There’s just one factor stopping you from exploring the fantastic world of foreign films. That one-inch subtitle bar at the bottom of the screen has given more mood offs than anything when it comes to watching something. If you manage to overcome this issue, only happiness awaits you. There are so many foreign movies on Netflix, ranging from drama to comedy to heartwarming from different regions worth watching. Thanks to Netflix, subtitles are no longer intimidating. You can learn about multiple cultures from the comfort of your room just by a click of a button on Netflix.
It doesn’t matter if you are trying to gain new cultural experiences or are just bored with your usual monotonous watches. What matters is gaining a unique perspective, better entertainment. And that’s why everyone should check out at least one foreign film every month.
For that, we bring you a list of the best foreign films on Netflix to check out for the coming months.
Note: You might have to watch some of these movies with a VPN. Some of these movies might not be available in your regional Netflix library. But still, feel free to click on the titles to take you to your Netflix account directed to the movies.
Top Foreign Movies on Netflix to Stream
Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)
IMDB – 7.7/10, Reviews
The color blue in this film title represents the freedom of expressing one’s sexuality. The film follows the story of a teenage girl (Adele) as she approaches her adolescent stage. Growing up in a very conservative household, she never found the opportunity to explore her carnal orientation. She manages to keep her head down and go on with her life. But as you watch, it becomes clear that she’s been keeping secrets buried deep in her soul.
The protagonist’s raw acting skills combined with the encompassing art forms make this one very touching. Furthermore, there is a beautiful portrayal of LGBTQ+ rights. You’ll also notice some finer details in the movie, such as using food, categorizing the difference between classes, and the intense close-up scenes. Even the silence in crucial shots makes this movie one of the best foreign movies on Netflix.
Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001)
IMDB – 7.6/10, Reviews
Without a doubt, you must be missing the times when you could step out of your home. Visiting nearby outing spots to have some fun is always golden. But fair warning, this movie will make it even harder to stay at home as you will find yourself itching to go on a trip.
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, this movie revolves around two teenage boys going on a road looking to beat their stress. All they are looking for is to have fun and, if possible, get some action in bed. Though this is a road comedy-drama, it also captures some beautiful human emotions when the guys befriend a woman with cancer on their trip.
Being one of the good foreign movies on Netflix, it showcases a roller coaster of emotions. And if you are looking for a heartfelt film without giving it a second thought, go for it.
Burning (2018)
IMDB – 7.5/10, Reviews
The one thing that I feel lacking in Hollywood films releasing nowadays is the power of earnest storytelling. However, you can always see this unyielding power in Korean movies. Korean cinema and music have been enabled to reach global heights nowadays.
‘Burning’ feels less like a production film and more of a documentary with how it captures the protagonist’s mundane life. The raw emotions and acting skills put you into the lead cast’s shoes, making it an immersive virtual reality experience. However, it might leave a few of you with many uncleared questions to ponder upon. Serious issues like gender inequality, poverty, and treatment based on class in real life are explored in this movie, making it a phenomenal watch. Award for the foreign movies on Netflix might go to this one, no doubt.
First, they killed my father (2017)
IMDB – 7.2/10, Reviews
It is painfully real to watch the tragic history of Cambodia when portrayed through the eyes of a seven-year-old. The vivid recollection of the massacre perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge is one of the worst genocides ever. Following the protagonist (Loung Ung) throughout the movie, it will make you think about the deep scars these victims of genocides must have had to live with.
All the scenes unfold at the right place and manage to keep you on the edge of your seat. Although all the ordeals faced by Loung Ung and her family come through gruesome circumstances is heart-breaking. The close-up shots showcase the raw, intense emotions and helplessness of a kid actor that portrayed Loung Ung. The drone shots show the size of the massacre and atrocities faced by captured Cambodians.
Films like these are necessary to remind us of the evils a single person is capable of. It is very heartfelt and one of the best foreign movies on Netflix. Watch this one for the sheer acting skills, cinematography, and especially the plot.
I Lost My Body (2019)
IMDB – 7.6/10, Reviews
Simply Magnifique, “I Lost My Body,” is a captivating narrative that offers a perspective no other animated movie has ever been able to do. The film showcases non-linear scenes, where one story is set in the present time and the other one in the past. The current account is of a dismembered hand that tries desperately to reunite with its owner. The past shows us how the character to whom the hand belonged lived his life.
The animation is pretty impressive. Although, when combined with the heart-wrenching soundtracks, it will surely hit you at the right spot. I bet it might even leave you speechless.
The Lobster (2015)
IMDB – 7.2/10, Reviews
Back in your school days or college life, not finding a partner used to be a reason for getting sad or being made fun of by friends. In this dystopian flix, not finding a mate results in the person being transformed into an animal. This measure seems a bit extreme. However, if we look at the bright side, at least the animal you are being converted into is of your choice.
As you start the film, the plot seems to be moving slowly, but it all leads to the mystery that’s about to unravel. The decisions that the protagonist has to make throughout the story make you question human morality.
Though the movie seems to end on a happy note, the audience is left without any closure. You are only left with a feeling of uneasiness and with a face value of how you want to interpret things.
Divines (2016)
IMDB – 7.4/10, Reviews
‘Divines’ successfully manages to grab the viewer’s attention by opening your eyes to the daily struggles. Hardships many people face in their lives. The acting is so superb that it feels like you are experiencing the protagonist’s life from a couch.
The narrative captures a young, ambitious girl named Dounia, wanting to escape her life in the slums. She and her best friend hatch a plan to become rich and someone with power in society. Though this seems like a simple plot, the twists and turns convert this into a rather complicated movie.
It might leave a deep impression in your mind, as all the characters’ emotions seem justified with every move they make.
Okja (2017)
IMDB – 7.3/10, Reviews
This movie is highly ironic and captivating as well. The plot shows a glimpse of the unlawful and accountable practices done by hybridizing animal husbandry. Okja shamelessly makes you realize the kind of hypocrites us humans can be when it comes to consuming meat.
Mistake not, “Okja” is not activism about eating vegetarian food; instead, it captures comradeship between humans and animals. It revolves more around the theme of how we all treat each other.
“Okja” is a pig-like genetically bred animal, which has been procreated for its nutritious fatty meat. . As an experiment, the pig is given to a 10-year-old girl who raises Okja. They both become very close in the process. She then has to go to unthinkable lengths to help save her pet from corporate companies ready to reap the ripe meat of Okja.
There is an underlying dark theme throughout the flix.
On Body and Soul (2017)
IMDB – 7.6/10, Reviews
Love stories can happen anywhere but never had I thought it could happen at the world’s least romantic place – a slaughterhouse. The movie revolves around a slaughterhouse director who monitors a newly appointed quality inspector dispatch by the authorities to check up on the meat quality. Despite starting with the wrong foot, they come closer when an insider robbery happens at the slaughterhouse, and everyone gets investigated by a psychologist to catch the liar.
This movie has some disturbing scenes, but it still makes you feel safe and peaceful with the way the main characters get to fall in love over time.
The Platform (2019)
IMDB – 7/10, Reviews
“The Platform,” directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, is a sci-fi thriller that packs many suspense and gore action scenes. The film shows a tower-like prison that feeds prisoners through an elevating platform moving from floor to floor. The platform begins at the top floor filled with food, where the inmates “should” eat rationally so that everyone gets their food share as the platform of food demotes each floor.
But what happens in actuality is that the people at the top finish almost everything, leaving the prisoners down to starve. In some ways, this movie has tried to mirror our society, where the wealth gap is too much, and inequality between the rich and poor is ever increasing. If you think you can handle gory scenes without throwing up, go for this.
Since the prison-tower has an unknown number of floors, only one prisoner is willing to do all it takes to get out of there. Does he manage to get out? The ending of the movie depends on how you perceive the film.
Roma (2018)
IMDB – 7.7/10, Reviews
The power of storytelling, especially in Spanish movies, is evolving. More and more Spanish directors bring out raw on-screen emotions and engage the viewers to confront their own fear. The realism of the situations where characters realize that they are after all mortal beings, the cinematography is done on a 65 mm camera, makes it aesthetically pleasing.
“Roma” is a movie about a domestic helper who works for an upper-middle-class family in Mexico. The film showcases her selfless saintly nature, which makes us sad and pity how the world works for good people.
The film guides us through the difficulties of people living in the slums and how their dreams can also shatter them just as those desires of a first-world kid who doesn’t get an iPhone 11 pro max in the holidays can.
It reminds us that Mexico is not all about drug cartels, mafia, and empire wars. This is a beautiful film, immaculately made that no cinema lovers should miss.
Train to Busan (2016)
IMDB – 7.6/10, Reviews
Cinephiles would agree that zombie movie scripts can no longer be made more engaging than it can be. The plots are always predictable from the get-go as there can only be two endings in a zombie apocalypse, either it’s a happy end, or we all end up eating each other, nothing else.
Still, ‘Train to Busan’ manages to keep the audience wondering what will happen next and praying that the main characters get to live a happy ending.
The lead character is somewhat pompous and self-centered, which might be a little irky while watching the movie, but soon, you’ll find sympathizing with him once his back story shows up.
The camera movements, sound-tracks, special effects are all spot-on that doesn’t leave you bored even for a second.
Snowpiercer (2013)
IMDB – 7.1/10, Reviews
A beautiful blend of characters, plot, and cinematography makes this sci-fi thriller quite an interesting watch. “Snowpiercer” has a unique story that has never been explored before. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the efforts to reverse global warming has gone haywire, and the earth has descended into a new ice age.
The people who survived this event find themselves on a train that runs non-stop, and the passengers live separated based on their social status. The bitterness among the lower class due to the inhumane treatment forces them to take up arms and rebel against the authority.
The film consists of some intense closeup scenes, some ironic moments, and of course, Chris Evans’ acting, which is beautiful to watch and be amazed at.
These are the 13 best foreign movies on Netflix, in my opinion. If you are interested in other foreign movies, check out our other lists below. Do you know any other good foreign films streaming on Netflix? Leave me a comment below with the movie name I missed!