5 Best Modern Greek Movies That Will Make You Fall in Love With Greek Cinema, Ranked by IMDb
From dark family dramas to surreal comedies.
For a long time, Greek cinema remained in the shadow of European giants, but it has experienced a true renaissance in recent decades. The Greek New Wave introduced directors like Yorgos Lanthimos to the world, and their works have achieved cult status far beyond Greece.
However, behind these big names are many other talented filmmakers whose movies deserve equal attention.
5. 'Suntan', 2016
IMDb Score: 6.6/10
Kostis is a lonely, bored doctor in his forties who works on the Greek resort island of Antiparos. Life in the off-season is dull, but as the weather improves, crowds of vacationers arrive.
Kostis' attention is drawn to Anna, a young party girl, and her circle of friends who embody the spirit of Dionysus. Mesmerized by Anna and her lifestyle, the balding misfit plunges into a world vastly different from his own.
4. 'Smyrna', 2021
IMDb Score: 6.9/10
The ancient city of Smyrna belonged to the Roman and Byzantine empires, Turkey, and Greece over the course of two thousand years before finally falling to Ottoman forces.
Filio Baltatzi, an elderly Greek-American woman, travels to the island of Lesbos to help refugees. Nearly a century ago, her wealthy family owned an olive business and lived a life of luxury in cosmopolitan Smyrna.
Their world collapsed in an instant when Turkish forces attacked the city on September 9, 1922. Within a few days, thousands of civilians were killed and majestic Smyrna was razed to the ground.
3. 'Miss Violence', 2013
IMDb Score: 7.0/10
Following the tragic suicide of an eleven-year-old girl, her family carries on as if nothing had happened.
The true cause of her depression becomes clear only toward the end, though sporadic outbursts of violence offer a glimpse of what lies beneath the facade of their cozy family home.
While observant viewers will quickly figure out the creator's intent, the thriller remains suspenseful until the very end.
2. 'Dogtooth', 2009
IMDb Score: 7.1/10
Two sisters and a brother live in total isolation from the outside world at their parents' behest. They have never seen the world beyond the high fence surrounding their home, so even a stray cat seems like a terrifying monster to them.
Yorgos Lanthimos portrays the events with stark realism, from the suffocating isolation to the climactic escape. As in the movies of Danish director Lars von Trier, some scenes provoke laughter while others elicit revulsion.
1. 'The Lobster', 2015
IMDb Score: 7.1/10
In this dystopian society, only those in a couple have freedom and full rights, while single people are outlaws. After getting divorced, David arrives at a retreat for singles.
He has 45 days to find a new partner, or he will be transformed into an animal. Most who fail choose to become dogs, but David prefers a more Kafkaesque option: turning into a lobster because lobsters live up to 100 years and remain fertile until the very end.
However, finding a future wife before the deadline proves difficult. On the eve of the deadline, David flees into the woods, where he meets a group of fellow singles.
