French films you need to watch

Want to learn french? Want to know its cult films and get more in touch with French culture? Here is a list of French foreign films from the ‘60s (French New Wave included) until now.

*Access the trailers for the film you are interested in by clicking on the title of the film :)*

Le Mepris

Comedy

Les intouchables (2011)

A handicap guy and a black guy go through an amazing adventure. Super funny and super heartwarming.

Asterix et les Jeux Olympiques (2008)

LINK TO THE WHOLE MOVIE BY JUST CLICKING ON THE ABOVE TITLE!

This is based on a comic book cartoon. It's technically kiddish but that doesn't excuse it from being an amazing piece of art.

Dîner de Cons (In English: The Dinner Game) (1998)

French cult movie. Everyone in France has seen this movie. A classic featuring Thierry L’Hermitte. Great watch for those who like satire.

Drama + Romance

From the Land of the Moon (2016)

Watch on Netflix! From provincial countryside to the seacoast of Marseilles, this Marion Cotillard film has many beautiful shots of the South of France + a crazy plot twist. It’s unconventional, melancholic, and intense at times, but by the end it’ll be a film that could very well move you to tears.

The Chorus (2004)

French title: Les Choristes

Not really like the other movies we have on this list. Story takes place in a boys boarding school in France. A new teacher begins teacher and comes to begin a choir, and music becomes a way for the kids to enjoy their time and discover their talents in music. It’s a really heartfelt movie, the songs are sweet and magical at times.

Jules et Jim and 400 Blows (French title of 400 Blows: Les quatre cents coups): two key films to watch if you want to know more about French New Wave, a cinematography style that adopted realism, becoming less refined. They’re great inspiration for making films. Heads up: both films ar in black and white; 400 Blows was one of the first movies of french new wave, being made in 1959, and Jules et Jim was made in 1961.

Une Femme est une femme (1961)

French title: A woman is a woman

Jean-Luc Godard film, a famous French New Wave director.

Contempt (1963)

French title: Le Meprishttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wjDWnKTROI

A drama/comedy French “New Wave” film (in color) starring Brigitte Bardot.

Details: “A philistine in the art film business, Jeremy Prokosch (Jack Palance) is a producer unhappy with the work of his director. Prokosch has hired Fritz Lang (as himself) to direct an adaptation of "The Odyssey," but when it seems that the legendary filmmaker is making a picture destined to bomb at the box office, he brings in a screenwriter (Michel Piccoli) to energize the script. The professional intersects with the personal when a rift develops between the writer and his wife (Brigitte Bardot).”

Pierrot le Fou (1965)

Details: “Uninterested in his wife (Raymond Devos), Ferdinand Griffon (Jean-Paul Belmondo) wearies of his stagnant life. But when the couple hires an enigmatic baby-sitter, Marianne Renoir (Anna Karina), Ferdinand falls head over heels in love with her and abandons his family. He soon discovers, however, that his mistress is not who she seems. Pursued by foreign thugs, Ferdinand and Marianne steal a car and embark on a crime spree through the French countryside all the way to the Mediterranean.”

Masculin Féminin (1966)

Sidenote: It has the main character-kid from 400 Blows!)

Legitimate details: “Paul (Jean-Pierre Léaud), a young idealist trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life, takes a job interviewing people for a marketing research firm. He moves in with aspiring pop singer Madeleine (Chantal Goya), and their affair often involves her two sexy roommates. Paul, however, is disillusioned by the growing commercialism in society, while Madeleine just wants to be successful. The story is told in a series of 15 unrelated vignettes.”

Amélie (2001)

Romantic comedy, a Audrey Tatou film.

He loves me, He loves me not (2002)

Audrey Tatou film. No trailer is linked to this because you should go into this movie without having a clue on how the plot will unravel. It is a romance and a drama.

Trigger warning: Miscarriage is involved in the film.

Crime

Le Samourai (1967)

Easy to follow for French beginners; in consequence, it’s another Alain Delon movie.

La chinoise (1967)

“Disillusioned by their suburban lifestyles, a group of middle-class students form a small Maoist cell and plan to change the world by any means necessary.”

Purple Noon (1960)

French title: Plein Soleil. French version of Tom Ripley

The Sicilian Clan (1969)

French title: Les Clan des Siciliens

Gangster film starring Alain Delon. Amazing soundtrack by Ennio Morricone.

Here is a link to a short list of 10 French New Wave Films you should watch according to some British guy.

Let me know/ comment if there are any movies you think should be added to the list (I need more comedy films)!