Movies About Pagans

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

Spirited Away is a 2001 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film tells the story of Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl who, while moving to a new neighborhood, enters the world of spirits and gods which exist in a bathhouse. She must find a way to survive in this strange world and rescue her parents, who have been transformed into pigs by a witch. Along the way, she befriends a cast of characters and learns to look within herself for the courage and strength to face her fears and overcome obstacles. Filled with stunning animation and a powerful story about self-discovery, Spirited Away is an internationally acclaimed classic and one of Miyazaki's most beloved films.

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Yôji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yûko Tanaka, Billy Crudup
Rated PG-13

Princess Mononoke is an epic animated adventure from director Hayao Miyazaki. Set in the late Muromachi period of Japan, the film follows the story of Ashitaka, a prince of the Emishi people, who is forced to leave his village after being cursed by a demon. On his quest to find a cure for his curse, he finds himself in the midst of a battle between humans, led by Lady Eboshi, and the animal guardians of the forest, led by the wolf god Moro and her human daughter San (Princess Mononoke). As the conflict between the two sides intensifies, Ashitaka must choice between his own people and the animals of the forest in order to bring peace and balance to the land.

From Directors: Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina, starring Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach
Rated PG

Coco is a 2017 animated adventure film directed by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina. It follows the story of Miguel, a young Mexican boy who dreams of being a musician despite his family’s generations-old ban on music. He accidentally stumbles into the Land of the Dead, where he meets his long-deceased relatives and discovers his true family history. With the help of his newfound friends, Miguel embarks on a journey to find a way back to the Land of the Living and fulfill his musical ambitions. Along the way, he learns about the power of family and the importance of honoring one’s ancestors. Coco is a heartwarming film about the strong bonds of family, the importance of tradition, and the enduring power of music.

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

Pan's Labyrinth is a dark fantasy film set in Francoist Spain in 1944. It follows a young girl named Ofelia, who discovers a magical labyrinth, inhabited by a mysterious faun. He tells her that she is a princess from a faraway kingdom, and must complete three dangerous tasks in order to reclaim her throne. As Ofelia embarks on her journey, she faces both the harsh realities of life under the rule of her cruel stepfather and the mystical dangers of the fairy-tale world. Along the way, she must confront her deepest fears and come to terms with her own identity.

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Hitoshi Takagi, Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, Shigesato Itoi
Rated G

My Neighbor Totoro is a 1988 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and animated by Studio Ghibli. The story follows Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei, who move into an old house in the countryside to be closer to their ailing mother. The two explore their surroundings and soon discover magical creatures living in the nearby forest, including a giant, imposing creature called Totoro. With the help of Totoro and his friends, the girls embark on a magical journey that teaches them the importance of family and the beauty of nature.

From Tomm Moore, starring David Rawle, Brendan Gleeson, Lisa Hannigan, Fionnula Flanagan
Rated PG

Song of the Sea is an animated fantasy film directed by Tomm Moore, released in 2014. It tells the story of Ben and Saoirse, a brother and sister who live in a seaside cottage in Ireland with their father. After the death of their mother, their grandmother reveals to them that Saoirse is a selkie, a mythical being who can transform from a seal to a human, and that she must embark on a quest to save the fairyfolk of Ireland and restore balance to the world. Along the way, they encounter mythical creatures and magical sights, and Ben must learn to understand and accept his sister’s special gifts. The film is an ode to Irish folklore, and is full of beautiful visuals and an enchanting score.

From Directors: Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey, starring Evan McGuire, Brendan Gleeson, Mick Lally, Christen Mooney
Rated Not Rated

The Secret of Kells follows the story of Brendan, a young monk living in Ireland during the 9th century. With the help of a magical cat named Pangur Bán, Brendan embarks on a quest to finish a legendary book called the Book of Kells. In the process, he must bravely face off against Viking invaders, seek out ancient secrets and explore a mystical world of forest spirits and enchanted creatures. Along the way, Brendan comes to understand the power of creativity and the importance of protecting culture from destruction.

From Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker, Don Hall, Chris Williams, starring Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison
Rated PG

Moana is a 2016 American computer-animated musical adventure movie produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The film follows Moana, the strong-willed daughter of a chief of a Polynesian village, who is chosen by the ocean itself to reunite a mystical relic with a goddess. When a blight strikes her island, Moana sets sail in search of Maui, a legendary demigod, in the hope of saving her people. Along the way, she discovers the power of her ancestors and learns to embrace her identity and the responsibility that comes with it. The film features Dwayne Johnson as the voice of Maui and Auli’i Cravalho as the voice of Moana. With music by Lin‐Manuel Miranda, Moana is a heartwarming tale of self-discovery, family, and friendship.

From Robin Hardy, starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Britt Ekland
Rated R

The Wicker Man is a 1973 British cult classic horror film directed by Robin Hardy. The film stars Edward Woodward as Sergeant Neil Howie, a devout Christian and a police officer from the Scottish mainland sent to the isolated island of Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. He soon discovers a pagan community where the locals practice a form of Celtic paganism and worship the ancient gods. As he tries to uncover the truth about the missing girl, he soon discovers the horrific truth about the island and must ultimately confront his own beliefs and morality. The film is considered a classic of British horror and has been remade twice.

From Werner Herzog, starring Werner Herzog, Jean Clottes, Julien Monney, Jean-Michel Geneste
Rated G

From John Boorman, starring Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Cherie Lunghi
Rated PG

From Alejandro Amenábar, starring Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac, Ashraf Barhom
Rated R

From Directors: Mike Gabriel, Eric Goldberg, starring Mel Gibson, Linda Hunt, Christian Bale, Joe Baker
Rated G

From Directors: John McTiernan, Michael Crichton, starring Antonio Banderas, Diane Venora, Dennis Storhøi, Vladimir Kulich
Rated R

From Bill Kroyer, starring Samantha Mathis, Christian Slater, Robin Williams, Tim Curry
Rated G

From Griffin Dunne, starring Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, Dianne Wiest
Rated PG-13

From Sturla Gunnarsson, starring Hringur Ingvarsson, Spencer Wilding, Stellan Skarsgård, Ingvar Sigurdsson
Rated R