17 Essential Foreign Language Films
17 titles
- 1
Welcome to the SticksMovie · 2008 · 106m · Comedy, Drama, RomanceJulie lives a comfortable life in Salon-de-Provence, a lovely town in the South of France, but she's been feeling down lately. To make her happy, her husband, Philippe Abrams, a post office administrator, desperately tries to get a transfer to a seaside town on the French Riviera. However, he's caught trying to cheat an inspector and is immediately sent to Bergues, a remote town in Northern France.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.7 - 2
FlodderMovie · 1986 · 111m · ComedyA working-class family moves into a wealthy neighborhood, upsetting the established order among their new neighbors. This unconventional but lovable family, known for their straightforwardness and lightheartedness, disrupts the refined routines of the upper class. As they adjust to unfamiliar social customs, their lively actions create both chaotic and touching moments. Both families, from different backgrounds, discover the value of understanding and acceptance as they learn to live alongside each other. The film is a humorous and heartfelt look at social differences and the power of embracing individuality.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.3 - 3
Where Is Fred?Movie · 2006 · 107m · Comedy, RomanceTo get a basketball from his girlfriend's son's favorite team, Fred pretends to be a disabled fan in a wheelchair. When he catches the ball, he attracts the attention of Denise, a young filmmaker who wants to include him in a promotional video for the team. Fred must maintain his charade, all while avoiding exposure from Ronny, a genuine and angry disabled fan. And complicating matters, he unexpectedly starts falling in love.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.2 - 4
HeadhuntersMovie · 2011 · 100m · Thriller, Crime, ActionA skilled recruiter takes a dangerous gamble to acquire a prized painting belonging to a retired soldier.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.2 - 5
Werner and the Wizard of BoozeMovie · 1990 · 93m · Animation, Comedy, ActionThe film centers on comic artist Brösel, who unknowingly makes a deal with the mysterious Rumpelstiltskin. Brösel gains a magical pen that creates funny stories, but he must fulfill one of Rumpelstiltskin's wishes in return. The story unfolds with animated sequences depicting Werner, a plumber apprentice and motorcycle enthusiast, and his friends. Combining animation and live-action offers a deeper look at friendship, creativity, and the possible results of supernatural agreements.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.6 - 6
City of GodMovie · 2002 · 129m · Drama, CrimeIn 1970s Rio de Janeiro's impoverished favelas, two young men make contrasting choices. Rocket is an aspiring photographer who documents the escalating drug violence in his community. Meanwhile, José "Zé" Pequeno is an ambitious newcomer to the dangerous world of drug dealing.IMDb 8.6TMDB 8.4 - 7
TaxiMovie · 1998 · 86m · Action, Comedy, CrimeIn Marseilles, France, Daniel, a pizza delivery driver, finally gets his taxi license. But his dream is threatened when he speeds and gets in trouble with the law. To keep his license and his new job, Daniel is forced to team up with Emilien, a clumsy police inspector who isn't much of a driver. They join forces to chase after clever German bank robbers, creating an unexpected partnership that brings their very different lives together in this action comedy.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.7 - 8
The IntouchablesMovie · 2011 · 113m · Drama, ComedyThis is the story of two men from vastly different worlds who unexpectedly find a connection. One is a wealthy, paralyzed aristocrat recovering from a paragliding accident. The other is a young man growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood. Their lives intertwine in an unlikely bond.IMDb 8.5TMDB 8.3 - 9
OldboyMovie · 2003 · 120m · Drama, Thriller, MysteryA man awakens after fifteen years of captivity, having been imprisoned, drugged, and tortured, with no memory of how he arrived there. Driven by desperation, he now seeks revenge against those who held him.IMDb 8.3TMDB 8.2 - 10
NightwatchMovie · 1994 · 107m · Horror, ThrillerTo fund his legal studies, Martin becomes a night watchman at a local mortuary. He soon discovers the quiet workplace harbors a dark secret. While working the lonely nights, surrounded by corpses, Martin finds evidence connecting the mortuary to a series of gruesome murders.
The film explores betrayal, deception, and courage as Martin battles his fears to solve the mystery before he becomes the police's main suspect. As suspense builds, the boundary between life and death fades, and the mortuary’s unsettling atmosphere forces Martin to question his understanding of both. Getting closer to the truth, Martin must confront his own and others’ mortality, challenging everything he thought he knew.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.9 - 11
Manitou's ShoeMovie · 2001 · 85m · Western, Comedy, AdventureAbahachi, the Apache chief, and his trusted friend Ranger uphold law and order in the American West. When Abahachi borrows money from the Shoshone tribe to build a saloon for his people, Santa Maria, the saloon's previous owner, deceives him by taking the funds and fleeing. Now, the Shoshones are determined to reclaim their money, forcing Abahachi to swiftly rally his tribe.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.8 - 12
The WaveMovie · 2008 · 107m · Drama, ThrillerDuring a lesson on government, a teacher discusses various systems with his students. Disinterested in the topic, the students find the repeated discussion of National Socialism tedious and dismiss the possibility of dictatorship in contemporary Germany. To demonstrate the susceptibility of people to manipulation, the teacher initiates an experiment.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.5 - 13
99 FrancsMovie · 2007 · 105m · Drama, ComedyParis, 2001. Octave Parango, a young, cynical advertiser at Ross & Witchcraft, drifts through life in a haze of irresponsibility and self-indulgence. His struggle to create an advertising campaign for a new yogurt brand unexpectedly challenges his perspective on his work and the people who surround him.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.6 - 14
DelicatessenMovie · 1991 · 99m · Comedy, Science Fiction, FantasyIn a bleak, resource-scarce future, a family living above a butcher shop enjoys uncommon comforts: delicious meat, a welcome change from their harsh lives. Their peaceful existence is disrupted by a newcomer who becomes interested in the butcher's daughter. This sparks conflict within the family, who value him not just as a romantic interest but for his abilities, which are vital to their business. The story examines the complexities of love, loyalty, and practicality when survival is paramount, questioning how much people will give up for what they believe is right.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.3 - 15
Ruby & QuentinMovie · 2003 · 85m · Comedy, CrimeFollowing a jail sentence after hiding his stolen money, brooding outlaw Ruby meets Quentin, a large, simple-minded man who talks a lot. When Quentin's attempt to escape alone fails, they decide to break out together. Ruby can't leave the inept Quentin behind, so he's forced to take him along. Ruby’s pursuit of his former partners in crime – to avenge the death of someone he loved and retrieve his money – continues with Quentin in tow.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.7 - 16
Kung Fu HustleMovie · 2004 · 99m · Action, Comedy, CrimeShanghai, 1940s. The ruthless Axe Gang holds the city in fear. Two small-time criminals, Sing and Bone, try to join them but end up making powerful enemies. Luckily, they discover unexpected allies in the form of kung fu masters and hidden strengths. Now, they must confront the entire Axe Gang.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.5 - 17
Adam's ApplesMovie · 2005 · 95m · Drama, Comedy, CrimeA man with neo-Nazi beliefs is ordered to do community service at a church, where he finds himself in conflict with the deeply devoted priest.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.4
