🎬 14 Best French Movies: Out of the Box Picks
Here is my list of 14 Favorite French Films.
As a passionate cinephile and a graduate film student from French University la Sorbonne, I have curated a selection of well-known films, plus, some less-known but some of my favorite ones. It’s a way to go a bit out of the beaten track from other content articles.
Plus, I wanted to emphasize French Female directors, as female directors are often underlined in those types of articles.
I chose various periods and genders, to cover everyone’s taste, while portraying a certain range of topics from French cinematography. Social, politics, art, affairs of the heart, travel, etc.
It’s a personnel list and a short one. I will keep it up to date, according to my “coup de coeur”. Here is the list of films.
- #1 – Intouchables / The Intouchables
- #2 – Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain / Amélie
- #3 – Portrait de la jeune fille en feu / Portrait of a Lady on Fire
- #4 – La Haine
- #5 – Cléo de 5 à 7 / Cléo from 5 to 7
- #6 – Les choristes / The Chorus
- #7 – Anatomie d’une chute / Anatomy of a Fall
- #8 – Mon roi / My King
- #9 – Taxi
- #10 – Un beau matin / One Fine Morning
- #11 – Grave / Raw
- #12 – Revoir Paris
- #13 – Les enfants des autres / Other People’s Children
- #14 – Vénus beauté (institut) / Venus Beauty Institute
#1 – Intouchables / The Intouchables
Director: Olivier Nakache et Éric Toledano
Year: 2011
Gender: Comedy, drama
Buy / Rent / Cinema / Stream
Synopsys:
Following a paragliding accident, a rich tetraplegic aristocrat hires a home helper who just came out of prison. Despite primary tensions, these two opposite characters will grow a strong friendship that will go over their social differences. Their sense of humour, a mix of self-mockery and rebellion against appearances has won my heart from the first time I watched it in the cinema. Plus, I love the playlist in this movie.
Check more info from IMDB
See also:
With the same actor: Lupin
From the same director: Le Sens de la fête
Then, a true classic. I was wondering if it was worth mentioning in this list, as most people have already seen it. But in case you haven’t here is a reminder.
#2 – Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain / Amélie
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Year: 2001
Gender: Comedy, romance
Buy / Rent / Stream
Synopsys:
A young creative Parisian waitress starts building scenarios and taking action to help people around her, without them knowing about it. During her mission, she encounters a new character who will trigger new emotions. Now she has decided to build a final ploy. There are a few things I love about this movie, outside the unusual screenplay. The colorful mix of true pieces of Parisian life and a fantasy French world blew my mind. And of course the incredible soundtrack from Yann Tiersen. And as any French who has played a bit of piano in the old days, I learned the « Valse d’Amélie ». But I’m warning you, after that, it’s hard to get it out of your head.
Check more info from IMDB
See also:
With the same actors: L’Auberge espagnole, La Haine
From the same director: The City of Lost Children (La Cité des enfants perdus)
#3 – Portrait de la jeune fille en feu / Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Director: Céline Sciamma
Year: 2019
Gender: Drama, romance
Buy / Rent / Stream
Synopsys:
In 1770, a painter is sent to an island as a lady companion to a future bride. The latter must have a portrait of her painted before the wedding. But as an act of disagreement with this prearranged wedding, refuses to pose. Therefore, the lady companion will observe her and paint her in secrecy. Costume movies are not usually my forte, but thanks to the Cannes Film Festival press conference I’ve watched online and friends’ recommendations, I went to see it in the theater, and I’m glad I did. It’s a powerful love story that beautifully translates to the modern world as well.
Check more info from IMDB
#4 – La Haine
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Year: 1995
Gender: Crime, drama
Buy / Rent / Stream
Synopsys:
La Haine (1995) is a raw, gripping film about three friends—Vinz, Saïd, and Hubert—navigating life in the Parisian suburbs after a riot. Tension builds as they deal with police brutality, poverty, and anger, all in stunning black and white. It’s intense, powerful, and feels just as relevant today. That ending? Absolutely unforgettable.
Check more info from IMDB
#5 – Cléo de 5 à 7 / Cléo from 5 to 7
Director: Agnès Varda
Year: 1962
Gender: Comedy, drama, music
Buy / Rent / Stream
Synopsys:
Cléo de 5 à 7 (1962) follows a young singer, Cléo, as she wanders Paris, anxiously awaiting medical test results. Over two hours, she meets strangers, friends, and even a soldier, slowly shifting from vanity and fear to a deeper understanding of life. Beautifully shot, effortlessly cool, and a perfect mix of style and emotion—classic Agnès Varda!
Check more info from IMDB
#6 – Les choristes / The Chorus
Director: Christophe Barratier
Year: 2004
Gender: Drama, music
Buy / Rent / Stream
Synopsys:
Les Choristes (2004) is a heartwarming film about a kind music teacher, Clément Mathieu, who arrives at a strict boys’ boarding school and changes lives through the choir. With beautiful music and touching moments, he helps troubled kids find hope and talent. It’s emotional, uplifting, and full of great melodies—perfect if you love feel-good dramas!
Check more info from IMDB
#7 – Anatomie d’une chute / Anatomy of a Fall
Director: Justine Triet
Year: 2023
Gender: Crime, drama, thriller
Buy / Rent / Stream
Synopsys:
A woman’s husband falls to his death from their remote mountain home—was it an accident or murder? As the trial unfolds, secrets surface, and their blind son becomes a key witness. Tense, gripping, and brilliantly acted, Anatomie d’une Chute keeps you guessing till the end. It’s part courtroom drama, part psychological thriller—absolutely riveting!
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#8 – Mon roi / My King
Director: Maïwenn
Year: 2015
Gender: Drama, romance
Buy / Rent / Stream
Synopsys:
Tony falls hard for the charming but unpredictable Georgio, and their passionate romance quickly turns toxic. As she recovers from a skiing accident, she reflects on their intense, messy relationship—love, obsession, and heartbreak all tangled together. Powerful performances and raw emotion make this a gripping, painfully real look at love’s highs and devastating lows.
Check more info from IMDB
#9 – Taxi
Director: Gérard Pirès
Year: 1998
Gender: Action, comedy, crime
Buy / Rent / Stream
Synopsys:
Daniel, a speed-obsessed taxi driver, dreams of racing but ends up helping an unlucky cop, Émilien, chase down a gang of bank robbers in Marseille. With crazy car chases, humor, and non-stop action, it’s a wild ride from start to finish. Fast, fun, and full of attitude—pure ‘90s French action-comedy at its best!
Check more info from IMDB
#10 – Un beau matin / One Fine Morning
Director: Mia Hansen-Løve
Year: 2022
Gender: Drama, romance
Buy / Rent / Stream
Synopsys:
Sandra juggles raising her daughter, caring for her ailing father, and rekindling a passionate but complicated romance. As she navigates love, loss, and life’s uncertainties, emotions run deep in this quiet, beautifully told story. Tender, honest, and deeply moving, it’s a slice of life that lingers with you long after the credits roll.
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#11 – Grave / Raw
Director: Julia Ducournau
Year: 2016
Gender: Drama, horror
Buy / Rent / Stream
Synopsys:
A shy vegetarian college student, Justine, starts experiencing strange cravings after being forced to eat raw meat as part of a hazing ritual. As she discovers a dark, unsettling side to herself, her transformation takes a shocking turn. It’s a brutal, weird, and intense mix of horror and coming-of-age, with body horror that’ll leave you speechless.
Check more info from IMDB
#12 – Revoir Paris
Director: Alice Winocour
Year: 2022
Gender: Drama
Buy / Rent / Stream
Synopsys:
After surviving a terrorist attack in Paris, Mia struggles with trauma and tries to reclaim her life. She reconnects with the people around her and starts piecing together her memories of the attack, all while searching for a sense of normalcy. It’s a moving, emotional journey about healing, rediscovery, and finding hope in the aftermath of violence.
Check more info from IMDB
#13 – Les enfants des autres / Other People’s Children
Director: Rebecca Zlotowski
Year: 2022
Gender: Comedy, drama, romance
Buy / Rent / Stream
Synopsys:
Rachel, in her 40s, is in a relationship with Ali, who has a young daughter, Leila. As Rachel bonds with Leila, she starts grappling with her feelings about not having kids of her own. It’s a heartfelt exploration of love, family, and what it means to be a part of someone else’s life—beautifully honest and relatable.
Check more info from IMDB
#14 – Vénus beauté (institut) / Venus Beauty Institute
Director: Tonie Marshall
Year: 1999
Gender: Comedy, drama, romance
Buy / Rent / Stream
Synopsys:
A group of women work at a beauty salon in Paris, each dealing with their struggles. From love issues to self-esteem battles, they navigate life and relationships while offering their clients a little escape. It’s a heartfelt and sometimes quirky look at friendship, love, and self-discovery—full of humor, charm, and real emotions.
Check more info from IMDB
If you loved these French movies, you’ll also enjoy our guide to the best French series on Netflix for even more entertainment.
