7 Movies Every Art Lover Should Watch - Artzo's Flick Picks

Art has a way of leaping off the canvas and into our lives, not just through paintings but also through film. For aspiring artists, hobbyists, or even casual admirers of creativity, some movies can be as inspiring as a trip to a gallery. Here are 7 films (that we think) every art lover should watch — sprinkled with trivia and art-material insights you’ll instantly connect with (and probably shop for).

1. Frida (2002)

The Story: This bold, colorful film dives into the life of Frida Kahlo — her art, resilience, and the physical struggles that shaped her work. Trivia: Frida often painted on Masonite boards instead of canvas because they were sturdier and easier to source in Mexico. Relatable Material: If you’ve ever switched from canvas to wooden painting panels for more texture control, you’re walking the same path as Kahlo.

2. Loving Vincent (2017)

The Story: The world’s first fully hand-painted film — every single frame is an oil painting in Van Gogh’s style. Trivia: Over 65,000 oil paintings were created by more than 100 artists for this film. Relatable Material: That buttery glide of oil paints on linen canvas is exactly the texture this film celebrates.

3. Pollock (2000)

The Story: A raw portrait of Jackson Pollock, the man behind the “drip technique” of abstract expressionism. Trivia: Pollock laid canvases on the floor and used sticks, hardened brushes, and even turkey basters to fling and drip paint. Relatable Material: Try improvising with a palette knife or a flat wash brush — you’ll get a taste of Pollock’s wild energy.

4. Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)

The Story: A quiet, visually stunning film imagining the story behind Vermeer’s most famous painting. Trivia: Vermeer was meticulous with pigments like ultramarine, derived from the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli — one of the most expensive paints of his time. Relatable Material: Today, you can recreate that richness with modern cobalt blue gouache or cerulean watercolours.

5. Mr. Turner (2014)

The Story: A poetic, atmospheric journey through the later years of landscape painter J.M.W. Turner. Trivia: Turner often used watercolour on tinted paper, finishing with chalk highlights. Relatable Material: A mop brush on cold-pressed watercolour paper gives the same soft washes Turner mastered.

6. Big Eyes (2014)

The Story: The story of Margaret Keane, whose haunting “big-eyed” portraits took the art world by storm — though her husband tried to claim them as his own. Trivia: Keane was known for building up multiple layers of oil paint to give her portraits depth and shine. Relatable Material: Layer up your own gessoed canvas with glazing mediums to achieve that luminous finish.

7. Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)

The Story: A Banksy documentary (or prank?) that questions what makes someone an artist in today’s commercial world. Trivia: Street artists often rely on spray paints, stencils, and industrial markers — tools that blur graffiti and fine art. Relatable Material: Experiment with acrylic markers or spray paints on primed surfaces to tap into that rebellious spirit.

These films aren’t just stories on screen — they’re little reminders of why we pick up a brush, squeeze out that tube of paint, or lose track of time in front of a canvas. Some will inspire you, some will challenge you, and a few might just push you to try that new colour, paper, or brush you’ve been eyeing. Queue them up, grab your sketchbook (and some popcorn), and let the art flow.