My 15 Best French Language Movies

Updated :
| By : Louise
Louise Simon
Born in Cameroon and adopted at 1 year in France. I spent all my childhood in Alsace before studying in Paris. I like to defend my beautiful country with its strengths and weaknesses. Find me on Linkedin and CV.

Bonjour bonjour !

French language movies are loved by millions and billions of French culture lovers over the globe.

If you are one of those looking for the best French language movies to explore French culture in-depth, I have got you covered!

Hop on below to explore my selection list of the best French language movies of all time.

Work is in progress (post updated in July 2023) ! 🙂

— Louise

See Also : My 25 Best French Romantic Movies Of All Time (Personal List!)

15 Best French Language Movies (My Selection)

Here is my personal ranking of the 18 best French language movies with its IMDB rating.

Ranked from lowest to highest IMDb rating.

Please check the trailer before watching the complete movie (by experience) ! 😉

15. Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013) – 7.7 / 10

French Translation: La Vie d’Adèle

Summary: Adèle’s life is changed when she meets Emma, a young woman with blue hair.

Trailer:

14. Breathless (1960) – 7.7 / 10

French Translation: À bout de souffle

Summary: A small-time thief steals a car and impulsively murders a policeman.

Trailer:

13. Belle de Jour (1967) – 7.7 / 10

French Translation: Belle de jour

Summary: A frigid young housewife decides to spend her midweek afternoons as a prostitute.

Trailer:

12. A Prophet (2009) – 7.8 / 10

French Translation: Un prophète

Summary: A young Arab man becomes a mafia kingpin in a French prison.

Trailer:

11. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) – 7.8 / 10

French Translation: Les Parapluies de Cherbourg

Summary: A young woman separated from her lover by war faces a life-altering decision.

Trailer:

See Also : My 18 Best French Animation Movies

Top 10 French Language Movies

Here is my selection of 10 best French language movies :

10. Three Colors: Blue (1993) – 7.9 / 10

French Translation: Trois couleurs: Bleu

Summary: A woman struggles to find a way to live her life after the death of her husband and child.

Trailer:

9. Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959) – 7.9 / 10

French Translation: Hiroshima Mon Amour

Summary: A French actress filming an anti-war film in Hiroshima has an affair with a married Japanese architect.

Trailer:

8. Persepolis (2007) – 8 / 10

French Translation: Persepolis

Summary: A young girl comes of age during the Iranian Revolution.

Trailer:

7. La Haine (1995) – 8.1 / 10

French Translation: La Haine

Summary: 24 hours in the lives of three young men in the French suburbs the day after a violent riot.

Trailer:

6. The 400 Blows (1959) – 8.1 / 10

French Translation: Les quatre cents coups

Summary: A young boy, left without attention, delves into a life of petty crime.

Trailer:

See Also : My 13 Best French Horror Movies

5. Jean de Florette (1986) – 8.1 / 10

French Translation: Jean de Florette

Summary: A man inherits a farm from his mother, but his powerful neighbor plots to steal it from him.

Trailer:

4. Diabolique (1955) – 8.1 / 10

French Translation: Les Diaboliques

Summary: The wife and mistress of a cruel headmaster conspire to kill him.

Trailer:

3. Amélie (2001) – 8.3 / 10

French Translation: Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain

Summary: Amélie, an innocent and naive girl in Paris, with her own sense of justice, decides to help those around her.

Trailer:

2. Children of Paradise (1945) – 8.3 / 10

French Translation: Les Enfants du Paradis

Summary: The theatrical life of a beautiful courtesan and the four men who love her.

Trailer:

1. The Intouchables (2011) – 8.5 / 10

French Translation: Intouchables

Summary: After he becomes a quadriplegic, a rich man hires an ex-convict to be his caregiver.

Trailer:

Hope you find my top 15 selections of the best French language movies worth watching.

Also, I am excited to know about your best French language movies!

Be sure to let me know about your fav choices in the comment section below.

Stay tuned for more!

Ensure to check out My 19 Best French Comedy Movies!

— Louise

Other French movies to watch :

People also ask concerning French language movies :

What Is the Highest-Grossing French Language Film?

According to Wikipedia, “Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis” is the highest-grossing French language film, with more 20 Millions tickets sold.

Other high-grossing films include:

  • The Intouchables – 20 Millions tickets sold
  • La Grande Vadrouille – 17 Millions tickets sold
  • Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra – 14 Millions tickets sold
  • …..

Can You Learn French by Watching French Movies?

YES! You can learn French by watching French movies.

These help you master passive comprehension and French language skills.

It’s not only one of the ideal ways to learn the language on your own but also the easiest way too.

It’s far better than reading French, as via streaming movies, you get to explore the pronunciation of certain words.

This will help you sound natural when speaking French.

Are There any French Films on Netflix?                  

YES! Netflix has added a special feature, owing to which you can filter French movies and TV series.

Some of the best French movies on Netflix include:

  • The World Is Yours – 2018
  • The Wolf’s Call – 2019
  • The Most Assassinated Woman in the World – 2018
  • Ravenous – 2017
  • ….

Why Are French Movies Good?        

French movies are known for their immersive and dramatic plots.

These movies often pack well-played characters, sophisticated settings, and reel stories linked close to real-life stories.

Please read above my personal list of the best French language movies of all time.

About Culture In France :

5/5 - (12 votes)