Best Steampunk Movies

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine
Rated PG-13

The Prestige is a 2006 psychological thriller directed by Christopher Nolan. It follows two rival magicians, Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman), who become obsessed with making the greatest stage illusion ever known. After a tragic accident on stage, the two men become desperate to outdo each other in their quest for fame and prestige. The movie chronicles the escalating rivalry between the two magicians, which eventually leads to a shocking and deadly climax. Along the way, audiences are taken into the mysterious and secret world of magic, as well as the dark depths of obsession and betrayal.

From Fritz Lang, starring Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel, Gustav Fröhlich, Rudolf Klein-Rogge
Rated Not Rated

Metropolis is an iconic science fiction film, released in 1927 and directed by Fritz Lang. Set in a futuristic urban dystopia, the film follows protagonist Freder, the wealthy son of Metropolis’s ruler, and Maria, a working-class revolutionary, as they seek to bridge the divide between the city’s upper and lower classes. As unrest and injustice sweep the city, Freder discovers the heartless machinations of a mad scientist and must join forces with Maria to save Metropolis from destruction. The film’s groundbreaking special effects and elaborate set designs have made it a classic of the silent era and an influence on many later science fiction films.

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Chieko Baishô, Takuya Kimura, Tatsuya Gashûin, Akihiro Miwa
Rated PG

Howl's Moving Castle is a 2004 animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It tells the story of a young girl, Sophie, who is turned into an old woman by a witch’s curse. In order to break the spell, she must find the mysterious wizard Howl, who lives in a magical, moving castle. Along the way, she encounters a variety of eccentric characters, including a fire demon, a scarecrow, and Howl’s many human and magical friends. Together they must confront the evil Witch of the Waste in a thrilling magical adventure. The film is full of heartwarming moments of friendship and humor, as well as its share of intense action and drama. In the end, Sophie learns that courage, love, and friendship are the most powerful forces in the world.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond
Rated R

Brazil is a dystopian science fiction film by director Terry Gilliam released in 1985. Set in a future chaotic world, the film follows the story of Sam Lowry, a young man stuck in a bureaucratic, authoritarian world full of oppressive technology. Sam becomes obsessed with a mysterious woman he believes is a key to unlocking his dreams, only to find himself embroiled in a web of government conspiracy and corruption. Along the way, he discovers the importance of freedom and the power of his own imagination to create a better world. The film features a surreal visual style and an unconventional soundtrack, both of which have become iconic in cinema.

From Matthew Vaughn, starring Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Sienna Miller, Ian McKellen
Rated PG-13

Stardust is a 2007 fantasy adventure film directed by Matthew Vaughn. Based on Neil Gaiman's novel of the same name, the film follows the story of a young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) who goes on a quest to capture a fallen star and bring it back for his true love, the beautiful Victoria (Sienna Miller). Along the way, Tristan meets a witch (Michelle Pfeiffer), a pirate captain (Robert De Niro), a talking lion (Ian McKellen), an old witch hunter (Ricky Gervais), and a sky pirate (Claire Danes). During his quest, Tristan learns the power of true love, and must use it to save the star from a prince (Mark Strong) and otherworldly forces. With the help of his newfound friends, Tristan ultimately succeeds in his quest, returning the fallen star and securing a happily ever after for himself and Victoria.

From Guy Ritchie, starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong
Rated PG-13

Sherlock Holmes is a 2009 neo-noir mystery film directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Robert Downey Jr. as the titular detective. The film is set in 19th Century London and is based on the classic character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The movie follows Holmes and his faithful sidekick Watson (Jude Law) as they investigate a mysterious cult led by Lord Henry Blackwood (Mark Strong). With the help of Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) and a mysterious Gypsy fortune teller (Rachel McAdams), Holmes is able to uncover the secrets hidden by Blackwood. Along the way, he discovers that Blackwood is using a powerful form of black magic and must find a way to stop him before it is too late.

From Neil Burger, starring Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti, Rufus Sewell
Rated PG-13

The Illusionist is a 2006 drama-romance film directed by Neil Burger, written by Neil Burger and Steven Knight, and starring Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti. The film follows the story of a talented illusionist, Eisenheim (Norton), who uses his skills to win back the love of his life, Sophie (Jessica Biel). When their love affair is discovered by a powerful aristocrat, Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), and Leopold's advisor, Chief Inspector Uhl (Giamatti), Eisenheim is forced to use his magic for dangerous and dark purposes. The film follows the two men as they battle for power and control, and Sophie as she struggles to find her place in the midst of it all. With breathtaking visuals and an emotionally captivating story, The Illusionist is a gripping tale that explores the power of love and the consequences of obsession.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Lee, Ben Kingsley
Rated PG

Hugo is an adventure drama based on Brian Selznick's novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret. The film follows Hugo Cabret, an orphaned boy living in the walls of a Paris train station in 1930s France. Hugo takes it upon himself to repair a broken automaton left to him by his late father. Along the way, he befriends a young girl, Isabelle, and the two embark on a mission to unlock the secret of the automaton. Along the way, Hugo and Isabelle uncover a mystery involving Isabelle's godfather, the station's toy shop proprietor Georges, who happens to be a famous movie director. Hugo and Isabelle find themselves on a journey of discovery as they uncover the truth about his life, as well as a forgotten film that Georges had made decades earlier. Hugo ultimately helps to reunite Georges with his long-lost daughter, Isabelle.

From Guy Ritchie, starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris, Rachel McAdams
Rated PG-13

From Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson, Michael Gambon
Rated R

From Richard Fleischer, starring Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre
Rated G

From Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emma Thompson, Martin Short, Roscoe Lee Browne
Rated PG

From Blake Edwards, starring Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood, Jack Lemmon, Peter Falk
Rated Passed

From Terry Gilliam, starring John Neville, Eric Idle, Sarah Polley, Oliver Reed
Rated PG

From Guillermo del Toro, starring Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, John Alexander
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise, starring Michael J. Fox, Jim Varney, Corey Burton, Claudia Christian
Rated PG

From Guillermo del Toro, starring Ron Perlman, Doug Jones, Selma Blair, John Hurt
Rated PG-13

From Brad Silberling, starring Jim Carrey, Jude Law, Meryl Streep, Liam Aiken
Rated PG

From Katsuhiro Ôtomo, starring Anna Paquin, Patrick Stewart, Alfred Molina, Anne Suzuki
Rated PG-13

From Andrew Stanton, starring Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Samantha Morton
Rated PG-13

From Gil Kenan, starring Saoirse Ronan, Toby Jones, Bill Murray, David Ryall
Rated PG

From Chris Weitz, starring Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Dakota Blue Richards, Ben Walker
Rated PG-13

From Tommy Wirkola, starring Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Peter Stormare, Famke Janssen
Rated R

From Stephen Sommers, starring Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, Shuler Hensley
Rated PG-13

From Zack Snyder, starring Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone
Rated PG-13