120 Films Celebrating French Cinema
119 titles
- 101
RealityMovie · 2015 · 87m · ComedyA struggling director is challenged by a producer: find the most convincing, Oscar-worthy expression of pain within 48 hours, or the film won't get funding.Stream onIMDb 6.9TMDB 7.1
- 102
AdorationMovie · 2020 · 98m · DramaPaul lives with his mother in a secluded clinic run by Dr. Loisel, nestled deep in the woods. He enjoys exploring the forest and watching the natural world. The arrival of Gloria, a teenage girl around fifteen with schizophrenia, sparks an immediate and intense affection in Paul.Stream onIMDb 6.3TMDB 5.8
- 103
So Long, StoogeMovie · 1983 · 94m · Drama, Crime"Parfum des Garages" is set in the 18th Arrondissement of Paris and follows Lambert, a quiet night manager at a gas station. He prefers the calm of his job, often having a drink while serving customers. One night, Bensoussan, a struggling drug dealer, enters the station on a stolen moped, claiming to need a spark plug.
Despite their differences, Lambert and Bensoussan form an unlikely friendship in the garage, surrounded by the sounds of the gas station. Their bond reveals unexpected connections in everyday life, offering a glimpse of Paris rarely seen in films.
The film explores friendship, loneliness, and strength as it examines the lives of two men finding connection with each other.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.3 - 104
IrreversibleMovie · 2002 · 93m · Drama, Thriller, CrimeAfter a woman is brutally raped, her lover and her ex-boyfriend decide to take matters into their own hands. Driven by the belief that some wrongs can't be forgiven, fueled by primal rage, and frustrated by the failures of the justice system, they seek vengeance.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.2 - 105
Le Deuxième SouffleMovie · 1966 · 150m · Action, Drama, CrimeA ruthless gangster orchestrates an elaborate prison escape to restart his criminal empire elsewhere. He doesn't realize a determined inspector is personally hunting him, relentlessly tracking him across the city as he causes disruption. This suspenseful film examines persistence, justice, and the ongoing struggle between crime and punishment. The chase unfolds in a dark, urban setting, keeping audiences captivated.Stream onIMDb 7.9TMDB 7.6
- 106
The TenantMovie · 1976 · 126m · Thriller, Mystery, DramaA quiet man moves to France hoping for peace and solitude, carefully selecting a secluded apartment. Soon after settling in, he begins noticing strange things happening around him – small, odd events that escalate into mounting suspicion and paranoia. His attempts to understand these unsettling incidents lead him down a dangerous path, testing his safety and his mind. The film creates a tense atmosphere as his peaceful new life becomes entangled with inexplicable circumstances, exploring themes of trust, fear, and the difficulty of knowing what's real.Stream on - 107
PersepolisMovie · 2007 · 95m · Animation, DramaIn 1970s Iran, young Marjane "Marji" Satrapi experiences the Iranian Revolution of 1979 as a hopeful moment for her family, who had long desired the overthrow of the Shah. But as Marji matures, she witnesses firsthand how the new Iran, governed by Islamic fundamentalists, transforms into a repressive and tyrannical regime.Stream onIMDb 8.0TMDB 7.9
- 108
The Diving Bell and the ButterflyMovie · 2007 · 112m · Drama, HistoryAt 43, Jean-Dominique Bauby, the editor-in-chief of Elle magazine, suffers a severe stroke. The injury leaves him with locked-in syndrome, almost completely paralyzed, able to communicate only by blinking his eyes. He painstakingly dictates his memoir, using blinking as his sole means of expression.Stream on - 109
Pierrot le FouMovie · 1965 · 110m · Drama, Romance, CrimeSet in postwar France, Pierrot, a young man feeling stifled by his society, leaves Paris seeking change. He meets Marianne, a strong and mysterious woman fleeing dangerous people from her past in Algeria. They travel together through beautiful landscapes, from the city to the Mediterranean, facing danger and uncertainty while forming a close connection. As they navigate their unpredictable journey, Pierrot and Marianne learn to survive and adapt to escape those pursuing them. This film combines action, romance, and suspense to explore the idea of freedom and the effort it takes to create one's own life.Stream on - 110
Portrait of a Lady on FireMovie · 2019 · 121m · Drama, Romance, HistoryIn late 18th-century Brittany, a female painter living in isolation is commissioned to paint a wedding portrait of a young woman.Stream on - 111
HérosMovie · 2007 · 116mA comedian takes a singer hostage, confining him to the comedian's apartment.IMDb 5.6TMDB 5.5 - 112
La Traversée de ParisMovie · 1956 · 80m · Comedy, DramaDuring World War II, in Nazi-occupied Paris, two people form an unlikely alliance. They must smuggle four suitcases of illegal pork through the city's dangerous streets and checkpoints, avoiding both the Nazis and rival black market groups. As they navigate this perilous world, their bond deepens, revealing the power of trust amidst hardship. The film is a story about survival, strength, and human connection in a time of desperation, showcasing bravery and determination.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.3 - 113
The FreshmenMovie · 2018 · 92m · Comedy, DramaAntoine is starting his third year of medical school. Benjamin, a recent high school graduate, is trying it for the first time. He quickly discovers it's a challenging path. In a highly competitive atmosphere where studying takes precedence over socializing, the two new students must adjust and balance their present struggles with their aspirations for the future.Stream onIMDb 6.6TMDB 6.7
- 114
Cléo from 5 to 7Movie · 1962 · 90m · Drama*Cléo from 5 to 7* offers a glimpse into 1960s Paris through Agnès Varda’s eyes. The film intimately follows Cléo (Corinne Marchand), a singer anxiously awaiting the results of a biopsy while living her life in the city. Captured in real-time, the movie blends documentary realism with emotional storytelling to create a powerful narrative.
As Cléo waits, she confronts anxiety, reflects on herself, and experiences the relentless flow of time. Michel Legrand’s score underscores her emotional journey and enhances the film's atmosphere. The movie includes appearances by Jean-Luc Godard and Anna Karina. *Cléo from 5 to 7* showcases Varda’s skill in exploring a woman's inner struggles against the vibrant backdrop of Parisian life.Stream onIMDb 7.8TMDB 7.7
- 115
PlayTimeMovie · 1967 · 115m · ComedyThis charming comedy follows Monsieur Hulot as he tries to get through modern Paris, a city full of new technology and busy people. His trip to meet a business associate becomes a series of unexpected events, similar to an American tourist's experience in the same city. The two men, each dealing with their own problems, occasionally meet and become interested in each other.
As they both navigate Paris, they get involved in funny situations with all sorts of quirky locals. The story builds to a chaotic but heartwarming scene in a lively restaurant where everyone comes together. The film playfully looks at ideas about connecting with others, differences in culture, and finding happiness even when things are complicated.Stream on - 116
The Mad Adventures of Rabbi JacobMovie · 1973 · 100m · ComedyVictor Pivert, a proud French factory owner, is taken hostage by Slimane, an Arab rebel leader. A series of chaotic events leads them to disguise themselves as rabbis to escape assassins from Slimane's country and the police, who believe Pivert committed murder. Pivert’s wife suspects he’s having an affair, their daughter is about to marry, and a Parisian neighborhood anticipates the return of Rabbi Jacob – the person Pivert pretends to be after 30 years away. As the deceptions fall apart, this funny and touching story explores prejudice and the power of human bonds.Stream onIMDb 7.4TMDB 7.4
- 117
Fear City: A Family-Style ComedyMovie · 1994 · 100m · ComedyA low-budget horror film unexpectedly gets selected for the Cannes Film Festival. Soon, a series of murders begin, each targeting the projectionist the night before the film's screening, and the killings mirror the movie's villain – using a hammer and sickle.
As panic spreads through the festival, organizers wonder if these events are random or part of a calculated scheme by someone hidden in the shadows. This suspenseful mystery explores the dark connection between horror and reality, questioning the lengths someone will go to for the ultimate spectacle and challenging audiences to examine their own relationship with violence and suspense.Stream on - 118
Au Revoir les EnfantsMovie · 1987 · 105m · Drama, War"Au revoir les enfants" is a deeply moving story set in Nazi-occupied France, exploring friendship, betrayal, and loss. The film unfolds in a provincial Catholic boarding school where two young boys develop a strong bond amidst the surrounding conflict. Their friendship offers a sense of hope until a secret changes everything, darkening their youthful world.
Inspired by real events, the film is told with sensitivity and detail by director Malle. It portrays courage and cowardice in wartime France, offering a poignant look at a tragic realization. This story is likely to stay with viewers.Stream onIMDb 8.0TMDB 7.5
- 119
Of Gods and MenMovie · 2010 · 120m · Drama, HistoryIn Algeria, a community of Trappist monks lives peacefully at the Tibhirine monastery, maintaining strong relationships with the local Muslim people. When a violent conflict erupts between the Algerian army and Islamist insurgents, the monks are faced with the difficult decision of whether to leave their home and abandon the villagers they've served. Amidst the escalating violence, the monks grapple with their beliefs and ultimately choose to remain, working to protect their neighbors from both sides.Stream onIMDb 7.2TMDB 6.7
