10 Best Movies About Philosophy, Ranked

There are myriad movies about art, culture, and philosophy out there for film buffs or average viewers who feel like listening to experts tackle difficult questions. Films about philosophy often deal with themes like existentialism, ethics, and even pop culture.

But not all movies about philosophy are created equal and some viewers without an academic background in the subject may have to take what they learn with a grain of salt. However, there are some films that stand out for the brilliant way they describe complex philosophical subjects in a visually stunning or even humorous way.

10 What The Bleep Do We Know!? (2004)

Quantum physics and consciousness come together in What the Bleep Do We Know!?, a 2004 documentary-style film directed by William Arntz, Betsy Chasse, and Mark Vicente. They posit that the physical universe is a construction of the mind, with matter and thought being codependent.

It’s a great mind-bending movie that can make viewers question their own realities, but not always in a good way. What the Bleep Do We Know!? is a philosophical exercise that’s rooted in pseudo-science more than anything else, as although it uses actual interviews from chemists and physicists, their words are often elaborated and taken out of context. Fans of quantum mysticism may enjoy it, but audiences who have never encountered the concepts in the film may just find it wacky.

9 When Nietzsche Wept (2007)

Written and directed by Pinchas Perry, When Nietzsche Wept is a moving dramatization of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s life and philosophical ideas. The 2007 film follows his tumultuous love story and his eventual friendship with the acclaimed psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud.

Interspersed between Nietzsche’s life events are explanations of his most important contributions to the philosophical community. His famous declaration that “God is dead,” as well as Freud’s initial ideas about psychoanalysis are portrayed in the film. When Nietzsche Wept is an enjoyable movie for students of philosophy, but its poor production value, cheesy acting, and questionable editing may annoy film buffs.

8 Being In The World (2010)

Being in the World is a 2010 documentary that attempts to explore and portray German philosopher Martin Heidegger’s key philosophical idea about the “Dasein.” Through interviews with contemporary philosophers like Hubert Dreyfus, Taylor Carman, Mark Wrathall, and more, director Tao Ruspoli is able to explain the complex phenomenological concept in a way that laypeople would understand.

The talking heads style that the film employs is nothing new, and neither is the smooth jazz and dramatic B-roll that plays over each interview. The way the documentary expounds Heidegger’s concepts is somewhat elementary, but will still probably leave most viewers with at least a better understanding of his life and work.

7 I Heart Huckabees (2004)

Fans who enjoy dark humor will likely find I Heart Huckabee’s take on existential comedy refreshing. The 2004 film is an underrated comedy that revolves around two “existential detectives” as they try to help their clients find meaning in life, whether that’s in their career or relationships.

Director David O. Russell does an excellent job at depicting the absurdity of life, especially for those who least expect it. The separate storylines all converge together, in the end, to help both the characters and viewers reach a satisfying cosmic understanding that everything is connected. Some audiences may find the disparate story arcs too chaotic, but those who appreciate quirky films about hard-hitting philosophical concepts should definitely check it out.

6 Goodbye To Language (2014)

Director Jean-Luc Godard’s Goodbye to Language is one of his more enigmatic works, which is saying a lot for fans who are familiar with his films. The 2014 3D experimental film tells one love story from two perspectives, allowing viewers to experience the excitement and heartache numerous times throughout the movie.

The artsy film tells more than a romantic story, as it uses layers of images and sound to warp reality, or rather present it as it’s supposed to be. Godard invites audiences to view life through a new, more interesting lens — it’s a unique perspective that may not be for everyone, but those who can appreciate it will find the film and all its peculiarities rewarding.

5 The Ister (2004)

Viewers are taken through a long stretch of the Danube in The Ister, where directors David Barison and Daniel Ross interview contemporary philosophers about a variety of topics. The 2004 movie seems convoluted at first, but concepts about war, poetry, technology, and more all come together to deliver a surprisingly poignant message in the end.

Audiences without at least a cursory knowledge of Heideggerian thought may feel a bit lost throughout the film, as it doesn’t shy away from intellectual topics and academic theories. Those who can forgive its somewhat rudimentary cinematography will find that it’s a challenging but satisfying film.

4 Sisyphus (1974)

Sisyphus is a must-watch short film for anyone who’s familiar with the character’s myth. Director Marcell Jankovics masterfully portrays the Greek figure’s struggles in a brilliantly minimalist way. With a simple art style consisting mostly of dark brush strokes on a white background and absorbing sound effects, viewers will find moments of the 2-minute movie almost too painful to watch.

The fact that the 1974 film is difficult to get through is precisely the point, as Sisyphus’ story is one of never-ending toil and at the same time, contentment. It may not be an awe-inspiring or elaborate philosophical film, but it gets its core message across in a simple and meaningful way.

3 The Pervert’s Guide To Ideology (2012)

Director Sophie Fiennes captures Slavoj Žižek’s personality, humor, and intellect in her 2012 documentary, The Pervert’s Guide to Ideology. Like its prequel, The Pervert’s Guide to Cinema, it transports the philosopher into popular scenes from recognizable movies.

The focus on ideology is highlighted more in the sequel, as Žižek talks about the prevailing thoughts and hidden ideological layers in pop culture. Movies like The Sound of Music, Full Metal Jacket, and even The Dark Knight are featured in the film. Depending on fans’ political and philosophical leanings, the film can be either an enlightening or problematic one — most of its scenes, however, are almost always entertaining.

2 Examined Life (2008)

Director Astra Taylor’s Examined Life is often considered one of the best philosophical movies of all time, thanks to its creative take on the talking heads format. Instead of interviewing contemporary philosophers in their homes or offices, the 2008 film shows them walking among other people in busy streets and interacting with their surroundings.

Famous figures in the philosophical community like Judith Butler, Peter Singer, and Avital Ronell provide an understandable explanation of their works’ core concepts as applied to modern life. Some may argue that the documentary waters down complex topics, but most fans would say that it’s a great example of how people can use philosophy to better understand and live their lives.

1 Waking Life (2001)

Anyone who’s even slightly interested in philosophy should consider director Richard Linklater’s Waking Life as essential viewing. The 2001 experimental film has stunning visuals, as it’s entirely rotoscoped. The resulting aesthetic meshes perfectly with the movie’s core themes of dreams, consciousness, death, and existentialism.

The movie is anchored on a young man’s experiences as he walks through a dream-like landscape full of odd personalities. He meets philosophers, friends, and strangers, who talk to him about everything from lucid dreams to the meaning of life. It’s a gripping film from start to finish and leaves much of its concepts open to interpretation.

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