While big-budget theatrical releases dominated the headlines in the first half of 2024, plenty of exciting foreign films have been quietly gaining prominence on popular Indian streaming platforms. From mesmerizing musical dramas to hard-hitting survival thrillers, we present you with the top ten foreign movies that will transport you to new worlds and leave you wanting more. Dive in and discover these hidden gems that have captivated audiences worldwide in the first six months of 2024!
10. Upgraded (Prime Video)
Serving as a modern-day retelling of Cinderella’s fairytale, Upgraded revolves around Ana Santos (Camila Mendes), an ambitious intern in the New York art world whose career and entire life take a dramatic turn after she gets upgraded to a first-class flight to London. Prime Video and Netflix, despite treasuring numerous masterpieces in their respective arsenals, are also notorious for frequently churning out lame and light-hearted rom-coms for viewers. While Upgraded keeps a light-hearted tone throughout, it is far from being a boring watch. Yup, it gets predictable. Still, it is a really good watch, thanks to brilliant performances from Mendes, Lena Olin, and Marisa Tomei.
9. Shirley (Netflix)
Shirley is Regina King’s show. Her enthralling and powerful portrayal of Shirley Chisholm captured both the politician’s ambition and her humanity. The Academy Award-winning actress perfectly embodied Chisholm’s voice and mannerisms. While John Ridley’s direction and the supporting cast, including Lance Reddick, Terrence Howard, and Brian Stokes Mitchell, are all strong, it’s King’s performance that truly uplifts the film.
8. Suncoast (Disney+ Hotstar via Hulu)
Suncoast is a well-made coming-of-age drama that gives a heart-touching depiction of self-discovery and grief. This flick largely benefits from the outstanding performances of its leading trio, Nico Parker, Laura Linney, and Woody Harrelson. Suncoast is a pretty solid feature directional debut from director Laura Chinn. It follows a young woman who deals with her brother’s serious illness and forms an intriguing bond of friendship with an activist.
7. The Beautiful Game (Netflix)
Bill Nighy steals the show in this Thea Sharrock’s film as Mal, a passionate coach who leads a team of English homeless men in the Homeless World Cup in Rome. The film not only sheds light on the struggles these men face, but also celebrates their human spirit and resilience. Nighy delivers a captivating performance, forging a believable and touching coach-player relationship with Michael Ward, who also shines in the film. “The Beautiful Game” boasts a fresh score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.
6. Orion and the Dark (Netflix)
DreamWorks’ collaboration with Netflix for “Orion and the Dark” worked like a charm. The film follows Orion, an anxious young boy with a long list of insensible fears, However, his life takes a new turn when an embodiment of darkness itself becomes his friend. This little animated beauty brings Orion’s world and the fantastical creatures of the night to life. The visuals are imaginative and playful, perfectly capturing the wonder of a child’s perspective.
5. The Kitchen (Netflix)
Actor Daniel Kaluuya displayed impressive and innovative directing chops with The Kitchen, along with Kibwe Tavares. The movie benefits from Kaluuya and Joe Murtagh’s outstanding script, in addition to amazing performances from the cast led by Kane Robinson. Despite having sci-fi roots, it also emerges as a strong and compelling human drama.
4. Musica (Prime Video)
This flawless coming-of-age romantic comedy did not get its much-deserved acclaim and respect during its release. Musica marked actor Rudy Mancuso’s feature directional debut. Critics praised the film’s unique portrayal of synesthesia, a condition where one sense triggers another. This adds a visually interesting perspective to Rudy’s journey. Moreover, the intriguing chemistry between Mancuso and Camila Mendes is one of the biggest highlights of this project.
3. Fancy Dance (Apple TV+)
Fancy Dance is just another proof of how brilliant of an actor Lily Gladstone is. She is indeed a force to be reckoned with. Her nuanced yet powerful take on Jax’s character will take your breath away. She truly delivers an Oscar-worthy performance in this movie as well. Isabel Deroy-Olson, who plays Jax’s niece Roki, also does a great job and her on-screen chemistry with Gladstone looks phenomenal. The movie also brilliantly portrays Native American life and culture.
2. Society of the Snow (Netflix)
Netflix opened its account this year with this banger! Society of the Snow is an edge of the seat survival thriller which beautifully showcases the characters’ resilience and desperate struggle for survival. The film doesn’t shy away from the emotional toll of the tragedy, showcasing the characters’ grief and despair. This J. A. Bayona’s movie perfectly captures the horrors of the tragic plane crash in the Andes as well as the resilience of the human spirit. Overall, a near-perfect movie!
1. Hit Man (Netflix)
Expectations from Richard Linklater’s Hit Man were high before its release, but the manner in which this genre-bending blend of dark comedy and neo-noir thriller unfolds in front of our very own eyes is something else. Apart from being one of the best helming efforts from Linklater, Hit Man also treasures Glen Powell’s career-best performance. Adria Arjona does a tremendous job as well. It serves as a refreshing take on the hitman genre with a healthy dose of humor, strong performances, and unexpected twists.