The 14 Best French Movies on Amazon Prime (September 2024)

French cinema offers some moving stories, enticing drama and a peak into the culture of various regions of the world. 

And with streaming services like Amazon’s Prime Video, these films are now easier than ever to access.

In this article, you’ll find the 14 best French movies on Amazon Prime that you can watch from the comfort of your home.

With everything from romantic comedies to dramas and crime mysteries, there’s something for everyone—even French learners!

So whether you’re fluent in French or working on getting there, you can sit back and enjoy the show. 

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1. “Intouchables” (“The Intouchables”)

Genre: Comedy/Drama

This heartwarming French film tells the true story of an unlikely friendship between a wealthy quadriplegic man and his exuberant caretaker from the Parisian suburbs.

The film showcases the transformative power of human connection, humor and empathy, breaking down social barriers and preconceptions.

Released in 2011, “Intouchables” became a box office success not only in France but also internationally. Among its accolades, the film won the César Award for Best Actor (Omar Sy) and earned numerous nominations and recognitions from various film festivals and award ceremonies.

2. “Grâce à Dieu” (“By the Grace of God”) 

Genre: Drama/Crime

Directed by François Ozon, this gripping drama is based on true events surrounding the abuse scandal within the Catholic Church in Lyon, France.

The film follows three courageous survivors who come forward to expose their childhood abuser, a respected priest. With unwavering determination, they confront the systemic cover-up and seek justice for themselves and others.

Released in 2019, “Grâce à Dieu” offers powerful performances and handles the sensitive subject matter well. It won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 2019 Berlin International Film Festival and the César Award for Best Director in the same year.

3. “Hors de prix” (“Priceless”)

Genre: Romantic Comedy

The much-loved actress Audrey Tautou stars in this popular film as Irene, a woman with expensive taste who pursues rich men to foot the bill for her lavish lifestyle.

One night, she mistakenly identifies Jean (played by Gad Elmaleh), a bartender, for a wealthy gentleman. What unfolds is a traditional and charming French comedy that’s full of love, plot twists and quirky characters.

“Hors de prix” is perfect for romance fans, as it not only takes place on the French Riviera, one of the world’s most romantic spots, but also won Best Kiss at NRJ Ciné Awards in 2007.

4. “Les innocentes” (“The Innocents”)

Genre: Historic Drama

This 2016 film tells a beautiful, tragic story set in Poland just after the end of WWII. Mathilde Beaulieu is a medical student working with the French Red Cross to take care of French survivors of the German camps.

Her life is changed when she begins to secretly treat the nuns at a neighboring convent, many of whom became pregnant after a horrific raid by Soviet soldiers. As the story unfolds, it raises questions regarding faith, post-war healing and the different ways in which people deal with personal traumas. 

This moving film is based on a true story and features an almost all-female cast. It was nominated for four César Awards and won awards at several international film festivals.

5. “Papicha”

Genre: Drama

“Papicha” is a powerful Algerian-French film set in the 1990s during the Algerian Civil War. The movie follows Nedjma, a fearless university student and aspiring fashion designer, who defies societal restrictions by organizing a fashion show in her conservative city.

The film beautifully portrays the resilience of young women in the face of oppression and violence. Its compelling storytelling and strong performances have earned it critical acclaim. 

“Papicha” won several awards, including the Best First Film Prize at the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section and the Luxembourg City Film Festival’s Grand Prix.

6. “Le démantèlement” (“The Auction”)

Genre: Drama

Released in 2013, “Le démantèlement” is an emotional family drama about a sheep farmer named Gaby (played by Gabriel Arcand). Gaby has somehow managed to hold onto his property in Canada despite the many farmers around him who have been forced to sell due to the economic crisis.

However, one day his daughter visits from her home in the city of Montreal to ask for financial help to keep her house. Gaby must cope with his decision to sell the family farm in order to support her.

A beautiful and moving story, this film was a Cannes Film Festival winner in the SACD (Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers) category.

7. “Ce qui nous lie” (“Back to Burgundy”)

Genre: Drama/Comedy

This heartwarming film directed by Cédric Klapisch centers around three estranged siblings who reunite at their family vineyard in Burgundy after their father falls critically ill.

As they face the challenges of wine-making and personal conflicts, they gradually reconcile and rediscover the bonds that tie them together.

The 2019 film received praise for its picturesque cinematography and genuine performances. It has resonated with many viewers as a touching portrayal of family, love and tradition.

8. “120 battements par minute” (“Beats Per Minute”)

Genre: Drama

This powerful film is set in the early 1990s during the AIDS epidemic. The movie revolves around the passionate activism of the members of ACT UP Paris, a group fighting for better treatment and awareness of the disease.

“120 battements par minute” offers a poignant portrayal of love, loss and the fight for justice, highlighting the personal struggles and dedication of its characters. Its emotional depth and captivating narrative have earned it widespread attention.

The film won several awards, including the Grand Prix at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and six Cesar Awards, including Best Film and Best Original Screenplay.

9. “Les misérables” (The Miserable Ones)

Genre: Drama/Crime

“Les Misérables” is a gripping French drama that delves into the tensions and complexities of the Parisian banlieues (suburbs). The film follows a trio of police officers patrolling the impoverished neighborhood, whose actions escalate an already volatile situation.

As social unrest reaches its peak, the characters must confront their own biases and the consequences of their choices. Delving into some thought-provoking themes, the film received widespread acclaim upon its release in 2019.

It earned the Jury Prize at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and was also nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 2020 Academy Awards.

10. “Kuessipan”

Genre: Drama

“Kuessipan” is a poignant and evocative French-Canadian drama set in an Innu community in Quebec. It’s based on the bestselling novel by the same name, written by Naomi Fontaine.

The film follows the close friendship between two Indigenous girls, Mikuan and Shaniss, as they navigate the challenges of growing up in a world filled with cultural tensions and personal aspirations. As their paths diverge, they must confront the complexities of identity and belonging.

“Kuessipan” provides an authentic portrayal of Indigenous life and culture. The film won the Best Canadian First Feature Film award at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, further highlighting its excellence and impact.

11. “Monsieur Lazhar” (Mr. Lazhar)

Genre: Comedy/Drama

This touching French-Canadian drama follows the journey of an Algerian immigrant, Bachir Lazhar, who becomes a substitute teacher in a Montreal elementary school.

As he helps his young students cope with the trauma of their previous teacher’s tragic death, he also grapples with his own painful past. The film explores themes of loss, healing and the power of mentorship.

Released in 2011, “Monsieur Lazhar” was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 84th Academy Awards and won several awards, including six Genie Awards in Canada.

13. “L’événement” (“Happening”)

Genre: Drama

This 2021 film is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Annie Ernaux. The novel and film tell her traumatic experience of having an abortion in 1963 when it was still illegal in France.

The young woman decides to abort her pregnancy so she can finish her education and break free from the limitations of her working-class upbringing. The story touches on the censure culture of the 1960s and the hardships faced by women. 

The film premiered at the 78th Venice International Film Festival and has since received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences. It’s won numerous awards including four César Awards and four Lumières Awards.

14. “Ne le dis à personnel” (“Tell No One”)

Genre: Crime/Drama/Mystery

This gripping 2006 French thriller was adapted from Harlan Coben’s novel. The film follows Alexandre Beck, a doctor haunted by the murder of his wife, Margot.

Eight years after her death, he receives an eerie email that suggests Margot might still be alive. As he delves into the mysterious message and his wife’s past, he becomes entangled in a web of secrets and danger.

The film offers intense suspense for viewers and has achieved commercial success both in France and internationally.

The Benefits of Watching Films to Learn French

Watching films comes with a lot of educational benefits, and there’s a plethora of films that are excellent for French learners. 

Here are just a few of the benefits of watching French films at any level:

• Films offer access to a wide variety of vocabulary, as the scenarios are never-ending and ever-changing. This will help you learn new words in different contexts and better understand conversations in real-life situations.
• You can acclimate to the nuances of the French language by listening to the dialogue in films. For example, you’ll hear how words form liaisons and contractions, frequently-used slang and more. You can also get exposed to many different French accents by watching films from different regions. 
• You’re in control when you watch films at home. You can turn the subtitles on or off, depending on your level of understanding. You can also pause to write down a new word or rewind and watch a scene again to ensure you fully understand a word or phrase before continuing on.
• Films provide visual context for dialogue, giving you a better chance of identifying exactly what’s meant by a new word or phrase and in which situations you can use it. They can be a great next step after working with shorter video content, whether that be material from a French YouTube channel.

Check out a few of the options on the list and you’ll see firsthand how beneficial watching a film to learn French can be!

 

This is just a sneak peek of the many French films available for streaming on Amazon Prime. If you run out of films on Amazon (not likely!), be sure to check out the French films that other sites such as Netflix have to offer.

With all of these options, you have no reason not to explore some beautiful films while improving your French at the same time!

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)