Most streaming queues lean heavily toward English-language titles, and that’s understandable. Subtitles ask for a bit more attention, and not every evening has that to spare. Still, some of the most talked-about films of the past few decades weren’t made in English at all.
The six films below are a mixed bag of genres, countries and moods. Some are crowd-pleasers and some demand patience. Together they make a decent informal test of how far your viewing habits stretch.
Parasite (South Korea, 2019)
Bong Joon Ho’s dark comedy thriller follows a poor family who slowly work their way into the household of a wealthy one. It won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2019, which was a strong sign of what was coming.
At the 2020 Academy Awards, it became the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture. It also took Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature that night. If you’ve only seen one film on this list, odds are it’s this one.
Pan’s Labyrinth (Spain and Mexico, 2006)
Guillermo del Toro set this fairy tale in Spain in 1944, in the early years of Franco’s rule. A young girl escapes into a fantasy world while a brutal army captain rules her real one. It’s a fantasy film, though it’s not written for children.
The film won three Academy Awards, for cinematography, art direction and makeup. Its blend of political history and creature design still influences how directors handle dark fantasy. Viewers who expect a gentle story often come away surprised.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Taiwan, Hong Kong and China, 2000)
Ang Lee’s martial arts drama, spoken in Mandarin, is based on a novel by Wang Dulu. It pairs sword fights with a restrained love story, and the fight scenes feel closer to dance than combat. For many Western audiences, it was their first real encounter with the wuxia genre.
It earned ten Oscar nominations and won four, including Best Foreign Language Film, as the category was then called. At the time, that nomination count was a record for a foreign-language film. Its success helped open the door for later Asian cinema in mainstream theaters.
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City of God (Brazil, 2002)
Fernando Meirelles directed this Portuguese-language crime drama, adapted from Paulo Lins’s novel. It traces the rise of gang violence in a Rio de Janeiro housing project over several decades. The pacing is fast and the editing is restless, and it can be difficult to watch.
The film received four Oscar nominations, for directing, adapted screenplay, cinematography and editing. Interestingly, it didn’t compete for Best International Feature. Even so, it’s still cited as one of the defining Latin American films of its era.
Drive My Car (Japan, 2021)
Ryusuke Hamaguchi adapted a short story by Haruki Murakami into a film that runs about three hours. A theater director grieving his wife’s death takes on a production of a Chekhov play in Hiroshima. It’s slow and quiet, and it rewards people who stick with it.
It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won Best International Feature at the 2022 ceremony. It also won the screenplay prize at Cannes. Finishing it says something about your patience as a viewer.
Amélie (France, 2001)
Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s warm comedy stars Audrey Tautou as a shy Parisian waitress who quietly improves the lives of the people around her. It’s set in Montmartre, and its saturated, storybook look made it instantly recognizable. Many people tried French cinema for the first time because of it.
The film earned five Oscar nominations, including Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Screenplay. It also became one of the most successful French films abroad. As a gentle entry point into subtitled viewing, it’s hard to beat.
Where That Leaves You
Having seen all six means you’ve watched films in Korean, Spanish, Mandarin, Portuguese, Japanese and French. You’ve also covered fantasy, crime, martial arts and quiet drama. Any films you’re missing make good picks for your next subtitled night.
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