The Best Movie from Each Country: 50 International Films You Must Watch (Part 2)

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - September 6th 2025, 11:00 GMT+2

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 223307665 — Italy – La Dolce Vita (1960)

Life in Rome has never looked so decadent, chaotic, or intoxicating as in *La Dolce Vita*. Fellini invites you into a world of glittering parties, restless journalists, and the endless pursuit of meaning in a city that never sleeps. Every scene hums with energy, melancholy, and sly humor, making the city itself feel like a character. Marcello Mastroianni drifts through it all with charm and existential fatigue, giving the film a magnetic center. The film captures the dizzying glamour and underlying emptiness of post-war society in ways that feel timeless. By the end, you’re both enchanted and exhausted, like you’ve lived a lifetime in one night. | © Riama Film

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 223445878 — Japan – Seven Samurai (1954)

Adventure, honor, and sheer cinematic thrill collide in *Seven Samurai*, a film that feels epic without ever losing its human touch. Akira Kurosawa’s storytelling is precise yet wildly energetic, pulling you into a village under siege and the warriors determined to protect it. Each samurai has a distinct personality, making you care about their fates even amid intense battle scenes. The choreography of action, tension, and camaraderie still influences filmmakers today, decades later. It’s equal parts thrilling, emotional, and inspiring, with moments that feel larger than life yet intimately human. By the final battle, your heart races, your mind is awed, and you can’t stop thinking about loyalty and courage. | © Toho Co., Ltd.

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 232903492 — Jordan – Theeb (2014)

A desert journey becomes a coming-of-age adventure, full of danger, mystery, and breathtaking landscapes. Theeb, a young Bedouin boy, navigates treacherous terrain and moral choices that test courage, loyalty, and wit. Every sand dune and canyon seems alive, reflecting the tension and beauty of this harsh yet mesmerizing world. The film blends suspense, cultural insight, and quiet humor, drawing you into a story both intimate and epic. Performances are natural and compelling, making each moment of fear and triumph resonate deeply. By the end, you’re left exhilarated, contemplative, and amazed at how a simple desert tale can feel so vast and unforgettable. | © MAD Solutions

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 223545181 — Lebanon – Capernaum (2018)

*Life can be brutal, but cinema can make it unforgettable –* and *Capernaum* proves that in spades. Following a young boy navigating the streets of Beirut, the film is a raw, urgent story of survival, injustice, and hope. Zain’s journey is heartbreakingly real, yet moments of resilience and humor shine through even in the harshest circumstances. The child actors are astonishingly natural, drawing you into a world that’s impossible to ignore. It’s a social commentary wrapped in gripping storytelling that grabs you by the gut. By the end, you’re left shaken, inspired, and unwilling to forget the lives portrayed. | © Catharsis Films

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 223659937 — Mexico – Amores Perros (2000)

Three stories, one collision, and a city that pulses like a beating heart – that’s *Amores Perros*. From the streets of Mexico City, it throws you into lives intertwined by love, betrayal, and sheer chaos. The film’s energy is relentless, jumping between perspectives while maintaining an emotional punch that hits hard every time. Dogs aren’t just pets here – they’re symbols, witnesses, and sometimes instigators of fate. The raw performances and gritty realism make the stories feel like they could be happening next door. By the end, you’re exhilarated, unsettled, and strangely hopeful, marveling at the brilliance of storytelling. | © Zeta Films

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 223736219 — Morocco – Horses of God (2012)

*Horses of God* dives headfirst into the lives of two brothers growing up in a Moroccan slum, a story as heartbreaking as it is illuminating. The film doesn’t just recount events – it immerses you in a world of friendship, desperation, and the choices that can spiral into tragedy. You laugh, cry, and sometimes just hold your breath as the narrative pulls you closer to lives very different from your own. The streets, the buildings, and the people feel lived-in, authentic, and vibrating with emotion. By the end, you’re left contemplating how circumstances shape destiny, and how cinema can make that understanding visceral. It’s intense, human, and impossible to shake. | © Timitar Films

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 224831570 — Netherlands – Turkish Delight (1973)

Love, lust, and chaos collide in *Turkish Delight*, a film that feels like a whirlwind romance with no safety net. The chemistry between Rutger Hauer and Monique van de Ven practically leaps off the screen, dragging you into a story that’s messy, passionate, and heartbreakingly real. Scenes oscillate between wild comedy and gut-punch tragedy, capturing the thrill and pain of human connection. The film’s daring approach to desire and devotion feels ahead of its time, and utterly magnetic even today. By the end, you’re left breathless, exhilarated, and strangely exhausted from riding this emotional rollercoaster. It’s messy, raw, and unforgettable – love in all its chaotic glory. | © Jadran Film

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 225005730 — New Zealand – The Piano (1993)

*The Piano* is the kind of film that lingers in your chest long after the final note fades. Watching Ada and her daughter navigate desire, power, and expression in 19th-century New Zealand is at once intimate and epic. Every piano key, every silent glance, becomes a language of its own, speaking volumes where words fail. Jane Campion’s storytelling is both lush and restrained, creating a world where emotion simmers beneath the surface, ready to erupt. It’s haunting, sensual, and heartbreakingly human, blending landscape and longing with perfect precision. By the last scene, you feel as if you’ve touched the music, the land, and the soul of the characters. | © Palace Films

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 225040229 — Norway – Oslo, August 31st (2011)

Some films make you quietly hold your breath, and *Oslo, August 31st* does it with devastating simplicity. Following a single day in the life of Anders, the movie unfolds like a tender meditation on addiction, regret, and the struggle to find meaning. The city of Oslo isn’t just a backdrop – it mirrors Anders’ isolation, quiet desperation, and fleeting moments of hope. Every encounter and conversation hits with understated poignancy, making you feel both empathy and unease. It’s small in scale but enormous in emotional impact, a film that rewards careful attention. By the end, you’re contemplative, slightly heartbroken, and fully moved. | © Motlys

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 225111332 — Peru – The Milk of Sorrow (2009)

*The Milk of Sorrow* blends beauty and pain in ways that feel almost elemental. The story of Fausta, carrying the weight of generational trauma, is at once personal and universal, unfolding against Peru’s breathtaking landscapes. Claudia Llosa balances surreal moments with grounded emotion, creating a world that’s haunting, poetic, and full of quiet resilience. You feel the weight of history, the tenderness of human connections, and the sorrow that lingers across generations. The film is a meditation on survival, memory, and hope, delivered with astonishing sensitivity. By the end, the images, music, and emotions stick with you like a dream you can’t shake. | © Volcán Films

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 225157487 — Philippines – Manila in the Claws of Light (1975)

Few films capture the pulse of a city like *Manila in the Claws of Light*, a story that drags you into the streets of the Philippine capital with visceral intensity. It’s gritty, tense, and heartbreakingly real, following a man navigating love, poverty, and injustice. Every alley, crowd, and rooftop feels alive, teeming with both danger and humanity. The narrative is relentless yet profoundly moving, making you care deeply about lives so far removed from your own. Lino Brocka’s direction ensures you feel the city’s heartbeat in every frame. By the end, you’re exhausted, captivated, and unable to forget the vivid world you’ve just experienced. | © CineManila

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 225638146 — Poland – Ida (2013)

A quiet storm of emotion, this story follows a young nun as she uncovers dark family secrets, revealing the weight of history, identity, and faith. Every frame feels like a carefully composed painting, where silence speaks louder than words. The stark black-and-white cinematography heightens the tension and beauty of each scene, drawing you into a contemplative, almost meditative space. Emotions simmer beneath the surface, subtle yet incredibly powerful, making you feel the characters’ internal struggles. It’s introspective, elegant, and haunting, leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll. By the end, life, morality, and the past linger in your thoughts like a persistent echo. | © Opus Film

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 225836455 — Portugal – The Green Years (1963)

Life in Lisbon comes alive in this tender tale of youth, love, and the bittersweet journey of growing up. Every small triumph and disappointment of the protagonist feels authentic, relatable, and deeply human. The city’s streets, cafes, and quiet corners are infused with charm and subtle beauty, becoming a silent companion to the story. Emotions unfold gently yet meaningfully, carrying moments of joy, heartbreak, and reflection. It’s a story about self-discovery, resilience, and the messy, wonderful ride of life. By the final scene, nostalgia and comfort settle in, leaving viewers quietly satisfied and reflective. | © Tobis Portuguesa

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 225934033 — Romania – 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)

Breath catches from the very first scene, as the story plunges you into a tense, claustrophobic world under dictatorship. Every whispered conversation and furtive glance carries immense stakes, making you feel the weight of each decision along with the characters. The unflinching realism exposes fear, resilience, and moral ambiguity in ways that are impossible to ignore. Cristi Puiu’s direction keeps you engaged, tense, and emotionally invested throughout. It’s harrowing, compelling, and deeply human, forcing you to confront harsh realities. By the end, your heart aches, your mind reels, and the experience lingers long after the screen goes dark. | © Mandragora

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 230005153 — Russia – Come and See (1985)

War never feels this immediate, this intimate, or this devastatingly real. Through the eyes of a young boy, the horrors of World War II in Belarus unfold with surreal intensity, blending chaos with moments of stark, haunting clarity. Every explosion, every whispered terror, every quiet pause drags you deeper into a nightmare you cannot look away from. Cinematography and sound design pull you into the action, making survival, fear, and grief palpable. It’s raw, unflinching, and almost unbearably powerful, yet impossible to ignore. By the last frame, your mind is haunted, your heart heavy, and the film’s impact refuses to fade. | © Mosfilm

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 230043338 — South Africa – Tsotsi (2005)

Survival, morality, and humanity collide in a story set in the streets of Johannesburg, where every choice carries weight. The protagonist’s journey from hardened gang leader to a man discovering unexpected compassion is gripping and profoundly human. Life in the slums pulses with danger, energy, and fleeting moments of tenderness, making the city feel alive with character. Performances are raw, authentic, and electric, capturing the complexity of growth and redemption. The story moves fast yet lands hard, leaving an emotional imprint that’s hard to shake. By the final scene, you’re left thinking about resilience, justice, and the fragile beauty of humanity. | © Curious Pictures

Cropped Parasite — South Korea – Parasite (2019)

When the Kims start scheming their way into the Parkers’ house, it quickly becomes clear that nothing about this family drama is ordinary. Tension and dark humor intertwine, making each twist feel both shocking and oddly satisfying. Every character is flawed, clever, and impossible to ignore, which makes the story’s social critique hit hard without ever feeling preachy. The house itself seems alive, a character in its own right, hiding secrets and class divides behind every door. The film’s rhythm keeps you guessing, laughing, and gasping in equal measure. By the end, the audacity and brilliance linger, reminding you why cinema can feel so dangerously alive. | © CJ Entertainment

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 230548936 — Spain – All About My Mother (1999)

A neon-lit hospital corridor sets the stage for stories of loss, love, and unexpected connections. Almodóvar weaves humor and heartbreak into every interaction, letting you feel the chaos and warmth of this vibrant world. Each character, from doctors to performers to friends, bursts with life, quirks, and contradictions that make them unforgettable. The city pulses around them, colorful and alive, reflecting both the comedy and the sorrow of the story. Moments of tenderness sneak in where you least expect them, balancing grief with joy. By the end, you’re laughing, crying, and marveling at the messy, magical human tapestry Almodóvar has created. | © El Deseo

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 230633763 — Sweden – Fanny and Alexander (1982)

A theater performance in the family home could be ordinary – unless it’s under Ingmar Bergman’s lens, where every shadow and smile carries weight. Childhood wonder and domestic darkness coexist in this rich, layered story, with magic and cruelty often appearing side by side. Characters feel enormous, flawed, and irresistibly human, drawing you deeply into their joys and struggles. The film’s lush visuals and intimate storytelling make even ordinary moments feel epic. Scenes linger in your mind, like memories that are both sweet and bittersweet. By the last frame, you’re fully immersed, reluctant to leave this intricate, enchanting world. | © Svensk Filmindustri

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 230753017 — Switzerland – Journey of Hope (1990)

Crossing borders has never felt so perilous, intimate, and hopeful at the same time. Following a family’s risky journey to a better life, the film immerses you in every danger, triumph, and quiet moment of reflection. Landscapes stretch endlessly, echoing both the characters’ vulnerability and determination. Tension builds in ways both subtle and heart-pounding, making every decision matter. Moments of connection, perseverance, and small victories shine through the struggle, leaving a lasting emotional impact. By the final scene, hope feels tangible, and the story lingers like a memory of someone you briefly traveled alongside. | © Vega Film

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 230847741 — Thailand – Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010)

A forest filled with ghosts, memories, and spirits welcomes you into a world where time is fluid and stories are alive. Uncle Boonmee’s encounters with the past, present, and otherworldly are strangely comforting, unsettling, and mesmerizing all at once. The natural beauty of Thailand frames each mystical moment, making landscapes feel like portals into memory and imagination. Humor and sorrow appear in equal measure, creating a rhythm that is hypnotic yet emotionally resonant. It’s a film that moves slowly but leaves a huge imprint on the mind. By the last scene, you’re enchanted, contemplative, and quietly haunted by its lyrical magic. | © Kick the Machine Films

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 231254446 — Turkey – Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011)

The Anatolian night stretches endlessly as a group of men drive across the countryside, uncovering secrets that weigh heavy on every soul. The slow, meditative pace allows each character’s humanity – and their flaws – to emerge in rich, subtle detail. Dialogue and silences alike are loaded with meaning, making the landscape feel as alive as the people inhabiting it. You sense both the beauty and the melancholy of rural life, a rhythm of work, memory, and moral ambiguity. Every frame is carefully composed, turning even mundane moments into visual poetry. By the end, the journey leaves you contemplative, touched, and quietly awed by life’s complexities. | © Istisnai Films

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 231510633 — United Kingdom – Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

The desert is endless, blinding, and magnificent, and it becomes an epic canvas for a man whose ambitions are as vast as the sands. Every mirage, every wind-swept dune seems to whisper the contradictions of heroism, identity, and power. Peter O’Toole’s magnetic presence guides you through political intrigue, personal obsession, and breathtaking adventure. David Lean’s direction turns landscapes into characters and moments into legend, making every frame unforgettable. The story is as much about inner struggles as it is about sweeping battles and alliances. By the final scene, the film leaves you both exhilarated and reflective, contemplating the price of greatness. | © Columbia Pictures

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 231651642 — United States – Citizen Kane (1941)

Rosebud isn’t just a mystery – it’s the key to one of the most inventive, emotionally rich films in cinematic history. Orson Welles’ genius transforms a single man’s life into a tapestry of ambition, longing, and regret, where every shadow and reflection adds meaning. The nonlinear storytelling keeps you engaged and curious, while innovative camera work and lighting make each scene feel alive and dynamic. Characters feel real, complex, and sometimes contradictory, mirroring the imperfections of real life. Themes of power, love, and loneliness unfold with subtle brilliance, making the film endlessly fascinating. By the end, you’re left marveling at both the story and the art of filmmaking itself. | © RKO Radio Pictures

Cropped imagen 2025 09 01 231731026 — Uruguay – Whisky (2004)

Life in Montevideo moves slowly, quietly, and sometimes awkwardly, just like the relationship at the center of *Whisky*. A sock factory, routine dinners, and restrained gestures carry enormous emotional weight in this understated tale of love, loneliness, and small reconciliations. Humor sneaks in subtly, often in the pauses and silences, making the story gently playful while deeply poignant. The deadpan performances are exquisite, showing that even the smallest actions can speak volumes. Everyday life becomes strangely mesmerizing, a study of human connection in the simplest of forms. By the end, you’re smiling softly, contemplative, and charmed by the quiet genius of restraint.

Looking for Part 1? Here you go! | © Kantana Films

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Cinema is one of the most powerful ways to explore different cultures, histories, and perspectives. Every country has produced at least one masterpiece that captures its identity, struggles, or spirit, and together these films create a map of world cinema. From the poetic realism of Pather Panchali in India to the groundbreaking vision of Metropolis in Germany, the raw emotion of City of God in Brazil, and the modern brilliance of Parasite in South Korea, each title offers something unique.

In this list, we highlight 50 of the best movies from around the world – one from each country – that every film lover should watch. These aren’t just critically acclaimed works, but also stories that resonate far beyond their borders. Whether you’re looking to dive into classic masterpieces, modern award-winners, or hidden gems of international cinema, this guide will take you on a cinematic journey across continents.

This is part two of our two-part list. Don’t miss part one here to see the rest!