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When you think of timeless stories, emotional depth, and cinematic beauty, nothing captures it better than Italian cinema. The country that gave us Fellini and Sorrentino continues to surprise us with new masterpieces every year. In this guide, we’ll take you through the Best 10 Italian movies that have defined modern Italian cinema — stories that make you feel, think, and dream.
Whether you’re into emotional dramas, historical stories, or award-winning masterpieces, these are the Top Italian movies to watch in 2025 that are winning hearts around the world. 🍿📽
1. C’è ancora domani (There’s Still Tomorrow) — 2023
A powerful film that shook Italian cinemas and became one of the most popular Italian films of recent years. Directed and starred by Paola Cortellesi, this black-and-white drama is set in 1950s Rome, following a woman’s fight for dignity and freedom in a world ruled by patriarchy.
🎬 Why watch it:
It’s emotional, empowering, and full of soul — a perfect example of Best modern Italian movies with a strong social message.
🎥 Where to watch: Amazon Prime, RaiPlay.
2. La Chimera — 2023
A poetic journey by Alice Rohrwacher starring Josh O’Connor and Isabella Rossellini. This film follows an archaeologist who gets entangled with a group of tomb raiders searching for lost treasures — and maybe a lost love.
🎬 Why watch it:
A visual masterpiece mixing myth and realism, La Chimera embodies everything we love about Best Italian films 2025 — hauntingly beautiful, mysterious, and thought-provoking.
🎥 Where to watch: Hulu / Prime Video.
3. Io Capitano — 2023
Directed by Matteo Garrone, Io Capitano tells the heart-wrenching story of two young Senegalese boys who embark on a dangerous journey from Africa to Europe, chasing hope and a better life.
🎬 Why watch it:
It’s one of the Best 10 Italian movies that blends realism with poetry. The acting is raw and the emotions are unforgettable — a true cinematic odyssey.
🎥 Where to watch: Apple TV, Prime Video.
4. Le Otto Montagne (The Eight Mountains) — 2022
A breathtaking story of friendship, nature, and self-discovery. The Eight Mountains explores decades of connection between two men from different worlds, united by the silence and beauty of the Italian Alps.
🎬 Why watch it:
If you love slow, emotional storytelling and stunning mountain landscapes, this is among the Top Italian movies to watch in 2025.
🎥 Where to watch: Criterion Channel / MUBI.
5. Rapito (Kidnapped) — 2023
Based on a true story, Rapito is a gripping historical drama directed by Marco Bellocchio. It recounts the shocking case of a Jewish boy taken from his family by papal authorities in 19th-century Italy.
🎬 Why watch it:
With incredible performances and stunning cinematography, this is one of the Best modern Italian movies that will leave you speechless.
🎥 Where to watch: Amazon Prime / Apple TV.
6. È stata la mano di Dio (The Hand of God) — 2021
A deeply personal story by Paolo Sorrentino, following a young man growing up in Naples during the 1980s, his life forever changed by tragedy and the arrival of football legend Maradona.
🎬 Why watch it:
Touching, nostalgic, and beautifully shot — a must-watch among the Best Italian films 2025 available on Netflix.
🎥 Where to watch: Netflix.
7. Nostalgia — 2022
Pierfrancesco Favino delivers a mesmerizing performance in this emotional drama about a man returning to Naples after 40 years. As he reconnects with his past, old secrets and regrets rise to the surface.
🎬 Why watch it:
Few films capture the soul of Naples like Nostalgia. A brilliant entry in our list of Best 10 Italian movies filled with emotional realism.
🎥 Where to watch: RaiPlay / Prime Video.
8. L’immensità — 2022
Set in 1970s Rome, L’immensità tells the touching story of a mother (played by Penélope Cruz) and her child struggling with identity and acceptance in a changing world.
🎬 Why watch it:
Visually stunning and emotionally layered, this film is among the Best modern Italian movies exploring family and identity.
🎥 Where to watch: Prime Video.
9. Freaks Out — 2021
Directed by Gabriele Mainetti, Freaks Out is a wild, imaginative ride mixing World War II history with fantasy and superhero elements. It follows a group of circus performers with special powers battling Nazi forces.
🎬 Why watch it:
If you love originality, action, and visual spectacle, this is one of the most popular Italian films of the decade.
🎥 Where to watch: Amazon Prime.
10. Il sol dell’avvenire (A Brighter Tomorrow) — 2023
A witty, philosophical dramedy by Nanni Moretti about a filmmaker facing a midlife crisis while shooting a movie about 1950s Rome.
🎬 Why watch it:
It’s clever, emotional, and meta — a true love letter to cinema and a highlight among the Top Italian movies to watch this year.
🎥 Where to watch: Apple TV / MUBI.
Why You’ll Love Modern Italian Cinema
Italian filmmakers have mastered the art of storytelling — mixing beauty, humor, pain, and poetry into one unforgettable experience.
If you’re looking for Best 10 Italian movies that blend heart and vision, this list is your perfect guide.
✨ Whether it’s the nostalgia of The Hand of God, the resilience of There’s Still Tomorrow, or the mystery of La Chimera, each of these films reminds you why Italy remains a powerhouse of world cinema.
❓ FAQs
1. What are the best modern Italian movies to watch in 2025?
👉 C’è ancora domani, La Chimera, and Io Capitano are highly rated internationally.
2. Where can I watch these Italian films?
Most of the Best Italian films 2025 are available on Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, or MUBI.
3. Which is the most popular Italian film right now?
C’è ancora domani became a box office sensation and is one of the most popular Italian films ever made by a female director.
🎬 Final Thoughts
If you love cinema that speaks to the heart, these Best Italian films 2025 are your next must-watch list.
Each story is a window into Italian culture, emotion, and humanity — beautifully told and impossible to forget.
So grab your popcorn 🍿, hit play ▶️, and let Italy move you once again. 🇮🇹💫
