8 ‘Must-Watch’ Movies for Architects
1. The Brutalist
Directed by: Brady Corbet
Release date: February 28, 2025
The movie portrays the tumultuous journey of a visionary architect, a survivor of the Holocaust, who flees post-war Europe with his wife in 1947 and attempts to rebuild his legacy in the United States of America. His life lurches in a myriad of highs and lows when a wealthy client approaches him with a project of a grand modernist monument that will shape the landscape of the country.
Set against the backdrop of 20th-century American history, the narrative explores themes such as immigration, the American Dream, artistic integrity versus commercialism, and the impact of war on the human psyche. The film also portrays the architect’s complex relationship with the client, an industrialist, highlighting the tension between creative ambition and economic constraints. The movie is about an artist who desperately wants to create something majestic that will give essence to the place and the challenges encountered by him while he tries to navigate in a foreign land that he now calls home.
Directed by: Brady Corbet
Release date: February 28, 2025
The movie portrays the tumultuous journey of a visionary architect, a survivor of the Holocaust, who flees post-war Europe with his wife in 1947 and attempts to rebuild his legacy in the United States of America. His life lurches in a myriad of highs and lows when a wealthy client approaches him with a project of a grand modernist monument that will shape the landscape of the country.
Set against the backdrop of 20th-century American history, the narrative explores themes such as immigration, the American Dream, artistic integrity versus commercialism, and the impact of war on the human psyche. The film also portrays the architect’s complex relationship with the client, an industrialist, highlighting the tension between creative ambition and economic constraints. The movie is about an artist who desperately wants to create something majestic that will give essence to the place and the challenges encountered by him while he tries to navigate in a foreign land that he now calls home.
2. Koyaanisqatsi
Directed by: Godfrey Reggio
Release date: 14 September 1983
A cult-classic experimental film, Koyaanisqatsi (meaning: Life out of balance) is essentially a collection of visuals, timelapses, slow motion scenes, slow panning shots of landscapes, cities, buildings, and people. The movie has no narration, no specific characters, and no spoken words. With the visuals backed by an influential background score, given by Philip Glass, the movie is open to interpretation, as per the personal views and observation abilities of each individual viewer.
The visuals of this film juxtapose nature and modern industrial civilization. It begins with breathtaking natural landscapes — deserts, oceans, and clouds — then gradually transitions into imagery of urban life, factories, traffic, and technology. It highlights the contrast between the serene rhythms of nature and the frantic, mechanized pace of human activity. It critiques the impact of technological advancement, consumerism, and environmental degradation, suggesting that humanity has become disconnected from the natural world.
“It's not that we use technology, we live technology. Technology has become as ubiquitous as the air we breathe,” says Godfrey Reggio, urging people to draw their own conclusions on how the nature around us has been affected by the actions of man.
3. The Infinite Happiness
Directed by: Ila Bêka and Louise Lemoine
Release date: October 2015
The Infinite Happiness is a documentary directed by Ila Bêka and Louise Lemoine that offers an intimate exploration of the ‘8 House’ in Copenhagen, designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels. This innovative residential complex, often referred to as a vertical village, was celebrated as the World's Best Residential Building in 2011.
The film serves as a personal video diary, immersing viewers in the daily lives of the building's residents. Through a series of short, interconnected segments, Bêka and Lemoine capture the experiences of individuals and families living within this architectural experiment. The narrative unfolds without traditional interviews or voiceovers, instead allowing the residents' stories and interactions with the space to take center stage.
At its core, the film examines how architectural design can foster a sense of community and well-being. The structure features integrated amenities, such as a kindergarten, shops, and communal spaces, all accessible via bike-friendly ramps, promoting a lifestyle that blends residential, recreational, and social activities. The film delves into the impact of this design on residents' daily lives, highlighting both the positive aspects and the challenges of living in such a unique environment.
Directed by: Ila Bêka and Louise Lemoine
Release date: October 2015
The Infinite Happiness is a documentary directed by Ila Bêka and Louise Lemoine that offers an intimate exploration of the ‘8 House’ in Copenhagen, designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels. This innovative residential complex, often referred to as a vertical village, was celebrated as the World's Best Residential Building in 2011.
The film serves as a personal video diary, immersing viewers in the daily lives of the building's residents. Through a series of short, interconnected segments, Bêka and Lemoine capture the experiences of individuals and families living within this architectural experiment. The narrative unfolds without traditional interviews or voiceovers, instead allowing the residents' stories and interactions with the space to take center stage.
At its core, the film examines how architectural design can foster a sense of community and well-being. The structure features integrated amenities, such as a kindergarten, shops, and communal spaces, all accessible via bike-friendly ramps, promoting a lifestyle that blends residential, recreational, and social activities. The film delves into the impact of this design on residents' daily lives, highlighting both the positive aspects and the challenges of living in such a unique environment.
4. High-rise
Directed by: Ben Wheatley
Release date: 18 March, 2016
A dystopian thriller set in a luxurious 40-storey tower on the outskirts of 1970s London, the film explores the rapid disintegration of social order within a self-contained community. The building's residents are stratified by class, with the affluent occupying the upper floors and the less privileged residing below. As the building's infrastructure begins to fail—power outages, water shortages, and garbage accumulation—the façade of civility crumbles, leading to escalating tensions and eventual anarchy.
High-Rise delves into themes of class disparity, the fragility of social structures, and the human propensity for regression under stress. The film's striking visual style, marked by its brutalist architecture and period-specific design, complements its satirical and surreal tone. The unique blend of psychological drama and social commentary makes it a compelling watch in terms of dystopian narratives and architectural aesthetics.
Directed by: Ben Wheatley
Release date: 18 March, 2016
A dystopian thriller set in a luxurious 40-storey tower on the outskirts of 1970s London, the film explores the rapid disintegration of social order within a self-contained community. The building's residents are stratified by class, with the affluent occupying the upper floors and the less privileged residing below. As the building's infrastructure begins to fail—power outages, water shortages, and garbage accumulation—the façade of civility crumbles, leading to escalating tensions and eventual anarchy.
High-Rise delves into themes of class disparity, the fragility of social structures, and the human propensity for regression under stress. The film's striking visual style, marked by its brutalist architecture and period-specific design, complements its satirical and surreal tone. The unique blend of psychological drama and social commentary makes it a compelling watch in terms of dystopian narratives and architectural aesthetics.
5. Metropolis
Directed by: Fritz Lang
Release date: 10 January 1927
Fritz Lang created the first serious science fiction film, set in a futuristic dystopian city, giving a glimpse into the future, and a biting social commentary of the present. Metropolis is sharply divided between the opulent lives of the elite who live above the ground and the oppressed workers toiling in the depths below.
The silent film plays on the fears of the future, which holds massive industrialization leading to the dehumanization of the workers. The buildings, architectural parameters, and the cityscape scenes portrayed in the film clearly show how it is a world where it's a life of bliss for some while a life of drudgery and dread for others.
The film concludes with the protagonist acting as a mediator between the elite group and the worker class to bring about harmony in a world leading towards technology, innovation, and new possibilities, echoing the film’s iconic message, “The mediator between the head (the ruling class) and the hands (the workers) must be the heart.”
Directed by: Fritz Lang
Release date: 10 January 1927
Fritz Lang created the first serious science fiction film, set in a futuristic dystopian city, giving a glimpse into the future, and a biting social commentary of the present. Metropolis is sharply divided between the opulent lives of the elite who live above the ground and the oppressed workers toiling in the depths below.
The silent film plays on the fears of the future, which holds massive industrialization leading to the dehumanization of the workers. The buildings, architectural parameters, and the cityscape scenes portrayed in the film clearly show how it is a world where it's a life of bliss for some while a life of drudgery and dread for others.
The film concludes with the protagonist acting as a mediator between the elite group and the worker class to bring about harmony in a world leading towards technology, innovation, and new possibilities, echoing the film’s iconic message, “The mediator between the head (the ruling class) and the hands (the workers) must be the heart.”
6. Blade Runner
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Release date: 25 June 1982
The movie is widely regarded as a landmark in science fiction, particularly noted for its visionary production design that plays a key role in shaping its dystopian setting. Designed by Lawrence G. Paull and envisioned by concept artist Syd Mead, the film blends brutalist architecture with a mix of other styles to build a distinctive urban environment that reflects the story’s themes of identity, technology, and what it means to be human. The film’s version of Los Angeles in 2019 is portrayed as a dense, industrialized megacity, marked by overwhelming skyscrapers and cramped alleyways that convey a sense of suffocation and disorder.
The director’s approach emphasizes a layered history, with buildings appearing worn, repurposed, and patched over time—symbolizing decay and resilience. Paull drew on fascist architectural motifs, inspired by what he saw in Milan, to enhance the oppressive feel of the city. The immersive world was brought to life through Mead’s intricate concept art, carefully designed sets with low ceilings, and the use of actual Los Angeles locations, anchoring the futuristic vision in a believable, lived-in reality.
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Release date: 25 June 1982
The movie is widely regarded as a landmark in science fiction, particularly noted for its visionary production design that plays a key role in shaping its dystopian setting. Designed by Lawrence G. Paull and envisioned by concept artist Syd Mead, the film blends brutalist architecture with a mix of other styles to build a distinctive urban environment that reflects the story’s themes of identity, technology, and what it means to be human. The film’s version of Los Angeles in 2019 is portrayed as a dense, industrialized megacity, marked by overwhelming skyscrapers and cramped alleyways that convey a sense of suffocation and disorder.
The director’s approach emphasizes a layered history, with buildings appearing worn, repurposed, and patched over time—symbolizing decay and resilience. Paull drew on fascist architectural motifs, inspired by what he saw in Milan, to enhance the oppressive feel of the city. The immersive world was brought to life through Mead’s intricate concept art, carefully designed sets with low ceilings, and the use of actual Los Angeles locations, anchoring the futuristic vision in a believable, lived-in reality.
7. The Fountainhead
Directed by: King Vidor
Release date: 2 July 1949
King Vidor's adaptation of The Fountainhead, inspired by Ayn Rand's novel, explores architecture as a manifestation of individualism and creativity, centering on Howard Roark, a groundbreaking architect who personifies Rand's Objectivist ideology. The film revolves around architecture as a key theme, juxtaposing Roark’s innovative, modernist creations with the societal collective's preference for conventional decoration, highlighting the tension between individual expression and societal conformity. Roark’s designs are in tune with nature, embodying organic architectural concepts where structures enhance their surroundings, evident in the Stoddard Temple, while his modernist style, distinguished by raw materials and geometric shapes, reinforces his commitment to genuine, purpose-oriented design.
The production design reflects these themes, featuring sharp lines, expansive spaces, and minimalist settings that represent Roark’s principles, while emblematic locations, like the courtroom, illustrate his fight against societal expectations.
Directed by: King Vidor
Release date: 2 July 1949
King Vidor's adaptation of The Fountainhead, inspired by Ayn Rand's novel, explores architecture as a manifestation of individualism and creativity, centering on Howard Roark, a groundbreaking architect who personifies Rand's Objectivist ideology. The film revolves around architecture as a key theme, juxtaposing Roark’s innovative, modernist creations with the societal collective's preference for conventional decoration, highlighting the tension between individual expression and societal conformity. Roark’s designs are in tune with nature, embodying organic architectural concepts where structures enhance their surroundings, evident in the Stoddard Temple, while his modernist style, distinguished by raw materials and geometric shapes, reinforces his commitment to genuine, purpose-oriented design.
The production design reflects these themes, featuring sharp lines, expansive spaces, and minimalist settings that represent Roark’s principles, while emblematic locations, like the courtroom, illustrate his fight against societal expectations.
8. The Towering Inferno
Directed by: John Guillermin
Release date: 14 December 1974
The movie serves as a dramatic cautionary tale about architectural ambition and the consequences of compromising safety in the pursuit of grandeur. Centered around the fictional Glass Tower, a 138-story skyscraper in San Francisco, the film showcases the perils of modernist high-rise design when ambition outpaces responsibility.
The Glass Tower is presented as a marvel of contemporary design—sleek, vertical, and symbolic of human achievement. Designed by architect Doug Roberts (played by Paul Newman), the building represents the pinnacle of urban development and luxury living. However, the disaster that unfolds is rooted in shortcuts taken during construction, particularly the use of substandard electrical components installed to cut costs—decisions made without the architect's knowledge.
As a fire breaks out and spreads uncontrollably through the tower, the building’s design—its height, limited evacuation options, and reliance on modern but vulnerable systems—becomes the cause of catastrophe. The film critiques the hubris often associated with monumental architecture, highlighting the tension between visionary design and the practical demands of safety, engineering, and human life. It also sheds light on how important it is for an architect to collaborate with the fire department while designing high-rise structures to ensure the utmost safety of the residents.
Painting a vivid picture of how a seemingly simple mistake in the planning and construction of a high-rise structure can lead to catastrophic consequences, The Towering Inferno is a wake up call for architects to give undivided attention to all the safety parameters of a proposed structure.
Directed by: John Guillermin
Release date: 14 December 1974
The movie serves as a dramatic cautionary tale about architectural ambition and the consequences of compromising safety in the pursuit of grandeur. Centered around the fictional Glass Tower, a 138-story skyscraper in San Francisco, the film showcases the perils of modernist high-rise design when ambition outpaces responsibility.
The Glass Tower is presented as a marvel of contemporary design—sleek, vertical, and symbolic of human achievement. Designed by architect Doug Roberts (played by Paul Newman), the building represents the pinnacle of urban development and luxury living. However, the disaster that unfolds is rooted in shortcuts taken during construction, particularly the use of substandard electrical components installed to cut costs—decisions made without the architect's knowledge.
As a fire breaks out and spreads uncontrollably through the tower, the building’s design—its height, limited evacuation options, and reliance on modern but vulnerable systems—becomes the cause of catastrophe. The film critiques the hubris often associated with monumental architecture, highlighting the tension between visionary design and the practical demands of safety, engineering, and human life. It also sheds light on how important it is for an architect to collaborate with the fire department while designing high-rise structures to ensure the utmost safety of the residents.
Painting a vivid picture of how a seemingly simple mistake in the planning and construction of a high-rise structure can lead to catastrophic consequences, The Towering Inferno is a wake up call for architects to give undivided attention to all the safety parameters of a proposed structure.