Non-English Films You Should Add To Your Watchlist

Many successful non-English films become well known all over the world for its performance and where they started from, such as the Korean entertainment business increasing in popularity and the Bollywood world becoming well-known. However, there are so many more international films that have been critically acclaimed but do not earn the recognition as much as they deserve. That is why I am listing the best non-English films that you should watch now and understand why these beloved films are so loved in the country they are originally created in.

Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)

“A devastating meditation on the human cost of war, this animated tale follows Seita, a teenager charged with the care of his younger sister, Setsuko, after an American firebombing during World War II separates the two children from their parents. Their tale of survival is as heart-breaking as it is true to life. The siblings rely completely on each other and struggle against all odds to stay together and stay alive.”

Ratsasan (2018)

“Arun gives up on his dream of becoming a filmmaker and takes up the job of a police officer after his father’s death. He then attempts to track down a psychotic killer who targets schoolgirls.”

Life Is Beautiful (1997)

“A Jewish father and his family are surrounded by Nazi death camps. Living in a hostile environment, he uses humour to shield his young son from the grim realities of war.”

City Of God (2002)

“Two boys are brought up in a sadistic neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro. They adopt diverse professional paths, with one of them becoming a photographer and the other boy becoming a drug dealer.”

Abouna (2002)

“Brothers Armine and Tahir are devastated when their father deserts them. Together, they search for him all over their small town in Chad – and believe they find him onscreen in one of the movies at the local cinema! After they get caught stealing the film, the boys’ exasperated mother, Achta, packs them off to a strict boarding school. While the pair plan their escape, Tahir catches the eye of a mute girl.”

The Handmaiden (2016)

“A Japanese woman hires a handmaiden, but little does she know that her employee is working hand in glove with a con man to cheat her out of her wealth.”

Tsotsi (2005)

“Tsotsi, a young street thug, steals a car only to discover a baby in the back seat and spends six days in a violent and agitated situation which leads to an emotional bond towards the end.”

I Am Not a Witch (2017)

“The first child is taken to a travelling witch camp, where she is told that she should cut the ribbon and attempt to escape. Crossing the witches is a bad idea and she risks being cursed and transformed into a goat.”

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

“Salvatore, a famous film director, returns to his hometown for the funeral of the local theatre’s film projectionist, Alfredo. He reminisces about his life as a young boy falling in love with cinema.”

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu (2005)

“Mr. Lazarescu is a retired Romanian engineer, spending his time in the company of his cats and booze. When he starts feeling unusually ill, he first seeks painkillers from his neighbours. It soon becomes apparent that Lazarescu is indeed sick, and an ambulance arrives with a nurse who has a few ideas about what could be the problem. However, a major traffic accident and poor organisation leaves little room in Romanian hospitals for the fading Lazarescu.”