60 Top Films Showcasing Greek Cinema
60 titles
- 1
Arpa CollaMovie · 1982 · 104m"Arpa-colla," a Greek term meaning "grab and stick," describes the rushed and ultimately flawed process of two main characters in this film. Giorgos, a director, and Kostas, a prize-winning author with communist ideals, are determined to make a movie for the big screen. However, their aspirations are constantly derailed. Each time they share an idea, it shifts, evolving into something entirely new – ranging from political films to historical dramas and even modern stories about motorcycle gangs. A spirited, if somewhat chaotic, effort reflecting the burgeoning energy of Greek cinema in the early 1980s, emerging from a period of creative stagnation in the 1970s.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.3 - 2
Edge of NightMovie · 2000 · 112mStella, a beautiful young woman, aspires to a career as a singer. Her boyfriend, Andreas, prefers a simple life running his family's shop and doesn't support her ambitions. When Stella accepts a singing opportunity in northern Greece and leaves Athens, Andreas embarks on a journey to find her and persuade her to return.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.1 - 3
Until the Ship SailsMovie · 1966 · 89mA hardened Highlander departs his village, traveling to the town and harbor where he will set sail for Australia. His journey to the sea is depicted through three interconnected stories.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.7 - 4
ReconstructionMovie · 1970 · 100mAfter a long absence, an immigrant returns to his village to discover he's not greeted with open arms. Instead, his wife and her lover kill him. An investigator works to piece together the crime, all while a film crew records the unfolding events.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.9 - 5
The HuntersMovie · 1977 · 171mOn New Year's Eve 1976, five middle-class people on a hunting trip discover the body of a Civil War partisan. They are deeply disturbed to find the corpse is still bleeding.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.7 - 6
Woe to the YoungMovie · 1961 · 87mWealthy friends Andreas and Agisilaos both desire the affection of the young woman, Rita. Andreas believes youth is more valuable than wealth. He makes a deal with the devil to regain his youth and pursues Rita. However, he realizes youth alone isn't enough and decides to provide Rita with a dowry, allowing her to marry the person she truly loves.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.5 - 7
The Auntie from ChicagoMovie · 1957 · 72mCharilaos, a retired officer with deeply traditional views, has raised his four daughters with strict military discipline, carefully controlling their culture, appearance, and behavior. He fiercely protects them from any potential suitors, forbidding them from being alone with men. His wife and a friend try to persuade him to loosen his control, but he remains steadfast in his conservative ways. However, his world is disrupted when his sister, who has lived in Chicago, returns to Athens. She resolves to modernize the household and help the girls find happiness.IMDb 7.7TMDB 6.6 - 8
Windfall in AthensMovie · 1954 · 95mOn a relaxed Sunday in Athens, a young saleswoman loses a lottery ticket that turns out to be a winner. She encounters the ticket's new owner, a handsome man, and naturally wants it back. But what happens when luck and romance seem to be waiting for her?IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.1 - 9
Sweet BunchMovie · 1983 · 152mThis is the diary of a group of young people who have abandoned all moral principles and are desperately searching for purpose and a cause worth dying for. Their actions draw the attention of the authorities, leading to quiet surveillance. A mysterious, blond man leads a vigilante group that watches their home.IMDb 7.4TMDB 5.9 - 10
Living DangerouslyMovie · 1987 · 105mOn the morning of the World Cup final, Karamanos, an employee at the Greek Telecommunications Organization, connects a dangerous device to his commander's computer. He threatens to detonate it and destroy the broadcast facilities unless he gets ten minutes of airtime on the national network to speak out against the injustices faced by Greeks and the corruption of the state.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.5 - 11
Thou-Vou Bald Agent, Operation: HavocMovie · 1969 · 92mThou-Vou and his new partner, MAP31, agree to three made-up tasks set by a manipulative director who wants to film them for his new movie. Can the agents find a way to succeed despite the pretense?IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.0 - 12
DogtoothMovie · 2009 · 98m · DramaThree teenagers are isolated in a remote country estate that feels otherworldly. Confined within its walls, they spend their time listening to homemade tapes that introduce them to a completely new vocabulary. Any word from outside their home is redefined. For example, "the sea" means a large armchair, and "zombies" are little yellow flowers. To maintain control, their overbearing parents force them to pretend they have an estranged brother who disobeyed them.Stream onIMDb 7.1TMDB 7.1
- 13
The Wretches Are Still SingingMovie · 1979 · 123mFive friends, products of the 1950s now in their forties, reunite after years of separation. One returns from a long history of prison stays, another from a series of suspicious deaths, a third having abandoned his family, the fourth as a wanderer, and the last – the group's central figure – from a mental institution where she's spent years. All are outsiders, scarred by failed relationships, the loss of friends, and disillusionment with their era. They desperately try to recapture their teenage camaraderie, but the past is gone. Each friend embarks on a path toward death, marking a turning point in their generation's story.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.2 - 14
Never on SundayMovie · 1960 · 91m · Comedy, RomanceSet in ancient Greece, an ambitious American scholar becomes fascinated by a local woman working in the sex industry. He chooses to help her, aiming to change her life and career, driven by both his desire for connection and a belief in doing what's right. The story explores the complexities of their relationship, examining themes of personal growth, finding forgiveness, and the importance of accepting others fully.Stream onIMDb 7.3TMDB 6.8
- 15
LefterisMovie · 1993 · 107mThe film begins during the Greek Junta (1967-1974), where the protagonist, Lefteris Dimakopoulos, works at the fish market in Mesolonghi to fund his studies at the Polytechnic University. The story then follows Lefteris' relationship with Dimitra, a fellow student. Their relationship experiences both joys and difficulties throughout their academic years, ultimately reaching a point where they choose to prioritize their ambitions over their love.IMDb 6.6TMDB 5.8 - 16
StellaMovie · 1955 · 100mStella is a spirited Greek woman who refuses to settle for a conventional life. She embraces freedom and enjoys a carefree existence. However, her world is complicated when she falls for a young footballer. Torn between love and independence, Stella must ultimately decide what truly matters to her.IMDb 7.9TMDB 6.8 - 17
Thanos and DespinaMovie · 1967 · 120mIn rural Greece, Katina, a woman struggling with poverty, attempts to arrange a marriage between her shepherd son, Thanos, and Despina, the daughter of a wealthy landowner. However, Despina’s father, Vlahopoulos, refuses to approve the union.Stream onIMDb 7.6TMDB 7.1
- 18
The Gambler LadyMovie · 1964 · 94mAleka is consumed by her love of playing cards, a passion that deeply worries her husband. He makes repeated attempts to persuade her to stop this habit.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.7 - 19
Exile on Main AvenueMovie · 1979 · 90mA man in his forties, deeply disheartened, drifts through a city haunted by memories. He finds himself alienated from every belief he once held dear. Unable to find solace in relationships or ideas, he decides to orchestrate his own death as a form of performance.IMDb 6.3TMDB 3.9 - 20
A Foolish LoveMovie · 1981 · 121mA young man spends his days observing the people in the apartment across the street. He is drawn to their beautiful daughter, but soon finds himself falling in love with the mother.IMDb 7.0TMDB 5.8 - 21
RembetikoMovie · 1983 · 110mThis film follows a group of Rembetes – Greek singers and musicians who played a role similar to blues artists – during the early 1900s. The story is told from the perspective of a young woman who is also a singer within their world.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.3 - 22
Synoikia to OneiroMovie · 1961 · 95mIn the impoverished Athens neighborhood of Asyrmatos, residents desperately seek a way out of poverty. Ricos, a handsome young man recently released from prison, tries to earn money while his girlfriend Stefi has other lovers and her father, Nekrophoras, struggles to help financially. Ricos attempts to secure a job but quickly spends the money before he can use it. This leads to tragedy when one of his associates commits suicide, leaving his pregnant wife, Eleni, to face the consequences. Defeated and disillusioned by unmet hopes, Ricos is forced to confront the harsh realities of his life.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.2 - 23
Word of HonourMovie · 2001 · 153mA drama set in 1940 follows a peasant's journey across Cyprus. He travels to a monastery to offer prayers.IMDb 7.0TMDB 3.7 - 24
The Red LanternsMovie · 1963 · 132mFive sex workers share lives within a brothel located at Pireas harbor, their fates deeply connected.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.0 - 25
Voyage to CytheraMovie · 1984 · 139m · DramaAn elderly Greek man returns to his homeland after decades spent under Soviet rule. Once a committed communist, he finds Greece vastly different from the one he left. The film explores his emotional journey as he confronts the gap between his past beliefs and the present reality of his country. Reconnecting with family and adapting to a changed society, he questions whether his convictions were wrong or if they still hold meaning. The story portrays the complexities of cultural displacement and personal transformation against a backdrop of political upheaval.IMDb 7.7TMDB 6.9 - 26
The Travelling PlayersMovie · 1975 · 223mFrom 1939 to the early 1950s, a traveling theater company performs "Golfo the Shepherdess" across Greece. Over time, the troupe members face persecution, betrayal, executions, and exile. Their individual lives become interwoven with Greece's significant historical events, caught in a relentless pattern of violence and loss.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.2 - 27
The Lost Treasure of Hursit PashaMovie · 1996 · 125mOn January 29, 1993, a prison break occurred in Athens, with one convict, Vassilis, escaping to be with his love in Amaliada. In his haste, he inadvertently left the prison door open, allowing seventy-nine other prisoners to follow. The film focuses on the eleven who successfully made their way to the Peloponnese, accompanied by an elderly musician carrying a map he purchased for $2500 from a Greek in America – a map said to lead to the lost treasure of General Hursit Pasha.IMDb 6.2TMDB 3.4 - 28
Help! Vengos Visible Agent '000'Movie · 1967 · 89mVengos attends a training academy for secret agents, aspiring to be a legendary spy like James Bond. However, he consistently fails to meet expectations and ends up causing chaos during his final exams.IMDb 8.2TMDB 7.8 - 29
The Policeman of the 16th PrecinctMovie · 1959 · 84mIlias assumes the identity of a police officer to execute a carefully planned burglary. His scheme takes an unexpected turn when he's assigned to help investigate a genuine crime. Treated as an equal by his fellow officers, Ilias must maintain his deception to avoid exposure.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.6 - 30
SkyMovie · 1962 · 87mIn the cold spring of 1941, Greece is occupied by Germany. A weary group of soldiers, already hardened by war, are ordered to retreat from the Albanian Front, leaving behind the fighting. As they withdraw through the snow-covered Greek countryside, scarred by bombs, they face the grim realization that their lives will never return to normal.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.0 - 31
Tale 52Movie · 2008 · 97mA Greek thriller explores the dangerous side of love when an emotionally unstable man becomes obsessed with a woman. Iasonas (Giorgos Kakanakis) meets Penelope (Serafita Grigoriadou) at a party and they quickly develop a close relationship, leading to her moving in with him. But discrepancies in their perceptions of reality and mounting tension create a volatile atmosphere. The relationship escalates into violence, leaving the audience to question the true events that transpired between Iasonas and Penelope.Stream onIMDb 5.9TMDB 4.8
- 32
TruantsMovie · 1996 · 115mOver seven years, six friends reconnect sporadically as they navigate adulthood. Their reunions happen on their ancestral island, a place steeped in shared history. Each visit reveals the impact of their individual paths and the evolving modern Greek society, which gradually strains their bonds until they drift apart. By the end of this period, they are scattered, facing a future defined by personal ambition.IMDb 7.9TMDB 6.2 - 33
We Have Only One LifeMovie · 1958 · 111mA bank teller finds a mistake in the books, unexpectedly gaining wealth and embracing a dramatically different lifestyle.IMDb 8.3TMDB 7.7 - 34
What a MessMovie · 1982 · 116mThis collection of three short stories offers a satirical look at Greece during the early 1980s, a period of significant change. Each story playfully mimics a different style: echoing the police dramas of Giannis Maris, parodying the films of the New Greek Cinema, and skewering the popular "fustanella" (Greek kilt) films.IMDb 7.8TMDB 6.4 - 35
A Matter of DignityMovie · 1958 · 112mA daughter learns her affluent family is deeply in debt and resolves to marry a wealthy man for his fortune. She quickly finds herself struggling to reconcile her fabricated life with the need to maintain a facade of wealth.Stream onIMDb 7.7TMDB 7.0
- 36
The Suspended Step of the StorkMovie · 1991 · 142m · DramaA determined reporter uncovers a quiet elderly man in a remote border town who may be a missing Greek politician who disappeared years ago. As the reporter investigates the man's hidden life, suspicion grows about how he managed to stay hidden all this time. The story explores questions of identity and deception within a close-knit community as they confront the secret past of their seemingly ordinary neighbor. The film keeps viewers guessing as the truth emerges, making them wonder how well we really know the people around us.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.8 - 37
Educate Yourself My SonMovie · 1981 · 96mThis is a sharp, satirical look at the country, its religion, schools, and families – a biting commentary on its political situation following the military's departure from power.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.4 - 38
The Germans Strike AgainMovie · 1948 · 90mFour years after the Nazi occupation of Greece, the country is torn by civil war, with Greeks fighting each other. Theodoros, a reserved and unassuming man, is filled with disgust and disappointment and falls asleep, having a nightmare. In his dream, Hitler is alive, and the Nazis launch a renewed offensive using advanced weaponry.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.2 - 39
The PhotographMovie · 1987 · 112mA young Greek man travels to Paris to find help from a reclusive furrier, a distant relative he barely knows. He brings with him only a photograph of a woman he found on the street. A simple misunderstanding about the photograph triggers a series of escalating errors, pulling him into a web of deceit and increasingly elaborate daydreams.Stream on - 40
And the Woman Shall Fear Her HusbandMovie · 1965 · 105mWhen a man proposes to the woman he's been living with, her personality shifts dramatically. She suddenly asserts dominance and demands to be in control. The rapid change in her behavior so irritates the husband that he requests a divorce within hours of the wedding.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.3 - 41
A Touch of SpiceMovie · 2003 · 108m · Comedy, Drama"A Touch of Spice" follows Fanis, a young Greek boy raised in Istanbul, as his grandfather, a culinary expert, imparts the wisdom that both food and life need a touch of salt for flavor. This principle becomes central to their relationship. Fanis matures into a talented cook, using his skills to enrich the lives of others. Thirty-five years later, he returns to Istanbul from Athens to find his grandfather and reconnect with his first love. His journey reveals a surprising truth: he has neglected to add a little spice to his own life.Stream onIMDb 7.5TMDB 6.6
- 42
Mourning RockMovie · 2000 · 87mThis documentary explores Eleusis, where the ancient world and modern life sharply contrast. The site, now impacted by industrial development, was once the location of the Eleusinian Mysteries – secret ceremonies that initiated ancient Greeks into beliefs about life, death, and the afterlife.Stream onIMDb 8.6TMDB 7.0
- 43
World Gone MadMovie · 1963 · 96mThis classic Greek comedy centers on the ongoing clashes between Zikos, a clerk at a local grocery store, and his employer. Zikos consistently challenges his boss's pretentious aristocratic airs. The situation escalates when Zikos discovers his boss is planning to marry a poor young woman from the neighborhood, using his wealth and the help of the town matchmaker.IMDb 8.8TMDB 8.2 - 44
The Trojan WomenMovie · 1971 · 105mFollowing the end of the Trojan War, Queen Hecuba surveys the ruins of her kingdom. Her son is dead, and his wife Andromache must now raise their son Astyanax alone. Hecuba's daughter Cassandra worries about enslavement by the victorious Greeks, while Helen of Troy faces possible execution. Astyanax, as the last of the Trojan royal line, is also a target for the Greeks.Stream on - 45
The Magic CityMovie · 1955 · 80mThis film explores poverty in post-war Athens through the story of Kosmas, a young man struggling to survive in the slums. Constantly striving for a better life, he's drawn into smuggling due to mounting debts. The experience forces him to confront his values as he desperately seeks a way to escape his circumstances.IMDb 7.1TMDB 5.9 - 46
EvdokiaMovie · 1971 · 92mEvdokia, a prostitute, and Yorgos, a sergeant, begin a passionate romance and quickly marry. However, Evdokia's profession creates obstacles for their relationship. They struggle to maintain their love and resolve their internal conflicts, but societal pressures prove too strong to overcome.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.9 - 47
Days of '36Movie · 1972 · 105mAn assassin targeting a leading trade union figure takes a conservative Member of Parliament hostage, creating political chaos.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.3 - 48
The Bridegrooms of EftyhiaMovie · 1962 · 76mThe film centers on the Tarniatis brothers, one of whom seeks to marry his sister, Georgia Vasileiadou. She resists societal pressure to become a woman driven by lust, desiring instead to marry, a goal she's held for eight years while engaged. He introduces her to Kleomenis, but after a trip to Hydra, Kleomenis falls for the family's niece. Meanwhile, Koulis also wants to marry Eftychia, who believes he is inheriting a substantial sum of money.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.1 - 49
The Counterfeit CoinMovie · 1955 · 118m · Comedy, Romance, DramaFour stories intertwine around a single counterfeit gold sovereign as it passes through different people's lives. It begins with an honest engraver who is drawn to a young widow, unknowingly setting the coin in motion. The sovereign then surfaces with a beggar and later a prostitute, each adding their own experiences to its history.
The coin is later acquired by a wealthy miser who treasures it without knowing its origins. Finally, it ends up with a newlywed couple, where the artist husband struggles with money. This story explores how an ordinary object can unexpectedly connect people in humorous, romantic, and dramatic ways.IMDb 8.6TMDB 7.6 - 50
One Day in AugustMovie · 2002 · 106mIt's mid-August in Athens. Three families residing in a three-story building depart for their summer holidays, each hoping for a bit of luck. However, their plans are disrupted when a stranger breaks into their apartments, searching through their personal items and revealing long-held secrets.IMDb 6.6TMDB 5.6 - 51
The Ogre of AthensMovie · 1956 · 104m · Crime, Comedy, ThrillerA quiet man is mistaken for a legendary criminal known as 'The Dragon,' thrusting him into a dangerous world of crime. He unexpectedly gains power within the criminal organization, learning to manipulate things in surprising ways. But the real 'Dragon' remains hidden, and when the truth is revealed, it throws the underworld into turmoil. The man must then confront his own identity amidst the chaos he has caused.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.0 - 52
Crystal NightsMovie · 1992 · 138mIn Nazi-occupied Athens, a German woman married to a Greek officer develops a passionate love affair with a young Jewish ice vendor. Their connection transcends circumstance, becoming a profound destiny. The woman's life takes an unexpected turn as she experiences death and rebirth, navigating two distinct lives amidst a world undergoing dramatic upheaval.IMDb 6.4TMDB 4.8 - 53
The Idlers of the Fertile ValleyMovie · 1978 · 118mA wealthy family retreats to a secluded country villa, indulging in a life of complete leisure. Their days are filled with inactivity, attended to by a young maid. Lost in sleep and surrounded by idleness, the family exists in a stagnant world, save for one woman who embodies strength and purpose. Ultimately, the youngest son attempts to escape this life.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.0 - 54
From the Edge of the CityMovie · 1998 · 94mGreeks from minority groups living in a suburb of Athens face hardship and exploitation within their own community.IMDb 6.4TMDB 5.7 - 55
It's a Long RoadMovie · 1998 · 118mThis film explores the lives of three men shaped by their pasts and how they navigate life. Set across Northern Greece, in both urban and rural environments (Macedonia and Thrace), each story offers a different perspective.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.5 - 56
Loafing and CamouflageMovie · 1984 · 99mAmidst growing political turmoil, a team of Greek soldiers is tasked with managing the army's film unit.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.5 - 57
Happy DayMovie · 1976 · 97mPolitical prisoners are imprisoned on a desolate island, where daily life is marked by relentless interrogations, psychological and physical abuse, and cruel, unpredictable punishments. One prisoner, defiant in his refusal to break, is brutally tortured. During a failed escape attempt, he falls into the sea. When the Queen visits the island, the guards discover the runaway and kill him without hesitation, believing him already dead.IMDb 6.4TMDB 4.8 - 58
The Tree We HurtMovie · 1986 · 75mDuring the summer of the 1960s on the Greek island of Chios, two young boys form a close friendship.IMDb 6.9TMDB 5.9 - 59
BackdoorMovie · 2000 · 105mAthens, 1966. When Dimitris, 13, suddenly loses his father, he sees his mother devastated and resolves to grow up quickly to support her. He sets out to reclaim her from a powerful figure within the military regime. This brutal story of a boy's coming-of-age sees Dimitris acting out of vengeance, inadvertently altering the course of Greek history.IMDb 6.3TMDB 5.6 - 60
The Four Seasons of the LawMovie · 2000 · 178m · Adventure, Comedy, DramaSet in a small village on the Greek island of Chios around 1960, the film follows the agronomist's attempts to find a new field watchman after the previous one dies. The agronomist assigns the role to four different individuals, each of whom ultimately fails in the position.IMDb 7.6TMDB 5.3
