10.The Tiger and the Snow(2005)
Also known asLa Tigre e La Neve,The Tiger and the Snowwas directed by Roberto Benigni, one of the most beloved and famous Italian actors of our time.
Together with his wife and lifelong collaborator Nicoletta Braschi, Benigni gives us this movie where they fall in love, showing us the best ups and downs of their romance.
He plays Attilio de Giovanni, a poetry professor who follows his love interest, a journalist named Vittoria. She’s at a conference? He’s there, too. She’s at a restaurant? He’s also dining there!
But then she has to travel to Iraq for an interview, where she becomes victim to an explosion and falls into a coma. Upon hearing this, Attilio drops everything and jumps on a plane.
9.Rome, Open City(1945)
When discussing Italian movies, it’s impossible to avoid mentioning Italian neorealism, one of the most influential film movements in the history of cinema.
Rome, Open City(also known asRoma Città Aperta) is a perfect example of this movement, and it’s a must-watch for anyone who’s interested in historical Italian cinema.
Set in 1944 during the Second World War, Luigi Ferrari is the leader of the Resistance and he’s being hunted by German officers. He must do everything in his power to continue fighting against the enemy, but difficult times lie ahead.
Related:Key Film Movements That Shaped and Defined Cinema, Explained
8.L’Anatra All’Arancia(1975)
Also known asDuck in Orange Sauce,L’Anatra All’Aranciacenters on Livio and Lisa Stefani, who have been married for a long time and things aren’t going so well for them anymore.
While extramarital adventures begin to feel like plausible options, the truth is that they still care about each other a lot.
Mainstream cinema likes to simplify human relationships, which are unsurprisingly complex. That’s not the case inL’Anatra All’Arancia, where we get to see these two navigate a struggling marriage in an ironic, humorous, and self-reflective way.
7.Stork Day(2004)
Pretty much everyone has heard of the classic time loop filmGroundhog Day. A decade later, we gotStork Day(also known asÈ Già Ieri), which is basically the Italian version of it.
Starring one of the most acclaimed Italian actors in Antonio Albanese,Stork Daycenters on a famous Italian presenter named Filippo Fontana who specializes in zoology. He’s self-centered, spoiled, unpleasant, and arrogant.
He’s sent to the Canary Islands for work—and once there, he finds himself stuck in a time loop, repeating the same day over again.
Stork Daymay not live up to the greatness of the originalGroundhog Day, but this small movie from Italy is worth a watch if you’re interested in seeing what Italian cinema is capable of.
6.Uomo d’Acqua Dolce(1997)
InUomo d’Acqua Dolce(also known asFreshwater Man), Antonio and Beatrice are happily married and expecting a baby. Due to Beatrice’s frequent food cravings, Antonio is the one who has to go out to the store and get what she needs.
But once there, his life changes forever: a huge bag of sugar falls on his head, erasing his memories.
He ends up wandering around for several years before he’s able to make it back home. Where has he been? How did his family change after all this time? What can he do now?
5.The Great Beauty(2013)
InThe Great Beauty, Gep Gambardella is a successful journalist who has spent decades of his life indulging in Dionysian pleasure, living up the good life in Rome.
He’s about to turn 65 years old and thinks his life couldn’t be more perfect. Indeed, an idea suddenly forms in his head: from this point on, he won’t doanythinghe doesn’t feel like doing.
Soon enough, his life is about to change as his truest wishes begin to appear in the background.
4.Bicycle Thieves(1948)
The unemployed Antonio Ricci can’t believe his luck when, after a long time searching, he finally lands a nice job.
There’s just one requirement for said job: he must own a bicycle. Even though he previously sold his bicycle to the pawn shop due to financial hardship, now he can finally get it back!
But while working, his precious bicycle is stolen by someone who’s as desperate as he is.
Bicycle Thievesis one of the greatest classic movies, not just from Italy but from around the world. This heartwarming movie about poverty and gratitude is Italian neorealism at its best.
Related:The Best Movies About Poverty and Homelessness, Ranked
3.Mid-August Lunch(2008)
Gianni lives with his elderly mother, cooking for her and taking care of her to the best of his abilities.
But money is tight, so he often has to find ways around paying the bills. Plus, the Mid-August Feast (Ferragosto) soon approaches!
To make ends meet, Gianni ends up hosting several elderly ladies in his apartment—and he learns that taking care of them won’t be as simple as he initially thought!
Related:The Best Feelgood Movies for When You Need a Pick-Me-Up
2.Bread and Tulips(2000)
Bread and Tulips(also known asPane e Tulipani) centers on Rosalba, who’s left behind at a gas station on her way back home after a family vacation. While waiting to be picked up by the tour bus, she decides she can just hitchhike home instead. Easy!
As fate would have it, she finds herself in Venice, not quite where she’s meant to go—but it’s exactly where she’s meant to be.
This magical realism Italian movie deserves far more recognition than it tends to get. It’s a beautiful tale of love where friends appear out of the blue and tulips grow in secret corners.
Related:The Greatest Love Stories in Cinema History That’ll Make You Cry
1.My Friends(1975)
My Friends(also known asAmici Miei) sits among the most iconic and most important Italian movies ever made.
It tells the story of a group of friends and their lives together, serving as a satirical work about friendship, society, class, and what it meant to be an Italian male during the 70s.
Tragic yet hilarious,My Friendsis a must-watch masterpiece, especially for new enthusiasts of Italian cinema. Directed by Mario Monicelli and starring an outstanding cast of actors,My Friendsis my clear pick for the best movie to come out of Italy.
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