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Best Countryside Movies That Celebrate Rural Life, Solitude, and Scenic Beauty

Countryside films reveal the beauty and harshness of rural life, highlighting themes of simplicity, isolation, and emotional growth in farming villages and remote natural settings.

By Farheen Ali 06 Jun 2025

New Update

1/10

The Secret of Roan Inish

Set on the misty coast of Ireland, this magical realist tale follows a young girl uncovering her family's connection to mythical selkies. The film captures the serenity and folklore of rural Irish life with stunning coastal visuals.

2/10

Far from the Madding Crowd

Adapted from Thomas Hardy’s novel, this romantic drama beautifully depicts rural Victorian England and explores love, independence, and hardship in a farming community.

3/10

The Straight Story

Directed by David Lynch, this quiet, moving film follows an elderly man driving a lawnmower across several states to reconnect with his brother. It's a slow, heartfelt journey through the American Midwest's countryside.

4/10

Days of Heaven

Terrence Malick’s visually poetic film set in the Texas Panhandle during the early 1900s is a haunting meditation on love, deception, and nature’s quiet power.

5/10

Babe

A charming family film set on a picturesque Australian farm, Babe tells the story of a pig who wants to be a sheepdog. It captures the humour, rhythm, and unexpected drama of farm life.

6/10

The Dig

Based on true events, this British drama follows the excavation of a Sutton Hoo burial site on a quiet estate. The film beautifully blends archaeology with pastoral life, set against the backdrop of pre-WWII countryside.

7/10

Cold Mountain

This Civil War epic follows a soldier’s perilous journey home to the woman he loves. It paints a rich, rugged portrait of Appalachian landscapes and the resilience of rural communities.

8/10

All the Bright Places

While focused on teenage mental health, this film’s setting in Indiana’s countryside adds an atmospheric calmness, underscoring the contrast between internal turmoil and external peace.

9/10

Rams

Set in remote Western Australia, Rams is a dryly humorous and heartfelt film about two estranged brothers, sheep farmers forced to work together. It’s a great look at rural isolation and reconciliation.

10/10

The Quiet Man

A classic starring John Wayne, this romantic drama is a love letter to the Irish countryside, with lush green hills, lively pubs, and enduring traditions.

Author

Farheen Ali

Tags: movie