Wondering what French movie to watch next?
Browse no more dear Francophile, I compiled for you a list of recent films to discover.
It's not necessarily blockbusters... Just movies I really enjoyed.
Pick your mood and follow your curiosity. Who knows, you might find your next favorite!
Lift my mood with a French comedy
C Comédie (f) : comedy
CR Comédie romantique : romantic comedy
CD Comédie dramatique : dramatic comedy
Mon Inconnue (Love at second sight), directed by Hugo Gélin (2019) CR
A man tries to make his wife fall in love with him again, after waking up in an alternate reality where she never knew him.
A cool concept playing around with what ifs... How would your life be if you made different decisions?
Le Grand bain (Sink or swim), directed by Gilles Lellouche (2018) C
40-year-old Bertrand is suffering from depression and is barely able to keep his head above water. Despite the medication and his wife's encouragement, he is unable to find any meaning in his life. Until the day he decides joining an all-male synchronised swimming team.
A great—dare I say refreshing?— feel-good buddy movie.
La famille Bélier (The Bélier Family), directed by Eric Lartigau (2014) CD
The whole Bélier family is deaf, except for sixteen year old Paula who is the important translator in her parents' day to day life especially to help them run the family farm. When her music teacher discovers she has a beautiful singing voice and pushes her to enter a big contest the whole family's future is set up for big changes.
An original feel good movie, that finds a good balance between laughter and emotion.
Hippocrate (Hippocrates), directed by Thomas Lilti (2014) CD
Benjamin is meant to be a great doctor, he’s certain of it. But his first experience as a junior doctor in the hospital ward where his father works doesn’t turn out the way he hoped it would. Responsibility is overwhelming and his father is all but present. This internship will force Benjamin to confront his limits… and start his way to adulthood.
A particularly sharp and fair look at the world of medicine, by a director who is himself a GP.
Intouchables (The Intouchables), directed by Olivier Nakache et Eric Toledano (2011) CD
Phillipe is a wealthy aristocrat who is wheelchair-bound after a paragliding tragedy left him a quadriplegic. In search of a live-in carer, he interviews Driss, a young man freshly out of prison. Two opposite universes will meet, giving birth to a friendship as strong as it is unexpected.
A heartwarming comedy that deals with the fragility of the human condition without pity or complacency.
L'Arnacoeur (Heartbreaker), directed by Pascal Chaumeil (2010) CR
Your daughter is going out with a nasty guy? Your sister got into a toxic relationship? Call Alex! His job: professional couple breaker. His method: seduction. His mission: to turn any boyfriend into an ex. His new challenge: to break up an upcoming wedding... in one week.
A charming comedy, at the crossroads of romance and action film.
Les Choristes (The Chorus), directed by Christophe Barratier (2004) CD
In 1948, an unemployed music teacher accepted a position as a supervisor in a rehabilitation boarding school for minors. Soon he finds himsef in conflict with the repressive system applied by the director. He starts to teach the children how to sing.
A touching film about the power of education to change lives, with a beautiful soundtrack.
Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (Amélie), directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (2001) CR
Amélie, a shy waitress, spends her time observing people and letting her imagination roam. She has set herself a goal: to do good to those around her, secretly transforming their lives. Until her quest leads her to meet Nino a strange "prince charming".
Probably the most well-known French movie abroad! Like it or not, it's undeniably a very original film. Amelie's magic world makes many dream about Paris.
Show me the dark side: French dramas
D Drame (m) : drama
T Thriller (m)
H Film historique (m) : historical movie
J Film judiciaire : trial movie
F Film fantastique : fantasy movie
L’Amour et les forêts (Just the two of us), directed by Valérie Donzelli (2023) D
When Blanche meets Greg, she believes him to be the one. However, she soon finds herself caught up with a possessive and dangerous man.
A clever movie, showing the trap of a toxic relationship in a very nuanced way.
Anatomie d’une chute (Anatomy of a fall), directed by Justine Triet (2023) DJ
Sandra, Samuel and their 11-year-old visually impaired son, Daniel, have been living far from everything, in the mountains for a year. One day, Samuel is found dead at the foot of their house. An investigation for suspicious death is opened. Sandra is soon charged despite the doubt. At the trial, Daniel will give a disturbing testimony about his parents.
A dissection of the complex dynamic of a couple.
Le Procès Goldman (The Goldman case), directed by Cédric Kahn (2023) DJ
In April 1976, the second trial of Pierre Goldman, a far-left activist, who was sentenced in the first instance to life imprisonment for four armed robberies, one of which resulted in the death of two pharmacists. Claiming his innocence in this last case, he becomes the icon of the intellectual left. Goldman, elusive and provocative at his trial, risks the death penalty.
A compelling trial movie based on a true story.
Le Règne animal (The Animal kingdom), directed by Thomas Cailley (2023) DF
In a world plagued by a wave of mutations that gradually transform some humans into animals, François tries to save his wife. He embarks Émile, their 16-year-old son, on a fantastic quest that will forever upset their existence.
A wildly impressive adventure questioning our relationship with nature and animals.
La Nuit du 12 (The Night of the 12th), directed by Dominik Moll (2022) DT
Every investigator comes across a crime he cannot solve, a crime that keeps haunting him. For Yohan, it's Clara's murder. Suspect after suspect, his doubts keep growing without finding the murderer.
A powerful movie going beyond the usual "who did it?" to question how it is possible for such a crime to happen.
Illusions perdues (Lost illusions), directed by Xavier Giannoli (2021) D
Lucien is a young unknown poet. Full of hopes, he leaves his native province to try his luck in Paris. He soon discovers a cynic world where everything can be bought and sold. Adaptation of Balzac's most famous novel.
Few movies are succesful adaptations of a great novel. This is one of those rare gems. Not only is it visually somptuous, immersing you in the atmosphere of 19th century's Paris, but the camera achieves to render the frenetic flow of the hero's quest.
A plein temps (Full time), directed by Eric Gravel (2021) D
Julie struggles alone to raise her two children in the countryside and keep her job cleaning rooms in a Parisian palace. Exhausted, lacking money and having issue with her ex husband, she is constantly doing her best to improve the situation of her family. When she finally gets an interview for a position corresponding to her qualifications, a strike breaks out, paralyzing transportations. She embarks on a frantic race, fighting for the possibility of a new life.
The struggle is real... and we feel it as we're close to Julie during the whole movie.
Grâce à Dieu (By the grace of God), directed by François Ozon (2019) D
Alexandre, a man in his 40s living in Lyon with his wife and children, discovers that the priest who abused him decades ago continues to work with children. He joins forces with others victims to bring justice and “lift the burden of silence” about what they endured.
A great description of the brave fight to break a silence that is all but sacred.
Pupille (In Safe hands), directed by Jeanne Herry (2018) D
Theo is given up for adoption by his biological mother on the day of his birth. Legally, the mother has two months to change her mind. In the meantime, a temporary adoptive mother takes care of the baby. This movie is the story of the meeting between Alice and Theo.
A touching film about loving and being loved.
Jusqu'à la garde (Custody), directed by Xavier Legrand (2018) DT
Miriam and Antoine have recently separated. Miriam is desperate to keep her youngest, 11-year-old Julien away from his father. But the magistrate rules in favour of joint custody, and suddenly the boy is thrown into the middle of an escalating parental conflict. Julien will do everything to prevent the worst from happening.
A breathtaking thriller.
Un sac de billes (A bag of marbles), directed by Christian Duguay (2017) DH
In occupied France, Maurice and Joseph, two young Jewish brothers left to their own devices, demonstrate an incredible dose of courage and ingenuity to escape the enemy invasion in the hope of reuniting their family.
A moving adventure.
Diplomacie (Diplomacy), directed by Volker Schlöndorff (2014) DH
French-German production
On the night of August 24, 1944. The fate of Paris rests with General Von Choltitz who plans to destroy the city on Hitler's orders. Swedish consul Raoul Nordling uses diplomacy in a desperate bid to convince him to defy the orders and save Paris. Fiction inspired by real events, "Diplomatie" is a clever allegory opposing two conceptions of the world and duty. With the slim hope that the flexibility of diplomacy will end up getting the better of the military rigidity.
Unusual war film, driven by smart dialogues rather than plot.
Amour, directed by Michael Haneke (2012) D
Georges and Anne are retired music teachers in their 80's. One day, Anne is the victim of a stroke leaving her paralyzed on one side. The love that unites this old couple is put to the test.
An intense yet delicate movie about life, love and death.
Des Hommes et des Dieux (Of Gods and men), directed by Xavier Beauvois (2010) DH
8 French Cistercian monks live in a monastery in the Maghreb mountains, in harmony with their Muslim brothers. When a team of foreign workers is massacred by an Islamist group, the army offers them protection. Despite the growing threats surrounding them, the monks decide to stay. Inspired by a true story.
A contemplative movie probing the moral, political and religious conflict of a community torn by doubt and appeased by faith, without proselytism or activism.
Entre les murs (The Class), directed by Laurent Cantet (2008) D
The daily life of a young French teacher and his students in a tough neighborhood.
A very realistic chronicle about the fight for education in a challenging context.
Le Pianiste (The Pianist), directed by Roman Polanski (2002) DH
During the Second World War, Wladyslaw Szpilman, a famous Polish Jewish pianist is forced into the Warsaw ghetto. He manages to escape and takes refuge in the ruins of the capital city. A German officer, who appreciates his music, helps him and allows him to survive. Based on a true story.
One of the most beautiful movies about World War II.
