5 French movies that you need to watch to improve your French !

📺 By watching movies in French, you will get used to the accent and intonation, you will discover French expressions, you will learn new words, you will know more about French/Swiss culture and you will improve your listening skills. Not bad, is it?

Here is how you can watch a movie according to your level :

A0/A1 (=beginners): Watch the movie in French with subtitles in your mother tongue

A2/B1 (=intermediate): Watch a movie in French with French subtitles

B1 and + (=advanced): Watch a movie in French with NO subtitles

👉 Above all, DON’T GIVE UP ! 💪

Here is a list of French films to watch according to your level :

·         A1 : «Kirikou et la sorcière» : https://youtu.be/ulvR_8vxLa8?si=gObiHfLKQ4VfqxdX 

Kirikou et la Sorcière tells the story of a tiny but incredibly brave and clever boy named Kirikou, who is born in a West African village plagued by drought and fear. The source of the village’s suffering is a powerful and mysterious sorceress named Karaba, who is said to have devoured all the village’s men and cursed the land.

From the moment of his birth—literally—Kirikou proves himself different: he can talk, walk, and think independently. He refuses to believe that Karaba is purely evil and sets out on a journey to understand her. Along the way, he uses intelligence, compassion, and courage to outwit dangers and ultimately uncover the true reason behind Karaba’s cruelty.

The film is a celebration of African culture, traditions, and storytelling, and it explores themes like courage, wisdom, the power of kindness, and challenging appearances and assumptions.

·         A2 : « Je vais bien, ne t’en fais pas » : https://youtu.be/UuPeQO6tzaQ?si=81OraLAB1gOezTwW 

Je vais bien, ne t'en fais pas tells the emotional story of Lili, a young woman who returns from vacation to find out that her twin brother, Loïc, has suddenly disappeared after an argument with their father. The silence surrounding his departure drives Lili into a deep depression, and she stops eating and ends up hospitalized.

One day, she starts receiving letters from Loïc, saying he's okay but doesn't want to come back yet. Reassured by his words, Lili begins to recover and sets out to rebuild her life—getting a job, making new friends, and moving forward. But questions still linger in her heart.

The film is a powerful and touching story about love and the deep bond between siblings. It also deals with themes of denial, parental love, and the lengths people go to protect the ones they love.

·         B1 : « L’arnacoeur » : https://youtu.be/BjgxOUovED8?si=WL2stKBIuIsf3ho3 

L’Arnacœur is a charming romantic comedy centered on Alex Lippi, a professional “heartbreaker” who runs a unique business: he gets hired by friends or family members to break up couples—specifically, when a woman is believed to be in a bad relationship. His approach? Seduction, emotional insight, and carefully staged scenarios to reveal the partner's flaws and open the woman’s eyes.

Things get complicated when Alex is hired to break up a seemingly perfect couple just days before their wedding. The bride-to-be, Juliette, is smart, strong-willed, and genuinely in love. For the first time, Alex’s usual tricks don’t work, and to his surprise, he starts falling for her himself.

As he pretends to be her bodyguard and confidant, the line between professional mission and personal feelings begins to blur. The story unfolds with wit, charm, and lots of romantic tension.

·         B2 : « Intouchables » : https://youtu.be/cXu2MhWYUuE?si=BnX56h1w7X7Ya5oh 

Intouchables is an inspiring and heartwarming French film based on the true story of an unlikely friendship between two men from completely different worlds.

Philippe, a wealthy aristocrat who is paralyzed from the neck down due to a riding accident, hires Driss, a young man from a poor, rough neighborhood, as his caregiver. Driss is initially uninterested in the job and only seeks to get a signature for his unemployment benefits. However, Philippe sees something in Driss that others don’t—a free spirit, a sense of humor, and a lack of pity.

Despite their stark differences, the two form a strong bond. Driss helps Philippe rediscover joy and excitement in life, and Philippe introduces Driss to a world of culture, refinement, and opportunity that he’s never known. The film is filled with moments of humor, warmth, and the development of a deep, genuine friendship.

The movie explores themes like friendship, disability, social divides, and the power of laughter and human connection. It's a feel-good story about overcoming barriers, whether physical or societal, and finding common ground.

·         C1/C2 : « Le prénom » : https://youtu.be/zdg82h09PNQ?si=PbVhD0KiB0TZeUUx 

Le Prénom is a French comedy centered around a dinner party that spirals out of control when a seemingly simple question about a baby's name sparks a series of revelations, arguments, and misunderstandings among a group of friends.

The story begins with Vincent, a successful and somewhat arrogant man, who is about to become a father. During a dinner gathering with close friends, Vincent announces that he and his partner plan to name their baby Adolf, a choice that shocks and offends everyone at the table, given the historical connotations of the name. What follows is a mix of sharp wit, intense emotions, and a barrage of verbal sparring as secrets are exposed and relationships are tested.

As the evening progresses, it becomes clear that the name choice is just the tip of the iceberg. Hidden tensions, past grievances, and personal conflicts come to light, leading to humorous yet poignant revelations about friendship, family dynamics, and identity.

The film is essentially a character-driven comedy, full of clever dialogue and witty exchanges, and it examines the complexities of personal relationships and how people deal with issues of ego, identity, and judgment.