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Arthouse cinema is a diverse category encompassing films outside the mainstream, known for their emphasis on creativity and freedom of expression over mass appeal. These movies, often intimate and unconventional, showcase directors experimenting with editing, camerawork, and narrative to distinguish themselves. European cinema played a pivotal role in shaping arthouse style, with early masters employing moody black and white filming techniques to bring existentialism to the forefront. Arthouse films are characterized by deliberate pacing, a focus on individual psyches, and a subtle playfulness.
While arthouse may seem challenging, it offers deeply moving and remarkable experiences, accessible even to open-minded beginners. Today’s directors continue to draw inspiration from past innovators, embracing non-linear storytelling and multi-protagonist structures to push boundaries beyond what’s considered conventional and safe.
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10 Arthouse Films for Beginners
Citizen Kane (1941)
Citizen Kane, an American film drama, stirred considerable controversy as it narrates the ascent of Charles Foster Kane from obscurity to becoming a powerful newspaper publisher and business magnate. Orson Welles, the film’s director, adopted a non-linear storytelling approach through flashbacks to delve into Kane’s life. The central mystery revolves around deciphering the meaning behind Kane’s enigmatic final word, “Rosebud.”
This film is noteworthy for redefining the perception of cinema as art rather than just a form of media. Orson Welles showcased the potential of visual storytelling, emphasizing that film could be a distinct and artistic medium. The strength of Citizen Kane lies in its innovative cinematography, where Welles skillfully uses light, shadow, and intricate set designs to immerse the audience in Kane’s world. The introduction of flashbacks within flashbacks also demonstrated cinema’s ability to intricately weave a character’s story and encapsulate an entire generation’s narrative.
Dogtooth (2009)
Set within an enclosed compound, Dogtooth depicts a couple raising their three adult children in isolation, prohibiting them from venturing beyond the fenced-in area. The family follows a peculiar belief system that distorts their perception of reality. The children, a son and two daughters, undergo endurance-building “games” as tests and face punishment for rule violations. Yorgos Lanthimos, the director, known for creating unsettling and thought-provoking films, presents a narrative in Dogtooth that is stripped down to its essentials. The movie’s disorienting language concept and the denial of individuality to the children prompt viewers to reflect on the nature of familial ties and the implications of conformity.
Paris, Texas (1984)
Travis Henderson finds himself wandering purposelessly through the desert, devoid of any connection to his past and plagued by amnesia. His journey takes a turn when a compassionate man helps him reunite with his long-lost family, including his brother Walt, wife Jane, and son Hunter. Despite some fragments of memory returning, the years lost in the vast American West remain elusive.
“Paris, Texas,” directed by Wim Wenders, earns its place among the greatest Westerns due to its poetic depiction of a man estranged from his own life. Cinematographer Robby Müller skillfully uses the southwestern landscape to accentuate the film’s emotional depth. In portraying Travis’s internal emptiness, Harry Dean Stanton delivers a nuanced and evocative performance that reshapes the landscape of arthouse cinema.
Fanny and Alexander (1982)
In the early 20th century in Sweden, Emilie and Oscar Ekdahl enjoy a joyful life with their large family and successful theater. The carefree existence of their children, Alexander and Fanny, takes a dark turn when their father dies. Their widowed mother remarries Bishop Edvard Vergérus, introducing dysfunction into the household. Edvard suppresses Alexander’s imagination and bans all forms of fun, leading to conflicts within the family.
What sets this film apart is its extensive runtime of over three hours, yet it never feels too long. Ingmar Bergman creates his most opulent semi-autobiographical narrative, drawing inspiration from real people and childhood experiences. By delving into the wonders and struggles of familiar drama, Bergman captivates audiences with the film’s luxurious production design and a somber exploration of inner demons in a young heart, effectively bringing arthouse cinema to a broader audience.
Chungking Express (1994)
Blending the elements of romance and crime, this comedic drama stands out as one of Wong Kar-wai’s most cherished films. Set in the pre-handover era of Chungking, Hong Kong, it follows the narratives of two heartbroken policemen grappling with lost loves. As one officer finds romance with a restaurant server, the other interprets a mysterious encounter as something more than mere chance.
What Sets It Apart Chungking Express showcases Hong Kong in a hazy, dreamlike aesthetic never seen before. Wong Kar-wai pushes cinematic boundaries, employing shadows and neon to infuse the city with its own romantic aura. The film’s non-linear storytelling elevates every dialogue and action to poetic heights. The mesmerizing pacing and style captivate audiences, immersing them in a compelling and wistful atmosphere. In essence, the film demonstrates that arthouse cinema can be both playful and profound simultaneously.
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Mulholland Drive (2001)
In Mulholland Drive, a car accident interrupts the Hollywood aspirations of an aspiring actress, intertwining her fate with an amnesiac woman striving to maintain her sense of reality. The enigmatic connection between Laura Harring’s character and Naomi Watts’ mysterious savior, Betty, forms the basis of their joint quest to uncover the former’s true identity. Despite the stark contrast between Rita and Betty, the film’s obscure narrative weaves a complex and shadowy mystery as their investigation progresses.
What sets this film apart is David Lynch’s ability to craft a noir masterpiece that transforms familiar Hollywood landmarks into eerie and authentic settings. Beyond the surface glamour, Lynch delves into dysfunction, gritty reality, and a hauntingly beautiful underbelly. Fearlessly subverting expectations, the director seamlessly shifts between dimly lit scenes and vibrant technicolor sequences, introducing a new wave of filmmaking that prioritizes meaning over simplicity.
Tokyo Story (1953)
Certainly, Tokyo Story stands out in Japanese cinema, renowned for its captivating samurai tales and historical romances. In this post-war Tokyo narrative, an elderly couple visits their grown children, only to discover that the busyness of their lives leaves little room for their aging parents. The elderly couple finds themselves shuttled between relatives and eventually sent to a resort, a stark reminder not to overstay their welcome.
What sets Tokyo Story apart is director Yasujiro Ozu’s unique approach to portraying the generational gap. With a blend of minimalism and profound emotion, Ozu distills the essence of growing up, becoming parents, experiencing familial distance, and witnessing the repetitive cycle of life. The film masterfully captures the subtleties of loneliness, rich in subtext yet light on overt drama, exemplifying the essence of high art.
Cléo from 5 to 7 (1962)
Cléo from 5 to 7, a standout film in French New Wave cinema, follows the story of the titular pop singer anxiously awaiting test results that could reveal a terminal illness. The film captures two pivotal hours in her life as she roams the streets of Paris, encountering various characters, including a soldier who prompts her to reflect on morality.
In the realm of French New Wave cinema, where female characters often serve as mere accessories, Agnès Varda breaks this mold by presenting a compelling heroine who doesn’t seek sympathy. Instead, Cléo embodies an iconic blend of femininity, fragility, and resilience, making her journey both stylish and playfully cinematic. Through the course of a single afternoon, Cléo comes to the realization that she has been merely existing, and this revelation feels as poignant today as ever.
Ikiru (1952)
“Ikiru” stands out as another masterpiece in the realm of arthouse cinema, weaving a poignant narrative about life. The central figure, Kanji Watanabe, a Tokyo bureaucrat, receives the devastating news of his terminal cancer diagnosis. Having led a monotonous existence dominated by his career and paperwork, Watanabe is suddenly compelled to find a deeper purpose and make a positive impact on the city he has inhabited for decades. His newfound determination leads him to dedicate himself to the construction of a children’s playground.
The film delves into existentialism, exploring the idea that each individual possesses a unique purpose. It challenges the notion that life should be lived without regrets, emphasizing the importance of leaving a legacy not in titles but in the goodness one brings to the world. Akira Kurosawa skillfully infuses the drama with profound humanism, presenting an intimate portrayal of a man who becomes acutely aware that the true meaning of life lies in savoring small joys and making a difference. In essence, “Ikiru” celebrates the transformative power inherent in life itself.
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Set in a dystopian near-future, “A Clockwork Orange” introduces us to Alex, a charismatic young troublemaker, and his gang of friends, known as “droogs.” They indulge in acts of extreme violence, vandalism, and sexual assault for amusement. When Alex is imprisoned, he agrees to undergo an experimental rehabilitation program aimed at curing his violent tendencies. However, the process goes awry, turning Alex into a victim.
The film, directed by Stanley Kubrick, remains futuristic despite its age, thanks to Kubrick’s visual brilliance and Malcolm McDowell’s bold performance. Kubrick skillfully navigates the narrative, offering profound commentary on themes such as unchecked social control, changes in human nature, free will, ethics, and the intellectual depth underlying a person’s actions.
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