A Glean movie guide
Sophisticated Stories for All Ages
Grown-up cinema, family-friendly ratings
Live-action films with mature themes and intellectual depth, minus the 'kids' movie' feel.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
The Truman Show
A brilliant exploration of existentialism and media through the lens of a man living a fake life.
An insurance salesman begins to suspect that his whole life is actually some sort of reality TV show.
- 02
The Martian
A gripping survival story that celebrates human ingenuity and the rigors of hard science.
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.
- 03
Hidden Figures
An inspiring historical drama focusing on the brilliant women who powered NASA's early space missions.
The untold story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – brilliant African-American women working at NASA and serving as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history – the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big.
- 04
Knives Out
A sharp, modern whodunit that rewards attentive viewers with its intricate plot and clever dialogue.
When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan's dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan's untimely death.
- 05
Moneyball
A fascinating look at the intersection of sports and data science that feels like a high-stakes boardroom drama.
The story of Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to put together a baseball team on a budget, by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.
- 06
Arrival
A cerebral sci-fi masterpiece that prioritizes linguistics and communication over traditional action.
Taking place after alien crafts land around the world, an expert linguist is recruited by the military to determine whether they come in peace or are a threat.
- 07
The Imitation Game
A tense historical thriller about the genius who cracked the Enigma code during World War II.
Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, the film portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain's top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II.
- 08
Ford v Ferrari
A high-octane drama that balances thrilling racing with a deep dive into corporate and engineering politics.
American car designer Carroll Shelby and the British-born driver Ken Miles work together to battle corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.
- 09
Little Women
A sophisticated literary adaptation that explores ambition and family through a non-linear narrative.
Four sisters come of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War.
- 10
Searching for Bobby Fischer
A thoughtful examination of childhood genius and the pressures of competitive excellence.
A seven-year-old chess prodigy refuses to harden himself in order to become a champion like the famous but unlikable Bobby Fischer.
- 11
Top Gun: Maverick
A rare blockbuster that combines technical mastery with a mature story about legacy and mentorship.
After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell finds himself training a detachment of TOP GUN graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen.
- 12
The Hundred-Foot Journey
A refined culinary drama exploring cultural clashes and professional ambition in the world of fine dining.
A story centered around an Indian family who moves to France and opens a restaurant across the street from a Michelin-starred French restaurant.