Shraman Mitra
Harsh Vardhan
French cinema, originating with pioneers like the Lumière brothers and Georges Méliès, is renowned for its realism and bold themes. It stands as a significant force in global filmmaking, often considered the best outside the United States. Since the advent of the French New Wave, France has consistently produced a wealth of filmmaking talent and notable films. This rich cinematic tradition has been influenced not only by French directors but also by renowned filmmakers from various countries, including Poland, Austria, Russia, and Argentina. Esteemed directors like Gasper Noé, Roman Polanski, and Michael Haneke have contributed to the unique blend of French culture and cinema.
France’s film industry is arguably the most successful in Europe, both commercially and critically. Its films reflect the nation’s rich cultural history, the impacts of wars, and its status as a fashion and culinary capital. French cinema has attracted a global audience, making France a significant exporter of international films. Additionally, the industry has produced prominent actors and actresses known worldwide, such as Brigitte Bardot, Marion Cotillard, and Vincent Cassel.
French cinema spans a diverse range of genres, including comedy, horror, romance, adventure, drama, and fantasy. For those interested in exploring this versatile and profound cinema, here’s the list of best French movies on Netflix, encompassing various genres like comedy, horror, lesbian-themed, and romantic movies.
26. The Takedown (2022)
In Louis Leterrier’s latest cinematic offering, ‘The Takedown’ (Loin du périph), the action-comedy genre gets a fresh jolt of energy. A sequel to the 2012 hit ‘On the Other Side of the Tracks,’ the film sees the charismatic duo of Omar Sy and Laurent Lafitte reprising their roles as Ousmane Diakhité, Chief of Paris’ Criminal Division, and François Monge, an inspector at the 12th District Police department in Paris, respectively, who run into each other after a decapitated body is discovered at the at Lyon station. The investigation leads them further into a conspiracy that involves the town’s fascist mayor, Antoine Brunner (Dimitri Storoge).
Leterrier’s directorial prowess ensures an exhilarating blend of action and humor, promising audiences an entertaining ride as the story unfolds on the outskirts of the city. Get ready for a sequel that not only continues but elevates the legacy of its predecessor. You can watch the movie here.
25. Bigbug (2022)
‘Bigbug’ is a French science fiction black comedy film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, with a star-studded cast that includes Elsa Zylberstein, Isabelle Nanty, Youssef Hajdi, Alban Lenoir, and François Levantal. Set in the futuristic landscape of 2045, the movie unfolds in a world where robotic helpers assist communities. However, the plot takes an unexpected turn as a group of suburbanites find themselves confined by their own household robots for protection while a rebellious sentient AI android uprising takes place outside, adding a thrilling layer to this unique and darkly humorous cinematic experience. Feel free to stream it here.
24. Bad Seeds (2018)
‘Bad Seeds’ is a French comedy film directed by Kheiron. The story follows Wael, a scam artist turned caring foster father to young children. When a social worker questions his unconventional parenting methods, Wael’s past catches up with him. The film seamlessly blends humor and heart, exploring the transformative power of love and redemption. Kheiron’s charismatic performance and the film’s engaging narrative make ‘Bad Seeds’ a heartwarming and thought-provoking cinematic experience that challenges societal norms and celebrates the strength of chosen family bonds. You can watch it here.
23. Back to School (2019)
‘Back to School’ (French: La Grande Classe) is a comedic gem written and directed by Remy Four and Julien War. The film centers on the hilarious escapades of two friends attending their middle school reunion, fueled by a shared determination to leave lasting impressions on former bullies and crushes. With a delightful mix of humor and nostalgia, the movie navigates the awkward and endearing moments of reuniting with the past, offering a charming take on the antics that ensue when attempting to make a memorable mark on one’s school reunion. Feel free to stream here.
22. Stuck Together (2021)
Although ‘Stuck Together’ is a lighthearted Parisian comedy, it offers a candid depiction of the widespread damage that the COVID pandemic caused. Set during the height of the outbreak-related restrictions, the film revolves around seven families residing in an apartment building located at 8 Rue de L’Humanité in the 11th arrondissement. The once bustling streets of Paris have suddenly become deserted, and the constantly moving city life has come to a sudden stop, leaving the various eccentric characters of the film no other choice but to rely on each other. As these people deal with the issues unique to a global pandemic, they learn a thing or two about themselves and the people around them. Equipped with a talented cast, ‘Stuck Together’ celebrates love, family, and compassion. You can watch the movie here.
21. Cuties (2020)
‘Cuties’ is a controversial movie that revolves around Amy, an 11-year-old girl, who joins a dance group named Cuties at school. However, the group’s culture is quite different from the conservative one Amy has known all her life, and thus, the sudden exposure to revealing outfits and suggestive dance moves throws Amy into a culture clash she is unequipped to deal with. Moreover, thrust into an unfamiliar and frankly scary world, Amy is forced to tread an unexplored path as she gradually discovers her true self. You can watch the movie here.
20. The Stronghold (2021) (BAC Nord)
Set in 2012 Marseille, ‘The Stronghold’ revolves around three police officers: Grég Cerva (Gilles Lellouche), Antoine (François Civil), and Yass (Karim Leklou). Greg intends to catch the powerful drug kingpins of the city, all clustered in the northern neighborhoods, but he can’t go in there with the might of the police force behind without proper justification. He gets just that when a group of abductors posts a video of assaulting someone. Greg teams up with Antoine and Yass to gather evidence against the kingpins and dismantle their drug distribution center. The problem arises when the police officers desperately need some vital information, but the prospective informant declares that he will share what he knows if the police bring him 5kg of hash. Initially reluctant, Greg and his colleagues soon realize that they have no other choice. You can watch the movie here.
19. Dear Mother (2020)
Directed by Laurent Lafitte, ‘Dear Mother’ is an unconventional film that deals with themes such as motherhood, unconditional love, and sacrifice. The main character of the story is Jean-Louis, a lawyer who doesn’t find joy in most things in his life. His relationship with his wife Valérie is close to falling apart as they no longer have that many things in common between them. One day, Jean-Louis’ heart suddenly stops beating, forcing him to consult his best friend Michel, the veterinarian, who confirms Jean-Louis’ fears. This is when Valérie walks in on them, and after learning about what has happened to her husband, she takes him to her holistic coach, who declares if Jean Louis wants to be cured, he must take a photo of the place he was born from —his mother’s vagina. You can watch the movie here.
18. Madame Claude (2021)
Based on the life of the historical namesake brothel keeper, ‘Madame Claude’ is set in Paris in the 1960s. Claude runs one of the most popular brothels in the city, and her clientele includes some of the most powerful and influential men in the world. Interestingly, unlike the previous adaptations of the story, ‘Madame Claude’ doesn’t necessarily spend much time exploring the inherently farcical elements in the story. Instead, it focuses on her constant inner conflict and rapid rise in certain Parisian circles, making her considerably powerful and influential in her own right. The film also sheds light on Claude’s relationship with Sidonie, a much younger woman who comes to Claude seeking to be part of her business, Claude’s mother, and her daughter. You can watch the movie here.
17. Budapest (2018)
Filmmaker Xavier Gens’ ‘Budapest’ follows best friends Vincent and Arnaud, who graduated from business school years ago with big dreams. Unfortunately, those dreams haven’t yet come to fruition. They lead largely dissatisfied lives and are stuck in dead-end jobs. After hearing about the bustling nightlife of Budapest from a Hungarian stripper at a bachelor’s party, the two friends come up with the idea of setting up a business that will facilitate bachelor’s parties in Budapest. As Vincent and Arnaud manage to tap into a largely unexplored sector, their business quickly becomes successful. However, success and ambition come hand-in-hand with stress. The more successful their business, the crazier the trips become, and the more their relationships with each other and their respective wives suffer. You can watch the movie here.
16. To Each, Her Own (2018)
‘To Each, Her Own’ is a romantic comedy that explores themes such as sexuality, religion, family, and love. The plot follows Simone Benloulou, a bank employee living in Paris. Simone hails from an orthodox Jewish family, though she herself is non-practicing. Simone is a lesbian but hasn’t yet said anything about it to her parents, who already had the shock of their lives after learning that their son, Simone’s younger brother, is gay. Her life suddenly becomes complicated after she meets a handsome Senegalese chef. Meanwhile, her older brother develops a dating site for Jewish people and creates a profile for his sister on it. When the site matches her with someone, Simone has no intention of going out on a date with this person, so she sends one of her colleagues, who pretends that she is Simone, and ends up falling for the man. You can watch the movie here.
15. Rogue City (2020)
Set in Marseilles, ‘Rogue City’ primarily follows four members of the Anti-Gang Unit in this bleak police action drama. One of its members, Willy Kapellian, struggles to deal with a marriage that is falling apart and finds solace in alcohol. After he is involved in a shooting incident while drunk, his captain, Richard Vronski, tries to protect him but ends up getting suspended himself. The unit decides to use the guns confiscated from the criminals in an ambush that hasn’t been authorized by their superiors and ends up causing the death of an undercover narcotics officer. As a film, ‘Rogue City’ is considerably nihilistic, candidly depicting the violence and drug problems often rampant in cities. You can watch the movie here.
14. How I Became a Super Hero (2020)
‘How I Became a Super Hero’ is, at its surface, an action-filled superhero flick. However, the narrative is shaped to reflect the real world and shows how authoritarian figures can ruin lives just because of greed. Set in an alternate reality, the movie portrays how men with superpowers live among regular people in Parisian society. They rarely pose a threat and are often responsible for maintaining safety in the face of grave danger. However, with time, someone realizes that they can extract the essence that makes a superhero, bottle it, and sell it for massive profits. As the discovery leads to ultimate chaos, with superheroes getting hunted for their essence, a lone detective has the key to solving the mystery. You can watch the movie here.
13. Spoiled Brats (2021)
‘Spoiled Brats’ follows a wealthy father who has grown tired of the antics of his three spoiled adult children. Stella is a shopaholic and intends to marry a con artist. Philippe considers himself an entrepreneur and often comes to his father with business ideas, not realizing how absurd they are. Alexandre is lazy and uninspired about almost every aspect of his life, save for the women he sleeps with. After the actions of his wayward children give him a heart attack, the father, Francis, decides enough is enough. He pretends that he has lost all his fortune because of a scheming partner and forces his children to fend for themselves, hoping that the tough treatment will teach them a lesson or two about the world. You can watch the movie here.
12. Nothing to Hide (2018) [Le jeu]
‘Nothing to Hide’ is the sum of all fears as far as the social gatherings are concerned. The movie begins with three couples – Marie and Vincent (both doctors), Charlotte and Marco, Thomas and Lea, and a lonely guy named Ben. While at dinner, the seven decide to make their cellphone conversations, SMSes, and pictures public – something that starts as a game but doesn’t go as well as planned. With married men and women receiving sexts, dirty pictures, voicemails from mistresses, etc., this game turns into something that shouldn’t have begun in the first place. It seems that everyone has something to hide. You can watch the movie here.
11. The Climb (2017) [L’Ascension]
An uplifting tale with its warmth and cherishing moments, ‘The Climb’ is the story of Sam, an unemployed lad who is all in love with Nadia, but, to prove his undying affection for her, he promises to climb Mt. Everest, without any mountaineering experience whatsoever. He marches off to Nepal with a book and a Nutella jar and is shocked to experience an incline at first instance, much before getting closer to the mountains. All he does is befriend people, smile, and keep going! You can watch the movie here.
10. Friendzone (2021)
Showcasing the journey from being a best friend to a boyfriend, ‘Friendzone’ revolves around Thibault, a romantic hopeful. Although he has harbored feelings for Rose for quite a long time, she has always considered him her best friend. However, in a sudden change of fate, Rose begins realizing Thibault’s feelings, and as sparks fly, the latter grabs the opportunity with both hands. A heart-warming and feel-good romantic comedy, ‘Friendzone’ will surely brighten up any gloomy day. Feel free to stream it here.
9. Divines (2016)
Nominated for a Golden Globe, ‘Divines’ follows a teen from a dysfunctional family in Paris who comes across a young dancer who turns her life upside down. Although the plot seems simple, it is extremely complex. Scene after scene, the characters, the settings, the relationships, every element comes with incredible strength. From a classroom argument to a daughter-mother discussion, almost every scene is heartbreaking. ‘Divines’ is a film about survival in a mad world in which the characters feel incredibly real. Actresses Oulaya Amamra and Déborah Lukumuena are incredible, and I’m sure we will hear more about them in the future. Feel free to stream it here.
8. I Lost My Body (2019)
This is the first animated film ever to win the Critic’s Week Grand Prize at Cannes in 2019. It was also nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, losing to ‘Toy Story 4’. This unusual adult animated film is macabre storytelling at its best as a severed hand escapes from a lab in Paris to reunite with the body. The story of Noufel and his hand is told through flashbacks. Having received rave reviews, the film is considered to have one of the most creative and original storylines. Based on the book Happy Hand by Guillaume Laurant, the screenplay was co-written with director Jeremy Clapin. This phenomenal film is a must-watch. Feel free to stream it here.
7. I am Not an Easy Man (2018)
An eye-opening sex comedy, ‘I am Not an Easy Man’ marks a very important milestone in French cinema, especially when there’s a lot of discussion around feminism versus the prevailing male chauvinism. The movie begins with Damien, who is a male chauvinist but doesn’t stop when it comes to flirting with women and expressing his so-called “dominance” in front of them after decades of patriarchy. He bumps his head on a pole and passes out. When he wakes up the next morning, he seemingly has entered a parallel dimension where females have the upper hand. He finds feminine clothes in his closet, has to shave his body parts, is in a submissive position during sex, with women kissing him goodbye while leaving for work, males doing household chores, etc. ‘I am Not an Easy Man’ changes the perspective of men and how it feels to be on the “receiving” end. A must-watch! Feel free to stream it here.
6. Earth and Blood (2020)
Directed by Julien Leclercq, the film is heavy on artillery and paramilitary display. Said (Sami Bouajila) reluctantly gives a job to Yanis (Samy Seghir), a troubled guy on parole for a minor offense. Yanis hides cocaine in Said’s sawmill, which his half-brother had stolen from a gang of dangerous drug dealers. Unaware of this, Said fights against all odds to protect his daughter Sarah (Sofia Lessafre) as they are under attack by the gang, who want their merchandise back. What ensues is an adrenaline-pumped chase for protection against the drug lord Adama (Eriq Ebouaney). Feel free to stream it here.
5. The Most Assassinated Woman in the World (2018)
Loosely inspired by the life and works of the theatre actress Paula Maxa, this mystery thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat. Paula is the leading lady at the Grand Guignol Theatre in Paris; she is famous for getting murdered in the most violent ways on stage. Things get complicated as there is a killer on the loose in the city. People’s lust for gore, blood, and violent crimes drives the theatre’s fame as well as Paula’s. However, it is not easy for Paula, who constantly receives death threats from a secret admirer, and she battles her tragic past. Jean (Niels Schneider) is a journalist and Paula’s love interest who is determined to find out more about this admirer of Paula’s and simultaneously has been assigned the case of the violent murderer in the city. You can watch the film here.
4. Sentinelle (2021)
‘Sentinelle’ follows Klara, a highly trained French soldier sent home from Syria after a traumatic experience. Even back home, the incident keeps haunting her, and the frequent PTSD episode takes a toll on her health. However, when Klara’s sister is found raped and almost murdered after a night of partying at a nightclub, the soldier jumps to the task and applies the years of training to launch a deadly vendetta against the perpetrator. You can watch the film here.
3. Lost Bullet (2020)
This fast-paced action thriller is written and directed by Guillaume Pierret, with Alban Lenoir playing the lead character Lino. Lino is a car mechanic with a history of crime, but he is in the spotlight again as his police friend and mentor, Officer Charas (Ramzy Bedia), is shot dead by another set of cops. To prove his innocence, he must find the lost bullet. For those who enjoy realistic action, they will enjoy the impact scenes as cars collide and topple over on the screen. Viewers especially enjoyed watching Nicolas Duvauchelle as Areski. One can’t help but compare this film to some of Jason Statham’s movies. You can watch the film here.
2. Oxygen (2021)
Directed by Alexandre Aja, this mind-bending/claustrophobic flick stars Mélanie Laurent as Liz Hansen. Hansen wakes up in a cryogenic pod without having any idea of how she ended up there. Be that as it may, she now has to figure out a way to get out of the pod whose oxygen level is slowly but surely going down. Thanks to the A.I. MILO (Medical Interface Liaison Officer), she can use the internet and make calls, but it cannot let her out. Is she undergoing some form of punishment? Is she on Earth or in space? Is she on some kind of a mission without knowing it? To find out, you can watch this immensely gripping sci-fi thriller right here.
1. Athena (2022)
A modern tragedy underscored by one death and a subsequent uprising, ‘Athena’ follows three brothers belonging to three different facets of an uprising in the community of Athena. What makes the film a tragedy is the fact that the death is of their fourth brother, 13-year-old Idir, who dies from a beating by a bunch of police officers. Abdel (Dali Benssalah) is a lieutenant who tries to bring an end to the uprising. Karim (Sami Slimane) wants revenge and takes part in the uprising. Moktar (Ouassini Embarek), a drug dealer, wants to take advantage of the uprising and get some of his goods out of Athena. A tragic tale of civil unrest, ‘Athena’ is directed by Romain Gavras and is a Golden Lion nominee and a recipient of the 2022 Young Cinema Award (Premio Arca Cinema Giovani) and the 2022 Cinema for UNICEF award at the Venice Film Festival. You can watch the film here.
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