30 Best French Movies of All Time, Ranked

Many defining parts make the elegant, practical French cinema extremely participating. A extremely dramatic and considerably philosophical narrative (although usually not brief on humorous moments), well-written characters that showcase some sort of improvement, and a visually hanging, refined setting and places all play poignant roles in what makes these European options so beloved. There isn’t a doubt that France has been offering the movie trade with numerous high-quality options all through the years and interesting viewers with their intriguing tales.

Nonetheless, whereas there are many unbelievable picks to select from when entering into French motion pictures, some have managed to face out greater than others and helped form cinema globally. To make it a bit simpler for many who aren’t conversant in France’s nationwide treasures to dip their toes into the nation’s intensive catalog, Collider has picked one of the best French motion pictures of all time, from Blue is the Warmest Color to Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles, rating them by leisure worth, affect, and general high quality.

30 ‘Blue Is the Warmest Shade’ (2013)

Directed by Abdellatif Kechiche

An LGBTQ+ film favorite, Blue is the Warmest Shade (La vie d’Adèle) is now thought-about a French traditional. The film follows Adèle, performed by Adèle Exarchopoulos, as she navigates a seemingly monotonous life. Nonetheless, when she meets Léa Seydoux‘s Emma, a free-spirited lady with blue hair with whom she bonds tightly, Adèle embarks on a self-discovery journey, embracing her sexuality alongside the way in which.

Abdellatif Kechiche‘s movie is usually thrown into each dialog about modern French cinema, because it has rapidly turn out to be probably the most mentioned motion pictures from the European nation. Though Blue is the Warmest Shade‘s controversial intercourse scenes are nonetheless a subject of dialog as of late, the heartbreaking coming-of-age story is far more than the grownup content material it options. At its core, Kechiche’s film is tender, humorous, and excessive, with two remarkably practical central performances.

29 ‘The Satan, Most likely’ (1977)

Directed by Robert Bresson

This existentialist character study by Robert Bresson sees a younger man named Charles (Antoine Monnier) who turns into apathetic towards society, rejecting vital philosophies and ideologies comparable to political activism, environmentalism, and faith due to discovering all of them hypocritical. All through the film, the character additionally navigates his relationship with himself and others. All of those parts lead him to a tragic closure.

Contemplating the themes of existential angst, societal disappointment, and the seek for that means in a seemingly doomed world that The Satan, Most likely offers with, Bresson’s film is finally a well-crafted critique of Seventies society and can seemingly attraction to anybody who’s into artwork home cinema necessities, in addition to philosophical movies that present a pointy critique and hold audiences intellectually stimulated all through.

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28 ‘The Intouchables’ (2011)

Directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano

One of the well-known French flicks, notably amongst youthful audiences, is The Intouchables. Oliver Nakache and Éric Toledano‘s film tells the extraordinary and deeply transferring story of Philippe (François Cluzet), a rich man who turns into quadriplegic from a paragliding accident. It explores his robust, unlikely bond with caretaker Driss (OmarSy), who helps him to see the world in a different way and make constructive adjustments in his life.

Other than being actually transferring and sending out a beautiful message in regards to the energy and worth of friendships, the 2011 movie is equal components humorous. Regardless of its clichés, Nakache and Toledano’s movie — based mostly on the true story of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo — is value testing, particularly for viewers who’re into emotional tales that deal with human connection and the significance of breaking down social limitations (together with not making assumptions based mostly on appears to be like).

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27 ‘A Prophet’ (2009)

Directed by Jacques Audiard

Following nineteen-year-old Franco-Algerian Malik El Djebena (Tahar Rahim) who has simply been despatched to jail with a six-year sentence in Brécourt for assaulting law enforcement officials, this top-notch Jacques Audiard 2009 crime movie facilities across the younger man’s wild journey as he navigates via life in jail and ascends the inmate hierarchy.

One of the praised French motion pictures, A Prophet (Un prophète), deserves all of the hype it will get. Though a barely underrated French gem (and probably not one that’s match to everybody’s style), the gritty and riveting A Prophet is excellent on all ranges, delivering a very participating narrative all through that may attraction to those that take pleasure in jail dramas, because it compellingly showcases the transformation of a small-time felony into a correct crime boss.

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26 ‘Beau Travail’ (1999)

Directed by Claire Denis

Like Blue is the Warmest Shade, Claire Denis‘ transferring and undeniably well-crafted Beau Travail (which interprets to “Good Work”) was a landmark in LGBTQ+ cinema. The overtly queer adaptation of Billy Budd by Patrick Grandperrent, starring DenisLavant, follows a Overseas Legion officer who recollects his superb life main troops within the Gulf of Djibouti. The movie highlights his inflexible and strict days and the chaotic arrival of a younger recruit.

Maybe essentially the most helpful facet of Claire Denis’ incredible movie is the very compelling approach it explores manliness, with Legion being an intriguing archetype system to mirror the stoicism of masculinity that embodies a way of isolation and detachment. Moreover, Beau Travail options probably the most unforgettable movie endings and positively earns a spot among the many greatest French movies of all time.Watch on Max

25 ‘The Piano Instructor’ (2001)

Directed by Michael Haneke

Whereas Amour or Cache are equally nice options that might probably earn a spot on this record, The Piano Instructor, based mostly on the 1983 novel of the identical identify by Elfriede Jelinek, is probably Michael Haneke‘s most memorable. The 2001 erotic psychological drama follows the story of a sexually repressed, single piano instructor, played by Isabelle Huppert in one of her most iconic roles, who begins a sadomasochistic relationship together with her pupil (BenoîtMagimel).

Set in Eighties Vienna, Austria, Haneke’s critically acclaimed film — it received the Grand Prix on the Cannes Movie Pageant — is value testing, if just for Huppert’s tour de drive efficiency. Nonetheless, The Piano Instructor offers audiences with an intriguing battle over sexual management, particularly as a girl, and finally does an unbelievable job at depicting alienation and isolation. As such, Haneke’s film deserves a spot among the many most memorable French-spoken options.Watch on Criterion

24 ‘The Mom and the Whore’ (1973)

Directed by Jean Eustache

Initially titled La Maman et la Putain, this French film by Jean Eustache depicts a posh love triangle relationship set in post-1968 Paris, following Jean-Pierre Léaud‘s mental Alexandre who lives together with his lover (Bernadette Lafont). Alex then meets Veronika (Françoise Lebrun), with the narrative centering round their interactions and conversations.

Exploring themes of affection and freedom and stuffed with genuine, plausible performances, this early instance of the “slice of life” genre delivers a compelling and practical portrayal of the mundane, managing to immerse audiences in its simplistic narrative, which broke floor on the time for not being conventionally structured. Moreover, the influential The Mom and the Whore is closely dialogue-driven, like many different movies that match into the class, such because the beloved Earlier than trilogy.

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23 ‘Persepolis’ (2007)

Directed by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud

It is not for no cause that Persepolis is broadly considered among the finest animation movies ever made; with gorgeous animation and a fascinating narrative, Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud‘s Oscar-nominated function, based mostly on Satrapi’s graphic novel of the identical identify, depicts the story of a younger lady as she comes of age in opposition to the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution.

Rising up in the course of the Islamic Revolution is definitely not the perfect state of affairs. Nonetheless, Satrapi fantastically chronicles her real-life story in a approach that retains audiences invested, even that includes some humorous bits in it to distinction with the tragic occasions that happen. The emotionally highly effective Persepolis is a poignant and must-see French movie, basically within the animation style.

22 ‘Jules and Jim’ (1962)

Directed by François Truffaut

Directed by the gifted François Truffaut and set each earlier than World Battle I and in the course of the struggle itself, Jules and Jim depicts the friendship between German Jules (Oskar Wener) and Jim, a French man (Henri Serre). The 2 fall for a similar lady (Jeanne Moreau) and their relationship is examined when she marries Jules however has an affair with Jim.

Truffaut’s film is the proper decide for these seeking to watch an entertaining French movie with a love triangle. A major addition to the French New Wave, Jules and Jim is fantastically directed, with groundbreaking technical parts comparable to leap cuts and voice-overs. Within the meantime, it offers viewers with an emotionally involving and investing premise with multi-dimensional characters and a posh relationship at its middle.

21 ‘Mommy’ (2014)

Directed by Xavier Dolan

When the subject is heart-wrenching coming-of-age tales, Xavier Dolan‘s Mommy is a title that’s usually introduced up in dialog. Starring Antoine Olivier Pilon because the rebellious Steve, Mommy chronicles the lifetime of a widowed single mom, performed by Anne Dorval, who struggles to lift her violent son alone. Nonetheless, when a pleasant neighbor (SuzanneClément) inserts herself into their lives, Diane finds her life taking a constructive flip.

Regardless of not being recommendable to everybody as a result of express themes it tackles, Mommy offers an intriguing outlook into the lives of a struggling, grieving mom and her outspoken son, whom she very a lot grapples with to teach. Dolan’s French important advantages drastically from its two central performances and the gorgeous cinematography it options, in addition to its unbelievable ending scene (spoiler alert) with Lana del Rey‘s track taking part in within the background.

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20 ‘Belle de Jour’ (1967)

Directed by Luis Buñuel

Starring Catherine Deneuve in one of her most memorable and general greatest movie roles, Belle de Jour is predicated on the 1928 novel by Joseph Kessel and facilities round a lovely housewife who leads a double life as a intercourse employee whereas her husband (Jean Sorel), with whom she just isn’t capable of join with sexually nor finds pleasure of their intimate life, is at work.

Among the many greatest and most groundbreaking parts in Belle de Jour is its surrealism which provides depth and that means to the story, in addition to the ending’s ambiguity, which was novel on the time for mainstream cinema. Moreover, its open portrayal of feminine sexuality can also be value noting. Luis Buñuel‘s film can also be fantastically shot and enriched by its charming manufacturing design, making it a visually interesting image that is still a landmark in French cinema.

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19 ‘Playtime’ (1967)

Directed by Jacques Tati

In accordance with director Greta Gerwig, Jacques Tati‘s French 1967 function was one of many major inspirations behind last year’s summer hit Barbie. Within the film, Tati himself performs a person who navigates via a extremely superior and trendy Paris, alongside a gaggle of American vacationers. In the meantime, a restaurant and nightclub is making ready for its opening evening, however remains to be beneath building.

Contemplating that it’s arguably Tati’s masterpiece and considered one of many greatest films of all time by the British Film Institute (rating on the spectacular twenty third place), the remarkably executed Playtime is a enjoyable and fascinating love letter to an ever-changing Paris, with a refreshing although simplistic premise at its middle. Tati’s comedy movie is, little question, a necessary in French cinema that movie buffs ought to see at the least as soon as (after which twice after that).

18 ‘Eyes And not using a Face’ (1960)

Directed by Georges Franju

Additionally titled Les yeux sans visage, Georges Franju‘s iconic horror drama facilities round a plastic surgeon riddled with guilt, performed by PierreBrasseur, who is decided to carry out a face transplant on his once-beautiful daughter Christiane (ÉdithScob), who was disfigured in a automobile accident. To take action, although, he should kidnap younger girls and convey them to his mansion to take away their faces and try to graft them onto his daughter’s.

Not solely does Eyes And not using a Face excel within the horror division with its terrifying premise, additionally it is an unbelievable technical achievement, with many contemplating it to be among the finest arthouse horror movies. This essential French horror movie is a groundbreaking, landmarking function within the style, inspiring many filmmakers and enduring a very influential physique horror image to today.

17 ‘Military of Shadows’ (1969)

Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville

Initially titled L’Armée des ombres, the sluggish struggle drama Military of Shadows is ready within the yr 1942 and chronicles France’s subversive resistance in the course of the Nazi occupation, following a French Resistance commandant, Philippe Gerbier (Lino Ventura). When it was launched within the wake of the occasions of Might 1968, Military of Shadows was not well-received and was really actually controversial politically-wise, as French critics denounced it for its perceived glorification of Charles de Gaulle. It was not launched in the USA till 2006.

Nonetheless, it’s secure to say that Jean-Piette Melville’s fantastic spy movie is technically spectacular with an intriguing storyline based mostly on a novel by Joseph Kessel, and general a necessary amongst French movies. Military of Shadows highlights resistance to oppression. Typically talking, your entire filmography of Jean-Pierre Melville appears to be a fan-favorite relating to French cinema.

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16 ‘La Belle et la Bête’ (1946)

Directed by Jean Cocteau and René Clément

This French romantic fantasy by Jean Cocteau and René Clément is an adaptation of the enduring story Beauty and the Beast, illustrating the rising bond between Belle (Josette Day) and Beast (Jean Marais) after she sacrifices herself to take the place of her father (Marcel André) because the fort’s prisoner.

Whereas it’s based mostly on the enduring fairytale, La Belle et la Bête is a inventive movie that takes some dramatic liberties, introducing new parts together with progressive sensible results and a extra advanced portrayal of the characters featured. For these causes, La Belle et la Bête stays important in French cinema, usually praised for the way in which it tackles redemption, self-development, and the significance of wanting past what meets the attention.

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15 ‘Le Samouraï’ (1967)

Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville

Within the treasured, undeniably outstanding Jean-Pierre Melville crime drama Le Samouraï, contracted killer Jef Costello (Alain Delon) is additional backed right into a place when he tries to offer himself with an alibi after being seen by witnesses within the aftermath of finishing up a flawlessly deliberate hit.

The Franco-Italian manufacturing Le Samouraï is undoubtedly a terrific decide for anybody who enjoys an entertaining neo-noir; it’s a extremely prestigious film that beams fashion via its impeccable directing on high of its unbelievable central efficiency. Though Melville’s environment and hypnotizing visuals are arguably the movie’s strongest points, its intelligently written script definitely retains boredom at bay. Le Samouraï had a serious impression on Hollywood — very similar to in The Killer by David Fincher — and this reality will be simply noticed all through.

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14 ‘Three Colours: Purple’ (1994)

Directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski

The third and remaining installment of the Three Colours franchise additionally occurs to be its greatest. The trilogy’s anti-romance, Purple, sees a younger lady (IrèneJacob) who works as a part-time mannequin forming an unlikely bond together with her neighbor, a retired choose (Jean-Louis Trintignant), after she by chance runs over his canine. She then discovers that the choose listens to different folks’s telephone conversations. Whereas she is of course outraged at first, the 2 find yourself forging a significant connection.

Along with how fantastically shot and atmospheric it’s, Krzysztof Kieślowski’s film sends out poignant messages about human connection via its unconventional narrative. It’s basically a movie about communication and fraternity, with two superb lead performances that elevate it to larger ranges. Luckily and understandably, the French Purple is a comparatively well-liked function in American cinema.Watch on Criterion

13 ‘Amélie’ (2001)

Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet

There isn’t any doubt that the enduring Jean-Pierre Jeunet film nonetheless has a big impact on popular culture 22 years after its launch. Centering round Audrey Tautou‘s kind-hearted Amélie, who sees the world via a vivid and joyful lens and appears into methods to make everybody’s life higher. By meditating on the magic of on a regular basis life, the enchanting Amélie (Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain) is assured to make viewers extra appreciative of the smallest issues.

Taking a spot in nearly each French film-related submit on the web site, this magical realism movie by Jeunet ranks excessive among the many absolute best French movies of all time. Amélie is tender and endearing, showcasing the significance of compassion and the power of being gentle whereas additionally highlighting loneliness.

12 ‘Hiroshima Mon Amour’ (1959)

Directed by Alain Resnais

Alain Resnais‘ iconic Hiroshima mon amour (Hiroshima, My Love) is a fantastically informed drama that revolves round a passionate affair between a Japanese architect, Lui (Eiji Okada), who misplaced his household within the bombing, and Elle (Emmanuelle Riva in a very arresting efficiency), a younger lady who’s in Japan with the intent of constructing a function in regards to the impression of Hiroshima’s atomic bomb.

It isn’t for no cause that the classic romance movie takes place on variety of “French necessities” movie lists — it’s a really influential film that helped form movie historical past, because it is likely one of the first few movies to introduce non-linear building. That includes dramatic, enthralling cinematography that performs like an irresistible poem, the equal components unhappy and sensual Hiroshima mon amour is an unforgettable watch that meditates on reminiscences, worldwide trauma, and progress.

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11 ‘La Haine’ (1995)

Directed by Mathieu Kassovitz

One other important decide is Mathieu Kassovitz‘s crime drama, which affords a twenty-four-hour perception into the lives of three younger males spent within the French suburbs. In La Haine Abdel (Abdel Ahmed Ghili) goes straight to the hospital after a beating on the police station in the course of the riots that passed off the evening earlier than. Within the meantime, arab Saïd (Saïd Taghmaoui), his Jewish good friend Vinz (Vincent Cassel), and a Black boxer named Hubert (Hubert Koundé) be part of forces and promise to avenge their good friend if he would not make it out alive.

Though its title is translated to “Hate,” this Kassovitz movie is sort of inconceivable to not love (or at the least take pleasure in). Like many French movies on this record, La Haine is completely practical, whether or not that’s in its portrayal of violence and the gritty world of its characters or the dialogues and camerawork it options. Tackling themes of poverty, racism, crime, and police brutality, Kassovitz made the movie in homage to all those that perished within the riots in Paris that passed off between 1986 and 1996.

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