The 50 Best International Films of 2024, Ranked

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So, here we go! Presenting the 50 Best International Films of 2024, ranked in reverse order of my preference:

50. The Glassworker (Pakistan)

Pakistan’s submission to the 2025 Oscars is a glistening animation fare with a strong anti-war message. From the innocence of the protagonists to the beauty of hand-drawn animation, pretty much everything works in this well-meaning charmer.

49. Universal Language (Canada)

An absurdist charmer, the French-Farsi film oscillates between two stories. Filled with edgy characters, the limelight stealers are a pageant-winner turkey and Kleenex – the latter in what must be the most authentic in-film advertising ever.

48. Kneecap (Ireland, United Kingdom)

Kneecap is a high-on-testosterone, slickly edited Irish musical drama with the pace and performances to win you over. Based on a real story (the actors play themselves), the film is a blast for its style, politics, and attitude. The editing, in particular, is among the best in cinema this year.

47. Little Jaffna (France, Sri Lanka)

An unexpected ode to Vijay films of our times, Lawrence Valin’s Little Jaffna shines in its political verve. The film’s commentary on Sri Lankan politics, martyrdom, and the idea of patriotism coupled with an ambiguous ending makes it open for many discussions.

46. A Traveler’s Needs (South Korea)

In his third collaboration with Isabelle Huppert, Hong Sang-soo delivers a charming little comedy called A Traveler’s Needs. One that follows a French woman’s (Huppert as Iris) activities as interactions in suburban Korea where she teaches French through an unusual technique, the film is a silent charmer.

45. The Apprentice (Canada, Denmark, Ireland, USA)

Director Ali Abbasi crafts a nuanced narrative that offers a fresh perspective on Donald Trump’s formative years, making the film both engaging and thought-provoking. Sebastian Stan makes the leading man flawed yet real, capturing the essence of his early ambition and complex persona. Jeremy Strong’s performance as Roy Cohn complements Stan’s, creating a dynamic on-screen partnership that delves into the intricacies of their mentor-mentee relationship.

44. The Second Act (France)

Quentin Dupieux’s film is a clever and self-aware comedy that playfully deconstructs filmmaking. Léa Seydoux and Vincent Lindon deliver lively performances, making full use of the film’s imaginative meta-narrative. Though uneven at times, it remains wildly entertaining and a witty cinematic experience.

43. Duino (Italy, USA, Argentina)

Duino is a treat to those who love good, old-fashioned romances with jealousies, separations, yearnings, and a lot of talking. It is the kind of film you would love to go back and revisit every detail. The soundtrack (Kjartan Dagur Holm and Sindri Már Sigfússon) radiates soul and the camera (DOP: Devin Doyle) makes love to the lush locales with the 90s props filling the frames with color.

42. Challengers (USA)

In Challengers, Luca Guadagnino crafts a sharp, layered narrative where ambition and desire collide on and off the court. Even with a few slow moments, the film remains engaging, stylish, and thoroughly entertaining.

41. Girls will be Girls (India, France)

Set in and around a boarding school, Shuchi Talati’s Girls Will Be Girls is a delightfully feminist film with many clever subtexts. Besides chronicling the style of education and the way of life in India, the film also offers a solid perspective on parenting and relationships. Actors Preeti Panigrahi, Kani Kusruti, and Kesav Binoy Kiran deliver notable performances in a breezy yet thought-provoking film.

40. Left Unsaid (Chile)

Left Unsaid is a poignant and deeply personal Chilean drama that beautifully explores the intersection of technological progress and emotional disconnect. Ricardo Valenzuela Pinilla crafts a heartfelt narrative, drawing from real-life experiences to paint a vivid picture of rural Chile in the 1990s. With its authentic storytelling, strong performances, and rich cultural texture, the film resonates as a moving meditation on family, change, and the unspoken words that shape our relationships.

39. Diciannove (Italy, United Kingdom)

Manfredi Marini is extraordinary in his first film outing Diciannove. The actor plays a 19-year-old who dabbles kinetically between a passion for Italian literature and the constantly surging hormones. Filmmaker Giovanni Tortorici (in his feature debut) paints a messy coming-of-age drama and is true to its protagonist’s restless demeanor.

38. Queer (Italy, USA)

Queer sees Daniel Craig deliver a raw and unfiltered performance as William Lee, a role far removed from his Bond persona. Directed by Luca Guadagnino and adapted from William S. Burroughs’ novella, the film explores obsession, desire, and addiction in 1950s Mexico City.

37. A Different Man (USA)

Aaron Schimberg traverses a marginalized person’s mindscape in A Different Man. Sebastian Stan internalizes the protagonist’s pains to deliver a bravura central act along with Renate Reinsve and Adam Pearson. 

36. Out (Netherlands)

Can two people be madly in love and desire different things from each other? Can liberation have different meanings to these individuals? Director Dennis Alink’s Netherland-based queer drama Out is about two young boys in love and how their lives change when they move out of their conservative hometown to live the glitzy gay life in Amsterdam. There’s only so much one can do in relationships, says the film. The leading man – happy, excited, or distraught – conveys every emotion through his evocative face sans dialogue. Actor Bas Keizer is a highly watchable talent who is sure to go places.

35. How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (Thailand)

Thailand’s entry for the 2025 Academy Awards has been a major box office hit and South-East Asia’s only title among the Best International Films of 2024. Director Pat Boonnitipat weaves a touching tale of family and generational conflicts, highlighted by Usha Seamkhum’s impressive debut as the grandmother. With its authentic portrayal of relationships, the film offers a fine reflection on love, legacy, and inheritance.

34. Arzé (Lebanon)

The beauty of Arzé lies in the way it remains witty and hopeful amid adversity. It makes social commentaries without ever turning into a rant. Shaib’s film offers no permanent solutions – be it over the lack of wealth, the insufficiency of opportunities, or the lifestyle in the region. It ends nearly where it begins although with a sweet closure and a reason to smile.

33. I Saw The TV Glow (USA)

32. Santosh (United Kingdom, India, Germany, France)

For a name that translates to happiness in Indian languages, Santosh’s heroine is anything but that. The perplexed woman’s existence in a corrupt, exclusionary, misogynistic, and bigoted world with a rigid power structure is a gentle critique of how life in developing nations. The rich get richer, the poor turn poorer and everyone else is left huffing for air. Shahana Goswami’s film does not make us miss how it refuses to celebrate the woman it chronicles. Instead, it gives her depth and a beating heart.

31. A Real Pain (Poland, USA)

A Real Pain directed by Jesse Eisenberg, follows estranged cousins on a Holocaust tour in Poland, blending humor with emotional depth. Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin deliver standout performances, with Culkin’s portrayal of Benji being the film’s most defining element. The film thoughtfully explores generational trauma and personal growth, making for a bittersweet experience.

30. Loveable (Norway)

Lilja Ingolfsdottir’s film is distinctively contemplative when it offers an inner look into its flawed heroine’s mindscape. And lastly, in a world caught up by patterns of patriarchy, it signals women to help themselves before offering the mask of love to the nest they nurture with great care.

29. Drowning Dry (Lithuania, Latvia)

Drowning Dry is a compelling Lithuanian drama that delves into family tragedy and its psychological aftermath. Director Laurynas Bareiša employs a fragmented narrative to explore themes of grief and memory, creating an unnerving yet profound experience.

28. Nosferatu (USA)

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu reinvents the classic vampire legend with chilling intensity. Bill Skarsgård delivers a grotesque performance as Count Orlok, embodying pure terror. With its gothic atmosphere, striking visuals, and desaturated palette, the film is a cinephile’s delight.

27. My Old Ass (USA, Canada)

Don’t be surprised by a light, emotional film superseding several heavy-duty features on the list. My Old Ass has all the merits as it revels in its melodramatic glory. In this funny and heartfelt take on time travel and self-discovery, Maisy Stella shines as Elliott, whose encounter with her future self (played by Aubrey Plaza) brings both humor and reflection. Director Megan Park delivers an engaging story that blends comedy with deeper themes of growth and identity, making it one of my personal favorites of the year.

26. The Brutalist (United States, Hungary, United Kingdom)

Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist is a sprawling epic that follows architect László Tóth, essayed by Adrien Brody. The film explores themes of artistry and exploitation but its ambition at times outpaces its execution. Brody’s gripping performance grounds the film’s visually striking narrative.

25. On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (Ireland, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia)

A tale of child abuse woven around a backdrop of irrepressible patriarchy, Rungano Nyoni is revelatory in ways more than one. While several of its twists might be triggering, it is a true portrayal of a way of living that is normalized in third-world nations. With a stupendous ensemble cast taking care of delivering the chills, the Zambia-set drama emerges as a major winner in this year’s festival rounds.

24. Grand Tour (Portugal, Italy, France, Germany)

A visually stunning film that effortlessly blends fiction with documentary realism, Miguel Gomes’ Grand Tour follows a couple’s journey through Southeast Asia in 1917. Its intricate fusion of staged scenes and authentic footage challenges traditional storytelling, creating a narrative that is both enigmatic and immersive. One of the best international films of 2024, Gomes’ film needs to be viewed a lot more across geographies for the gorgeous artistry on display.

23. Dying (Germany)

Is a mother always obligated to love her child? What if the child was an ‘accident’? How is the bond going to develop? One that answers a string of questions such as this, Matthias Glasner’s Dying is the dysfunctional family drama film genre done right. The romantic (or sexual) moments staged in a dentist’s cabin brought back the bizarre memories of reading R. K. Narayan’s Salt and Sawdust. While its three-hour-long runtime felt a bit strenuous, it cannot be disputed that the film registers its point like a hammer does to a nail.

22. Black Dog (China)

Guan Hu’s Black Dog is a haunting film on redemption and solitude, set against the backdrop of a crumbling Chinese town in 2008. Eddie Peng delivers a mesmerizing performance as Lang, an ex-convict whose bond with a stray dog becomes his lifeline amid a shifting social landscape.

21. April (Georgia, Italy, France)

If you do not get grossed out by graphic images, Dea Kulumbegashvili’s film will blow your mind. Through a slow-burn narrative that abounds in still frames and static cameras, April is a gutting tale about women’s autonomy over their bodies. Ia Sukhitashvili in the leading role delivers one of the best acts among all international films of 2024.

20. Conclave (USA, United Kingdom)

In a gripping political drama set within the Vatican, Ralph Fiennes delivers a commanding central act. Blending the intrigue of a thriller with the weight of a serious drama, Conclave navigates power struggles and hidden agendas. Even though twists are never really the best, its provocative storytelling gives it the much-needed creative edge.

19. Bound In Heaven (China)

In its final act, Bound In Heaven unfolds like a mesmerizing dance of love, rich with poetry, philosophy, and raw emotion. Free from the burden of predictability, its tragedy is visible long before impact. For those who once wept over Erich Segal’s Love Story, this is a heartbreaking romance that strikes the perfect chord.

18. Holy Cow (France)

Louise Courvoisier’s Holy Cow is a rare coming-of-age story set in rural France that shows youth in a completely different light. It follows 18-year-old Totone (Clément Faveau) who takes on newfound responsibilities after his father’s passing while pursuing his dream of making award-winning Comté cheese. Courvoisier’s debut feature is an unexpected tearjerker and it offers an authentic portrait of rural life.

17. Wicked (USA)

Filmmaker Jon M. Chu translates the iconic Broadway musical into an ambitious cinematic spectacle. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande light up the screen, while the film’s striking production and grand musical sequences honor its theatrical roots with great glory – earning it a spot among the best international films of 2024.

16. Lilies Not For Me (United Kingdom, France, South Africa, USA)

With a meticulously researched screenplay, Lilies Not for Me tenders a century-old apology to gay men. It chronicles a series of events that cannot be undone but can only be viewed with dazed eyes, severe highs, and oodles of empathy for the men who persisted in a barbaric era. Will Seefried’s film (which I missed at NewFest 2024) deserves wider showcasing and may its IFFI gig skyrocket its reach to cinema lovers and gay activists in Asia.

15. Griffin In Summer (USA)

Again, don’t be stumbled by a seemingly simple comedy at a (relatively) high spot on the list of the best international films of 2024. Screened at Tribeca 2024, Griffin in Summer makes for a fantastic watch. It’s funny and emotional and it keeps you glued if you overlook minor pace dips in the third act. The actors are lovely and the dialogues, especially those by the main lead, bring home a sense of relatability, making Nicholas Colia’s debut fare a breezy day watch.

14. Misericordia (France, Spain, Portugal)

The underrated gem honor of the year honor must go to Alain Guiraudie’s Misericordia. Whoever watched it had a blast and it is evident that the cast and crew had a blast filming this absolute banger of a film. As the story builds up, it bravely takes on relationships, religion, and all things orthodox. The central performance is phenomenal and the closing shot is the perfect icing on the hugely underrated cake the film is.

13. The Substance (France, United Kingdom, USA)

This daring body-horror film unpacks Hollywood’s pursuit of youth and perfection. Bold and unsettling, it delivers a sharp critique of society’s fixation on beauty and relevance. Demi Moore gives a fearless performance in The Substance as an aging actress whose radical transformation takes a disturbing turn.

12. Nickel Boys (USA)

RaMell Ross’s adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel must be commended for the emotional weight it packs along. Its depiction of racial injustice is powerful, though the abstract camerawork occasionally creates a disconnect from the story’s raw intensity. Even so, the performances and gripping narrative ensure a lasting impact.

11. Anora (USA)

Sean Baker’s film quietly deconstructs love for a generation that understands a “happy ending” as a mere innuendo. It exposes how economic disparities could rewrite many a dated fairy tale. Anora is one of the most discussed international films of 2024. While Mikey Madison’s central performance is among the finest this year, my heart goes to Yura Borisov’s surprisingly empathetic take on masculinity as Igor.

10. The Fable (India, USA)

If Raam Reddy’s Thithi’s rural Karnataka setting felt as if it were made by someone who grew up in that surrounding, The Fable radiates an anecdotal quality. Set in the Himalayan foothills, Reddy’s new film takes us to 1989 amid apple orchards, wildfires, an Indigenous community, and a blue-collar clan in awe of their employer. Casting Manoj Bajpayee as Dev in itself is half battle won as the actor approaches the part with a balance of tenderness and anger. An Indo-US co-production, the film is yet to be released commercially in the respective markets.

9. The Girl with The Needle (Denmark, Poland, Sweden)

You cannot watch Magnus von Horn’s Denmark-bound masterpiece without heaving many a thousand sighs. A creative adaptation of serial killer Dagmar Overbye’s life, the film, despite a heavy dose of violence (both visual and implied), is incredibly well-made. Trine Dyrholm as Dagmar is a force of nature as she pulls off a fire-spitting character with aplomb.

8. The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Iran, Germany, France)

Mohammad Rasoulof’s film powerfully examines political oppression in contemporary Iran through a family’s struggles. It captures the personal toll of living under authoritarian rule with tension and depth. The final act is especially impactful, delivering a haunting climax that stays with you. 

7. Vermiglio (Italy, France, Belgium)

Maura Delpero’s Vermiglio unfolds in a remote Italian mountain village during the final days of World War II. The film intricately explores family tensions, heritage, and patriarchy with a quiet yet powerful narrative. Its breathtaking cinematography beautifully captures the picturesque landscapes, making it the most visually stunning title on the list of the best international films of 2024.

6. Emilia Pérez (France)

Jacques Audiard’s film is an affecting story about women, their dreams, and desires. Featuring Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez, and Karla Sofía Gascón – it brims with humor, music, and thrills. Amid ongoing controversies, the film serves as a powerful example of how politics can shape our perception of art. I firmly oppose cancel culture, and Gascón, who is the heart and soul of Emilia Pérez, deserves to be celebrated.

5. I’m Still Here (Brazil, France)

Walter Salles’ film traces Eunice Paiva’s struggle in the wake of her husband’s disappearance under Brazil’s military dictatorship. Fernanda Torres delivers one of the year’s most powerful performances, embodying Eunice’s resilience and evolution with intensity.

4. Flow (Latvia, France, Belgium)

In a film that is ever-so-pleasing to look at, the sweat stains of hard work are conspicuous in Flow. The maker elicits anger, tension, desperation, gratitude, and sheer joy in a brief runtime of 85 minutes. Aside from an obvious nod to climate change and the unpredictability of life on planet Earth, the film quietly and more importantly exposes the vagaries of human relationships. Latvia’s official entry to the 2025 Academy Awards, Flow is easily the finest animation film of the year and a solid entrant among the Best International Films of 2024.

3. Toxic (Lithuania)

The country is Lithuania. It’s not the pretty and cultural part of the country. It is the one that smells of industrial waste. Aptly titled Toxic in English (Akiplėša in Lithuanian), there is toxicity in the town’s air where 13-year-olds Marija and Kristina aimed for the runways and haute couture. In writer-director Saulė Bliuvaitė’s IFFI Golden Peacock-winning drama, the starry-eyed teens also deal with disability, desertion, deficiency, and the need to enter adulthood fast.

2. Me, Maryam, The Children And 26 Others (Germany, Iran, Czech Republic)

As it ends on an achingly beautiful note, Me, Maryam, The Children And 26 Others feels like a comforting hug. It is a film with negligible exposition. The screenplay’s intrinsic emotional quotient signals you to practice kindness and gratitude – to yourself and those around you. Farshad Hashemi’s film is that genuine well-wisher who embraces you tight and reassures you in the least toxic positive tone, “Hang in there, bro! Life is good…”

1. All We Imagine as Light (France, India, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy)

Director Payal Kapadia’s Cannes Grand Prix winner All We Imagine As Light sees three migrant women glide through Mumbai’s never-ending mysteries. A film in Malayalam, Marathi, and Hindi, the hugely acclaimed film is based on a subject that can be based on people surviving orthodoxy and deficiency in any developing nation. In what is undoubtedly the year’s most contemplative viewing experience, Kapadia’s tender directorial debut boldly enters the realm of greatness – earning it the top slot in the list of the Best International Films of 2024.

ALSO READ:

The 50 Best International Films of 2023
The 50 Best International Films of 2022
The 50 Best International Films of 2021
30 Incredible Films from 2020 That Must Not Be Missed
30 World Cinema Titles from 2019 That Must Not Be Missed
30 Best World Cinema Titles from 2018 That You Shouldn’t Miss
25 World Cinema Titles from 2017 That You Mustn’t Miss
25 Non-Indian Films from 2016 you must watch

About Post Author

Tusshar Sasi

Author at Filmy Sasi

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