In the days that follow, a centuries-old ritual unfolds behind closed doors: the papal conclave. Watch these movies to get it.
With the death of a sitting pope or the unexpected resignation of a reigning one, the Roman Catholic Church enters a period of solemn tradition and quiet suspense, the sede vacante, when the papal seat lies vacant and all eyes turn to the Vatican.
As the world anticipates the next papal conclave, a centuries-old ritual shrouded in secrecy and ceremony, there’s no better time to dive into films that explore the power, politics, and spirituality behind the papacy.
Directed by: Edward Berger Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow Where to Watch: Prime Video
If you’re looking for a gripping, dramatised look into what happens after a pope dies but before the white smoke rises, Conclave is your go-to.
Set in the immediate aftermath of Pope Francis’s fictional death at 88 on Easter Monday, Conclave imagines what unfolds as 120 cardinals from around the world descend upon the Vatican to elect the next pontiff.
Based on Robert Harris’ bestselling novel, this political thriller reveals the rivalries, secrets, and moral dilemmas that shape one of the most sacred and secretive votes on Earth.
Expect betrayal, suspense, and the eternal tug-of-war between faith and ambition. Its release, just days before the real-world conclave is set to begin, couldn’t be more perfectly timed.
2. Angels & Demons (2009)
Directed by: Ron Howard Starring: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer Where to Watch: Available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube
While this one leans more toward fictional thrills than theological reflection, Angels & Demons throws you into the high-stakes chaos of a conclave gone rogue.
Following the death of a pope, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (played by Tom Hanks) is called to Rome to decipher a deadly plot by the Illuminati.
As the cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope, someone is kidnapping the top candidates, one by one.
Set against a ticking clock and iconic Roman backdrops, the film combines cryptic clues, ancient rivalries, and the desperate race to protect the Church’s future.
3. The Two Popes (2019)
Directed by: Fernando Meirelles Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce Where to Watch: Netflix
This intimate, character-driven drama offers a stunning window into the minds and souls of two of the Catholic Church’s most recent leaders: Pope Benedict XVI and then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who would go on to become Pope Francis.
Inspired by true events, The Two Popes imagines a series of fictionalised conversations between the conservative Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) and the reform-minded Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce), as they debate the future of the Church amidst scandal and change.
Rather than focusing on the conclave itself, this film explores the humanity, conflict, and compassion that shape papal leadership, making it essential viewing to understand the spiritual depth behind the position.
4. The Young Pope (2016)
Created by: Paolo Sorrentino Starring: Jude Law, Diane Keaton, Silvio Orlando Where to Watch: HBO Max and Apple TV
Stylised, surreal, and often provocative, The Young Pope is unlike any portrayal of the Vatican you’ve seen. Jude Law plays Lenny Belardo, the newly elected Pope Pius XIII, the youngest and first American pope in history.
What starts as a moment of youthful hope quickly spirals into a story of unpredictable power, rigid ideology, and spiritual contradiction. Lenny is mysterious, fiercely orthodox, and disturbingly charismatic, disrupting the traditions of the Vatican in ways that shock both the faithful and the clergy.
With gorgeous cinematography, dreamlike visuals, and philosophical musings on belief and identity, this series peels back the layers of papal mystique and leaves you questioning what kind of leader the Church truly needs.
