The age-old question of what happens in the afterlife has fascinated us for ages. Scientists can always answer, “Nothing.” But we know that the idea of an afterlife remains living and breathing in our midst.
And cinema has explored this idea like no other medium. It uses imagination to attempt to answer the question: what waits for us on the other side? Here are 10 of the best movies about the afterlife of all time that you need to watch next.
10. The Lovely Bones (2009)
Regarded as Peter Jackson’s masterpiece, ‘The Lovely Bones’ is a heartbreaking emotional fantasy. Saoirse Ronan stars in the role of Susie Salmon, a young girl who is murdered by her terrifying neighbor.
But she gets trapped in the mysterious “In-Between” realm between Earth and Heaven. From there, she watches as her family grieves and struggles to move on while also trying to seek justice for her murder.
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9. Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006)
This indie dark comedy imagines an afterlife only reserved for people who died by suicide. It is a bleak, colorless world where nobody really smiles. After a devastating breakup, a man slits his wrists and finds himself in this realm.
By chance, he learns that his ex-girlfriend is also here. Now he must find a way to get to her and also get a second chance. The film is perfect for fans of a lighthearted yet insightful exploration of serious topics.
8. The Sixth Sense (1999)
With one of the greatest plot twists of all time, ‘The Sixth Sense’ makes you question the idea of life itself. Bruce Willis portrays the role of Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist. His nine-year-old patient, Cole, has the ability to see dead people who are still roaming the world because of unfinished business.
Most of the time, these people don’t even know they are dead and walk around the earth endlessly. But as Crowe tries to unravel this seemingly unlikely story, he gets entangled in a cycle of questioning his own reality.
7. Orpheus (1950)
Bringing the Greek mythology of Orpheus and Eurydice into contemporary times, this beloved French classic explores the age-old story from a new perspective. After losing his wife Eurydice, Orpheus finds a mysterious mirror that leads him to the underworld, where he can search for her.
Things take a turn when he grows a strange obsession with Death itself, who is portrayed as a mysterious femme fatale. Along with a unique spin on a classic story, ‘Orpheus’ also boasts a striking visual that will hook you from the beginning.
6. Defending Your Life (1991)
This clever fantasy comedy stars Meryl Streep and Albert Brooks in the afterlife realm called “Judgement City.” This massive, city-sized waiting room does exactly what it says—it puts recently deceased people on a trial.
They must come here to literally defend the choices they have made throughout their lives. But to succeed, they must face humanity’s biggest weakness: fear. Only those who can rise above it and bravely defend their lives must ascend to the next level of existence.
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5. What Dreams May Come (1998)
Academy Award-winning What Dreams May Come’ is known for its stunning portrayal of the afterlife. It follows Robin Williams in the role of Chris Nielsen. When Chris dies, he leaves behind his wife, widowed and all alone.
He finds himself in heaven, but his grieving wife dies by suicide and comes under the risk of being trapped in hell. Chris sets out on a desperate journey to save her soul before it’s far too late.
4. The Seventh Seal (1957)
Ingmar Bergman’s 1957 classic remains legendary for its most iconic confrontation with death. The movie is set during the Black Death in Sweden, where a medieval knight tries to return home but encounters Death on the way.
In order to stay alive just long enough to see his wife, he challenges Death to a game of chess. But this is no ordinary game because his human life is at stake. The game turns into a journey through the fragilities of human existence, leading to one final showdown between Death and a mere human.
3. A Matter of Life and Death (1946)
This imaginative fantasy transports you to the battlefields of World War II. It follows an RAF pilot who was meant to die but somehow survives after jumping from his burning plane. As his life continues, he falls in love with a beautiful woman.
But celestial authorities can’t simply ignore this mistake. Thus begins a courtroom drama mixed with comedy, romance, and deeply philosophical themes as he demands an appeal and protests against the divine forces.
2. Coco (2017)
Loved by audiences of all ages, ‘Coco’ is one of the best portrayals of the afterlife in contemporary cinema. All Miguel Rivera wants is to become a musician. But his family’s generation-long feud with music comes between the young boy and his dream.
During Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebration, Miguel travels to the Land of the Dead. There, he not only meets his ancestors but also uncovers a shocking truth about his family’s history.
1. After Life (1998)
This documentary-style Japanese movie might be one of the most original depictions of the afterlife ever seen on screen. The story takes place in a quiet social service building where newly deceased souls gather.
Here, they must choose a single memory from their lives to keep forever. They will be assisted by a small film crew to recreate the memory so their soul can relive it for eternity. Part fantasy and part philosophy, ‘After Life’ will leave you smiling, but with tears in your eyes.
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