Look, we get it, we love rewatching a favourite comedy over and over again just as much as the next guy, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t like to dip our toes into something a tad artier every once in a while. Known as Arthouse cinema, these films explore complex issues for a niche audience and are usually draped in experimental visuals in comparison to your average blockbuster, which has unfortunately given them a bad rep of being too slow, too boring and has dealt with some pretty negative blows from critics and audiences alike.

We’re here to hopefully convince some of you that not only does Arthouse cinema not equal boring, but they make for some super-enjoyable watches too. Spy our list of recommendations below, and who knows, one of these might just end up becoming a new favourite.

DREAMS Directed by the legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, this film doesn’t follow a singular narrative structure and is instead represented by eight vignettes that each reflect actual recurring dreams that the director experienced in his life. From magical and dreamy depictions of a kitsune wedding, bleak portrayals of a nuclear holocaust as well as conversations with the beloved painter Vincent Van Gogh, (who is played by Martin Scorsese by the way) this film is great if you’re just beginning to venture into Arthouse since it’s accessible in bite-sized chunks, not to mention that its magical realism makes for some stunning visuals too.

PARIS, TEXAS Ask any film student or Letterboxd-native about this flick since they’ll most likely have an entire thesis locked up in their brains about this one. A favourite of Akira Kurosawa, this 1984 neo-Western drama road film (try saying that five times fast) was directed by Wim Wenders and is a tender yet devastating exploration of loss, forgiveness and alienation. There’s a lot we can say about this one: it’s slow, dazzling and heartbreaking, but our recommendation is to just watch it yourself since you’ll probably come to your conclusions about this one.

IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE Another fan-favourite of film aficionados from all walks of life and is sure to make you cry, this 2000 flick was directed by revered Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai and takes place in the early ’60s. It follows the relationship between two neighbours whose spouses have an affair together, watching through intimate shots of the two growing closer and slowly developing feelings for each other. It’s often regarded as one of the best films ever made; filled with enchanting visuals, a poignant plot and electrifying performances by Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung who help to bring this magic flick to life.

DAISIES If you’ve got a craving for something that’s a bit more bonkers than the others on this list, then we reckon that you’ll have a great time watching this 1966 Czechoslovakian surrealist psychological comedy-drama directed by Věra Chytilová. The film follows two young girls both named Marie as they partake in numerous pranks throughout Prague, rebelling against the patriarchal and super-serious Prague society of the mid-century. It makes for a wild romp that we’re sure you’re bound to enjoy.

FUNERAL PARADE OF ROSES When it comes to experimental LGBT+ cinema, this flick is at the very top of our list. This 1969 Japanese movie is part documentary, part fiction and loosely based on the ancient myth of Oedipus Rex, so you can bet that there’s a lot of wonderful zaniness to keep track of. Part of the Japanese New Wave, this movie also helped to inspire Stanley Kubrick for one of his most famous films: A Clockwork Orange. It has a lot to say about transgender life in Tokyo’s underground during the ‘60s, as well as the medium of film itself.