The world cinema has never been closer—or more thrilling. With streaming services increasing their offerings and restoration projects re-releasing forgotten gems, viewers from all corners of the globe now have a front-row experience to tales from around the world. Whether a seasoned cinephile or simply eager to break out of the Hollywood bubble, these movies provide moving insights into diverse cultures, histories, and ways of filmmaking.
Here are 15 great foreign films you can watch right now, and each is a testament to how incredibly diverse and rich international cinema is.
1. Amélie (France)
Few movies are as good at whimsy and heart as Amélie. It’s set in a romantic Parisian suburb and tells the story of a demure waitress who seeks to make the lives of those around her better in little, creative ways. Audrey Tautou’s charm and Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s unique visual style make it a feel-good favorite to watch over and over again.
2. Neeyat (India)
Neeyat puts a modern, Indian spin on the traditional whodunit. A billionaire’s birthday weekend turns deadly, and a keen CBI officer has to untangle a web of lies and agendas. It’s a thriller mix of mystery and glamour that will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie-type books with a cultural twist.
3. I Wish (Japan)
This soft, powerful tale from Hirokazu Kore-eda tracks two young brothers, estranged by their parents’ divorce, who aspire to be reunited. Focused on sincere performances and an optimistic tone, I Wish catches childhood yearning and resilience with subtle brilliance.
4. I Saw the Devil (South Korea)
A black, intense revenge thriller, I Saw the Devil tracks an intelligence officer stalking his fiancée’s murderer—and gradually becoming something equally grotesque. Violent and deeply psychological, this South Korean standout tests the limits of the genre.
5. Let the Right One In (Sweden)
A creepy mix of horror and vulnerability, this Swedish classic is about a shy boy who befriends a strange new neighbor, who turns out to be a vampire. It’s creepy, lyrical, and silently heart-wrenching.
6. Cairo Conspiracy (Egypt)
Also known as Boy from Heaven, this tautly wound political thriller involves a humble student who gets caught up in a deadly battle for control at Egypt’s most prestigious Islamic school. Half espionage tale, half institutional drama, it’s a timely exploration of religion, politics, and ambition.
7. Lucia (Cuba)
Narrated in three segments from distinct eras, Lucia examines Cuba’s history through the experiences of three women named Lucia. Each chapter is a projection of a distinct stage in the country’s social and political evolution, creating a rich, layered viewing experience.
8. Pixote (Brazil)
Pixote is a harsh and poignant presentation of street living among Brazilian youth. With its casting of non-professionals and documentary-like look, the film attempts a rough eexposéof institutional neglect and survival in support of a chilling performance by its youth star.
9. Soleil Ô (Mauritania/France)
This powerful drama traces the journey of a West African man as he faces racism and alienation in Paris. Directed by Med Hondo, Soleil Ô is both personal and political—a searing critique of colonialism, immigration, and the struggle for dignity.
10. Downpour (Iran)
One of the foundation movies of Iran’s New Wave revolution, Downpour captures a society that is transitioning through the views of a schoolteacher who struggles with new responsibilities within a conservative community. Long lost and now restored, it’s an indispensable part of Iranian film history.
As global film continues to send shockwaves on the awards circuit—in the form of prominent festival buzz for such films as The Brutalist, Emilia Pérez, and The Substance—it’s safe to say that there’s a hunger in audiences worldwide for fearless, innovative voices internationally. And with distribution platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Mubi, and the Criterion Channel increasing their global content, there’s never been a better time to travel the world, one movie at a time.