Cinema is a universal language, and some of the greatest films ever made come from beyond Hollywood. These masterpieces transcend borders, offering profound storytelling, stunning cinematography, and unforgettable performances. For this list, we define a foreign film as a film set in a country outside the United States and The U.K., where the primary language spoken is not English. The best foreign films offer unique cultural perspectives and artistic innovation, making them essential viewing for any film lover. Here are the ten best foreign films of all time, ranked from 10 to 1.
10. Still Walking (2008) – Japan
Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, Still Walking is a deeply personal family drama that explores grief, reconciliation, and the small, intimate moments that define relationships. The film follows a family reuniting to commemorate the anniversary of a lost loved one, with underlying tensions and unspoken emotions simmering beneath the surface. Kore-eda’s naturalistic style and restrained storytelling allow the film to feel deeply authentic, capturing the beauty and pain of everyday life. With its quiet poignancy and deeply felt emotions, Still Walking stands as one of the finest Japanese films of the 21st century and one of the best foreign films for those who appreciate humanistic storytelling.
9. Life Is Beautiful (1997) – Italy
Roberto Benigni’s Life Is Beautiful is a heartbreaking yet uplifting tale of love, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit during the horrors of World War II. The film follows Guido Orefice, a charismatic Jewish-Italian man who falls in love, starts a family, and later finds himself and his son deported to a Nazi concentration camp. Using humor and imagination, Guido shields his son from the horrors of their situation. He treats their time in the camp as a game. Balancing comedy and tragedy in an unprecedented way, Life Is Beautiful remains one of the most powerful portrayals of hope and love in cinema history, solidifying its place among the best foreign films of all time.
8. La Haine (1995) – France
This gripping and politically charged film by Mathieu Kassovitz captures the tensions of marginalized youth in the Parisian suburbs. La Haine follows three friends—Vinz, Saïd, and Hubert—as they navigate life in the aftermath of a violent riot, each coping with the reality of systemic discrimination and social unrest in different ways. Shot in stark black and white, the film employs a documentary-like realism that immerses the audience in its urgent, hard-hitting narrative. La Haine remains as relevant today as it was upon its release, serving as a searing critique of police brutality, inequality, and the cycles of violence that plague disenfranchised communities. It stands out as one of the best foreign films that address social justice themes.
7. Parasite (2019) – South Korea
Bong Joon-ho’s genre-bending masterpiece took the world by storm, becoming the first non-English-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Parasite is a darkly comedic and suspenseful exploration of class struggle, following the impoverished Kim family as they infiltrate the lives of the wealthy Park family through deception and manipulation. What begins as a sharp social satire evolves into a tense thriller, filled with unexpected twists and biting commentary on wealth disparity. Bong’s masterful direction, combined with stunning cinematography and layered performances, makes Parasite a landmark achievement in global cinema and undoubtedly one of the best foreign films ever made.
6. The Seventh Seal (1957) – Sweden
Ingmar Bergman’s existential masterpiece, The Seventh Seal, is an iconic meditation on mortality, faith, and the meaning of life. Set in medieval Sweden during the Black Death, the film follows a knight, Antonius Block, who challenges Death to a game of chess in an attempt to postpone his fate. As he journeys through a plague-ridden landscape, he encounters various figures, each representing different aspects of humanity’s struggle to find meaning in an indifferent world. With its unforgettable imagery—most notably the knight playing chess with Death—The Seventh Seal remains one of the most visually and philosophically profound works in cinematic history. It is widely regarded as one of the best foreign films in world cinema history.
5. A Man Escaped (1956) – France
Robert Bresson’s A Man Escaped is a masterclass in minimalist storytelling, chronicling the true story of a prisoner’s escape during World War II. Based on the memoirs of resistance fighter André Devigny, the film meticulously details every aspect of the protagonist’s attempt to break free, from crafting makeshift tools to orchestrating a daring escape plan. Bresson’s precise direction and emphasis on sound and detail create a deeply immersive experience, drawing the audience into the protagonist’s mind and the suffocating confines of his imprisonment. With its quiet tension and meditative pacing, A Man Escaped stands as one of the greatest prison escape films ever made and a prime example of the best foreign films that emphasize realism and human perseverance.
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4. The Boy and the Heron (2023) – Japan
Hayao Miyazaki’s latest masterpiece solidifies his place among the greatest filmmakers of all time. The Boy and the Heron is a visually stunning and deeply introspective animated film that delves into loss, imagination, and self-discovery. Following a young boy named Mahito, who stumbles upon a mysterious world filled with surreal creatures and haunting memories, the film blends fantasy with deeply personal themes. With breathtaking animation, a mesmerizing score, and Miyazaki’s signature storytelling, The Boy and the Heron is both a testament to Studio Ghibli’s enduring brilliance and an emotionally rich reflection on the passage of time and grief.
3. City of God (2002) – Brazil
A raw and electrifying crime epic, City of God depicts the brutal reality of life in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, the film follows Rocket, an aspiring photographer, as he navigates the violent and chaotic world of organized crime. Told through a nonlinear narrative, City of God blends kinetic cinematography, fast-paced editing, and a gripping storyline to create an unforgettable viewing experience. The film’s exploration of systemic poverty, crime, and survival in an unforgiving environment makes it one of the most powerful crime dramas ever made.
2. Memories of Murder (2003) – South Korea
Before Parasite, Bong Joon-ho delivered Memories of Murder, a hauntingly atmospheric and devastating crime thriller based on South Korea’s first serial murders. The film follows two detectives with vastly different investigative styles as they struggle to solve a string of murders in a rural town. As their frustration and desperation grow, the case spirals into a deeper examination of justice, obsession, and the failure of law enforcement. With masterful direction, dark humor, and an ambiguous yet emotionally shattering ending, Memories of Murder is not just a great thriller—it’s a profound reflection on the nature of crime and humanity.
1. Cinema Paradiso (1988) – Italy
At the top of the list is Giuseppe Tornatore’s Cinema Paradiso, a love letter to cinema itself. This heartwarming and nostalgic film tells the story of a young boy’s relationship with a local projectionist, celebrating the magic of film and their ability to shape our lives. Through beautifully crafted flashbacks, we see the protagonist, Salvatore, grow up in his small Sicilian town, where his passion for film blossoms. With an unforgettable score by Ennio Morricone and deeply emotional storytelling, Cinema Paradiso is a poignant meditation on memory, love, and the passage of time, making it the pinnacle of the best foreign films ever made.
These ten films showcase the power of global cinema, offering unique perspectives, breathtaking artistry, and stories that resonate across cultures. If you haven’t seen them yet, consider this your essential watchlist for the best that world cinema has to offer.