Whether you’re exploring Greek cinema for the first time or revisiting old favorites, these critically acclaimed Greek movies to watch reflect the cultural depth, emotional complexity, and storytelling mastery that define Hellenic filmmaking. From powerful historical dramas and poignant personal journeys to vibrant tales of love, identity, and resistance, Greek cinema offers something for every viewer. These films are not just artistic achievements; they are windows into the Greek soul—filled with passion, resilience, and timeless themes that resonate far beyond national borders. If you’re searching for stories that inspire, challenge, and linger long after the credits roll, these are the critically acclaimed Greek movies to watch that truly stand the test of time.
1. Zorba the Greek (1964) — Ζορμπάς ο Έλληνας
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Director: Michael Cacoyannis
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Genre: Drama, Adventure
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Starring: Anthony Quinn, Alan Bates, Irene Papas
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IMDb Rating: 8.1
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Runtime: 2h 31min
Zorba the Greek is a vibrant exploration of life, freedom, and human spirit through the story of an English writer and the lively Zorba who teaches him to embrace life. Shot on the stunning island of Crete, the film’s iconic score and Anthony Quinn’s legendary performance make it a timeless classic.
2. Dogtooth (2009) — Κυνόδοντας
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Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
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Genre: Drama, Thriller
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Starring: Christos Stergioglou, Michele Valley, Mary Tsoni
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IMDb Rating: 7.3
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Runtime: 1h 34min
A haunting allegory about isolation and control, Dogtooth follows a dysfunctional family that raises their adult children in strict confinement, creating a bizarre and chilling world of its own. Known for its unsettling atmosphere, this film marked Lanthimos as a leading figure in Greek “Weird Wave” cinema.
3. Stella (1955) — Στέλλα
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Director: Michael Cacoyannis
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Genre: Drama, Romance
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Starring: Melina Mercouri, Dimitris Horn
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IMDb Rating: 7.7
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Runtime: 1h 33min
“Stella” tells the story of a fiercely independent woman who rejects societal norms and pays a tragic price. The film’s emotional intensity and Melina Mercouri’s magnetic performance cement its place as a milestone in Greek cinema.
4. The Travelling Players (1975) — Οι Μετανάστες
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Director: Theodoros Angelopoulos
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Genre: Drama, History
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Starring: Tania Palaiologou, Alekos Alexandrakis
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IMDb Rating: 8.2
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Runtime: 3h 22min
This epic follows a troupe of actors through turbulent Greek history from 1939 to 1952, blending personal stories with political upheaval. Angelopoulos’s signature long takes and poetic storytelling make this film a masterpiece of historical cinema.
5. Eternity and a Day (1998) — Μια αιωνιότητα και μια μέρα
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Director: Theodoros Angelopoulos
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Genre: Drama
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Starring: Bruno Ganz, Isabelle Renauld
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IMDb Rating: 7.9
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Runtime: 2h 20min
A poetic meditation on life, memory, and death, this film follows an aging writer’s final days as he seeks reconciliation with his past and a lost love. The film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, highlighting Angelopoulos’s international acclaim.
6. Miss Violence (2013) — Η βία των μικρών πραγμάτων
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Director: Alexandros Avranas
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Genre: Drama, Thriller
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Starring: Themis Panou, Alexandra Koutsovoulou
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IMDb Rating: 7.1
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Runtime: 1h 37min
This dark, gripping drama reveals the secrets of a dysfunctional family after a teenage girl’s suicide. It’s a harrowing commentary on domestic violence and societal denial, awarded at the Venice Film Festival.
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7. The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas (2013) — Η αιώνια επιστροφή του Αντώνη Παρασκευά
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Director: Elina Psykou
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Genre: Drama, Mystery
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Starring: Antonis Kafetzopoulos, Areti Siagka
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IMDb Rating: 6.5
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Runtime: 1h 39min
This surreal drama follows Antonis, a man who wakes up on a beach with no memory, beginning a quest for identity that questions reality itself. Psykou’s debut feature is notable for its existential tone and evocative imagery.
8. Attenberg (2010) — Άττενμπεργκ
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Director: Athina Rachel Tsangari
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Genre: Drama
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Starring: Ariane Labed, Vangelis Mourikis
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IMDb Rating: 6.9
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Runtime: 1h 32min
A coming-of-age story set in a decaying industrial town, it explores alienation, sexuality, and human connection through the eyes of a young woman and her father. “Attenberg” was Greece’s official submission for the Academy Awards.
9. Reconstruction (1970) — Η αναπαράσταση
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Director: Theodoros Angelopoulos
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Genre: Drama, Mystery
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Starring: Toula Stathopoulou, Yannis Totsikas, Thanos Grammenos
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IMDb Rating: 7.4
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Runtime: 1h 36min
Angelopoulos’s debut feature is a black-and-white film revolving around the mysterious death of a man in a remote village. The narrative explores subjective truths and the elusiveness of reality through fragmented storytelling and minimalist aesthetics. It’s a pioneering work that sets the tone for Angelopoulos’s signature style: slow pacing, long shots, and a focus on social and political undercurrents in Greece.
10. Ulysses’ Gaze (1995) — Το βλέμμα του Οδυσσέα
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Director: Theodoros Angelopoulos
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Genre: Drama, Historical
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Starring: Harvey Keitel, Maia Morgenstern, Erland Josephson
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IMDb Rating: 7.6
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Runtime: 2h 40min
A Greek-American filmmaker embarks on a journey through the war-torn Balkans searching for lost film reels. The film is a poetic exploration of memory, history, and identity, combining personal and collective narratives. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes, it is widely regarded as Angelopoulos’s masterpiece.
11. The Counterfeit Coin (1955) — Το κλαψουράκι
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Director: Giorgos Tzavellas
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Genre: Drama
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Starring: Vasilis Logothetidis, Ilia Livykou, Mimis Fotopoulos
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IMDb Rating: 8.6
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Runtime: 1h 30min
This anthology film tells four stories linked by a counterfeit coin, each vignette exploring different facets of human nature, such as greed, luck, and morality. It remains a beloved classic in Greek cinema for its insightful social commentary and memorable performances.
“Voyage to Cythera” captures the pain of return and estran
12. Voyage to Cythera (1984) — Ταξίδι στα Κύθηρα
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Director: Theodoros Angelopoulos
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Genre: Drama
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Starring: Manos Katrakis, Mary Chronopoulou
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IMDb Rating: 7.7
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Runtime: 1h 45min
After decades in exile, an elderly communist returns to Greece and faces alienation in his own homeland. The film meditates on displacement, political exile, and the passage of time with Angelopoulos’s characteristic poetic style and melancholic atmosphere.
13. The Red Lanterns (1963) — Τα Κόκκινα Φανάρια
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Director: Vasilis Georgiadis
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Genre: Drama
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Starring: Jenny Karezi, Giorgos Foundas, Dimitris Papamichael
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IMDb Rating: 7.5
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Runtime: 1h 30min
Set in a brothel in Piraeus, this film humanizes the lives of five women, portraying their struggles, hopes, and sorrows. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, it remains a poignant social drama.
14. The Sweet Bunch (1983) — Η γλυκιά συμμορία
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Director: Nikos Nikolaidis
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Genre: Drama, Crime
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Starring: Nikos Kouris, Maria Aliferi, Takis Spiridakis
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IMDb Rating: 7.2
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Runtime: 1h 35min
This dark, stylized crime drama follows a group of disillusioned friends in Athens who engage in petty crime. Known for its nihilistic tone and unique style, it critiques the social decay of modern Greece.
15. Little England (2013) — Μικρά Αγγλία
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Director: Pantelis Voulgaris
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Genre: Drama, Romance
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Starring: Pinelopi Tsilika, Andreas Konstantinou
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IMDb Rating: 7.2
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Runtime: 1h 57min
Set on the island of Andros in the 1930s, “Little England” is a tragic love story about two sisters and the difficult choices they face amidst family expectations and societal norms. The film won multiple awards for its cinematography and acting.
16. Ouzeri Tsitsanis (1967) — Ουζερί Τσιτσάνης
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Director: Alekos Sakellarios
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Genre: Drama, Music
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Starring: Lambros Konstantaras, Anna Fonsou
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IMDb Rating: 7.1
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Runtime: 1h 30min
Set in post-war Thessaloniki, the film centers on the life of legendary Greek musician Vassilis Tsitsanis and the vibrant music scene of the time. It combines historical drama with heartfelt musical performances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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What are some of the best Greek movies to watch for beginners?
Some of the best Greek movies for newcomers include Zorba the Greek (1964) for its timeless storytelling, Dogtooth (2009) for a modern twist, and Stella (1955) which showcases classic Greek cinema. These films provide a good mix of genres and eras. -
Which Greek directors should I follow to explore Greek cinema?
Theodoros Angelopoulos is arguably the most internationally acclaimed Greek director, known for films like The Travelling Players and Ulysses’ Gaze. Other notable directors include Michael Cacoyannis (Zorba the Greek) and Yorgos Lanthimos (Dogtooth). -
Are these Greek movies available with English subtitles?
Many of these films, especially the internationally recognized ones, are available with English subtitles on platforms like YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Criterion Collection. Always check the streaming service or DVD for subtitle options. -
What themes are commonly explored in Greek cinema?
Greek cinema often explores themes such as family, identity, political upheaval, existential questions, and social issues. Many films combine poetic visuals with deep philosophical narratives. -
Where can I watch these Greek movies online?
Some movies like Zorba the Greek and Dogtooth are available on streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. You can also find DVDs or Blu-rays via online retailers or local libraries.
Echoes of the Past (2021) – «Καλάβρυτα 1943»
Director: Nicholas Dimitropoulos
Cast: Max von Sydow, Astrid Roos, Danae Skiadi
Genre: Historical Drama
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Runtime: 1h 36m
Trailer: Watch Trailer
One of the most powerful entries among the critically acclaimed Greek movies to watch, Echoes of the Past presents a dramatized retelling of the Kalavryta massacre—one of the darkest chapters of World War II in Greece. The story follows a German human rights lawyer tasked with reviewing a reparations case, who travels to Greece and interviews the last living survivor of the tragedy. What unfolds is a haunting, deeply human exchange that bridges the past and present. Max von Sydow’s final performance adds even more gravity to this moving tribute to history, justice, and memory.
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If you’re diving deeper into the world of critically acclaimed Greek movies to watch, these lesser-known masterpieces are essential viewing…
Polyxeni (2017) – «Πολυξένη»
Director: Dora Masklavanou
Cast: Katia Goulioni, Özgür Emre Yildirim, Lydia Fotopoulou
Genre: Drama
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Runtime: 1h 40m
Trailer: Watch Trailer
Delicately layered and emotionally resonant, Polyxeni is a lesser-known gem that deserves its place among critically acclaimed Greek movies to watch. The story follows a young orphan adopted by a wealthy Greek couple in Istanbul. Raised with care and destined to inherit their estate, Polyxeni’s promising future is slowly undermined by greed, manipulation, and betrayal. With a stunning lead performance by Katia Goulioni and rich period detail, the film explores themes of trust, identity, and the vulnerability of women in male-dominated power structures.
A Touch of Spice (2003) – «Πολίτικη Κουζίνα»
Director: Tassos Boulmetis
Cast: Georges Corraface, Renia Louizidou, Ieroklis Michaelidis
Genre: Drama / Comedy
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Runtime: 1h 48m
Trailer: Watch Trailer
A Touch of Spice is a warm, nostalgic tale that blends flavors, memories, and history into a deeply personal narrative—making it a must among critically acclaimed Greek movies to watch. The film follows Fanis, a Greek astrophysicist who reflects on his childhood in Istanbul, where his grandfather taught him about life through the language of food. Returning to the city of his youth, Fanis reconnects with old memories and unresolved feelings. With heart, humor, and a spice-laden script, this film serves up emotional depth alongside its culinary metaphors.
🎞️ Conclusion
Greek cinema has long stood at the crossroads of myth, history, and human emotion—producing stories that are both deeply personal and universally relatable. From timeless classics to daring modern masterpieces, the films featured in this list are more than just entertainment—they’re reflections of Greece’s evolving identity, social fabric, and artistic vision.
Whether you’re drawn to powerful wartime dramas, poetic meditations on memory, or unconventional tales that push narrative boundaries, there’s something unforgettable waiting in these critically acclaimed Greek movies to watch. Each film opens a door into a different facet of Greek life, capturing its struggles, its beauty, and its spirit with honesty and depth.
So whether you’re a cinephile, a cultural explorer, or simply curious about Greece beyond its postcard images, these critically acclaimed Greek movies to watch offer a cinematic journey worth taking. Let them challenge your thinking, stir your emotions, and leave you with stories that stay long after the screen fades to black.
