art film

American

[ahrt film] / ˈɑrt ˌfɪlm /

noun

a movie made primarily for aesthetic reasons rather than commercial profit, often of an experimental nature or having an unconventional or highly symbolic content, aimed typically at a limited audience.

Etymology

Origin of art film

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Nonetheless, she made pioneering installation art, film and photography, much of which she called “earth-body” work.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

There have been many approaches to this material, from farcical comedy to jolly schlock to art film.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2024

“Poor Things” collected $117 million, a solid total for a surreal art film.

From New York Times • Apr. 14, 2024

Originally that meant exploring the dynamic relationship between a "text" — which could be writing, visual art, film or something else — and its social context.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2024

"He was extremely talented at so many things - music, art, film making, comedy - and pursued all of them passionately."

From BBC • Nov. 17, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023