10 best Oscar-winning Foreign films and how to stream them

Undoubtedly, the Academy Awards or the Oscars are one of the most prestigious awards celebrating cinematic excellence. Every year, the Best International Feature Film category shines with movies worldwide. These movies have overcome the boundaries of language and become some of the well-known movies around the globe.

These films are a window to diverse cultures and artistic styles that enrich cinema. The varied genres these movies delve into have something to offer for every viewer. From poignant dramas to thrillers, these movies are a powerful narration that resonates with the viewers.

So, in this list, we will delve into the 10 best Oscar-winning Foreign films and how to stream them. However, you must remember that streaming availability changes frequently. These movies are a bridge between cultures and evoke profound cinematic journeys.

---

1) I’m Still Here

2024 has seen the release of some of the best movies, and I’m Still Here is one of them. The winner of the 97th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Film, I’m Still Here is a movie worth watching. This Brazilian movie is adapted from a memoir that depicts the harrowing experience of Eunice after her husband’s abduction. Her husband was abducted by government officials in 1971.

The movie delves into the struggles Eunice faced while she tried to uncover the circumstances of her husband’s disappearance. She has shown an unwavering tenacity as she faced the immense injustice during her endeavour. The personal cost at the hands of political oppression has been portrayed in a significant manner in this movie.

I’m Still Here is available for streaming via pre-order on Apple TV+. So, if you are looking to delve into the profound depiction of political violence on a family, go straight to Apple TV+.

2) Parasite

The 92nd Oscar Awards were filled with movies that were thought-provoking and intense. One such movie is Parasite, directed by Bong Joon Ho, which won the Best International Feature Film category, with three other categories. Parasite was the first non-English language movie to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Parasite is about the Kim family and their journey from living in a semi-basement apartment to snaking their way into the house of a wealthy family. The Kim family consists of Ki-Taek, Chung-sook, Ki-jung, and Ki-woo. It starts from being the tutor to the daughter of the rich family to becoming the driver, the Kim family infiltrates the Park family.

However, things take an unexpected turn when their carefully planned infiltration is shattered by the previous maid of the Park Family. This South Korean movie is intense and ends with violence and tragedy. The movie is available to stream on Netflix and Hulu, you can rent it on Amazon Video.

3) Roma

This Foreign Film Oscar winner is directed by Alfonso Cuaron. The movie tells the story of Cleo. Cleo is a young indigenous woman struggling with life. Cleo works as a housekeeper for an upper-middle-class family. Roma tells Cleo’s journey that has an unexpected pregnancy and the challenges she faces in her life.

The intimate moments of this movie are interwoven with the political turbulence of the era. This brings a powerful commentary. This Mexican movie is shot in black and white, which offers a distinct look at realistic and poignant cinematography. The vulnerability and the strength Cleo shows resonate with the viewers. This Oscar-winning movie is available to stream on Netflix.

4) All Quiet On The Western Front

The 95th Oscars saw yet another great movie that delves into the tapestry of World War I. The movie tells the story of Paul Baumer as he is driven by patriotism. Paul and his friends enlist in the military but soon realise the reality of war. They are confronted with trench warfare and the brutality of war.

This gradually erodes their idealism, bringing forth the harsh realities of war. Paul struggles with the loss of his comrades and the inhumanity of war. The political maneuvering in contrast with the suffering of the soldiers is depicted in a thought-provoking manner in this movie. This German movie is available to stream on Netflix.

5) Drive My Car

Drive My Car is the winner of the 94th Oscars in the category of Foreign Film. This thought-provoking movie delves into the themes of grief and the struggles of human life. The movie starts with Yusuke Kafuku, a stage actor and director. He is struggling after the loss of his wife. Yusuke accepts the residency to direct a production after two years.

There, he is assigned a young woman as his chauffeur. His chauffeur, Misaki, initially was a stoic and reserved woman. As they spend more and more time together, they form a unique bond. Misaki reveals her struggles to him. Yusuke and Misaki confront their grief and find a path toward healing. This Japanese movie delves into the power of art to help people process difficult emotions. Drive My Car is available to stream on Prime Video.

6) A fantastic Woman

A Fantastic Woman won the Best Feature Film award at the 90th Oscars, and rightly so. Marina is a transgender woman living in Santiago, Chile. She works as a waitress and a nightclub singer. Marina also has an older boyfriend named Orlando. When Orlando celebrates her birthday one evening, he falls ill. Despite trying to save her boyfriend, Orlando dies. Marina's life takes an unexpected turn after this. Instead of allowing her to grieve the loss of her partner, she is shoved into criticism and accusations.

The police subjected her to dehumanizing examinations and even treated her like a suspect. Marina refused to be silenced despite the harsh treatment that she received. She confronts the family and asserts her right to mourn the loss of her lover. The strength Marina portrays as she fights for her dignity resonates with the viewers. This Spanish movie is available to stream on Prime Video.

7) In A Better World

In A Better World delves into the lives of two boys and their story of revenge. Anton’s son, Elias, is being bullied at his school. Elias finds a new friendship with Christian, a boy struggling with the loss of his mother. Elias and Christian are driven by grief and revenge and land in dangerous situations.

Their actions escalate, which causes their parents to question the boundaries between justice and vengeance. The movie delves into the theme of violence, which can be manifested in different manners concerning the environment. The choices one makes in the face of suffering result in a lasting impact with consequences that are difficult to overcome. In A Better World is a story that moves people and ends with a thought-provoking note. This Danish movie is available to stream on Apple TV and Google Play Movies.

8) The Barbarian Invasions

The Barbarian Invasions won the Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars in 2004. The story delves into Remy’s confrontation of his impending death. His ex-wife calls his estranged son to help during his last few days. Sebastian returns despite having a strained relationship with his father and uses his resources to give his father a comfortable last few days.

He gathers Remy’s old friends and former lovers, which leads to a reunion. The people gathered at this reunion reflect on the past they shared with Remy. This French movie provides a critical outlook on the failing public healthcare system. The mortality of human connection and the shifting values of generations have been delved into in this movie. The Barbarian Invasions is available to stream on Prime Video.

9) Life is Beautiful

Life Is Beautiful won the Best International Feature Film award at the 1999 Oscars. Guido Orefice is a Jewish-italian man whose life takes an unexpected turn when he is deported to a Nazi concentration camp. Guido and his son struggle with the horrors of the concentration camp.

However, Guido does not lose hope, he uses his imaginative skills to maintain his son’s hope. He invents tasks and assigns roles in his son’s mind by fabricating stories to shield him from the trauma surrounding them. Guido’s ultimate sacrifice resonates with the profound depth of parental love. This Italian movie is available to stream on Netflix and Prime Video.

10) All About My Mother

Yet another significant movie that won the Best International Feature Film in 2000, All About My Mother is a story about the power of female solidarity. Manuela, a single mother, on her journey to find her estranged husband, travels to Barcelona.

In Barcelona, she reconnects with her old friend Agrado and eventually becomes entangled with the life of a pregnant HIV positive nun, Rosa. The complexities of female friendships have been delved into in this Spanish movie. The narrative weaves together the story of these women in their search for identity. All About My Mother is available to stream on Prime Video.

For more such interesting pieces, stay tuned to Soap Central.