Animals were harmed in these films
There are few things more philosophical than love and death. Woody Allen provides a lighter form of philosophical entertainment. The satire is based on the most famous Russian novels. It addresses the big problems of life, but with a comedic twist.
'The Truman Show' brings up one of the most fundamental human questions: what is the right way to live? Truman (Jim Carrey) lives in a fake world and we as the audience know this. Should he continue in the fake world and be happy? Or risk unhappiness in reality?
The Coen brothers attack the issue of heaven and hell with a good helping of the satirical. This film is about a writer who has outstanding ideas but sells them to Hollywood, telling himself it's the right thing. However, is it really?
Peter Seller plays Chance, a gardener who becomes the favorite advisor of some very important men in New York. While it's funny, the film has a serious note focused on existentialism. It echoes some of Martin Heidegger's (1998-1976) philosophical principles of phenomenology.
When this film first came out, it changed people's lives. Many see it as a metaphor for life online. We have to question whether life in the matrix is real or not, and, once we know, which kind of life is best for us.
This philosophical film is especially relevant now with the rise of artificial intelligence. The film starring Harrison Ford prompts us to consider whether robots should be considered humans or not, and whether humans are any better than them.
Hugh Jackman plays a scientist and astronaut whose aim is to defeat death by finding the cure. He is motivated by his love for Isabel (Rachel Weisz). The strange plot actually works well to illustrate the battle between living in the moment and trying to prevent the inevitable.
If you want a little romance among your philosophy, this is the film to watch. Charlie Kaufman wrote this genius plot where a man wants to erase his memories of his past love, but finds that perhaps this is not the best solution. With Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet.
Christopher and Jonathan Nolan came together to create this drama where the main character's (Guy Pierce) subjective reality is constantly changing because he has a short-term memory problem. You constantly guess what is real and what is not as he hunts for his wife's murderer.
David O. Russell's film is jam-packed with different philosophical viewpoints from Zen Buddhism to individualism. It has an all-star cast with Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin, Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law, Isabelle Huppert, and Naomi Watts.
The storyline of this film is pretty relatable. If your parents teach you different things, which one should you listen to? Sean Penn stars as the son of Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain.
This French film clearly illustrates the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer (1988-1860). The story follows a donkey as he goes through life, subject to both cruelty and life. It highlights how meek animals are, and how humans should be more compassionate to others.
This clever film is about a boy who goes to live with a Buddhist monk. His life is told in seasons rather than age, making the viewer think about life in terms of periods. It's an interesting take on growing up.
The humanity of artificial intelligence is addressed in this eerie sci-fi film. It chronicles the evolution of man from ape to computer in a commentary on the meaning of life. It is loosely based on Friedrich Nietzsche's (1844-1900) philosophy.
Sources: (Taste of Cinema) (BrightSide) (Screen Rant)
See also: Friedrich Nietzsche: history's most controversial philosopher
In a world where some humans live on a different planet, a problem arises. The whole crew has gone mad. Kris (Donatas Banionis) goes out to find the cause of the sudden change. However, perhaps there is no cause.
Would you want to live forever? In this masterpiece by Wim Wenders, an angel spends his time looking at the human race. However, he faces a dilemma when he falls in love with a mortal woman.
Based on the John Steinbeck novel of the same name, this film explores what families do when they are in utter desperation. How far can love stretch among the difficulties of the Great Depression?
In a place where everyone has committed a crime, two men bond over small acts of kindness. They discuss what it really means to commit a crime, and how you can redeem yourself.
'Boyhood' follows the boy, Mason Evans Jr. (Ellar Coltrane), for 12 years of his life. By seeing him actually grow up, it gives heightened awareness to the different stages of becoming an adult.
It may not seem that philosophical at first, but this Christmas film is full of deeper meanings. In the end, after the angel shows the businessman the important things in life, he realizes what it really is to live.
Writer Charlie Kaufman has let his philosophical mind run wild in this film starring Philip Seymour Hoffman (1967-2014) as a theater director struggling with his work and reality.
Federico Fellini revolutionized cinema with this monumental take on the life of a journalist. Marcello (Marcello Mastroianni) leads a hedonist lifestyle, but is he happy at the end of it?
A couple goes to Tokyo to visit their children and grandchildren, those they have cared for their whole lives. When they receive almost no consideration nor attention from their family, they start to question what it was all for.
This masterpiece by Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980) is about two men who believe they are so clever that they can commit a murder and then throw a dinner party with their guests none the wiser. It's all about existentialism and whether the world could be a happy place if everyone follows its principles.
Jean-Louis is a stringent Christian who holds to his principles. However, his fancy for a new woman and brilliantly written conversations with his friend Pascal lead him to question his faith.
Director genius Ingmar Bergman created this tale of a knight (Max von Sydow) in search of the answers to life amid the Black Plague. He plays chess with death as he struggles to find meaning in his journey.
The film is based on the book of the same name by Ayn Rand. The story plays out her philosophy of Objectivism, where individualism is key.
Director Akira Kurosawa explores a complicated plot through the eyes of different characters. He tries to show the audience that there are always many sides to a story, no matter how much social stigma is attached to certain actions.
Another brilliant plot by the Coen brothers tells of the dilemma a man faces after he stumbles across a huge amount of cash. While not deeply philosophical, it does address the question of how far will you go for the sake of money.
Cinema has the power to make us question our surroundings and reality. Especially those films that want to express certain philosophies, or provoke questions from the viewer. It is useful to watch these movies if you are feeling inquisitive, or perhaps want some inspiration for a new way of thinking about things. Aside from focusing on philosophy, these films are also just great to watch. It takes a certain amount of talent to tackle the big questions in life, and so, more often than not, philosophical films are of quite a high quality.
If you are in the mood for a thought-provoking, sometimes satirical, and well-made movie, click through this gallery.
The most philosophical movies ever made
Films that make you think
MOVIES Films
Cinema has the power to make us question our surroundings and reality. Especially those films that want to express certain philosophies, or provoke questions from the viewer. It is useful to watch these movies if you are feeling inquisitive, or perhaps want some inspiration for a new way of thinking about things. Aside from focusing on philosophy, these films are also just great to watch. It takes a certain amount of talent to tackle the big questions in life, and so, more often than not, philosophical films are of quite a high quality.
If you are in the mood for a thought-provoking, sometimes satirical, and well-made movie, click through this gallery.