Many viewers resist foreign language films purely because of subtitles. But here's the truth: you'll forget within minutes that you're reading. World cinema offers some of the most extraordinary filmmaking experiences available, and these recommendations will ease you in gently.
Start Here: Entry-Level Foreign Films
Parasite (2019) — Korean
The perfect film to start with. Bong Joon-ho's Palme d'Or and Best Picture winner is endlessly entertaining as a dark comedy thriller before revealing itself as a razor-sharp class critique. You'll forget it's subtitled within 10 minutes. Watch on: Various platforms
Life Is Beautiful (1997) — Italian
Roberto Benigni's Oscar-winning film about a father constructing an elaborate fantasy to shield his son from the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. One of the most emotionally overwhelming films ever made. Watch on: Prime Video
Amélie (2001) — French
Jean-Pierre Jeunet's whimsical Parisian love story is warm, inventive, and endlessly charming. The perfect antidote to a bad day. Watch on: Netflix
Korean Cinema: A Goldmine
Oldboy (2003)
Park Chan-wook's revenge thriller is one of the most extraordinary films ever made. A man imprisoned for 15 years without explanation seeks revenge upon his release. The twist ending is genuinely shocking.
Train to Busan (2016)
The best zombie film since 28 Days Later. Fast-paced, emotional, and terrifying — it uses the zombie genre to explore class and parenthood with unexpected depth.
Spanish Language Cinema
Pan's Labyrinth (2006) — Spanish
Guillermo del Toro's dark fairy tale set in post-Civil War Spain is a masterpiece of fantasy and horror. Visually stunning and profoundly moving.
Roma (2018) — Spanish/Mixtec
Alfonso Cuarón's deeply personal portrait of his childhood housekeeper won three Academy Awards. Shot in stunning black and white, it's an intimate and devastating portrait of an extraordinary ordinary woman.
Japanese Anime Films Worth Your Time
- Spirited Away (2001) – Miyazaki's masterpiece, the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time
- Princess Mononoke (1997) – Epic environmental mythology
- Your Name (2016) – The most beautiful love story you'll ever see
- Grave of the Fireflies (1988) – Warning: you will cry
Tips for New Viewers
- Watch on a larger screen where your eyes can glance at subtitles naturally
- Turn on captions in your native language first
- Start with films that have strong visual storytelling
- Don't start with art-house films — save those for when you're hooked
Once you start watching foreign cinema, you'll never be able to go back to only watching Hollywood films. The world is too full of extraordinary stories.
