Discover a handpicked list of tender, visually stunning films—from Amélie to The Tale of the Princess Kaguya—that deliver heartfelt stories and poetic beauty.
Some films feel like a hug. They’re gentle, heartfelt, and can be breathtakingly beautiful. These sorts of films stick with you, like lines from your favorite poem.
If you are looking for more films that feel like poetry, you’re in the right place. So grab a cozy blanket, settle in, and let these eleven movies wrap around your heart like a soft sweater.
Song of the Sea (2014)
Irish folklore gets the Studio Ghibli treatment in this enchanting animated gem. The soft, hand-drawn animation and a lullaby-like score just oozes poetic vibes. The movie Song of the Sea tells the story of Ben and his sister Saoirse, who happens to be a selkie with a job to do. Together, their journey is one of magical creatures, heartfelt family bonds, and deep healing.
Every frame looks and feels like it’s straight from a storybook, and by the end, your heart will be glowing (and you might just get a little weepy, too).
Midnight in Paris (2011)
This film somehow manages to capture the beauty of nostalgia, that feeling of almost yearning for the past. Each scene in the film entirely drips with romanticism, watching it, it’s almost as if painted with words rather than filmed. The dialogue is lyrical and feels straight out of a poetry book.
The city around the magnificent actors glow, and the plot and time flows fluidly, just like a poem unfolding line after line. Woody Allen’s vision renders Paris not just a place, but a feeling: wistful, enchanting, and timeless. Watching it is like reading a love letter to art, memory, and wonder.
The Wild Pear Tree (2018)
This Turkish film is slow, thoughtful, and full of beauty. It follows Sinan, a young writer navigating life after college as he returns to his hometown. As the film progresses, conversations seem to stretch like rivers, autumn leaves swirl around long walks, and deep thoughts bubble up under every word.
It’s a film that encourages you to slow down, take a breath, and appreciate life’s subtler rhythms. It handles deeper, more nuanced bonds between family in a way that many films are afraid to do so. Each emotion is handled with great care, woven seamlessly into the narrative and style.
The Last Unicorn (1982)
Fancy a whimsical dream wrapped in ‘80s sparkle? This slightly melancholic film is packed to the brim with it. It’s got magic, bravery, bittersweet love, and, of course, unicorns. The music is stunning, and only adds to the poetic feel of the movie, aiding in creating a nostalgic journey that is reminiscent of your favorite childhood fairytale.
A Ghost Story (2017)
It might sound spooky, but this film is perhaps one of the most tender displays of love and time that has ever been made. A man dies and returns as a ghost (think Halloween, white sheet ghost) to his home, where he lingers and watches as life continues without him. It might sound silly, but it is stunning. It’s profound and thoughtful, and examines memory, presence, and how much of ourselves we leave behind. The brilliance of this movie lies in its quiet, meditative mood.
Before Sunset Trilogy
In these three stunning films, the intimate rhythms of human connection are laid out for all to see. Through flowing, unbroken conversations, Jesse and Céline reveal their fears, hopes, and longings with brutal and poetic honesty. The films are all quiet, reflective, and emotionally precise, and somehow the trilogy as a whole has turned simple walks into profound explorations of love and the passing of time. It isn’t just the acting and the dialogue in these movies that make them wonderful. Every single pause, glance, and silence speaks volumes, just like the spaces between lines of a poem.
Amélie (2001)
Amélie is well-known for its joyful whimsy. It is set in what can only be described as a postcard-perfect Paris, and is an outright celebration of the small, sweet moments in life. Amélie, played by Audrey Tautou, sees the world in her own way. She’s different from others and is determined to make life better for every single person around her. The visuals are dreamy, and the score is nothing short of magical. It’s pure cinematic sunshine, and perfect for those after a poetic watch.
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)
Of course, there’s a Studio Ghibli film on this list—almost all of their films could fit this criteria. But this one is particularly perfect. Studio Ghibli really outdid itself when it created this hand-drawn watercolor masterpiece. It is based on a classic Japanese folktale, and follows a mysterious girl inside a bamboo stalk who grows into a radiant princess. The film is packed with beauty, gentle sadness, and absolutely stunning artistry; you can watch the brushstroke style animation and lose yourself in that alone.
The Handmaiden (2016)
It might come as a surprise to see a thriller on this list, but it is not just a thriller; it is a stunning and tender love story that feels like poetry. This film is at once lush, mysterious, and moving. Set in 1930s Korea, it is a detailed and dynamic tale of deception, passion, and poetic romance. The story is intricate, and the visuals are deep and rich—poetic in pretty much every way.
Cléo from 5 to 7 (1962)
This film takes place over two hours and follows the life of a French singer. The movie takes the viewer through Paris and explores art and existential anxiety, and yet, it isn’t heavy or dark. The movie somehow manages to remain light and introspective, with a character transformation that is both subtle and uplifting. It’s the perfect slice of life film, that feels like a sweet poem on a summer day.
Once Upon A Time in Anatolia (2011)
This Turkish film is more about the poetry of landscapes, conversations in the dark, and the mysteries of human nature than the crime story it claims as its plot. It’s slow cinema at its finest, where the beauty lies in the silence between words and the quiet revelations. By the end, you may not have all the answers, but your soul might just feel a little fuller.
About Endlessness (2019)
Swedish director Roy Andersson paints scenes like surreal postcards; strange, beautiful, and often deeply touching. About Endlessness reflects on the oddness of life, from small joys to aching regrets. There’s humor, melancholy, and even the occasional daydream (like two lovers floating over a bombed city). It’s gentle and dry, but full of empathy. You’ll chuckle, sigh, and maybe see life a little differently.
The Shape of Water (2017)
The love story and the cinematography are both pure poetry. With its sweeping score, green-tinged color palette, and tender performances, it’s a story about acceptance, love, and choosing compassion in a hard world. Completely and utterly spellbinding.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
