Paris—the city of love. This famous tourist destination is not just popular in literature and art; it’s also a prevalent theme in movies.
With this list of 15 Best Movies About Paris, you can start a Parisian movie marathon in no time. There is something here for everyone. Whether you love rom-com or thrillers, there is a film set in Paris for you.
We searched around and found these fifteen films that are the best in the genre. We ensure you an enjoyable time with every one of these movies.
1. Amélie (2001)
French, Russian, English 2h 2m IMDb
Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Stars: Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus
There is n more authentic look at Parisian life other than a person living there. Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s 2001 film details the different snippets of life, love, and hardships from the eyes of the title character, Amelie. Through her misadventures, a tale about the meaning of love started to unfold.
This whimsical film is a hit through its charming cast and excellent cinematography. Be ready to be hopeful, happy, and inspired all at once. With multiple awards and accolades under its belt, you can ensure a well-written movie.
2. Midnight in Paris (2011)
English, French, Spanish, German 1h 34m IMDb
Woody Allen
Stars: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates
Midnight in Paris provides an excellent love letter to the 1920s era of the place. Woody Allen’s passion for the period and romance is prevalent in this film. This film is an excellent option if you want to fall in love with the city along with Gil.
The movie follows Owen Wilson’s Gil, a novelist entering the beautiful city of Paris for his wedding. With an unfulfilling creative career, he wanders the city, immersed in French beauty and romance. However, he is in for an adventure when he finds himself transported to the 1920s period.
3. Ratatouille (2007)
English, French 1h 51m IMDb
Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava
Stars: Brad GarrettLou RomanoPatton Oswalt
This classic from the Pixar catalog will have you craving some ratatouille by the end. The award-winning animated film tackles determination and passion not just for cooking but for art as well.
Ratatouille follows the journey of Remy, a rural rat with a great passion for cooking. The nature of him being a rodent makes his dream of becoming a chef just like his idol, Chef Gusteau. However, everything changed when he found himself opening his eyes to the city of Paris.
4. La Haine (1995)
French 1h 38m IMDb
Mathieu Kassovitz
Stars: Vincent Cassel, Hubert Koundé, Saïd Taghmaoui
Life in Paris is not always about love, romance, and hope. La Haine tackles the less beautiful picture of suburban Paris. With themes of violence, anger, and chaos—you are in for a new look in Parisian films.
Mathieu Kassovitz’s La Haine focuses on three different yet seemingly coated violent life of young men. With a riot in the film’s first scene, the rest tackles the effect of the chaos. This film is far away from the feel-good Parisian flicks everyone is used to, so get ready for a darer look on Paris nights.
5. The 400 Blows (1959)
French, English 1h 39m IMDb
François Truffaut
Stars: Jean-Pierre Léaud, Albert Rémy, Claire Maurier
For a classic in the French cinema, you should watch Truffaut’s The 400 Blows. This film tackles the misunderstanding of the youth in the 50s, creating a melancholic yet whimsical look at being a teen. The film made such an impact on the French New Wave, earning various awards, especially for Director Truffaut.
The film follows Antoine Doinel, a troubled teenage boy. Through misadventures, he showcases the different outlooks in the Parisian old times.
6. Charade (1963)
English, French, German, Italian, Spanish 1h 53m IMDb
Stanley Donen
Stars: Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau
From Stanley Donen, Charade gives the nights in Paris a more suspenseful look. The film is a classic with its witty writing, artistic cinematography, and gripping plot twists. It’s a fine mix of romance, comedy, and suspense that will grip you as you delve deeper.
The film follows Regina, a young woman with a missing husband. With the appearance of Robert, the nature of her husband’s disappearance seems to be more muddled. Soon they found themselves entangled in danger and intrigue as they search for answers.
7. An American in Paris (1951)
English, French, German 1h 54m IMDb
Vincente Minnelli
Stars: Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant
With an American in Paris, the two cultures from an American’s perspective are the theme. The fantastic music and dance sequences make the film’s romantic plot more enjoyable. If you love some classic musical movies from MGM, then this one is for you.
The story follows three Americans new in the city of Paris. As they start their career, love also starts blossoming in their lives. However, they are in for some complicated feelings when they find themselves intertwined with a single young woman.
8. Breathless (1960)
French, English 1h 30m IMDb
Jean-Luc Godard
Stars: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean Seberg, Daniel Boulanger
Breathless will have you feeling the gripping and exhausting run from the police. With the story following Michel, a wanted criminal, we can see how he handles a life of crime. It’s a suspenseful look at Parisian life with various plot twists that will shock you.
If you are looking for some new-wave French films, then this one from Jean-Luc Godard might be the one you are looking for.
It won various awards and accolades, especially the editing, far ahead of its time. The full of thrill story is also an excellent way to look at the ordinarily romantic Parisian nights.
9. Paris, je t’aime (2006)
French, English, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic 2h IMDb
Director: Olivier Assayas,Frédéric Auburtin, Gurinder Chadha,
Stars: Juliette Binoche, Leonor Watling, Ludivine Sagnier
Nothing is more powerful than a love letter to the city of Paris in a movie form.
This anthology of eighteen short films captures the city’s many different faces and the people living there. The directors use various techniques to explore the theme of love, resulting in a moving and visually stunning film.
Paris, je t’aime explores love and its different aspects from different perspectives. The film is a critical hit, receiving many awards, such as Golden Globes. It serves as a way to showcase Paris in a very romantic light.
10. Before Sunset (2004)
English, French 1h 20m IMDb
Richard Linklater
Stars: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Vernon Dobtcheff
Romance—many films set in France have this theme lot. Well, this romance flick by Richard Linklater is not that different. The film showcases the short yet lovely adventure of two strangers who must part ways before sunset.
The film is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good romance story. It’s an excellent way of entertaining the past and present through its subtle and beautiful editing. It’s a feel-good movie with a beautiful and scenic French background.
11. Paris, 13th District (2021)
French, Mandarin, English 1h 45m IMDb
Jacques Audiard
Stars: Lucie Zhang, Makita Samba, Noémie Merlant
Although a much newer film, you will feel the classic French film influence through Paris, 13th District. With the black-and-white film style, the movie emulates the older romance films that came before it. Set in the city of love, you can feel the dramatic romance in each frame.
Paris, the 13th District, features the life of three young women and a man. With their love affairs intertwining with each other, they struggle to solve their connections. Whether their friends or lovers, only they would know.
12. BPM (Beats Per Minute) (2017)
French 2h 23m IMDb
Robin Campillo
Stars: Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, Arnaud Valois, Adèle Haenel
Beats per Minute follows the true-to-life of the activist that pushed the research for the AIDS epidemic. The film showcases ACT UP, a group that pushes for research against the disease. The movie shows the ups and downs of getting the government to move.
BPM is an insightful film highlighting activism’s importance, especially with diseases like AIDS. Even if you are not a part of the community they are in, you can feel the moving tale of camaraderie.
13. Paris (2008)
French 2h 10m IMDb
Cédric Klapisch
Stars: Fabrice Luchini, Romain Duris, Joffrey Platel
A story about love and life—Paris follows the city through the eyes of Pierre. With incurable heart disease, he finds himself in sonder through the window facing the city. With a few months to live and a few months to think, he gains a new perspective when a single mother appears to take care of him.
Cédric Klapisch’s Paris is a poignant look at the city’s life. This dramatic yet captivating film captures the nature of what it means to live. You are for some pondering after you watch this film.
14. A Monster in Paris (2011)
French, English 1h 30m IMDb
Bibo Bergeron
Stars: Matthieu ChedidVanessa ParadisGad Elmaleh
A Monster in Paris is a perfect Paris film if you are looking for a family-friendly film. The movie provides an entertaining and delightful watch for any age. The film’s 3D animation and a set of fantastic cast are superb.
A Monster in Paris tells the hunt for the seemingly dangerous monster that terrorizes the French city. However, everything changed when a young woman found an unlikely friendship with the said monster. What ensues is a fun journey of friendship and misadventures.
15. Two Days in Paris (2007)
English, French 1h 36m IMDb
Julie Delpy
Stars: Julie Delpy, Adam Goldberg, Daniel Brühl
Julie Delpy’s Two Days in Paris is a must-watch if you love some rom-com set in the city of love. The story follows Marion and Jack, a long-time couple hitting a rough relationship patch. To remedy their dilemma, they went to Paris for a two-day vacation.
Every long-term relationship has a rough patch, and the ones in this film are not that different. It tackles the ups and downs of the relationship and ultimately comes to a more genuine form of love.
In Summary
Whether you love romance, thriller, rom-com, or suspense, there is a film here for you. This 15 Best Movies About Paris list will have you dreaming of a Parisian night. So, grab some popcorn and get ready to see the Eiffel tower again and again.