Movies About Astral Projection

From Christopher Nolan, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Ken Watanabe
Rated PG-13

Inception is a science fiction action thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The story follows the world-renowned extractor Dom Cobb and his team of specialists as they conduct a dangerous mission of corporate espionage by entering the subconscious minds of their targets through dream-sharing technology. The team is tasked with planting an idea in the mind of a CEO, in order to manipulate his company's actions. Through a series of increasingly complex dream levels, Cobb and his team must find a way to complete their mission before time runs out. The film explores the limits of the human mind, the power of dreams and the power of the imagination.

From David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Meat Loaf, Zach Grenier
Rated R

Fight Club is a 1999 American drama film directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton. The film is a darkly humorous and thought-provoking exploration of masculinity, consumerism, and a growing discontentment and alienation in modern society. The story follows a disaffected white-collar worker (Norton) who forms an underground fight club with soap salesman Tyler Durden (Pitt), and is drawn into a nihilistic cult-like organization. Along with exploring themes of masculinity and consumerism, the film also deals with themes of existentialism, postmodernism, and anarchism. Fight Club was a commercial and critical success and has since become a cult classic.

From Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
Rated R

The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction action film written and directed by the Wachowski siblings. Set in a dystopian future, the film follows Thomas A. Anderson (Keanu Reeves), a computer programmer known to the public as hacker "Neo". He is contacted by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), who reveals that Neo is living in a simulated reality called the Matrix. He then offers Neo a chance to learn the truth about the Matrix and join the group of rebels who are attempting to overthrow the Machines, the powerful artificial intelligence that controls the Matrix. Neo, Morpheus and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) battle a variety of Agents, sent by the Machines to eliminate the rebels, and eventually Neo learns that he is "The One", a figure prophesied to lead the rebellion to victory. With the help of the rebels, Neo eventually defeats the Machines and learns the truth behind the Matrix.

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Miyu Irino, Rumi Hiiragi
Rated PG

Spirited Away is an animated fantasy film by Hayao Miyazaki, released in 2001. It tells the story of a young girl named Chihiro, who finds herself lost in a strange and magical world. Accompanied by her parents, Chihiro is drawn into a mysterious bathhouse, where she meets a strange cast of characters, including a mysterious boy named Haku. With the help of her new friends, Chihiro must find a way to free her parents from a magical spell and return home. Along the way, she learns the importance of friendship, courage, and determination. In the end, Chihiro overcomes her fears and finds a way to free her parents, and save the world from the evil witch Yubaba.

From Michel Gondry, starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, Gerry Robert Byrne
Rated R

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 romantic science-fiction comedy-drama film written by Charlie Kaufman, directed by Michel Gondry and starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet. The story follows a couple, Joel and Clementine, who undergo a procedure to erase each other from their memories after their relationship becomes strained. Although the procedure erases all memories of each other, it does not erase their feelings for one another. As Joel attempts to erase Clementine from his mind, he finds himself re-experiencing moments of their relationship. In the end, he decides to keep the memories of their love instead of having them removed.

From M. Night Shyamalan, starring Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams
Rated PG-13

The Sixth Sense is a supernatural psychological horror film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It stars Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, and Toni Collette and follows the story of Cole Sear, a troubled, isolated boy who is able to see and talk to the dead. He is desperate to find a way to make them go away, and his therapist Dr. Malcolm Crowe, played by Willis, eventually realizes that he has the gift, or curse, of communicating with the dead. As the story progresses, it is revealed that Cole is being haunted by the ghost of a murdered girl, and Dr. Crowe must help him to uncover the truth about her death in order to set them both free. The film's twist ending reveals that Malcolm himself is actually dead, having been murdered by the girl's ex-boyfriend. The powerful ending makes for an unforgettable movie experience.

From Guillermo del Toro, starring Ivana Baquero, Ariadna Gil, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú
Rated R

Pan's Labyrinth is a 2006 fantasy drama film written and directed by Guillermo del Toro and starring Ivana Baquero as a young girl who discovers a secret fantasy world in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War. Set in rural Spain in 1944, the story follows Ofelia, a young girl who moves with her pregnant mother to a new home, where she meets and befriends a mysterious faun in a hidden labyrinth. The faun tells Ofelia that she is a princess from an underground kingdom and must perform three tasks in order to return home. As Ofelia embarks on her perilous journey, her stepfather, Captain Vidal, a cruel and oppressive military officer, is hunting down rebels in the area. Ofelia must battle monsters, treachery, and ultimately the forces of despotism in her quest to reclaim her rightful place as princess of the underworld.

From Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky
Rated PG

Groundhog Day is a 1993 American fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, and Chris Elliott. The film follows Phil Connors (Murray), a TV weatherman in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, who is forced to relive the same day, Groundhog Day, over and over again. With every repetition of the day, Phil attempts to better himself and win the love of his colleague, Rita (MacDowell). As time passes, he becomes a better person and eventually gains the courage to pursue his dreams. Groundhog Day is a unique exploration of the human condition in which Phil ultimately discovers the value of life and the importance of choosing one's own destiny.

From Richard Kelly, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne
Rated R

Donnie Darko is a psychological thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal as the title character, a troubled teenage boy living in a small town in the United States. Donnie begins to experience visions of a large, demonic-looking rabbit named Frank who tells him the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. As he tries to make sense of his visions, Donnie creates chaos in his town and his own life, all while trying to protect his loved ones from an unknown evil force. As the days count down, Donnie discovers what he must do to prevent the destruction of the universe. The film explores themes of mental illness, science, religion, and fate.

From Federico Fellini, starring Marcello Mastroianni, Anouk Aimée, Claudia Cardinale, Sandra Milo
Rated Not Rated

8½ is the story of Guido Anselmi (Marcello Mastroianni), a famous Italian film director, who finds himself unable to make the next film he is supposed to direct. He has a mid-life crisis and struggles to find his creative inspiration. He also has to contend with his wife, mistress, producer, and other people in his life who all want something from him. Through his conversations with them, he comes to understand the nature of his life and his artistic vision. He eventually finds the strength to move forward and complete his film. 8½ is an exploration of the creative process and the joys and pains of artistry, as well as a meditation on the importance of relationships and love.

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

Brazil is a dystopian science fiction film directed by Terry Gilliam and written by Gilliam, Charles McKeown, and Tom Stoppard. Set in a future where a bureaucratic, totalitarian government is in control, the story follows Sam Lowry, a low-level bureaucrat who finds himself in a never-ending struggle against the oppressive regime. He begins to discover the truth behind the strange occurrences of society, including the mysterious death of an innocent man who is reported as a terrorist. Sam teams up with a rebel group and together they fight against the system, leading to an explosive conclusion. Brazil is an imaginative, darkly humorous look at the power of government and its effect on the individual.

From David Lynch, starring Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Jeanne Bates
Rated R

Mulholland Drive is a mystery-drama film directed by David Lynch. The story follows Betty Elms, an aspiring actress from Canada, who arrives in Los Angeles for a new life. She meets Rita, a woman who has lost her memory and has been involved in a mysterious car accident. As Betty and Rita search for clues about Rita's identity, they uncover a far-reaching mystery that is linked to a dark underworld of Hollywood. As their investigation leads them to uncovering the truth, they come to realize that their lives, and the lives of those around them, are intertwined in a way they never could have imagined. With its surreal imagery and psychological themes, Mulholland Drive is a film that both engrosses and confounds its audience.

From James Cameron, starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez
Rated PG-13

Avatar is a science fiction action-adventure film released in 2009, directed by James Cameron. Set in the year 2154 on the distant moon of Pandora, the story follows disabled former marine Jake Sully who is brought to Pandora by an Earth-based corporation to find a valuable mineral. Jake is given a new body, an avatar, which helps him get around on Pandora and interact with the locals, the Na’vi, who are tall and blue-skinned aliens. Jake falls in love with the Na’vi princess, Neytiri, and chooses to side with the Na’vi when the corporation tries to take over Pandora. He leads a battle against the corporation, ultimately saving Pandora from destruction.

From Brad Anderson, starring Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, John Sharian
Rated R

The Machinist is a psychological thriller directed by Brad Anderson in 2004. The film stars Christian Bale as Trevor Reznik, a machinist who has not slept for a year due to extreme insomnia. His mental health and physical health have deteriorated significantly as a result of his insomnia, and he begins to experience paranoia and hallucinations. He comes to believe that someone is out to get him, and that his co-workers are plotting against him. He also discovers that he may have been involved in a fatal accident the year before, but he cannot remember the details. With the help of a prostitute and a new co-worker, he begins to unravel the mysteries of his past and his insomnia. Ultimately, he discovers the shocking truth and is able to free himself from his own personal hell.

From Richard Linklater, starring Ethan Hawke, Trevor Jack Brooks, Lorelei Linklater, Wiley Wiggins
Rated R

Waking Life is a 2001 rotoscope animated film written and directed by Richard Linklater. The film follows the dream of a young man, played by Wiley Wiggins, as he wanders through a series of dreamlike realities, encountering a variety of individuals and engaging in philosophical conversations. During his travels, he experiences moments of profound insight, but he is also left questioning the boundaries of reality. As he searches for meaning and understanding, the film explores themes of identity, the meaning of life, and the power of imagination.

From Satoshi Kon, starring Megumi Hayashibara, Tôru Emori, Katsunosuke Hori, Tôru Furuya
Rated R

Paprika is a 2006 Japanese animated science fiction film directed and co-written by Satoshi Kon, based on Yasutaka Tsutsui's 1993 novel of the same name. The film follows a strong female lead, Dr. Atsuko Chiba, and her alter-ego, the mysterious, dream-invading "Paprika". Chiba and her colleagues work at the Institute for Psychiatric Research and use a device called the DC Mini to investigate the dreams of their patients. When the DC Mini is stolen, the characters must venture into the dream world in order to locate the stolen device and prevent a disaster that could affect the entire world. Along the way, they are forced to confront their own inner demons and the boundaries between fantasy and reality become increasingly blurred.

From Directors: Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber, starring Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart, Melora Walters, Elden Henson
Rated R

The Butterfly Effect is a 2004 American science fiction psychological thriller film directed by Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber. It stars Ashton Kutcher as the protagonist, a young man named Evan Treborn, with Amy Smart, Melora Walters, and Eric Stoltz in supporting roles. The film follows Evan as he discovers he has the ability to time travel, which he uses to try and fix his past and present, only to find that his actions have unexpected consequences. He continually jumps back in time to different points in his life, attempting to set things right, but his attempts to fix his past only serve to worsen his present life. The film highlights the idea that people have the potential to affect their own destinies and that even small changes can have far-reaching consequences.

From Alex Proyas, starring Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt
Rated R

Dark City is a 1998 science-fiction film directed by Alex Proyas. It tells the story of a man, John Murdoch, who wakes up in a bathtub with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He soon discovers that the city he lives in is under the control of powerful beings called the Strangers, who can control peoples’ memories and manipulate reality. He must discover the truth of his identity, while also fighting against the Strangers to protect the city from their sinister plans. With the help of a mysterious doctor, a detective, and a woman from his past, John ultimately finds a way to defeat the Strangers and save the city.

From Duncan Jones, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright
Rated PG-13

Source Code is a science fiction film about a U.S. Army pilot named Captain Colter Stevens (played by Jake Gyllenhaal). After waking up from a mission in Afghanistan, Stevens finds himself inside a mysterious simulator where he is tasked with living out the last eight minutes of another person's life in order to discover the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. He soon realizes that he is part of a government experiment called the "Source Code," a program that allows him to jump into the past and alter events, with the ultimate goal of preventing a larger terrorist attack. He soon finds himself in a race against time as he desperately tries to unravel the mystery and save the lives of the train passengers. Faced with difficult moral choices, Stevens learns that the power of the Source Code is greater than he ever imagined.

From Paul Verhoeven, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Rachel Ticotin
Rated R

Total Recall is a 1990 sci-fi action film directed by Paul Verhoeven starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, and Michael Ironside. The film follows protagonist Douglas Quaid (Schwarzenegger), a construction worker who takes a holiday to Mars, only to discover that his entire life is a fabrication and that he is actually a secret agent working for a powerful corporation. As he uncovers the truth, Quaid must face off against the corporation's forces while attempting to find a way to stop them and save his own life. Along the way, Quaid is aided by Melina (Stone), a beautiful resistance fighter, and fought against by Richter (Ironside), a ruthless corporate enforcer. Through a series of thrilling events, Quaid ultimately triumphs over the corporation and is reunited with Melina.

From Adrian Lyne, starring Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña, Danny Aiello, Matt Craven
Rated R

From Wes Craven, starring Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp, Robert Englund, John Saxon
Rated R

From Michel Gondry, starring Gael García Bernal, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Miou-Miou, Alain Chabat
Rated R

From George Nolfi, starring Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Lisa Thoreson, Florence Kastriner
Rated PG-13

From Josef Rusnak, starring Craig Bierko, Gretchen Mol, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Vincent D'Onofrio
Rated R