Movies About Meaning Of Life

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption is an American classic film released in 1994 directed by Frank Darabont. It tells the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a successful banker who is wrongly convicted of the murder of his wife and her lover, and sent to Shawshank State Prison. Despite a harsh prison environment, Andy befriends Red (Morgan Freeman), and together they find solace and hope in their relentless pursuit of freedom. Throughout the years, Andy uses his wit and smarts to plan his escape from the prison, and is finally successful in a daring and courageous act. The film is an inspiring story of hope and redemption, and a powerful exploration of justice and friendship.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field
Rated PG-13

Forrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy-drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film stars Tom Hanks as the titular character alongside Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, and Sally Field. Forrest Gump is a simple, kind-hearted and naïve man from Alabama who has an IQ of 75 yet leads a remarkable life, experiencing first-hand major events in the United States from the 1950s to the early 1990s - including his service in the Vietnam War, an encounter with John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, and a meeting with Elvis Presley. He befriends a number of people throughout his life, including his childhood friend Jenny Curran, whom he loves despite the fact that she repeatedly spurns him. The movie follows Forrest as he recounts his life's story from the bus stop, often talking to strangers who are waiting for the bus. As such, Forrest Gump is an exploration of destiny and chance, with Forrest's simple yet profound outlook on life deeply affecting the people he meets. The film, which earned over $677 million worldwide, was an instant success, earning 13 total academy awards and becoming the highest

From Frank Capra, starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell
Rated PG

It's a Wonderful Life is a classic holiday film directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore. The story follows George Bailey, a young man from the small town of Bedford Falls, who has sacrificed his dreams of travelling the world in order to help others in his community. When he finds himself facing financial ruin and arrest for a crime he didn't commit, his guardian angel, Clarence, shows him what life would have been like for everyone in his town had he never been born. George discovers the true impact of his life on others, and ultimately decides to stay and make the most of his life. With the help of friends, family, and even his rival, Mr. Potter, he is able to save his business and can finally live his life to the fullest.

From Roberto Benigni, starring Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini, Giustino Durano
Rated PG-13

Life Is Beautiful is an Italian comedy-drama set during World War II. The story centers on the life of an Italian Jewish father, Guido (played by Benigni), and his son Giosué. Guido, who is determined to shield his son from the horrors of the concentration camps, uses his wits and imagination to protect Giosué from the truth. He creates a game in which he pretends their life in the camp is an adventure, and Giosué must win a tank by collecting a thousand points. Through the power of love and imagination, Guido is able to protect Giosué from the horrors of war and help him keep his innocence. In the end, Guido succeeds in his mission and Giosué is reunited with his mother. The film is a moving and humorous testament to the power of love and resilience in the face of adversity.

From Directors: Olivier Nakache, Éric Toledano, starring François Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny, Audrey Fleurot
Rated R

The Intouchables is a 2011 French drama film directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano. It tells the true story of the unlikely friendship between Philippe, a wealthy aristocrat who is a quadriplegic as a result of an accident, and Driss, an ex-con from a tough neighborhood who becomes his caretaker. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, the two men form an unlikely bond that teaches both of them valuable life lessons. Philippe helps Driss to see beyond his criminal past and realize his potential, while Driss shows Philippe how to live life to the fullest despite his disability. The film is a heartwarming story of friendship, resilience, and overcoming obstacles.

From Peter Weir, starring Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich
Rated PG

The Truman Show is a 1998 American comedy-drama film directed by Peter Weir and written by Andrew Niccol. It stars Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, a man whose life is unknowingly a reality television show broadcast around the clock to billions of people around the world. The film also stars Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich, Natascha McElhone, Holland Taylor, Ed Harris, and Brian Delate. The film follows Truman, an ordinary man from Seahaven, a town that has been constructed for a television show. Truman is unaware that his entire life is being broadcast on a reality TV show where viewers watch his every move. As he begins to suspect the truth, Truman struggles to escape the artificial world that he has been living in. The film explores themes of voyeurism, media exploitation, and privacy.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi
Rated R

The Big Lebowski is a 1998 American crime comedy film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, a Los Angeles slacker, is assaulted as a result of mistaken identity. The Dude learns that a millionaire also named Jeffrey Lebowski was the intended victim. As compensation for the damages to his rug, the Dude visits the other Lebowski, a wheelchair-bound eccentric millionaire. The millionaire offers the Dude a job to deliver a ransom to secure the release of his kidnapped wife. The Dude soon finds himself entwined in a complex ransom scheme, as a series of misadventures befall him and his friends. Along the way, they meet a cast of characters including a nihilistic German bowler, a devoutly religious Latino bowler, a suspiciously smooth-talking millionaire, and a crippled millionaire. With a series of double-crosses and deceptions, the Dude eventually unravels the conspiracy behind the kidnapping and uncovers a treasure trove of money and a valuable rug.

From Sean Penn, starring Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, Marcia Gay Harden
Rated R

Into the Wild is a 2007 American biographical adventure drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Sean Penn. The film is based on the 1996 non-fiction book of the same name by Jon Krakauer and tells the story of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), a man who hiked across North America into the Alaskan wilderness in the early 1990s. The story follows McCandless’s adventures as he sets off on a journey of self-discovery and exploration, as he leaves his privileged life behind in pursuit of a simpler existence in the wild. Along the way, he meets up with a variety of people and experiences, including a friendly crop-duster pilot (Vince Vaughn), a lonely old man (Hal Holbrook), and a group of hippie dreamers (Catherine Keener). Ultimately, he learns the true value of the wilderness and comes to terms with his own mortality.

From Martin Brest, starring Al Pacino, Chris O'Donnell, James Rebhorn, Gabrielle Anwar
Rated R

Scent of a Woman is a 1992 American drama film directed by Martin Brest and starring Al Pacino, Chris O'Donnell, and James Rebhorn. The film follows a young prep school student, Charlie Simms (O'Donnell), who takes a job over the Thanksgiving weekend as a companion for blind, retired Lt. Col. Frank Slade (Pacino). Slade is a cantankerous, hard-drinking, and gruff man, who takes Charlie on a journey to New York City to experience life to the fullest. Along the way, Charlie discovers Slade's tragic past and helps him to confront the truth and accept his fate. Despite their differences, the two men develop a strong bond and Charlie learns valuable lessons about life and friendship.

From Directors: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan, starring Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Saurabh Shukla, Anil Kapoor
Rated R

Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British drama film directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan. The film tells the story of Jamal Malik, an 18-year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai who is suddenly on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? With knowledge gained from a lifetime of hardship, Jamal answers every question correctly and wins the grand prize. His journey to success leads him to a reunion with the long lost love of his life, Latika. Along the way, Jamal must confront the corruption of the game show and the harsher realities of his past. Slumdog Millionaire offers an uplifting and inspiring look at the power of love and hope in the face of immense adversity.

From Ang Lee, starring Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussain, Tabu
Rated PG

Life of Pi is a 2012 fantasy adventure drama film directed by Ang Lee. Based on the 2001 novel of the same name by Yann Martel, the film tells the story of an Indian teenage boy and his fight for survival while stranded in a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. The film follows the story of Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma), who is the son of a zookeeper in Pondicherry, India. When Pi's family decides to move to Canada, the ship carrying them and their animals, including a Bengal tiger, sinks in a storm. Pi survives in a lifeboat with the tiger, a zebra, an orangutan and a hyena. After the hyena kills the other animals, Pi forms an unlikely relationship with the tiger, Richard Parker, and the two embark on a journey of faith, discovery and adventure. The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning four including Best Director for Ang Lee. The film was also the recipient of numerous other awards.

From Alejandro Jodorowsky, starring Alejandro Jodorowsky, Horacio Salinas, Zamira Saunders, Juan Ferrara
Rated R

The Holy Mountain is a 1973 Mexican-American surrealist film directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky. It follows the spiritual journey of a nameless thief, who is guided by a mysterious alchemist, "The Alchemist", on a quest to find the mythical Holy Mountain in order to gain immortality. Along the way, they encounter nine powerful figures representing aspects of human life, who help the thief realize his true self and restore the balance between mankind and the gods. The film is allegorical in nature, with imagery and symbolism drawn from alchemy, tarot, Christianity, and the occult. The Thief and the Alchemist's journey is seen as an exploration of the human experience and a search for enlightenment. The film has been praised by critics for its daring visual style and its exploration of spirituality.

From Directors: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris, starring Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Abigail Breslin
Rated R

Little Miss Sunshine is a 2006 American comedy-drama film about a dysfunctional family who embark on a road trip to get their young daughter to a beauty pageant. The family consists of the father Richard Hoover, a failed motivational speaker, the mother Sheryl, an overworked nurse, the grandfather Edwin, a heroin-snorting war veteran, the brother Dwayne, a sullen teenager who has taken a vow of silence, the uncle Frank, a gay professor, and Olive, the daughter who dreams of taking home a Little Miss Sunshine title. The journey is fraught with a series of misadventures, including a run-in with a menacing trucker, and the family's car breaking down in the middle of the desert. As the family gets closer to their destination, they encounter a series of characters who challenge their beliefs and push them to confront their own individual issues. In the end, the family learns to accept each other and themselves, and Olive proves that a spirit of optimism can bring everyone together.

From Hannes Holm, starring Rolf Lassgård, Bahar Pars, Filip Berg, Ida Engvoll
Rated PG-13

A Man Called Ove is a Swedish drama film directed by Hannes Holm and based on the novel of the same name by Fredrik Backman. The film follows the life of Ove, a grumpy and recently-widowed 59-year-old man who isolates himself from his small town. After a series of unfortunate events, Ove's world is disrupted when a new family moves in next door. Through interactions with his new neighbors, Ove begins to open up and find a new zest for life. Ultimately, Ove learns to let go of his past and rediscovers the joys of friendship and community.

From Mimi Leder, starring Kevin Spacey, Haley Joel Osment, Helen Hunt, Jay Mohr
Rated PG-13

From Wayne Wang, starring Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Timothy Hutton, Giancarlo Esposito
Rated PG-13