Dark Academia Films You Need to Watch 🕰️📚

[@Kwelar]

"The Theory of Everything" is a really good DA film about the life of Stephen Hawking. The setting takes place in the 1960's at Cambridge University.

[@lindalandess6681]

Highly recommend "A Discovery of Witches", a three season TV series, about an Oxford Professor, who also happens to be a witch. It's also got vampires and demons. Seasons 1 and 3 are in current times, but season 2 is set in the 16th century. Based on the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness.

[@agpie9]

It definitely has the aesthetic

[@TimtheHermit2]

I feel The Mummy could be part of a different aesthetic, Adventure Academia. Adventure but it involves scholars as well as occasional less cerebral more action type. This aesthetic would include some Indiana Jones and both National Treasure films.

[@malinmaskros]

And The Librarian and The Librarians, and Relic Hunter, and The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec ! This sounds like an aesthetic I would enjoy, I love movies with an archeological element to them! ^_^

[@oneslikeme]

Ugh, I love the idea of this

[@Urfavmori4rty]

I LOVE the imitation game not only because I love dark academia but because I'm a programmer too and it's AMAZING!!

[@white-armedHera]

Mona Lisa Smile (2003) and Eileen (2023) are good DA recs as well

[@petrovichev_peter]

"A Beautiful Mind" (2001) is on my list too.

[@arlenne92]

Absolutely!

[@abbyteaford5071]

BRIDESHEAD REVISITED! I never see anyone talk about this book or movie and it is everything!

[@mpccurrent]

BEST BOOK OMG and the 80s tv show is really good.

[@HypatiaStudy]

‘Gothic’ is another great rendition of the Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein theme with an all-star cast. Saltburn checks all the boxes but it genuinely disgusted me. I mean beyond the limit of being able to enjoy the plot or the great acting.

[@LadyGreensleeves33]

Haven't worked my way back to the first video yet - did you mention The Ninth Gate? A bit...Demonic Academia, perhaps, but still, the vibes are immaculate.

[@SuzyTurner]

The Imitation Game is epic! Such a beautiful portrayal by Benedict Cumberbatch. You've actually listed quite a few that I haven't seen which is awesome! I'm excited to watch some of them...although I don't like watching things that make me really uncomfortable lol

[@olgapikul3328]

The Midnight Club (Netflix TV show) also fits I believe

[@ToddSmith23]

I like your DA reviews and your bangs

[@cloudsofsunset7323]

My personal favourite is Maurice film from the 70's based on the book of the same name.

[@bukharagunboat8466]

Artemis 81 was an obscure, and very difficult, Anglo-Danish production with a very famous performer in a small role. This is a supernatural movie with a grad student protagonist, and the main antagonist is a musician; depression and suicide are important elements. The music of Danish composer Carl Nielsen is central to the plot - "A double flat is a natural". He is the ultimate DA composer - really difficult and heavy, with themes of life and death (start with Symphony #5). The movie is available on KZbin, but not the greatest quality.

[@adreamerontherun]

starting with saltburn damn.... that was A CHOICE

[@DazzleThemForMe]

I’d say Dead Man On Campus could be considered Dark Academia but as a comedy. It has a college setting, death and secrets.

[@helenmarie99]

If you can find them.... alternative DA viewing can be found in 3 great films....Diva...an 80s French film, The Piano directed by Jane Campion and Educating Rita...just love all of these films. A bit older....but so good. ❤

[@klaire74]

I also liked The Oxford Murders, without a secret society, but very interesting. It is a make after a book, i loved the book more, but for a Sunday evening is perfect. Thank you for this list, i am always hunting for such movies (and series).

[@hastia_s6705]

Thanks for recommending newer videos. Cause as you mentioned other movies like dead poets society has been recommended soooo many times and we're here to see other recommendations! So, thanks for your time and effort. We'll sure enjoy watching these movies and TV shows.

[@barbarab3159]

So many great ideas in the video and also in the comment section, getting me all excited for autumn! If you added The Imitation Game, I would say The Theory of Everything and Oppenheimer should also fit under DA, right?

[@faithharbour]

The Wonder Boys!

[@kilmouski4220]

Thank you for this!!! It’s so hot here. I am pretending it’s autumn

[@1005corvuscorax]

Missed the premiere :( But definitely a hundred 'thank yous' for the recommendations!

[@prufrockj.a8532]

Kill Your Darlings, Victor Frankenstein, Atonement, Dead Poets Society, The Riot Club, Black Swan, Brideshead Revisited (both versions), Maurice, The Talented Mr Ripley, Call Me By Your Name (to some extent)

[@06_Ale_06]

Call me by your name!? It's a summer movie.

[@prufrockj.a8532]

@ so? It’s not like Saltburn, The Imitation Game or the Mummy are exclusively autumn/winter movies and those were the recommendations in the video. Saltburn in particular is more of a summer thriller than a dark academia film - just because it’s set in an elite school and later a mansion doesn’t automatically make it dark academia. CMBYN is set in the summer but so much of its discussions about art, literature and culture, plus its tragic romance, fits more with the aesthetics of dark academia in my opinion

[@06_Ale_06]

@@prufrockj.a8532 I get your point and I think Cmbyn fits better in the Light Academia side

[@kylier1405]

I would also suggest: The Moth Diaries, Thoroughbreds, A Dangerous Method, Colette, Shirley, The Riot Club, and Kill Your Darlings. xx

[@tomjohnson4922]

would the show School Spirits fall under this? I watched the first season last year and not sure if Paramount + is doing a second. It was good though. I mainly watch movies from silents to the 60s so I'll have to think if anything then falls under this umbrella.

[@psychology4introverts]

thanks for not repeating the usual list!

[@kmizo27]

Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) is my favorite DA film.

[@feliciahorne8969]

Mine too!

[@peacefulpossum2438]

I’m surprised Dead Poets Society isn’t on this list.

[@BerinKinsman]

Saltburn made me so uncomfortable I couldn't finish it.

[@cloudsofsunset7323]

List of films/series and books mentioned here: Book- The secret History by Donna Tartt Movie- Saltburn Movie- Miller's girl Movie- Dismissed Movie- The tutor Movie- My teacher, my obsession Movie/Book- The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown TV Show- Dare me TV Show/Book- A good girl's guides to murder by Holly Jackson TV Show/Book- One of us is lying Movie- The good shepherd TV show- How to get away with murder Movie- The imitation game Movie- Tolkein Movie- Mary Shelley Movie- The mummy Movie- Cracks TV Show- Pretty little liars Movie- The holdovers Do let me know if any of the listed above is a movie/tv show or if it does have a book. I come back and edit it.

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

Ive always wanted to read Donna Tart

[@feliciafranklin163]

I know this maybe off topic but have you read into the water and a slow fire burning by Paula Hawkins?

[@Chamomile369]

More movie recommendations please!!!

[@ashleigh_whatever]

Finding Forrester, Gossip, O with Julia Stiles, The Skulls are other good DA movies

[@alicias.8482]

Saltburn was so boring that I couldn't watch it long enough for them to get off campus.

[@bluegypsy71]

☺️I liked Saltburn but it’s overhyped…it’s just a gothic ripoff of Purple Noon/The Talented Mr. Ridley, both much better films

[@Chamomile369]

I think queens gambit is somewhat DA

[@amolove24]

Professor martson and the wonder women I think is another great dark academia movie. It’s about the creator of the lie detector and Wonder Woman and his polyamorous relationship. It’s so good and one of my favorite movies

[@K78644]

+ The Lesson (2023)

[@black_poppy]

These movies would be even better if they had real dark academia music in them, for example by Regnum Umbrae

[@Highland_Paddy]

Apparently there's a Goblin Academia ye should be look into that I failed t' mention 2 wks ago! hee hee

[@Highland_Paddy]

Lifestyles o' the Rich 'n Pretentious? Usually more on display in hidden corners the auld tings? I forget.

[@Highland_Paddy]

Yes, but Da Vinci movies stuff doesn't really focus on STUDENTS, so it loses some that appeal. More like a more preppy, less adventurous Indy Jones "action" hero, right? He doesn't go LOOKING for the trouble, but it finds him, blah, blah.

[@Highland_Paddy]

But the Good Girls and the Cheerleaders don't exactly look preppy. Just sayin'. The next one is Breakfast Club parody? Not sure. I might watch the one with Bilbo and the gal someday.

[@Highland_Paddy]

I think I'm going to write a film called TWEED BLAZERS. [just get it over with?] I don't know how many ACTUAL professors still WEAR them, but at this point they can walk around on their own and get introduced to argyle sweaters at cocktail parties or something.............

[@Highland_Paddy]

I think I've seen Imitation and the Matt Damon one or parts of them on cable? I forget. Obviously I've seen Tolkien and Shelley already. SIDE NOTE: Bride of Frankenstein is more true to the book than the original movie if you're into old BW stuff..

[@Courtney6]

Omg my 16 year old daughter watched saltburn and then I decided I was going to watch it (not knowing anything about it) and she insisted on watching it with me and it really was uncomfortable. lol. I did feel good that she felt comfortable enough to watch it with me though… I guess 🤢

[@rose_winter8143]

Saltburn is amazing! I would love to add the Oxford Murders. I would say PLL is DA too!

[@Ella24-007]

Well, one of us is lying is so good that of course they had to cancel ithe show😂…

[@briarvalley8309]

Yayyyy

[@deannajan25]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqbYq3iCqbtmgdU I watched this last week. Bit of old English academia theme going on. Plus it was good. Good ending that I did not see coming.

[@bukharagunboat8466]

And a musical comment from me. Most DA playlists are AI generated quiet studious music. Not this one. Most of the artists here have done other things that fit the DA theme well; I've tried to pick the better tracks. Here's a DA Top Ten - 10 - Places of Light - Brainticket 9 - Nights in White Satin - Moody Blues 8 - Starless - King Crimson 7 - Eye in the Sky - Alan Parsons 6 - Moonlight Shadow - Mike Oldfield 5 - Sleeping Sun - Nightwish 4 - The Musical Box - Genesis 3 - Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush 2 - Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen 1 - Vienna - Ultravox

[@chiakinanami4172]

The Dead Poets Society anyone?

[@justlanchen]

that was in my first video 🫶

[@cubanadecorazon]

Saltburn is head and shoulders above the rest!

[@YenneferV]

Saltburn…🫣 I loved it tho! LOL The Imitation Game was awesome as well. Thank you! I have been looking for something new to watch, and this list looks perfect 🤗