Did you know that a British taxi driver in the Sixties once managed to steal a Goya portrait? What about the complex international Contemporary Art scene and the relationship between high-profile artists and collectors? Here, you can enjoy a selection of legendary films—some iconic, some real hidden gems—that you can add to your must-see watchlist.

12 Art movies to add to you definitive watchlist

1. The Square (2017)

“If you place an object in a museum, does that make this object a piece of art?”. This is a tricky question that the film does not answer. This satirical film about Contemporary Art, directed by Ruben Östlund, has won awards at the Cannes Film Festival and received an Oscar nomination. Be ready to be challenged.

2. Art movies from the past: Francofonia (2015)

Art is sacred and should be protected at all costs. During World War II, the treasures exhibited at the Louvre were protected from the blind fury of hatred by two men who were supposed to be enemies: Jacques Jaujard, the director of the Louvre, and Franziskus Wolff-Metternich, a Nazi occupation officer. This is a real-life story about how they saved hundreds of masterpieces from destruction during wartime.

3. The Best Offer (2012)

Stealing someone’s heart is not the same as stealing an entire collection of paintings, right? Director Giuseppe Tornatore tells the story of Virgil, a master auctioneer who develops an obsession with Claire, a mysterious heiress and art collector who managed to do both things.

4. Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)

Acclaimed as one of the best (or worst) films about Contemporary Art, this film has sparked differing opinions among audiences and critics. Regardless of the debate, it’s a must-see for those who appreciate the way Jake Gyllenhaal can elevate even the most lacklustre scripts into something remarkable. This thriller critiques the materialism of Los Angeles and reveals the high cost of dealing with big-money artists.

5. Art movies during World War II: Monuments Men (2014)

George Clooney packed assembled a star-studded cast to tell the true story of a group of art historians and museum curators who, alongside a team of soldiers, managed to recover artworks stolen by the Nazis during World War II.

6. How to Steal a Million (1966)

This enjoyable vintage comedy is an unmatchable classic for lovers of old movies. Audrey Hepburn and Peter O’Toole are entangled in an intricate heist to expose a Parisian art collector’s fake masterpieces by stealing them. “You don’t think I’d steal something that didn’t belong to me, do you?” (cit.)

7. Never Look Away (2018)

Is struggle a primary aspect to consider in the artistic process? Perhaps you should ask Kurt Barnert, a young artist who managed to escape West Germany during the war. Tormented by PTSD from the Nazi regime, his paintings mirror the traumas of his intense past.

8. The Duke (2020)

British comedies have it all! This one in particular, set in the Sixties, is based on the true story of Kempton Bunton, a 60-year-old taxi driver with strong beliefs who strives for a more equal society. He went from giving free rides to veterans to stealing a Goya portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London to make his point.

9. Midnight in Paris (2011)

Take a trip back in time with this Woody Allen movie and enjoy Paris during the Belle Époque. Every night, you can follow a writer in a parallel dreamy dimension as he meets legendary figures like Picasso, Dalí, Toulouse-Lautrec, Degas, and Gauguin. All the GOATs are waiting for you in Montmartre cafès.

10. Manifesto (2015)

This unique film features 13 different versions of Cate Blanchett performing manifestos of many artistic currents. It includes a range of manifestos, from the Futurism Manifesto by Marinetti to Wassily Kandinsky and Marc’s Preface to the Blue Rider Almanac, as well as the Dada Manifesto by Tristan Tzara and Fontana’s White Manifesto. It’s a real piece of art!

11. Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)

Nobody really knows if this is a documentary or a mockumentary. What we do know is that this film by Banksy is a little piece of art, portraying footage of the most infamous graffiti artists, including Banksy himself, Shephard Fairey, Invader, Mr. Brainwash and many others. It offers a true deep dive into the LA street art scene through the lens of one of the greatest street artists of our time.

12. Art movies from Japan: Akiresu to kame (Achilles and the Tortoise, 2008)

This Japanese film is quirky yet enjoyable, and it tells the story of Machisu, an aspiring artist who is obsessed with gaining fame. He marries Sachiko, an art student who supports him despite his struggles. As Machisu becomes increasingly consumed by his unfulfilled ambition, his journey mirrors the paradox of Achilles and the tortoise. Ultimately, it serves as a cautionary tale about the relentless pursuit of success.