7 Best Movies About Artists: Celebrating World Art Day

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Today is World Art Day, a special day celebrated every year on April 15 to honor art and creativity around the world. It was chosen to mark the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, one of history's greatest artists. If you want to join the celebration, one great way to do it is to watch movies about artists.

Artists have always had fascinating stories. They face struggles, find inspiration, and create beautiful things even in the hardest moments. Movies about artists bring these stories to life, letting us see the world through the eyes of real or fictional creatives whose passion for art shapes everything they do.

So if you are looking for some films to binge-watch today, you are in the right place. In this article, we have gathered some of the best movies about artists to celebrate the World Art Day. Let's check them out now.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand

The first on our list is this classic biographical drama about the life of Vincent van Gogh, one of the most beloved painters in history. Directed by Vincente Minnelli, the film follows Van Gogh from his early struggles in Holland to his time in France, where he paints obsessively despite constant failure and mental illness. Kirk Douglas gives a powerful performance as the tormented artist, while Anthony Quinn won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Paul Gauguin.

Where to Watch: Paramount+, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, JustWatch TV, Spectrum On Demand, Kanopy, Hoopla

Directed by Julie Taymor, this biographical drama tells the story of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, who turned personal pain into extraordinary art. After surviving a near-fatal bus accident, Frida begins painting as a way to cope with her injuries and emotions. The film also follows her complex and passionate marriage to fellow artist Diego Rivera, played by Alfred Molina. Salma Hayek delivers a deeply moving performance in the title role, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

Starring and directed by Ed Harris, this film takes a close look at the troubled life of American painter Jackson Pollock. Set in New York during the 1940s and 1950s, the story follows Pollock as he rises from a struggling unknown artist to one of the most talked-about painters in the country. Behind the fame, he battles alcoholism, self-doubt, and difficult relationships. Marcia Gay Harden won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Pollock's devoted partner, Lee Krasner.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, Plex

Directed by Damien Chazelle, this beloved musical drama follows Mia, an aspiring actress played by Emma Stone, and Sebastian, a passionate jazz pianist played by Ryan Gosling. The two fall in love in Los Angeles as they each chase their artistic dreams. But as their careers begin to grow, they face a difficult question: can love survive ambition? The film won six Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Actress for Emma Stone, and remains one of the most celebrated movies about artists in recent years.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Fandor, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex Player

Set on the French Riviera in the summer of 1915, this French drama directed by Gilles Bourdos centers on the final years of Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. His son Jean, played by Vincent Rottiers, returns home from World War I to recover from his wounds. Around the same time, a young woman named Andrée arrives and becomes both the father's last model and the son's love interest. The film is quiet and visually rich, offering a gentle portrait of creativity, aging, and inspiration.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

In this movie, Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Louis Wain, a real British artist from the late 1800s who became famous for his whimsical and increasingly surreal paintings of cats. The film follows Wain through the joys and sorrows of his life, including his loving marriage to Emily Richardson, played by Claire Foy, and his slow decline into mental illness. Directed by Will Sharpe, the movie is both visually inventive and deeply emotional, showing how one man's unique way of seeing the world changed the way people look at cats forever.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Plex Player

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, paintings of children with enormous, soulful eyes become a sensation across America. The public believes they were made by Walter Keane, but the real artist is his wife, Margaret, who painted every single one. Directed by Tim Burton and starring Amy Adams as Margaret and Christoph Waltz as Walter, this film tells the story of a woman who stayed silent for years while her husband took all the credit. It is a compelling story about art, identity, and the courage it takes to finally tell the truth.