1.Andrei Rublev

• OTT Platform: Prime Video
• Cast: Anatoly Solonitsyn, Nikolay Grinko, Irma Raush, Ivan Lapiko

The film shows the life of Russian painter Andrei Rublev and aims to explore more universal topics of artistic expression, religious belief, and Russian ethnicity despite its historical background. Tarkovsky portrays Rublev as an artist and a symbol of the quest for creativity and spirituality amid a chaotic historical era. The film shows the moral and spiritual struggles of the heroes while establishing a timeless environment with its contemplative pace. Popular for its profound philosophical meaning and striking visual poetry, the movie is regarded as a classic and is frequently listed among the world’s best Hollywood art films.

2. Midnight In Paris

• OTT Platform: Netflix
• Cast: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Tom Hiddleston

When sentimental novelist Gil wanders the streets of Paris late at night for inspiration, he finds himself back in time and away from his fiancée to Paris’ booming 1920s. There, he encounters a few historical figures and envisions a life for himself. Where Owen Wilson plays the lead in Midnight In Paris, the amazing tapestry of Paris serves as his co-star. The city is even reimagined in Van Gogh’s Starry Night blues and yellows on the movie poster. Following that, behind-the-scenes looks at artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Salvador Dali, and Man Ray secured their status as classic Hollywood art films.

3. Loving Vincent

• OTT Platform: Prime Video
• Cast: Robert Gulaczyk, Jochum ten Haaf, Douglas Booth, Jerome Flynn 

Loving Vincent is the world’s first film about animated painting. It investigates Vincent Van Gogh’s mysterious death through the fictional story of Armand, the protagonist. Assisting his brother Theo with Van Gogh’s final letter, Armand learns details about the painter’s life from those who knew him. This Hollywood art film on Prime Video successfully uses Van Gogh’s work as background and characters reimagined as current performers. To achieve this appearance, the animators created 66,960 frames of oil artwork. It’s worth seeing the visual intelligence and innovation that went into creating the animation for this film. 

4. The Lunchbox

• OTT Platform: Prime Video
• Cast: Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Nimrat Kaur, Nakul Vaid

The Lunchbox is one of the best Indian art films. Here, Saajan, a retiring widower played by Irrfan Khan, and Ila, a neglected wife played by Nimrat Kaur, begin a connection after a mistaken lunch delivery. In the face of personal problems, they find comfort and fellowship in one another through letters and meals exchanged. The film addresses human connection, loneliness, and the hidden beauty in everyday life with compassion. With Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s portrayal of Saajan’s developing connection with his trainee providing support, the story takes place against the lively background of Mumbai. In the end, “The Lunchbox” offers an emotional reflection on love, grief, and second chances while deftly capturing the transformational power of real connection.

5. No Smoking

• OTT Platform: Prime Video
• Cast: John Abraham, Ayesha Takia, Paresh Rawal, Ranvir Shorey

No Smoking is a 2007 Indian psychological thriller. In this film, K, played by John Abraham, a chain smoker, seeks treatment due to marital hardships at Prayogshala. Under Guruji’s (Paresh Rawal) regime, K faces serious consequences for smoking again, including threats to his family. Defiant, K tries to avoid sanctions by moving and smoking in secret. Using a powerful psychological drama mixed with surrealism, this Hindi art film on Zee5 explores issues of addiction, control, and repercussions. With its mysterious plot and unorthodox storytelling, Anurag Kashyap’s film “No Smoking” confronts audiences and leaves a lasting impact on the dangers of addiction and the consequences of defiance.

6. Frida

• OTT Platform: Prime Video
• Cast: Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Geoffrey Rush, Mía Maestro 

One of the top English art films, Frida takes viewers into the life and soul of renowned artist Frida Kahlo. It is presented in her own words and brought to life with lyrical animation inspired by her vibrant artwork. Carla Gutiérrez directs the film, which dives deeply into Kahlo’s life over 40 years and reveals intimate information from her journal, letters, and interviews. With unparalleled access to research materials, Frida presents Kahlo as more than just an artist but also a symbol of resistance and artistic defiance. It is a tribute that goes beyond biography, capturing the soul of a lady whose legacy continues to inspire generations worldwide.

7. Pollock

• OTT Platform: Prime Video
• Cast: Ed Harris, Marcia Gay Harden, Tom Bower, Jennifer Connelly 

A biographical drama, Pollock tells the story of abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock’s chaotic life. This sets around Pollock’s rise from obscurity in New York City, where he battles alcoholism and insecurity. This continued further when he gained fame in the art world after he and his loving spouse moved to the Hamptons. Pollock’s breakthrough as an artist is fueled by nature and sobriety. This leads to acclaim and an appearance in Life magazine. However, his success is undermined by inner demons, which ultimately bring him a horrible demise. This Hollywood art film on prime video, which was directed by Ed Harris and features Harris as Pollock, delves into the intricacies of artistic heritage, addiction, and brilliance.

8. Big Eyes

• OTT Platform: Netflix
• Cast: Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Danny Huston, Krysten Ritter

Big Eyes is an English art film on Netflix that centers on Margaret, a gifted artist who leaves her marriage to follow her love for painting. She then marries a handsome fellow artist, Walter Keane. Walter makes money by stealing Margaret’s unique drawings of children with big eyes and selling them off as his own. Margaret fights to recover her artistic identity and proper recognition, confronting Walter as her hatred rises. The film, directed by Tim Burton, explores gender dynamics and the complexity of the commercial art industry while highlighting Margaret’s path of artistic integrity and empowerment.

9. Dil Chahta Hai

• OTT Platform: Prime Video
• Cast: Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Preity Zinta

In this top Bollywood art movie, Sidd, played by Akshay Khanna, differs from the norm of strong heroes by showing an introspective artist who expresses his inner issues on canvas. Sidd keeps quiet amid his friends while expressing his feelings in his paintings, which feature closed doors, shuttered eyes, barbed wires, and closed boxes. This visual language becomes his quiet interaction with the world, which goes unnoticed until Tara (Dimple Kapadia) enters his life. Tara finds that Sidd’s paintings reveal aspects of his personality that he ignores or avoids. Sidd’s dual identity as an artist and an individual emerges, showing the artist’s distinct domain in which paradoxes fuse into profound truths. Through Sidd, the film portrays how art shows the complexities of the human psyche, providing a glimpse into secret layers that are frequently overlooked in regular life.

10. Barfi!

• OTT Platform: Netflix
• Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Ileana D’Cruz, Saurabh Shukla

Barfi! stars Murphy Johnson, aka “Barfi” (Ranbir Kapoor). Barfi is a joyful, deaf-mute young man. His life centers on two women: Jhilmil (Priyanka Chopra), an autistic heiress he cares for, and Shruti (Ileana D’Cruz), who loves him but marries someone else. Barfi’s love for Jhilmil wins over miscommunications and hurdles. The film shows different themes of love, acceptance, and sacrifice. This emotionally portrays Barfi and Jhilmil’s friendship as they face life’s challenges together. One of Anurag Basu’s best Indian art films, Barfi! wins the hearts of audiences with its moving narrative and excellent acting.

Here, we list our favorite Bollywood and Hollywood art films you will love. Do not miss these top 10 best art movies. To know more about OTT releases, follow OTT Alerts.