surreal backdrop

Movies with surreal vibe

Joe Dirt

501. Joe Dirt

Mystery Adventure Comedy Romance Drama
6.0

20011h 31min

United States

Director: Dennie Gordon

Joe Dirt is a janitor with a mullet hairdo, acid-washed jeans and a dream to find the parents that he lost at the Grand Canyon when he was a belligerent, trailer park-raised eight-year-old. Now, blasting Van Halen in his jacked-up economy car, the irrepressibly optimistic Joe hits the road alone in search of his folks.

Themes

Birth parents search, Foster care resilience, Media exposure pressures, Deception and protection, Road trip quest, Working-class struggle

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Torrente 2: Mission in Marbella

502. Torrente 2: Mission in Marbella

Action Comedy Crime Parody Spy Action
6.4

20011h 39min

Spain

Director: Santiago Segura

For this second film in the cult comedy series Torrente takes our fat police officer from Madrid to Marbella in Spain to investigate a villain’s plot to destroy the city with a missile. This James Bond style slapstick comedy became the most successful box-office film in Spanish film history beating out only the first Torrente film.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Blackmail entanglement, Missile threat, Private investigation pressure, Financial downfall, Uncle involvement

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase

503. Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase

Animation Adventure Comedy Family Animation Adventure Epic
7.0

20011h 13min

United States

Director: Jim Stenstrum

When Scooby and the gang get trapped in a video game created for the gang, they must fight against the 'Phantom Virus.' To escape the game they must go level by level and defeat the game once and for all.

Themes

Trust under pressure, Jealousy and ambition, Video game competition, Reality versus simulation, Technology-driven conflict, Competition for recognition

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Visitor Q

504. Visitor Q

Comedy Drama Horror Thriller Dark Comedy
6.5

20011h 24min

Japan

Director: Takashi Miike

In a dysfunctional family where the mother is a heroin addict and prostitute, beaten by her son, and the father is an ex-TV reporter, sleeping with his daughter and filming his son being beaten up, ‘Q’, a complete stranger enters the bizarre family, changing their lives for the better, finding a balance in their disturbing natures.

Themes

Moral ambiguity, Family dysfunction, Sexual violence, Trauma and coercion, Abusive power dynamics, Mutual manipulation


Recess: School's Out

505. Recess: School's Out

Family Animation Comedy Family Animation Ensemble Comedy
6.5

20011h 22min

United States

Director: Chuck Sheetz

The school year is finally ending, and T.J. Detweiler is looking forward to summer. But boredom quickly sets in when his friends leave for camp — until T.J. uncovers an evil plot to do away with summer vacation! A crazy former principal, Dr. Benedict, is planning to use a laser beam to alter the weather and create permanent winter. Faced with the dire threat of year-round school, T.J. rounds up the RECESS gang and bands together with some unexpected allies — Miss Finster and Principal Prickly — in a nonstop adventure to save everyone's summer break. As the kids discover the heroes inside themselves, a platoon of wacky characters, far-out music, and sci-fi surprises turn this madcap mission into a major victory for fun!

Themes

Political ambition, Education power, Institutional rivalry, Protecting summer break, Collective youth action, Policy vs rebellion

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Super Troopers

506. Super Troopers

Comedy Crime Mystery Parody Narcotics Crime
7.0

20011h 43min

United States

Director: Jay Chandrasekhar

Five bored, occasionally high and always ineffective Vermont state troopers must prove their worth to the governor or lose their jobs. After stumbling on a drug ring, they plan to make a bust, but a rival police force is out to steal the glory.

Themes

Loyalty vs ambition, Police corruption, Bureaucratic pressure, Agency rivalry, Misused power, Betrayal by allies

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Hulu
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Werckmeister Harmonies

507. Werckmeister Harmonies

Drama Political Drama
8.0

20012h 19min

France, Germany

Director: Béla Tarr

A naive young man witnesses an escalation of violence in his small hometown following the arrival of a mysterious circus attraction.

Themes

Art and political power, Social pressure and control, Crowd manipulation and violence, Collaboration and betrayal, Social breakdown and unrest, State authority and legitimacy

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Little Otik

508. Little Otik

Comedy Fantasy Horror Animation Dark Comedy
7.3

20012h 12min

Czechia, United Kingdom

Director: Jan Švankmajer

When a childless couple learn that they cannot have children, it causes great distress. To ease his wife's pain, the man finds a piece of root in the backyard and chops it and varnishes it into the shape of a child. However the woman takes the root as her baby and starts to pretend that it is real.

Themes

Insatiable appetite inside home, Desire for a child, Unreliable caregiving, Deception of motherhood, Parasitic domestic threat, Conflict over feeding

Available on

Apple TV
Amazon Video
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Donnie Darko

509. Donnie Darko

Fantasy Drama Mystery Psychological Drama Mindbender Mystery
8.0

20011h 54min

United States

Director: Richard Kelly

After narrowly escaping a bizarre accident, a troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him to commit a series of crimes.

Themes

Family strain under stress, Mental illness stigma, Time travel intrigue, Suburban alienation, Youth rebellion against authority, Surrealism in everyday life, Manipulation and coercion

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

510. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Family Comedy Fantasy Christmas Family
6.4

20001h 45min

United States, Germany

Director: Ron Howard

The Grinch decides to rob Whoville of Christmas - but a dash of kindness from little Cindy Lou Who and her family may be enough to melt his heart...

Themes

Holiday critique, Public humiliation dynamics, Christmas party tension, Surreal world framing, Materialism vs generosity, Village perspective shift

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.