Art Movies List

Top 10 Art Movies List

Art Movies List

query_builder March 22, 2018

Art plays a crucial role in our life

We can even do not realize it, but art influences us invariably in various ways. Some of us like to watch art documentaries or art movies; others prefer to visit art galleries, art exhibitions, etc. Of course, tech progress allows us to discover the latest artworks from all over the world just sitting at home. Is not it fantastic? More and more artists and art critics produce own films concerning the famous globe artworks. Moreover, there are different types of films about artists: from the world-known artist to the unknown local genius. Thus, if you are keen on movies about art and artists, we offer you the most exciting art movies list!

Here, you will find films no one has heard about as well as movies everyone has seen!

#1 Lust for Life (1956)

The first and the oldest film in our art movies list is called Lust for Life (1956). It is the first and the best Hollywood art film of the sixties. It tells us the story of the most prominent and most talented Dutch artist –  Vincent Van Gogh. He was the most mysterious artist of the 19th century, whose talent was noticed only after his suicide at the age of 37. He was the author of more than 2000 different artworks. The star cast of the film, which includes Kirk Douglas, James Donald, and Anthony Quinn, makes this film even more prominent. Therefore, be sure this film is one of the art movies to watch right now.

#2 Andrei Rublev (1966)

Approximately ten years later one of the best art movies of the seventies, Andrei Rublev (1966), appeared. Few know that he was the most prominent religious painter of 15th century. He was an extraordinary person with the unique talent and artistic vision. The director of the film Tarkovsky ingeniously depicts artist’s life and challenges through his own personal approach to filming and installation. Even if you are not a lover of old art movies, this film should be on your art movies list. It will help you to realize the general state of the 15th-century art.

#3 Edvard Munch (1974)

Who does not know about Edvard Munch (1863-1944) – the Norwegian painter and graphic artist, theater artist, and art theorist? He was one of the first representatives of expressionism, and his creativity appealed to the motives of death, loneliness, but at the same time to the thirst for life. Using Munch’s diaries and letters, Peter Watkins, the director of the movie, managed to catch the most impressive and breathtaking Edvard Munch’s life moments. Ingmar Bergman, the leading Swedish director of theater and cinema of the 20th century, nominated this film as “the work of genius.” It is a vivid proof that we cannot miss this film among other movies about famous artists. Write it down on your art movies list.

#4 Downtown (1981).

If you are a graffiti lover, you should watch Downtown (1981). It is a microhistory of a one-day life of a well-known graffiti master – Jean-Michel Basquiat. Directors dwell on the unique New York culture with its diversity of artistic traditions and subcultures. Therefore, you can feel all taste of the 1980s with the lack of money, acute criminal situation, drug addiction, etc. Besides a detailed historical and cultural background, here you will have a chance to get acquainted with the artworks of such provincial artists as James Chance, Amos Poe, Walter Steding, and Tav Falco. The genre of the film is not just the art documentary, but rather it belongs to the films about artists and their daily life and problems.

#5 Pollock (2000)

At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries a famous American art film, Pollock, appeared. It was directed by Ed Harris. Ed Harris depicts the life story of Paul Jackson Pollock who was an American artist, ideologist, and leader of abstract expressionism. Ed Harris reveals the secrets of the artwork creating process. Thus, it makes this film a special one among others movies about famous artists. Ed Harris’s actor play and his similarity in appearance to Pollock make it unforgettable.

#6 Andy Warhol (2006)

Who does not know Andy Warhol? It is one of the most popular pop artists in world history. Directed by Ric Burns, this four-hour film describes Warhol’s path to the top of success. It opens the secret of Warhol’s popularity, prosperity, and luck. The film is an excellent way to feel and to realize the real Warhol’s life through numerous interviews and memories of artist’s friends. Do not lose a chance to watch one of the best art documentaries!

#7 Untitled (2009)

The film name says about its uncommonness and mystique. Directed by Jonathan Parker, it ridicules the transformation of modern art into the commercial business. The main characters, Adam Goldberg and Marley Shelton, depict all problems they face in contemporary arts. The film offers us another view of art and artists. However, it still stays on the list of art movies to watch.

#8 Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict (2015)

Among modern art documentaries, there is an art film directed by Lisa Immordino Vreeland about one of the most prominent collectors – Peggy Guggenheim. Peggy dealt with the most famous artists of the 20th century. Her uncle died on Titanic. The woman was fond of art. The film tells the story of a strong woman with excellent art knowledge and tastes. Although it is a documentary film, it is full of interesting Peggy’s life facts as well as artists’ secrets she dealt with for many years.

#9 Woman in Gold (2015)