Plenty of the best movies from the2000swere made ininternationallanguages other than English, with regions like Japan, France, Brazil, and Mexico providing film fans around the world with endless high-caliber titles. Some of the picks in the list’s upper echelons are regarded by pundits of the industry as some of the greatest films of the twenty-first century, andsometimes even of all time. And justifiably so.
These plots run the gamut of genre, with success being reached each step of the way. And even if you don’t recognize the entries on this list, you’ll undoubtedly see a familiar name or two along the way, be it the title of a movie or the director at their helm. All that said, these are just some of thebest international films of the 2000s, ranked.
Updated August 31st, 2024: This collection of the best international films from the 2000s has been updated with brand-new information, including where to find each movie on streaming.
21Antibodies (2005)
InAntibodies, after a police raid results in the long-awaited arrest of a serial killer, a police officer is assigned to interrogate him. This is a pretty basic premise for a crime-thriller, but this particular German-language entry on the list takes an unexpected turn. The serial killer begins to challenge the cop’s beliefs duringthe series of questions.
An Effective German Thriller
AlthoughAntibodiesisn’t the most renowned film on the list, not even overseas, it nonetheless holds up as ahigh-quality thrillerfrom start to finish. The two leads develop a quick rapport that will resonate with audiences in a way you won’t find in other films cataloged here. It’s well-made through and through, ultimately coming in at the start of the list due to an impressive performance by André Hennicke (Downfall,A Dangerous Method). It’s worth noting that director Christian Alvart would later go on to direct the cult science fiction horror film,Pandorum, in 2009.StreamAntibodieson Hoopla.
20Nine Queens (2000)
The Argentine crime thrillerNine Queens,without a doubt, deserves a spot on this list.It follows two con artists— Marcos (Ricardo DarÍn) and Juan (Gastón Pauls) — who team up after a routine con at a convenience store goes south. However, as they plan a big heist together, you can’t help but wonder if the two will stick with each other through thick and thin, or if they’ll leave each other to dry with thousands of dollars on the line.
Carried By Its Two leads
The two leads inNine Queensshare an intriguing dynamic off the bat, and that rapport only flourishes throughout the course of its well-written plot. It’s perfectly paced, with impressive performances and endlessly entertaining dialogue. It was also a box office success both domestically and internationally, raking in over $12 million on a modest budget of just over $1 million. Whether you’ve heard of this entry or are reading about it for the first time, you can rest assured thatNine Queensis well worth your time.Nine Queensis currently unavailable on streaming.
19Mother (2009)
South Korea
Written anddirected by Bong Joon-ho— who appears again in a much higher placement on the list —Motherchronicles the titular woman who attempts to clear her son’s name after the latter is charged with a violent murder. Again, this seems like a rather rudimentary inciting incident for a film of this ilk, but of course, there’s a twist: the mother’s son is intellectually disabled. Kim Hye-ja and Won Bin co-star as the mother and son, respectively.
Another Classic Bong Joon-ho Thriller
Thanks to the masterful efforts of its writer-director,Motherexudes intrigue and virtuosity from the film’s first frame until its stylistic finale. Bong Joon-ho holds decent name value in the United States, especially compared to the other directors on the list. But this is easily one of his finest and most viscerally uncomfortable works, with an ending that’ll tug at your insides for days after seeing it.StreamMotheron Peacock.
18The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2009)
A Swedish-language thriller, most film fans will recognize the title ofThe Girl With the Dragon Tattoothanks to its American adaptation of the same name, released two years laterby acclaimed filmmaker David Fincher. In the original Swedish film, a young hacker and an inquisitive journalist team up to solve a cold case involving the niece of Henrik Vanger (Sven-Bertil Taube), an affluent patriarch, before a pending prison sentence rears its ugly head.
Just as Good as the Remake
The original Swedish film arguably rivals the remake in terms of overall quality, with a keen structure that results in perfect pacing and unforgettably thrilling sequences. The performances are worth writing home about too,specifically Noomi Rapace. She accrued acclaim across the board and kind words from critics and audiences alike, with director Niels Arden Oplev receiving a similar level of praise. This foreign-language crime thriller isn’t nearly as popular in the United States as its English-language remake. But it goes down as essential viewing, nonetheless.StreamThe Girl with the Dragon Tattooon Fubo TV.
17Battle Royale (2000)
Maybe you don’t know this title, but you surely know both its name and its influence. While you may not have familiarized yourself withBattle Royale, you’ve undoubtedly indulged in the many video games that fall into the genre of the same name. They were inspired by this action-thriller by Kinji Fukasaku, as were other film franchises such asThe Hunger Games. In it, the Japanese government has organized a yearly tournament of death to mitigate potential delinquency, with a random high school class being selected to partake in it.
A Viscerally Influential Thriller
But with regard to this product from Japan at the turn of the century,Battle Royaleholds up todayas a wonderful, well-written action flick. It’s tense, it’s disturbing, it’s unsettling, and it even features the prolific Takeshi Kitano playing a prominently menacing role. We have to mention the influence that this film and its accompanying book had on similar titles as well, with many comparing the earliestHunger Gamesfilms toBattle Royaledue to their similar premises. Without a doubt,Battle Royaleis among the best Japanese films, let alone international productions, of the 2000s.StreamBattle Royaleon Kanopy.
16Timecrimes (2007)
With fairly decent name value across the globe,Timecrimescould very well appear familiar to those reading this list. A Spanish-language sci-fi thriller, its engrossing opening act is worth this entry in itself, let alone the solid execution of the rest of its thrilling, time-bending plot.Timecrimesfollows a man who accidentally finds himself involved in a time-traveling paradox known as a casual loop. Héctor (Karra Elejalde) keeps traveling one hour back in time, and is urged by a scientist to break the loop by wiping his other timelines from existence.
An Audacious Time-Traveling Thriller
As audacious as this plot sounds, what’s even bolder are the opportunities taken herein from behind the scenes. Its cinematography is outright incredible given its comparatively small budget. Its unexpected melding of editing, sound design, and thriller elements makes for a memorable sci-fi outing. Everything plays like a careful experiment inTimecrimes, testing their hypothesis and producing the desired conclusion. This remains true, even if it didn’t make all that much at the box office.StreamTimecrimeson Prime Video.
10 Lo-Fi Sci-Fi Movies That Define the Genre
Many film genres have their own subgenres that blend seamlessly. An emerging genre in the sci-fi world is called lo-fi.
15Caché (2005)
Cachéis a fantastic entry by the prominent Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke. Upon receiving a series of strange videotapes, French couple Georges and Anne Laurent — portrayed by Daniel Auteuil and Juliette Binoche (respectively), two absolute juggernauts of the industry — concludethey are being stalked. As they collect evidence of their bizarre circumstances, they’ll go on an unexpected investigation that touches on any number of themes you can possibly imagine.
A Constant Atmosphere of Dread
Cachéexcels across the board, especially because of its engrossing plot and careful camerawork. The aforementioned stars put on career-defining performances, with the project as a whole boasting great name value across the globe. It’s also worth noting that Haneke’s signature style, one filled with dread and unsettling ambiance, makesCachéone of the most viscerally engaging entries on this list. It’s an undeniable choice when discussing foreign films from this decade.Buy or RentCachéon Apple TV.
14[REC] (2007)
The single scariest movie on the list is[REC], a Spanish-language horror film by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza. They acted as a writer-director duo in this entry forthe found-footage subgenre, and the result ranks among the highest quality films its category has ever produced. But be warned: it will stifle your sleep schedule. It follows a lone news reporter and her camera operator as they accompany an emergency operation with the local fire station. Unfortunately, all Hell breaks loose as they realize what horrors lie within a nearby apartment complex.
One of the Scariest Found Footage Movies
Thanks to a roster of compelling characters with some truly terrifying sequences achieved by thought-out screenwriting and careful camerawork,[REC]goes down as an essential selection of 2000s horror movies. Its domestic success would spawn an (admittedly inferior) American remake in 2008’sQuarantine, and the film itself would become the catalyst for a long-running franchise, with several sequels adding to and reinventing its terrifying scares.Buy or Rent[REC]on Prime Video.
20 Best Found Footage Movies, Ranked
Found footage cinema is an original and satisfying filmmaking technique that has spanned across all genres. Let’s take a look at the best found footage movies of all time.
13Infernal Affairs (2002)
Among the greatest and most popular films its region has ever seen,Infernal Affairstells the story of a Hong Kong police officer going undercover into a Triad. Meanwhile, a spy for the same Triadalso goes undercover, but as a police officer. It’s a wonderful story that’s seen into solid fruition, with tremendous chemistry shared by its A-list cast. Andy Lau (As Tears Go By), Tony Leung (In the Mood for Love), and Anthony Wong (Hard Boiled) are just a handful of names attached to this iconic picture.
Remade by Martin Scorsese
If its premise rings any bells, it’s worth noting thatInfernal Affairsby Andrew Lau and Alan Mak was remade into an American film calledThe Departed, directed by Martin Scorsese. It’s one of the most respected films to stem from its region throughout the 21st century, and the same can undoubtedly be said forInfernal Affairs. And some might argue that the original film is of a higher caliber. Incredible action, palpable tension, and an official selection for Hong Kong’s Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards makes for an incredible crime thriller.StreamInternal Affairson Max.
12Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Howl’s Moving Castles among the greatestmovies of Miyazaki’s career, and would likely come in even higher on the list in the minds of millions of film fans worldwide. It’s a sprawling story about a fictional kingdom at war, as a young girl is afflicted with a curse that turns her into an elderly woman. After she meets a young wizard named Howl, she’ll have to assist in his rebellious journey in order to cure her mysterious ailment.
An Incredibly Recognizable Adventure
The first of two films written and directed by Hayo Miyazaki to appear on the list, this famous animated feature by Studio Ghibli holds some of the highest name value herein. And justifiably so, as it’s replete with wit in its script and charm in its execution from the moment you’re introduced to this collection of eccentric characters. The titular castle makes for one of the most engrossing movie settings you’ll read about today, which is evident by the film’s incredible box office returns. It would go on to make nearly ten times its original budget of $24 million worldwide.StreamHowl’s Moving Castleon Max.
