25 Best Foreign Movies You’ve Probably Missed (2024 Edition)
When it comes to cinematic treasures, some of the most captivating stories are hidden in foreign films that don’t always get the recognition they deserve. In 2024, it’s time to broaden your horizons and delve into these underrated movies from around the world. Here’s a list of 25 foreign films that are must-watches, along with their IMDb ratings, directors, main cast, and where you can stream them.
1. The Handmaiden (2016)
- IMDb Rating: 8.1
- Director: Park Chan-wook
- Cast: Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong
- Why Watch: A visually stunning and intricately plotted thriller that combines elements of romance, deception, and drama.
- Available on: Amazon Prime, Apple TV (Rental/Purchase)
2. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
- IMDb Rating: 8.2
- Director: Guillermo del Toro
- Cast: Ivana Baquero, Ariadna Gil, Sergi López
- Why Watch: A dark and fantastical tale that masterfully blends history with mythology, set against the backdrop of post-Civil War Spain.
- Available on: Netflix, Amazon Prime (Rental/Purchase)
3. City of God (2002)
- IMDb Rating: 8.6
- Director: Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund
- Cast: Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Matheus Nachtergaele
- Why Watch: A gritty and powerful portrayal of life in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, with a raw and intense narrative.
- Available on: HBO Max, Amazon Prime (Rental/Purchase)
4. Amour (2012)
- IMDb Rating: 7.9
- Director: Michael Haneke
- Cast: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert
- Why Watch: A deeply emotional and poignant examination of love, aging, and loss, executed with subtlety and grace.
- Available on: Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime (Rental/Purchase)
5. A Separation (2011)
- IMDb Rating: 8.3
- Director: Asghar Farhadi
- Cast: Payman Maadi, Leila Hatami, Sareh Bayat
- Why Watch: A gripping Iranian drama that delves into the complexities of marriage, morality, and the justice system.
- Available on: Netflix, Amazon Prime (Rental/Purchase)
6. Tampopo (1985)
- IMDb Rating: 7.9
- Director: Juzo Itami
- Cast: Tsutomu Yamazaki, Nobuko Miyamoto, Ken Watanabe
- Why Watch: A quirky and delightful Japanese comedy about food, love, and the pursuit of the perfect bowl of ramen.
- Available on: Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime (Rental/Purchase)
7. The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)
- IMDb Rating: 8.2
- Director: Juan José Campanella
- Cast: Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago
- Why Watch: A thrilling Argentine mystery that explores themes of love, loss, and justice, with an unforgettable twist.
- Available on: Amazon Prime, Apple TV (Rental/Purchase)
8. In the Mood for Love (2000)
- IMDb Rating: 8.1
- Director: Wong Kar-wai
- Cast: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Maggie Cheung, Siu Ping-lam
- Why Watch: A visually poetic and emotionally resonant film about unspoken love and longing, set in 1960s Hong Kong.
- Available on: Criterion Channel, HBO Max (Rental/Purchase)
9. Wild Tales (2014)
- IMDb Rating: 8.1
- Director: Damián Szifron
- Cast: Darío Grandinetti, María Marull, Mónica Villa
- Why Watch: A darkly comedic anthology from Argentina that masterfully weaves together six tales of revenge and justice.
- Available on: Amazon Prime, Apple TV (Rental/Purchase)
10. Son of Saul (2015)
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
- Director: László Nemes
- Cast: Géza Röhrig, Levente Molnár, Urs Rechn
- Why Watch: A harrowing and intense portrayal of the Holocaust, offering a unique perspective on survival and humanity.
- Available on: Amazon Prime, Apple TV (Rental/Purchase)
11. The Lives of Others (2006)
- IMDb Rating: 8.4
- Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
- Cast: Ulrich Mühe, Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch
- Why Watch: A tense and absorbing drama set in East Germany, exploring the impact of surveillance and state control.
- Available on: Amazon Prime, Apple TV (Rental/Purchase)
12. The Intouchables (2011)
- IMDb Rating: 8.5
- Director: Olivier Nakache, Éric Toledano
- Cast: François Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny
- Why Watch: A heartwarming and inspiring French film about an unlikely friendship between a quadriplegic and his caretaker.
- Available on: Netflix, Amazon Prime (Rental/Purchase)
13. The Hunt (2012)
- IMDb Rating: 8.3
- Director: Thomas Vinterberg
- Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Annika Wedderkopp
- Why Watch: A gripping Danish drama that delves into the dangers of false accusations and societal hysteria.
- Available on: Netflix, Amazon Prime (Rental/Purchase)
14. Ida (2013)
- IMDb Rating: 7.4
- Director: Paweł Pawlikowski
- Cast: Agata Kulesza, Agata Trzebuchowska, Dawid Ogrodnik
- Why Watch: A visually striking Polish drama that explores themes of identity, faith, and the impact of history.
- Available on: Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime (Rental/Purchase)
15. Shoplifters (2018)
- IMDb Rating: 7.9
- Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
- Cast: Lily Franky, Sakura Ando, Mayu Matsuoka
- Why Watch: A tender and compassionate Japanese drama about an unconventional family living on the fringes of society.
- Available on: Amazon Prime, Apple TV (Rental/Purchase)
16. A Prophet (2009)
- IMDb Rating: 7.9
- Director: Jacques Audiard
- Cast: Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif
- Why Watch: A gritty and intense French crime drama that follows the rise of a young Arab man within a prison hierarchy.
- Available on: Amazon Prime, Apple TV (Rental/Purchase)
17. Burning (2018)
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
- Director: Lee Chang-dong
- Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, Jeon Jong-seo
- Why Watch: A slow-burning South Korean mystery that explores obsession, class conflict, and the search for truth.
- Available on: Amazon Prime, Apple TV (Rental/Purchase)
18. The Great Beauty (2013)
- IMDb Rating: 7.7
- Director: Paolo Sorrentino
- Cast: Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferilli
- Why Watch: A visually stunning Italian film that offers a satirical and poignant reflection on life, art, and the passage of time.
- Available on: Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime (Rental/Purchase)
19. Capernaum (2018)
- IMDb Rating: 8.4
- Director: Nadine Labaki
- Cast: Zain Al Rafeea, Yordanos Shiferaw, Boluwatife Treasure Bankole
- Why Watch: A powerful Lebanese drama about a young boy’s struggle for survival in the slums of Beirut.
- Available on: Amazon Prime, Apple TV (Rental/Purchase)
20. Like Father, Like Son (2013)
- IMDb Rating: 7.8
- Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
- Cast: Masaharu Fukuyama, Machiko Ono, Yoko Maki
- Why Watch: A deeply emotional Japanese drama that explores the complexities of parenthood and the bonds of family.
- Available on: Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime (Rental/Purchase)
21. Good Bye Lenin! (2003)
- IMDb Rating: 7.7
- Director: Wolfgang Becker
- Cast: Daniel Brühl, Katrin Saß, Chulpan Khamatova
- Why Watch: A poignant and humorous German film about a son’s efforts to protect his mother from the reality of the Berlin Wall’s fall.
- Available on: Amazon Prime, Apple TV (Rental/Purchase)
22. The Return (2003)
- IMDb Rating: 8.0
- Director: Andrey Zvyagintsev
- Cast: Vladimir Garin, Ivan Dobronravov, Konstantin Lavronenko
- Why Watch: A haunting and atmospheric Russian film about two brothers and their mysterious father’s return after a 12-year absence.
- Available on: Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime (Rental/Purchase)
23. Tangerines (2013)
- IMDb Rating: 8.2
- Director: Zaza Urushadze
- Cast: Lembit Ulfsak, Giorgi Nakashidze, Elmo Nüganen
- Why Watch: A poignant Estonian-Georgian war drama about the futility of conflict and the power of humanity.
- Available on: Amazon Prime, Apple TV (Rental/Purchase)
24. Leviathan (2014)
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
- Director: Andrey Zvyagintsev
- Cast: Aleksey Serebryakov, Elena Lyadova, Vladimir Vdovichenkov
- Why Watch: A powerful Russian drama that critiques corruption and injustice, set against the stark beauty of the northern coast.
- Available on: Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime (Rental/Purchase)
25. Nobody Knows (2004)
- IMDb Rating: 8.1
- Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
- Cast: Yûya Yagira, Ayu Kitaura, Hiei Kimura
- Why Watch: A heartbreaking Japanese drama about a group of abandoned siblings struggling to survive on their own in Tokyo.
- Available on: Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime (Rental/Purchase)
Why You Should Explore These Films in 2024:
Each of these films offers a unique glimpse into different cultures, perspectives, and storytelling techniques. From emotional dramas to thrilling mysteries, these underrated foreign movies provide a refreshing departure from mainstream cinema. By watching these films, you’ll not only expand your cinematic knowledge but also appreciate the diverse voices that contribute to the global film landscape.
How to Watch:
Many of these films are available on popular streaming services such as Netflix, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime. Some may require rental or purchase through services like Apple TV or Criterion Channel. Make sure to check availability in your region, as streaming options can vary depending on location.
