75 Essential Films of Surreal Cinema

In 303 AD, Emperor Diocletian unexpectedly demotes Sebastian, his favored palace guard captain, to common soldier and exiles him to a remote coastal outpost. Isolated there, Sebastian's fellow soldiers turn to homosexual relationships for satisfaction, including officer Severus, who becomes…

A restless person embarks on a nighttime journey to find meaning. They aren't seeking possessions, but something to fill an inner void – a metaphorical light. This elusive goal leads them through unforeseen experiences, eventually bringing them back home with…

A visually stunning film follows an unnamed artist who discovers another dimension through a mirror. The story unfolds in four episodes, each presenting surreal landscapes and bizarre situations that challenge the audience's perception of reality. As the artist journeys deeper,…

To learn more about her mother's history, Gorgeous travels with six friends to visit their aunt at a historic country estate. The large, mysterious house reveals hidden secrets and stories from the past. As Gorgeous and her friends explore, they…

Singapore Sling, still affected by his past relationship with Laura, gets caught up in a strange situation when he discovers a hidden villa. There, he sees two women burying a body and unknowingly walks into their planned trap. Soon, the…

Young nurse Alma is assigned to care for Elisabeth Vogler, a seemingly healthy actress who refuses to speak. As Alma spends time with Elisabeth, she talks to her constantly, but receives no response.

A vacationing entomologist is held captive in a remote seaside village by its struggling residents, who are fascinated by him. Forced to live under their basic conditions, he develops a close relationship with a local woman whose life revolves around…

A gifted former circus performer escapes a mental institution, seeking redemption by finding their estranged mother. Their hope turns to fear as they're forced into committing terrible acts for the leader of an unusual religious cult. This psychological thriller explores…

A young, volatile artist named Kyoko disrupts the lives of those around her when a renowned Japanese film studio tasks a group of respected filmmakers with remaking their classic, artistic erotic films.

Fleeing law enforcement, Aden seeks refuge in the desert and encounters a reclusive man deeply connected to the land. Aden persuades the hermit to join him on a journey to a bustling city, a place far different from his isolated…

This atmospheric period film follows a university professor and his enigmatic traveling companion as their lives become unexpectedly connected. Amidst shifting relationships and strange encounters, both men are confronted with their own mortality in unsettling ways. The film's dreamlike atmosphere…

Two twin zoologists, deeply connected by their work and their shared wives, are devastated when both wives die in a car accident. They seek solace in studying animal decomposition, trying to find order in the face of loss. As their…

The director's new film is a personal story about growing up in the peaceful countryside of rural Japan, surrounded by hills and mountains. Adapting his own memories to the screen proves difficult. The film explores not only recreating a specific…

This film explores the complex connection between women and money within society. It blends musical elements, silent storytelling, and philosophical ideas into a unique, post-punk style.

In the realm of Hades, Euridice (code ΒΑ 2037) awaits Orpheus's arrival, hoping he will grant her passage to the Upper World. She is awaiting instructions that will allow her to leave her current location, though her destination remains unknown.…

Sam Lowry is a bored bureaucrat who escapes his dull life through vivid daydreams of being a heroic savior. While investigating the wrongful arrest and death of an innocent man, instead of the actual suspect, Harry Tuttle, Sam encounters the…

This unsettling story follows two teenage girls who become increasingly involved in destructive pranks. Their actions escalate, and they find themselves consumed by a world of chaos. Their rebellion blurs the line between harmless fun and real danger. As they…

The film follows a former rock star struggling with personal issues. He isolates himself as he confronts the difficult effects of his past fame. His relationships fade, and his mental health declines, pushing him towards self-destruction. This intense story explores…

This film follows the awakening of Lord Shiva and takes us to a remarkable gathering of magicians who have become characters from mythology. The elaborate masquerade centers on the search for Pan, a mysterious figure whose charm captivates everyone. The…

In a world where colors are powerful, a dark force called the Blue Meanies takes over Pepperland, stealing its color and music. The Lord Admiral, the only survivor, escapes on his yellow submarine to find help. He reaches Liverpool and…

A Scottish woman is in the Colombian jungle when she hears a loud noise at dawn. Soon after, she starts experiencing a strange sensory condition as she journeys through the dense rainforest.

Early 1900s, Réunion Island. Five teenagers commit a brutal crime and are sentenced by a Dutch captain to a mysterious island. The island is lush and beautiful, but possesses strange, alluring powers.

This is a dark story of revenge in a strict, old-fashioned society. On her wedding night, a young woman is brutally attacked by the lord she's supposed to marry. Afterward, she's exiled from her village and family. Desperate, she makes…

A group of well-to-do people enjoy a dinner party at a luxurious mansion. Their evening takes a turn when they gather in the house's music room, filled with beautiful instruments. Suddenly, they find themselves inexplicably trapped inside. The pleasant atmosphere…

"1001 Nights," the inaugural film in the innovative "Filmharmonic" series, unfolds like a vivid dream. It features original music composed by a renowned filmmaker and a celebrated composer.

In Glasgow, a captivating stranger targets vulnerable men, drawing them into her orbit with irresistible charm.

This film examines the complexities of how we communicate through three separate stories. Each story explores different ways people interact, showing the difficulties and advantages of each in various situations. The first story looks at spoken communication and how words…

A clergyman becomes consumed by an intense obsession with a general's wife. He is tormented by disturbing visions that blend death and desire. The story explores obsession, morality, and the conflict between spiritual beliefs and physical urges. As he fights…

A theater director grapples with his artistic vision and personal relationships while working on a new play: a full-scale recreation of New York City built inside a warehouse.

The film examines love and its difficulties through connected stories about people struggling with what society expects versus what they want. A main story follows a couple deeply in love, but their passion is constantly tested by their families, religion,…

This film gathers together a series of short works by the Quay Brothers, presented as a single, continuous piece.

A couple's peaceful life is upended by the unexpected arrival of visitors, putting their relationship to the test.

A woman begins to doubt her new boyfriend and accompanies him on a road trip to his family's isolated farm. Nothing is as it appears during the journey.

In a near-future dystopia, the city mandates that single individuals be sent to The Hotel. There, they have forty-five days to find a romantic partner. Failure to do so results in a transformation into an animal and exile to The…

*Un Chien Andalou* is a highly influential European surrealist film that revolutionized cinema with its experimental approach. Director Luis Buñuel and artist Salvador Dalí collaborated to create a film that blurs reality and dreams, prompting viewers to reconsider their understanding…

A troubled jazz musician is drawn into a dangerous world of crime and mystery. He faces murder, deceit, and unsettling questions about reality when he encounters people who look just like him. A dramatic change occurs while he's imprisoned, making…

A quiet college professor stumbles upon someone who looks exactly like him and becomes increasingly drawn into the stranger's personal life.

Josef visits his father at a decaying sanatorium, and his simple trip becomes a strange journey. Exploring the building's rooms, he enters worlds shaped by his own memories, dreams, and fears. Reality and imagination become indistinguishable as Josef journeys inward,…

This surreal and thought-provoking film centers on The Alchemist, who gathers a diverse group of people representing the planets of our solar system. He doesn't aim to unite them, but to remove their worldly ties through strange rituals. Their goal:…

Julie, a librarian prone to daydreaming, meets Céline, an unusual magician. Together, they have an extraordinary adventure that bends time and space. They explore a haunted house, where strange candy unlocks shared dreams and reveals hidden truths. Their journey becomes…

The film explores the complexities of passion and connection through the turbulent relationship between Mathieu, a wealthy Frenchman, and Conchita, a fiery 19-year-old flamenco dancer. Mathieu recounts their story to fellow train passengers after teasing Conchita by splashing her with…

"Theatre of Mr. And Mrs. Kabal" is Walerian Borowczyk's debut and final animated feature. The film presents a series of loosely connected scenes, resembling a vaudeville show, where Mr. And Mrs. Kabal enact absurd, surreal, and occasionally cruel deeds.

A man returns from a business trip to find his wife has disappeared. His search leads him through a confusing series of clues involving potential lovers, lies, and a possible murder.

A woman returns to her hometown and is haunted by intense dreams that make it hard to tell what's real. The film unfolds with scenes that jump around in time and place, suggesting her unconscious mind is revealing hidden desires.…

The film follows 24 hours in the life of someone who repeatedly inhabits different bodies, moving from one life to the next like a detached assassin. Each life is completely different – sometimes male, sometimes female, young, sometimes old. They…

This anthology features four directors exploring modern life through interconnected stories. Each offers a distinct perspective on societal pressures, personal desires, and the merging of reality and virtual worlds. One story examines the challenges of a young professional in a…

Film director Guido Anselmi, at the height of his success, experiences a complete creative block. Doctors advise him to take a break, so he retreats to a lavish resort. However, his entourage – including his producer, staff, actors, wife, mistress,…

Set in 4th century, this historical drama follows Simon, a deeply religious man seeking a closer connection with God. Driven by faith, he climbs a tall column in a physical test to achieve divine grace. The Devil sees this as…

On the planet Ygam, two species coexist in a world of inequality: the spiritually advanced Draags, who see the human-like Oms as inferior beings to be used for amusement, and the Oms, struggling to survive. Some Oms seek refuge in…

Bill Lee, a man who kills bugs for a living, lives a detached life with his wife Joan, often using his pest poisons for recreational drug use with his Beat poet friends. His world changes when he encounters the enigmatic…

"Manifesto" is a surreal film inspired by the Communist Manifesto, but focused on personal experiences rather than politics. It presents a series of disconnected scenes spanning from the 19th century to the 1970s, linked only by unusual characters and Luis…

In a remote, abandoned chateau, two strangers meet. A man believes he recognizes the woman, and he's determined to understand their connection. As they explore shared memories and puzzling coincidences, their conversation deepens, questioning what they remember and how they…

The film explores the life of 18th-century Armenian poet and musician Sayat-Nova, from his early life to his death. It particularly examines his complicated relationships with women, including one who inspired his work. Mikhail Vartanov’s innovative film uses Sayat-Nova's poems…

Actress Nikki Grace lands the lead in a film with a dark secret. As filming progresses, her life begins to blur with the movie's themes of betrayal, past lives, and unexplained phenomena.

Haunted by trauma, Bill grapples with the fragments of his mind as he tries to piece himself back together.

At the Institute Benjamenta, Jakob begins training as a servant under the strict guidance of Lisa Benjamenta. The institute is run by her brother Johannes and sister Lisa, who teaches unusual lessons in servitude involving strange movements, drawing circles, and…

Dr. Steven Murphy is a respected heart surgeon with a perfect family and home. However, a fatherless teenager named Martin slowly begins to insert himself into Dr. Murphy's life, creating a growing sense of unease.

This film follows a family in rural Tochigi as they navigate everyday life. Yoshiko balances being a housewife with her work on an animated film. Her uncle, Ayano, a music producer, returns from Tokyo seeking a fresh start. Sachiko becomes…

"Les Jeux des Anges" is a disturbing animated short film inspired by the paintings of Walerian Borowczyk. It presents a nightmarish, camp-like world filled with unsettling imagery reminiscent of Bosch and Ernst. The film's abstract score enhances the eerie atmosphere…

Wacky Races is a lively animated series created by Hanna-Barbera and first shown in 1968. It humorously mocks classic car races with a group of odd characters and unusual vehicles racing across varied landscapes for victory. The show features eleven…

"Boro-in-the-box" presents a fantastical and fictionalized look at filmmaker Walerian Borowczyk's world. It follows his journey through a cruel and often obscene landscape, filled with both ordinary and bizarre experiences, spanning from Poland to Paris. The film is a phantasmagorical…

Following a childhood car accident that left her with a metal plate in her head, a woman finds herself on an unusual path. This journey unexpectedly leads her to a firefighter who has just been reunited with his son after…

Facing imminent death from kidney failure, Boonmee spends his final days with his family in the countryside. His deceased wife unexpectedly appears as a ghost to care for him, and his long-lost son returns, transformed into a creature other than…

This film explores conflict between men and women during a global war. A young girl fleeing the war finds refuge in a hidden sanctuary. There, she meets an enigmatic unicorn and its unusual human family: a sister, brother, their many…

This adaptation of 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' tells the story of Alice, a quiet English girl who falls into a world where nothing makes sense. Following a white rabbit, she enters a realm filled with bizarre creatures and objects that…

A pair of dice are held by mannequin hands. A castle sits on a hilltop above a modern villa. Separately, two masked men play dice in a bar, deciding to drive to Paris. They travel through countryside roads and hills,…

This film reimagines the classic Faust story, drawing from works like Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus" and Goethe's "Faust." An unremarkable man, feeling trapped by his routine, discovers a strange map that leads him to an unsettling puppet theatre. Entering the theatre,…

Desafío is a reality competition where a group of people from different backgrounds compete for a large cash prize. Each season, contestants are split into three teams based on factors like social class, age, where they're from, or how famous…

Set in Czechoslovakia, this coming-of-age story follows 15-year-old Valerie as she grows up. While her body changes, she finds a pair of earrings that change how she sees the world. Reality and fantasy become mixed as Valerie deals with adolescence…

A struggling puppeteer named Craig discovers a strange portal at work. Stepping through allows anyone to briefly inhabit the body and mind of John Malkovich. The film explores identity, ambition, and desire as characters become obsessed with this ability to…

In a desolate desert, El Topo takes his six-year-old son on a remarkable journey to find powerful warrior masters. They challenge these masters in an effort to change and understand who they really are. The young boy struggles with losing…

Luis Buñuel's classic film depicts an absurd look at the complicated relationships at an exclusive dinner party. Six wealthy guests gather for an elegant meal and conversation, but their evening is disrupted by a series of strange occurrences. The film…

This delightful film follows The Beatles on a memorable psychedelic road trip with their friends in a brightly colored bus. The unusual journey takes them through scenic locations and unusual situations, as the band experiences humorous events. With a cheerful…

Newly arrived in Hollywood and chasing stardom, blonde Betty Elms encounters a mysterious brunette suffering from amnesia. As Betty and the woman try to uncover her past, filmmaker Adam Kesher faces unsettling problems while casting his new film.

Mima, a rising pop star, is encouraged by her management to star in a popular TV show. Balancing her music career with this new challenge, she begins to notice a disturbing pattern. Her managers and collaborators are being murdered, one…