If you really want to understand Italy, the real Italy, made of emotions, gestures, dialects, and everyday stories, cinema is one of the best places to start.
In this article, we’ve picked out a series of Italian films you absolutely need to watch if you want to get to know our culture from the inside.
Through laughter, tears, traditions, and all those small truths that only the big screen can reveal, you’ll discover a world of meaning behind the Italian way of life. Got your popcorn ready?
Why Italian films offer a window into our culture
Italian cinema is a true reflection of who we are. It shows how we talk, how we move, and what makes us laugh or cry. It takes you straight into our homes, our piazzas, our kitchens, and lets you sit at the table with us.
Every gesture, every pause, every argument over dinner speaks volumes about our society. Italian films are made up of simple stories, but they carry deep emotional and cultural weight. Even if you’ve never set foot in Italy, watching these films gives you a feel for our way of life.
The great classics of Italian cinema you absolutely must see
Some films are so iconic, they’ve become part of our cultural DNA. Think of Fellini’s La dolce vita or De Sica’s Ladri di biciclette, two masterpieces that say so much about our identity.
And then there’s Dino Risi’s Il sorpasso or Ettore Scola’s C’eravamo tanto amati, which dive into the post-war Italian spirit with humour, melancholy, and a deep love for our contradictions. These aren’t just old movies, they’re timeless portraits of who we are.
Comedies that tell the story of Italy
We Italians love to laugh, even at ourselves. And our comedies are famous worldwide for capturing real life with a light touch. From Luca Miniero’s Benvenuti al Sud, which plays with stereotypes between northern and southern Italy, to Roberto Benigni’s La vita è bella, which blends humour and tragedy like no one else, every film reflects our way of dealing with life.
Then there’s Carlo Verdone’s romantic comedies, full of everyday awkwardness and affection, and the legendary Fantozzi saga, where exaggerated characters show the absurdity of bureaucracy and the daily grind. They all work because they tell the truth and because we see ourselves in them.
Italian dramas that go straight to the heart
When Italian cinema takes a serious tone, it hits hard. Films like Massimo Troisi’s Il postino, Marco Tullio Giordana’s La meglio gioventù, Gianfranco Rosi’s Fuocoammare, or Paolo Sorrentino’s Le conseguenze dell’amore speak of pain, hope, and change, often quietly, but always deeply.
These aren’t Hollywood-style dramas. They’re rooted in real places, from the silence of Sicily to the chaos of Rome’s outskirts, from the small towns of the industrial north to the desperate arrivals on the shores of Lampedusa. Watching them is like flipping through the pages of a very personal, very Italian diary.
Recent Italian films that show how the country is changing
Italian cinema hasn’t stopped evolving. In fact, it’s more alive than ever. Paolo Genovese’s Perfetti sconosciuti tells us about friendship, lies, and the digital age, while Alessio Cremonini’s Sulla mia pelle delivers a raw, powerful retelling of Stefano Cucchi’s real-life story.
In the last couple of years, we’ve seen films like Io Capitano by Matteo Garrone, a moving portrait of migration and Nostalgia by Mario Martone, which explores what it means to go back home and find it changed.
This new generation of filmmakers isn’t afraid to show contradictions. They reveal an Italy that’s still searching, questioning, and feeling and that’s exactly what makes it so fascinating.
Culture, food and family: three themes that always come back
Some topics feel like they’re written into the DNA of Italian cinema. Family, for starters, is everywhere, in its beauty and its chaos, its endless lunches and its never-ending arguments.
Food, too, isn’t just something we eat. It’s a way of showing love, identity, even memory. And then there’s culture, from old songs on the radio to stunning city views or a painting hanging crooked on a wall. It’s always there, subtly reminding us who we are.
Where to watch Italian films online
Luckily, discovering Italian cinema is easier than ever. You can find loads of classics and new releases on platforms like:
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime
- RaiPlay (completely free!)
- MUBI
- CHILI
Many of these offer Italian subtitles, which are perfect if you’re learning the language. And since the dialogue is usually realistic and everyday, it’s a great way to boost your vocabulary without even realizing it.
What these films teach us about Italian culture
Each film you watch gives you a new perspective, maybe a phrase, a gesture, or a scene you’ll never forget. They teach you that in Italy, emotions are loud, family is messy but essential, and traditions still mean something.
And no, watching these films isn’t just a passive experience, it’s an immersive cultural journey. One that teaches as much as it entertains.
How to use Italian films to improve your Italian
Don’t just sit back and watch, use films as a learning tool! Jot down common expressions, switch on Italian subtitles, repeat lines out loud, and rewatch key scenes.
It’s a fun way to improve your pronunciation, listening skills, and get a feel for real spoken Italian. Our advice? Start with the movies you love. That way, learning will feel totally natural.
Want to truly understand Italy? Start with its cinema and its language!
These Italian films to watch to understand our culture are much more than just entertainment. They’re your backstage pass to Italian homes, families, streets, and souls.
Directors like Marco Tullio Giordana, Daniele Luchetti, and Paolo Virzì offer a critical but affectionate portrait of our country. They talk about social class, identity, justice, love, and everything in between. Meanwhile, the neorealist masterpieces of Vittorio De Sica and the poetic brilliance of Roberto Benigni remind us of the emotional and artistic force behind our cinema.
Many of these films have even won awards at the world’s biggest festivals, bringing Italian stories to global audiences and proving that our language and culture speak to everyone.
Want to speak like a true Italian?
Discover our Italian courses for foreigners. Practical, interactive lessons based on authentic content, including real cinema scenes. With us, learning Italian feels just like watching a movie… only this time, you understand the whole script.