9 Best Andrei Tarkovsky Movies: Poetic Masterpieces

In a post-apocalyptic landscape, a 'Stalker' guides two men into the mysterious Zone, a forbidden area said to contain a room that grants a person's deepest wishes. A hypnotic, philosophical film about faith, desire and whether people truly know what they want.

On a space station orbiting the planet Solaris, crew members begin to be visited by manifestations of their dead loved ones. This sci-fi film is really a profound psychological and philosophical drama about grief, memory and the limits of human knowledge.

This dreamlike film weaves childhood memories, archival footage and poetry into a mosaic of the consciousness of a dying man. Not a conventional story, but a deeply emotional experience that portrays memory and time in a unique way.

This biographical film about the 15th-century icon painter Andrei Rublev is a profound reflection on art, faith and the human condition. A visually stunning historical epic that sums up Tarkovsky's vision of Russia and spirituality.

A Russian writer travels to Italy and becomes fascinated by an eccentric recluse who believes the world is ending. A slow, melancholic film about homesickness, spirituality and existential doubt, featuring one of the most beautiful long takes ever filmed.

A young Russian scout carries out dangerous missions during WWII while trying to cope with his lost childhood. One of the most impressive anti-war films, with beautiful black-and-white cinematography and deeply human drama.

On the eve of a looming nuclear apocalypse, a man tries to make a sacrifice of faith to save the world. An intense, spiritually charged farewell from Tarkovsky, full of existential questions about sacrifice, faith and the meaning of life.

A lesser-known but fascinating documentary in which Tarkovsky travels through Italy with screenwriter Tonino Guerra and discusses his ideas about film and art. A must-see for fans who want more insight into his vision and working methods.

Tarkovsky's short graduation film tells the story of a lonely boy and a steamroller driver who become unexpected friends. All his signature themes and visual style are already present: the beauty of the everyday, symbolism and spiritual depth.