Movies About Lucid Dreaming

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

Inception is a heist movie set in a world of dreams and the dream of a lifetime. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a thief who specializes in the art of extraction: stealing valuable secrets from within the subconscious during the dream state when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb is offered a chance at redemption when he is presented with the seemingly impossible task of planting an idea in a person’s mind, instead of stealing it. He assembles a team of experts to help him: Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Eames (Tom Hardy), Ariadne (Ellen Page), Saito (Ken Watanabe), and Yusuf (Dileep Rao). The team must navigate a series of increasingly complex dreams, within dreams, in order to plant the idea of success in the mind of a corporate rival. As the team is forced to confront their own dark secrets and mortal enemies, they must use their skills to keep from getting trapped in a never-ending dream world.

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

Fight Club is a 1999 film directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton. It follows an unnamed protagonist, who is unable to cope with his white-collar life and forms an underground fight club with Tyler Durden, played by Pitt. The fight club evolves into an organization known as Project Mayhem, which strives to reassert the power and masculinity of men in a materialistic society. As the organization's leader, Tyler wages a campaign of mayhem and destruction against credit card companies and other symbols of corporate America. The film culminates in an explosive climax in which the narrator and Tyler battle for control of Project Mayhem.

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 Wachowskis. It stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano. The film follows computer programmer Thomas Anderson, who is living a double life under the hacker alias "Neo". He is contacted by Morpheus, a revolutionary who believes that the Matrix is a computer-generated dream world created by machines. Morpheus believes that Neo is "the One" who will save humanity from enslavement in the Matrix. Neo learns that the Matrix is a simulation of the world as it was in 1999 in which intelligent machines have enslaved humanity. They harvest human bodies for energy and use their minds to create the Matrix. Neo must choose whether to accept his destiny and join Morpheus in his mission to destroy the Matrix, or to remain in the Matrix and become an agent of the machines. The Matrix was a critical and commercial success, praised for its groundbreaking visual effects, cinematography, and entertainment value. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest science fiction films of all time.

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

Spirited Away is an animated fantasy film directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Released in 2001, it tells the story of a young girl named Chihiro, who stumbles upon a spirit world while moving to a new town with her family. After her parents are turned into pigs by an evil witch, Chihiro must find a way to free them and herself from the spirit world. Along the way, she befriends a cast of eccentric characters, including a mysterious boy called Haku, and works for a bath house run by the powerful witch Yubaba. With the help of her new friends, Chihiro embarks on a journey to save her parents and discover her own strength.

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 and directed by Michel Gondry. It follows an estranged couple, played by Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, who have each erased the memories of their relationship, only to begin to fall back in love once more. The film is set in an alternate reality, where a company has developed a technology allowing people to erase memories from their minds. The film follows Joel Barish (Carrey) and Clementine Kruczynski (Winslet) as they decide to erase their memories of each other, only to find themselves falling back in love all over again. The film explores themes such as identity, consumerism, love, and loss.

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

The Sixth Sense is a 1999 supernatural horror film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The film stars Bruce Willis as Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist who tries to help a young boy named Cole played by Haley Joel Osment who is troubled by disturbing visions. Malcolm discovers that Cole is able to see and talk to the dead, but no one else is able to see them. As Malcolm attempts to help Cole and understand his unique ability, they both come to realize a shocking truth about the world of the dead and the living. The Sixth Sense is widely regarded as one of the best horror films of all time and is remembered for its haunting story and unexpected twist ending.

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

Pan's Labyrinth is a 2006 dark fantasy film directed by Guillermo del Toro. Set in Spain in 1944, the story follows Ofelia, a young girl who discovers a magical world beneath the earth in which she must complete three tasks in order to become a princess. At the same time, Ofelia and her pregnant mother are living with her stepfather, Vidal, a cruel and oppressive captain in the Spanish military who is attempting to stamp out the last vestiges of the rebel movement. Ofelia's journey and quest becomes an allegory for her coming of age, as she must confront the harsh realities of life and find a way to reconcile the two worlds.

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

Groundhog Day is a 1993 American comedy fantasy film directed by Harold Ramis and starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, and Chris Elliott. The film centers on Phil Connors (Murray), an egocentric Pittsburgh TV weatherman who is sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He finds himself in a time loop, repeating the same day again and again. Each time Phil wakes up, it's Groundhog Day all over again. In an effort to escape the loop, Phil makes various attempts to better himself and the lives of those around him, but nothing works and the loop continues. Phil eventually learns the true importance of living a meaningful life and decides to use the time loop to his advantage, becoming a better person in the process. In the end, Phil is able to break free of the time loop and move on with his life.

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

Donnie Darko is a troubled teenager living in a suburban town in 1988. After being woken up in the middle of the night by a mysterious figure in a menacing rabbit costume, Donnie begins to experience visions of the future and be plagued by apocalyptic warnings. As his visions become more surreal and intense, Donnie finds himself in a race against time to unravel the mystery of his visions and figure out how to prevent a global disaster. Along the way, Donnie discovers a world of dark secrets and conspiracies, and must confront his own inner demons in order to save the world.

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

8½ is a surrealist classic from Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. The story follows Guido Anselmi, a successful yet troubled Italian filmmaker whose life and career has become a creative and existential crisis. He is unable to move forward on the script for his next film and instead dreams, fantasizes, and reminisces about his past. He is surrounded by a variety of people, including his wife, mistress, and film crew, all of whom want something different from him. As he navigates his way through the jumble of his life, Guido slowly begins to come to terms with who he is and what he wants. 8½ is a reflection on the power of creativity, the complexities of personal identity, and the joys and struggles of life.

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

Brazil is a 1985 dystopian science fiction film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Jonathan Pryce, Robert DeNiro, Katherine Helmond, Bob Hoskins, Ian Holm, and Michael Palin. Set in an Orwellian future, the film centers on Sam Lowry, a low-level civil servant in a bureaucratic society who is struggling to make sense of his life. After a paperwork mix-up leads to an innocent man's wrongful execution, he begins to see grotesque, sinister figures from a dream world that haunt him day and night. In his quest to find out who he is and why these figures are appearing, Sam uncovers a shady plot by the government to control its citizens. With its unique blend of dark comedy, satire, and surrealism, Brazil was both a critical and box office success, winning numerous awards and establishing Gilliam as one of the leading filmmakers of the 1980s.

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

Mulholland Drive is a surreal neo-noir mystery film directed by David Lynch. The film follows the story of an aspiring actress named Betty Elms, who arrives in Los Angeles and quickly becomes entangled in a complex mystery involving a woman suffering from amnesia, a wealthy benefactor, and a wide array of strange characters. As the story progresses, Betty and the amnesiac woman, Rita, begin to piece together the strange events of the prior evening, slowly uncovering a sinister plot that threatens to destroy both their lives. As the story unfolds, Betty and Rita find themselves at the center of a twisted tale involving the dark underbelly of Hollywood, dreamlike sequences, and supernatural elements. The film is notable for its nonlinear narrative, darkly surreal atmosphere, and complex plot.

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

Avatar is a science fiction epic film set in the year 2154. The story follows Jake Sully, a paraplegic former Marine who is sent to Pandora, a moon in a distant star system, to help the human colonists mine the valuable mineral unobtanium. Jake falls in love with Neytiri, a native Na'vi woman and by gaining her trust he is able to learn the Na'vi way of life. As Jake begins to side with the Na'vi and fight against the human colonists, he must also find a way to bridge the gap between two very different cultures. In the end, Jake is able to form an alliance between the Na'vi and the humans, saving the Na'vi's sacred land and preserving their way of life.

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. The film follows Trevor Reznik, a machinist who has not been able to sleep for a year. As his physical and mental health deteriorates, Trevor grows increasingly paranoid that someone is out to get him. He begins to believe that his co-workers are conspiring against him and that someone is leaving strange post-it notes around his apartment. As his paranoia intensifies, he begins to wonder if he is responsible for a horrific accident at the factory. The Machinist is a tense and gripping exploration of mental illness, isolation, and guilt.

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

Waking Life is a 2001 American rotoscoped adult animated philosophical science fiction comedy-drama film directed by Richard Linklater. It stars Wiley Wiggins as a young man who wanders through a succession of dream-like realities wherein he encounters a series of individuals who engage in insightful philosophical discussions. The film's dialogue is largely improvised and its plot is presented as a series of philosophical questions and dialogues. The film contains elements of existentialism, situationism, and postmodernism. The narrator introduces the various characters who discuss a wide gamut of philosophical topics such as the meaning of life, free will, our relationships with others, and the subjective nature of reality. The film is presented in a non-linear format, blending the boundaries of reality and dreams. Waking Life ultimately deals with the issue of personal choice, asking whether we are in control of our lives, or if our decisions are predetermined.

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

Paprika is an animated psychological thriller about Atsuko Chiba, a scientist who develops a device that allows therapists to enter the dreams of their patients. The device also grants Chiba the ability to travel into her own dreams and the dreams of others. Chiba's alter ego, Paprika, uses the device to help solve the mysterious dream-related crimes that have been occurring in the city. As Chiba and her allies get closer to solving the mystery, the boundaries between dreams and reality become increasingly blurred, and a dark force threatens to take over the minds of the city's citizens. In the end, Chiba must confront the true nature of the dream world and find a way to restore balance.

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

The Butterfly Effect is a 2004 psychological thriller starring Ashton Kutcher. The film follows Kutcher's character Evan Treborn, a young man who discovers he has the ability to go back in time and change the past, thereby altering the present and future as well. When he attempts to use his powers to improve the lives of his childhood friends, he instead unleashes a series of tragic events that threaten to destroy them all. Evan must face the consequences of his actions, learn how to control his time-traveling abilities, and ultimately decide the fate of his own future.

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

Dark City is a 1998 sci-fi film directed by Alex Proyas. It follows John Murdoch, an amnesiac man who awakens to find himself wanted for a series of brutal and bizarre murders. He soon discovers that he is actually an experimental subject in a vast, mysterious experiment conducted by a group of aliens known as the Strangers. These aliens have been manipulating the inhabitants of the "Dark City" in a centuries long experiment in search of the secret to the human soul. With the help of a mysterious doctor and a female police officer, Murdoch must uncover the secrets of Dark City before the Strangers are able to take over the world.

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

Source Code is a science fiction thriller directed by Duncan Jones and starring Jake Gyllenhaal. The story follows Captain Colter Stevens, a soldier, who is part of a top-secret military experiment called the 'Source Code'. Through this experiment, Colter is able to enter into the body of another man and relive his last 8 minutes in order to identify the perpetrator of a deadly train bombing in Chicago. With the help of a fellow passenger, Christina, Stevens must race against the clock to solve the mystery of who is responsible for the bombing before it happens again. As he continues to relive these 8 minutes, he discovers clues and secrets about the bomber and his own past that put his own life in danger. Ultimately, Stevens must make a life-altering decision in order to save the lives of everyone on the train.

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

Total Recall is a 1990 science fiction action film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone, and Ronny Cox. The film follows construction worker Douglas Quaid (Schwarzenegger) as he discovers he is actually a secret agent from Mars and embarks on a journey to uncover his true identity. Along the way, Quaid must battle a number of enemies and discover the hidden truth about Mars and its inhabitants. The film has been praised for its action sequences and darkly humorous tone, and was a box office success.

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