Movies are a wonderful way to listen to some French while having fun. Now, there are plenty of genres you can pick from: romantic comedies, musicals, even Christmas movies if that’s the season. In this specific post, you’ll find 10 of the best French drama movies.
C’est parti!
Note: if you are a beginner, this might not be the best genre of movie to start with. Try something lighter.
Author : Marie Drouvin
Salut! Je suis Marie and I'm on a mission to make learning French simple. You can find me on Youtube, or here, on this blog. And if you want to know more about how to learn French, take a look at my book.
There isn't just French drama movies, there's all sorts of genres!
You will also know which sort of movie to watch depending on your level.
L'Armée des Ombres, 1969
An old classic, about one of the darkest times of French history: the second world war. And more precisely, the Republic of Vichy. The Republic in place when the nazis had invaded France.
It’s a story of La Résistance (groups who resisted the nazi and Vichy regime), friendship, and schemes.
La Vie d'Adèle, 2013
17 is the age where you fall in love for the first time. Adèle is 17 so she is trying… unsuccessfully. She believes something is wrong with her. Until she meets Emma.
This movie was a huge success – even winning La Palme d’Or at the Festival de Cannes 2013.
Les Misérables, 2019
Montfermeil, France, summer of 2018. Policemen VS the people. An homage to Victor Hugo.
Les Misérables is another huge French success with an Oscar nomination, four wins at the Césars AND the jury’s choice award at the Festival de Cannes.
Au Revoir les Enfants, 1987
Let’s go back in time. To the winter of 1943. In the middle of the French countryside, there is a school. A school for boys. Run by le Père Jean. Today, he is going to introduce three new students.
Au Revoir Les Enfants has been recommended to me by a few of my students. And indeed, it’s a true masterpiece amongst French drama movies.
Belle de Jour, 1967
Séverine is a beautiful housewife, married to a handsome, nice doctor. On paper, she has everything. In reality? She needs more.
Beautiful Catherine Deneuve at her peak. Warning though, it’s about sex.
Manon des Sources, et, Jean de Florette, 1986
Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources is a long story about a spring in the very dry south of France.
If you want to watch it in the story order, then watch Jean de Florette first. If you want to keep the mystery in Manon des Sources, watch Manon des Sources first. Your choice!
Sur Mes Lèvres, 2001
The surprising alliance of a partially deaf real estate assistant in need of recognition, and an ex-con. A story that goes a tiny bit deeper than just a standard romance…
It’s also a beautifully made movie if you appreciate visual scenes.
Le Chant du Loup, 2019
There is a war we don’t know about. It’s not one fought with bombs. And it requires very special soldiers. Soldiers like Chanteraide, who can hear the difference between an enemy submarine, a wounded whale, or a small submarine earthquake.
This movie is so good it feels like a thriller.
Le Dernier Métro, 1980
Paris is occupied. But les théâtres are open. And even though she has to hide her Jewish husband, Marion needs to run le Théâtre Montmartre.
Another great performance of Catherine Deneuve, with Gérard Depardieu on her side. And you gotta love Gérard Depardieu for his beautiful diction (also, I’m a fan of Cyrano de Bergerac and Depardieu is the best Cyrano I’ve ever seen).
Oh and it’s another French drama movie about La Résistance. You gotta love those too!
La Reine Margot, 1994
Isabelle Adjani, beautifully portraying La Reine Margot in this bloody French drama movie.
It’s a lesson of history as well as a French lesson that you are going to receive. Brush up on Wikipedia about the Huguenots and the Edit de Nantes before you dive in – especially if you have very little knowledge of French history.
More French drama movies here
And other genres!
