Exploring French Cinema: Must-Watch Films to Discover in 2025

French cinema has something for everyone—whether you love laugh-out-loud comedies, heartwarming romances, or sentimental dramas. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most iconic films in each genre.

Why watch French movies to learn the language?

French movies are a great way for you to work on your listening skills, build vocabulary, and immerse yourself in everyday culture. Authentic dialogues, natural conversations, and real French slang will help you improve your French while enjoying great storytelling.

French Comedies: Laughter Guaranteed

So, let’s start with laughs, comedy, and French comedy. Humor plays a central role in French culture and, by extension, in French cinema. You either like French humor or you don’t, but humor and comedy are essential in France.

1) Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis (2008)

This heartwarming comedy follows a postman transferred from southern to northern France, where he discovers cultural differences through accents and hilarious miscommunications. Why see it? From a listening comprehension point of view, it’s great to hear the different accents, intonations, vocabulary, and characters who don’t understand each other. That’s where the funny culture shock comes in. For a non-French person to watch, it’s certainly very funny and interesting to see the cultural and language differences between the northern and southern parts of France.

2) Les Intouchables (2011)

This movie is not just a comedy but is based on actual events from 2011. The story is about a rich, well-off person involved in a paragliding accident. He becomes a tetraplegic and needs help at home on a daily basis. His new assistant comes from a much lower social class than him, and a rather unlikely friendship develops. It’s an excellent film. 

3) Qu’est-ce qu’on a fait au Bon Dieu? (2014)

To cut a long story short, we’re in a typical French bourgeois family—well, traditional really—who experience a bit of culture shock when their children, their daughters, decide to get married and have multicultural weddings. It is an easy-to-follow comedy perfect for any learner beyond the advanced beginner level.

4) Le Père Noël est une ordure (1982)

A group of quirky people working at a crisis hotline on Christmas Eve get caught in a series of hilarious mishaps. It’s a French comedy with characters who are all very eccentric, with funny, comic, burlesque, over-the-top situations. Its awkward moments make it a perfect example of French comedy.

5) Les Visiteurs (1993)

A knight and his squire from the Middle Ages accidentally end up in the 1990s, leading to cultural and chronological misunderstandings. This film will have you laughing as they struggle to navigate the modern world. You won’t have any use of the medieval language for your learning of the French language, but the humor and misunderstandings make it entertaining for advanced learners.

Curious about Alicia’s top 15 favorite French movies? Don’t miss this video!

Romance in French Cinema: Love and Poetry

Ready for romance and a bit of heartbreak? Let’s dive into the world of French love stories!

6) La Boum (1980)

La Boum follows a teenage girl in her everyday life, including her first loves, her friends, high school, her passions, and her relationship with her parents. Set in the 80s, this classic shows the ups and downs of growing up, with a great soundtrack and a nostalgic feel for French youth culture.

7) Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain (2001)

Then, you may be familiar with Amélie Poulain, 2001, Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain, starring Audrey Tautou, which tells the story of a shy young woman. She sets out to make people happy in the Parisian district of Montmartre. The way it’s filmed is very poetic. The actress is gorgeous, she plays very well, the story is beautiful, and the music is pleasant. 

8) Jeux d’enfants (2003)

This romantic drama follows a childhood friendship that evolves into an intense love story. The film features Guillaume Canet and Marion Cotillard, who have been a couple in real life for a long time; the film offers a deep and emotional exploration of love and its complexities.

9) Populaire (2012)

Set in the 1950s, this charming retro romance focuses on a secretary and her boss who get ready to compete to win a typewriting contest. It’s light, it’s full of charm, it’s a bit vintage, retro, a bit old-fashioned, and it’s cool. 

10) Les choses qu’on dit, les choses qu’on fait (2020)

And the last one is Les choses qu’on dit, les choses qu’on fait. It is about the complexity and difficulty of love relationships through stories that mix and intertwine. It’s more of a film that analyzes human relationships, and it has a modern and interesting vision. 

Drama: Emotion and Depth

Love drama? These French films are sure to capture your attention.

11) La Haine (1995)

La Haine follows three friends from a Parisian suburb after a riot. This intense and thought-provoking film explores themes of social inequality and urban life. Its message is quite profound and engaging.

12) La Vie est un Long Fleuve Tranquille (1988)

This comedy-drama is about two families, one bourgeois and one working-class, who find out that their babies were switched at birth. It’s a fun movie for French learners at an advanced beginner level. The film is lighthearted and shows how different families live in France.

13) La Môme (2007)

This biographical drama portrays the life of Édith Piaf, a famous French singer. Marion Cotillard’s performance is unforgettable, and the movie shows both the triumphs and tragedies of Piaf’s life. For advanced learners, the emotional depth and historical context offers a fun challenge for advanced learners.

14) Polisse (2011)

A hard-hitting film about a child protection unit in Paris dealing with tough cases. The raw depiction of emotional and social issues may be difficult for some, but it’s a powerful way to practice French in a challenging context. Best for intermediate learners.

Why These Films Are Worth Watching

French cinema blends humor, emotion, and deep themes. Each film gives a unique look at French culture, making them great for learners and movie lovers. Whether you’re laughing at Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis, falling for Amélie, or thinking about social issues in La Haine, these films will entertain and inspire.

Must-See French Thrillers: Suspense and Intrigue Guaranteed

In this second part of our French cinema guide, we’re kicking things off with a selection of thrilling French movies that will keep you on the edge of your seat. These five thrillers showcase the darker and more suspenseful side of French filmmaking.

15) Nikita (1990)

A young woman becomes a government assassin after a troubled past. The film’s fast pace and action-packed plot make it a classic thriller. It’s great for advanced learners who enjoy suspense and want to improve their vocabulary at the same time.

16) The Crimson Rivers (2000)

Two detectives investigate grisly murders in the Alps in this chilling crime thriller. Its dark atmosphere and suspenseful narrative make it ideal for intermediate learners who enjoy mysteries and crime films.

17) Tell No One (2006)

A man’s wife disappears, and years later, he uncovers shocking truths. This thriller will keep you on edge with its clever twists. Advanced learners will enjoy the intricate plot and the fast-paced dialogue.

18) L’Heure de la sortie (2019)

A teacher notices strange behavior in his students, leading him to uncover a dark mystery. The movie builds suspense and is good for advanced learners, with a lot of vocabulary related to psychology.

Magical French Films for Kids

After all the thrills, let’s switch things up and look at some magical French films for kids. These movies are great for family movie nights, full of charm, imagination, and heartwarming messages.

19) Le Petit Nicolas (2009)

Based on the beloved books, this film follows young Nicolas and his funny adventures with his family and friends. The lighthearted language and humorous storyline make it great for beginners and young learners of French.

20) Ballon Rouge (1956)

A poetic short film about a little boy and his magical red balloon in Paris. With minimal dialogue, it’s perfect for beginners and a gentle introduction to French cinema, focusing on visual storytelling.

21) Kirikou et la Sorcière (1998)

A young boy named Kirikou sets off to save his village from an evil sorceress. This animated film is engaging for all ages, with simple language that makes it a good choice for beginner learners and children.

22) Ernest et Célestine (2012)

A heartwarming tale of an unlikely friendship between a bear and a mouse. With beautiful animation and simple dialogue, it’s an excellent choice for beginners and younger audiences, making it both entertaining and educational.

What Are Your Favorites?

With over 20 films across comedies, romances, dramas, thrillers, and children’s movies, there’s something here for everyone. Now it’s your turn!

• What’s your top 3 from this list?
• What genre of movies do you usually enjoy? Which ones do you avoid?
• If you had to pick one film from this list to watch tonight, which one would it be?

Thank you for diving into the world of French cinema with us. À bientôt !