Are you interested in psychic abilities? Would you like to understand how psychics’ minds work and what challenges they face? Then watching a couple of relevant movies is a good start. Here are some of the best ones:
#1 The Sixth Sense (1999)
The Sixth Sense has one of the best endings you’ll ever see—it’s unexpected and thrilling, but it makes perfect sense at the same time. But what this movie is universally known for is the phrase I see dead people said by the protagonist, a young boy Cole who can see and talk to the people who are no longer with us.
By the way, Cole’s psychic powers are showcased pretty accurately in the movie. If after watching it, you are tempted to talk to a psychic medium on the Nebula website, please don’t deny yourself the pleasure. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with your lost loved ones or anyone else you can no longer call to talk to.
#2 Push (2009)
Push is the best choice if you want an introduction to the world of extrasensory abilities. Telekinesis, mediumship, mind control—Push has it all. So if you’ve been wanting to understand what kinds of psychic abilities there are and how they work, Push has to get on your to-watch list immediately. It also has a captivating plot and a great A-list cast, so you won’t be disappointed.
What’s more, Push explores a fascinating and important topic—the challenges and oppression that people with psychic abilities experience in our rational world. Perhaps, the movie will make you more open-minded and encourage you to show more empathy to people who are different from others in any way, be it because of extrasensory perception or otherwise.
#3 The Gift (2000)
The Gift, directed by Sam Raimi, is a Southern Gothic drama with quite a few psychic phenomena. Cate Blanchett’s portrayal of Annie, a widow with psychic abilities, is riveting, and you’re bound to feel attached. When she gets roped into a murder mystery involving a missing woman, her psychic abilities are put to the ultimate test. If you’re looking to dive into a movie that combines drama, mystery, and supernatural elements, there’s no better choice than The Gift.
The movie doesn’t just focus on the wow factor of psychic abilities. It also paints a vivid picture of the skepticism and fear that often surround people like Annie in smaller, conservative communities. It brings up the ethical dilemma of whether or not to use one’s psychic abilities to intervene in others’ lives. So, if you’ve ever pondered the societal and ethical implications of extrasensory perception, you’ll likely enjoy The Gift.
#4 Next (2007)
Imagine being able to see just two minutes into your own future. Sounds a bit limited, right? But Next might make you reconsider. Nicolas Cage is electric as a man with this exact ability, and the situations he finds himself in are far from ordinary. Next is very fast-paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat. You’ll keep wondering how he’s going to use his power next to evade capture or prevent catastrophes.
The fun part of Next is its exploration of the infinite number of possibilities that could happen within those short two minutes. It’s almost like playing a game of psychic chess with time, where one wrong move can change everything. And as a viewer, you’re an active participant, so the viewing experience never gets boring.
That being said, it’s not the most accurate representation of clairvoyance or fortune-telling. If you want a more realistic picture, consider a free psychic chat with an online psychic instead. You’ll see a few similarities with Cage’s character’s powers in Next, but more differences.
#5 Hereafter (2010)
Hereafter takes a more tender approach to the topic of psychic abilities and focuses on the emotional and human aspects of connecting with the afterlife. Matt Damon gives a compelling performance as George, a medium who can communicate with the dead but sees it more as a curse than a gift. The movie intertwines three separate storylines dealing with death and the afterlife, eventually bringing them together in a satisfying, soul-stirring climax.
What sets Hereafter apart is its contemplative tone and the philosophical questions it raises about mortality, fate, and what might exist beyond this life. If you’ve ever been curious about what mediumship really feels like from the perspective of the medium, or how it impacts their life and relationships, Hereafter will for sure offer you a few answers.
#6 The Dead Zone (1983)
If you’re a fan of Stephen King adaptations, The Dead Zone is a must-watch. Christopher Walken nails his role as Johnny, a schoolteacher who wakes up from a coma with the ability to see people’s futures and pasts with a simple touch. It’s not all rosy, though; his newfound powers plunge him into a whirlpool of dilemmas and moral questions that are as nerve-wracking as they are intriguing.
The Dead Zone is a haunting tale of how a gift can become a curse, especially when it thrusts you into situations that question the very fabric of morality and fate. Should you intervene if you know what’s going to happen? How does one deal with the burden of such knowledge? The movie explores these ethical conundrums in a suspenseful, gripping manner that’ll leave you thinking long after the credits roll.
#7 Minority Report (2002)
In, Minority Report, the future is now, and psychics are government commodities. Tom Cruise plays Chief John Anderton, who runs a specialized police force that relies on “Precogs”—psychics who can see crimes before they happen. It’s a flawless system until Anderton himself becomes a suspect, which starts a mind-bending chase to prove his innocence.
What’s super intriguing about Minority Report is how it questions the very idea of predestined fate versus free will. Can you be guilty of a crime you haven’t committed yet? How just is a system that punishes people based on what they’re “going to do”? The movie doesn’t shy away from tackling these heavy philosophical questions.
