Here's how to stream Parasite and 5 other foreign-language films
When the Korean movie Parasite made history as the first foreign-language film to win Best Picture at the 2020 Oscars, it shattered a lot of barriers for and stereotypes about movies with subtitles. And if you’re one of the people that missed it when it was in theaters, we have the details on where to watch Parasite from the comfort of your home—as well as other subtitled movies that are worth a viewing.
Foreign-language films can get a bad rap, and no one knows that better than Parasite director Bong Joon-Ho. Earlier in the award season, when the film won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture—Foreign Language, he said something we all needed to hear in his acceptance speech.
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So it’s time for us to all overcome any dismissals we may have had with foreign-language films, and we know the best places to start. We promise, subtitles really aren’t that hard.
Here are six foreign-language films you can stream right now or very soon:
1Parasite (2019)
If you’re wondering what the heck Parasite is about, now’s your chance to find out. Smashing box office expectations and quickly becoming one of the most talked-about movies of the year, the two-hour thriller-satire is a compelling analysis of class warfare. The story follows the members of a poor family who scheme their way to become employed by a wealthy household. But the less you know before watching, the better. It’s dramatic, suspenseful, and powerful, with an award-winning ensemble cast.
Where to watch Parasite online: Beginning April 8th, Parasite will be available to stream on Hulu in the U.S.
2Roma (2018)
Alfonso Cuarón won a 2019 Oscar for his directorial work on this Spanish-language film that’s loosely based on his own upbringing in the Colonia Roma neighborhood of Mexico City in the 1970s. The story chronicles the life of a live-in housekeeper of a middle-class family, as she learns to bond with the family she serves. A tale of compassion, love, loyalty, motherhood, and loss, the black-and-white movie is a moving examination of life and the human condition.
Where to watch Roma online: Netflix
3Amour (2012)
Nominated for four Academy Awards in 2013, this French-language romantic tragedy film is a touching ode to everlasting love. It follows two retired music teachers, Anne and Georges, who have spent their lives and careers devoted to each other. When Anne suffers a debilitating stroke, Georges vows to faithfully take care of his wife. It’s both provocative and heart-wrenching until the very end.
Where to watch Amour online: Amazon Prime
4Persepolis (2007)
Graphic novelist Marjane Satrapi’s animated movie chronicles her coming of age, from problem child to teenage punk, at a time of the political uprising in ’70s and ’80s Iran. It’s exciting and suspenseful, and it was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2007 Oscars.
Where to watch Perespolis: Amazon Prime
5Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Created by Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (whose film The Shape of Water took home Best Picture at the 2017 Oscars), this eerie, historical dark fantasy weaves together one part whimsical fairy tale and one part period drama. The result is an artistic work that’s like nothing we’ve ever seen. Pan’s Labyrinth follows the young daughter of a captain in World War II Spain who gets drawn into an abandoned labyrinth. There, she meets all sorts of magical, mythical creatures and must complete three tasks to reveal her fate. The movie won Oscars for its cinematography, art direction, and makeup in the creation of the creepy creatures.
Where to watch Pan’s Labyrinth online: Netflix, Amazon Prime
6Amélie (2001)
If you have yet to watch Amélie, it’s a great place to start when it comes to foreign-language films. It tells the story of a girl who, after a childhood of craving affection, grows up and sets out to make others happy. It’s charming and beautifully shot, with just the right amount of comedy and whimsy.
Where to watch Amélie online: Hulu
