The 10 best movies about Vincent Van Gogh

The 10 best movies about Vincent Van Gogh

*Originally published by Molli on April 2017 and Updated by Vanessa on April 2023 and Updated by Purity M in March 2024

Vincent Van Gogh may be one of the most famous painters in history. His beautiful post-impressionist renditions are known and loved all around the world, especially in Paris! You can find his work in several different museums around the city, like the Musée d’Orsay.

Van Gogh was a Dutch painter. He was born in 1853 and grew up in a town called Zundert with his parents and brothers and sisters. There isn’t that much information out there about Van Gogh’s childhood, other than that he was a quiet and studious child.

When he was 16, he began working at the Hague Gallery for an art dealer company called Goupil et Cie. His brother Theo, who Van Gogh was very close to, worked for the same company. When Van Gogh was 20 years old, the company transferred him to Paris.

When Van Gogh moved to Paris, he decided that he didn’t want to work in the art world anymore. He decided to study to become a clergyman like his father. He soon figured out that the religious life wasn’t for him, and he decided to become a painter like his brother Theo. However, he left Paris to study and try his hand at drawing and painting in Holland. He would not return to France until 1886, just 4 years before his death in 1890.

Van Gogh was a very quick study and showed signs of talent early on in his studies. In Paris, he was able to admire the work of Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet, and Paul Gauguin. In 1888 he journeyed to Arles, France in order to paint the beautiful landscape. He also dreamed of starting an artists’ colony there.

Van Gogh was close friends with the painter Gauguin, and the pair spent some time together in Arles. However, things start to get a little bit complicated for Van Gogh. He began suffering from a rare form of epilepsy that caused delusions and psychotic attacks. When Gauguin was visited, he had an attack and famously cut off his earlobe.

Van Gogh’s struggle with mental illness, unfortunately, did not stop there. He voluntarily put himself in an asylum in 1889 and would remain there until 1890. He was able to do some painting at the asylum.

On July 27, 1890, Van Gogh was shot in the stomach in the small village of Auvers. He died just 2 days later. Historians have always assumed that Van Gogh tried to kill himself, but in recent years there have been claims that it was actually an accident. Unfortunately, we’ll never know the truth.

Van Gogh is most well known for his masterpieces Bedroom in Arles, Almond Blossoms, and The Starry Night, as well as some self-portraits. When he lived in Paris, he enjoyed painting the Montmartre neighbourhood.

If you want to learn more about this renowned artist, keep reading for the 10 best movies about Vincent Van Gogh!

1. Lust for Life (1956)

Kirk Douglas plays Van Gogh in Lust for Life, a 1956 movie that focuses on the painter’s early struggles to find a career he was passionate about. It shows Van Gogh’s interest in the religious life and depicts why he ultimately decided to become an artist. You’ll also discover how Van Gogh learned to draw and paint!

The movie is based on a novel of the same name by Irving Stone, and the role landed Douglas an Academy Award nomination.

Watch this movie if: you love older movies and want to learn more about Van Gogh’s early years.

2. Vincent and Theo (1990)

This 1990 period drama tells the story of Van Gogh and his brother Theo. Tim Roth plays Vincent and Paul Rhys plays Theo. The movie is based on various letters written between the two brothers over the years.

Vincent and Theo does a great job of telling Van Gogh’s story as well as Theo’s. You’ll learn just how much Van Gogh relied on his brother’s help. If it wasn’t for the financial support of Theo, Van Gogh would have never gone on to become a painter!

Watch this movie if: you want to learn more about Van Gogh’s relationship with his brother.

3. The Eyes of Van Gogh (2005)

The Eyes of Van Gogh is a 2005 drama that tells the story of Van Gogh’s time in an asylum. Van Gogh voluntarily entered himself into the Saint Remy asylum for 12 months when his epilepsy began to interfere with his life.

Director Alexander Barnett does an excellent job of showing how Van Gogh experienced the world when he was in the asylum. This movie is all about what it’s like to enter into a state of madness. This one may not be for the feign of heart and can be really intense at times, just to warn you!

Watch this movie if: you want to learn more about Van Gogh’s time in Saint Remy.

4. Loving Vincent (2017)

This movie is one of my all-time favorites! You’ll learn more about the painter’s life through the use of over 130 animated versions of his paintings. I’ve never seen anything like this film, and Loving Vincent really knocked it out of the park for me.

The movie was nominated for an Oscar, and also caused a bit of controversy. As I already mentioned, historians have always assumed that Van Gogh killed himself. Loving Vincent explores the possibility that his death was, in fact, an accident.

Watch this movie if: you want to dive into Van Gogh’s paintings through the use of animation.

5. At Eternity’s Gate (2018)

If Loving Vincent is one of my all-time favourites, At Eternity’s Gate is my number one all-time favourite! I saw this movie right after it came out, and I was blown away by actor Willem Dafoe’s portrayal of Van Gogh.

The movie also explores Van Gogh’s relationship with fellow painter Gauguin. The plot takes place in Van Gogh’s final years, and we see the artist as erratic and unhappy. Dafoe does an excellent job in his role and is very believable. 

Watch this movie if: you want to learn more about Van Gogh’s final years.

6. Benedict Cumberbatch – Painted With Words

With roles as Nikola Tesla, Stephen Hawking, and Alan Turing under his belt, the Sherlock star frequently dabbles in biopics. A TV documentary titled Painted With Words was published in 2010, at the height of his rising mainstream success. Like the previous movie, a significant portion of Cumberbatch’s dialogue is taken from Vincent’s letters to his brother.

In keeping with the majority of his portrayals, the British actor portrays the artist’s life with a grim, deadpan attitude. Van Gogh, played by Cumberbatch, occasionally breaks the fourth wall in the TV movie, which has aspects of a documentary. He discusses his art and the ideas that led to it.

Watch this movie if you want to: Understand Gogh’s life better.

7. Tony Curran – Doctor Who

Van Gogh was played by Scottish actor Tony Curran in a moving performance that had the audience in tears. The iconic Doctor travels back in time to learn that a commune in Paris has been tormented by an invisible creature that only Van Gogh can see in the Doctor Who episode “Vincent and the Doctor.”

The Doctor sends Vincent to the year 2010 in one of the last moments. He brings him to a gallery in Paris where admirers are swarming around some of his iconic pieces, including A Starry Night and The Yellow House. Bill Nighy’s depiction of the museum curator continues to praise the artist as one of the finest men to have ever lived. Van Gogh’s eyes well up with tears as he is overcome with passion.

Watch this movie only if: You enjoy a good sci-fi tied with a bit of truth

8. Martin Scorcese – Dreams

The famous director Martin Scorcese did try to portray van Gogh. He appears in the bizarre Crows scene from Akira Kurosawa’s anthology movie Dreams, which is directed by a Japanese filmmaker (which is based on his own dreams). In addition to sporting the traditional painter’s straw hat and orange beard, Scorcese is also depicted as only having one ear—another important physical trait of the artist. A student of art accidentally runs upon the Dutchman while getting lost in one of his works.

The artist as shown by Scorcese rambles on about his rigorous artistic process, how he consumes the natural world around him to capture it on canvas, and even how it has become challenging for him to paint self-portraits since he lost his ear!

Watch this movie if: You want to know how Van Gogh dealt with the loss of his ear

9. Jacques Dutronc – Van Gogh

The only reason this 1991 French movie about van Gogh stands out from earlier ones is that it avoids being overly dramatic. Despite being impassioned, Dutronc’s performance does not exaggerate the artist. Van Gogh blatantly presents an artist as a human being, unlike other period pieces about artists who might illustrate how a person becomes an artist.

This portrayal of van Gogh’s life is especially depressing because it shows him dealing with alcoholism, migraines, and loss of appetite rather than the inspiring moments when he was creating art. Dutronc received a Cesar award for his outstanding performance.

Watch this movie if: You want to see Van and the challenges he dealt with. 

10. Andy Serkis – Power Of Art

This portrayal and Benedict Cumberbatch’s are strikingly similar. In this episode of the BBC art history series Power of Art, Andy Serkis again breaks the fourth wall. Serkis, who is most known for his motion-capture roles, is made to appear as pallid and lifeless as van Gogh by using yellowish tones in his makeup. He almost resembles a hand-painted character by Vincent van Gogh as a result of this.

A sizable part of this includes a final monologue in which Serkis wonders, “Who am I?” while staring into the camera. He responds to this with gloomy, self-deprecating responses. He continues by referring to himself as quirky, a lowlife, and a nothing. This is in contrast to how the world currently sees him: as an artist and a legend.

Watch this if: You want to know more about Van Gogh but from a broken-down point of view (series).

Exploring 10 of Van Gogh’s Masterpieces Portrayed in Movies

Vincent van Gogh’s paintings transcend the canvas, captivating audiences not just in museums but on the silver screen as well. Filmmakers have long recognized the power of his art to evoke emotions, set moods, and even foreshadow plotlines. Let us delve into 10 of Van Gogh’s masterpieces that have been immortalized in movies, exploring how their inclusion enriches the cinematic experience.

1. The Starry Night (1889) – “Moulin Rouge!” (1952)

This iconic depiction of a swirling night sky with a vibrant crescent moon finds its way into a dream sequence in the technicolor musical “Moulin Rouge!”. Here, the fantastical world of the can-can dancers and bohemian artists is mirrored by Van Gogh’s dreamlike scene.

The dream sequence, filled with swirling colors, distorted perspectives, and impossible architecture, reflects the emotional turmoil of the protagonist Christian, a penniless writer caught between love and artistic ambition. Van Gogh’s influence extends beyond this scene, with the film’s vibrant sets and costumes echoing the bold colors and expressive brushstrokes of his paintings.

2. Sunflowers (1888) – “Dr. Zhivago” (1965)

 In the epic historical drama “Dr. Zhivago,” sunflowers appear throughout the film, mirroring the novel’s themes of love, loss, and resilience. Most notably, a bouquet of sunflowers adorns Lara’s room, symbolizing the passionate love story between her and Dr. Zhivago.

The sunflowers, with their bright yellow petals reaching towards the sun, represent hope and enduring love even amidst the backdrop of war and revolution. The film’s use of sunflowers is particularly poignant in scenes depicting the separation of the lovers, where the wilting flowers foreshadow the fading possibility of their reunion.

3. The Bedroom (1889) – “Lust for Life” (1956)

 This biopic of Van Gogh himself features a meticulously recreated version of his famous bedroom painting. The scene serves not just as a visual representation of the artist’s living quarters, but also as a window into his troubled mind. The bold colors and strong perspectives – the vibrant yellow walls contrasting with the emerald green floorboards, the slanted bed seemingly defying gravity – reflect Van Gogh’s inner turmoil.

The overall feeling of claustrophobia within the small room contributes to the portrayal of his mental illness, further emphasized by the harsh black bars on the windows, possibly alluding to feelings of entrapment.

4. Irises (1889) – “A Beautiful Mind” (2001)

 In the biographical drama “A Beautiful Mind,” John Nash, a brilliant mathematician struggling with schizophrenia, fixates on Van Gogh’s “Irises.” The film uses the painting’s swirling colors and organic shapes to depict Nash’s distorted perception of reality, mirroring the challenges he faces.

The irises themselves, with their vibrant purple hues and delicate forms, can be interpreted as a symbol of both beauty and fragility. As Nash’s mental state deteriorates, the irises in his hallucinations become increasingly distorted, reflecting the breakdown of his grip on reality.

5. Wheatfield with Crows (1890) – “Doctor Who” (2010 episode “Vincent and the Doctor”)

This haunting landscape painting takes center stage in an episode of the popular sci-fi series “Doctor Who.” The Doctor travels back in time to meet Van Gogh and witnesses the creation of “Wheatfield with Crows.” The scene explores themes of artistic genius, mental illness, and the beauty found in even the most troubled souls. The Doctor, recognizing Van Gogh’s brilliance despite his struggles, encourages the artist to see the beauty in the world around him, offering a poignant counterpoint to the painting’s dark and turbulent atmosphere.

6. The Cafe Terrace at Night (1888) – “Cafe Society” (1989)

Woody Allen’s romantic comedy “Cafe Society” features a recreation of Van Gogh’s vibrant “Cafe Terrace at Night.” The scene depicts a bustling Parisian cafe, bathed in the warm glow of gas lamps. This visual echo reinforces the film’s focus on love, relationships, and the allure of Parisian nightlife.

Van Gogh’s painting, with its deep blues and shimmering yellows, captures the energy and romance of the cafe setting. The film cleverly uses contrasting colors within the scene itself – the warm glow of the cafe interior juxtaposed against the cool blues of the night sky – mirroring the emotional complexities of the characters’ relationships.

7. Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear (1889) – “Loving Vincent” (2017)

 This unique animated film, entirely painted frame-by-frame, delves into the life of Van Gogh. Naturally, “Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear” features prominently, reflecting the artist’s physical and emotional state after his infamous self-mutilation incident.

The film utilizes various artistic techniques to portray Van Gogh’s state of mind. The animation style itself, with its swirling brushstrokes and vibrant colors, echoes Van Gogh’s own artistic expression. The close-up on the self-portrait intensifies the viewer’s connection with the artist’s inner turmoil, capturing the vulnerability and pain in his eyes.

8. The Potato Eaters (1885) – “The Theory of Everything” (2014)

 The biographical drama “The Theory of Everything” uses “The Potato Eaters” to highlight the social and economic realities of Stephen Hawking’s upbringing. The scene depicts a somber meal shared by a working-class family, their faces illuminated by a single flickering candle.

The scene’s muted tones and earthy colors mirror the painting’s palette, emphasizing the characters’ humble circumstances. This visual connection reinforces the film’s exploration of human resilience in the face of adversity. Hawking’s journey, like the figures in Van Gogh’s painting, is one of perseverance and determination in the face of hardship.

9. Almond Blossoms (1888) – “Akira” (1988)

 The cyberpunk anime classic “Akira” features a surprising inclusion of Van Gogh’s “Almond Blossoms.” The painting appears in Tetsuo’s room, a stark contrast to the film’s dark, futuristic setting. This juxtaposition might symbolize hope and new beginnings amidst a dystopian world.

The delicate pink and white blossoms offer a brief respite from the film’s violence and chaos. The placement of the painting in Tetsuo’s room, a character struggling with his own humanity, could also be interpreted as a hint at his potential for growth and redemption.

10. The Church at Auvers (1890) – “Enter the Void” (2009)

The psychological thriller “Enter the Void” uses a distorted version of “The Church at Auvers” throughout its neon-drenched visuals. The distorted church, with its swirling blues and greens, reflects the protagonist’s drug-induced hallucinations and chaotic mental state, adding to the film’s unsettling atmosphere.

The warped perspective of the church, contrasted with the painting’s original serenity, emphasizes the protagonist’s descent into madness. By incorporating this distorted Van Gogh masterpiece, the film creates a powerful visual metaphor for the loss of control and alienation experienced by the character.

Conclusion

You have plenty of movies about Vincent Van Gogh to add to your “to-watch” lists! If you’re just as obsessed with this famous painter as I am, I’m sure you’ll love all of the titles above.

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, I recommend you hop on our Skip-the-line Orsay and Montmartre tour! Admire some of Van Gogh’s most well-known masterpieces, and then head to one of his favourite Parisian neighbourhoods! Click here to learn more.