Hipster Aesthetic Movies
As of all my aesthetic lists it's exactly how it applies I'm only looking at the aesthetic of the movies, the hipster subculture has it's roots all the way back to the 1940's it would closely resemble beatnik culture or jazz fanatics the culture fell out of favor by the 1960's and wouldn't come back into style until the middle of the 1990's. Hipster is exactly what it implies it's short for hip or alternatively mainstream they reject the mainstream while also being mainstream at the same time, they are known for their monotone attitude, indie fashion, vintage obsession and drug use, they are often associated with the millennial generation (born 1981 - 1996), and hipsters tend to have a more free spirted way of life, now that I explained what hipster culture is I'm going to go over the aesthetic, the hipster aesthetic is a mish mash of things, vintage obsession (early 20th century modernity), indie\indie folk music, earth-tone color pallets, subpar environmentalism and geek culture, for this list I will be adding in films that best represent this subcultures aesthetic as well as the themes and feeling of the film, I will only be including films between the years 2004 - 2016 as that was when this aesthetic was at it's peek, I won't be including movies set in the past as that's a bit revisionist I want to keep things contemporary, fashion and music will play a big part of this list as this was what most of hipster culture was known for. please enjoy
List activity
1.2K views
• 45 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
30 titles
- DirectorMarc WebbStarsZooey DeschanelJoseph Gordon-LevittGeoffrey ArendAfter being dumped by the girl he believes to be his soulmate, hopeless romantic Tom Hansen reflects on their relationship to try and figure out where things went wrong and how he can win her back.Most likely the most iconic hipster styled rom-com, so much so that it even stars Zooey Deschanel I love this movie it's ultra stylistic and I know a lot of people give this movie flack for it's acting but I think the acting fits here, the best part of the movie is Tom and Summers chemistry I know I know manic pixie blah blah blah but the trope doesn't distract too much and it never cripples the story so. 8/10 modern classic
- DirectorJason ReitmanStarsElliot PageMichael CeraJennifer GarnerFaced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes a selfless decision regarding the unborn child.Man this movie has sort of aged a bit I mean 2007! man time flies, anyways as per usual I love this movie it's a bit dated in it's execution but other than that I found to be a bit wholesome Juno (Elliot Page), is going through a lot in this and the film doesn't shy away from those themes, it's also styled in a way that makes it hipster, particularly the music, fashion and monotone speaking. 7/10 it's still great all these years later
- DirectorMichel GondryStarsJim CarreyKate WinsletTom WilkinsonWhen their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories forever.Wow this movie was fantastic, now it is a hipster aesthetic film but I'd say it's a more early example of the aesthetic, as it's not fully realized just yet but the most notable trope of this subcultures writing is the manic pixie dream girl trope it was ehhhh not the best and in this movie Kate Winslet plays Clementine who's the biggest example of that and the only gripe have with this film is that the trope was eerily distracting but other than that I love this movie. 8/10
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsMichael CeraMary Elizabeth WinsteadKieran CulkinIn a magically realistic version of Toronto, a young man must defeat his new girlfriend's seven evil exes one by one in order to win her heart.This film is a cult classic and has been for some time now, I'd say it was around the time of this film did they start acknowledging the hipster tropes in these indie films as this film feels like full parody of the aesthetic, monotone speaking check, manic pixie dream girl check, over stylization check, over emphasizing interests check, I think it's around this time is when we got the fashion aspect of the subculture which was really cool, now did I like this film yeah it was good I wouldn't say it was mind blowing but I think the hype kind of numbed my enjoyment slightly. 7/10
- DirectorZach BraffStarsZach BraffPeter SarsgaardNatalie PortmanA quietly troubled young man returns home for his mother's funeral after being estranged from his family for a decade.This movie always felt like it was from the late 1990's, 2004? ah well close enough I remember seeing this around the time TV used to show movies that were a year old at the time and from what I can remember it always felt abstract and cynical, the fashion for this aesthetic wasn't there yet but the music definitely played apart as to why this movie is hipster, they showcased bands like The Shins and Zero 7 in there soundtrack all and all it was good a bit too artsy at time but still good it reminded me of those alt rock music videos from the 90's.
- DirectorRichard AyoadeStarsCraig RobertsSally HawkinsPaddy Considine15-year-old Oliver Tate has two objectives: to lose his virginity before his next birthday, and to extinguish the flame between his mother and an ex-lover who has resurfaced in her life.I think by 2010 this aesthetic was fully realized as all the tropes I've been mentioning so far all make there appearance here, I liked this film a lot but there are some clichés that you'd end getting sick of and that's the monotone speaking and manic pixie dream girl tropes they might have been fun then but now they seem kind of pretentious, I'm kind of glad it died to be honest, so how was the film it self a bit of a rollercoaster to be honest some scenes drag on and some scenes are paced pretty well the tropes get on my nerves but other than those factors it's pretty good. 6/10 good not great
- DirectorNicolas Winding RefnStarsRyan GoslingCarey MulliganBryan CranstonA mysterious Hollywood action film stuntman gets in trouble with gangsters when he tries to help his neighbor's husband rob a pawn shop while serving as his getaway driver.This film has had tones of mixed reactions when it came out but I've always loved the style and yes even the pacing of the movie, now now that's to say I don't want to over praise the film is editing super choppy at parts and some scene drag a bit too much but other that this is one of the better crime orientated hipster movies please give it a watch PS. 7/10 gold tier soundtrack.
- DirectorDestin Daniel CrettonStarsDominic BogartAlvaro OrlandoTammy MinoffBased in San Diego's indie music and art scene, exploring what it means to be creative in the face of tragedy.This film was okay, it delves into the life of upcoming musicians in a very meaningful way in my opinion, you should check this one out in your free time. 6/10
- DirectorNoah BaumbachStarsGreta GerwigMickey SumnerAdam DriverA New York woman apprentices for a dance company and throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as the possibility of realizing them dwindles.This movie tops every hipster film list along side lost in translation, this movies focus is mostly on the music as it has one hell of a soundtrack for the tumblr crowd, I liked the film okay it had a sense of obscure realism most of Greta Gerwigs movies tend to but this movie had a tone of passion behind it but for the music is what really sells the film. 7/10
- DirectorJohn CarneyStarsKeira KnightleyMark RuffaloAdam LevineA chance encounter between a down-and-out music business executive, and a young singer songwriter new to Manhattan, turns into a promising collaboration between the two talents.Okay now we have film that best exemplifies the fashion aspect of the hipster culture as well as the music and style of the film, this film doesn't have most of the topes of been listing but it does have the aesthetic down to a tee, I wasn't a fan of the over use of celebrities in this but my god was Mark Ruffalo and Kiera Knightly outstanding this film so based on all of these factors the film gets a solid thumbs up from me. 7/10 great soundtrack
- DirectorZach BraffStarsZach BraffJoey KingPierce GagnonA struggling actor, father and husband finds himself at a major crossroads, which forces him to examine his life, his family and his career.Alright a film I really don't like sorry Zach, but this film was really boring it's a bunch of metaphorical bs, just slapped to together with zero substance or subtly, I was hoping to get something out of this but all I got were tired indie tropes were a bunch of characters wave the arms in the air in slow motion with some boring indie rock songs in the background. 5/10 skip it
- DirectorAlfonso Gomez-RejonStarsThomas MannRJ CylerOlivia CookeHigh schooler Greg, who spends most of his time making parodies of classic movies with his co-worker Earl, finds his outlook forever altered after befriending a classmate who has just been diagnosed with cancer.the movies was really sad and quite painful to watch but hey, I liked how tackled a really difficult subject matter in the most contemporary indie film way, but still it actually further aided the film instead of crippling it. 7/10 a bit bleak
- DirectorSpike JonzeStarsMax RecordsCatherine O'HaraForest WhitakerYearning for escape and adventure, a young boy runs away from home and sails to an island filled with creatures that take him in as their king.I saw this film when it came out in 2009 and I used to mention how underrated it was, everything about this film is told in the perspective of the child's imagination and it's a wild concept to say the least, I really like the visual as it screams hipster aesthetic from the bleak environment and muted color pallet and don't forget the soundtrack please give this one a watch it's very underappreciated. 7/10
- DirectorLena DunhamStarsLena DunhamLaurie SimmonsGrace DunhamAbout a recent college grad who returns home while she tries to figure out what to do with her life.I'm sorry but this film was insufferable, Lena Dunham always plays the most stereotypical millennial characters, there's never any layer of subtly, she's always whining and complaining throughout this film she comes across painfully entitled and snobby it seem like this film was pandering to it's hipster audience rather than letting people engage in this film gracefully. 5/10 forgettable
- DirectorNoah BaumbachStarsBen StillerNaomi WattsAdam DriverA middle-aged couple's career and marriage are overturned when a disarming young couple enters their lives.This films alright it's outstanding but it does job okay, But the film is a little stereotypical when it comes to the hipster subculture yeah they like yoga and vintage stuff and they care too much about things they barely understand like the environment or animal rights, but it all seems a bit surface level I wish they went into it a bit more I do like the fashion though specifically on Adam Drivers character. 6/10 It was okay
- DirectorStuart MurdochStarsEmily BrowningOlly AlexanderHannah MurrayAs Eve begins writing songs as a way to sort through some emotional problems, she meets James and Cassie, two musicians each at crossroads of their own.If your not into bangs and slow music then eh skip this one because there’s a lot of that in this film, all jokes aside I was digging this film up until a certain point were it really slowed down, what I liked the most about it was the acting, the actors really carried the movie their charisma was stood out a lot, and I really liked the twee inspired clothes. 6/10 another okay entry
- DirectorMatt AseltonStarsPaul DanoZooey DeschanelJohn GoodmanA mattress salesman's plan to adopt a Chinese baby is augmented by the arrival of a young woman who comes to his workplace, falls asleep on one of the beds, and upon waking starts to affect his life.Yeah yeah I know I know, aw another millennial romance with an out going but awkward girl and an observant guy, yep although this doesn’t have the MPDG trope, it sure has those moments that make you feel like young people are really weird with love, I thought this film was well done I liked the two leads the most as they really sell this trope well I also appreciate the visual styling of the as it has that timeless quality to it. 7/10 I’d watch it again
- DirectorSpike JonzeStarsJoaquin PhoenixAmy AdamsScarlett JohanssonIn the near future, a lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with an operating system designed to meet his every need.Her is a spin off of the hipster romance trope as it uses an AI instead of another human being, this film hits you hard now I know I’ve been harping on the millennial romance trope for some time but this was what I was looking for, I couldn’t believe how well this turned out and with a AI no less, I really felt like they were truly in love and what’s kinda scary is that this isn’t too far off from what will end in our not too distant future. 8/10 millennial romance done right
- DirectorGabor CsupoStarsJosh HutchersonAnnaSophia RobbZooey DeschanelLeslie and Jess create the secret kingdom of Terabithia, a land of monsters, trolls, ogres and giants where they spend their free time ruling as king and queen and fighting evil creatures.This film is on the list solely based the aesthetic and tropes being displayed here, like Lesley being a MPDG, the fashion, the style and soundtrack, as for the film itself who doesn’t love this movie it can be really cheesy at times but the ending is the most devastating ending Disney has ever put out, I can’t say too much about it as you would need to just check for yourself. 7/10 cheesy but golden
- DirectorPeter HedgesStarsJennifer GarnerJoel EdgertonCJ AdamsA childless couple bury a box in their backyard, containing all of their wishes for an infant. Soon, a child is born, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears.Not a fan of this movie it had a weird sense of morality that kinda rubbed me the wrong way, but I added it on the list because of the earth toned colours, it also kind of had a MPDG in the film but she wasn’t as overt and the parents were hipsters through and through but not in a good way. 5/10 I wouldn’t bother
- DirectorJonathan DaytonValerie FarisStarsPaul DanoZoe KazanAnnette BeningA novelist struggling with writer's block finds romance in a most unusual way: by creating a female character he thinks will love him, then willing her into existence.Not bad not bad at all it’s quite engaging, I love the premise of this film as Paul Dano does a great job portraying a writer that would react in that exact way if the character they created came to being, I’m not huge fan of Ruby herself as she can be a little one note at times, but I like that premise is a very hipster presented premise for a story, I think Stranger Than Fiction also had a similar premise. 7/10 good story
- DirectorDavid F. MorganStarsCora BeneshJillian FedermanRichard KeithBetween her best friend moving to Brooklyn, pressure to find employment from her pop (Daniel Baldwin), and juggling romances with an aging rocker boyfriend and a yuppie fling - Cloey is reluctantly plucked from her party girl reality to deal with her own set of common people dilemmas and accomplishments. Scattered with cameos from musicians like Stephen Malkmus (Pavement), live performances by Glass Candy and Starfucker and a soundtrack featuring all local bands, 'City Baby' documents the youth utopia of Portland Oregon, revolving through the lives of a few sexy, style-conscious kids surviving extreme love affairs and complicated friendships.I couldn’t get into this film to save my insignificant soul, I tried and tried to invest myself but the main character was so boring and bland she just took me out, anyways if you miss 2013 then please watch this for the aesthetic it has early 2010s all over it but not in a fun way more in a very dated way. 5/10 bargain bin
- DirectorScott CoffeyStarsEmma RobertsEvan PetersJohn CusackA naive college graduate, Amy, who believes she's destined to be a great poet, begrudgingly accepts a job in a shop while she pursues a mentorship with reclusive writer Rat Billings.I mostly liked Emma Roberts in this movie and I also loved her outfits as well the supporting casts weren’t as well rounded which is a bit of a shame, I like the soundtrack too but I wish it was a bit diverse similar to the Garden State soundtrack which had a tone of indie classics. 6/10 film was alright I wouldn’t see it again
- DirectorWilliam SullivanStarsLouisa KrauseGabriel EbertEliza DushkuA young woman with Asperger's syndrome tries to find her first boyfriend with a little help from her older sister.I haven’t seen this film yet but I know from the trailers and photos that this is a hipster styled film BUT a very touching one at that, Jane having Asperger’s seems like an interesting concept to explore and I will check this out when I can.
- DirectorJonathan DaytonValerie FarisStarsSteve CarellToni ColletteGreg KinnearA family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus.I haven’t seen this film in ages and I’ll try my best to remember, I knew that it was great and that it had a lot of indie elements that a lot films after it would start using, such as the whimsical scenery, the quirky banter, the vintage obsession and of course the soundtrack, the film itself was great as it adds a sense of wonder with a touch of strong family bonds it’s just an alright great film with an excellent cast. 8/10 can’t praise it enough