French cinema is considered one of the more experimental industries when compared to the rest of the world. The continued production of niche art house films and television provides the world with some of the most interesting forms of media in existence.
While most people may think of a more gritty, noir genre when discussing French media, they are quite adept at making people laugh as well. Some of these projects have performed so well that have spawned foreign remakes in other languages in the hopes of capturing the same kind of fervour. Here are 10 French comedy series & movies that you must watch:
1. Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis (Welcome to the land of Sticks)
Available on: Prime Video
Cast: Kad Merad, Dany Boon, Zoé Félix, Lorenzo Ausilia-Foret, Anne Marivin, Philippe Duquesne
When Philippe Abram’s (Merad) wife complains about their descent into a monotonous life, Philippe tries to engineer a transfer to a warmer town on the coast of France. Unfortunately, he’s caught while trying to scam an inspector. His punishment is a transfer to a cold, damp little town deep in the north of France called Bergues where the weather is miserable and the people speak in an incomprehensible dialect.
This French film is a fun little exercise in learning not to judge a book by its cover. The more time Philippe spends in Bergues, the more he realizes that it’s not as bad as it seems. And all this is achieved in the most humorous way possible.
2. Plan Coeur (The Hookup Plan)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Zita Hanrot, Sabrina Ouazani, Joséphine Draï, Marc Ruchmann, Syrus Shahidi, Tom Dingler
Elsa(Hanrot) is stuck in a rut when it comes to romance in her life until one day she meets Jules (Ruchmann), a good looking hunk who manages to sweep her off her feet. What she doesn’t know is that Jules is a male escort hired by her friend, Charlotte (Ouazani). What was meant to be a casual fling seems to get out of hand with the two of them falling for each other quite spectacularly.
The Hookup plan is a French romantic comedy series with all the cliches that one would expect from a rom-com of this nature, but it still maintains enough charm to capture the attention of the viewers and provides them with a casual and fun watch to enjoy.
3. Mauvaises herbes (Bad Seeds)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Kheiron, Catherine Deneuve, André Dussollier, Louison Blivet, Adil Dehbi
After a scam goes wrong, Wael (Kheiron) is forced to pay back his dues by working with a group of troubled teens who need some guidance in their lives. Wael being a child of the streets himself feels that has had the relevant life experiences to help these children as they all go on a journey together towards achieving redemption.
Bad Seeds is a heartwarming French film focused on a group of teenagers just beginning to learn the complexities of life, and with that comes all the awkwardness and hilarity that usually accompanies people of that age.
4. 99 Francs
Available on: Prime Video
Cast: Jean Dujardin, Jocelyn Quivrin, Patrick Mille, Vahina Giocante, Elisa Tovati, Nicolas Marié
A satirical look into the world of advertising, ’99 Francs’ is a story told through the eyes of Octave Parango (Dujardin), a commercial advertisement designer who gets disillusioned with his position in the industry and begins to intentionally sabotage it. Unfortunately, all he accomplishes in doing is improving his status as one of the most creative designers around.
Accompanied with some truly stunning visuals, 99 Francs is a French film that does not hold back in its portrayal of the core concept of ad filmmaking and refuses to pull any punches when it comes to jokes centred on that very premise.
5. H
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Jamel Debbouze, Eric Judor, Ramzy Bedia, Sophie Mounicot, Jean-Luc Bideau, Catherine Benguigui
A classic French sitcom set in a hospital with some eccentric characters and the dysfunction that goes along with their everyday lives. The cast works together well as they find themselves in absurd situations that belie the serious environment of a hospital while not going overboard.
A straightforward comedy series filled with slapstick humour that will have you clutching to your belly in joyous laughter with each episode.
6. Family Business
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Jonathan Cohen, Gérard Darmon, Julia Piaton, Liliane Rovère, Olivier Rosemberg
When Joseph’s attempts at launching an app fail miserably, he is forced to move back with his parents and figure out a new way to make money. in a bid to capitalize on the legalization of marijuana in the country, Joseph proposes converting their family butcher shop into the first marijuana coffeeshop in France.
A captivating story that provides an interesting perspective of the lives of French immigrants and how they go about their days. ‘Family Business’ is a fun series that captures the attention of its audience and leaves them wanting more.
7. Au service de la France (A Very Secret Service)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Hugo Becker, Wilfred Benaïche, Christophe Kourotchkine, Bruno Paviot, Karim Barras, Jean-Édouard Bodziak
André Merlaux is hired by the French secret service where he is to be trained to execute delicate and sometimes outlandish operations all around the world, all while learning about the intricacies of being a secret agent.
The series retells some of the more significant moments in history, adding their humorous touch that succeeds in its goal. ‘A Very Secret Service’ is a barrel of laughs and then some with its authenticity and wonderful dialogue.
8. Mixte
Available on: Prime Video
Cast: Pierre Deladonchamps, Nina Meurisse, Maud Wyler, Enzo Monchauzou, Adil Mekki
In 1963 France, the decision is made to turn the Voltaire high school into a co-educational institution that does not go down well with many people. The balance of society within this school is completely thrown off with this new development and it will be interesting to see how everyone adapts to such a change in their environment.
‘Mixte’ is a well-made series with a predominantly young cast that performs wonderfully well. The concept of the first co-ed school in France is an interesting one that explores how things were during those turbulent times.
9. Dix Pour Cent! (Call My Agent!)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Camille Cottin, Thibault de Montalembert, Grégory Montel, Liliane Rovère, Fanny Sidney, Nicolas Maury
Behind every talented member of the entertainment industry is a hard-working agent trying to make sure their client has the best career that they possibly can. This series focuses on those people who do all their work behind the scenes and go to any lengths to make sure the client is happy.
‘Call My Agent!’ is a hilarious series that sadly spawned a quite terrible Indian adaptation, yet the original is a class above the rest with its spectacular take on the seedy underbelly of the entertainment world.
10. The Intouchables
Available on: Prime Video
Cast: François Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny, Audrey Fleurot, Joséphine de Meaux, Clotilde Mollet
A wealthy aristocrat who becomes a quadriplegic after a paragliding accident requires a caregiver regularly. He ends up hiring a young man from the projects who immediately makes his life infinitely more interesting with his wild and different nature. The two men with opposing personalities develop a bond that allows them both to grow and improve.
‘The Intouchables’ is a touching story of a man who feels lost but finds joy once again when he is introduced to life from a different perspective. This film also has a Hollywood remake titled ‘The Upside’ starring Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart.
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