6 Best César Award Best Film Winners

By Vlad Zakh · March 28, 2026

Drama feel goodthought provoking

France’s top film honor, the César, has recognized some of the country’s most beloved and internationally celebrated cinematic achievements. In Amelie (2001): A whimsical Parisian waitress secretly orchestrates small acts of kindness for those around her. Another standout is Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019): A painter falls for the reluctant bride-to-be she has been secretly commissioned to portray.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) 01

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

IMDb ★ 8.0 RT 98% Metacritic 95

A painter falls for the reluctant bride-to-be she has been secretly commissioned to portray.

Directed by Céline Sciamma · 2h 01m · Rated R

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award59 wins & 155 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max · Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
The Artist (2011) 02

The Artist (2011)

IMDb ★ 7.8 RT 95% Metacritic 89

A silent film star's career declines as a young actress's star rises with the arrival of talking pictures.

Directed by Michel Hazanavicius · 1h 40m · Rated PG-13

Won 5 Oscars162 wins & 204 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Philo, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
The Chorus (2004) 03

The Chorus (2004)

TMDB ★ 7.9

A struggling music teacher transforms a boarding school of troubled boys through the power of choir.

Directed by Christophe Barratier · 1h 37m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
Amelie (2001) 04

Amelie (2001)

IMDb ★ 8.3 RT 90% Metacritic 70

A whimsical Parisian waitress secretly orchestrates small acts of kindness for those around her.

Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet · 2h 02m · Rated R

Nominated for 5 Oscars60 wins & 74 nominations

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
Cyrano de Bergerac (1990) 05

Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)

TMDB ★ 7.8

A brilliant but insecure poet-swordsman helps a handsome friend win the woman he secretly loves.

Directed by Jean-Paul Rappeneau · 2h 17m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd
The Last Metro (1980) 06

The Last Metro (1980)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A Parisian theater director hides her Jewish husband in the basement while running the show without him.

Directed by François Truffaut · 2h 11m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

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Vlad Zakh

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.