10 Best Films About the Afterlife, Ranked According to IMDb

The great mysteries of our time have yet to be answered, the biggest of all is undoubtedly; what happens when we die? The afterlife is a concept almost everyone has musted upon, and has an opinion about, regardless of their religious views. The concept has been explored through art, whether stories or music, these mediums have sought to go beyond the physical and explore the abstract and ethereal concept.

But it is through films that the afterlife is truly brought to life. The surreal and captivating imagery created captures not only the look but the feel of such a place. With this in mind here are the 10 best films about the afterlife.

10 This is the End (6.6)

This is the End saw the end of days as we know it, with those deemed worthy ascending to heaven and the rest left on the scorched and fiery remains on the Earth to face the rapture.

Starring James Franco, Jonah Hill, and other famous faces as themselves, they fail to make it into heaven as the lives they’ve lived weren’t good enough. They then must prove themselves to gain entry through the pearly gates. Those lucky few that do manage to get in find the cloudy paradise to be everything they could have hoped for.

9 The Lovely Bones (6.7)

Based upon the best-selling novel of the same name, The Lovely Bones stars Saoirse Ronan as Susie Salmon, who is murdered and finds herself in purgatory. From there she watches over her family as they grieve and try to uncover the truth surrounding her murder.

From acclaimed filmmaker Peter Jackson, the film features cutting-edge visual effects that bring the strange world that Susie finds herself into life. Despite this, the film went on the earn mixed reviews from critics.

8 Ghost Town (6.7)

Ghost Town sees Ricky Gervais star as Bertram Pincus, a dentist who dies for 7 minutes while undergoing an operation and is brought back to life. The only problem is now is can see ghosts everywhere he goes and they annoy him.

Here the ghosts are stuck and unable to move on to heaven, due to their unfinished business. Pincus is the only one who can help them, and despite initially refusing he grows and decides to become less selfish and help others.

7 All Dogs Go to Heaven (6.8)

1989’s All Dogs Go to Heaven presented an alternative view of the cloudy city, from the perspective of a dog. The film sees the dog Charlie gain entry to heaven upon his death, only to return to Earth to seek revenge on those that killed him.

Now he’ll have to earn his place back into heaven or be sent to hell. The films unusual tone makes it a questionable choice for younger views, but for kids of a certain age, it offers plenty of fun and explores some interesting ideas.

6 Ghost (7.0)

Made famous by its iconic pottery scene, Ghost sees Patrick Swayze star as Sam Wheat, a man murdered only to come back as a ghost. He watches over his girlfriend and tries to protect her from those that conspired to kill him.

The romantic comedy-drama has endured in popularity since its release. The climax of the film sees Sam finally gain entry into heaven, while others are taken somewhere less pleasant.

5 What Dreams May Come (7.1)

Starring Robin Williams What Dreams May Come see Wiliams star as Chris Neilsen a doctor who is killed in a car accident. He then finds himself in heaven but leaves the utopia to rescue his wife who has been sent to hell.

The film unconventionally depicts heaven, gone are the clouds and harps that have become synonymous with the afterlife, and in their place a vibrant un-construable utopia. From its raging waterfalls to its painted landscapes, the world explored in the film is a place anyone would be happy to spend eternity in.

4 Beetlejuice (7.5)

1988’s Beetlejuice puts a unique spin on the familiar haunted house set-up and sees a pair of ghosts trying to drive-out a living family who has movies into the house.

From the mind of Tim Burton, he channels the gothic sense of humor that made him famous, delivering one of his greatest and funniest movies. Starring Micheal Keaton as the titular spook, the film went on to win an Oscar for its outstanding and inventive make-up.

3 The Sixth Sense (8.1)

The Sixth Sense cemented M. Night Shyamalan as one of the most innovative directors around and shocked audiences with one of the most surprising twists in film history.

This became his directorial trademark, and the twists kept coming with his future works, to mixed success. Bruce Willis poses as a child psychologist and helps a young boy who sees ghosts. The film was a huge success and the second highest-grossing of 1999.

2 Coco (8.4)

Coco presented an alternative view of the afterlife and threw the audience into the world of Mexican culture. The Mexican twist on the afterlife brought with it a unique set of rules and traditions, really seen in mainstream movies.

The film sees a young boy in the Land of the Dead and must find his great-grandfather, who was a great singer. The film remains one of Pixar’s most highly regarded movies and went on to win 2 Oscars.

1 Spirited Away (8.6)

Spirited Away sees a young girl transported into the spirit world, a world that parallels our own but is entirely different. Unable to get home she is forced to adapt and courageously prove herself to return home.

Produced by the acclaimed Studio Ghibli, Spirited Away has proven to be one of its most popular films. The unique and visually stunning tale captivated audiences worldwide and received critical acclaim, going on to win an Oscar for Best Animated Feated for its groundbreaking animation.

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