From timeless classics to modern hits, discover the best Italian movies of all time that will take you on a journey through Italy’s history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes.
Best Italian Movies – Italian cinema has long been admired for its artistic excellence, creativity, and captivating storytelling. Italy is home to some of the most iconic and influential films in cinematic history. From the beautiful landscapes of Tuscany to the bustling streets of Rome, Italian movies have taken us on a journey through Italy’s history, culture, and people.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best Italian movies of all time that you can’t afford to miss. Whether you’re a fan of classic cinema or modern hits, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Best Italian Movies List
- The Godfather (1972)
- La Dolce Vita (1960)
- Life is Beautiful (1997)
- Cinema Paradiso (1988)
- Bicycle Thieves (1948)
- The Great Beauty (2013)
- 8 1/2 (1963)
- Rome, Open City (1945)
- Il Postino (1994)
- The Leopard (1963)
Bullet Points of the Best Italian Movies
- The Godfather is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, and is a true masterpiece of cinema.
- La Dolce Vita, directed by Federico Fellini, is a classic movie that captures the essence of 1960s Rome, and is considered one of the most important films of the era.
- Life is Beautiful, directed by Roberto Benigni is a heartwarming yet tragic movie set in Italy during World War II that tells the story of a father’s efforts to protect his young son from the horrors of a concentration camp. is a heartbreaking story of a father trying to protect his son in a Nazi concentration camp.
- Cinema Paradiso directed by Giuseppe Tornatore is a touching movie about a young boy who develops a love for cinema while growing up in a small town in Sicily. Is a nostalgic journey through the golden age of cinema, and a celebration of the magic of movies.
- Bicycle Thieves is a simple yet powerful tale of a man searching for his stolen bicycle in post-World War II Italy.
- The Great Beauty is a visually stunning and intellectually provocative film that explores the decadence and beauty of modern-day Rome.
- 8 1/2 is a surreal and imaginative film that delves into the mind of a director struggling to make his next masterpiece.
- Rome, Open City is a groundbreaking film that tells the story of the resistance against the Nazis in Rome during World War II.
- Il Postino is a charming and poignant film about a postman who befriends the poet Pablo Neruda on a small island in Italy.
- The Leopard directed by Luchino Visconti is an epic movie set during the 1860s, portraying the decline of the aristocracy in Italy.
The Godfather (1972)
Considered a masterpiece in the world of cinema, “The Godfather” is an American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Mario Puzo and stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, and Richard S. Castellano.
Synopsis
The story is set in the late 1940s and revolves around the Corleone family, a powerful Italian-American Mafia clan led by patriarch Vito Corleone (Brando). The film follows Vito’s youngest son, Michael (Pacino), who reluctantly takes over the family business after his father is shot and critically injured in an assassination attempt. The movie portrays Michael’s transformation from a reluctant outsider to a ruthless Mafia boss as he navigates the dangerous underworld of organized crime.
Cast and Crew
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, “The Godfather” boasts an exceptional cast that includes Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone, Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, James Caan as Sonny Corleone, Richard S. Castellano as Peter Clemenza, and Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen. The film’s screenplay was co-written by Coppola and Puzo.
Awards and Recognition
Upon its release, “The Godfather” was an instant critical and commercial success, grossing over $246 million worldwide. The film received eleven Academy Award nominations and won three, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Brando, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Puzo and Coppola. The movie has since been included in numerous “greatest films of all time” lists and is widely regarded as one of the most significant works in American cinema. In 1990, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
La Dolce Vita (1960)
La Dolce Vita is a black and white Italian drama film directed by Federico Fellini, and it was released in 1960. The film stars Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg, and Anouk Aimée. It is regarded as one of the best films in Italian cinema history and has won multiple awards and nominations. Probably the Best italian movie
Synopsis
La Dolce Vita follows the life of Marcello Rubini (Marcello Mastroianni), a journalist who is struggling to find meaning in his life. He spends his days and nights in the high society of Rome, attending parties and events, interviewing celebrities, and searching for love and happiness.
Marcello’s search for meaning is also paralleled by his encounters with the people he meets along the way, such as the American actress Sylvia (Anita Ekberg), who embodies the hedonistic lifestyle of Rome’s elite, and Maddalena (Anouk Aimée), a woman who Marcello falls in love with, but who is already involved in a destructive relationship with another man.
The film explores themes such as the emptiness of modern life, the role of the media, and the search for spiritual meaning in a materialistic world.
Cast and Crew
Director: Federico Fellini Writer: Federico Fellini, Ennio Flaiano, Tullio Pinelli, and Brunello Rondi Cast:
- Marcello Mastroianni as Marcello Rubini
- Anita Ekberg as Sylvia
- Anouk Aimée as Maddalena
- Yvonne Furneaux as Emma
- Magali Noël as Fanny
- Alain Cuny as Steiner
Awards and Recognition
La Dolce Vita has won numerous awards and nominations, including the Palme d’Or at the 1960 Cannes Film Festival. It also received four Academy Award nominations and won the Oscar for Best Costume Design in 1961. The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made and has been included in numerous “best films” lists, including Time Magazine’s 100 Best Movies of All Time.
Life is Beautiful (1997)
Life is Beautiful (1997) is a heartwarming Italian comedy-drama film directed by and starring Roberto Benigni. The movie follows the story of Guido Orefice, a Jewish Italian man who falls in love with a non-Jewish woman named Dora. The movie is set during the Holocaust and tells the story of Guido and his son Giosue, as they navigate their way through one of the darkest periods in history. Life is Beautiful (1997) is a beautiful and touching movie that has captured the hearts of audiences around the world.
Synopsis
The movie is set in Italy during the 1930s, where Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni) moves to a new town to work as a waiter. There he meets Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), and the two fall in love. However, Guido is Jewish, and Dora is not, which creates tension between them. Despite this, Guido and Dora eventually marry and have a son, Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini).
The movie then fast-forwards to World War II, and Guido and his family are taken to a concentration camp. To protect his son from the horrors of the camp, Guido convinces Giosue that they are playing a game, and the winner will receive a tank. Guido goes to great lengths to keep the game going, even though they are faced with starvation, disease, and the constant threat of death.
Cast and Crew
Life is Beautiful (1997) was directed by Roberto Benigni, who also starred in the movie as Guido Orefice. The movie also starred Nicoletta Braschi as Dora, and Giorgio Cantarini as Giosue. The supporting cast included Giustino Durano, Sergio Bini Bustric, and Marisa Paredes.
Awards and Recognition
Life is Beautiful (1997) was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $230 million worldwide. The movie was also a favorite among critics, receiving numerous awards and nominations. The movie won three Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film, Best Original Dramatic Score, and Best Actor for Roberto Benigni. The film also won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as the Best Actor award for Benigni.
Cinema Paradiso (1988)
“Cinema Paradiso” is a heartwarming Italian film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. The movie was released in 1988 and quickly became a classic. The story follows a filmmaker named Salvatore who returns to his hometown in Sicily after receiving news of his old friend Alfredo’s death. Salvatore reminisces about his childhood spent at the Cinema Paradiso movie theater, where Alfredo worked as the projectionist, and the impact that cinema had on his life.
Cast and Crew
The film stars Philippe Noiret as Alfredo, Salvatore Cascio as young Salvatore, Marco Leonardi as Salvatore as a teenager, and Jacques Perrin as adult Salvatore. The director, Giuseppe Tornatore, wrote the screenplay along with Vanna Paoli.
Awards and Recognition
“Cinema Paradiso” was a critical and commercial success and won numerous awards, including the following:
- Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1990
- BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language in 1990
- Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1990
- Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix in 1989
The film has since been regarded as a classic of Italian cinema and has inspired many other filmmakers. Its timeless message about the power of cinema and the importance of preserving memories has resonated with audiences around the world.
Bicycle Thieves (1948)
Bicycle Thieves is a 1948 Italian film directed by Vittorio De Sica. The film is set in post-World War II Rome and tells the story of a poor man named Antonio Ricci, who finally finds a job putting up posters around the city. The job requires him to have a bicycle, but his bike has been stolen. With the help of his son Bruno, Antonio sets out to find his stolen bike, a task that proves to be much more difficult than he imagined.
Cast and Crew
The film stars Lamberto Maggiorani as Antonio Ricci and Enzo Staiola as his son Bruno. The film was directed by Vittorio De Sica, and the screenplay was written by Cesare Zavattini.
Awards and Recognition
Bicycle Thieves has received widespread critical acclaim and is considered one of the greatest films ever made. It won the Grand Prize at the 1949 Cannes Film Festival and was awarded an honorary Academy Award in 1950. The film has also been included in numerous “best of” lists, including being ranked as the sixth-best film of all time by Sight and Sound magazine in 2012.
The Great Beauty (2013)
Synopsis
“The Great Beauty” is a 2013 Italian film directed by Paolo Sorrentino. The movie follows the story of Jep Gambardella, a 65-year-old journalist and socialite who is living in Rome. He is known for his extravagant lifestyle and is a prominent figure in Rome’s high society. However, he is disillusioned with his life and is searching for something meaningful.
Cast and Crew
The film features a talented cast and crew including:
- Toni Servillo as Jep Gambardella
- Carlo Verdone as Romano
- Sabrina Ferilli as Ramona
- Carlo Buccirosso as Lello Cava
- Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Awards and Recognition
“The Great Beauty” received widespread critical acclaim and was highly successful both commercially and in awards season. The film won several awards, including:
- Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
- Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film
- BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language
- European Film Award for Best Film
- Cannes Film Festival Prize for Best Film
8 1/2 (1963)
Synopsis
“8 1/2” is a classic Italian film directed by Federico Fellini, released in 1963. The movie follows the story of Guido Anselmi, a renowned Italian film director, who is struggling to come up with a new film idea. The film takes the audience through Guido’s creative and personal struggles, with flashbacks and dream sequences interwoven in the plot.
Cast and Crew
The film features a talented cast and crew, including:
- Marcello Mastroianni as Guido Anselmi
- Claudia Cardinale as Claudia
- Anouk Aimée as Luisa Anselmi
- Sandra Milo as Carla
- Rossella Falk as Rossella
- Barbara Steele as Gloria Morin
The film was directed by Federico Fellini, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Ennio Flaiano, Tullio Pinelli, and Brunello Rondi. Nino Rota composed the film’s score.
Awards and Recognition
“8 1/2” has received numerous awards and nominations, including:
- Academy Awards: Best Foreign Language Film
- Cannes Film Festival: Palme d’Or
- National Board of Review: Top Foreign Films
- New York Film Critics Circle: Best Foreign Language Film
The film is widely regarded as one of Fellini’s best works and a classic of Italian cinema. It has influenced many filmmakers around the world and continues to be studied and celebrated today.
Rome, Open City (1945)
Synopsis
Released in 1945, Rome, Open City (or Roma città aperta in Italian) is a classic war drama film directed by Roberto Rossellini. The film tells the story of the German occupation of Rome in 1944, with a focus on the Italian resistance and the daily lives of ordinary people caught up in the conflict. It explores themes such as sacrifice, heroism, and the struggle for freedom.
The film’s title refers to the fact that Rome was declared an “open city” by the Allies in order to prevent its destruction by the Germans. However, the German occupation continued and the film depicts the harsh reality of life under Nazi rule.
Cast and Crew
Rome, Open City features a talented cast of Italian actors, including Aldo Fabrizi, Anna Magnani, and Marcello Pagliero. The film was directed by Roberto Rossellini, who is considered one of the pioneers of Italian neorealism, a style of filmmaking that emphasizes realism and social issues.
Awards and Recognition
Rome, Open City was a groundbreaking film that received critical acclaim both in Italy and internationally. It won several awards, including the prestigious Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1946, and it is widely regarded as one of the greatest films in the history of Italian cinema.
The film’s realistic portrayal of life in Rome during World War II has had a lasting impact on filmmakers around the world, and it continues to be studied and appreciated by cinema enthusiasts and scholars alike.
Il Postino (1994)
Synopsis
Il Postino is a 1994 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Michael Radford. The film is based on the novel Ardiente paciencia by Antonio Skármeta.
The story is set in Italy and revolves around a young postman named Mario who is assigned to deliver mail to the famous Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda. Mario develops a friendship with the poet and seeks his help to woo a local woman named Beatrice.
Cast and Crew
The film stars Massimo Troisi as Mario, Philippe Noiret as Pablo Neruda, and Maria Grazia Cucinotta as Beatrice. It was directed by Michael Radford, and the screenplay was written by Furio Scarpelli, Giacomo Scarpelli, Anna Pavignano, and Michael Radford.
The film’s music was composed by Luis Enríquez Bacalov.
Awards and Recognition
Il Postino received critical acclaim and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Massimo Troisi, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Dramatic Score, winning the latter two.
The film also won a BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Language Film and a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film. Il Postino is considered one of the best Italian movies of all time and is a beloved classic around the world.
The Leopard (1963)
Synopsis
The Leopard, released in 1963, is an Italian epic drama film directed by Luchino Visconti, based on the novel of the same name by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa.
The film is set in the 1860s during the period of the Risorgimento, when Garibaldi and his army are fighting to unify Italy. It tells the story of Prince Don Fabrizio Salina, a member of the Sicilian aristocracy, and his family as they adjust to the social and political changes taking place in Italy.
Cast and Crew
The film stars Burt Lancaster as Prince Don Fabrizio Salina, Claudia Cardinale as Angelica Sedara, Alain Delon as Tancredi Falconeri, and Paolo Stoppa as Don Calogero Sedara.
It was directed by Luchino Visconti, with a screenplay by Suso Cecchi d’Amico, Pasquale Festa Campanile, Enrico Medioli, and Massimo Franciosa.
Awards and Recognition
The Leopard was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 1963 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize. It also won the Golden Leopard award at the Locarno International Film Festival, as well as the David di Donatello Award for Best Director, Best Production Design, and Best Costume Design.
The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest Italian films ever made, and is often included in lists of the greatest films of all time.
5 Best Italian Movies loved by american people
Here are five best Italian movies that have been popular among American audiences:
- Cinema Paradiso (1988) – This heartwarming film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore tells the story of a young boy’s passion for cinema in post-World War II Italy. The movie won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1990 and has been praised for its beautiful storytelling and nostalgia-inducing soundtrack.
- Life is Beautiful (1997) – Directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, this movie tells the story of a Jewish-Italian father who tries to protect his son from the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp by using his humor and imagination. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film, and has been praised for its mix of comedy and tragedy.
- The Godfather (1972) – Francis Ford Coppola’s epic crime drama set in 1940s New York tells the story of the Corleone crime family and their struggles for power. The movie is widely considered a classic and has been praised for its iconic performances, memorable scenes, and gripping storyline.
- La Dolce Vita (1960) – Directed by Federico Fellini, this film follows a journalist as he navigates Rome’s high society, parties, and decadence. The movie won the Palme d’Or at the 1960 Cannes Film Festival and has been praised for its stunning cinematography and commentary on Italian culture.
- Roman Holiday (1953) – This romantic comedy stars Audrey Hepburn as a princess who escapes her duties to explore Rome and falls in love with an American journalist played by Gregory Peck. The movie won three Academy Awards and has been praised for its charming storyline, beautiful setting, and iconic performances.
These Italian movies have gained a significant following in the United States and continue to be loved by audiences of all ages.
