Most Spiritually Literate Films | Spirituality & Practice

22 July By Paul Greengrass A thought-provoking drama about the reactions to a lone terrorist who kills 77 people in Norway in 2011. Feature

A Private War By Matthew Heineman The life and work of an award-winning female war correspondent whose zeal for the truth made her into a fearless person. Feature

At Eternity's Gate By Julian Schnabel A distinctly different biopicture that will evoke your empathy for Vincent Van Gogh. Feature

Beautiful Boy By Felix van Groeningen An informative and important drama about a family coping with the effects of crystal meth addiction. Feature

Big Fish & Begonia By Xuan Liang, Chun Zhang A creative Chinese animated film that marvels at mysterious connections. Animated

Bohemian Rhapsody By Bryan Singer A biopicture that is all about the music of Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury. Feature

Border (Gräns) By Ali Abbasi A breathtakingly bizarre parable about belonging. International

Capernaum (Capharnaüm) By Nadine Labaki A thoroughly absorbing tale of poverty, determination, and faith as equal parts resistance and resurrection. International

City of Joy By Madeline Garvin An inspiring story of compassion and service in a program training rape victims to be community leaders. Documentary

Dark Money By Kimberly Reed An expose of how political campaigns are being funded with little or no disclosure of where the money is coming from. Documentary

Do You Trust This Computer? By Chris Paine An absorbing documentary on the implications of the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence. Documentary

Eighth Grade By Bo Burnham A fascinating and nuanced portrait of a 13-year-old compulsive cell phone user yearning for connections. Feature

Fahrenheit 11/9 By Michael Moore A powerful, even frightening, documentary on what's happening to America's democracy. Documentary

First Reformed By Paul Schrader A slow movie classic which explores a rainbow mix of religious and spiritual themes. Feature

Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf By Thomas Piper An enchanting tour led by the world's most famous garden designer and avid plant lover. Feature

Green Book By Peter Farrelly A road movie turned buddy movie about the friendship between two very different men. Feature

Happy As Lazzaro (Lazzaro felice) By Alice Rohrwacher A symbol-filled fable fixated on innocence, holiness, and inhumanity. International

I Am Not a Witch By Rungano Nyoni An assured and surreal interrogation of misogyny and superstition. International

If Beale Street Could Talk By Barry Jenkins A masterwork about resilient young love and the challenges faced by blacks in racist America. Feature

Isle of Dogs By Wes Anderson An imaginative tribute to dogs with some social commentary on the side. Animated

King in the Wilderness By Peter Kunhardt An extraordinary documentary on the last 18 months of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s selfless and harrowing spiritual journey. Documentary

Lean on Pete By Andrew Haigh A sobering portrait of a boy on his own that reveals the universal yearning for home. Feature

Leaning Into the Wind: Andy Goldsworthy By Thomas Riedelsheimer Another creative documentary adventure with the environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy. Documentary

Leave No Trace By Debra Granik A thoughtful story about a father and daughter who discover that kindness is good medicine. Feature

Liyana By Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp A documentary on the storytelling process combined with a incredibly moving animated tale of an empowered African girl. Animated

Love & Bananas: An Elephant Story By Ashley Bell An extraordinary documentary focusing on two women committed to helping abused elephants. Documentary

Mantra: Sounds into Silence By Georgia Wyss, Wari OM An edifying and inspirational documentary about the global phenomenon of kirtan music. Documentary

Mercury 13 By David Sington, Heather Walsh A splendid documentary about the little known female pilots tested for spaceflight in 1961. Documentary

Mirai By Mamoru Hosoda An entertaining animated film about a young boy adjusting to a new baby with the help of his ancestors. Animated

Of Fathers and Sons By Talal Derki A rare opportunity to see how boys are immersed in violence and trained to become killers by a terrorist group. Documentary

On Her Shoulders By Alexandria Bombach The inspiring spiritual odyssey of a young Yazidi woman who has brought hope to her people. Documentary

Paddington 2 By Paul King A sweet family film about a talking bear whose spiritual practice of kindness is what we need so desperately in our times. Animated

Pick of the Litter By Dana Nachman, Don Hardy, Jr. A remarkably suspenseful account of the service dog training of five puppies. Documentary

Pope Francis — A Man of His Word By Wim Wenders An inspiring profile of the Catholic Pope who truly walks his talk about love, mercy, and service. Feature

Private Life By Tamara Jenkins A dramady carried by many magic moments of heartache and humor. Feature

Puzzle By Marc Turtletaub A lovely film about friendship and the challenges of middle age. Feature

Roma By Alfonso Cuaron A cinematic valentine to a Mexican maid whose kindness has a positive impact on all those around her. International

Shoplifters By Hirokazu Kore-eda A Japanese film that touches the heart with its sensitive and soulful advocacy of kind-heartedness. International

Springsteen on Broadway By Thom Zimny A breathtaking personal tribute by the songwriter/storyteller to the spirituality of place, relationships, and service. Documentary

Support the Girls By Andrew Bujalski A thematically rich dramady about three women who bond together in response to the humiliations at their workplace. Feature

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs By Ethan Coen, Joel Coen Six stories set in the Old West, each with a message about mortality. Feature

The Cakemaker By Ofir Raul Grazier A subtle, unexpected love story steeped in pain. International

The Dawn Wall By Josh Lowell, Peter Mortimer A suspenseful rock-climbing documentary with the power to lift spirits. Documentary

The Guilty (Den Skyldige) By Gustaf Möller A tense chamber thriller that packs a gut-wrenching punch, even without special effects! International

The Heart of Nuba By Kenneth A. Carlson An inspiring and enlightening portrait of a Catholic doctor in Africa serving over a million people every year Documentary

The Insult By Ziad Doueiri A spiritual masterwork about the harm that can be done with cruel and dehumanizing words. International

The King By Eugene Jarecki Documentary about the rise and decline of Elvis Presley as a metaphor for the rise and decline of America. Documentary

The Land of Steady Habits By Nicole Holofcener An engaging and well-acted drama about the challenges of middle age and suburban living. Feature

The Rider By Chloe Zhao A deeply spiritual film about a Native American's experiences of loss, caregiving, and starting over. Feature

The World Before Your Feet By Jeremy Workman Fascinating documentary about a zealot, the turf he loves, and his gift of wonder. Documentary

Tully By Jason Reitman An extraordinary dramedy about an aspiring supermom who discovers the importance of self-care and the value of the sameness of everyday life. Feature

We the Animals By Jeremiah Zagar A poignant portrait of three brothers growing up amidst poverty and patriarchy who are seeking more from their lives. Feature

What They Had By Elizabeth Chomko A wonderfully human portrait of a family facing a crisis that brings them all to a deeper, richer, and more rewarding life together in love. Feature

Wildlife By Paul Dano An impressive domestic drama illustrating emotional literary and the spiritual practice of impermanence. Feature

Won't You Be My Neighbor? By Morgan Neville An inspiring portrait that reveals how Mister Rogers showed children that they are loved and capable of loving. Documentary

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