Movies often have a powerful ability to inspire and transport us to different worlds. Through the art of storytelling, they have the potential to spark transformation within us. To help you find the best spiritual movies that can bring about personal growth and development, I’ve rounded up a list of 25 titles that will enlighten your spirit and open your heart.
Discover how these stories can shift your perspective and provide insight into the human experience. Dive deeper into the surreal, soul-stirring journeys of these spiritual movies and be ready to be inspired.
You will quickly notice that you change if you watch them with a lot of mindfulness and attention. You will be more critical of the way you view life and your surroundings and more motivated to pursue your goals.
Here is a list of all of my personal favorite spiritual films that I have seen over the years that have supported me on my own journey to enlightenment, and all hold a special place in my heart.
1. Life of Pi
It tells the story of a teenager who grew up in a zoo in the Indian city of Pondicheri and, after surviving a shipwreck, spends 227 days on a lifeboat across the Pacific in the company of a Bengal tiger.
In this story, an Indian family’s brutal struggle for survival lurks behind the door of a seemingly idyllic zoo.
What begins as a sympathetic family film steeped in a childishly innocent notion of spirituality develops over time into a deeply thoughtful and gripping story.
And this story is about survival, adaptability, and self-discovery, set in times of dire need that will leave few indifferent.
Why you should watch “Life of Pi”:
Life of Pi is a fascinating film that is not something you stumble upon every day.
It not only manages to intimidate and amaze you very often but also to make you laugh and enchant with his numerous passages of wonderful poetry and depth.
In doing so, it delves deep into some of the deepest mysteries of the human psyche, persistently reminding us of something we so easily and readily forget: that we humans are but a small part of nature.
And just one of the animal species, the slightly more intelligent, but by no means the kindest.
2. Seven Years in Tibet
Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer made his way to the Himalayas to climb Nanga Parbat, one of the largest and most dangerous peaks, with his compatriot Peter Aufschnaiter.
After successfully conquering this peak, Heinrich ends up in a British prison, from which he soon escapes.
The path leads him to the mysterious Tibetan city of Lhasa, and there he befriends the young Dalai Lama.
Although he teaches in English, geography, and western culture, which in turn makes the somewhat egocentric mountaineer a very spiritual person.
Why you should watch “Seven Years in Tibet.”
Seven Years in Tibet is one of the best spiritual movies inspired by a true story about mountaineer Heinrich Harrer.
A confident and unshakeable character who slowly begins to change his rigid character upon arrival in a Tibetan village.
The Dalai Lama, whom he meets and with whom he begins to really live life, helps him in this.
The film tells of Tibet just before China took power, and the culture of Tibet is described in detail.
The film encourages you to embark on your own adventure of self-discovery.
3. Inception
In the movie Inception, Dom Cobb is a man who has the ability to manipulate dreams.
Thanks to this fantastic ability, Cobb is highly sought after by powerful corporations. Using its unique abilities to outsmart the competition and gain valuable intel.
But his latest assignment is unlike anything he’s done before.
Why you should watch “Inception”:
Dreams are the eternal enigma of the human subconscious, but always an equally attractive aspect of the human psyche for a film theme.
Manipulating another person’s subconscious through sleep isn’t such a new idea, although Inception is currently synonymous with it.
The story itself, like the dreams themselves, is not fully understood. So the question remains: Was it all a dream?
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4. Avatar
The Avatar takes place in the year 2154 on Pandora, a fictional world within a distant planetary system. Humans arrived on Pandora to exploit the sources of valuable minerals there.
The natives of the Na’vi, whose understanding of the world is based on coexistence with nature, resist this. To get closer to the natives, a group of scientists genetically engineered what they call “avatars.”
Bodies seemingly identical to the Na’vi but remotely controlled by the human mind.
Why you should watch “Avatar”:
Pandora is such a well-thought-out place that it’s impossible to stay neutral when people start destroying it.
Undoubtedly, the Avatar will awaken in the most resilient of you, a child hungry for fantasy and magic.
However, I am also sure that it will shake your feelings about the planet we live on with equal force.
The Avatar is full of wonders that surround us, but we have not yet realized them.
5. Astral City: A Spiritual Journey
The film tells the story of Andre Luiz, a successful doctor who experiences an enlightening spiritual awakening after his death.
When he awakens in the spirit world, he embarks on a new journey of self-discovery and transformation.
This journey begins from his first days in a dimension of pain and suffering to the point when he is rescued and taken to the spiritual Astral City.
The film also brings to the screen what life is like in the Astral City, floating in the upper layers of Earth’s atmosphere.
Why you should watch the spiritual movie “Astral City”:
This movie is definitely for those who want to learn more about how to love and connect with others.
So as we follow the hero’s spiritual journey after his death, we become more concerned with the way we act.
We realize that in this short life, we need to give more of our warmth to others.
After all, the most important thing for us to do is to enjoy the journey on Earth before embarking on new adventures.
Because of the seriousness of the goal and the gorgeous art design, Astral City is worth visiting. But be warned: once you’re there, you might not want to leave!
6. The Holy Mountain
After a group of children hang him on a cross, from which he is rescued by a legless dwarf, an unnamed thief with an appearance extremely resembling Jesus Christ makes his way through the streets of Mexico City to hike.
Because of his appearance, he is soon mistaken for a messianic figure, and some people attempt to mold him from his body while intoxicated with the intention of making life-size statues of Jesus.
When he wakes up and realizes how he has been taken advantage of, the thief gets angry and destroys all but one of the statues, which he continues to roam the city with.
As he continues to wander through the city, the thief arrives at the tower, where he meets an alchemist.
After giving him important mystical instructions, the alchemist will acquaint him with the existence of the Sacred Mountain from which the nine people who discovered immortality secretly rule the world.
Why you should watch the spiritual movie “The Holy Mountain”:
The director’s most bizarre and extravagant film is a concrete action in which Jodorowsky conveys clear messages with a critique of religion and religiosity.
This movie is definitely not for everyone, and if you are a person who is open-minded enough, then you might be interested in this movie.
Initially conceived as a feature film, the film gradually evolved into a documentary film, which set itself the task of revealing the reality and debunking the illusion in which actors and viewers live.
In working on the film, Jodorowsky drew inspiration from Zen Buddhism, tarot, and shamanism, as at the time of filming, he was attempting to interpret the world through ancient wisdom teachings.
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7. Heaven is for Real
Based on the bestseller of the same name, this film adapts a true story about a small-town man who must find the courage and conviction to share a wondrous, life-changing experience with his son.
In the film, married couple Todd Burpa and Sonja Burpo try to understand their son Colton, who claims to have visited paradise during his clinical death.
They struggle to understand him and his visions but begin to see that they are real.
Colton describes the details of his wondrous journey with childlike innocence, talking matter-of-factly about things that happened before he was born, things he couldn’t possibly have known.
Why you should watch the spiritual movie “Heaven is for Real”:
Colton’s story offers a glimpse into the world that awaits us and where, as Colton puts it, “no one is old, and no one wears glasses.”
The movie Heaven Is Real can change the way you think about infinity forever, giving you a chance to think and believe like a child.
The film tells the story of three American brothers who haven’t spoken to each other in a year.
After their father’s funeral, the eldest brother Francis, who almost died in a motorcycle accident, wants to reconnect with his younger siblings.
To do this, they embark on a spiritual adventure to India.
Why you should watch “Darjeeling Limited”:
Darjeeling limited is just a great spiritual journey and soul food.
I love movies that leave a sweet taste in the mouth and the feeling that the weekend has been well spent.
The movie is awesome, and I feel sorry for all the people who never gave Wes Anderson and his style a chance.
I also admire Anderson’s quirky way of thinking, the way he manages to transform seemingly everyday life situations into individual little humorous magical-realistic scenes.
I love his slow-motion shots and great music that I hadn’t heard before, and I thank him for that.
9. The Kid
The Kid tells the story of a disliked image consultant named Russ.
As the main character, he is the definition of a busybody, callous and cold to those around him.
Suddenly, a younger version of him named Rusty shows up to teach him a lesson.
Rusty is a chubby and cute but quirky kid who is a victim of bullying.
With the chance to help this child transform his life, Russ relives his own childhood as well.
Why you should watch “The Kid”:
Russell Duritz is a powerful image consultant who works with some pretty big clients.
Duritz has everything professionally and financially, but he has no contact with his feelings.
He’s terribly suppressed inside and has forgotten how to live, how to have fun, and how to feel.
He constantly pushes the people who take care of him back to a safe distance.
Russell’s life and perception of reality are turned upside down by the inexplicable arrival of Rusty, his eight-year-old incarnation, or rather his inner child.
Not many films deal with the inner child and the feelings from our childhood that we suppress in order to feel in control.
Our inner child is definitely there, and it’s fascinating that a children’s film like this tackles this complex subject in a simple and fun way.
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10. The Secret
The spiritual movie The Secret teaches about how to get everything you ever wanted.
This amazing film contains everything you need to understand and realize the mystery of life.
For the first time in history, leading scientists, authors, and philosophers will unveil the mystery that has radically changed the lives of those who lived with it, such as Plato, Newton, Beethoven, Shakespeare, and Einstein.
Now you, too, will know the secret that will change your life forever.
Why you should watch the spiritual movie “The Secret”:
“The Secret” reveals the most powerful law in the universe.
Every human being, without exception, can turn his weakness and suffer into strength and perfect peace, health, and well-being.
The discovery of this mystery begins through a hundred-year-old book that travels through the ages of philosophy and religion, uncovering their truths.
All of these discoveries were translated into The Secret, a film that has already been seen by millions of people.
The Secret explains the simplicity of the law that governs our lives and offers the knowledge of how to live a happy life effortlessly.
It is the secret of limitless happiness, health, and well-being. It’s the secret of life.
11. 2001: A Space Odyssey
In this movie, Four million years BC, monkeys find an unusual black monolith on earth.
Soon one of the monkeys takes the bone of a dead animal and uses it as a tool but also as a weapon.
Human evolution so begins.
Two thousand years AD, scientists find another monolith in Clavius Crater, an American area on the moon.
The monolith is emitting unusual radio waves toward Jupiter.
Eighteen months later, the spacecraft Discovery is sent to Jupiter to monitor the signal and discover its cause.
Why you should watch “2001: A Space Odyssey”:
A Space Odyssey is an amazing visual experience.
Many viewers resent the lack of dialogue, but this movie just doesn’t need big dialogue because the images say it all.
Kubrick’s film depicts a problem facing humanity, and it is only a matter of time before we all become slaves to technology.
The great thing about this film is that whatever way you understand the film, it’s correct because The Odyssey is such a complex film that it’s difficult to explain.
The influence of technology on man, man’s constant longing for infinity, all this, together with classical music, is an amazing experience for every viewer.
12. Spirited Away
In this movie, the girl Chihiro faces a major life challenge.
She’s moving with her parents and needs to get used to her new school, friends and neighborhood.
After the father decides to shorten the trip to the new home, the family stumbles upon an empty restaurant and the parents, without thinking much, ate a lot of food and turn into pigs.
Chihiro finds herself with her parents in a world ruled by the witch Yubaba, owner of an unusual resort for Japanese gods and spirits.
In order to free her parents from the resort, Chihiro gets a job at the resort with the help of the mysterious master Haku and searches for a way to free her parents and return to her own world.
Why you should watch “Spirited Away”:
Chihiro can be interpreted as a critique of current society.
In this film, Miyazaki shows the negative aspects of Japanese society through the eyes of a child.
Yubaba and Bo’s relationship is strange and, for him, a powerful display of the kind of relationship that corrupts our society.
Consuming the Faceless Ghost is also shocking. It is, I think, nothing more than a description of Japan during the economic crisis.
Ghosts, sauna guests, and the workers who serve them are the ones who built modern Japanese society.
While not explicitly stated in the film, it is a powerful portrayal of a particular historical period.
Definitely one of the best animated spiritual movies.
13. Mr. Nobody
The hero of the movie is Nemo, an old man who dies in 2092, the last human to die after medicine suppresses death.
He remembers his own past, but his flashbacks are contradictory and confusing.
As the film progresses, the viewer catches the threads and realizes that Nemo’s life has taken different directions based on the choices he made.
Did he stay with his father or mother after the divorce?
Did he marry his childhood sweetheart? In one life, he lives with a depressed wife. On the other, he is rich but unhappy.
So his whole life could be different depending on what he chooses.
Why you should watch the spiritual movie “Mr. Nobody”
Mr. Nobody is quite a difficult movie, and not everyone will like it.
A visually beautiful film, something very different in my opinion, and it is quite an art film.
This is a film to think about, only for film lovers, about love, about life choices, with many unanswered questions.
It’s a great spiritual movie to think about, but only for those who want to rack their brains a bit.
Those who want a good movie that feels more like an experience have definitely found the right thing here.
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14. Cloud Atlas
Cloud Atlas consists of six interconnected stories that begin with a nineteenth-century journey through the South Pacific and end in primitive post-apocalyptic Hawaii.
Each story is a self-contained narrative, but its true meaning lies in the connections between them that form a collective whole.
The stories vary widely in style, plot, and perspective, and encompass.
Like the life of a 19th-century notary, a post-WW1 playboy, a strong-willed journalist in 1970s California, an aging literary editor in the early 21st century, a clone inciting rebellion, and a primitive youth who survives in a post-apocalyptic world.
Why you should watch “Cloud Atlas”:
Cloud Atlas is a metaphysical movie that explores the meaning of human existence and living through space and time across lifetimes.
It is an eternal story about the seemingly small steps of conscious individuals who, following their vision and inspiration, move humanity forward.
The sweeping decisions we make throughout our lives, everything we do or don’t do besides ourselves, affect the people around us.
It is this connection between like-minded spirits across lifetimes that is the fundamental backbone of all stories, intertwining and complementing through eternity.
15. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Convicted of rape, McMurphy is transferred to a psychiatric hospital.
Where Nurse Ratched and high doses of drugs, especially sedatives, rob the patient of individuality and any desire to make a change.
McMurphy doesn’t put up with this and tries to lead a rebellion against the often strict and meaningless norms.
However, he comes into conflict with Ratched and the system she represents.
Why you should watch “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”:
The movie analyzes whether insane people are mentally disturbed or individuals whose illness is a reaction to an abnormal and sick society.
Are real lunatics inside or outside of insane asylums, is the commonly accepted “normality” actually correct?
The lunatic asylum is presented as a metaphor for modern society, and the main character, the rebellious McMurphy, the protégé of the same lunatic asylum, rebels against the repressive system by asking uncomfortable questions about normality and abnormality in the modern world.
Although the film’s action takes place in a mental institution, the film is not about showing the symptoms of mental illness but about the freedom of the mind in a closed system.
This film is an ordinary story about the lives of ordinary people who are made to feel alive through good motivation, realize that change is possible and finally get something to fight for.
16. Angel’s Egg
The Angel’s Egg takes place in a dystopian fantasy world with only two characters.
There are two main characters, a young girl living in an abandoned building near an abandoned town and a man.
The man appears on the shore, and he watches a temple-like sphere rise out of the sea, and he silently descends into the city.
Meanwhile, the girl takes her giant egg, which she protects every day by stuffing it under her dress, and heads to the spooky city in search of food and bottles to collect water.
Why you should watch “Angel’s Egg”:
A mysterious young girl wanders a desolate, otherworldly landscape carrying a large egg.
This is the basis for this very complex, ambiguous, and elusive film.
It’s the kind of story that’s open to interpretation since everyone can interpret it differently. Therein lies the genius.
But while it’s frankly ambiguous, I’d argue that some themes are clearly present here if you think about certain scenes properly.
17. Thrive: What on Earth Will It Take?
The film “Thrive” is an unconventional documentary that lifts the veil on what is really going on in our world.
Weaving together breakthroughs in science, consciousness, and activism, Thrive offers real solutions and empowers us with unprecedented and bold strategies to reclaim our lives and futures.
Thrive is more than a contemporary documentary. It’s more of a well-researched and alarming glimpse into who really controls how the world works.
Why you should watch “Thrive”:
Packed with stunning footage, this documentary brings to light what’s really going on in our world.
Obviously, the universe has the amazing ability to balance and thrive.
Just think of the miracle of human reproduction, which produces a being of unlimited potential.
This testifies to the fact that life is meant to function, and our purpose here on earth is to thrive.
But for the majority of people on this planet, life is not about thriving at all. It’s about surviving, about making ends meet.
And the question is: is that intended?
18. Into the Wild
After graduating from college, Christopher McCandless decided to ditch his previous identity, adopt the name Alexander Supertramp, donate his life savings, and set out to roam America.
The ultimate goal of his trip was Alaska, i.e., a lonely life in untouched nature, far away from known currents and people.
In this adventure, he was not guided by any known influences, nor did he fight against any kind of authority, but he himself defined his journey, that is, the spiritual path he followed.
In less than two years, he managed to leave his mark on the vastness of the American continent.
Why you should watch “Into the Wild”:
Among those projects that stand out for creating a motivation for the viewer to start, do something new, and possibly turn something upside down in their life, this film definitely stands out.
The movie is full of wonderful quotes, and it’s all interwoven with amazing music that unobtrusively sounds like a visual experience, elevating the atmosphere to a higher level.
In this film, Christopher McCandless abandons the hypocritical West, materialism, the American dream and lifestyle, and traditions that have been happily nurtured for centuries just because they are traditions while people get lost in the world.
He shows what it really means to be alive and not to be afraid to embark on a journey that is not only exciting but also spiritual.
As he inspires us all along the way to live a little more.
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19. The Celestine Prophecy
The Prophecy of Celestine is the story of the adventure of an American pursued by the authorities through the Peruvian rainforests and highlands in search of an elusive ancient manuscript.
The mysterious manuscript tells of a new understanding that will help people to place historical events in the context of their own experiences, to understand the world around them as a succession of unusual coincidences, interpersonal relationships as an unnecessary struggle for power over emotional ones recognizing energy.
All this reflects on us and our life in the coming time.
Why you should watch “The Celestine Prophecy”:
Based on ancient wisdom, the Celestine Prophecy helps you make a connection between what you are experiencing.
It also allows you to see what will happen in the coming years of your life.
This unforgettable story exudes adventure and new discoveries, but it is also a guide to subtle observations and answers to questions about how and why you are in the moment, guiding you on the path to renewed energy and optimism.
20. Finding Joe – The Hero’s Journey
Finding Joe is more of a motivational video than a film. In the beginning, the story of the mythologist Joseph Campbell is explained.
But then it quickly turns into an affirmation that shows how his observations about cross-cultural commonalities in myth can be transferred to everyday life.
So the film serves as a motivator on the way to our goals at a time when we need support the most.
Why you should watch “Finding Joe – The Hero’s Journey”:
It gives lots of advice for personal expression, personal growth, finding your own purpose or career, and choosing your own hobbies.
One piece of advice is don’t listen to people who say you can’t do what you’re doing or succeed.
Another is: Don’t take the easy way, because that usually doesn’t lead anywhere or to places that you don’t really want.
Other aphorisms include: do the things you really love and face your fears with courage.
Courage isn’t about conquering your fears. It’s about facing and overcoming them.
Don’t be too harsh on your negative traits either, because they too are part of who you are, which is you and not someone else.
21. Awake: The Life of Yogananda
The Life of Yogananda is an unconventional biography about the Hindu Swami who brought yoga and meditation to the West in the 1920s.
Paramahansa Yogananda is the author of the spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi, which has sold millions of copies worldwide and is now a standard work for seekers, philosophers, and yoga enthusiasts.
Personalizing his own quest for enlightenment and sharing his struggles along the way, Yogananda brought the ancient Vedic teachings to a modern audience, attracting many devotees and inspiring millions who practice yoga today.
Why you should watch the spiritual movie “Awake: The Life of Yogananda”:
This film is not just about Yogananda. It is much more than that. It touches on so many important historical, cultural, and spiritual issues.
The mystical experience as a reality equivalent to other experiences, understanding of cosmic energy or cosmic beings against a fundamentalist view of reality.
Understanding the connection between Gandhi, and the civil rights movement, and the philosophy of yoga.
Also, the connection between matter and energy, the connection between consciousness and spirit, and the place of these revelations in science, and the ultimate truth.
After all, a man who improves himself will improve thousands.
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22. Peaceful Warrior
Dan Dillman is a slightly arrogant young man, a gifted student living the American dream.
Good grades, good looks and money, and a chance at a spot on the Olympic gymnastics team complete the picture of a man most of the planet would trade places with.
But not everything is so perfect. After a serious injury, he goes through difficult moments with the help of Socrates and the mysterious girl Joy.
It is the beginning of his journey to self-discovery that will challenge everything he knew or thought he knew about life.
Why you should watch “Peaceful Warrior”:
The movie Peaceful Warrior is a wonderful example of the transcendental dimension of movies.
The next time you’re feeling hopeless and scared, take the time to really observe your surroundings, realize that your very existence is quite an event, and see if anything compels you to take action.
The mystical setting and spiritual message at the end of this film can secretly soothe our somewhat drained and melancholic souls searching for meaning in their existence.
And whether this film will change your life is a question that does not question the essence and success of its philosophy but rather a question for you and your desire to embrace new changes.
23. Inner Worlds – Outer Worlds
“Inner Worlds, Outer Worlds” is a four-part film released free for the benefit of all people.
The author of the film is Canadian filmmaker, musician, and meditation teacher Daniel Schmidt.
He describes the film’s theme as “an outward reflection of his experiences during meditation.”
In fact, as he practiced meditation, he found that many of the insights gained through meditation are consistent with the many teachings of spiritual traditions around the world and that they all contain a common basis.
Why you should watch “Inner Worlds – Outer Worlds”:
Watch the film Inner Worlds – Outer Worlds, and you will get a better picture of how ancient spiritual concepts and scientific discoveries are connected.
Spiritual concepts can give us a better understanding of how the universe works, and in this documentation, they are the guide to our existence.
The film will clearly answer the questions most people think the answer cannot be known.
The key questions of the existence of man and the universe explain the mystery of consciousness and existence in general.
24. Princess Mononoke
The action film Princess Mononoke is set in medieval Japan.
Ashitaka, the last prince of Emishi, manages to save his village by killing a mysterious demon in the form of a giant mutated boar, but he is wounded.
With the help of a wise woman, Ashitaka learns that the demon is actually a deity named Nago and that he is cursed because of him.
The curse, which spreads to the young prince like poison, gives him superhuman strength but will also kill him in the end.
The only hope for the young prince is to leave his village forever and travel west, where he may find a way to lift the curse.
Why you should watch “Princess Mononoke”:
Princess Mononoke touches on very interesting and universal subjects.
The most obvious theme is the destruction of nature, which is always relevant, especially in modern times.
And that is the question of how far man is willing to accept the destruction of nature and its now slowly limited sources for his egoistic goals and interests.
In this film, nature is not portrayed as a helpless being suffering, so to speak, from human harassment.
The deities turn against man, attacking him to prevent his destruction, although they know that it is becoming increasingly difficult to resist modern technology.
This will culminate in a very important scene at the end of the film that shows what happens when man transcends all the limits of reason.
25. Samsara
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“Samsara” is a spiritual movie shot in no less than 25 countries over a period of 5 years.
It leads us through sacred areas, war zones, industrial complexes, to natural habitats.
The lack of any kind of narration and dialogue at the beginning makes “Samsara” a different kind of documentary.
Unlike most of this format, it encourages the viewer to interpret exciting shots full of exhilarating and incredibly high-quality photography.
Why you should watch “Samsara”:
Blending the ancient with the modern in its travels, this film seeks to artistically portray man’s origins, how far he has come, and the overall experience of his life on this planet.
I wouldn’t describe “Samsara” as a classic travelogue or documentary but as a beautifully staged meditation.
Its powerful narratives nourish the soul and enlighten one’s understanding of the cyclical relationship between man and nature. This makes it one of the best spiritual movies of all time.
A fantastic film, a real break for the eyes and soul.
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Last Words
Watching a spiritual movie can be an incredibly uplifting and inspiring experience.
From exploring the power of self-discovery to challenging us to find balance in our lives, these spiritual films make it easy for anyone to learn more about their own inner wisdom or even gain some clarity on life’s most important questions.
Whether you are looking for something lighthearted and comical or something that will introduce you to deeper aspects of spirituality, this list of 25 best spiritual movies provides plenty of options for your next viewing session.
So grab some popcorn, press play, and get inspired!
Is a digital marketer, yoga teacher, and writer. She's fascinated with the power of words and ideas to change the world. Kathleen loves exploring new philosophical insights from various spiritual traditions as well as popular psychology and holistic wellness practices.
