10 Movies to Transport You to France
The Best Movies About Paris
If you are missing Paris, here are a few of my favorite movies to transport you to France. How many have you seen? Do you have a favorite movie you watch on repeat? These are the best movies about Paris to transport you for an afternoon.
When I am about to board a plane to Paris and on the plane, my two favorites to watch are Sabrina and Midnight in Paris.
Sabrina
I prefer the new version vs the old (with Audrey Hepburn) because Sabrina is a photographer instead of a cook (old version). I love the introduction, it is so well done and I immediately have to sit in front of the tv and watch the whole movie through to the end. I love picking out all locations in Paris as I watch it. The love story is beautiful!
Midnight in Paris
If you are reading this blog post and you haven’t seen Midnight in Paris, you have permission to click out and turn it on. I promise I won’t be mad. Gil is enchanted with Paris as much as I feel I am so I completely understand his character. Again, this one has a great introduction that is beautifully shot. If you don’t like Woody Allen movies you can skip it. It is quirky and funny but it has the right balance that will carry you through the very end to the last line of the movie. “Actually, Paris is the most beautiful in the rain.”
A Good Year
I first saw this movie on a date and I was immediately drawn in by the cinematography and the light, plus Russell Crowe isn’t bad to look at 😉 The date wasn’t a keeper, but this movie has been one of my favorites ever since. The film takes you to the South of France and if you aren’t convinced to take a trip in the Summer to Provence yet, you will be by the end.
French Kiss
I first saw this movie when I was younger way before I ever went to Paris and it made me want to go even more. I loved Sleepless in Seattle and seeing Meg Ryan in a film about Paris sold it for me. This is an oldie 1995 but the soundtrack is great and so is the movie.
Ratatouille
My niece and nephew adore this movie and they would be mad if I didn’t include it on the list. If you have kids, this is a great one to watch together. It is an adorable story set about a rat that moves to Paris to follow his dream of being a chef. It’s a Pixar animation.
Moulin Rouge
The story is about love at The Moulin Rouge starring Nichole Kidman. You will want to listen to the soundtrack for days afterward and sing along. “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”
Forget Paris
This movie stars Billy Crystal and features Paris in a flashback sequence of a love story. This movie may not be on your radar (it’s from 1995) but it should be. It is a feel-good movie that will have you on the edge of your seat to find out how the love story ends.
The Red Balloon
In 2013, I started a project with red balloons in Paris. I just had this vision in my head and I had to have it come to life. Several friends in Paris told me I needed to see the movie, The Red Balloon. It is 34 minutes long and perfect for small kids to watch on a rainy afternoon. It is a simple story about a boy and his balloon that will capture your attention.
Funny Face
I couldn’t do a movie roundup without a nod to Audrey Hepburn. Funny Face takes place in Paris and includes Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn for singing and dancing numbers. The combination along with the backdrop of Paris and the fashion makes it a must-see movie at least once.
Julie and Julia
This is one of my favorites on the list and it always seems to be on the plane on the way to Paris. I can relate so much to this movie with Julie who writes a blog about trying all of Julia Child’s recipes in Mastering the Art of French Cooking. The story goes back and forth from Brooklyn (Julie) to France (Julia) covering their story and how they eventually intertwine at the end.
Gigi! One of my all time favorites. I love your list. Have seen them all many times! Also, 2 days in Paris by Julie Delpy.
Love each of these movies! Also very excited for the upcoming Julia Child mini-series and documentary.
My husband and I adore Midnight in Paris and our 5 year old is obsessed with Ratatouille!!! Great list!
Thank you! My niece and nephew love Ratatouille too! It is a great way to get the kids to start dreaming of Paris. They call me their “little chef” since I am always in the kitchen and they love to help me cook/bake!
French Kiss, Ratatouille, Sabrina(both versions!) Forget Paris are some of my favs too!
Currently watching Midnight in Paris. It’s great! I love your blog!
Thank you, Catherine! It is such a fun move to watch.
Are you watching call my agent on Netflix? Love letter to everything French
Please find Until September from 1984 and enjoy the Paris locales. Cute story, but the locations are fantastic. Viewed this gem on cable several times in the mid 80’s and would binge watch again.
I love Two for the Road with Audrey Hepburn too. A lovely road trip through France 😊
I haven’t seen it! Adding it to my list. Merci!
I’m so glad you included Forget Paris! I think it’s an underrated gem for sure. It came out the same year as French Kiss (my all-time fave Rom-Com). Those two are significant for me because it was in 1995 that I first visited France and so my love affair began. I’m so glad I was able to celebrate not only my 50th birthday, but my first Christmas in Paris, my 25th year of loving France and my 20th trip there this past December (and first time NOT riding the metro, might I add)! Your blog is helping me get through the uncertainty of when I’ll visit next.
Thank you so much, Rebecca, for taking me to Paris through these ten movie trailers. They made me laugh and it felt good to laugh during these stressful times. I have seen 7 of these movies out of the ten. I was a high school French teacher for 29 years and I always showed THE RED BALLOON to my students. I so love France and particularly Paris. I go there at least once a year and take lots of pictures to last me through the year back in the US. AND I READ YOUR BLOG!!!! Thank you so very much for your ever lovely website and taking me to my second home. Merci mille fois……….
Hi Phyllis,
I am so happy you loved the movie post and all the trailers. It was fun to put together. I had a much longer list but thought 10 was a good amount 🙂 Are there any you will watch that you haven’t seen?
Thank you so much for reading! I will transport you back to Paris anytime you need it.
Stay safe and well,
Rebecca
I love watching the movie “Amélie” before every trip to Paris.
Yes, "Amélie" is a great movie! I watched it while I lived in Montmartre and would pass the same spots on my walk.