Top 30 Best Movies From Every Continent

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best films from every continent. We’ll be selecting five from each continent, except Antarctica, for a total of thirty entries.

#5: Africa: "Touki Bouki[a]" (1973)

Despite being shown at the Cannes Film Festival in 1973, Djibril Diop Mambéty’s "Touki Bouki," like so many other African films in its day, was largely ignored and forgotten for years. Made on a shoestring budget by a first-time director with no formal education in filmmaking, critics at the time were largely uninterested. It was essentially unknown in the U.S. for years. However today, with the benefit of a restoration and re-release, everyone from Martin Scorsese to Beyonce has championed the film. Much of what were initially points of derision against it, including its small and unpolished feel, clear influences, and the fact that it was set in Mambéty’s native Senegal, have drawn contemporary audiences to the road film.

#5: South America: "Wild Tales" (2014)

As its name implies, “Wild Tales” is an anthology comprising six rather off the wall stories. The common thread is vengeance, with ordinary seeming people pushed too far and snapping, often with disastrous, yet hilarious, results. Argentinian writer-director Damián Szifron[b] provides a satire of western society by having characters rally against its constraints. In fact, many of the tales contained in the film draw from his own life experiences. The dark comedy is often seen not only as one of Argentina’s best ever films, but one of the best anthologies ever made, with both its director and the large ensemble of Argentine actors earning praise.

#5: Australia & Oceania: "The Piano" (1993)

Jane Campion became both the first woman and the first New Zealander to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes and was only the second woman to be nominated for best director at the Oscars. Campion would go on to take home the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for the historical drama which tells the story of a mute woman, Ada[c], sent to New Zealand for an arranged marriage. As Ada, Holly Hunter gives a silent and powerful performance, portraying a woman holding on to what she loves in a cruel time. She and New Zealander Anna Paquin in her first ever role, took home Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress respectively in this tale about love, sexual awakenings, and music.

#5: Europe: “Come And See” (1985)

“Come and See” is a harrowing film detailing the German occupation of Belarus[d] during World War II, seen through the eyes of a teenage boy played by Aleksei Kravchenko. His performance in the film is frequently cited as one of the greatest child performances of all time, but it’s far from the only thing that has won the movie praise. Filmed and released at the height of the Cold War, the Soviet film takes a staunch and often brutal anti-war stance. Its unique mashup of surreal elements and hyper-real violence make it a difficult yet rewarding watch for any film fan.

#5: Asia: “Oldboy” (2003)

No list of Asian cinema would be complete without a truly astounding action film, and Korean director Park Chan-wook’s “Oldboy” is tough to beat in that department. The film follows a man, Oh Dae-su, who is kidnapped, imprisoned for fifteen years, and suddenly released, all with no discernible explanation. Dae-su then goes on a bloody quest for vengeance that includes a long take in a hallway that has been hailed as one of the best action sequences ever shot. “Oldboy” never flinches in these violent depictions of an often cruel and irrational world and of a man wholly consumed by his desire for revenge.

#5: North America: “Pulp Fiction” (1994)

The importance of the indie film revolution of the late 1980s and early 90s in North America cannot be understated. That revolution is perhaps best represented by Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece, “Pulp Fiction.” The film tells several stories that weave through one another, featuring a talented ensemble cast spouting pop cultural references at every turn. It cleverly combines humor, violence, crime, and a ton of amazing music. The film would go on to inspire untold imitators and help shape American film by propelling both independent cinema and the postmodern movement into the spotlight.

#4: Africa: “Black Girl” (1966)

It is no coincidence that this film, which follows a black woman from Senegal who has relocated to France to be a servant for a wealthy white family, was shot in black and white. The Senegalese woman, Diouana[e], slowly loses her identity, isolated in the apartment, only seeing the city of lights through her window, and controlled by the family. Like the black African mask that adorns the white wall in their home, Diouana is presented like an exotic trophy for their visiting friends, one of the many symbols of colonial oppression director Ousmane Sembène placed into the film. “Black Girl” became the first sub-saharan film to break through to a world stage and helped establish Sembène as the “father of African film.”

#4: South America: “Embrace of the Serpent” (2015)

The destruction of the Amazon Rainforest, along with the peoples and cultures within it, are a key theme in this Colombian adventure film. The film follows Karamakate[f], the final member of his tribe across two time periods, in 1909 and 1940 as he travels with a pair of foreigners. These colonizers each seek to plunder a sacred plant for their own ends and have little concern for the forest or those that live there. “Embrace of the Serpent” would earn acclaim at festivals like Cannes and Sundance, and even at the Academy Awards where it was Columbia’s first ever selection for Best Foreign Language Film. The setting and lessons make it essential viewing for those looking to appreciate cinema from South America.

#4: Australia & Oceania: “The Babadook” (2014)

A number of talented independent horror filmmakers have sprung out of Australia, but few have made an impact so immediately as Jennifer Kent with her debut, “The Babadook.” Like all great horror films “The Babadook” manages to be a way to explore real traumas and emotions, while remaining incredibly frightening. Examining themes of grief and deteriorating sanity, the film follows a recently widowed mother attempting to raise a child. That child just happens to be haunted by a monster straight out of a very creepy children’s book. The titular monster, a black and white figure in a top hat, won over horror fans for its unique design, created with stop-motion, giving it a rather unnerving presence.

#4: Europe: “The Seventh Seal” (1957)

Set in Sweden during the middle ages, “The Seventh Seal” follows a troubled knight who begins to question his faith in God and eventually encounters the specter of Death himself. Despite being very busy as plague and war sweep across Europe, Death agrees to a chess match with the crusader. As they play, their conversation allows them to explore a number of existential themes, including religion, the desire to do what is right, and of course the fact that death comes for us all. The film made director Ingmar Bergman and actor Max von Sydow[g] overnight international stars and has been acclaimed as a masterpiece of filmmaking.

#4: Asia: “Tokyo Story” (1953)

Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu[h] was one of the most influential figures for expanding cinema across the world, often breaking established Hollywood traditions, both narratively and technically. Like many of his films, “Tokyo Story” is a deliberately paced family drama that bucks conventions like the “180-degree rule” in favor of his own minimalist style. Coming out just eight years after the end of the second World War, the film’s themes center around how Japan had been forever changed, its traditional values eroding in favor of capitalist ideas. “Tokyo Story’s” plot highlighted the divide between an older rural generation and their children in a bustling materially driven world.

#4: North America: “Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back” (1980)

The darker, more atmospheric second chapter of the original “Star Wars” saga features a more robust plot, splitting the narrative in half with Luke separating from his friends. After a thrilling opening section on the ice world of Hoth, Han and Leia’s romance deepens while escaping the Empire and dodging asteroids. Meanwhile, Luke trains as a Jedi as we are introduced to the enigmatic Yoda, who prepares the young man to face his own darkness. The plots converge at Cloud City, and the film ends with a declaration of love and uncertain fate for Han, while Luke faces off in a thrilling duel with the evil Darth Vader. The culmination of that fight sees a legendary twist and an unforgettable ending.

#3: Africa: “Sankofa[i]” (1993)

The Ethiopian produced film “Sankofa” looks at the horrors and aftermath of American slavery from an African perspective. It follows a modern African American woman who, after visiting and disrespecting a sacred place, is sent back in time to experience the atrocities of the Atlantic slave trade firsthand. Through the film Ethiopian-born writer-director Haile Gerima highlighted how many black people around the world today had forgotten and lost their heritage, which had been stolen from them by white colonizers. While the film was largely unknown and not widely distributed upon release, it found a second life in 2021 receiving a 4K restoration and theatrical release via Ava Duvernay and Netflix.

#3: South America: “The Official Story” (1985)

Written during the reign of Argentine[j] dictator Leopoldo Galtieri, “The Official Story,” was initially planned to be shot in secret. However the toppling of the totalitarian regime allowed Luis Puenzo to film openly, while also allowing Norma Aleandro, a progressive who had fled the country, to return and star in the film. She plays Alicia, an adoptive mother who begins to suspect her child may have been one of the thousands of forced disappearances by the government. Alicia’s journey, discovering the horrors that she was ignorant of for years, as those she loves continue to embrace a violent dictatorship, mirrors what her country itself had been through.

#3: Australia & Oceania: “Picnic at Hanging Rock” (1975)

Based on the classic Australian mystery novel, Aussie director Peter Weir[k] was selected to translate the story of three girls who disappear on Valentine’s Day 1900 to the big screen. Described as part of the Australian New Wave, the film deals with motifs and is shot in a way that could only come from Down Under. With cinematography intentionally harkening back to Australian impressionist painters, the film is a thing of beauty to behold. Its daintily dressed characters explored a landscape that was ancient, yet novel to them, one full of forbidden mystery and desire, just as the lost girls themselves were.

#3: Europe: “Bicycle Thieves” (1948)

In the wake of World War II, as poverty gripped the nation, a neorealist movement emerged out of Italy, with contemporary critics citing it as that country’s golden age of film. These films frequently starred non-professional actors as ordinary working-class citizens. Such is the case with “Bicycle Thieves,” which shows a poor father and his son attempting to hunt down the father’s stolen bicycle, without which he would lose his job. The film was instantly canonized and praised for its humanist themes and its emphasis on realism and genuine emotion. Because of this, just four years after its release it topped Sight and Sound’s poll of greatest films ever made.

#3: Asia: “In the Mood for Love” (2000)

Wong Kar-wai’s slow and melancholic film about a pair of would-be lovers is equal parts sensual and tragic. Stars Maggie Cheung, as Su, and Tony Leung, as Chow[l], play neighbors who, after discovering their spouses are having an affair, begin to fall in love, against their better judgment. Longing looks captured in slow motion as a somber refrain played over and over make us want to see Su and Chow finally end up together. However, time after time they miss the opportunity, making this Hong Kong film as heartbreaking as it is beautiful.

#3: North America: “Psycho” (1960)

Although he had begun during the silent era in his native England, by 1960 Alfred Hitchcock had spent two decades working within the American studio system. For “Psycho” Hitch took a different smaller-budget approach, filming in black and white with his TV crew. This gives the thriller a much more intimate feel, perfect for getting into the mind of a deranged killer. Audiences were scandalized by what were at the time taboo breaking amounts of sexuality and violence, with the iconic shower scene shocking filmgoers. Like the rest of the film it was unexpected, brilliantly shot, and contained an iconic score from prolific composer Bernard Herrmann.

#2: Africa: “District 9” (2009)

Following the corporate bureaucrat Wikus van de Merwe[m], “District 9” is set in Johannesburg, South Africa decades after the unexplained and unexpected arrival of an alien spacecraft over the city. Tasked with forcibly relocating the aliens, known colloquially as prawns, at first Wikus has no problems harassing them for his own selfish goals. However, after an accident he slowly transforms into a prawn himself, and ends up fighting for their cause alongside his new friend Christopher. The movie draws heavily from South Africa's shameful history of Apartheid and the many horrific activities committed by the government during that time. Just as importantly, it also managed to be a phenomenal action film from first time director and screenwriter Neil Blomkamp[n].

#2: South America: “The Secret in Their Eyes” (2009)

After working in TV in the US for several years, director Juan José Campanella[o] returned to Argentina to make a much more personal project about his home country. “The Secret in Their Eyes,” on the surface, is about a pair of judiciary agents investigating a murder case while feelings develop between them. However, the setting of the first portion of the film, taking place a year before the rise of a militant dictatorship in the country and the violence that was gripping the nation is key to the film’s context. That, along with a thrilling five minute long shot through a football stadium, make this a tense and unforgettable crime film.

#2: Australia & Oceania: “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015)

There are few film series as synonymous with a particular continent as the “Mad Max” franchise is with Australia. After George Miller’s original trilogy helped establish the tropes of the post-apocalyptic genre he tried for years to create a fourth installment. During that lengthy development period Miller created backstories for dozens of characters and developed thousands of storyboards for a film that would be one long chase scene. After a decade and a half of false starts the end product was worth the wait. “Fury Road” is a non-stop thrill ride full of intense practical action and great performances. It’s been praised by many as not only a perfect film for adrenaline junkies, but for its poignant feminist themes.

#2: Europe: “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962)

Without a doubt one of the most important figures in British filmmaking was David Lean, who began his career with intimate character pieces, but would become known for epics on the grandest scale. There is no denying that his small scale film “Brief Encounter,” showing the unexpected connection between two people, is a masterpiece, impressively shot as World War II was raging. Even more impressive though, was Lean taking the intimate character study and putting it into his grandest epic. “Lawrence of Arabia” is rightly remembered for the sprawling adventure shot in Super Panavision 70mm. However it should not be forgotten how bold of a character piece the film is, examining the life of a great, but ultimately flawed man.

#2: Asia: “Spirited Away” (2001)

Japan is well known for its animated masterpieces, many coming from acclaimed Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki. Over his lengthy career he has made a number of masterpieces like the beautiful and atmospheric children’s film “My Neighbor Totoro.” “Spirited Away” likewise features a young girl that encounters magical creatures, following the character Sen as she makes her way through a bathhouse for spirits. The film received praise for its stunning animation, that is largely unrivaled even today, as well as its themes centering on Sen’s journey of personal and emotional growth. It received widespread acclaim, winning Best Animated Feature at the Oscars and becoming Japan’s highest grossing film for almost twenty years.

#2: North America: “Citizen Kane” (1941)

Directed, starring, and somewhat controversially co-written by Orson Wells, “Citizen Kane” is a sprawling story of an idealistic man who inevitably becomes dominated by his own greed and hubris. Despite being released over eighty years ago, the film still feels fresh in many ways as it took what had been successful in a number of other popular film movements across the world and synthesized them into something new. In fact it's difficult to understate how impactful elements like the cinematography, editing and overall structure were on future American films. Partially based on the life of various news magnates, chief among them William Randolph Hearst, the story of Kane’s manipulations and machinations in news and American politics remain relevant now more than ever.

#1: Africa: “The Battle of Algiers” (1966)

Switching back and forth between the Algerian resistance and the French military that was fighting them, “The Battle of Algiers” aims to depict the events of the Algerian War as authentically as possible. It uses a number of techniques to achieve this, including shooting on black and white film stock that was typical for newsreels of the time and casting people that had been present during the actual events. The result is a film that blurs the lines between fiction and reality, showing the successful and hard won battle for freedom that the Algerian people went through. Initially banned in France, the film remains relevant to this day with its powerful message about fighting back against oppression.

#1: South America: “City of God” (2002)

Loosely based on the events taking place in an actual suburb of Rio de Janeiro, “City of God” is an epic and violent crime drama. As the gang war wages through the 60s, 70s, and 80s, in the impoverished suburb of Cidade de Deus[p] we meet a number of memorable characters including the narrator Rocket, chasing dreams of being a photographer, and the sociopath Li’l Dice. During one sequence we see the backstory of the latter where, even as a child, he indiscriminately guns down anyone he can for fun. Gritty and unglamourously shot on 16mm film, the movie teems with a sense of realism you can’t escape.

#1: Australia & Oceania: The “Lord of the Rings” Trilogy (2001-03)

When it came time to film the most ambitious fantasy films of all time, there was no question for native New Zealander Peter Jackson where they would shoot. The beautiful snow capped mountains, mysterious forests, and sprawling plains of the island nation were perfect to capture the epic feel of Middle Earth. Incredible sets, along with makeup and costumes for an ensemble of talented actors, helped to fully realize the fantasy world, full of dwarves, elves, and great kingdoms of men. There were also the humble hobbits, including Frodo Baggins, tasked with destroying the one ring and vanquishing the dark lord Sauron. Ultimately all three films won near universal acclaim earning seventeen Academy Awards, including Best Picture for “Return of the King.”

#1: Europe: “The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly” (1966)

A genre that had been born in, and slowly faded away in, America, the western took on a stunning second life in Europe in the 1960s. Italian director Sergio Leone pioneered the so-called “Spaghetti Western,” which often went against the grain of their American counterparts. Nowhere is this more masterfully exemplified than in Leone’s epic “The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly,” which deconstructs the mythologized old west, swapping white and black hats for a morally gray cast of greedy anti-heroes and monstrous bad guys. It does this with stunning cinematography featuring extreme close ups, and long silences punctuated by sudden brutal violence. This is made all the more powerful by the Ennio Morricone score, best highlighted during the Mexican standoff near the film’s climax.

#1: Asia: “Seven Samurai” (1954)

Incredibly influential, not only on future Japanese filmmakers but those all over the world, even many behind films included on this list, it is impossible to discuss world cinema without mentioning Akira Kurosawa. His film “Rashomon,” with its unique framing device involving multiple narrators is unquestionably one of Asia’s finest films, but we chose a different film about samurai for this slot. The tale of seven warriors defending a poor village from bandits during the Sengoku[q] period is somehow both uniquely Japanese, with the honor codes and obligations, yet contains themes that are completely universal. That’s evidenced by the many remakes and reinterpretations; however, nothing can top the original.

#1: North America: “The Godfather” (1972)

A tragic story of a dark American dream, legacy, and family,“The Godfather” is studied by film students seeking to understand how to make a great movie. Brilliant direction and visual storytelling from Francis Ford Coppola paired with a flawless script co-written by him and the original novel’s author Mario Puzo[r] tells the story of the slow yet inevitable corruption of Michael Corleone. As Michael, Al Pacino turns in an incredible performance, as does the man playing his father Vito, Marlon Brando. They, along with James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, and others cemented this movie into film canon as one every cinema fan needs to see before they die.

Let us know in the comments which five from each continent made your lists!