International movies have always been a niche interest in English-speaking countries, but there are some must-watch gems from the past decade that any film lover should check out. For many people in the United States and other English-speaking countries, only the most popular international film ever gets considered but there’s a whole world of cinema for people willing to explore.
TheOscars' history with international moviessums up how American audiences have gradually started to come around to a broader palette of films. There have been eightinternational Best Picture nomineesin the last decade, andBest International Feature Filmdraws more interest annually. Hopefully, this trend will continue, even though some of the best movies don’t even get nominated.
2015 - Embrace Of The Serpent (Colombia)
The Hungarian historical dramaSon of Saulwon the Oscar for Best International Foreign Film in 2015, and it still enjoys a stellar critical reputation. The Brazilian comedy/dramaThe Second Motherand the German crime thrillerVictoriaare both just as popular, whileEmbrace of the Serpentremains a hidden gem.
Although it was an Oscar nominee, the Colombian adventure dramaEmbrace of the Serpenthasn’t sustained its popularity. This is a shame, becausethe strange, dark fable is a fascinating watch. It’s a visually striking exploration of man’s relationship with nature and the violent history of colonialism.
2016 - The Handmaiden (South Korea)
Sandra Hüller’s offbeat comedyToni Erdmannwas one of the funniest movies of 2016,Train to Busanwas one of the most intense, andYour Nameremains one of the best anime in recent years. There was a wide variety of brilliant international movies in 2016, but few come close toThe Handmaiden.
The Handmaiden is arguablyPark Chan-wook’s best movie. It has less action thanOldboy,but the period romance is just as thrilling and unpredictable in its own way.The subversive, dark story of captivity and manipulation is split into three parts, with jaw-dropping twists to make each new movement. Park’s masterpiece is sumptuous and shocking all at once.
2017 - On Body & Soul (Hungary)
Not to be confused with Martin Scorsese’s 1976 crime classic, the Korean historical movieA Taxi Driverwas one of the standout films of 2017. The Russian family dramaLovelessand the Chilean queer filmA Fantastic Womanwere also met with positive reviews. The latter won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film.
Ildikó Enyedi’sHungariandramaOn Body and Soulwas one of 2017’s most unique films. It follows two people with a strange connection who meet one another in their dreams, where they imagine themselves as deer in a snow-covered forest.On Body and Soulsomehow makes this bizarre premise feel compelling and deeply meaningful.
2018 - Roma (Mexico)
The Japanese crime dramaShoplifters, the Korean psychological thrillerBurningand the Hungarian animated heist movieRuben Brandt, Collectorall contributed to 2018 being a strong year for international movies from all over the world. The Mexican dramaRomawon the Oscar for Best International Feature Film, a decision which has held up well.
Romais one ofAlfonso Cuarón’s best movies, although it’s a completely different prospect to the likes ofGravity, Children of Men,and even his earlier work in the Spanish language. The story draws from his own childhood memories, which creates a vibrant and fully-realized portrait of life in Mexico City.The black-and-white photography is just as breathtaking.
2019 - Parasite (South Korea)
In any other year, Céline Sciamma’s period romancePortrait of a Lady on Firewould probably be the best international film, but it’s impossible to ignore the influence ofParasite.2019 also producedPain and Glory, The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão,and a few other gems.
Parasitemade history by becoming the first non-English-language movie to win Best Picture. Bong Joon-ho’s beguiling thriller starts off with the verve of a crime caper, but things soon take a dark turn.Parasite’s true meaningdoesn’t firmly take hold until the third act, as Bong masterfully toys with his audience.
2020 - Another Round (Denmark)
The pandemic wrought havoc on movie release schedules in 2020, as productions were shut down prematurely, film festivals were canceled, and some movies were delayed until 2021. One exception isAnother Round,the hilarious black comedy from Denmark.
Another Roundstars Mads Mikkelsen as a teacher who embarks on a unique experiment with his friends to keep their blood alcohol levels above a certain threshold throughout the working week.An American remake has already been announced, with Chris Rock set to direct and Leonardo DiCaprio attached to star, but it will take a lot to top the original.
2021 - The Worst Person In The World (Norway)
Drive My Carwon the Oscar for Best International Feature Film in 2021, but it wasn’t the only movie that Ryusuke Hamaguchi released that year, sinceWheel of Fortune and Fantasycame out a few months earlier. Pedro Almodóvar’sParallel Mothers,theprovocative French horror movieTitane,and the animated dramaFleealso gained international attention.
Joachim Trier’sThe Worst Person in the Worldbrings the Norwegian director’s Oslo trilogy to an end, and it’s easily the most impressive of the three movies. Devastating, funny and ultimately relatable,The Worst Person in the Worldis an exceptional character studyof a woman struggling to forge her own destiny.
2022 - All Quiet On The Western Front (Germany)
The most popular international movie of 2022 was probably the Indian genre-smashingRRR,which can best be described as a historical action musical epic. Park Chan-wook’sDecision to Leavesaw him reinventing the thriller genre once again with a modern take on the femme fatale trope of old film noir movies, andArgentina, 1985was also highly garlanded.
Edward Berger’sAll Quiet on the Western Frontis the third adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s anti-war novel, and the first with the technology to show the destruction of World War I in shocking detail. Thetrue story behindAll Quiet on the Western Frontinspires some harrowing scenes, on the battlefields, in the trenches, and on the home front.
2023 - Anatomy Of A Fall (France)
Sandra Hüller appeared in two of the best international movies of 2023,Anatomy of a Falland the holocaust dramaZone of Interest. Godzilla Minus Onerevitalized one of cinema’s oldest franchises, while Hayao Miyazaki returned withThe Boy and the Heron.Wim Wenders released the thought-provokingPerfect Days,andSociety of the Snowbecame a global streaming hit.
Anatomy of a Falltops them all and is an outstanding courtroom drama and family drama rolled into one. It feels like a throwback to older legal dramas, placing faith in its outstanding script and some excellent performances to carry the movie.Anatomy of a Fall’s stunning endingsolidifies its status as a modern masterpiece.
2024 - Flow (Latvia)
2024 was another strong year for world cinema.I’m Still Here, The Seed of the Sacred Fig,andAll We Imagine as Lightmade waves, while the divisive French musicalEmilia Pérezlooked like a potential Best Picture winner for a while. Zoe Saldaña’s performance still received massive acclaim, even though audiences weren’t as generous to the movie as critics.
The Latvian animated adventureFlowshows what independent animation is capable of.Flowhas no dialogue and a brisk runtime, so anyone can enjoy its gorgeous artistic style and its quirky story, as a cat teams up with other animals to survive in the ruins of a seemingly post-apocalyptic world. It’s unique in all the best ways.
