10 Most Visually Stunning Movies of All Time
From an engaging storyline to good performances, several elements contribute to making a movie great. One of the key aspects of a good movie is its visual appeal. Movies are visual experiences and no matter how good a story is or how brilliantly the actors perform, without good visuals, a movie can be forgettable. On the other hand, you might ridicule a bad movie for its poorly written script or terrible acting but remember its stunning cinematography.
In this article, we highlight the importance of good cinematography and pay homage to some of the most visually stunning movies of all time. Keep reading to see our list of movies you will not be able to look away from.
The Revenant (2015)
The Revenant is a 2015 action drama film, which earned Leonardo DiCaprio his Oscar. While the direction of Alejandro G. Iñárritu is remarkable and the story of Hugh Glass (portrayed by DiCaprio) fighting against unsurmountable odds and the coldest winter to avenge his son’s murder is captivating, it is the cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki that steals the show.
Lubezki was able to capture Mother Nature in all her glory. By simply watching the film, you get an idea of how inhabitable the cold conditions are to live in and how tough it must be for those who managed to survive it.
Avatar (2009)
Created by James Cameron, Avatar is one of the greatest movies of all time. The epic science fiction was created on a budget of $1 billion and managed to gross over $5.2 billion globally. It is the 13th highest-grossing movie of all time. The movie is set on Pandora, which is an earth-sized moon of Polyphemous.
The story revolves around the epic conflict over the planet’s resources. From Titanic to Terminator 2, James Cameron is the king of visual effects but with Avatar, he took things to a new level. The movie is part live-action and part animation. Its visuals are unlike anything ever seen before on the big screen. Even 14 years after its release, Avatar is still a visual treat.
La La Land (2016)
Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, La La Land is anything but your average musical. Starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, the movie is a light-hearted story of a struggling pianist (played by Gosling) and actress (Emma Stone), who meet and fall in love in the romantic city of Los Angeles. The movie’s music score is so good that it will make you want to break into a song and bust a move. However, the visuals easily take the cake. With bright elements even in darker scenes, the movie is an absolute delight to watch.
Drive (2011)
Nothing is better than quintessentially 80s music and a neon-covered Los Angeles city like you get to experience in Drive. Directed and Nicolas Winding Refn, Drive is an action drama movie starring Ryan Gosling. Alongside a stunning star-studded cast including Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, and Albert Brooks, Drive is a visual masterpiece backed by an excellent script. Whether you watch it for the stunning visuals or the stellar performances, you are guaranteed to enjoy it thoroughly.
Annihilation (2018)
Directed by Alex Garland, Annihilation is a psychological science-fiction horror movie based on a Jeff VanderMeer novel of the same name. The story follows biology professor Lena (Natalie Portman) and a group of other explorers as they enter ‘The Shimmer’ a mysterious zone where an asteroid hit. Following the hit, the zone has seen mutating plants and animals. The film addresses the themes of human grief, isolation, and nature incredibly sensitively. The colorful vegetation and the strange mutated creations make Annihilation a stunning visual experience.
Interstellar (2014)
The cinematography plays an important role in all Christopher Nolan movies including Interstellar. The film depicts a dystopian future where humanity is threatened bya global crop plague. The movie stars Anne Hathaway, Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin, Matt Damon, Micheal Caine, and Ellen Burstyn. The film has a stunning aesthetic and is a must-watch for everyone looking for great science fiction.
Dune (2021)
This epic American science fiction film is directed by Denis Villeneuve and is adapted from the 1965 Frank Herbert novel of the same title. Set in the distant future, the movie follows Paul Atreides from the noble House Atreides as they go to war for the desert planet Arrakis. The movie has an ensemble cast featuring Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Dave Bautista, Rebecca Ferguson, and Javier Bardem.
The story of the film is exciting and moves quickly whereas the performances are highly engaging, but the visuals are simply unforgettable. The film is so grand in scale that you feel completely engulfed by the world created. If you want to watch a science-fiction film done well, Dune is a great option.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Written and directed by Andrew Dominik, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a revisionist epic western film starring Brad Pitt as Jesse James and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford. It is adapted from the 1983 Ron Hansen novel of the same name.
Based on the life of outlaw Jesse James, the movie is an underrated masterpiece. Although the story and the performances are remarkable, the stunning depiction of the American West takes the cake. If you want to enjoy an immersive visual experience of the Wild West, this movie is a great watch.
Moonlight (2016)
This Oscar-winning movie addresses societal issues like racial inequality and homophobia. Along with a highly engaging story and stellar performances by the cast, Moonlight is simply enchanting to watch. The film is directed by Barry Jenkins and features gorgeous cinematography by James Laxto.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Directed, written, and produced by George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road is an Australian post-apocalyptic movie starring Tom Hardyand Charlize Theron. Set in the desert wasteland where water and petrol are scarce, the protagonist Max Rockatansky and Imperator Furiosa join forces to fight against the cult leader Immortan Joe in a road battle. Although the film shows a dystopian future we want to stay far from, the harsh and unforgiving desert landscapes, car explosions, and fight sequences make Mad Max a visual delight.
These movies belong to different genres but have one thing in common – they are all visually gorgeous. You are bound to enjoy watching these movies as long as your internet does them justice. To revel in the beautiful visuals of these movies, you must have a good internet connection. Our recommendation is Wave Broadband. Backed by a fiber-powered internet connection, Wave provides high-speed internet services to the west coast states of Washington, Oregon, and California. Click here to learn more about the provider’s offerings.
To Sum Up
All award ceremonies dedicate separate categories to the visual aspect of cinema, which is how important the aesthetics of a movie are. If you have been looking for a movie with an engaging storyline and visuals that captivate the viewer, you will thoroughly enjoy the movies listed in the article.
The only way you can truly enjoy these movies is if your internet connection is good enough for streaming. If you live on the West Coast, Wave broadband is a safe bet for fast internet speeds and a reliable connection. Get in touch with Wave Broadband customer service today, to enjoy a visual experience you will never forget.
