Buzz
Eclipse excitement is sweeping through those in, around, or traveling to the path of totality for the April 8 astronomical event. Total solar eclipses occur roughly every 18 months from Earth's viewpoint, making them less rare than many assume. The challenge lies in being in the perfect spot to witness it.
This month's eclipse is particularly significant as its path of visibility stretches across key North American cities, including Austin, Dallas, Indianapolis, Buffalo, and Montreal, offering a total eclipse view, while partial visibility extends for thousands of miles. Given the rarity of being in the ideal location at the right moment, eclipses in films are rarely mere background events; they carry deep symbolic weight.
As we prepare to witness a stunning natural phenomenon, cinematic eclipses often carry a darker tone, signaling disruption or foreboding. When the sun dims, the usual order is upended, opening the door to revelation or transformation. Eclipses can symbolize the underdog's victory or the dominance of darkness over light.
Unlike the solar eclipse, which requires proper eye protection to view safely, you can watch these 12 movies directly without any precautions.
The Eclipse, or the Courtship of the Sun and Moon (1907)
French film pioneer Georges Méliès is best known for his 1902 classic A Trip to the Moon, but his celestial explorations didn’t end there. In this later work, he transforms a dull science lecture attended by stern professors (including himself) into a vividly suggestive rendezvous between the sun and the moon. The scene, set against the night sky, is brimming with innuendo that leaves little to the imagination.
For years, debates have swirled about the nature of this encounter, as the boldly masculine sun engages with the ambiguously gendered moon in a provocative manner. Regardless of interpretation, Méliès cleverly uses the concept of daytime darkness—a moment when the world is distracted—to hint at hidden opportunities. The implications are as clear as they are playful.
Where to stream: YouTube
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949)
Mark Twain's iconic satirical novel humorously critiques the romanticized notions of Medieval life and chivalry prevalent in British literature, while also delivering sharp commentary on monarchy and unchecked capitalism. The 1949 film adaptation, starring Bing Crosby, tones down much of the novel's depth and critique, opting instead for a lighthearted, optimistic American spirit. The story peaks when Crosby's character, Hank, uses his knowledge of a solar eclipse to save himself from execution, showcasing the importance of being well-prepared—even when time-traveling.
A notable historical inaccuracy: no eclipse was recorded in June 528, the movie's setting. However, Twain may have drawn inspiration from real events, such as Christopher Columbus using his knowledge of an impending eclipse to manipulate Jamaican locals into providing food for his starving crew. While medieval scholars like Bede understood eclipses, ordinary people would likely have been awestruck if someone like Bing Crosby seemingly commanded the sun to disappear.
Where to stream: Tubi
Barabbas (1961)
Though not as iconic as other biblical epics of the 1960s, this film boasts extravagant sets and a star-studded cast, including Anthony Quinn, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Palance, and Sharon Tate. Quinn stars as Barabbas, the criminal released by Pontius Pilate in place of Jesus. A standout cinematic moment occurs when Barabbas witnesses Jesus' crucifixion: the scene was filmed during an actual total solar eclipse on February 15, 1961, visible in Italy, where production took place. This authenticity likely left no room for retakes.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Bloody Birthday (1981)
This overlooked slasher film centers on three children born during a less-than-convincing solar eclipse, who grow into murderous tendencies by their 10th birthday. (It’s basic science, after all.) The trio targets unsuspecting teens, blending the eerie vibes of The Bad Seed with the thrills of Friday the 13th. With performances by Susan Strasberg and José Ferrer, the film delivers a clear warning: "Avoid giving birth during an eclipse! What were you thinking?"
Where to stream: Tubi
Ladyhawke (1985)
Richard Donner's underappreciated medieval fantasy follows young thief Phillipe Gaston (Matthew Broderick) as he allies with Capt. Navarre (Rutger Hauer), a man cursed to transform into a wolf at night. His lover, Lady Isabeau d'Anjou (Michelle Pfeiffer), suffers a parallel fate, becoming a hawk by day. Their only hope lies in an eclipse, a fleeting moment when night and day merge, allowing them to reclaim their human forms simultaneously and confront the vengeful wizard who cursed them.
Where to stream: Tubi
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
The mysterious origins of Audrey II, the carnivorous plant with oversized lips, are tied to a solar eclipse. Discovered in the shop of an elderly Chinese plant seller (with regrettable stereotypical overtones), Audrey II claims to be a "mean green mother from outer space," arriving on Earth during the celestial event. This suggests that eclipses might not be the ideal time for botanical purchases.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Dolores Claiborne (1995)
Stephen King often connects his novels through subtle references, but Gerald's Game and Dolores Claiborne, both published in 1992, share a deeper bond, initially conceived as a single story. Both focus on women oppressed by domineering men, with pivotal moments tied to the total solar eclipse of July 20, 1963 (though the film shifts this to the 1970s). In the film, Kathy Bates' Dolores kills her abusive husband (David Strathairn) during a flashback set against the dramatic backdrop of the eclipse. The novel adds an eclipse party, distracting the island's residents. Both versions highlight the importance of staying aware of your surroundings, even as the sun vanishes.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Pitch Black (2000)
Eclipses, though dependent on perspective, are universal phenomena. All it takes is a sun, an object to obscure it, and an observer in the right position. Humanity has glimpsed this on Mars, where the Perseverance Rover captured a partial solar eclipse. In the sci-fi adventure Pitch Black, a prison ship crashes on a distant planet with three suns, creating near-constant daylight. However, during rare eclipses, deadly subterranean creatures emerge. As an eclipse approaches, Vin Diesel's light-sensitive Riddick proves to be even more formidable in the dark.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Sunshine (2007)
Danny Boyle's Sunshine, penned by Alex Garland, doesn't feature a traditional eclipse but captures its essence thematically. Set in 2057, the film follows a crew attempting to reignite the dying sun, blending science and psychology akin to Solaris or 2001. The gradual dimming of the sun evokes the primal unease of a real eclipse, reminding us that even with scientific understanding, the sun's disappearance during the day remains unsettling.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Gerald's Game (2017)
In Stephen King's novel, the eclipse ties Dolores Claiborne's confrontation with her abusive husband to Jessie's childhood trauma of sexual abuse. While the film adaptation removes this connection, it retains the theme of sexual violence. Jessie (Carla Gugino), stranded in a remote cabin after her husband's death, faces both physical dangers and haunting memories of her past. The eclipse serves as a pivotal moment, symbolizing the enduring impact of her trauma.
Where to stream: Netflix
Verónica (2017)
While 15-year-old Verónica and her friends evoke sympathy as they grapple with paranormal activity, their decision to hold a séance with a Ouija board during an eclipse—despite warnings about its connection to dark spirits—seems like a recipe for disaster. This chilling possession film, loosely based on a "true" story, adds the eclipse for dramatic effect. Even skeptics might agree that summoning spirits during totality is best avoided.
Where to stream: Netflix
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Pandora, the setting of James Cameron's epic, is not a planet but a moon orbiting the gas giant Polyphemus, which circles the real star Alpha Centauri A in the Alpha Centauri system. This complex orbital arrangement ensures Pandora rarely experiences true darkness. However, during rare moments when Polyphemus completely blocks the sun, the moon plunges into stunning eclipses, showcasing breathtaking bioluminescent visuals. In The Way of Water, such an eclipse occurs during the final battle, symbolizing both the Metkayina clan's potential victory over the RDA forces and an impending transformation.
Where to stream: Max, Disney+
