Most Spiritually Literate Films | Spirituality & Practice

5 Broken Cameras By Emad Burnat, Guy Davidi A remarkable documentary which charts the impact on a Palestinian village, and one of its children, of Israeli oppression during the past five years. Foreign

A Late Quartet By Yaron Zilberman A very special and memorable movie with top drawer acting, great classical music, and a theme of spiritual transformation. Feature

All Together By Stephane Robelin A French dramady about five friends who discover the advantages and challenges to communal living. Foreign

Amour By Michael Haneke A poignant and provocative French-language drama about the tenderness, discipline, and patience involved in being a loving caregiver. Foreign

Beasts of the Southern Wild By Benh Zeitlin An extraordinary movie about a fearless six-year-old African-American girl who tutors us in the art of survival. Feature

Brave By Brenda Chapman, Mark Adams The freedom quest of a feisty Celtic princess with a jungle of wild red hair. Animated

Bully By Lee Hirsch An eye-opening documentary that focuses on five youth who were bullied and how their families, schools, and communities respond. Documentary

Cloud Atlas By Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer An impressive movie saluting the human propensity for telling stories as good medicine. Feature

Delicacy By David Foenkinos, Stephane Foenkinos An exploration of the dynamics of sadness and the liberating qualities of love. Foreign

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax By Chris Renaud A delightful animated feature with special appeal for tree lovers. Animated

Frankenweenie By Tim Burton A strange and appealing animated film that explores the unusual adventures of a lonely boy and his eternally frisky dog. Animated

Hope Springs By David Frankl A funny and sensitive movie about the renewal of a burnt-out marriage that is one of the Best Films of 2012. Feature

How to Survive a Plague By David France A documentary on the impact of a passionate group of dedicated and creative individuals in raising awareness of the AIDS epidemic. Documentary

I Wish By Hirokazu Kore-eda A charming and inventive Japanese movie about wishes, questing, and the wonderful support of grandparents when we need them the most. Foreign

Jeff, Who Lives at Home By Jay Dupluss, Mark Dupluss A delightful film about how synchronicities can open people up to revitalizing adventures which have the potential to transform them. Feature

Last Call at the Oasis By Jessica Yu A tour de force documentary about the water crisis in America and the varied and sometimes shocking responses to it. Documentary

Les Miserables By Tom Hooper Three cheers for a sentimental musical about forgiveness, freedom, and love that brings tears to our eyes in unison with others! Feature

Life of Pi By Ang Lee A visually stunning and powerful drama that teaches us much about faith. Feature

Lincoln By Steven Spielberg A very special historical drama about Lincoln's leadership skills during the tense times of civil war and racial enmity. Feature

Marley By Kevin Macdonald An astonishing documentary charting the life and legacies of reggae superstar Bob Marley. Documentary

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God By Alex Gibney A shocking documentary about the Catholic Church's cover-up of sexual abuse and the heroic response of victims. Documentary

Monsieur Lazhar By Philippe Falardeau An emotionally charged drama about a caring and compassionate man who helps some grief shaken children deal with the suicide of their teacher. Foreign

Moonrise Kingdom By Wes Anderson A wonder-inducing film from Wes Anderson about the authentic quest of two oddball teens who just want to be free. Feature

Planet of Snail By Seung-Jun Yi A deeply moving documentary about love, living with disabilities, savoring the senses, and being present. Documentary

Promised Land By Gus Van Sant An engrossing and thought-provoking drama about fracking, big money, small town life, saving the environment, and trying to live with integrity in hard times. Feature

Rise of the Guardians By Peter Ramsey An unusual tale about a playful free spirit who is thrilled to become a Guardian who watches over children. Animated

Safety Not Guaranteed By Colin Trevorrow A wonder-inducing combo of time travel and romantic comedy that tickles the funny bone and provokes thought about the different dimensions of time. Feature

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen By Lasse Hallstrom A quirky and thoroughly entertaining spiritual drama about the multiple meanings of faith. Feature

Samsara By Ron Fricke An enthralling documentary that becomes a guided meditation on the wheel of life and death. Feature

Searching for Sugar Man By Malik Bendjelloul An inspiring and uplifting documentary about a man who gives all he's got and experiences a miracle in return. Documentary

Silver Linings Playbook By David O. Russell A healing and hopeful dramady about friendship. love, family, and optimism that is one of the Best Films of 2012. Feature

Take This Waltz By Sarah Polley A respectful and creative treatment of sex and the mysteries of love by director Sarah Polley with a stunning performance by Michelle Williams. Feature

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel By John Madden A top-drawer dramedy about a band of English retirees in India and the challenges and transformations they undergo. Feature

The Gatekeepers By Dror Moreh A controversial documentary where former heads of Israel's security agency explain their take on the war against terrorism. Documentary

The Hunger Games By Gary Ross A drama of survival that depicts the nurturing courage of a young woman forced to do battle against both friend and foe. Feature

The Intouchables By Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache A playful and compassionate French film about an unconventional caregiver and the quadriplegic man he looks after. Foreign

The Invisible War By Amy Ziering, Kirby Dick A disturbing, hard-hitting, and emotionally-shattering documentary about the rapes of women serving in the U.S. military. Documentary

The Lady By Luc Besson An inspiring portrait of a freedom fighter told through an exquisite love story set in the darkness of violence, repression, and tyranny in Burma. Feature

The Magic of Belle Isle By Rob Reiner A spiritual film for all true believers in the power of love to transform lives. Feature

The Rabbi's Cat By Antoine Delesvaux, Joann Sfar A French animated film about the unusual quest of a rabbi, a skeikh, and a talking cat to discover the unity of peoples. Animated

The Sessions By Ben Lewin A brave and bold movie that explores new territory in sexuality and spirituality. Feature

The Well-Digger's Daughter By Daniel Auteuil A tour de force remake of Marcel Pagnol's 1940 film about love, loss, class, forgiveness, and transformation that come from the heart. Foreign

This is 40 By Judd Apatow A frolicsome and thought-provoking film about a couple's midlife crises and how it affects their marriage, their family life, and their sense of themselves. Feature

This Is Not a Film By Jafar Panahi, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb A clandestine last gasp of freedom from one of Iran's most creative and controversial film directors while under house arrest. Foreign

Where Do We Go Now? By Nadine Labaki An inventive Lebanese film about the creative efforts of Christian and Muslim women in a small village to create peace and end religious hatred. Foreign

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