I’m such a visual empath. Watching films is a pure delight for me, but I can’t tolerate loud or terrifying movies with big explosions.
I’m not alone; many empaths are often overwhelmed by violent, fast-paced, or loud movie soundtracks. Even the actors can be too loud. Instead, sensitive people love heartwarming movies, so I want to share a few more movies that I love.
Here are my updated recommendations for empath-friendly films. By this, I mean films that are inspirational, sometimes magical, and filled with love of the earth and its creatures, as well as friendships and all of humankind. These are not violent, loud, or action thrillers. Their pace is slower, richer, and leaves space for your imagination to roam to creative, beautiful places.
I hope you enjoy these films too and that they bring peace, upliftment, and enchantment to your life.
1. The Life of Pi (2012)
While stranded on a lifeboat for 227 days after a shipwreck, a young man is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger. Based on Yann Martel’s 2001 novel, it stars Suraj Sharma in his film debut, Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Rafe Spall, Gérard Depardieu and Adil Hussain in lead roles.
Streaming on Amazon Video. Watch the video Here
2. The Velveteen Rabbit (2023)
The Velveteen Rabbit is a live-action/animated fantasy short film based on the classic book by Margery Williams. The film celebrates the magic of unconditional love. When William receives a new favorite toy for Christmas, he discovers a lifelong friend and unlocks a world of magic.
Streaming on AppleTV and Amazon Video. Watch the video Here
3. My Octopus Teacher (2020 Documentary)
After years of swimming every day in the freezing ocean at the tip of Africa, Craig Foster meets an unlikely teacher a young octopus who displays remarkable curiosity. Visiting her den and tracking her movements for months on end he eventually wins the animal’s trust and they develop a never-before-seen bond between human and wild animal. Streaming on Netflix. Watch the trailer Here
4. Chronicles of Narnia Film Series (2005 – 2010)
The Chronicles of Narnia is a three-film fantasy series based on The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of novels by C. S. Lewis. The series revolves around the adventures of children in the world of Narnia, guided by Aslan, a wise and powerful lion who can speak and is the true king of Narnia. The children heavily featured in the films are the Pevensie siblings, and a prominent antagonist is the White Witch (also known as Queen Jadis)
Stream on Disney+ and Amazon Video. Watch the trailer for the first film Here
5. The Shape of Water (2017)
From master storyteller Guillermo del Toro comes The Shape of Water, an otherworldly fable set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of isolation. Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment.
Streaming on Amazon Video. Watch the trailer Here
6. Arrival (2016)
Linguistics professor Louise Banks leads an elite team of investigators when gigantic spaceships touchdown in 12 locations around the world. As nations teeter on the verge of global war, Banks and her crew must race against time to find a way to communicate with the extraterrestrial visitors. Hoping to unravel the mystery, she takes a chance that could threaten her life and quite possibly all of mankind.
Streaming on Netflix. Watch the trailer Here
7. Eddie The Eagle (2015)
Eddie the Eagle is a feel-good story inspired by true events, about Michael “Eddie” Edwards (Taron Egerton), an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself–even as an entire nation was counting him out. With the help of a rebellious and charismatic coach (Hugh Jackman), Eddie takes on the establishment and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.
Streaming on Netflix and Amazon Video. Watch the trailer Here
8. The Way Way Back (2013)
Duncan is an awkward teen who must spend the summer at a beach house with his mother, her boyfriend, Trent, and Trent’s obnoxious daughter. Trent can’t resist badgering Duncan, so the youth steals away to a water park and gets a job that will help him stay off Trent’s radar. As Duncan tends to the slides and pools of the aging park, he finds a father figure in wisecracking park manager Owen at a time when he desperately needs one.
Streaming on Netflix and Amazon Video. Watch the trailer Here
9. Touched by an Angel TV Series (1994-2005)
Angels are dispatched from heaven to inspire people who are at crossroads in their lives. Monica, an angel who at times still needs some guidance with her Earthly assignments, reports to Tess, her tough, wise, and always loving supervisor. Joining them is Andrew, who, in addition to his duties as the Angel of Death, helps out as a caseworker on various assignments. The angels may not bring answers to every problem, but they always deliver a message of hope.
Streaming on YouTube, Paramount+, Netflix, and Amazon Video. Watch the trailer Here.
10. InnSæi – The Power of Intuition (2016 Documentary)
An Icelandic film that explores the concept of “innsæi,” which means “the sea within” or “to see from the inside out.” It features a philosophical journey about connecting with one’s inner world.
Streaming on Apple TV and Amazon Video. Watch the trailer Here
11. PGS: Intuition Is Your Personal Guidance System (2017)
Filmmaker Bill Bennett documents his journey to find the source of a mysterious voice that saved his life. Featuring interviews with some of the world’s leading experts on intuition, spanning the fields of science, religion, and spirituality.
Streaming on Apple TV, YouTube, and Amazon Video. Watch the trailer Here