Dead Poets Society & 19 Other Movies For Fans Of The Dark Academia Aesthetic

Boarding schools, tweed jackets, Latin classes, black coffee – these are just some of the things that illustrate and describe dark academia in movies. The aesthetic became a popular trend among young adults who are genuinely keen on broadening their perspectives on just about everything under the sun, particularly the art of literature. Dark academia movies embrace an interest in learning – or sometimes, simply use the aesthetic to appear to embrace that interest in learning.

Dark academia is a type of aesthetic that romanticizes the yearning for knowledge, especially in literature and classical studies. It could be expressed through fashion, photography, writing, and films. Dark academia movies are often set in Ivy League or prestigious universities and could involve a case of murder or simply one’s pursuit of self. With the very popular subgenre of drama films holding such a respected spot in film history, there are plenty of movies to go back and watch that possess dark academia traits, from the musty libraries to the love of all things art, literature, and academia.

You are watching: Dead Poets Society & 19 Other Movies For Fans Of The Dark Academia Aesthetic

20 Dead Poets Society (1989)

A Poetry Teacher Leads Students To Their Passions

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Set in an all-boys prep school in the 1950s, Dead Poets Society follows John Keating (Robin Williams), an English who inspires his students to appreciate poetry, think critically, and see life from a new perspective. The cast also includes Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, and Josh Charles.

Director Peter Weir Release Date June 2, 1989 Cast Robin Williams , Robert Sean Leonard , Ethan Hawke , Josh Charles , Gale Hansen , Dylan Kussman Runtime 128 minutes

Released in 1989, Dead Poets Society is probably the peak of all dark academia movies. It stars the late Robin Williams as Mr. Keating, Ethan Hawke as Todd Anderson, and Robert Sean Leonard as Neil Perry. The film follows their academic lives inside the boarding school of Welton Academy. Mr. Keating was an English teacher with unconventional methods, which inspired the boys to pursue their love for poetry.

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This heartwarming and tear-jerking movie teaches fans the importance of self-discovery and freedom of expression. It also emphasizes the role of teachers and how their lessons can impact the lives of their students in the long run. However, the parents are not always willing to accept their sons following their passions, and when a suicide occurs, it upends everything Keaton tries to accomplish. Dead Poets Society earned Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Director (Peter Weir), and Best Actor (Robin Williams).

19 School Ties (1992)

A Jewish High School Student Finds Persecution In An Elite Prep School

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School Ties is a 1992 drama directed by Robert Mandel, featuring Brendan Fraser as David Greene, a talented football player who gains a scholarship to an elite prep school. Set in the 1950s, the film explores issues of class and anti-Semitism as David hides his Jewish heritage to fit in with his peers. The cast includes Matt Damon, Chris O’Donnell, and Ben Affleck as fellow students facing moral dilemmas.

Director Robert Mandel Release Date September 18, 1992 Cast Brendan Fraser , Matt Damon , Chris O’Donnell , Randall Batinkoff , Andrew Lowery , Cole Hauser , Ben Affleck , Anthony Rapp Runtime 106 minutes

School Ties is often remembered in the same breath as Dead Poets Society, but they are very different films. While the latter actually does focus on learning and the students opening their minds, the former focuses on the intolerance present in a close-knit community. Despite the different story focuses, they do have the same dark academia aesthetic with that elite and classic prep school look.

School Ties boasts an impressive cast that includes Brendan Fraser, Ben Affleck, Chris O’Donnell, and Anthony Rapp in some of their earliest roles. In the movie, Fraser stars as a Jewish teenager from a working-class family who receives a scholarship to an elite prep school because of his exceptional grades and his excellence on the football field. However, when he gets there, he finds himself an outsider with the wealthy and often racist students that he crosses paths with.

18 Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

An Art Teacher In The 1950s Wants To Help Women Achieve Their Dreams

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Mona Lisa Smile, directed by Mike Newell, stars Julia Roberts as Katherine Watson, an art history professor at Wellesley College in the 1950s. The film explores Watson’s efforts to inspire her female students to pursue their own paths and challenge societal expectations. Supporting performances from Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, and Maggie Gyllenhaal highlight the themes of feminism and personal growth in a conservative academic setting.

Director Mike Newell Release Date December 19, 2003 Cast Julia Roberts , Kirsten Dunst , Julia Stiles , Maggie Gyllenhaal , Ginnifer Goodwin , Dominic West , Juliette Stevenson , Marcia Gay Harden , John Slattery , Marian Seldes , Donna Mitchell , Terence Rigby , Jennie Eisenhower , Leslie Lyles , Laura Allen , Topher Grace , Lily Lodge , Jordan Bridges , Ebon Moss-Bachrach , Christopher Braden Runtime 117 Minutes Expand

Like School Ties, Mona Lisa Smile is also set in the 1950s. Unlike School Ties, however, the focus of the movie is on the place of women in society at the time as explored through an art history course at Wellesley. Though the film received mixed reviews upon its release, it certainly touches on the different expectations of a university education at the time for women compared to men.

Women were not expected to use the academic education they received, but to become wives and mothers and stay within the home.

Women were not expected to use the academic education they received, but to become wives and mothers and stay within the home. Mona Lisa Smile doesn’t play as hard into the dark academia aspect of the movie as it could, instead allowing the audience to see that there are many paths for the women of the class as long as they are presented with their own choices about their future. Julia Robert led the cast, and the movie received award nominations for the Elton John song “The Heart of Every Girl.”

17 The Skulls (2000)

A Secret Society At A Prestigious University

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The Skulls centers on college student Luke McNamara, who is drawn into an elite secret society known as the Skulls. As he rises within the organization, he uncovers its dark and dangerous influence. Directed by Rob Cohen, the film stars Joshua Jackson, Paul Walker, and Leslie Bibb, exploring themes of power and corruption.

Director Rob Cohen Release Date March 31, 2000 Cast Joshua Jackson , Paul Walker , Hill Harper , Leslie Bibb , Christopher McDonald , Steve Harris , William Petersen , Craig T. Nelson , David Asman , Scott Gibson , Nigel Bennett , Andrew Kraulis , Derek Aasland , Jennifer Melino , Noah Dalton Danby , Mac Fyfe , David Christo , Shaw Madson , Jesse Nilsson , Shawn Mathieson Runtime 106 Minutes Expand

When it comes to more modern takes on dark academia in movies and TV, many are devoted to fantasy stories, like The Magicians. The Skulls, however, which hit theaters in 2000, is still relevant for modern audiences as it focuses on the sinister appeal of secret societies in prestigious universities. Starring Paul Walker and Joshua Jackson, the movie is just as much of a thriller as it is a young adult drama, as conspiracies surrounding a secret society are slowly unearthed.

However, as the movie wears on, Luke realizes the secrets are deeper and darker than he ever suspected.

Luke (Jackson) is a student who wants to be a lawyer and gets his chance to attend a prestigious college on a rowing scholarship. He tries to enter a secret society known as The Skulls, which includes alumni at all levels of society, including a Federal Court Judge who wants a seat on the Supreme Court. However, as the movie wears on, Luke realizes the secrets are deeper and darker than he ever suspected. Director Rob COehn said he based the movie on reality (via Entertainment Focus).

“It was a very intense set because I had in my mind that I was telling the story of George Senior and George W. Bush… It’s interesting how many of the critics missed this and didn’t understand it and blowed it off as silly. Skull and Bones is a reality and the film got very close to how that reality works at Yale.”

16 Cruel Intentions (1999)

A Brother & Sister Play Twisted Mind Games

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With a screenplay and direction by Roger Kumble, Cruel Intentions is a Romance and Teen Drama film that stars Selma Blair, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Reese Witherspoon, and Ryan Phillippe. The plot revolves around a group of teens, with a man betting one of them that he can seduce a girl successfully.

Director Roger Kumble Release Date March 5, 1999 Cast Sarah Michelle Gellar , Ryan Phillippe , Reese Witherspoon , Selma Blair , Louise Fletcher , Joshua Jackson Runtime 97 minutes

Cruel Intentions is one of the best-known dark academia movies. After all, the characters go to an elite school where they have the best fashions that money can buy, but they also favor a classic academic aesthetic regarding their books, furniture, and homes. The movie exposes the darkness that can stem from jealousy as well with Sarah Michelle Gellar brilliantly playing a villainous role after audiences were so used to seeing her as the hero.

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Ryan Phillippe plays Sebastian, a teenager who uses his money and charm to manipulate and seduce women. When he sets his eyes on a new conquest (Reese Witherspoon), his stepsister (Gellar) makes a bet with her brother that if he successfully seduces this new conquest, then she will sleep with him, but if he fails, she gets his Jaguar car. The movie is an erotic thriller with a very dark turn of events that plays out as the bet progresses. The film received mixed reviews but is something of a cult classic that still gets rewatched today.

15 Harry Potter Films (2001-2011)

A Boy Wizard Finds His Fate At An Exclusive Wizarding Academy

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Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students’ time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.

Created by J.K. Rowling First Film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Cast Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint , Tom Felton , Alan Rickman , Matthew Lewis , Bonnie Wright , Evanna Lynch , Maggie Smith , Michael Gambon , Richard Harris , Ralph Fiennes , Helena Bonham Carter , Alfred Enoch , Harry Melling , Gary Oldman , Robert Pattinson , Warwick Davis , Oliver Phelps , James Phelps , David Bradley , David Thewlis , Katie Leung , Jason Isaacs , Imelda Staunton , David Tennant , Jamie Campbell Bower , Timothy Spall , Robbie Coltrane , Eddie Redmayne , Jude Law , Katherine Waterston , Ezra Miller , Dan Fogler , Alison Sudol , Johnny Depp , Mads Mikkelsen Expand $89 at AmazonSee at TargetSee at Walmart

Harry Potter might not be the first film franchise that comes to mind when thinking of dark academia movies, but it certainly fits the bill. Dark academia is an aesthetic that calls to mind a very idealized version of academic institutions. The Harry Potter franchise has just that thanks to its castle of a setting for the bulk of the stories, the intense classes viewers are able to observe, and the sheer amount of knowledge that the Harry Potter characters are able to obtain while attending Hogwarts.

They are also beautiful to watch with immaculately dressed sets and effects

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Yes, the movies are a family-friendly fantasy series, but they are also beautiful to watch, with immaculately dressed sets and effects that are perfect for fans of dark academia. There were seven movies in the original series and then three in a spinoff prequel series. However, there will be more coming in the future, as Max will remake every Harry Potter novel into a 10-season-long streaming series, which will likely tell much more of the books’ stories in the academic setting.

14 Good Will Hunting (1997)

A Young Prodigy From The Streets Gets A Chance To Find His Place In The World

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Written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, Good Will Hunting stars Damon as Will Hunting, a janitor with a genius-level intellect who, after being arrested for fighting, receives the chance to study mathematics under a renowned MIT professor provided that he attends therapy sessions with Dr. Sean Maguire. As Will’s life begins to change dramatically through the opportunities afforded him at MIT, his work with Dr. Maguire slowly begins to help him open up about his troubled past. Robin Williams stars as Sean Maguire alongside Damon, with Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård, and Minnie Driver also part of the main cast. 

Director Gus Van Sant Release Date January 9, 1998 Cast Robin Williams , Ben Affleck , Minnie Driver , Matt Damon , Stellan Skarsgård Runtime 126 minutes

Good Will Hunting is a dark academia movie that shows what happens when someone from a lower class moves into the high arts, and finds he no longer belongs anywhere he feels comfortable. Matt Damon stars as Will Hunting, a brilliant mathematical genius who can solve any problem, earning him a spot at a university, a goal none of his childhood friends could ever achieve. That puts him in a tough spot where his friends don’t understand his new pursuits.

Robin Williams won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor

Robin Williams enjoyed a breakout performance as his mentor Dr. Sean Maguire, a man who did what he could to help Will fit into the dark academia world that he knew nothing about. Good Will Hunting has a 97% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It also picked up great acclaim when released, earning nine Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. Robin Williams won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and Ben Affleck and Matt Damon won for their screenplay.

13 The Theory Of Everything (2014)

The True Story Of Stephen Hawking

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Based on the life of Stephen Hawking, The Theory of Everything stars Eddie Redmayne as Hawking, chronicling his early life and marriage, his diagnosis of ALS, and his professional work in the field of physics while dealing with the progression of the disease. Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox, and David Thewlis also star. 

Director James Marsh Release Date November 7, 2014 Cast Eddie Redmayne , Charlie Cox , David Thewlis , Felicity Jones Runtime 123minutes

The Theory of Everything is a biopic about renowned scientist Stephen Hawking. Eddie Redmayne won an Oscar for his performance as Hawking, as he learns about his motor neuron disease and never lets it affect his desire to achieve his goals in life. Given that the movie starts off with Hawking’s career at the University of Cambridge as an aspiring astrophysicist, this movie slides quite nicely into the world of dark academia movies.

Eventually, Hawking’s drive allows him to eclipse the academics who once taught him. Critics praised the movie, awarding it an 80% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In addition to Redmayne’s Oscar win, the film itself had four other nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Felicity Jones), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score. Redmayne also won awards at the BAFTAs and Golden Globes Awards for his performance.

12 The Goldfinch (2019)

A Young Man Attempts A Career As An Art Thief

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Based on the best-selling novel by Donna Tartt, The Goldfinch follows the life of Theodore Decker, beginning with the day that his mother is killed in a terrorist attack while the two of them are visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In the chaos after the attack, Theo steals a painting from the museum, Carel Fabritius’s The Goldfinch, and manages to get away with taking the painting because of the damage to the museum. The film follows Theo through young adulthood, and how his mother’s death and the painting affect the course of his life. Ansel Elgort and Oakes Fegley star as Theo, alongside Finn Wolfhard, Jeffery Wright, and Nicole Kidman. 

Director John Crowley Release Date September 13, 2019 Cast Sarah Paulson , Aneurin Barnard , Peter Jacobson , Willa Fitzgerald , Luke Wilson , Oakes Fegley , Luke Kleintank , Nicole Kidman , Robert Joy , Jeffrey Wright , Ansel Elgort , Ashleigh Cummings , Finn Wolfhard , Joey Slotnick , Denis O’Hare Runtime 149 minutes Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Expand

The Goldfinch is based on the novel by Donna Tartt, with Ansel Elgort starring as Theodore Decker. When his mother dies in a terrorist bombing, he ends up moving into a life of crime, specifically the world of art thievery. The movie follows Theodore throughout his life as he learns lessons along the way and grows into a man with no parental figures in his life, but an innate desire to both succeed and overcome his childhood trauma.

…many of the reviews praised the beauty and look of the movie but felt the story was mostly disappointing.

The movie is a dark tale, with Theodore involving himself in the world of classic art and literature, making this a dark academia movie without bothering with the university aspects of the genre. Critics mostly dismissed the film, with a low 25% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, although many of the reviews praised the beauty and look of the movie but felt the story was mostly disappointing. Author Tartt disowned the film and fired her agent after it was made (via Looper).

11 The Social Network (2010)

The Creation Of Facebook

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David Fincher’s The Social Network chronicles the birth of Facebook and the rise of tech mogul Mark Zuckerberg. Following Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) as he creates his famous social network along with his friend and investor Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield). As Facebook’s popularity grows, Zuckerberg faces legal action from former friends, with The Social Network following his journey from an innovative young student to a titan of industry.

Director David Fincher Release Date October 1, 2010 Cast Jesse Eisenberg , Rooney Mara , Andrew Garfield , Justin Timberlake , Armie Hammer Runtime 120 minutes

The Social Network is a movie that shows what is wrong with dark academia. While the idea of the theme is a romanticism with literature and art, mostly in a university setting, this movie shows the dark side. This included toxic masculinity, snobbish Ivy League cliques, and over-obsessive work habits, followed by betrayal and possible intellectual rights theft.

Directed by David Fincher, the film has a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The movie shows the rise of Facebook by its founders and the idea that the original concept was supposed to help connect those students at Cambridge. However, as with any good idea, there was a darkness behind it that corrupted all it touched. Directed by David Fincher, the film has a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It also earned eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. Aaron Sorkin won for his screenplay while Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross won for the score.

10 A Beautiful Mind (2001)

The True Story Of Mathematician John Nash

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Director Ron Howard Release Date January 4, 2002 Cast Russell Crowe , Ed Harris , Jennifer Connelly , Christopher Plummer , Paul Bettany , Adam Goldberg , Johs Lucas , Anthony Rapp Runtime 135 Minutes

Released in 2001 by Ron Howard, A Beautiful Mind told the story of mathematician John Nash. While the movie courted controversy for the inaccuracies it made to Nash’s life and his real story, the entire movie is seeped in the themes of dark academia movies. Nash arrives at Princeton University as a winner of the Carnegie Scholarship for mathematics and meets his new roommate, a literature student named Charles Herman.

However, as the movie goes on, things are not as they seem and Nash’s life ends up falling apart while he still manages to succeed when he is awarded the Nobel Prize in 1994. A Beautiful Mind won some of the biggest Oscars that year, bringing home Best Picture, Best Director for Ron Howard, Best Supporting Actress for Jennifer Connelly, and Best Screenplay for Akiva Goldsman. Star Russell Crowe lost to Denzel Washington (Training Day) for Best Actor.

9 Kill Your Darlings (2013)

The True Story Of Allen Ginsberg

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Kill Your Darlings is a biographical drama directed by John Krokidas. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as a young Allen Ginsberg, chronicling his time at Columbia University and his involvement in a murder investigation that brings him together with fellow Beat Generation icons, Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs.

Director John Krokidas Release Date October 16, 2013 Cast Daniel Radcliffe , Dane DeHaan , Michael C. Hall , Ben Foster , Jack Huston Runtime 104 minutes

Kill Your Darlings is loosely based on the lives of poets Allen Ginsberg and Lucien Carr . They attended Columbia University and got involved in the murder of one of their acquaintances. Played by Daniel Radcliffe, Ginsberg finds an unusual friendship with Carr (played by Dane DeHaan). Carr is a young man who ends up in a predatory relationship with an older sexual predator and ends up killing the man in self-defense.

The movie takes place at Columbia University and features appearances by other historical figures…

The movie takes place at Columbia University and features appearances by other historical figures, including Jack Kerouac (played by Jack Huston) and William S. Burroughs (played by Ben Foster). The film garnered positive reviews because of the two actors’ chemistry and overall plot. As for its historical accuracy, Ginsberg’s secretary confirmed some inaccuracies, which are only of small value. The film has a 75% Rotten Tomatoes score and won Unsung Film of the Year at the Dorian Awards.

8 Maurice (1987)

A Merchant Ivory Production Based On E.M. Forster’s Novel

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Maurice is a British romantic drama directed by James Ivory, based on E.M. Forster’s novel. The film follows Maurice Hall, a young man navigating his sexuality in early 20th-century England, faced with societal pressures and personal revelations. Starring James Wilby as Maurice and Hugh Grant as his close friend Clive, the film delves into themes of love, identity, and societal norms, set against the backdrop of Edwardian values.

Director James Ivory Release Date September 18, 1987 Cast James Wilby , Hugh Grant , Rupert Graves , Denholm Elliott , Simon Callow , Billie Whitelaw , Barry Foster , Judy Parfitt , Phoebe Nicholls , Patrick Godfrey , Mark Tandy , Ben Kingsley , Kitty Aldridge , Helena Michell , Catherine Rabett , Peter Eyre , Michael Jenn , Mark Payton , Orlando Wells , Maria Britneva , John Elmes , Alan Foss Runtime 140 Minutes Expand

7 Mary Shelley (2017)

The True Life Story Of Frankenstein Author Mary Shelley

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Mary Shelley is a biographical drama that explores the life of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, the author of Frankenstein. Directed by Haifaa al-Mansour, the film stars Elle Fanning as Mary, chronicling her tumultuous relationship with poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and the societal challenges she faces. The narrative delves into her journey of love, loss, and literary creation, highlighting the events that inspired her iconic Gothic novel.

Director Haifaa Al-Mansour Release Date April 28, 2018 Cast Elle Fanning , Maisie Williams , Douglas Booth , Joanne Frogatt , Stephen Dillane , Bel Powley Runtime 120 minutes

This historical drama narrates the early life of the Romantic writer Mary Shelley and the creation of her best work, Frankenstein. Set during the 1800s, this visually pleasing and gothic-inspired film will surely awaken the writer in every literature fan. Played by Elle Fanning, Mary Shelley is the wife of the poet Percy Blythe Shelley. Together with their friends, Lord Byron, John Polidori, and Mary’s half-sister, Claire Clairmont, they get stranded in a house near Lake Geneva.

Lord Byron proposes a game of writing a horror story, and that was the beginning of the conception of Frankenstein. The film did almost nothing at the worldwide box office and also received average to low critical ratings, sitting at 41% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the movie does well with the dark academia setting, delivering an intriguing story led by some strong performances from the talented cast.

6 Tolkien (2019)

The True Story Of J.R.R. Tolkien

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Directed by Dome Karukoski, 2019’s Tolkien is a Drama and Biography film that outlines the early life of the famed author J. R. R. Tolkien, en English professor that would become renown for his creation of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series.

Director Dome Karukoski Release Date May 3, 2019 Cast Nicholas Hoult , Lily Collins Runtime 112minutes

Everyone knows J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, and this biopic tells the English professor’s early life and his inspiration for creating the popular franchise. Nicholas Hoult stars as Tolkien, while Lily Collins plays his lifelong love and later wife. Tolkien finds love and inspiration among a group of outcasts. Their brotherhood gradually strengthens as Tolkien deals with his relationship with Edith Bratt and the outbreak of World War I.

These experiences later inspired him to create the fantasy world of
The Hobbit
and
The Lord of the Rings
.

These experiences later inspired him to create the fantasy world of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The film has all elements of dark academia movies, from their outfits to attending universities, everything displays the aesthetic. However, it ended up as a box office failure while also receiving mixed reviews from critics but it’s another film that dark academia fans will likely appreciate.

5 Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Robert Downey Jr. Takes On The Role Of Sherlock Holmes

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Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes adapts the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with an all-star Hollywood cast. Set in 1890, Sherlock Holmes follows the eccentric but brilliant detective Sherlock (Robert Downey Jr.) and his partner Watson (Jude Law) as they solve various mysteries around Victorian London. Teaming up with former adversary Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), the detectives find themselves pitted against the villainous Lord Henry Blackwood (Mark Strong) as he attempts to gain control of Britain.

Director Guy Ritchie Release Date December 25, 2009 Cast Mark Strong , Eddie Marsan , Robert Downey Jr. , Rachel McAdams , Jude Law Runtime 128 minutes

Of course, the genius detective Sherlock Holmes perfectly fits the dark academia movie theme. Though the whole film is not set in a university, his love for knowledge satisfies every aspect of the aesthetic. Everyone knows Sherlock Holmes and everyone who has a knack for mysteries and crime will surely adore his adventures. The dark setting and atmosphere of the film give off the ambiance of old London, which is full of a sinister and wicked society.

Directed by Guy Ritchie, this movie is based on the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle characters, but the story is not based on any of his novels or tales. Instead, it follows Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and Watson (Jude Law) as they try to stop three “unstoppable” deaths promised by his nemesis, Lord Henry Blackwood. The movie was a monster success winning Downey a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor, and spawning a sequel, with another on the way.

4 The Imitation Game (2014)

The True Story Of Alan Turing

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The Imitation Game stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing, the real-life British mathematician and computer scientist who was instrumental in decoding the German spy code machine Enigma during WWII. The film focuses on Turing’s work during the war and his personal life during that time, as well as the tragic story of his life after the war and his death in 1954. Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Charles Dance, and Mark Strong also star. 

Director Morten Tyldum Release Date November 28, 2014 Cast Mark Strong , Matthew Goode , Keira Knightley , Benedict Cumberbatch Runtime 114minutes

The newly created British intelligence recruits Cambridge mathematics genius Alan Turing (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) to crack Nazi codes that cryptanalysts thought were unbreakable. Turing analyzes the Enigma messages as he builds a machine to decipher them. But the supposed-to-be-happy ending turns sour as he is sent to prison when they find out he’s gay. One of the most common themes in dark academia movies is LGBTQ+ issues.

This aesthetic is inclusive and covers all genders, so it often presents stories of self-exploration and expression.

This aesthetic is inclusive and covers all genders, so it often presents stories of self-exploration and expression.The Imitation Game has a certified Fresh 90% Rotten Tomatoes score. It was also a success at the end of the year, earning eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch), and Best Actress (Keira Knightley). However, the only award it ended up taking home was Best Adapted Screenplay for Graham Moore.

3 The Riot Club (2014)

A Fictional All-Male, Exclusive Oxford Dining Club

The Riot Club 0

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Director Lone Scherfig Release Date March 27, 2015 Cast Sam Claflin , Max Irons , Douglas Booth , Jessica Brown Findlay , Thomas Arnold , Harry Lloyd , Amber Anderson , Andrew Woodall Runtime 107 Minutes

Starring Sam Claflin, Max Irons, and Douglas Booth, this film follows the narrative of a group of students attending Oxford University who join a secret society where they learn that a reputation can be ruined in just one evening. The Riot Club is an established drinking club that prides itself on money and hedonism, things that most dark academia movie fans are very well aware of.

Fans will also indulge in its spectacular cinematography and the portrayal of the British Elites.

The film’s aesthetic is visually appealing, especially when the cast is all handsome boys in school uniforms. Fans will also indulge in its spectacular cinematography and the portrayal of the British Elites. The film mostly follows an exclusive secret society, all of whom believe they are above the law and can do anything they want without repercussions, which is proven to be mostly true by the end. The film has a 66% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is praised for its dark humor and look at unearned privilege.

2 The Dreamers (2003)

An Erotic Drama During The 1968 Paris Student Riots

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NC-17DramaRomance

The Dreamers, directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, is a 2003 drama set against the backdrop of the 1968 Paris student riots. The film follows an American student, who becomes entwined with a French brother and sister, as they explore their intense and complex relationships. Michael Pitt, Eva Green, and Louis Garrel star in this evocative exploration of love, politics, and youthful rebellion.

Director Bernardo Bertolucci Release Date October 10, 2003 Cast Michael Pitt , Eva Green , Louis Garrel , Anna Chancellor , Robin Renucci , Jean-Pierre Kalfon Runtime 115 minutes

This French-English film stars Eva Green, Michael Pitt, and Louis Garrel, three students who find an unusual friendship in one another. Isabelle and Theo are twins who meet an American student, Matthew, and together they dream of utopian love and self-discovery in the age of revolutionary idealism. The movie became popular on social media because of the scenes where the three were running and frolicking around a museum, a sight that will surely stir the hearts of dark academia movie fans.

The Dreamers was directed by auteur filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci, widely considered to be one of Italy’s greatest directors in history. This was Eva Green’s first movie and her major breakthrough. Bertolucci has both the R-rated theatrical version and a second version that is uncut and NC-17. The film received average to positive reviews, with a 60% Rotten Tomatoes score, and its music soundtrack includes hits from Jimi Hendrix, Steve Miller Band, The Doors, and Grateful Dead.

1 Dorian Gray (2009)

Based On The Classic Oscar Wilde Character

Dorian Gray 0

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RDramaFantasyThrillerMystery

Dorian Gray is a film adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic novel, directed by Oliver Parker. Ben Barnes stars as Dorian Gray, a young man whose portrait ages while he remains youthful, reflecting his increasingly corrupted soul. The movie explores themes of vanity, morality, and consequences, with Colin Firth portraying Lord Henry Wotton, who influences Dorian’s descent into decadence.

Director Oliver Parker Release Date September 9, 2009 Cast Colin Firth , Ben Barnes , Rebecca Hall , Rachel Hurd-Wood , Emilia Fox , Ben Chaplin Runtime 112 Minutes

Enthralled by his own beauty, Dorian Gray decided to barter his soul to the devil to keep his youth. Based on the novel by Oscar Wilde, Dorian Gray is a representation of the human desire for immortality. Played by Ben Barnes, Dorian was a student who met the artist Basil Hallward and the influential Lord Henry Wotton when he first came to London. The three became good friends until Lord Wotton poisoned Dorian’s young mind, and upon discovering that his portrait painted by Basil has some dark secrets, he decides to lock it away.

Like
Dorian Gray
, many of the best dark academia movies don’t just employ the aesthetic, but also have an inherent darkness to their stories.

The story involves murder and debauchery, which bring some wickedness into the film. Like Dorian Gray, many of the best dark academia movies don’t just employ the aesthetic, but also have an inherent darkness to their stories. The film received mostly mixed to negative reviews, sitting at 43% on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, critics still praised the lavish and polished production and the look of the dark academia film

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