While big titles like Dune gained a lot of attention as some of the best movies of the year, it is common for international movies to get overlooked. From the wide world of cinema, 2021 offered plenty of terrific movies from many different countries.
Letterboxd has helped to highlight some of these titles audiences might have missed, assembling the top-rated international movies of the year. With a wide range of genres and types of stories being told, audiences may discover some of the very best movies of the year.
Prayers For The Stolen (3.94)
The coming-of-age genre of storytelling seems to be one that connects with audiences regardless of language and culture. However, the Mexican drama Prayers for the Stolen offers a more harrowing story of youth than viewers might be used to.
The movie follows a group of young girls in a village that has been taken over by the drug trade and human trafficking. As they attempt to avoid the constant dangers in their lives, they face the challenges of growing up.
The Great Indian Kitchen (3.95)
It is interesting how some international movies can speak to a very specific culture yet still be so relatable to people all over the world. The Great Indian Kitchen is an Indian movie that tells the story of a newly married woman struggling with being the submissive wife she is expected to be.
The kind of inspiring yet personal stories of someone pushing through negativity around them and fighting to be heard can be powerful for any audience.
Sardar Udham (3.98)
The historical drama genre is filled with stories of famous figures, but it is interesting to see such a story told from a voice that is not often heard. Such is the case with the Indian biographical story Sardar Udham which tells of the titular man who assassinated Michael O'Dwyer to avenge the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar.
The movie is a gripping thriller with a complex protagonist while also examining a part of history that is not often tackled in big movies.
Petite Maman (4.00)
French director Céline Sciamma made a big splash a couple of years ago with the acclaimed Portrait of a Lady on Fire. She returns with another drama that has also been warmly received and offers an unexpected, moving story.
Petite Maman follows a young girl who has recently lost her grandmother. She is helped through the grief when she meets a young girl in the forest who appears to be her own mother as a child. The fantastical story gives way to an intimate and touching tale.
Wheel Of Fortune And Fantasy (4.01)
There are a lot of compelling ways movies can approach anthology storytelling, including with love stories. That was the direction taken in the Japanese movie, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy. The movie explores three different love stories filled with ion, regret, and lies.
Each of the stories offers its own engrossing tale of a couple with various issues and charms. Together, it makes for a unique and alluring modern love story.
Red Post On Escher Street (4.03)
The Japanese movies Red Post on Escher Street from writer-director Sion Sono is a charming love letter to the artists who make movies. It is the story of a revered filmmaker who holds open auditions for his latest project. The movie follows the lives and struggles of the various actors auditioning for a shot at fame or simply wanting to be a part of the creative process.
It is always fun to watch movies about the behind-the-scenes world of filmmaking and this makes for an interesting and endearing approach to such a movie.
The Worst Person In The World (4.14)
It can be difficult for a comedy movie to transcend language, yet The Worst Person in the World has managed to become one of 2021's most talked-about comedies. The inventive and unique movie tells the story of a young woman dealing with uncertainties about her current relationship.
The movie was one of the most acclaimed of the year and a brilliant examination of romantic-comedy tropes that has delighted fans from across the world in 2021.
Cleaners (4.16)
The comedy movie Cleaners marks not only an exciting offering from the Philippines but also one of 2021's top-rated directorial debuts. From writer-director Glenn Barit, the movie takes a look at the various misadventures and struggles of a group of young kids who are all part of a school cleanup program.
With a charming young cast and some sharp comedy, Cleaners is a fun coming-of-age story, but it also stands out thanks to Barit's unique filmmaking approach.
Yuni (4.16)
Similar to The Great Indian Kitchen, the Indonesian movie Yuni follows a young man trying to move past the cultural expectations people have for her. As this young woman plans for her future with university and an independent path she has envisioned for herself, those plans are complicated when she receives a marriage proposal.
It is another personal story that speaks to the culture of a certain place but also carries many themes that will be relatable to people from all sorts of backgrounds.
Drive My Car (4.22)
Like Parasite and Roma, there are occasionally international movies that gain a reputation that cannot be ignored. Drive My Car was one such movie in 2021 as it has been hailed not only as the best international movie but one of the best movies of the year overall.
The story follows a stage director who lost his wife years ago and is still coping with it. When asked to stage a new production as part of a festival, he forms a bond with his chauffeur who is driving him around town.
