Best movies like Sri Siddhartha Gautama
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Plot Summary:
Sri Siddhartha Gautama is a Sinhala movie released on 24 January, 2013. The movie is directed by Saman Weeraman and featured Anchal Singh and Gagan Malik as lead characters.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 261
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Sri Lanka
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: sinhala, spiritual
Best tv shows and movies like Sri Siddhartha Gautama (2013):
Similar in 78%
Light Arose (2017)
Plot Summary:
Aloko Udapadi is a Sinhalese epic historical film based on the story of King Valagamba of Anuradhapura (89 – 77 BCE).
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Sri Lanka
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: sinhala
Similar in 85%
Rebellious Flower (2016)
Plot Summary:
The film on the life of guru Osho Rajneesh and his spiritual journey to enlightenment.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 265
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: India
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 86%
Milarepa (1974)
Plot Summary:
Leo, dopo un incidente stradale, è ricoverato in ambulatorio e racconta al professore Bennet, suo medico curante, la storia e le gesta del monaco tibetano Milarepa, con il quale si identifica. La leggenda è narrata in tre capitoli ben distinti: la magia nera, ovvero le pratiche delle fattucchiere ; la magia bianca, ovvero il raggiungimento della perfezione e della saggezza e la trasfigurazione, ovvero il distacco da ogni realtà materiale attraverso la resurrezione. Film difficile, ma di forte impatto mistico, per l'epoca.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 127
Genere: Drama
Country: Italy
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: philosophical
Similar in 77%
Dark in the White Light (2015)
Plot Summary:
A Buddhist monk on a spiritual quest. A Student trying to test his limits. An organ dealer growing his business. A surgeon who heals by day and rapes women at night.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 58
Genere: Drama
Country: Sri Lanka
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: sinhala, weird
Similar in 78%
Boris Godunov (1986)
Plot Summary:
Praised for its fine photography and production design if not its narrative, Sergei Bondarchuk directed this adaptation of the tale by Alexander Pushkin. Boris Godunov came to the Czarist throne at the end of the 16th century, after the original heir to Ivan the Terrible had died. At first, things went well for Godunov (played by Bondarchuk), but when the Russian people began to believe he had killed Ivan the Terrible's son in order to gain the throne, an alliance sprang up against the new Czar. Events continued to spin out of control as a young monk was presented as the son Godunov had supposedly killed. Now he was openly accused of failing an assassination attempt, which seems to be even worse than succeeding. In addition to these woes, Boris Godunov began to suffer serious health problems. So much for the joys of kingship.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 279
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, West Germany, Poland
Duration: 141 min
Plot tags: spiritual
Similar in 90%
The Last Monk (2006)
Plot Summary:
The Last Monk is the journey of a young newly-married woman from the world of the newly-rich, 30-something IT engineers and corporate managers in New Delhi, to the vast, stark beauty of Ladakh in the Indian Himalayas. It is a journey from the superficial materialism of the new young Indian middle class to the universal mysticism of Buddhism. The otherworldly landscape becomes inseparable from the cosmic power of the physical and mystical universe as she discovers her own spirituality and a sexuality beyond the physical, led and mentored by a young khempo, or lay Buddhist monk vital, verbose, funny, and a fountain of cosmic truths. The Last Monk is part of a growing movement in Indian cinema, approaching the societal and spiritual issues raised by todays rapidly-changing India.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 49
Genere: Drama
Country: India
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 83%
Zen Noir (2004)
Plot Summary:
No overview found.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 373
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Mystery
Country: USA
Duration: 71 min
Plot tags: spiritual, inspirational, neo noir, detective, dark comedy
Similar in 76%
Xuan Zang (2016)
Plot Summary:
Buddhism-themed Chinese-Indian historical adventure film based on Xuanzang's seventeen-year overland journey to India during the Tang dynasty in the seventh century. Xuan Zang (c. 602 - 664), was a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveler, and translator who described the interaction between China and India in the early Tang dynasty. From boyhood, he took to reading religious books, including the Chinese classics and the writings of ancient sages. He later travelled throughout China in search of sacred books of Buddhism. Subsequently, he developed the desire to visit India. This is when he became famous for his seventeen-year overland journey to India, which is recorded in detail in the classic Chinese text Great Tang Records on the Western Regions.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 496
Genere: Biography, History
Country: China, India
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: psychological, thought provoking, captivating
Similar in 78%
Resurrection (2021)
Plot Summary:
In Resurrection, Jesus’ followers are hunted, leaderless and desperately searching for understanding, but when Jesus rises from the dead, they realize that hope didn’t die on the cross. It lives on in them. One man changed the world and brought hope in a time of despair.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 111
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: biblical, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 83%
Meetings with Remarkable Men (1979)
Plot Summary:
The story of G.I. Gurdjieff an Asian mystic who after a lifetimes study developed a form of meditation incorporating modern dance.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: spiritual, philosophical, inspirational, surreal, esoteric, independent film, uplifting, serious, realistic, mystical
Similar in 85%
Milarepa (2006)
Plot Summary:
Milarepa depicts the humble beginnings of the man who was to become Tibet's greatest saint. A true story based on centuries-old oral traditions, a youthful Milarepa is propelled into a world of sorrow and betrayal after his father's sudden death. Destitute and hopeless, he sets out to learn black magic - and exact revenge on his enemies - encountering magicians, demons, an enigmatic teacher and unexpected mystical power along the way. But it is in confrontation with the consequences of his anger that he learns the most. Photographed in the stunning Lahaul-Spiti region of Northern India, Milarepa offers a provocative parallel to the cycle of violence and retribution consuming today's world.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Biography, Drama
Country: Bhutan
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: serious, suspenseful, stylized, spiritual, mystical, thought provoking, thinking, esoteric, banned
Similar in 90%
Enlightenment Guaranteed (1999)
Plot Summary:
Two middle aged German brothers - one New Age and recently divorced, the other uptight and sceptical - travel to a Zen monastery in Japan in search of enlightenment, or perhaps just in search of themselves.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Comedy
Country: Germany
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: touching, spiritual, inspirational, poignant, existential, feel good, humorous, realistic, contemplative, semi serious
Similar in 79%
A Buddha (2005)
Plot Summary:
Un Buda follows two brothers orphaned as children when their parents were taken by the military during the "Dirty Wars" of the 1970s in Argentina. Tomas is now a drifting and withdrawn young man who experiments with ascetic practices and has an instinctive compassion for others. His older brother Rafael is a university philosophy professor, detached and alone. Their struggles with each other and the world around them in Buenos Aires take a dramatic turn when they find themselves at a rural Zen center.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 805
Genere: Drama
Country: Argentina
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: spiritual
Similar in 81%
Siddhartha (1972)
Plot Summary:
Siddhartha is the story of a young Brahmin and his search for a meaningful way of life. His journey takes him through periods of harsh asceticism, sensual pleasures, material wealth, self-revulsion and eventually to the oneness and harmony that he had been seeking. The story is based on the best-selling novel by German Nobel Prize winner Hermann Hesse.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Mystery
Country: India, USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: spiritual, philosophical, road movie, dramatic, surreal, existential, independent film, psychological, atmospheric, serious
Similar in 76%
Mandala (1981)
Plot Summary:
The film follows the differing lives of two Buddhist monks in Korea. By following their lives and their interaction throughout the film, Im creates a contemplation of the nature of individualism, religious belief and enlightenment.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 380
Genere: Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 90%
Himalaya (1999)
Plot Summary:
As the denizens of a Tibetan village prepare for their arduous annual trek to exchange salt for grain, the community's allegiances are split between aging chieftain Tinle (Thilen Lhondup) and rebellious young Karma (Gurgon Kyap). Tinle tries to maintain his clout and preserve obedience to ancient customs when Karma challenges the old man's power.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama
Country: France, Switzerland, UK, Nepal
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: road movie, independent film, atmospheric, spiritual, dramatic, tense, sincere, epic, serious, captivating
Similar in 79%
Augustine: The Decline of the Roman Empire (2010)
Plot Summary:
Augustine is a two-part, Italian-made mini-series about the influential theologian and church father Augustine of Hippo. The piece tells the story of his life from a teenager to his death at the age of 69.Much of the content for the scenes of him as a young and middle-aged man come from his Confessions, which is probably the earliest extant autobiography.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 422
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Italy, Germany, Poland
Duration: 200 min
Plot tags: psychological, sincere, captivating, biblical, christian film
Similar in 82%
Rikyu (1989)
Plot Summary:
Late in the 1500s, an aging tea master teaches the way of tea to a headstrong Shogun. Through force of will and courageous fighting, Hideyoshi becomes Japan's most powerful warlord, unifying the country. Rikyu, through the tea ceremony and floral arrangements, tempers his lord, helping Hideyoshi focus on a single flower or be in a simple room where the shape of a cup is of most importance. But other forces fuel Hideyoshi's ambitions: the Portuguese bring a globe and guns, and he believes he can conquer Korea and China. When Rikyu raises doubts about invading China, Hideyoshi demands an apology, and Rikyu himself must find courage in the way of tea.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 813
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Japan
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, contemplative, stylized, jidai geki
Similar in 83%
Rasputin (1981)
Plot Summary:
Details the life of the Russian monk Rasputin. The film shows his rise to power and how it corrupted him. His sexual perversions and madness ultimatly leads to his gruesome assasination.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Soviet Union
Duration: 151 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, disturbing, atmospheric, spiritual, rough, bleak, captivating, epic, thought provoking
Similar in 79%
Little Buddha (1993)
Plot Summary:
Little Buddha is a movie about the life of Siddhartha starring Keanu Reeves and Bridget Fonda and directed by Bernardo Bertolucci.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Drama
Country: France, Liechtenstein, UK
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: unusual plot structure, spiritual, fairy tale, retro, philosophical, existential, cult classic, independent film, sentimental, meditative
Similar in 87%
Zen (2009)
Plot Summary:
In the early 1200s, Dogen brought Chinese Zen philosophy to Japan, and established the Japanese Zen sect of Buddhism. He taught that a person was capable of realizing Buddhahood within himself, by way of Zazen. Zazen is extended hours of sitting and meditating to achieve a state of “Mu” (nothingness, or empty existence).
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: spiritual, psychological, atmospheric, captivating, contemplative, inspirational, independent film, thinking, esoteric
Similar in 79%
23rd March 1931: Shaheed (2002)
Plot Summary:
Bhagat Singh, a freedom fighter, is arrested for killing the British official responsible for the death of his mentor Lala Lajpatrai. He is ultimately hanged for his misdeed.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 792
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: India
Duration: 188 min
Plot tags: disturbing, rough, serious, realistic, captivating
Similar in 84%
Pirosmani (1969)
Plot Summary:
A dedicated artist from Russian Georgia struggles to get recognition.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Soviet Union, Georgia
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: psychedelic, spiritual, heartbreaking
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Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East? (1989)
Plot Summary:
Three people live in a remote Buddhist monastery near Mount Chonan: Hyegok, the old master; Yong Nan, a young man who has left his extended family in the city to seek enlightenment - Hyegok calls him Kibong!; and, an orphan lad Haejin, whom Hyegok has brought to the monastery to raise as a monk. The story is mostly Yong Nan's, told in flashbacks: how he came to the monastery, his brief return to the city, his vacillation between the turbulence of the world and his hope to overcome passions and escape the idea of self. We also see Hyegok as a teacher, a protector, and a father figure, and we watch Haejin make his way as a curious and nearly self-sufficient child.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags: spiritual, slow cinema, psychedelic, thinking, aesthetic, psychological, atmospheric, thought provoking, serious, captivating
Similar in 77%
The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964)
Plot Summary:
The life of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel of Matthew. Pasolini shows Christ as a marxist avant-la-lettre and therefore uses half of the text of Matthew.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Italy, France
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags: biblical, christian film, spiritual, art house, bleak, stylized, black and white, fairy tale, philosophical, mysterious
Similar in 86%
Confucius (2010)
Plot Summary:
In 500 B.C., during Chinas famed 'Spring and Autumn Period', Kong Ze (Confucius), a commoner reverred for his outstanding wisdom, is made Minister of Law in the ancient Kingdom of Lu. Under his inspired leadership, Lu ascends to new heights but becomes a target of conquest for the warlike nation of Qi. Threatened with annihilation by their powerful neighbour, a desperate people turn to their greatest teacher to lead their most powerful army. When Confucius delivers a stunning victory against all odds, a jealous aristocracy sets out to destroy him, but they should never under-estimate a remarkable man whose wisdom is more powerful than the sword.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: China
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: contemplative, atmospheric, epic, serious, captivating, realistic, inspirational, art film
Similar in 79%
Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
Plot Summary:
Austrian mountaineer, Heinrich Harrer journeys to the Himalayas without his family to head an expedition in 1939. But when World War II breaks out, the arrogant Harrer falls into Allied forces' hands as a prisoner of war. He escapes with a fellow detainee and makes his way to Llaso, Tibet, where he meets the 14-year-old Dalai Lama, whose friendship ultimately transforms his outlook on life.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 153000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 136 min
Plot tags: inspirational, captivating, epic, breathtaking, dramatic, scenic, uplifting, serious, philosophical, realistic
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Kundun (1997)
Plot Summary:
The Tibetans refer to the Dalai Lama as 'Kundun', which means 'The Presence'. He was forced to escape from his native home, Tibet, when communist China invaded and enforced an oppressive regime upon the peaceful nation. The Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959 and has been living in exile in Dharamsala ever since.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 30000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: Monaco, Morocco, USA
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: philosophical, epic, spiritual, cerebral, thought provoking, touching, captivating, stylized, controversial, fairy tale
Similar in 80%
Gandhi (1982)
Plot Summary:
In the early years of the 20th century, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of 'passive resistance', endeavouring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 238000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK, India, USA, South Africa
Duration: 191 min
Plot tags: epic, spiritual, inspirational, political, uplifting, factual, motivational, touching, compassionate, emotional
Similar in 77%
The Last Emperor (1987)
Plot Summary:
A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 110000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: China, Italy, UK, France
Duration: 163 min
Plot tags: visually stunning, epic, political, breathtaking, visually appealing, period piece, emotional, historical drama, historically accurate, erotic