22 Best French Films On Netflix You Should Watch
Looking for the best French films on Netflix to watch to dive into French pop culture? This post will show you all the must-watch French movies on Netflix.
After a long and tiring week, we all look forward to a relaxing weekend. One unwinding activity I am sure we can all relate to is watching a movie with your partner, family, or friends.
If this time you want to switch things up and watch a French movie, I’ve put together a list of 22 Best French films on Netflix that you should watch.
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From romcoms and dramedies to thrillers and mysteries, there’s something for everyone on this list of French Netflix movies.
And if you’re learning French, as an added advantage, you will get to brush up on your skills.
But if you want to throw in some series while at it, I’ve got another post about the best French TV shows on Netflix you might enjoy.
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Best French Films on Netflix
If the thought of narrowing down all the movie possibilities to THE ONE puts you off, I have tried making your life easier with this list of best French films on Netflix.
Instead of browsing the entire service and worrying about which movie to watch, you can just pick one from this list. So, grab some popcorn, sit back and enjoy!
1. The Summit of the Gods (Le sommet des dieux) (2021)
Genre: Animated, Adventure
IMDB: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
We start this list of French movies on Netflix with an animated film inspired by the eponymous Japanese manga series by Jiro Taniguchi, which is based on a novel by Baku Yumemakura.
It tells the story of a photojournalist, Makoto Fukamachi, who wants to discover what happened to mountaineers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine.
In an unfortunate incident 7 decades prior, the two mountain climbers disappeared while attempting to summit the peak of Mt. Everest.
Upon seeing George’s camera with a climber (Habu) who is also pursuing the same feat, Fukamachi thinks it might prove whether George and Andrew were the first to climb Everest.
He becomes Habu’s friend and subsequently accompanies him up the elusive mountain in Nepal in search of the truth.
2. I lost my body (J’ai perdu mon corps) (2019)
Genre: Animated, Fantasy
IMDB: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
I lost my body is a flashback story told through the hand of a young man, Naoufel that has been severed and is trying to reunite with his body.
The story might seem a bit odd but it has some intimate moments when a pizza boy, Naoufel (the owner of the hand) falls in love with a librarian girl, Gabrielle.
The plus points of the film are its oddball story, beautiful retelling, and remarkable animation.
Directed by Jérémy Clapin, this is the second entry among animated French language films on Netflix on this list.
Like its predecessor, this one was also shown at Cannes and became the first film to win the Nespresso Grand Prize in International Critics’ Week. However, it lost the Best Animated Feature award.
3. Divines (2016)
Genre: Crime, Drama
IMDB: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
Divines is the 3rd movie among French language films on Netflix that was previously screened at Cannes.
The film tells the story of young girl Dounia, her best friend Maimouna, and a dancer, Djigui.
They all reside on the outskirts of Paris, with Dounia living with her dysfunctional family, Maimouna with her devout Muslim parents, and Djigui trying to audition for a dance tour.
With these 2 girls’ hunger to become successful and rich, they become thieves starting with petty theft but later become full-blown-out drug dealers when they meet Rebecca, a drug lord!
How will everything work out? You’ll have to see the movie yourself to find out.
The film won Best First Film at the César and Lumières Awards while both the actresses playing Dounia and Maimouna won one.
The director, Houda Benyamina, also won the Caméra d’Or award for the best first feature film.
4. Bad Seeds (Mauvaises herbes) (2018)
Genre: Comedy
IMDB: 7.3/10
When you have Catherine Deneuve starring in a film, it is bound to be one of the best French language movies on Netflix.
In Bad Seeds, she plays Monique, a foster mother and partner in crime to Wael, a problematic child, now a young man who both get through life by conning people.
Both their lives change when they try to con Victor. Victor realizes that he knows Monique and instead of calling the police, he promises to forgive them if they can work for him for free.
Wael is forced to mentor troublesome teenagers on the brink of expulsion from school. As these kids used to be like him, he realises that he can get to them more than anyone.
The movie also alternates between Wael’s current life and what his life was like before the present-day events happened.
Related Post: Best Movies set in France
5. Dheepan (2015)
Genre: Crime, Drama
IMDB: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Dheepan is one of the best French movies on Netflix that focuses on refugees. The story is about three Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who want to escape the civil war in their country and start new lives elsewhere.
One of the refugees, Dheepan/Sivadhasan, played by Antonythasan Jesuthasan, is supported by a woman and child who pose as his family to provide a cover story for asylum.
They successfully flee to France, but conflict in a different form follows them there too.
The film won the Palme d’Or award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. It was also nominated in several categories for César awards, Lumières awards, and a BAFTA.
6. Shéhérazade (2018)
Genre: Drama, Romance, Thriller
IMDB: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
The next title in award-winning good French films on Netflix is Shéhérazade. Set in the city of Marseilles, the story starts with 17-year-old Zach returning home after release from juvenile detention.
He finds out that his mother does not want him. Then begins his miserable life of toughing it out in the dangerous streets of his neighborhood.
His life changes when he meets Shéhérazade, a young girl who is forced into prostitution due to her misfortunes.
This thrilling tale of crime, love, and unexpected hope won three César Awards – Best First Film and one each for the teenage duo. It was also nominated for a Golden Camera at Cannes.
7. I Am Jonas (2018)
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance
IMDB: 7/10
Among the French movies on Netflix, I Am Jonas is prominent for its underlying LGBTQ theme.
The film stars Jonas, a 15-year-old reserved teen who is befriended by his newly-joined classmate Nathan.
The audience, and the protagonists, later realize that the two are falling in love. The boys begin a relationship, and we are shown how they navigate it in their day-to-day lives.
The storyline alternates between showcasing Jonas’ teen life and adult life.
8. The Climb (L’ascension) (2017)
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
IMDB: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 69%
We’ve all heard of stories where a guy promises the world to his love interest. The lead in this film, Samy, does something similar when he tries to win over Nadia, a girl he had been in love with since childhood. He proclaims that he would climb Mt. Everest for her.
To prove his seriousness, he begins searching for funding for the trip. Fortunately, or unfortunately, Samy’s story spreads like crazy, with news reaching the press.
What started as a declaration of love quickly snowballs into the nation rooting for Samy’s upcoming adventure.
9. The Stronghold (BAC Nord) (2020)
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
IMDB: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 50%
Sometimes French Netflix movies have different titles in English, and The Stronghold is one of those.
The French name of this show comes from the French les brigades anti-criminalité (BAC) or the anti-crime brigade.
In this movie, three BAC police officers from the Marseille division try to clean up their neighborhood of drug lords and peddlers.
While doing their job, they’re faced with issues of all the bureaucracy followed while handling any scenario in the area until one day they get a go-ahead to invade the traffickers.
All this starts as a success as they were able to confiscate lots of drugs but unfortunately had to keep them in one of their houses to be able to pay off an informant.
Little did they know that this will result in their own downfall as they were pinned as part of the traffickers.
Will they be found guilty or will the entire police department back them up? Find out by watching the entire movie.
Related Post: Famous French Actors
10. The Wolf’s Call (Le chant du loup) (2019)
Genre: Action, Thriller
IMDB: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
The Wolf’s Call stars François Civil, who we also see in The Stronghold, and Omar Sy.
The storyline is about the sonar operator of a submarine and how he uses his talented hearing to avert an impending war.
From detecting objects just by listening to their sounds to preventing a wrongful attack, we see Chanteraide (François) navigate the rough waters under the guidance of his superior, D’Orsi (Omar), and with help from Admiral ALFOST (Mathieu Kassovitz).
With its gritting action and character display, this movie won a César Award for Best Sound.
11. Nothing to Hide (Le jeu) (2018)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
IMDB: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 83%
Adapted from an Italian film called Perfect Strangers by Paolo Genovese, Nothing to Hide is one of the best French language movies on Netflix among dramedies (drama comedies).
A dinner party by four guys who have been long-time friends, three of whom bring their wives, turns into an eventful game night.
The hilariousness ensues when the group plays a game that involves them keeping their phones unlocked in the middle of the table throughout the night and reading out every message, and email, and sharing every call they receive.
What starts as a fun game night ends in mistrust, anger, and relationships hanging on ropes as some discover that their partners have been lying and were receiving romantic messages from other people.
12. Lady J (Mademoiselle de Joncquières) (2018)
Genre: Period Drama, Romance
IMDB: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
This is one of the classic French films on Netflix for all Jane Austen fans and period drama lovers.
Set in France somewhere in the 18th century, Lady J has three protagonists, Madame de La Pommeraye, Marquis des Arcis, and Mademoiselle de Joncquières (Lady J).
The former two are lovers, but after Madame de La Pommeraye realizes his feelings for her have gone, she feels hurt and tricks him into marrying Lady J, a former prostitute, to exact revenge.
What follows is a turning twist of events that the tricker may not be happy with.
The film won a César Award for Best Costume Design while also being nominated in four categories, including Best Film and Best Actress at the Lumières awards.
Related Post: Famous French Actresses
13. Oxygen (Oxygène) (2021)
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi
IMDB: 6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
If you’re searching for Sci-Fi French movies streaming on Netflix, then you should watch Oxygen.
Starring Mélanie Laurent in the lead, supported by Mathieu Amalric, and Malik Zidi, it tells the story of a cryogenically preserved Elizabeth Hansen and her race against time to escape from her pod.
She suffers from memory loss and must use the onboard AI to extract details to recollect who she is and piece together the information she needs before the oxygen in her unit runs out.
14. School Life (La vie scolaire) (2019)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
IMDB: 6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
School Life is one of the most critically-acclaimed teen drama films in French on Netflix.
The storyline might sound familiar since it follows the recurrent theme of a troubled but smart teen with a possibly promising future (Liam Pierron) finding a mentor (Zita Hanrot) who wants to help him reach his potential.
For his outstanding acting, Liam was nominated for a César Award for Most Promising Actor.
15. Vicky and her Mystery (Mystère) (2021)
Genre: Adventure, Drama
IMDB: 6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 65%
We’ve all heard of endearing stories involving children and animals, and Vicky and her Mystery is no different.
It is one of the most heartwarming French movies on Netflix, inspired by a true story.
This feel-good film involves an 8-year-old girl Victoria, fondly called Vicky, and a mysterious pup she finds, who we later find out is a wolf cub, that she takes in as her pet.
Vicky’s mother has recently passed away, turning her into an introvert. But the pup brings her comfort and solace, helping her open up again after she moves into the mountains with her father.
16. The World Is Yours (Le monde est à toi) (2018)
Genre: Crime, Comedy
IMDB: 6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
What happens when a petty criminal wants to start a new, crime-free life but realizes he doesn’t have the money to do so? You’ll find that out in The World is Yours.
Multiple César nominee Karim Leklou who stars as a drug dealer François finds out that his mother, Dany, gambled his savings away. He has to now earn it all back by doing one last job.
Five-time César award winner Isabelle Adjani (Karim’s mother) and Vincent Cassel star in supporting roles. Karim and Isabelle were also both nominated for César awards for this film.
17. Stuck Together (8 Rue de l’Humanité) (2021)
Genre: Comedy
IMDB: 6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%
Of the recent French movies on Netflix, Stuck Together is an unconventional one for its comedic take on the p*ndemic and lockdown.
The French title of the film is named after the building where seven families remain after the lockdown has been announced, and the story showcases how they are trying to survive it.
Each resident is peculiar in their own way, with the pandemic having negative and positive effects on them.
We see how they cope with all the frustration, anxiety, arguments, joys, and hope, bringing them closer.
18. Lost Bullet (Balle perdue) (2020)
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
IMDB: 6.3/10
In this movie, Alban Lenoir stars as Lino, a petty criminal but highly skilled mechanic. (Alban is France’s answer to Jason Statham (remember The Mechanic?)).
This fast-paced action movie starts with Lino getting caught in a robbery gone wrong, but a good cop offers him a chance at redemption.
But when Lino is wrongfully accused of a crime he didn’t commit by a dirty cop, he has to prove his innocence by putting his skills to use.
Expect car chases, innovative crashes, and multiple twists.
19. Rogue City (Bronx) (2020)
Genre: Action, Crime
IMDB: 6.1/10
French Netflix movies set in the infamous city of Marseilles have another addition — Rogue City.
Similar to The Stronghold, this film also features an anti-gang police unit looking to clean up their neighborhood.
Several incidents happen in a short period for this squad. In addition to transferring a gang leader to another prison, they also have to investigate a mass shooting between rival drug gangs at a nightclub.
All this is amidst an internal affairs investigation involving corruption charges.
20. In the Shadow of Iris (Iris) (2016)
Genre: Thriller
IMDB: 6.1/10
Among the thrilling Netflix movies in French, In the Shadow of Iris will stand out for its convoluted plot and unexpected twists.
Multiple César-nominee Romain Duris and Charlotte Le Bon play the lead duo in this film.
Iris Doriot (Charlotte) hatches a kidnap scheme with Max (Romain), a mechanic with a police record because she wants to leave her wealthy banker husband, Antoine (Jalil Lespert).
Suffice to say, the plan goes south, when Max realizes that he might have fake-kidnapped the wrong person, and with each twist in the tale, everyone receives shocking revelations at some point or another.
21. Wedding Unplanned (Jour J) (2017)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
IMDB: 6.1/10
Have you ever heard of a paramour/lover planning her love interest’s wedding with his girlfriend-turned-fiancée? Well, that’s what this romcom has in store for you!
Of all the French movies streaming on Netflix in this genre, Wedding Unplanned probably has the most bizarre yet funny plot.
Alexia agrees to marry her boyfriend Mathias when she finds a wedding planner’s business card in his pocket.
Unbeknownst to her, the card is of Mathias’ lover, Juliette, meaning she has to plan his unwanted wedding.
22. Spoiled Brats (Pourris gâtés) (2021)
Genre: Comedy
IMDB: 6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 35%
The final entry on the list of French movies on Netflix has a millionaire father trying to help his spoiled rich kids become independent.
For this, he devises a plan involving him pretending to have lost his wealth. The merriment of the movie lies in the entitled lots’ struggles and how they manage to come to terms with the sudden loss of a lifestyle they were used to.
They now have to get used to doing things they never imagined doing.
Final Thoughts on the Best French Movies on Netflix
I hope all you cinephiles are happy seeing this list. French movies may be less hyped than those from Hollywood but they also bring the same kind of drama, thrill, and gritting plots you’ll enjoy following. After all, commercial cinema was invented in France.
Have you watched any of these French films on Netflix? Which one was your favorite or which one are you most excited to watch after reading this article? Let me know in the comments below.
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