9 Must-Watch Movies Featuring Total Eclipses

The total solar eclipse, a celestial event where the moon completely covers the sun, has been a source of wonder, inspiration, and even fear throughout human history. Its dramatic nature has made it a captivating backdrop for storytelling in films. Here are nine movies that beautifully incorporate total eclipses into their narratives, each offering a unique perspective on this awe-inspiring phenomenon.

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1. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

In this dark comedy musical, a total solar eclipse triggers the peculiar events that lead Seymour, a meek florist, to discover an unusual plant with a taste for human blood. The eclipse is the catalyst for the plant's arrival on Earth, setting off a series of comedic yet macabre incidents. The film uses the eclipse not just as a plot point but as a symbol of the unexpected and bizarre changes in Seymour's life.

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2. Ladyhawke (1985)

Set in medieval Europe, "Ladyhawke" is a tale of love, curse, and redemption that revolves around a total eclipse as its pivotal plot device. The story follows a young thief who becomes involved with a former knight and his lover, who are cursed to be "always together, eternally apart," with one turning into a wolf by night and the other a hawk by day. The only time they can break the curse is during a total solar eclipse, making the event a moment of breathtaking anticipation and heart-stopping beauty.

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3. Dolores Claiborne (1995)

Adapted from Stephen King's novel, "Dolores Claiborne" uses a solar eclipse as a powerful metaphor for the dark secrets hidden within a troubled family. The film cleverly intertwines past and present, with a crucial scene set during an eclipse that serves as a turning point in the story. The eclipse symbolizes the uncovering of truths and the characters' confrontation with their past, making it a central element in the unfolding drama.

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4. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949)

Based on Mark Twain's novel, this film tells the story of a man who, after suffering a head injury, finds himself transported back in time to the days of King Arthur and Camelot. He uses his knowledge of a forthcoming total solar eclipse to pose as a powerful wizard, leveraging the event to save himself from execution. The eclipse here is a clever plot mechanism that showcases the clash between science and superstition.

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5. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)

Part of the popular "Twilight Saga," "Eclipse" explores themes of love, jealousy, and conflict as the protagonist, Bella, finds herself torn between her vampire lover and werewolf friend. The title itself signifies a total eclipse, symbolizing the characters' obscured judgments and the overshadowing of reason by emotion. The film doesn't use an actual eclipse as a plot device but rather as a metaphor for the tumultuous relationships and internal battles faced by its characters.

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6. Barabbas (1961)

This epic film is based on the life of Barabbas, the man whom Pontius Pilate freed instead of Jesus Christ. It features a solar eclipse during the crucifixion of Jesus, which is historically debated but serves as a powerful cinematic moment symbolizing divine intervention or judgment. The eclipse here underscores the film's religious and moral themes.

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7. Apt Pupil (1998)

Another adaptation of a Stephen King novella, "Apt Pupil" uses an eclipse as a metaphorical element rather than as a main plot device. The film explores the dark relationship between a high school student and a Nazi war criminal in hiding. The eclipse could be seen as representing the overshadowing of the boy's innocence by the darkness of evil he uncovers and becomes fascinated with.

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8. The Mummy (2017)

In this reboot of the Mummy franchise, an eclipse plays a significant role in the backstory of the ancient Egyptian princess Ahmanet. Her power and her curse are linked to the shadows of an eclipse, using the event as a mythological element that curses her to become a powerful and malevolent force.

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9. Krrish (2006)

This Bollywood superhero film features a significant scene where a solar eclipse facilitates the hero's father's realization of his supernatural abilities. The eclipse serves as a turning point in the narrative, leading to the discovery of powers that were bestowed upon him and his son through an alien encounter. The celestial event is symbolic of revelation and transformation in the storyline.

Whether it's through the lens of fantasy, horror, comedy, or romance, the total eclipse continues to fascinate and inspire filmmakers and audiences alike.