Hands Down, These Are the 11 Best Foreign Films on Netflix

Broaden your horizons.

written by

updated May 24, 2021

foreign films on netflix — Cristina Cianci

We're big fans of foreign films, so we've compiled a list of movies we think will inspire almost anyone to queue up a feature with subtitles. No matter your taste in movies—whether you're a fan of laugh-out-loud comedies, harrowing coming-of-age stories, or epic romances—you'll want to add one of these foreign films to your watchlist, stat.

From a thought-provoking film about two women navigating their culture's complex traditions to a romance centered around two strangers who are reunited by chance on a plane 10 years after meeting on a train, these are hands down the best foreign films on Netflix right now.

Below, browse our favorite picks for the best foreign films on Netflix, and stay in tonight and stream a movie with subtitles.

01 of 11

Us and Them (2018)

The Country: China

The Language: Mandarin

The Premise: Two strangers who met on a train 10 years ago reunite by chance when they wind up sitting next to each other on a plane. Directed by Rene Liu, this decade-spanning love story will pull on your heartstrings. If you're looking for a heartwarming romance to watch, add Us and Them to your Netflix queue immediately.

Available on: Netflix

02 of 11

Sand Storm (2016)

The Country: Israel, Germany, and France

The Language: Arabic

The Premise: Set in a Bedouin village in southern Israel, Sand Storm tells the story of two women, a mother and a daughter, who are forced to confront the complex traditions that define their lives. In the end, they must learn to see the world from the other's perspective in order to survive. If you're looking to broaden your view of the world, add this hidden gem to your watchlist.

Available on: Netflix

03 of 11

Sunday's Illness (2017)

The Country: Spain

The Languages: Spanish, French

The Premise: In this thought-provoking film directed by Ramón Salazar, a middle-aged adult woman reunites with her mother after being abandoned by her 35 years ago. Can 10 short days bring the estranged mother and daughter closer together? Or will it only drive them further apart after the daughter's true motives for pursuing the reunion are revealed?

Available on: Netflix

04 of 11

The Trader (2018)

The Country: Georgia

The Language: Georgian

The Premise: What is life like in a rural Georgian village where modern currency isn't relevant? Rather than purchasing goods with the dollars in your wallet, potatoes are the currency that keeps this community going. When a trader travels through the area to sell his items, he learns firsthand about the residents’ way of life, their dreams, and the challenges they face along the way.

Available on: Netflix

05 of 11

Sand Storm (2016)

The Country: Israel

The Languages: Arabic, Hebrew

The Premise: Growing up in a culture of sister wives and arranged marriages may seem unconventional to American viewers, but for the women in this film, it’s a part of life. The story follows a wife preparing for her husband to introduce his younger second bride into the family, painting a much different picture of life than her daughter—who rejects the status quo in favor of a future based on individualism.

Available on: Netflix

06 of 11

To Each, Her Own (2018)

The Country: France

The Language: French

The Premise: No one is more surprised than Simone when, in the midst of coming out as a lesbian to her conservative Jewish family, she discovers that she's attracted to a man. As you'd expect, tension-filled hilarity ensues. This French film, directed by Myriam Aziza, expertly infuses a bit of comedy into a heartwarming, eye-opening plot.

Available on: Netflix

07 of 11

Lorena, Light-Footed Woman (2018)

The Country: Mexico

The Language: Spanish

The Premise: “How many miles do those sandals have on them?” Lorena laughs playfully at the question. If you’ve ever seen runners participate in a marathon, you’ve probably noticed that—even equipped with top-of-the-line gear—the task isn’t for the faint of heart. But in Mexico, a young indigenous woman welcomes the challenge in long skirts and sandals. Follow Lorena, the daughter of an ultramarathon winner, as she runs nearly 70 miles across all types of terrain.

Available on: Netflix

08 of 11

An Easy Girl (2019)

The Country: France

The Language: French

The Premise: If you’re a fan of coming-of-age dramas, curl up with a bowl of popcorn and follow Naïma on her teenage journey as she spends a summer with her Parisian cousin, Sofia, in Cannes. This French film is a lesson in growing up, exploring sexuality, and the family bonds that transgress the challenges of becoming an adult.

Available on: Netflix

09 of 11

Roma (2018)

The Country: Mexico

The Language: Spanish

The Premise: Motherhood, nannying, and the symbolism between employers and family are all masterfully portrayed in Roma. The story follows Cleo, a servant in a 1970s Mexican home, as she raises the family’s children while working through her own pregnancy. Set against a backdrop of societal turmoil, the black-and-white film addresses Cleo’s daily life while contrasting small personal moments—and their importance—with life’s larger challenges.

Available on: Netflix

10 of 11

On Body and Soul (2017)

The Country: Budapest

The Language: Hungarian

The Premise: A man and a woman meet at work, discover they have the same dreams at night, and then decide to make them come true. Their mysterious connection bonds the shy and socially awkward pair. Set against soft expressions of romance that contrast with some unsettling—and morbid—scenes in their line of work at the slaughterhouse, this thrilling film will play with your emotions as it shifts between moods.

Available on: Netflix

11 of 11

I'm No Longer Here (2019)

The Country: Mexico

The Language: Spanish

The Premise: Cumbia music is the glue that bonds 17-year-old Ulises and his friend group together in this thriller, but while these teenagers express themselves through bold outfits and coordinated dances, a greater problem lies in their city. Monterrey is home to an array of gang violence—and to his dismay, Ulises accidentally lands in the middle of it. Follow the teen on his journey to cross the border and escape to New York after a chilling experience with the cartel changes his life (no spoilers here, we promise).

Available on: Netflix