experimental movies in hollywood

The 30+ Best Experimental Movies

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Welcome to the captivating realm of films that challenge conventions, play with form and substance, and provoke discussion. Our expertly-curated Ranker list serves as your guide to the best controversial experimental films that captivated the audience and redefined cinematic storytelling. Wielded by visionary directors, these films push the boundaries, disrupt common tropes, and invoke powerful reactions. 

Rooted in an experimental and provocative ethos, these films are loaded with unique narrative styles, expressive visual language, and characters that defy the mainstream cinema. From surreal dreamscapes to disquieting realities, the chosen films encapsulate a wide range of topics and themes, making this a versatile list that caters to diverse tastes. 

Compare films and dive into the nuances by leveraging our user-friendly interface. Learn about each film's vivid descriptions, key cast members, and notable facts. Enrich your movie watching experience and engage in enlightening conversations as you explore the world of controversial experimental cinema.

Gain instant access to your preferred films with our integrated streaming service buttons. Whether you are a subscriber of Netflix, Disney+, Max, Hulu, Paramount+, or Amazon Prime, our website offers seamless navigation to your streaming platform of choice. Each film entry harbors clickable buttons redirecting to the movie on the above-mentioned platforms, ready to be streamed at your convenience.

Revel in the rich diversity this list offers, from psychological dramas to outlandish horror, each film's distinct style and daring narrative brings something new to the table. Connect with the Ranker community, gather insights, and join the ongoing debate on these ground-breaking films. 

Our Ranker list stands as a testament to cinema's transformative power. Unveiling stories that stay with the audience, these controversial experimental films beckon to the curious and the adventurous. Join others in discovering unexplored cinematic territory and find your next watching experience here on Ranker. Delve deeper, explore further, and embrace the power of experimental films.

Seven Servants

Seven Servants is a masterclass in experimental cinema that effortlessly melds together unconventional storytelling techniques with striking visual aesthetics to create an unparalleled viewing experience. The film's intricate story structure challenges traditional notions of linear storytelling, taking viewers on an immersive journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. Its breathtaking cinematography further accentuates the captivating atmosphere created by this remarkable piece of artistry. Combining these elements with thought-provoking themes exploring power dynamics and human relationships, Seven Servants truly transcends cinematic norms to stand as an extraordinary example of innovative filmmaking.

• Released : 1996
• Directed by : Daryush Shokof

Flushers is an avant-garde masterpiece that skillfully pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling and filmmaking techniques. This experimental gem showcases a bold vision, utilizing daring themes and innovative visual styles to challenge viewers' perception of cinema. With its striking imagery and unconventional story structure, Flushers takes audiences on a surreal journey through uncharted territories, constantly defying expectations while leaving an indelible mark on the world of film. The groundbreaking directorial approach ensures that this enigmatic work stands as a testament to the limitless potential for artistic expression within the medium.

• Released : 2013

Breathful is an enthralling tour de force in experimental cinema that successfully marries exceptional visual innovation with audacious thematic explorations. The film's distinct style lends itself to a hypnotic viewing experience, as viewers are drawn into the labyrinthine story that defies traditional expectations. The daring directorial choices and sublime cinematography create an unparalleled atmosphere of intrigue, ensuring that Breathful remains a fascinating example of boundary-pushing cinema. This artistic triumph is sure to captivate film aficionados and casual viewers alike with its unyielding ambition and visionary execution.

• Released : 2007

Asudem presents an intriguing amalgamation of visceral horror elements and provocative thematic underpinnings. This visionary piece redefines genre conventions by employing cutting-edge visual styles and story devices to create an immersive experience like no other. Through its evocative blend of nightmarish imagery, disturbing symbolism, and thoughtfully constructed plotlines, Asudem offers a startling exploration into the darkest recesses of human nature. With its unrelenting intensity and masterful filmmaking prowess, this standout work leaves a lasting impact on viewers long after the credits have rolled.

• Released : 2006

An Andalusian Dog

An Andalusian Dog remains an undisputed classic within the realm of experimental cinema, boasting an impressive legacy that continues to inspire filmmakers today. As one of the earliest examples of surrealist film, this groundbreaking masterpiece effortlessly blurs the lines between reality and fantasy through its dreamlike imagery and unconventional story structure. Its provocative themes exploring human desire, fear, and obsession are expertly woven throughout each frame, sustaining a palpable tension that leaves viewers enthralled long after their initial viewing experience has ended. Timeless in its avant-garde vision, An Andalusian Dog undeniably remains an essential piece within any cinephile's collection.

• Released : 1929
• Directed by : Luis Buñuel

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie stands tall as a groundbreaking entry in experimental cinema, thanks to its inventive blend of biting social commentary and surreal storytelling techniques. This acclaimed work showcases masterful craftsmanship in both its screenplay and visual presentation, resulting in an unforgettable cinematic journey that keeps viewers riveted from start to finish. With its subversive exploration of bourgeois society's hypocrisies and contradictions, this scathing satire delves deep into the human psyche while challenging long-held societal norms. The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie undoubtedly serves as a shining example of experimental filmmaking at its finest.

• Released : 1972

Eraserhead is widely regarded as a seminal work within the annals of experimental filmmaking history due in large part to David Lynch's singular vision and artful execution. This surrealistic nightmare masterfully combines vivid imagery with a hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack, creating an immersive experience that delves deep into the anxieties of parenthood and modern life. The film's innovative story structure and striking visual design ensure that it remains as captivating today as when it first made waves in the cinematic world. A bold testament to the power of imagination, Eraserhead continues to captivate audiences with its otherworldly allure.

• Released : 1977
• Directed by : David Lynch

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La Jetée stands as a shining example of experimental cinema's limitless potential, combining groundbreaking storytelling techniques with awe-inspiring visual innovation. Comprised entirely of still images, this avant-garde masterpiece skillfully utilizes unconventional methods to weave a complex story exploring themes of time travel, memory, and human existence. Its haunting atmosphere is further accentuated by a masterful use of sound design, ensuring that La Jetée remains an enduring classic within the realm of experimental film. With its imaginative approach and thought-provoking themes, this landmark work serves as an inspiration for filmmakers seeking to break new ground in cinematic storytelling.

• Released : 1962
• Directed by : Chris Marker

Tetsuo: The Iron Man

Tetsuo: The Iron Man is indisputably one of the most iconic entries within experimental cinema history thanks to its distinctive visual style and uncompromising thematic exploration. This cyberpunk cult classic pushes boundaries with its raw portrayal of urban decay, violence, and humanity's relationship with technology while employing inventive filmmaking techniques that challenge traditional expectations. Its frenetic pace and visceral imagery combine to create an unforgettable experience that has left an indelible mark on both genre cinema and experimental film alike. For those seeking a thrilling and daring cinematic journey into uncharted territory, look no further than Tetsuo: The Iron Man .

• Released : 1989
• Directed by : Shinya Tsukamoto

Pierrot le Fou

Pierrot le Fou is widely celebrated as Jean-Luc Godard's magnum opus within experimental cinema, seamlessly blending his signature stylistic flair with a thought-provoking exploration of love, politics, and art. The film's unconventional story structure keeps viewers captivated from start to finish while showcasing Godard's mastery over visual storytelling techniques such as jump cuts, handheld camera work, and bold color palettes. Pierrot le Fou ultimately serves as a prime example of the French New Wave movement's indelible impact on cinematic history while standing tall among experimental cinema classics.

• Released : 1965
• Directed by : Jean-Luc Godard

Man with a Movie Camera

Man with a Movie Camera represents not just an important milestone in experimental cinema but also a groundbreaking achievement in documentary filmmaking. This non-story visual symphony employs innovative directorial techniques and masterful editing to showcase the bustling everyday life of a city while simultaneously exploring the relationship between man and machine. Its impact on future generations of filmmakers cannot be overstated, as Man with a Movie Camera's revolutionary approach to storytelling continues to resonate within the world of contemporary cinema. A true testament to creativity and artistic vision, this avant-garde masterpiece remains essential viewing for cinephiles and casual film enthusiasts alike.

• Directed by : Dziga Vertov

Koyaanisqatsi

Koyaanisqatsi is undoubtedly one of the most important works in experimental cinema, functioning as a mesmerizing visual poem that explores humanity's impact on the natural environment through stunning images and an evocative score by Philip Glass. This unique cinematic experience transcends traditional story structures, focusing instead on conveying its powerful themes through artful cinematography and expertly crafted montages. Imbued with a sense of both wonder and urgency, Koyaanisqatsi remains an enduring reminder of our connection to the Earth and our responsibility as stewards of its delicate balance.

• Released : 1982
• Directed by : Godfrey Reggio

The Color of Pomegranates

The Color of Pomegranates reigns supreme as one of the most visually arresting entries within experimental cinema history, offering a feast for the senses with its breathtaking cinematography, lush color palette, and evocative imagery. This poetic biopic of Armenian troubadour Sayat-Nova draws upon rich cultural symbolism to weave an intricate tapestry exploring themes such as spirituality, love, and artistic expression. The film's innovative structure and director Sergei Parajanov's keen attention to detail ensure that The Color of Pomegranates remains a vital contribution to the experimental film canon.

• Released : 1968
• Directed by : Sergei Parajanov

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me serves as both a prequel to David Lynch's iconic television series "Twin Peaks" and an engrossing entry within experimental cinema in its own right. The film delves deeper into the dark undercurrents of the titular town, exploring themes of violence, duality, and otherworldly forces that remain a hallmark of Lynch's oeuvre. Its surreal visuals and enthralling story structure contribute to an immersive atmosphere that keeps viewers on edge until the very end. As a vital extension of the Twin Peaks universe and a showcase for Lynch's experimental filmmaking prowess, Fire Walk With Me remains a must-see for fans of all film genres.

• Released : 1992

Pi is an outstanding entry within experimental cinema that finds writer-director Darren Aronofsky deftly combining elements of psychological drama, existentialism, and mathematical mysticism to create an unforgettable viewing experience. The film follows a paranoid mathematician as he uncovers hidden patterns in numbers with potentially world-altering implications. Shot in high-contrast black-and-white with dizzying camera work and innovative editing techniques, Pi represents an impressive debut from Aronofsky that showcases his mastery over visual storytelling while expertly exploring deep philosophical themes.

• Released : 1998
• Directed by : Darren Aronofsky

Begotten is an undeniably polarizing entry within experimental cinema due in large part to its stark visual style and provocative thematic explorations. This avant-garde horror opus employs grainy, high-contrast black-and-white visuals to depict a nightmarish landscape imbued with symbolism and mystique. Its haunting atmosphere is further enhanced by a minimalist soundtrack that keeps viewers fully immersed within the world created by writer-director E. Elias Merhige. Challenging yet rewarding in equal measure, Begotten ultimately serves as an unforgettable example of experimental filmmaking at its most audacious.

• Released : 1991
• Directed by : E. Elias Merhige

The Last of England

The Last of England is a powerful work within experimental cinema that stands as director Derek Jarman's visceral response to the social upheaval experienced during 1980s Britain. Incorporating found footage alongside newly filmed segments featuring symbolic imagery reflecting themes such as decay, rebellion, and loss, this impressionistic journey offers viewers a captivating meditation on national identity in times of crisis. With its uncompromising vision and evocative visuals, The Last of England remains an enduring example of Jarman's mastery within the realm of experimental filmmaking.

• Released : 1987
• Directed by : Derek Jarman

Inland Empire

Inland Empire stands as a testament to David Lynch's unyielding dedication to pushing boundaries in experimental cinema. This sprawling, three-hour odyssey delves deep into themes such as identity, dream logic, and Hollywood's dark underbelly while showcasing Lynch's signature blend of surreal imagery and atmospheric sound design. Employing groundbreaking digital filmmaking techniques that lend a distinctively raw visual style to the piece, Inland Empire represents a daring artistic departure for Lynch while simultaneously affirming his mastery over the medium.

El Topo is a pioneering work within experimental cinema that combines elements of Westerns and Eastern mysticism with visually arresting imagery to create an unforgettable cinematic experience. Writer-director Alejandro Jodorowsky infuses this avant-garde masterpiece with dense symbolism exploring themes such as spirituality, violence, and redemption while offering viewers a hallucinatory journey unlike any other in film history. Regarded as one of the first "midnight movies" due to its cult following during late-night screenings at New York City's Elgin Theater, El Topo remains essential viewing for fans of both experimental cinema and genre-defying artistry.

• Released : 1970
• Directed by : Alejandro Jodorowsky

The Testament of Orpheus

The Testament of Orpheus is a mesmerizing entry within experimental cinema that deftly combines stunning visuals, surreal storytelling techniques, and deeply philosophical themes exploring man's relationship with art. As the final installment in Jean Cocteau's Orphic Trilogy , this enigmatic film serves as both a capstone to his body of work and a brilliant exploration into the intersection between reality and fantasy. Simultaneously poetic and self-reflexive in its execution, The Testament of Orpheus remains an important milestone within experimental filmmaking history that continues to inspire artists across multiple disciplines.

• Released : 1960
• Directed by : Jean Cocteau

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives is a spellbinding entry within experimental cinema that transports viewers into a dreamlike realm filled with mythical creatures, spiritual exploration, and meditations on the nature of existence. Winner of the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, this masterful work effortlessly weaves together elements of magical realism with traditional Thai folklore to create an atmospheric experience that lingers in the minds of viewers long after their initial introduction to this enchanting world. With its captivating visual style and thoughtfully constructed story, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives stands as an exceptional example of contemporary experimental cinema.

• Released : 2010
• Directed by : Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Last Year at Marienbad

Last Year at Marienbad is a seminal entry within experimental cinema due in large part to Alain Resnais's masterful direction and innovative story structure. This enigmatic film challenges viewers' perceptions of time, memory, and the human experience by weaving together multiple storylines that blur the line between reality and illusion. Its stunning visuals and evocative atmosphere add further depth to this labyrinthine journey through the mindscape of its characters. As a shining example of the French New Wave movement, Last Year at Marienbad remains an enduring classic within experimental filmmaking.

• Released : 1961
• Directed by : Alain Resnais

Performance

Performance represents a bold and innovative foray into experimental cinema that continues to captivate audiences with its daring story structure, striking visual aesthetics, and thought-provoking themes. Co-directed by Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg, this groundbreaking work charts new territory within the realm of crime films while expertly delving into concepts such as identity, duality, and the transformative power of art. Boasting standout performances from James Fox and Mick Jagger in their respective roles as an enforcer and reclusive rock musician, Performance remains essential viewing for fans of both experimental cinema and classic British filmmaking.

• Directed by : Donald Cammell

My Winnipeg

My Winnipeg is a fascinating entry within experimental cinema that seamlessly combines elements of documentary filmmaking, autobiography, and surrealistic storytelling techniques to explore director Guy Maddin's complex relationship with his hometown. This evocative journey through memory and myth offers viewers an immersive glimpse into both the personal and cultural aspects of life in Winnipeg while showcasing Maddin's unique artistic vision. With its striking visuals and introspective themes, My Winnipeg stands as an essential work within contemporary experimental cinema.

• Directed by : Guy Maddin

Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story

Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story represents a unique foray into experimental cinema that employs unconventional storytelling methods to explore themes such as celebrity, addiction, and media manipulation. Director Todd Haynes utilizes Barbie dolls in place of live actors to recount the tragic story of pop singer Karen Carpenter's battle with anorexia nervosa. This enigmatic film examines societal expectations surrounding body image while offering a haunting meditation on the darker aspects of fame. As an early example of Haynes' innovative approach to filmmaking, Superstar remains an important milestone within experimental cinema history.

• Directed by : Todd Haynes

Poison is an audacious work within experimental cinema that combines three disparate storys spanning various time periods and genres to examine themes such as desire, fear, and societal taboos. Writer-director Todd Haynes employs inventive storytelling methods using both nonlinear plot structures and groundbreaking visual techniques to create an immersive atmosphere filled with intrigue and tension. With its daring exploration of controversial subject matter and artful execution, Poison remains an essential piece within any experimental film enthusiast's collection.

Meshes of the Afternoon

Meshes of the Afternoon is widely regarded as one of experimental cinema's foundational works thanks to its innovative blending of surrealist imagery and avant-garde story techniques. This influential short film by Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid immerses viewers within a dreamlike atmosphere filled with recurring motifs, symbolism, and psychological underpinnings. Heralded for its groundbreaking approach to visual storytelling that would later influence filmmakers such as David Lynch and Stan Brakhage, Meshes of the Afternoon remains an essential piece within any cinephile's collection.

• Released : 1943
• Directed by : Maya Deren, Alexandr Hackenschmied

The Element of Crime

The Element of Crime is an enthralling entry within experimental cinema that finds visionary director Lars von Trier deftly combining elements of film noir with philosophical meditations on human nature, crime, and redemption. This visually stunning work employs a distinct color palette dominated by sepia tones to create an atmospheric backdrop for its labyrinthine exploration into the psyche of a detective tasked with solving a series of murders. With its innovative story structure and thought-provoking themes, The Element of Crime remains an enduring classic within both genre cinema and experimental filmmaking.

• Released : 1984
• Directed by : Lars von Trier

Sunless is a groundbreaking entry within experimental cinema that combines elements of documentary filmmaking with dreamlike imagery to create an immersive exploration into memory, history, and human experience. Writer-director Chris Marker masterfully weaves together stunning visuals from various locations around the globe alongside thought-provoking voiceover narration in this captivating meditation on time's passage and collective consciousness. Sunless remains a vital contribution to both documentary and experimental film genres due in large part to its artful execution and timeless themes.

• Released : 1983

Gummo is a deeply affecting entry within experimental cinema that serves as both writer-director Harmony Korine's debut feature and a stark portrait of rural American life on the fringes. Employing nontraditional story structures and strikingly raw visuals, this provocative work delves into themes such as alienation, poverty, and the transient nature of human existence. With its unflinching examination of society's underbelly and commitment to innovative filmmaking techniques, Gummo remains an essential piece for fans of boundary-pushing cinema.

• Released : 1997
• Directed by : Harmony Korine

The Saddest Music in the World

The Saddest Music in the World is a dazzling example of experimental cinema that showcases director Guy Maddin's signature blend of melodrama, surrealism, and visually sumptuous aesthetics. Set during the Great Depression in a fictionalized Winnipeg, this inventive work tells the story of a beer baroness who sponsors a contest to find the world's most melancholy music. With its innovative story structure and atmospheric visuals, The Saddest Music in the World remains an unforgettable viewing experience for fans of both avant-garde cinema and darkly comic storytelling.

• Released : 2003

Black Moon is a daring foray into experimental cinema from renowned French filmmaker Louis Malle that captivates viewers with its dreamlike imagery, allegorical story structure, and provocative exploration into societal norms surrounding gender roles and power dynamics. This enigmatic film immerses audiences within a fantastical world fraught with symbolism as it follows the journey of a young woman who finds herself traversing a post-apocalyptic landscape inhabited by strange creatures and an enigmatic family engaged in their own psychological battles. With its innovative storytelling methods and visually arresting aesthetics, Black Moon remains an essential work within the canon of experimental cinema.

• Released : 1975
• Directed by : Louis Malle

Gelateria is an intriguing entry within experimental cinema that pushes boundaries with its innovative story structure and thought-provoking exploration into themes such as memory, loss, and human connections. This visually stunning film employs surrealistic imagery alongside expertly crafted sound design to create an immersive atmosphere that keeps viewers enthralled from start to finish. As it delves deep into the complexities of human relationships and our ever-evolving understanding of reality itself, Gelateria remains an essential work for fans of avant-garde filmmaking.

• Released : 2019
• Directed by : Arthur Patching & Christian Serritiello

Cowards Bend the Knee

Cowards Bend the Knee is an engrossing entry within experimental cinema that showcases director Guy Maddin's signature blend of visual innovation, melodramatic storytelling, and darkly comic sensibilities. This silent film-inspired work tells the tale of a hockey player entangled in a web of family secrets, revenge, and betrayal while exploring themes such as desire, guilt, and human frailty. With its striking visuals and captivating story structure, Cowards Bend the Knee stands as yet another testament to Maddin's prowess as one of contemporary cinema's most imaginative filmmakers.

Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life

Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life is a delightful foray into experimental cinema that combines elements of absurdist comedy with literary adaptation to create a unique viewing experience centered on famed author Franz Kafka struggling to complete his seminal work The Metamorphosis . This Academy Award-winning short film from writer-director Peter Capaldi employs innovative storytelling techniques alongside whimsical visuals to explore themes such as creativity, existentialism, and the transformative power of art. With its captivating blend of humor and introspection, Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life remains a standout example of experimental filmmaking at its most imaginative.

• Released : 1993
• Directed by : Peter Capaldi

Cremaster 3

Cremaster 3 is an ambitious entry within experimental cinema that serves as the final installment in Matthew Barney's visually stunning and conceptually dense "Cremaster Cycle." This enigmatic work utilizes surrealistic imagery, elaborate set pieces, and unconventional story structure to explore themes such as creation, destruction, and transformation while presenting viewers with an immersive journey through time and space. With its unique blending of performance art, sculpture, and filmic techniques, Cremaster 3 remains an essential entry within the experimental film canon that challenges viewers' perceptions of both art and cinema itself.

• Released : 2002
• Directed by : Matthew Barney
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The Top 50 Avant-garde / Experimental Movies of All Time

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Persona https://www.flickchart.com/movie/51477FA9A2 1966 , 85 min.

Ingmar Bergman   •    Starring: Bibi Andersson ,  Liv Ullmann ,  Margareta Krook

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Foreign Language Film

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Woman in the Dunes https://www.flickchart.com/movie/64B8483026 1964 , 123 min.

Hiroshi Teshigahara   •    Starring: Eiji Okada ,  Kyoko Kishida ,  Hiroko Ito

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Based-on-20th-Century-Literature    •    Drama

The Mirror https://www.flickchart.com/movie/5AF38E0152 1975 , 106 min.

Andrei Tarkovsky   •    Starring: Margarita Terekhova ,  Oleg Yankovskiy ,  Filipp Yankovsky

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Based-on-a-True-Story    •    Biopic

The Holy Mountain https://www.flickchart.com/movie/BE984A7F57 1973 , 114 min.

Alejandro Jodorowsky   •    Starring: Alejandro Jodorowsky ,  Horacio Salinas ,  Zamira Saunders

Adventure    •    Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Media Satire

Last Year at Marienbad https://www.flickchart.com/movie/441EAFCC25 1961 , 94 min.

Alain Resnais   •    Starring: Delphine Seyrig ,  Giorgio Albertazzi ,  Sacha Pitoeff

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie https://www.flickchart.com/movie/15A7167D59 1972 , 102 min.

Luis Buñuel   •    Starring: Fernando Rey ,  Jean-Pierre Cassel ,  Stéphane Audran

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Black Comedy    •    Comedy

Pierrot le fou https://www.flickchart.com/movie/9E50B9C505 1965 , 110 min.

Jean-Luc Godard   •    Starring: Jean-Paul Belmondo ,  Anna Karina ,  Graziella Galvani

My Life to Live https://www.flickchart.com/movie/141B741C6D 1962 , 85 min.

Jean-Luc Godard   •    Starring: Anna Karina ,  Guylaine Schlumberger ,  Eric Schlumberger

Man with a Movie Camera https://www.flickchart.com/movie/63B3024A94 1929 , 68 min.

Dziga Vertov   •    Starring: Mikhail Kaufman

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    City Symphony film    •    Culture and Society

F for Fake https://www.flickchart.com/movie/C9F96645FE 1973 , 85 min.

Orson Welles   •    Starring: Joseph Cotten ,  Richard Wilson ,  Orson Welles

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Biography    •    Con Artist / Hustler

Possession https://www.flickchart.com/movie/044AF02050 1981 , 123 min.

Andrzej Zulawski   •    Starring: Isabelle Adjani ,  Sam Neill ,  Margit Carstensen

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Body Horror    •    Drama

La jetée https://www.flickchart.com/movie/8A66EDB3DF 1962 , 28 min.

Chris Marker   •    Starring: Jean Négroni ,  Hélène Chatelain ,  Davos Hanich

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Foreign Language Film    •    French New Wave

Eraserhead https://www.flickchart.com/movie/185269423E 1977 , 89 min.

David Lynch   •    Starring: Jack Nance ,  Jeanne Bates ,  Judith Anna Roberts

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Body Horror    •    Dystopian Film

House https://www.flickchart.com/movie/E24174DEBB 1977 , 88 min.

Nobuhiko Ôbayashi   •    Starring: Kimiko Ikegami ,  Kumiko Ohba ,  Yôko Minamida

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Comedy    •    Fantasy Comedy

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas https://www.flickchart.com/movie/BA1CE92A58 1998 , 118 min.

Terry Gilliam   •    Starring: Johnny Depp ,  Benicio Del Toro ,  Tobey Maguire

Absurd Comedy    •    Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Based-on-20th-Century-Literature

El Topo https://www.flickchart.com/movie/F83F7F7114 1970 , 125 min.

Alejandro Jodorowsky   •    Starring: Alejandro Jodorowsky ,  Alfonso Arau ,  Brontis Jodorowsky

Adventure    •    Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Foreign Language Film

Koyaanisqatsi https://www.flickchart.com/movie/258F656841 1982 , 86 min.

Godfrey Reggio

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Culture and Society    •    Documentary

Mulholland Dr. https://www.flickchart.com/movie/C35401EBF0 2001 , 147 min.

David Lynch   •    Starring: Naomi Watts ,  Laura Harring ,  Ann Miller

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Mindbender

Jeanne Dielman, 23, Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles https://www.flickchart.com/movie/EDA0904CC2 1975 , 201 min.

Chantal Akerman   •    Starring: Delphine Seyrig ,  Jan Decorte ,  Henri Storck

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Female-Directed Film

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me https://www.flickchart.com/movie/9FE579D217 1992 , 135 min.

David Lynch   •    Starring: Sheryl Lee ,  Chris Isaak ,  Ray Wise

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Based-on-Television    •    Mystery

Un Chien Andalou https://www.flickchart.com/movie/706EEDB109 1929 , 16 min.

Luis Buñuel   •    Starring: Pierre Batcheff ,  Simone Mareuil ,  Luis Buñuel

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Horror    •    Mindbender

Naked Lunch https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D690D04666 1991 , 115 min.

David Cronenberg   •    Starring: Peter Weller ,  Judy Davis ,  Ian Holm

Addiction Drama    •    Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Based-on-20th-Century-Literature

Baraka https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D75B5A56E8 1992 , 96 min.

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Documentary

Santa Sangre https://www.flickchart.com/movie/2132D85083 1989 , 123 min.

Alejandro Jodorowsky   •    Starring: Axel Jodorowsky ,  Blanca Guerra ,  Guy Stockwell

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Fantasy

Daisies https://www.flickchart.com/movie/44BF48CA9B 1966 , 74 min.

Vera Chytilová   •    Starring: Ivana Karbanová ,  Jitka Cerhová ,  Julius Albert

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Black Comedy    •    Comedy Drama

Meshes of the Afternoon https://www.flickchart.com/movie/8F00E91577 1943 , 14 min.

Maya Deren, Alexander Hammid   •    Starring: Maya Deren ,  Alexander Hammid

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Fantasy    •    Female-Directed Film

Enter the Void https://www.flickchart.com/movie/8D79E68AA0 2009 , 136 min.

Gaspar Noé   •    Starring: Paz de la Huerta ,  Nathaniel Brown ,  Cyril Roy

Sans Soleil https://www.flickchart.com/movie/4CFB2B8A65 1983 , 100 min.

Chris Marker   •    Starring: Florence Delay ,  Arielle Dombasle ,  Riyoko Ikeda

Inland Empire https://www.flickchart.com/movie/83BDDB87AE 2006 , 180 min.

David Lynch   •    Starring: Harry Dean Stanton ,  Laura Dern ,  Justin Theroux

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Ensemble Film    •    Mindbender

Week End https://www.flickchart.com/movie/0423946FDF 1967 , 105 min.

Jean-Luc Godard   •    Starring: Jean Yanne ,  Jean-Pierre Kalfon ,  Yves Afonso

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Black Comedy    •    Cannibal Film

Waltz with Bashir https://www.flickchart.com/movie/1EBFC9EFB0 2008 , 90 min.

Ari Folman   •    Starring: Ron Ben-Yishai ,  Ronny Dayag ,  Ari Folman

Animation    •    Anti-War Film    •    Avant-garde / Experimental

Pi https://www.flickchart.com/movie/87C82D2CC5 1998 , 84 min.

Darren Aronofsky   •    Starring: Sean Gullette ,  Mark Margolis ,  Ben Shenkman

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Mindbender    •    Psychological Thriller

Waking Life https://www.flickchart.com/movie/53143C0A99 2001 , 99 min.

Richard Linklater   •    Starring: Wiley Wiggins ,  Kim Krizan ,  Ethan Hawke

Animation    •    Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama

I Am Cuba https://www.flickchart.com/movie/D51F42CA2A 1964 , 141 min.

Mikhail Kalatozov   •    Starring: Salvador Wood ,  Sergio Corrieri ,  José Gallardo

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Epic

Holy Motors https://www.flickchart.com/movie/07D7EDAD1C 2012 , 115 min.

Leos Carax   •    Starring: Denis Lavant ,  Edith Scob ,  Kylie Minogue

The Phantom of Liberty https://www.flickchart.com/movie/3F7F41A6CA 1974 , 104 min.

Luis Buñuel   •    Starring: Adolfo Celi ,  Adriana Asti ,  Julien Bertheau

Celine and Julie Go Boating https://www.flickchart.com/movie/2582D8E1CE 1974 , 193 min.

Jacques Rivette   •    Starring: Juliet Berto ,  Dominique Labourier ,  Bulle Ogier

L'Age d'Or https://www.flickchart.com/movie/E221B053AD 1930 , 60 min.

Luis Buñuel   •    Starring: Gaston Modot ,  Lya Lys

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Comedy    •    Drama

The Blood of a Poet https://www.flickchart.com/movie/4EDCF5BA0F 1932 , 55 min.

Jean Cocteau   •    Starring: Enrique Rivero ,  Elizabeth Lee Miller ,  Pauline Carton

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Fantasy    •    Foreign Language Film

Twin Peaks: The Return https://www.flickchart.com/movie/5E60BF025F 2017 , 1080 min.

David Lynch   •    Starring: Kyle MacLachlan ,  David Lynch ,  Naomi Watts

Absurd Comedy    •    Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Crime Drama

Dogville https://www.flickchart.com/movie/8B20DD452D 2003 , 178 min.

Lars von Trier   •    Starring: John Hurt ,  Philip Baker Hall ,  Nicole Kidman

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Melodrama

Alice https://www.flickchart.com/movie/34A2DAFAE9 1988 , 86 min.

Jan Svankmajer   •    Starring: Kristyna Kohoutova

Adventure    •    Animation    •    Avant-garde / Experimental

Performance https://www.flickchart.com/movie/C86C15F887 1970 , 105 min.

Donald Cammell, Nicolas Roeg   •    Starring: James Fox ,  Mick Jagger ,  Anita Pallenberg

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Crime Drama    •    Crime

Tetsuo, the Iron Man https://www.flickchart.com/movie/4E50AFC392 1989 , 67 min.

Shinya Tsukamoto   •    Starring: Tomorowo Taguchi ,  Kei Fujiwara ,  Nobu Kanaoka

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Body Horror    •    Cyberpunk / Tech Noir

Mother! https://www.flickchart.com/movie/3E7F4BCE19 2017 , 121 min.

Darren Aronofsky   •    Starring: Jennifer Lawrence ,  Javier Bardem ,  Ed Harris

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Home Invasion Film

Russian Ark https://www.flickchart.com/movie/DC014A8D16 2002 , 99 min.

Aleksandr Sokurov   •    Starring: Sergei Dontsov ,  Mariya Kuznetsova ,  Leonid Mozgovoy

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Foreign Language Film

Gummo https://www.flickchart.com/movie/74AD1C7DAF 1997 , 89 min.

Harmony Korine   •    Starring: Jacob Reynolds ,  Jacob Sewell ,  Nick Sutton

The Color of Pomegranates https://www.flickchart.com/movie/470A9949DD 1968 , 79 min.

Sergei Parajanov   •    Starring: Sofiko Chiaureli ,  Melkon Aleksanyan ,  Vilen Galstyan

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Foreign Language Film    •    Period Film

A Page of Madness https://www.flickchart.com/movie/A8FAC211D5 1926 , 78 min.

Teinosuke Kinugasa   •    Starring: Masuo Inoue ,  Yoshie Nakagawa ,  Ayako Iijima

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    Drama    •    Horror

Berlin: Symphony of a Great City https://www.flickchart.com/movie/3E16DE4D15 1927 , 65 min.

Walter Ruttmann

Avant-garde / Experimental    •    City Symphony film    •    Documentary

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Top 10 Experimental Films

Known to some as “avant-garde” and to others as “underground”, there is a distinct genre of film known as “experimental” that exists solely to further and explore the process of filmmaking. Usually made by artists who operate outside of the commercial mainstream, experimental films are usually made cheaply with very low budgets. They frequently contain non-linear approaches to storylines, radical filmmaking techniques, and a blatant disregard for the cinematic status quo. The world of experimental film is so vast and unique that it can be next to impossible to pin down which films qualify as part of the genre. After all, if a mainstream Hollywood film utilizes new or bizarre camera techniques, does that make it experimental? Does a film have to be made on a nearly non-existent budget for it to qualify as experimental? Does a film need to be made by an underground artist for it to count? These are all questions that dominate those who try to define just what encapsulates experimental film. However, there are certain films that have been widely embraced as pinnacles of the genre. Below, I have gathered ten such films and have arranged them in chronological order of their release dates.

Note: Not all of the YouTube videos for these films allowed embedding, please visit our playlist for more videos.

10. Un Chien Andalou

Directed by Luis Buñuel

Widely considered to be the most famous experimental film of all time, Un Chien Andalou was the result of a meeting of two of the greatest minds of the 20 th century:  surrealists Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí. The film has no real plot, relying instead on bizarre imagery drawn from dream logic and Freudian free association techniques. Made infamous for its opening scene that depicts a woman having her eye sliced open with a razor, it would go on to gain great notoriety among art circles. Once again, I must repeat that any attempt to try to glean any kind of meaning or interpretation of the film is pointless. Buñuel himself once stated that during the writing process for the film, they made sure that “no idea or image that might lend itself to a rational explanation of any kind would be accepted.”  He went on to add that “Nothing, in the film, symbolizes anything.”

9. L’Age d’Or

The second film on this list is another collaboration between Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí. Unlike Un Chien Andalou , this film attempts to have some semblance of a cohesive narrative. It is composed of several seemingly unrelated vignettes that range from a nature documentary on scorpions, a young couple trying in vain to find a place to have sex, and a partial reenactment of the events in Marquis de Sade’s 120 Days of Sodom . Also, unlike Un Chien Andalou , this film was subjected to great protests and anger from the general public. It particularly enraged the Catholic Church for several potentially blasphemous images, including a young woman fellating the toe of a religious statue and a scene that implies a Christ-like figure taking part in orgies. Nonetheless, it has since gained a reputation as one of the most important experimental films ever made.

8. Rose Hobart

Directed by Joseph Cornell

One of the earliest (and most famous) American experimental films, Rose Hobart helped lay the groundwork for experimental filmmaking. The film is essentially a copy of the feature length East of Borneo that has been cut up and re-edited. Ironically, it didn’t even start as an experimental film. Instead, it was created after director Joseph Cornell decided to re-edit his own 16mm copy of the film so that it wouldn’t be boring during repeated viewings. The film was essentially stripped down and rearranged into a kind of Frankenstein monster that greatly emphasized shots showing the star Rose Hobart. When it was later screened for audiences, it was projected through a piece of blue glass and played at the projection speed of silent films. It apparently amazed Salvador Dalí so much that during one of its screenings, he knocked the projector over and cried, “ He stole it from my dreams! ”

7. Meshes of the Afternoon

Directed by Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid

Inspired by the aforementioned Un Chien Andalou and L’Age d’Or , Maya Deren and her husband Alexander Hammid created one of the most enigmatic short films ever made. For over 60 years critics have tried to dissect and analyze this captivating film. Is it a psychological horror film? Maybe. It deals with a woman slowly losing her mind and her grasp on reality. Is it a commentary on film noir ?  Maybe. It certainly looks and feels at times like a film noir , what with its jagged imagery and gloomy atmosphere. Is it designed solely to challenge pre-existing concepts of cinematic form?  Maybe. The entire narrative is circular in nature, utilizes repeated images, and seems to disregard modern sound editing (the original cut was completely silent but later given a soundtrack made of classical Japanese music). Whatever Meshes of the Afternoon may be, there is no denying that it has held sway over the creative community for years. Even more mainstream filmmakers, David Lynch in particular, sing its praises and model their work after it.

6. Fireworks

Directed by Kenneth Anger

Made when he was only twenty years old, legendary experimental filmmaker Kenneth Anger directed Fireworks , a challenging and gritty exploration of homosexuality and sado-masochism. Made while his parents were away from home on a long weekend, Anger scraped this film together over the course of only a few days. The plot, if one can call it one, deals with a shirtless young man being assaulted (maybe even raped) by a gang of sailors at a bar. This is all interspersed with surreal imagery, including flaming Christmas trees, burning photographs, and of course, fireworks. While it wasn’t Anger’s first film, it is the earliest of his work that still survives. In addition to being one of the first films by an infamous filmmaker, it also was a legal milestone. Anger was arrested on obscenity charges after releasing the film and lawsuits were brought up against film managers who screened it. The case went all the way to the California Supreme Court where the film was declared as art, scoring a major victory for underground filmmakers.

Directed by Bruce Conner

Bruce Conner’s A Movie was a milestone film that helped pioneer the use of found footage in the cinema. Whereas other filmmakers would go out and shoot original footage for their films, Conner made A Movie completely out of found (stock) footage. Utilizing snippets of footage from sources as diverse as B-movies, newsreels, and soft-core pornography, Conner created a kind of narrative. The film is particularly full of violent imagery . Examples include crashing cars and war footage. But Conner also injected numerous sexual metaphors into the film. In one of the film’s most famous sequences, shots of scuba divers are used to imitate sperm approaching an egg. In fact, an argument could be made that the entire film is a metaphor for sex. Whatever it is, it inspired countless filmmakers to use found footage in their work. With A Movie , Bruce Conner literally founded a new school of experimental film.

4. Dog Star Man

Directed by Stan Brakhage

Stan Brakhage is easily considered one of the most prolific and influential American experimental filmmakers who ever lived. Known for his largely non-narrative and expressionistic films, Brakhage helped redefine the boundaries of what experimental filmmakers could achieve. One of his most popular works was his Dog Star Man cycle, a series of five films made between 1962 and 1964. The second film in the cycle, Dog Star Man Part I , helped establish his name in the experimental cinema community. The film examines a bearded man carrying an axe walking up a wooded mountain along with a dog. Interspersed with the man’s struggles, we see shots of water, trees, fires, and blood. It is all accompanied by a silent soundtrack that emphasizes the bizarre images on the screen. Visual poetry of the highest caliber, Dog Star Man will leave you hypnotized.

3. Flaming Creatures

Directed by Jack Smith

You wouldn’t think that a 43-minute experimental film would cause much fuss in mainstream society. However, Jack Smith proved the world wrong when he released his Flaming Creatures in 1963. Described by Smith to be, “a comedy set in a haunted music studio,” Flaming Creatures was comprised of a series of disconnected tableaux that depicted a frenzy of countercultural mayhem. It contained multitudes of “social degenerates,” including transvestites, hermaphrodites, and rapists. Filmed on outdated black-and-white film stock, Flaming Creatures channeled pure energy as its occupants went on a rampage of chases , dances, and orgies. Set to the sound of such eclectic musicians as Deanna Durbin and the Everly Brothers, Smith made sure that his film would be the likes of which nobody had ever seen or heard before. Is it any surprise that it caused riots throughout the 60s and 70s?  The film itself was seized by the police at its premiere and declared obscene by a New York Criminal Court.

2. Scorpio Rising

While the East coast rioted over Flaming Creatures , the West coast reeled against the impact of Kenneth Anger’s Scorpio Rising . While the film may not have any definite kind of plot, the film does center on a biker named Scorpio (played by Bruce Byron). We watch as he fixes his bike, tries on different clothes, and gets into fights. The entire film is filled with camp sensibilities that focus on things like leather-clad bikers, the occult, pictures of Jesus, and the persona of James Dean. Like much of his other work, Scorpio Rising was filled with homosexual imagery, but the film is most famous for its soundtrack. While the film has no dialogue to speak of, it is accompanied by a fantastic soundtrack of popular music from the 1950s and 1960s. Much like his earlier film Fireworks , the filmmaker was charged on complaints of indecency and went before the Supreme Court as a result of this film. Once again, the Court decided in his favor. The film would go on to become a major influence on the directors Martin Scorsese and David Lynch.

1. Wavelength

Directed by Michael Snow

Wavelength is one of the most infamous and, at the same time, widely respected experimental films ever made. Considered a masterpiece of underground and structural film, Wave length consists of a single long shot of a room. We watch as people come in and leave in four separate scenes as the camera slowly zooms in on the room. All the while, we hear sirens and loud beeps that increase and decrease in frequency throughout the entire film until they amplify into a deafening shriek. The film has been practically worshipped by underground filmmakers. It was included in the 2001 Village Voice critics’ list of the 100 Best Film of the 20 th Century and the Toronto International Film Festival’s list of the greatest Canadian films of all time.

19 Comments

What a load of wubbish

Not really much in the way of modern experimental film….

I agree the list is missing. What about Dziga Vertov’s 1929 “Man with a Movie Camera”? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0019760/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

hi i’m not going to comment.i’ve a screenplay,wchich is written by me based on the big bang theory.which is experimenting by 20 europian country in between of the france and swetzerland border,and 80 countryes(old to children) are excitily waiting for their result. if any producer realy want it, contact me at 08804138949 or through my e-mail manish kumar (author,writer,motivator and a teacher) thanks?

I like plot. I like sequences of actions that are, in some way, causative. At the same time, I recognize that most of our explanations for our own actions and our reconstruction of events is largely fictitious. Humans have this horrible desire to have everything make sense and see everything as proceeding logically. It can be really great to see a film that undercuts all that and shows us things that don’t conform to our everyday constructs.

@CreamK Hi CreamK – I’m just here to defend Wavelength which I really like watching! It takes its time to do one thing (the sssllllooowww zoom) which I really like, but there are other things to distract me on the way, all the different stories that happen in the room. I live somewhere were life moves very slowly, so maybe I’m veyr patient. I am a normal person (a barman) with normal social skills and I’m not some weird art vampire living in my art castle

“Johnny Got His Gun” starring Timothy Bottoms is both experimental and surreal !!!

Oh I am a common folk and I don’t understand and don’t wanna understand any of these movies!! PLEASE!! make them go away! bring me my Ice T and my Jessica Alba please!

I’m also baffled by the Wavelength. As many of the experimental works maybe it isn’t actually made to be watched but to present an idea. And that idea is then refined by others, i have seen this effect used on many horrorfilms. But as a work of cinematic art it’s still nonsense and don’t actually require to be watched at all. The director of course feels different from that.

these films all seem retarded.

How bad! but did you really make a psychological examination of thesei movies?

cos I didn’t know movies could be mentally challenged mom… perhaps… you are…

the thing about what makes these movies so “great”? They aren’t by most people’s standards. Art, wether in film or other mediums, likewise literature, music and even gourmet food, have in large part always been the interest of a small minority of people who have appointed themselves arbiters of what is good and what is not,. They mistake their personal preferences for some demonstrably superior universal standard for what everyone should like. The most self-certain of these become critics. It’s fine if they have tastes different than the majority. More power to them. Most of us do, in one thing or another. But there is no right or wrong here, there is only personal taste. There is no accounting for taste.

I’m really sorry that you don’t get art

Any film is art…I’m sorry that you have bad taste.

Nope, not ANY film is art, i’m sorry that you can’t get a grasp on how things work, crawl back to your mom’s womb please

wow that’s very horrible expirement

Someone please explain the ‘genuis’ of Wavelength, its unwatchable and unlistenable and annoying and silly. A 8 year old could have done it by accident!?

the video shown here isnt the full version of wavelength

This list is missing

Samuel Beckett’s Film – A weird silent film starring a frail Buster Keaton Empire – Andy Warhol’s 10 Hour Static Shot of the Empire State Building

and you may laugh but I’d put

Freddy Got Fingered – Tom Green’s Studio Film is a Surrealist Nightmare not unlike many of the above mentioned.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

‘Enter the Void’ & 9 of the Most Interesting Experimental Movies of All Time

The 10 Worst Movie Sequels from Major Franchises, Ranked

The 10 best christmas war movies, ranked, the 10 worst movies of all time, according to roger ebert.

Rules are meant to be broken. Surely, this rule applies to any living human, but perhaps more so to artists, especially filmmakers. Throughout the history of cinema, many filmmakers have experimented with movies and bent the rules of what filmmaking should be. But of course, some have done their films poorly, and others have delighted their audiences.

RELATED: 'Skinamarink' & 9 Other Experimental Horror Movies That Are as Strange as They Are Scary

What counts as an experimental movie? They are avant-garde and unconventional approaches to a film’s narrative, structure, and visual style. Movies such as Enter the Void , The Holy Mountain , and The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie are experimental films that have defied conventional cinema and what audiences are willing to accept as entertainment or experience.

1 ‘Upstream Color’ (2013)

Upstream Color is written, directed, produced by, and stars Shane Carruth . The film is about two people, Jeff (Shane Carruth) and Kris ( Amy Seimetz ), whose lives and behaviors are unknowingly affected by a parasite. The parasite has a three-stage life cycle that passes from humans to pigs to orchids. At every stage of the life cycle, the parasite reacts differently, which in turn, also affects the behaviors of its victims, and in this case, Kris and Jeff.

Like many experimental films, this one has always been up for interpretation. In several interviews, Carruth has mentioned that the film is about identity: “about whether we control our identity to whether our identity controls us.”

2 ‘Holy Motors’ (2012)

Where to begin? Holy Motors follows the chauffeur Céline ( Edith Scab ) and Monsieur Oscar ( Denis Lavant ), seemingly an actor, who gets into a limo with a dressing room filled with costumes and props. Mr. Oscar’s first "performance" is as a beggar woman wandering the bridge in Paris; and then a gangster; a father; a red-haired man who lives in the sewers; a rich banker; “Mr. Vogan”; a man with chimpanzees as his family.

And although Holy Motors received critical acclaim and high praise from many critics and filmmakers, many still wonder about the true meaning behind the film. Why is a man dressed up as different characters, all within one day?

3 ‘Enter the Void’ (2009)

Enter the Void is a film told through the point-of-view of a young American drug dealer and addict, Oscar ( Nathaniel Brown ), who lives in an apartment in Tokyo with his sister, Linda ( Paz de la Huerta ), who works as a stripper. Once Oscar dives deep into a hallucinogenic trip, his friend Victor ( Olly Alexander ) invites him to deal at “The Void” bar, but once he gets there, a police raid costs him his life.

After his death, Oscar is resurrected in the form of his spirit, and this is where the real journey begins: a psychedelic journey of Oscar’s past, present, and future. The film that premiered at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival has often been praised for its colors and visuals.

RELATED: From 'The Holy Mountain' to 'Yellow Submarine': 10 Most Psychedelic Movies, According to Reddit

4 'Eraserhead' (1977)

Written and directed by filmmaker David Lynch , Eraserhead is a black-and-white surrealist horror film that follows a factory worker Henry Spencer ( Jack Nance ), who discovers that his girlfriend, Mary X ( Charlotte Stewart ), is pregnant. However, their newborn child appears as an inhuman, reptilian-like creature that refuses to stop wailing. When things couldn’t get worse with the baby, Henry experiences visions of other characters, such as the Man in the Planet ( Jack Fisk ) and Lady in the Radiator ( Laurel Near ), troubling him even more.

Eraserhead is not a conventional horror but more so an extreme metaphorical take on the fear of parenthood, for instance, using the “baby” as a terrifying creature who cries endlessly and bizarre visions from perhaps, a parent’s lack of sleep. The film has often been praised for its score and sound design (also done by Lynch): Nathan Lee of The Village Voice wrote, “…to see the film means nothing - one must also hear it.”

5 ‘Mirror’ (1975)

Mirror (or The Mirror ) is a 1975 Russian film by Andrei Tarkovsky . It is told in a non-linear narrative structure with events based on Tarkovsky’s life, consisting of dreams and flashbacks of life pre-war, wartime, and post-war. In the film, Andrei Tarkovsky is represented by Alexei ( Ignat Daniltsev ), a 40-year-old dying man who shares the memories of his life, such as his parents’ divorce and the battlefields of World War II, with his wife ( Margarita Terekhova ) and children.

The film incorporates poems written and read by Tarkovsky’s real-life father, Arseny Tarkovsky , and stars his wife, Larisa Tarkovskaya , and mother, Maria Vishnyakova . Besides the non-linear narrative, the film’s cinematography which slips between black-and-white, color, and sepia, contributes to what Tarkovsky wanted to portray: a man’s stream of consciousness.

6 ‘Celine and Julie Go Boating’ (1974)

Celine and Julie Go Boating (French: Céline et Julie vont en bateau: Phantom Ladies Over Paris ) is a French film that focuses on the friendship that blossoms between two girls: a stage magician, Céline ( Juliet Berto ), and a librarian, Julie ( Dominique Labourier ), who move in together and embark on a new adventure involving an inducing candy, a haunted house, and a murder-mystery melodrama.

In the movie, anything goes. It is this principle that drives the film to be as inventive and experimental as it can be. Céline and Julie Go Boating combine elements of magic and dreams where the characters share endless possibilities of pleasure, adventures, and parallel worlds.

RELATED: 'The 400 Blows' and 9 More of the Best French New Wave Movies, According to IMDb

7 'The Holy Mountain' (1973)

The Holy Mountain is a surrealist-Mexican film written, directed, produced, co-edited, co-scored, and starring Alejandro Jodorowsky . This film is almost too surreal to be true: an alchemist (Alejandro Jodorowsky) and his apprentice, the thief ( Horacio Salinas ), meets seven powerful people who are each introduced as a personification of a planet on the solar system.

Venus is a cosmetics manufacturer; Mars is a weapons manufacturer; Jupiter is a millionaire art dealer; Saturn is a war toy maker; Uranus is a political financial advisor; Neptune is a police chief; Pluto is an architect. Together, these seven people, the alchemist, and his apprentice form a group of nine who seek the Holy Mountain, where they hope to achieve enlightenment and immortality.

8 ‘The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie’ (1972)

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (French: Le Charme discrete de la bourgeoisie ) is a French surrealist film by Jean-Claude Carrière that follows six upper-middle-class people and their repeated failed attempts of having a meal together. Each interruption becomes increasingly surreal as the film progresses. And while the situations become more bizarre and complex, it becomes clearer that these situations are dreams, within dreams, within dreams.

The film conveys what middle-class people represent: “Dinner is the central social ritual of the middle classes, a way of displaying wealth and good manners. It also offers the convenience of something to do (eat) and something to talk about (the food), and that is a great relief since so many of the bourgeoisie have nothing much to talk about, and there are a great many things they hope will not be mentioned.”

9 ‘Persona’ (1966)

Persona is a Swedish psychological drama written and directed by the late filmmaker Ingmar Bergman . The film follows the relationship between two women: an actress, Elisabet Vogler ( Liv Ullmann ), who suddenly stops speaking, and Alma ( Bibi Andersson ), the young nurse who cares for Elisabet in the seaside cottage where they hope she would recover. As Alma becomes the confidant to Elisabet, she begins to have trouble distinguishing herself from her - as if their identities had become one.

The film’s exploration of insanity, duality, and personal identity, is described as a reflection of the Jungian theory of persona , where homosexuality, motherhood, abortion, and other subjects, may fall. Persona is like an open book where every audience has a different interpretation of the film, such as, in the words of film historian Peter Cowie , “Everything one says about Persona may be contradicted; the opposite will also be true.”

RELATED: 10 Best Foreign Films of 2022, According to IMDb

10 ‘Last Year at Marienbad’ (1961)

Set in a baroque hotel filled with wealthy socialites who wear Chanel-designed attires ( yes, Coco Chanel designed the costumes for the film ), Last Year at Marienbad (French: L’Année dernière à Marienbad ) follows a man ( Giorgio Albertazzi ) tries to convince a woman ( Delphine Seyrig ) that they have met at a resort the year before, and had a romantic relationship. However, the woman responds by saying that she has never been to the place, let alone met him. As the film progresses, the woman is confident they never met, but the more convincing the man becomes.

The film is like an unfinished jigsaw puzzle: it presents you with a problem but never resolves itself. Who’s telling the truth? Did they meet previously, or is the man just a genius player and madman? It is up to the audience what they make of it.

KEEP READING: 'Moonage Daydream' and 9 More Experimental Documentaries That Defy Genre Conventions

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What are the Best Experimental Films of All Time?

It's time to check out the other side of filmmaking..

Endless Poetry by Jodorowsky

Sometimes I get so caught up in narrative cinema that I forget there's a whole realm of artists out there doing beautiful and interesting work on the experimental side of things.

Experimental film is so much fun. It's a place where all artistic representation matters, and it's somewhere I go when I want to be challenged.

If you've never fully indulged in the weirder, artsier side of cinema—or are already a fan and want to celebrate it—I want to take you through the world of experimental movies, with some history and characteristics, and dig into some of the greatest to ever grace our screens.

Sound good?

Let's dive in.

What is Experimental Film?

The experimental genre in film and TV refers to productions that deviate from the traditional narrative structure and style of mainstream entertainment.

These productions often challenge viewers to think outside the box and explore unconventional ideas and perspectives.

It's sort of an anything goes genre.

The Characteristics of Experimental Film

Experimental films sort of feelsl ike you can do anything, and that's mostly true. So what are some things I've seen over and over again that may make up some characteristics?

Key Characteristics:

• Non-linear Narrative: Experimental films often lack a traditional plot or linear narrative structure. They may be abstract, fragmented, or entirely devoid of a storyline.
• Visual and Sound Experimentation: These films often experiment with visual and sound elements, using techniques like collage, montage, superimposition, slow motion, and distorted or manipulated sounds.
• Exploration of Themes: Experimental cinema can explore a wide range of themes, including the subconscious, dreams, memory, perception, identity, and social and political issues.
• Personal Expression: Many experimental films are deeply personal works, reflecting the filmmaker's unique vision and artistic expression.
• Found Footage: Using pre-existing film or video footage in a new context.
• Direct Animation: Scratching or painting directly onto film strips.
• Structural Film: Focusing on the material properties of film, such as light, movement, and time.

A Brief History of Experimental Film

film-grab.com

The roots of experimental cinema can be traced back to the early days of filmmaking, with people like Georges Méliès experimenting with visual effects and trick photography in the late 19th century.

However, it was during the early 20th century, with the rise of Dadaism and Surrealism, that experimental cinema truly began to flourish. These art movements, with their emphasis on challenging conventions and exploring the subconscious, found a natural expression in the medium of film.

In the 1920s and 1930s, filmmakers like Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí created surrealist films that shocked and bewildered audiences with their dreamlike imagery and unconventional narratives.

These early experiments paved the way for a wave of avant-garde filmmakers in the postwar era, who pushed the boundaries of cinema even further.

The 1960s and 1970s saw a surge in experimental filmmaking, with filmmakers like Stan Brakhage, Maya Deren, and Kenneth Anger exploring new techniques and pushing the limits of what was considered possible in film.

These filmmakers often worked outside of the mainstream film industry, creating films that were personal, challenging, and often deeply political.

The Impact of Experimental Film Across the Globe

Experimental cinema challenges viewers to rethink their expectations of what a film can be. It encourages critical thinking, provokes emotional responses, and opens up new possibilities for artistic expression.

They have influenced mainstream filmmakers, inspired new artistic movements, and sparked important conversations about the nature of reality, perception, and human experience.

Global Impact of Experimental Film:

• Latin America: The Third Cinema movement in Latin America in the 1960s and 1970s was heavily influenced by experimental film. Filmmakers used cinema as a tool to challenge political oppression and social injustice.
• Japan: The Japanese avant-garde film movement in the 1960s and 1970s produced a wealth of experimental films that challenged traditional Japanese aesthetics and explored new forms of expression.
• Europe: European experimental film has a long and rich history, with filmmakers pushing boundaries and experimenting with new technologies. The European avant-garde has inspired filmmakers around the world.
• Africa: African experimental filmmakers have used film to document social and political struggles, challenge stereotypes, and express unique cultural identities.

The Best Experimental Films

I wanted to make a list of experimental films I thought were great, that everyone should check out.

So, here you go:

• Un Chien Andalou (1929) - Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí
• Meshes of the Afternoon (1943) - Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid
• Entr'acte (1924) - René Clair
• Man with a Movie Camera (1929) - Dziga Vertov
• L'Age d'Or (1930) - Luis Buñuel
• A Movie (1958) - Bruce Conner
• Wavelength (1967) - Michael Snow
• Dog Star Man (1964) - Stan Brakhage
• The Blood of a Poet (1930) - Jean Cocteau
• Scorpio Rising (1963) - Kenneth Anger
• Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome (1954) - Kenneth Anger
• Flaming Creatures (1963) - Jack Smith
• Rose Hobart (1936) - Joseph Cornell
• Mothlight (1963) - Stan Brakhage
• La Jetée (1962) - Chris Marker
• Fuses (1964) - Carolee Schneemann
• The Dante Quartet (1987) - Stan Brakhage
• Line Describing a Cone (1973) - Anthony McCall
• Light Is Waiting (2007) - Michael Snow
• The Flicker (1966) - Tony Conrad
• Ballet Mécanique (1924) - Fernand Léger
• The Seashell and the Clergyman (1928) - Germaine Dulac
• Anemic Cinema (1926) - Marcel Duchamp
• Berlin: Symphony of a Great City (1927) - Walter Ruttmann
• Emak Bakia (1926) - Man Ray
• Ritual in Transfigured Time (1946) - Maya Deren
• At Land (1944) - Maya Deren
• A Study in Choreography for Camera (1945) - Maya Deren
• The Very Eye of Night (1958) - Maya Deren
• Window Water Baby Moving (1959) - Stan Brakhage
• Bridges-Go-Round (1958) - Shirley Clarke
• Serene Velocity (1970) - Ernie Gehr
• Zorns Lemma (1970) - Hollis Frampton
• The Act of Seeing with One's Own Eyes (1971) - Stan Brakhage
• The Girl Chewing Gum (1976) - John Smith
• Report (1967) - Bruce Conner
• Reassemblage (1982) - Trinh T. Minh-ha
• Tongues Untied (1989) - Marlon Riggs
• Handsworth Songs (1986) - Black Audio Film Collective
• Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One (1968) - William Greaves
• The Clock (2010) - Christian Marclay
• The Grand Bizarre (2018) - Jodie Mack
• Leviathan (2012) - Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Véréna Paravel
• Sans Soleil (1983) - Chris Marker
• Decasia (2002) - Bill Morrison
• Blue (1993) - Derek Jarman
• Last Year at Marienbad (1961) - Alain Resnais
• Persona (1966) - Ingmar Bergman
• Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989) - Shinya Tsukamoto
• Eraserhead (1977) - David Lynch

This list barely scratches the surface of the vast and diverse world of experimental cinema.

But maybe I left off your favorite. If so, I want to hear about it.

Let me know what you think in the comments.

• How Can You Get Narrative Ideas From Watching Non-Narrative Films? ›
• Charlie Cole's Experimental Short 'Waterfall' Reminds Us of The Importance of Form ›
• Experimental Filmmaking for Dummies (Part 1): Why You Should Be Making Experimental Films ›
• Where is a good online place for new experimental film/video? - Quora ›
• 50 Avant Garde and Experimental Cinema Gallery ›
• What are some good experimental films? : r/flicks ›

Godox Takes on the DJI Mic Mini With New Cube-C Wireless Microphone System

A look at how the godox cube-c is a camera-optimized wireless microphone system that could serve a variety of video professionals..

While audio might be the biggest (and buzziest) part of filmmaking and video production, we often forget that it’s still very much a huge industry that has some major players in deeply competitive battles for market supremacy.

One of these latest battles comes from the likes of DJI and Godox who are competing to create the best wireless microphone system for on-the-run content creators or indie filmmakers. The new Godox Cube-C (a follow-up to the company’s popular Cube-S which was released just back in August) takes aim at the recently released DJI Mic Mini.

Let’s take a look at this new Cube-C wireless microphone and its camera-optimized design to see if it might be the better choice for content creators using cameras for video.

Introducing the Godox Cube-C

The new Godox Cube-C aims to follow up on the success of the Cube-S by creating a new Cube Combo, a comprehensive audio kit that is designed to seamlessly integrates both microphones. Tailored to empower creators using smartphones, cameras, desktops, or other mobile devices, this new mic system should ensure professional-grade sound for every scenario.

The new Cube-C features a redesigned storage layout making its size almost 30% smaller than before. The Cube-C also takes portability and density to the next level with an ultra-compact charging case that securely holds two mics and a receiver, making it easy to carry and ready to perform anywhere.

The microphone itself, which is characterized by its supreme delicacy and compact dimensions of 0.98"x0.96"x0.49", is an exceptionally small and low-profile—yet capable audio gear. With its transmitters weighing only 7g, it is highly versatile for a wide range of applications.

Godox Cube-C

Hi-Res Audio Quality

The Cube-C should be quite capable when it comes to audio quality as well offering some superior acoustic engineering that can bring a 48kHz/24bit sampling rate, >70dB SNR, and a Max. 115dB SPL. The Cube-C will also feature advanced audio treatment technology to enable gentle and intense noise reduction modes, effectively minimizing unwanted ambient sounds from subtle room hums to bustling traffic noise for optimal recording quality.

Each TX and RX exhibits 10 hours of operation on a single charge. And, with 3 additional charges available from the powerful 2300mAh charging case, the system will hold an impressive 40 hours of total recording, ensuring ample power for continuous use.

Furthermore, with a high gain antenna to enhance RF resistance, the Cube-C will be able to provide up to 300M (1000ft) transmission range, which should enable stable recording across extended distances and expanding creative possibilities.

Price and Availability

The Godox Cube-C wireless microphone is now available for pre-order. It’s available in a couple of different combo kits, which you can check out the specs and prices below.

• For Content Creation, Mobile Journalism
• 2-Person Shoots with Cameras & Phones
• 2 x Transmitter with Built-In Mic
• Dual-Channel Receiver
• 984' Transmission Distance
• 48 kHz 24-bit Audio Sampling Rate
• Safety Track Mode, Denoise
• 3.5mm TRS and USB-C Cables
• 10-Hour Battery Life, Charging Case

Godox Cube-C 2-Person Wireless Microphone System for Cameras and Mobile Devices

Introducing Cube-C, the latest addition to the Godox Cube Mic series, stands out for its ultimate compaction and powerful functions.

www.bhphotovideo.com

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The 50 Greatest Experimental Films

How many have you seen.

Confirm Delete Score

Top 10 Experimental Films

1. Flaming Creatures

2. Black Biscuit

3. Zorns Lemma

4. Dreams That Money Can Buy

5. Enter the Void

6. By Our Selves

7. Number Two

8. The Last of England

9. Wavelength

10. Star Spangled to Death

More to explore, recently viewed.