20 Deeply Thought Provoking Movies to Watch

“What is a movie that stuck with you for weeks after you saw it?” “What are the most thought provoking movies that resonated with you?” “What are the best mind bending movies?” These are some questions on Reddit and these are the top 20 movies that consistently are recommended as the most deeply thought provoking movies to watch. You can watch right now on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and other streaming options. The movie list includes trailers for easy previewing and links to where to stream right now. And don’t miss our other lists of the best movies to stream right now on Netflix!

So check out these top twenty must-see movies that consistently pop up on everyone’s hit-you-hard, deeply impactful movie lists. Some are available now FREE and some are available through streaming on Netflix, Hulu, and Paramount+, Amazon Prime and more.

INTERSTELLAR

“Interstellar” is thought-provoking due to its exploration of time dilation, relativity, love transcending dimensions, and humanity’s existential journey beyond Earth.

MAGNOLIA

With interconnected narratives and surreal sequences, “Magnolia” is thought-provoking due to its examination of interconnected lives, human suffering, and the search for meaning and redemption amidst chaos.

ARRIVAL

“Arrival” provokes thought by exploring communication, time perception, and the nature of humanity amidst an otherworldly encounter with extraterrestrial beings.

EX MACHINA

“Ex Machina” captivates with its suspenseful AI tale, raising ethical questions about the line between human and artificial intelligence, amidst stunning visuals and brilliant performances. Also available on Hulu Premium.

THE PRESTIGE

“The Prestige” centers on rival magicians consumed by obsession, deceit, and sacrifice, exploring the nature of illusion, identity, and revenge.

PRIMER

“Primer” revolves around two engineers who accidentally invent a time machine, leading to moral dilemmas and complex temporal manipulation. It is thought-provoking due to its intricate time-travel plot, requiring viewers to decipher its complex narrative and paradoxes.

INCEPTION

“Inception” follows a skilled thief who enters dreams to steal secrets but is tasked with planting an idea instead. It is mind-bending due to its manipulation of dreams within dreams, blurring reality and challenging perceptions of time and consciousness.

VANILLA SKY

“Vanilla Sky” bends reality through dreamlike sequences, leaving viewers questioning perception, identity, and the nature of existence.

BLACK SWAN

“Black Swan” blurs reality and psychosis, portraying a descent into madness amidst the pursuit of perfection in ballet.

ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND

“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” explores love, memory, and identity, prompting reflection on relationships, regret, and the human experience. It delves into love’s complexities via memory erasure, questioning if blissful ignorance trumps painful truth in relationships.

THE MATRIX

“The Matrix” challenges reality, free will, and the nature of existence, sparking contemplation on technology, control, and human consciousness.

MOMENTO

One of director Christopher Nolan’s first films, “Memento” is a cult classic mind bending movie about a man trying to find the person who killed his wife, while suffering from short term memory loss. told in reverse narrative, it is a mind-bending blurring of reality, and exploration of memory, identity, and perception.

dONNIE dARKO

“Donnie Darko” explores time travel, mental illness, and existentialism, leaving viewers questioning reality, fate, and the nature of existence.

bLADE Runner

“Blade Runner” challenges notions of humanity, identity, and morality through a dystopian world filled with replicants and existential questions. A recently made Blade Runner 2024 is a successful sequel.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” is mind-bending due to its multiverse concept, exploring themes of identity, choice, and interconnectedness across infinite realities. Available on Netflix, Hulu Premium, and Paramount+ Premium.

No Country for Old Men

“No Country for Old Men” follows a Texas hunter who stumbles upon drug money and becomes hunted by a ruthless hitman, revealing the dark underbelly of society.

Taxi Driver

Regarded as a cinematic masterpiece, “Taxi Driver” follows Travis Bickle, a mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran, driving through New York City. It prompts thought as it delves into the dark realities of urban life and the protagonist’s descent into moral ambiguity and madness.

The Life of Pi

“The Life of Pi” follows a young Indian boy stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, exploring themes of spirituality, resilience, and the power of storytelling.

The Truman Show

“The Truman Show” is a thought provoking movie that deals without our perceptions of reality and autonomy. It is best watched without even seeing the trailer!

The Game

“The Game” is a psychological thriller about a wealthy man drawn into a mysterious and dangerous game that blurs reality. According to Redditors, it is definitely worth watching.