Top 20 Most Successful Foreign Films
#20: “Ip Man” (2008)
Top 10 Successful Foreign Films
The first in a series of Hong Kong films about the legendary Wing Chun, who mentored the likes of Bruce Lee, “Ip Man” blends stunning fight choreography with a moving character study. Although the film takes quite a few liberties with Ip Man’s life, star Donnie Yen's soulful performance keeps you engaged throughout. Yen was so committed to his role, he restricted himself to just a single meal each day while preparing. In recent years, Yen has become an international movie star. But no one who saw his work in “Ip Man” should be surprised about that.
#19: “Au revoir les enfants” (1987)
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Director Louis Malle made waves in both his home country of France and Hollywood. And "Au revoir les enfants”, which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, is his most personal film. Inspired by his time at Catholic boarding school during the German occupation of France, “enfants” beautifully juxtaposes the innocence of childhood with the harsh reality of the world. It’s also a poignant story of friendship, with excellent performances from its young leads, Gaspard Manesse and Raphael Fejto. This is a film that may move you to tears as you think of your own cherished childhood friendships.
#18: “3 Idiots” (2009)
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Speaking of friendship, this Hindi-language dramedy shows just how complex long-term bonds can be. Told in the present as well as 10 years in the past, “3 Idiots” chronicles the relationship between a group of engineering students and the trials they face in and out of school. It’s both a sharp commentary on the pressures put on students as well as a touching story of love, both platonic and romantic. At one point, "3 Idiots" became India's highest-grossing film of all time and also hit big in overseas markets, including China and Japan. You’d have to be one idiot not to check it out.
#17: “Ran” (1985)
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There’s no director more associated with Japan than Akira Kurosawa, who released countless masterpieces in his lifetime. One of his greatest achievements came towards the end of his career. A Japanese-French co-production, “Ran” is an epic historical drama inspired by Shakespeare’s “King Lear.” Set in Medieval Japan, "Ran" tells the story of a warlord whose three sons inherit his empire and the bloody fallout that ensues. With powerful performances, vivid color, and a gorgeous score, “Ran” is like a culmination of everything that’s great about Kurosawa. It’s impossible to watch “Ran” and not recognize it as the work of a true master.
#16: “In the Mood For Love” (2000)
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Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai’s films are as revered for their thoughtfulness as they are for their gorgeous colors, and arguably no film captures this better than “In the Mood For Love.” The story of two people who come together after their spouses begin an affair, it addresses the difficulty of resisting one’s true feelings. Credit must be given to its leads, Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung, who say so much through their expressions alone. Sofia Coppola cited this film as a major inspiration for “Lost in Translation.” In the Mood For Love” is the kind of romantic movie we wish was made more often.
#15: “Downfall” (2004)
The unspeakable atrocities committed by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party have haunted Germany for generations. Set in Berlin during the dictator's final days, the German-Austrian-Italian co-production "Downfall" is a sobering look at one of history's most notorious men. The film doesn't condone Hitler's actions, but it does show how evil people are human. Bruno Ganz's lead performance was rightfully acclaimed, and the film earned numerous accolades, including an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. “Downfall” is both an incredible historic drama as well as an unforgettable portrait of a man who will sadly, never be forgotten.
#14: “A Separation” (2011)
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Numerous films have examined the pain of a marriage ending, but few have done so as well as this drama from Iranian director Asghar Farhadi. “A Separation” is both suspenseful and emotional, bringing you into the characters’ lives as though you’ve always known them. Torn between leaving Iran for the sake of their daughter or staying to help the husband's father, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, the couple finds themselves at a crossroads. Farhadi refuses to play sides, and his actors find the humanity of every moment, making this a movie as layered as it is heartbreaking.
#13: “Fanny and Alexander” (1982)
Swedish director Ingmar Bergman ended his career with one of his crowning achievements. Originally intended as a five-hour television miniseries, “Fanny and Alexander” was pared down to just over three hours and still managed to be a masterpiece. The film tells the story of the titular siblings as they come of age in early 20th-century Sweden, including their conflicts with their cruel stepfather, Bishop Edvard Vergérus. Although it’s set in one particular country at one particular time, “Fanny and Alexander” never fails to feel wonderfully universal. Whether you choose to watch the three or five-hour version, you’re going to see a movie that will touch your heart for years to come.
#12: “The Intouchables” (2011)
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Movies that become international sensations don’t need to be full of CGI and daring stunts. The French buddy comedy-drama “The Intouchables” resonated with audiences around the world not through special effects but through pure emotion. This crowd-pleasing tale is about Philippe, a wealthy man who is paralyzed, and his caregiver Driss. Actors François Cluzet and Omar Sy have great chemistry as they learn from one another, and the film manages to be both lighthearted and moving. Inspired by a true story and later remade in the U.S. as the "The Upside," "The Intouchables" is touching and more.
#11: “Cinema Paradiso” (1988)
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Going to the movies creates all kinds of memories, especially when you’re young. Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore’s coming-of-age story about a young boy and his bond with a film projectionist in a Sicilian village is an incredible ode to movies, community, and growing up. As projectionist Alfredo, Philippe Noiret is one of the best father figures in movie history and his bond with Salvatore is forever moving. The film's ending is also simple to describe but impossible to forget. "Cinema Paradiso" is a love letter to classic movies and deserves to be mentioned right alongside them.
#10: “Roma” (2018)
Alfonso Cuarón has one of the most compelling filmographies of any director, with sci-fi thrillers, coming-of-age stories, and even a “Harry Potter” movie in his repertoire. But his most personal has to be “Roma,” about Cleo, an Indigenous maid to a family in Mexico City. As Cleo, Yalitza Aparicio is astonishing, and Cuarón’s knack for direction turns a seemingly small-scale story into one as engrossing as any big-budget epic. Roma earned Cuarón his second Best Director Oscar and Mexico its first Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. The Academy also rightfully awarded the film’s gorgeous black-and-white cinematography, also done by Cuarón.
#9: “The Lives of Others” (2006)
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There’s a way to make a great spy movie without focusing on tuxedos, martinis, and fancy gadgets. This film, another Best Foreign Language Film winner, is excellent not only for the tension it creates but also the sympathy it garners for a theoretically unlikable character. Ulrich Mühe plays Gerd Wiesler, a captain of East Germany’s secret police tasked with spying on a couple. The more he listens, the more he finds himself drawn into their lives, pulling the strings and defying his superiors. With a great lead performance from Mühe and a plot that never lags, “The Lives of Others” is a period piece that still feels relevant.
#8: “Y tu mamá también” (2001)
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Another great film from Alfonso Cuarón, this Mexican road film is a frank depiction of both sexuality and friendship. After best friends Julio and Tenoch meet an older woman at a wedding, the three embark on a road trip, where new bonds are formed and old ones are tested. Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna’s chemistry makes you believe they’ve been friends forever, and Maribel Verdú shines as their companion, Luisa. With its explicit content, “Y Tu Mamá También” isn’t exactly a movie you’d want to watch with your parents, but it’s definitely a cut above the typical road movie.
#7: “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000)
Director Ang Lee’s martial arts drama mixed intense human drama with unbelievable fight choreography. Set in 19th-century China during the Qing Dynasty, “Crouching Tiger” stars Chow Yun-fat and Michelle Yeoh as a swordsman and warrior conflicted over their unshakeable attraction. When Yun-Fat's Mu Bai tasks Yeoh's Shu Lien with delivering his sword, the "Green Destiny," complications ensue. But what makes this film so memorable are its fight sequences, including a duel that has the actors sparring in the treetops. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" became a major hit worldwide and brought its actors, including Zhang Ziyi, to wider prominence.
#6: “Parasite” (2019)
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It took almost a century, but the Academy Awards finally gave a non-English-language film the Best Picture Oscar when “Parasite” won in 2020. And it was well-deserved, as this is a movie that manages to be nerve-wracking, hilarious, and heartbreaking. South Korean director Bong Joon-ho tells a disturbingly relevant story of class divide. The Kims, a struggling family, finagle their way into working for the wealthy Parks. And while their deception initially seems foolproof, they soon find themselves reaching new lows as they try to ascend to new heights. With spectacular set design, sharp direction, and excellent performances, “Parasite” gets under your skin and stays there.
#5: “City of God” (2002)
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Some films are so vivid in their depiction of violence and suffering, you have to remind yourself “it’s just a movie.” Brazil’s “City of God” is a perfect example of this, putting the viewer right into the crime and chaos of a Rio de Janeiro neighborhood. Taking place between the late 60s and early 80s, the film not only acquaints you with its setting, but also its characters. As they grow up or have their lives taken from them, we’re reminded of how unfair the world can be. “City of God” may make you flinch, but it will also make you think.
#4: “Amélie” (2001)
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While “City of God” might make you feel despair, “Amélie” should make you feel hope. This charming French romcom is full of whimsy without ever becoming saccharine. It’s helped immensely by the performance of Audrey Tautou, who makes the titular Amélie someone you have to root for. Realizing she can make a difference, Amélie sets out to help others wherever she can. All the while, she develops a fondness for a young man, played by Mathieu Kassovitz. For balancing both humor and heart in a way that’s endlessly charming, we have to say “très bien” to “Amélie.”
#3: “Life is Beautiful” (1997)
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Few movies live up to the promise of “you’ll laugh; you’ll cry” better than “Life is Beautiful.” Italian filmmaker Roberto Benigni’s film about a father trying to protect his son from the brutal realities of a concentration camp takes the viewer on an emotional rollercoaster. As father Guido, Benigni is an utter delight, and he treats this difficult subject matter with respect while also finding room for perseverance. Winner of three Oscars, including Best Actor and Best Foreign Language Film, “Life is Beautiful” is the kind of movie that will have you cherishing the wonder of life, even in the most difficult of times.
#2: “Oldboy” (2003)
Imagine if you had been mysteriously imprisoned for 15 years and were finally free. What would you do? You don’t need to know a word of Korean to find Park Chan-wook’s thriller absolutely riveting. “Oldboy” has become regarded as one of the most exciting and unpredictable films of the 21st century, full of turns and unforgettable scenes like a one-shot fight sequence. As businessman-turned-prisoner-turned-revenge seeker Oh Dae-su, actor Choi Min-sik is consistently great, and the film goes places you would never expect. Despite the title, there’s nothing about “Oldboy” that feels dated.
#1: “Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006)
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The best fantasies are full of equal parts wonder and danger. In this Oscar-winning period piece, director Guillermo del Toro takes you back in time and down the rabbit hole. Set in Spain during the rule of dictator Francisco Franco, “Pan’s Labyrinth” chronicles Ofelia, a young girl with an ill mother and a tyrannical stepfather. Ofelia finds herself in a world of fairies and monsters while also trying to survive the wrath of her stepfather, played by Sergi López. Made with digital and practical effects and believably portraying both the real and fantastical worlds, "Pan's Labyrinth" is the kind of audacious work that makes seeing movies such a universal experience.