated anthology film features three separate stories examining isolation, fear, and the impact of human choices. "Magnetic Rose" tells of a salvage crew who find a deserted spaceship and become trapped in a dangerous, illusory maze. "Stink Bomb" centers on a lab worker who is transformed into a deadly virus after taking a cold tablet, questioning scientific advancement and our connection to nature. "Cannon Fodder" depicts a city enduring constant war against an unseen enemy, showcasing humanity's strength and harshness when pushed to the limit. Each story offers a compelling look at human experiences within imaginative settings.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 526
The Second Civil WarMovie · 1997 · 97m · Drama, Comedy, TV MovieThis drama follows the Idaho governor who defies the President by choosing to block a group of Pakistani orphans from relocating to his state. News Net Television amplifies the story with sensational reporting, escalating the situation into a national political controversy. The film examines prejudice, power dynamics within government, and the media's influence on public perception, offering a realistic look at current social and political issues.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.0 - 527
The Seventh ContinentMovie · 1989 · 107m · DramaThe film explores the everyday life of a middle-class family. What seems like a typical suburban existence gradually reveals a darker, more complex reality. As the film documents their routines – meals, work, family time, and sleep – a feeling of unease builds. Beneath the surface of their seemingly normal lives, something sinister is developing. Everyday interactions are charged with growing tension that intensifies as their plans unfold. It’s a suspenseful look at the hidden darkness within ordinary lives and the unexpected secrets that can exist behind closed doors.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.4 - 528
Funny GamesMovie · 1997 · 109m · Drama, Horror, ThrillerDuring a vacation, a family – a mother, father, and child – meets two dangerous young men. What begins as a relaxing getaway quickly turns into a terrifying ordeal. The antagonists subject the family to cruel games, forcing them to compete against each other for the captors' entertainment. The film explores how fear and desperation can reveal the worst in people as the family fights to survive.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.3 - 529
45 YearsMovie · 2015 · 95m · Drama, RomanceKate Mercer is preparing for her 45th wedding anniversary party, and everything is proceeding smoothly. However, a letter arrives for her husband revealing that the body of his first love has been found – frozen and preserved in the Swiss Alps. By the time the party arrives, five days later, their marriage may be on the verge of collapse.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.6 - 530
71 Fragments of a Chronology of ChanceMovie · 1995 · 100m · DramaThe film follows the interwoven lives of people in Vienna who are unknowingly affected by a senseless Christmas Eve shooting. Told through 71 scenes, the story explores the emotional impact of the tragedy on many different people. The violence shakes the city, testing relationships and forcing difficult choices. It's a moving look at how ordinary people cope when faced with extraordinary circumstances, highlighting the strength of community during a crisis.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.0 - 531
The Wrong ManMovie · 1956 · 105m · Crime, DramaIn a small American town in the early 1950s, Christopher Emmanuel "Manny" Balestrero's life changes when he is wrongly identified as an armed robber during a bank robbery. He is arrested and faces a justice system that appears to be against him.
The story reveals Manny is an innocent man caught in unfortunate circumstances. The film examines mistaken identity, societal and law enforcement power imbalances, and the flaws in justice when errors occur.
Manny's difficult experience unfolds with mounting tension, illustrating the real-world impact of misjudgment. Ultimately, the film highlights the importance of fair treatment and compassion for those caught in the criminal justice system.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.1
