24 Best Estonian Movies: The Baltic Classics You’ll Rewatch

Estonian Movies often feel quiet at first, then hit you with aftershocks. In this Baltic cinema, small rooms carry big history, and everyday talk hides pressure, longing, and stubborn hope. The stories return to land, work, family, and the hangover of post-Soviet identity without turning people into slogans. You’ll notice precise acting, dry humor, and images that linger longer than the plot. Small country, big moral questions. You can hear it in Tangerines, feel it widen in Truth and Justice, and watch it soften in Spring. Across decades, the craft stays confident, even when budgets are lean. That confidence is the signature.

This guide helps you navigate Estonia’s cinema by mood, intensity, and accessibility, so you can start gentle and go braver when you’re ready. Each entry gives a quick snapshot—year, director, genre, tone, suitability, and an IMDb score—so you can choose confidently for a solo night or a mixed household. There’s room for family adventures, historical drama, and even a touch of folk horror without the usual genre clichés. Not just art-house gloom. If you like character-first stories, begin with the warm classics and the humane war dramas. If you prefer sharper edges, try the city ensemble films and the surreal moral fables. Festival discovery also matters here, and the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival has helped many titles find international viewers. Pick a starting point, then follow the feeling.

How we picked these Estonian films

We balanced eras, styles, and tones—from classic crowd-pleasers to modern festival favorites—while keeping an eye on intensity and household comfort. Only narrative features with an IMDb rating of 6.5/10 or higher were considered, and the ranking climbs from the lowest qualifying score at #24 to the highest at #1. We also favored films that represent Baltic cinema at its most distinctive: restraint, dry humor, and a strong sense of place. All IMDb ratings in this article were verified on 18 February 2026.

24. Things We Don’t Talk About (Asjad, millest me ei räägi) (2020)

• Actors: Jan Uuspõld, Ragne Pekarev, Sten Karpov
• Director: Andrejs Ēķis
• Genre: comedy, romance
• Tone: awkward, bittersweet
• Suitable for: adults, older teens
• IMDb rating: 6.5/10

A group of friends stumble into a day of awkward revelations and crossed signals. The premise stays intimate: relationships wobble, secrets slip, and pride gets in the way. It’s about honesty, compromise, and the small lies people tell to keep peace. The emotional feel is tender, even when it gets uncomfortable. Pacing is brisk and conversational. Expect a few wince-worthy moments. It earns its place for capturing modern romance with precision and empathy. Best for adults who like character-driven comedy.

23. Georg (2007)

• Actors: Marko Matvere, Anastasiya Makeeva, Renārs Kaupers
• Director: Peeter Simm
• Genre: biography, drama, music
• Tone: warm, nostalgic
• Suitable for: teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 6.5/10

This biographical drama follows a singer whose public glow hides private fractures. The premise moves between performance highs and quieter consequences at home. It explores devotion, ambition, and the cost of being loved by strangers. The emotional tone is affectionate, with a soft undertow of regret. The film watches its characters patiently. Songs carry the warmth. It belongs here for turning a familiar rise-and-fall shape into something local and humane. Best for viewers in a reflective, music-friendly mood.

22. Bad Hair Friday (Vasaku jala reede) (2012)

• Actors: Priit Loog, Ott Lepland, Hasan Steinberg
• Director: Andres Kõpper
• Genre: dark comedy, crime
• Tone: manic, mischievous
• Suitable for: older teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 6.6/10

One chaotic day in the city links strangers through accidents, schemes, and bad decisions. The premise is a fast chain reaction where every choice triggers the next collision. It plays with status, desperation, and the performance of confidence. The emotional effect is more giddy than dark, even when things go wrong. Pacing is rapid and punchy. It rarely pauses. It makes the list for its sharp local spin on the multi-strand crime farce. Best for adults who enjoy frantic, comic misfortune.

21. The Secret Society of Souptown (Supilinna salaselts) (2015)

• Actors: Olivia Viikant, Arabella Antons, Hugo Soosaar
• Director: Margus Paju
• Genre: family, adventure, fantasy
• Tone: playful, suspenseful
• Suitable for: older kids with parents, teens
• IMDb rating: 6.6/10

A strange threat turns adults into children, and four kids have to solve the mystery. The premise is a neighborhood quest built from puzzles, hiding places, and teamwork. It celebrates curiosity and the courage to question authority. The emotional feel is upbeat, with real suspense in the margins. The tone stays bright. Stakes rise without becoming scary. It earns its spot for delivering a smart family adventure with a distinctly local setting. Best for families who want mystery without heaviness.

20. Lotte and the Moonstone Secret (Lotte ja kuukivi saladus) (2011)

• Actors: Evelin Võigemast, Margus Tabor, Mait Malmsten
• Director: Heiki Ernits
• Genre: animation, family, adventure
• Tone: sunny, curious
• Suitable for: kids, family
• IMDb rating: 6.8/10

Lotte sets off on an adventure sparked by a mysterious stone and pure curiosity. The premise is simple: discovery, friendly rivals, and clever little inventions. It’s about learning, sharing, and staying kind when things get competitive. The emotional feel is safe and joyful. Pacing is light and steady. Songs and color keep the mood buoyant. It belongs here as a welcoming showcase of Estonian animation and gentle humor. Best for family viewing when you want something bright.

19. Melchior the Apothecary: The Ghost (Apteeker Melchior: Viirastus) (2022)

• Actors: Märten Metsaviir, Maarja Johanna Mägi, Alo Kõrve
• Director: Elmo Nüganen
• Genre: mystery, thriller, historical
• Tone: eerie, methodical
• Suitable for: teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 6.9/10

A medieval murder mystery unfolds in old Tallinn, where every alley feels like a clue. The premise follows an apothecary pulled into a case that grows personal and unsettling. It explores superstition, power, and the danger of knowing too much. The emotional feel is tense, but controlled. The tone is atmospheric rather than shocking. Suspicion builds slowly. It earns its place for turning local history into confident genre storytelling. Best for viewers who want mystery with a moody period world.

18. I Was Here (Mina olin siin) (2008)

• Actors: Rasmus Kaljujärv, Doris Tislar, Marilyn Jurman
• Director: René Vilbre
• Genre: drama, crime
• Tone: gritty, urgent
• Suitable for: adults, older teens
• IMDb rating: 7.0/10

A talented student drifts into the drug world when money trouble closes in. The premise is direct: one shortcut, then consequences that multiply fast. It explores how pride and poverty can trap a teenager in adult violence. The emotional feel is anxious and raw, but not hopeless. Pacing stays tight. Tension sits close to the skin. It belongs here for believable performances and a grounded sense of stakes. Best for adults comfortable with crime and hard choices.

17. Names Engraved in Marble (Nimed marmortahvlil) (2002)

• Actors: Priit Võigemast, Indrek Sammul, Hele Kõrve
• Director: Elmo Nüganen
• Genre: war, drama
• Tone: earnest, stirring
• Suitable for: teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 7.0/10

Young students are pushed from classrooms into the Estonian War of Independence. The premise follows their shift from ideals to lived reality as danger becomes personal. It explores loyalty, fear, and the cost of choosing a side. The emotional feel is sincere, with moments of youthful warmth that sharpen the tragedy. The tone is serious. Action is used with restraint. It earns its ranking as a defining modern historical film with a clear moral center. Best for viewers who want war drama grounded in character.

Did you know that the most famous Estonian Movies movie is:

Truth and Justice (2019) is widely treated as the modern reference point because it combined prestige with record local reach. In Estonia, it drew 267,588 cinema admissions in 2019, according to the official national statistics office, making it the most-attended domestic release that year. Production reporting and national news coverage also highlighted its exceptional opening, including a reported 51,239 admissions on its opening weekend as part of its early surge. Those figures come from official statistics and reputable local reporting, which together capture both the long run and the early momentum. Director Tanel Toom anchors the film in lived detail, while leads Priit Loog and Ester Kuntu carry the story’s moral strain. The premise follows a farmer who tries to carve a future from harsh land, only to watch the dream harden into obsession. It’s famous for turning a national literary monument into a crowd-reaching, craft-forward screen epic that still feels intimate. Internationally, its festival and awards visibility helped it travel beyond Estonia and become a common first recommendation. For current viewing, it most often appears via major rental platforms and rotating national-cinema selections rather than a single permanent streamer. One film, many generations of argument.

16. 1944 (2015)

• Actors: Kaspar Velberg, Kristjan Üksküla, Maiken Pius
• Director: Elmo Nüganen
• Genre: war, drama
• Tone: tense, somber
• Suitable for: older teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 7.0/10

In 1944, Estonian men find themselves fighting on opposing sides as the front tears through home. The premise follows several viewpoints, showing how ideology quickly becomes survival. It explores divided families and impossible choices more than battlefield glory. The emotional feel is heavy, with grief baked into the landscape. The tone is controlled. Violence is serious. It belongs here for translating national history into human dilemmas without simplification. Best for adults and older teens who can handle war realism.

15. Autumn Ball (Sügisball) (2007)

• Actors: Mirtel Pohla, Sulevi Peltola, Rain Tolk
• Director: Veiko Õunpuu
• Genre: drama
• Tone: melancholic, intimate
• Suitable for: adults, older teens
• IMDb rating: 7.0/10

Six lives drift through a gray apartment district, brushing past without ever fully connecting. The premise is ensemble rather than plot-driven, built from fragments of loneliness and desire. It explores urban isolation and the emotional cost of pretending you are fine. The emotional feel is tender but bruised. The pace is unhurried. The humor is dry and quiet. It belongs among the essential Estonian Movies for its honest portrait of modern longing. Best for adults who like character mosaics and mood more than plot.

14. November (2017)

• Actors: Rea Lest, Jörgen Liik, Arvo Kukumägi
• Director: Rainer Sarnet
• Genre: fantasy, romance, drama
• Tone: uncanny, poetic
• Suitable for: adults, older teens
• IMDb rating: 7.1/10

A poor village lives by bargains, superstitions, and impossible love under a hard winter sky. The premise mixes folklore creatures and human longing, never separating magic from desperation. It explores hunger, class, and the strange bargains people make to feel less alone. The emotional feel is comic and aching at once. The tone is dreamlike. Some moments turn harsh. It earns its place by showing how Estonian Movies can turn local myth into modern feeling. Best for viewers who enjoy dark fairy tales and poetic imagery.

13. The Temptation of St. Tony (Püha Tõnu kiusamine) (2009)

• Actors: Taavi Eelmaa, Ravshana Kurkova, Sten Ljunggren
• Director: Veiko Õunpuu
• Genre: drama, surreal
• Tone: unsettling, satirical
• Suitable for: adults
• IMDb rating: 7.1/10

A respectable manager slips into a moral nightmare where each choice feels like a test he is failing. The premise is episodic and dreamlike, built from encounters that grow stranger and darker. It explores guilt, privilege, and the lies polite society tells itself. The emotional feel is queasy recognition rather than sadness. The tone is surreal. Images linger in silence. It belongs here for pushing satire into something genuinely unsettling and original. Best for adults in the mood for arthouse discomfort.

12. The Fencer (2015)

• Actors: Märt Avandi, Ursula Ratasepp, Lembit Ulfsak
• Director: Klaus Härö
• Genre: drama, sport
• Tone: tender, suspenseful
• Suitable for: teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 7.1/10

A teacher on the run finds refuge in a small town and starts coaching children in fencing. The premise turns sport into shelter, then into risk, as the past threatens to catch up. It explores trust, mentorship, and what it costs to stand out in a fearful time. The emotional feel is warm, with tension underneath. The tone stays calm. Matches are staged with clarity. It earns its place for making history personal without losing narrative momentum. Best for viewers who want an inspiring drama with real stakes.

11. Nest of Winds (Tuulte pesa) (1979)

• Actors: Rudolf Allabert, Nelli Taar, Arvo Iho
• Director: Olav Neuland
• Genre: drama
• Tone: bleak, reflective
• Suitable for: adults
• IMDb rating: 7.2/10

After the war, a stranger arrives at a struggling farm and unsettles the fragile balance there. The premise is intimate and tense, built around what people refuse to say aloud. It explores fear, compromise, and how survival can twist kindness into suspicion. The emotional feel is cold and uneasy, like living under a low ceiling. The pace is slow-burn. Pressure keeps building. It belongs here for showing how trauma lives inside ordinary routines. Best for adults who appreciate psychological realism.

10. Lotte from Gadgetville (Leiutajateküla Lotte) (2006)

• Actors: Evelin Võigemast, Andero Ermel, Argo Aadli
• Director: Heiki Ernits
• Genre: animation, family, comedy
• Tone: cheerful, inventive
• Suitable for: kids, family
• IMDb rating: 7.2/10

In a village of inventors, curiosity is the main currency and every day becomes an experiment. The premise follows Lotte through gadgets, friendships, and small community dramas kids recognize. It explores play as intelligence and kindness as a choice. The emotional feel is cozy and encouraging. The tone is bright. Jokes are gentle. It earns its spot as a family favorite with a distinct local imagination. Best for weekend viewing with younger kids.

9. Take It or Leave It (Võta või jäta) (2018)

• Actors: Reimo Sagor, Elina Masing, Jörgen Liik
• Director: Liina Triškina-Vanhatalo
• Genre: comedy, drama
• Tone: tender, lightly comic
• Suitable for: teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 7.4/10

A carefree man is forced into adulthood when he suddenly becomes the sole parent of a newborn. The premise mixes practical chaos with emotional surprise as responsibility rewires his identity. It explores masculinity without bravado and love that grows through effort rather than speeches. The emotional feel is warm and quietly moving. The tone stays humane. Humor comes from reality. It belongs here for turning a simple setup into a fresh, modern character story. Best for viewers who want heart without sentimentality.

The Estonian Movies is mostly famous for:

Estonian cinema is recognizable for restraint: performances that underplay emotion until it suddenly breaks through. Another hallmark is dry, observational humor, even inside serious stories. Across decades, the work moves from studio-era classics through late Soviet tension into a modern co-production wave. The industry is small, so creative teams recur and craft traditions get passed hand to hand. Historical drama resonates locally because it turns national turning points into family arguments and personal choices. International visibility often comes through festivals, critics, and later through curated streaming libraries. Language and place matter here, and the films feel specific in rhythms, landscapes, and social codes. Funding can be tight, but digital distribution and regional partnerships create new opportunities. Newcomers should start with one warm classic, one modern drama, and one genre outlier to feel the range. From here, the list only deepens.

8. The Little Comrade (Seltsimees laps) (2018)

• Actors: Helena Maria Reisner, Tambet Tuisk, Evgeny Efremov
• Director: Moonika Siimets
• Genre: drama, history
• Tone: tender, poignant
• Suitable for: teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 7.4/10

A child reads Stalin-era fear through innocence, and that makes the danger feel sharper. The premise follows her as she tries to behave well enough to bring her mother back. It explores loyalty, guilt, and how politics invades family life without warning. The emotional feel is gentle but piercing. The tone is soft-spoken. Some scenes sting. It earns its place for translating history into intimate childhood experience with control and empathy. Best for viewers ready for sadness without sensationalism.

7. Smile at Last (Naerata ometi) (1985)

• Actors: Monika Järv, Reet Reitel, Maria Klenskaja
• Director: Leida Laius
• Genre: drama
• Tone: tough, compassionate
• Suitable for: adults, older teens
• IMDb rating: 7.4/10

A teenage girl is sent to an orphanage, and the rules there can feel like punishment. The premise stays close to her daily life as humiliations accumulate into anger and resolve. It explores power, solidarity, and how institutions can erase individuality. The emotional feel is raw, but never exploitative. The tone is tough. Compassion breaks through. It belongs here as a humane classic that still feels urgent and truthful. Best for viewers comfortable with social realism and hard themes.

6. Nukitsamees (1981)

• Actors: Egert Soll, Anna-Liisa Kurve, Ülari Kirsipuu
• Director: Helle Karis
• Genre: family, fantasy, musical
• Tone: whimsical, earthy
• Suitable for: older kids with parents, family
• IMDb rating: 7.4/10

Two siblings get lost in the woods and stumble into a fairy-tale captivity with strange rules. The premise is classic folklore: danger, wonder, and a creature who might be more lonely than evil. It explores belonging and fear of the unknown in ways children feel immediately. The emotional feel is playful with a real edge. The tone is whimsical. Songs keep it buoyant. It earns its place as a durable family classic that still charms across generations. Best for families who want fantasy with a slightly dark forest mood.

5. In the Crosswind (Risttuules) (2014)

• Actors: Laura Peterson, Tarmo Song, Liis Tappo
• Director: Martti Helde
• Genre: historical drama
• Tone: haunting, austere
• Suitable for: adults, older teens
• IMDb rating: 7.5/10

A young woman is torn from home during Soviet deportations and survives by clinging to memory. The premise is told through letters and still tableaux that feel like time froze mid-breath. It explores loss, endurance, and what happens when a state tries to erase a family’s future. The emotional feel is direct, even when the style is formal. The tone is severe. Some moments are hard to watch. It belongs among the most formally striking Estonian Movies, using stillness to make history hurt. Best for viewers who want powerful art cinema and can handle trauma.

4. The Last Relic (Viimne reliikvia) (1969)

• Actors: Aleksandr Goloborodko, Igrida Andrina, Elza Radziņa
• Director: Grigori Kromanov
• Genre: adventure, romance
• Tone: swashbuckling, romantic
• Suitable for: older kids with parents, teens
• IMDb rating: 7.8/10

A rebellious hero is swept into a medieval chase involving monks, power, and a coveted relic. The premise is pure adventure, with escapes, disguises, and a romance that keeps the story moving. It explores freedom versus authority, turning history into a brisk crowd-pleasing ride. The emotional feel is energetic and upbeat. The tone is lively. Action is spirited, not brutal. It earns its place as a timeless classic that still plays like a great Saturday-night movie. Best for families and newcomers who want a fun gateway into older Estonian film.

3. Truth and Justice (Tõde ja õigus) (2019)

• Actors: Priit Loog, Ester Kuntu, Maiken Schmidt
• Director: Tanel Toom
• Genre: drama
• Tone: epic, morally thorny
• Suitable for: adults, older teens
• IMDb rating: 7.9/10

A farmer stakes everything on turning harsh land into a future, and the dream starts to consume him. The premise is a long moral contest with neighbors, family, and the stubbornness inside his own head. It explores pride, faith, and the slow violence of doing the right thing for too long. The emotional feel is intense and hard-won. The tone is patient. Pressure keeps rising. It ranks this high because it captures Estonian Movies as both intimate character study and national-scale story. Best for adults ready for a long, serious drama.

2. The Class (Klass) (2007)

• Actors: Vallo Kirs, Pärt Uusberg, Lauri Pedaja
• Director: Ilmar Raag
• Genre: drama
• Tone: harrowing, urgent
• Suitable for: adults, mature teens
• IMDb rating: 7.9/10

Two boys become targets of relentless bullying, and the cruelty escalates past what adults will admit. The premise is simple and brutal: a school environment that rewards humiliation until it breaks. It explores shame, complicity, and the violence of silence from bystanders. The emotional feel is suffocating and angry. The tone is tense. Content warning: bullying and violence. It belongs among the most important Estonian Movies for confronting a social wound with clarity. Best for mature viewers who can handle heavy subject matter.

1. Tangerines (Mandariinid) (2013)

• Actors: Lembit Ulfsak, Giorgi Nakashidze, Elmo Nüganen
• Director: Zaza Urushadze
• Genre: drama, war
• Tone: humane, tense
• Suitable for: adults, older teens
• IMDb rating: 8.1/10

Two enemy soldiers end up under the same roof when an old man refuses to let either die on his land. The premise is contained and immediate: one house, one harvest, and a truce enforced by basic decency. It explores dignity, revenge, and the fragile possibility of empathy across lines drawn by war. The emotional feel is tense but deeply compassionate. The tone stays quiet. Dialogue carries suspense as much as gunfire. It tops the ranking because it shows what Estonian Movies can do with restraint, moral focus, and unforgettable performances. Best for viewers who want humane war drama without spectacle.

Conclusion: revisiting Estonian Movies

If you’re building a personal map of Estonia’s cinema, use this list like a set of doors: start with the welcoming classics, then step into darker rooms when your mood allows. Pair a warm entry with a heavier one, and you’ll feel how tone and history interact from decade to decade. A simple strategy is to alternate a character-first drama with a genre film, so the emotional weight stays manageable.

What unites these titles is trust in the viewer: emotions are earned, not announced, and meaning often lives in what’s withheld. For broader context on film preservation and why national cinemas matter, explore the Library of Congress National Screening Room as a high-trust starting point. When you want mainstream critical conversation that can help you frame what you just watched, browse The New York Times movies section and compare your reactions with theirs.

Come back to the list over time, and you’ll notice new details in posture, pauses, and landscape. That rewatch value is the real reward here. The next favorite often arrives quietly.

FAQ about Estonia’s cinema