15 Best Italian Movies on Netflix That Bring Italy to Your Screen

From enchanting countrysides and hidden coastal gems to winding city streets dotted with centuries-old architecture, Italian films have long held the power to sweep viewers off their feet. Netflix’s growing collection of Italian-language movies presents a golden ticket to explore Italy’s soul and cinematic brilliance. Whether you’re a cinephile seeking compelling drama, eye-catching period pieces, heartfelt comedies, or modern thrillers, these films offer a slice of la dolce vita—and a direct line to memorable stories that explore love, mystery, family, and freedom.

Bellissima! The Allure of Italian Cinema

Italy’s place in film history is legendary—think Fellini, Rossellini, Antonioni, and beyond—but the nation’s vitality is ever-present in its modern creations, too. Italian movies on Netflix now span a range of genres, tones, and historical periods, capturing everything from rural fantasy to urban crime. Get ready to curate your next streaming night with our handpicked selection of the 15 best Italian movies currently available on Netflix. Each film immerses you in Italy’s culture, landscape, and inventive storytelling, making it the next best thing to booking a plane ticket.

1. Happy as Lazzaro (2018)

Director: Alice Rohrwacher
Run Time: 2 hours 7 minutes

A gentle, evocative fable, Happy as Lazzaro (“Lazzaro felice”) introduces us to a pure-hearted sharecropper named Lazzaro, whose simple life in an isolated rural village takes a magical turn upon meeting Tancredi, a rebellious young nobleman. A plot involving a faked kidnapping unspools into a moving meditation on innocence, class division, and the unstoppable march of time. Hailed for its ethereal storytelling and lush visuals, Rohrwacher’s work received international acclaim and remains a standout in recent Italian cinema.

2. Human Capital (2019)

Director: Marc Meyers
Run Time: 1 hour 38 minutes

This modern drama intricately weaves together the lives of two very different families whose fates collide after a tragic accident. Through shifting perspectives and sharp social commentary, Human Capital explores themes of ambition, privilege, and moral ambiguity—making for a suspenseful and thought-provoking ride through contemporary Italy’s undercurrents.

3. Under the Riccione Sun (2020)

Director: YouNuts!
Run Time: 1 hour 41 minutes

Evoking memories of glittering sands and sun-soaked days, this summery romantic comedy brings a crew of teenagers together on Riccione’s lively beaches. Their adventures—complete with budding romances, breakups, insecurities, and parties—capture the timeless thrill of youth. The film is a feel-good ode to friendship and the Italian coast, perfect for those craving nostalgia and Mediterranean warmth.

• Filming Location: Riccione, a vibrant coastal town on Italy’s Adriatic shoreline
• Notable Cast: Cristiano Caccamo, Lorenzo Zurzolo, Ludovica Martino

4. Rose Island (2020)

Director: Sydney Sibilia
Run Time: 1 hour 58 minutes

Based on an incredible true story, Rose Island spins the yarn of Giorgio Rosa—an audacious engineer who constructs a tiny platform in the Adriatic Sea and declares it an independent nation. What begins as a wild dream becomes a symbol of counterculture rebellion, pitting Rosa against the Italian government. With wit, whimsy, and a strong statement about freedom, this film captures the infectious optimism of the 1960s.

5. 7 Women and a Murder (2021)

Director: Alessandro Genovesi
Run Time: 1 hour 24 minutes

Imagine the board game Clue, but with chic Italian flair and a witty, all-female cast. When a family patriarch is killed in his mansion, seven sharp-witted women—each with secrets and quirks—are trapped under one roof, desperate to unmask the culprit. This campy whodunit thrives on visual style, comic timing, and outrageous twists. Best enjoyed in its original Italian for a true flavor of the performances.

6. The Ruthless (2019)

Director: Renato De Maria
Run Time: 1 hour 51 minutes

A gritty, high-octane gangster drama set against Milan’s underworld, The Ruthless (Lo spietato) charts Santo Russo’s transformation from a defiant youth to one of the city’s most fearless mafia bosses. Loosely based on true events, this stylish crime saga delivers violence, vices, and the devastating cost of ambition, all framed by dazzling views of urban and southern Italian locales.

• Filming Locations: Milan, Apulia

7. The Life Ahead (2020)

Director: Edoardo Ponti
Run Time: 1 hour 34 minutes

Screen legend Sophia Loren makes a luminous return as Madame Rosa, a Holocaust survivor and former prostitute who creates an unlikely bond with a young Senegalese immigrant, Momo. Their evolving relationship—one of tension, empathy, and, ultimately, familial love—unfolds with gentleness and emotional complexity, making The Life Ahead one of Netflix’s most moving Italian offerings.

8. The Last Paradiso (2021)

Director: Rocco Ricciardulli
Run Time: 1 hour 47 minutes

Based on true events, this period romance-drama is set in 1950s southern Italy. Ciccio, an idealistic farmer with dreams of a better life for his people, falls for a landowner’s daughter—setting the stage for a passionate, forbidden affair. Lush cinematography contrasts the harsh realities of rural labor with sweeping scenes of enduring love and hope.

9. Nonnas (2024)

Director: Menno Meyjes
Run Time: 1 hour 49 minutes

Inspired by true events, this heartwarming comedy centers on Joe Scaravella, who after the passing of his beloved grandmother, opens a Staten Island restaurant staffed entirely by Italian grandmothers (“nonnas”). The result is a charming, cross-generational celebration of food, family, and the timeless grip of Italian tradition—guaranteed to move you and leave you hungry for more.

10. My Name is Vendetta (2022)

Director: Cosimo Gomez
Run Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

This action-packed thriller follows an ex-mafia enforcer and his daughter as they embark on a harrowing escape through Milan, pursued by enemies from the past. My Name is Vendetta blends breakneck pacing with intense family dynamics, offering a modern spin on the revenge genre set in Italy’s vibrant north.

11. The Children’s Train (2025)

Director: Cristina Comencini
Run Time: 2 hours 9 minutes

Based on true historical events, The Children’s Train (Il Treno dei Bambini) tells the moving story of thousands of southern Italian children sent north after World War II as part of a social program. Focusing on one boy’s journey from Naples to the unfamiliar north, it’s a poignant meditation on displacement, resilience, and the search for belonging in a fractured postwar landscape.

12. The Leopard (2025 Series)

Director: Tom Shankland
Format: Six-part miniseries

This lavish reimagining of the classic novel Il Gattopardo explores the waning days of the Sicilian aristocracy during Italian unification. Featuring sumptuous costumes, sprawling estates, and existential melancholy, The Leopard is a captivating look at change and tradition in 19th-century Italy.

13. On My Skin (2018)

Director: Alessio Cremonini
Run Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Based on the harrowing true story of Stefano Cucchi, a young man who died while in police custody, On My Skin is a powerful indictment of systemic injustice in Italy’s legal and medical systems. The film’s raw, compassionate portrayal of Cucchi’s ordeal led to national debate and remains a must-watch for those interested in social issues.

14. The Beast (2020)

Director: Ludovico Di Martino
Run Time: 1 hour 37 minutes

A suspenseful action feature, The Beast (La Belva) introduces a former, tormented special forces soldier who must navigate Italian criminal underworlds to save his kidnapped daughter. Brimming with gritty energy and taut set pieces, the film’s pulse races from start to finish.

15. 18 Presents (2020)

Director: Francesco Amato
Run Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

Inspired by an incredible true story, 18 Presents follows a mother who, diagnosed with terminal illness, arranges for her daughter to receive a birthday gift for each year until her 18th birthday. Blending heartbreak and hope, this emotional drama explores the meaning of love, memory, and carrying on in the face of loss.

Table: Quick Guide to the Best Italian Movies on Netflix

Why Watch Italian Movies on Netflix?

• Cultural immersion: Experience regional dialects, traditions, and breathtaking scenery unique to Italy.
• Emotional storytelling: Italian cinema is renowned for mixing humor, poignancy, and passionate performances.
• Language learning: Watching in Italian (with subtitles) is an enjoyable tool for improving comprehension.
• Unique genres: From mafia thrillers to coming-of-age tales, there’s something for every taste.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are these Italian movies available globally on Netflix?

Availability may vary by region, but most of these films are accessible in major Netflix libraries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and much of Europe.

Do I need to watch them in Italian?

While many of the films offer English dubbing, they are best enjoyed in the original Italian with subtitles to preserve cultural nuances and performances.

Are these films suitable for family viewing?

Genres and ratings vary—comedies like Under the Riccione Sun or Nonnas are family-friendly, while darker fare such as The Ruthless or On My Skin deal with mature themes. Please review individual content warnings on Netflix.

Which Italian movie should I watch first?

If you love magical realism, start with Happy as Lazzaro. For heartwarming drama, try The Life Ahead. For a summer romance, Under the Riccione Sun is your pick.

Do I need to know about Italian culture before watching?

No prior knowledge required! These movies introduce you organically to Italian customs, landscapes, and perspectives.

Plan Your Italian Movie Marathon!

All roads may lead to Rome, but on Netflix, they also lead to charming fishing villages, bustling piazzas, and poetic countrysides. Let these 15 Italian movies guide you on an imaginative journey through Italy—from laughter-tinged coming-of-age tales to gripping historical sagas. Prepare your snacks, dim the lights, and dive into the heart of Italian cinema tonight.

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