By Vlad Zakh · September 17, 2026
Algeria Drama thought provokingintense
Algerian cinema’s foundational subject is the war of independence, and even recent films keep returning to political violence and its cost, especially for women. Days of Glory has North African soldiers fighting for France in World War II despite discrimination, Outside the Law has three brothers fighting for independence by different means, and The Well has a rural woman building an independent life for her son. Bab El Oued City, The Battle of Algiers, Barakat!, Papicha, Chronicle of the Years of Fire and Enough! round out the list.
01 A rural woman fights her community's expectations to build a real, independent life for her son.
Directed by Daniel Auteuil · 1h 47m · Rated NR
Rent or buy: Amazon Video
Rent: JustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fetch TV · Buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fetch TV
02 North African soldiers fight for France in the Second World War despite open discrimination in their own ranks.
Directed by Rachid Bouchareb · 2h 08m · Rated R
Rent or buy: Fandango At Home
Rent: Amazon Video · Buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
03 A young baker's stolen loudspeaker becomes a flashpoint for his Algiers neighbourhood's rising fundamentalism.
Directed by Merzak Allouache · 1h 33m
04 Three brothers each fight for Algerian independence through very different, escalating methods.
Directed by Rachid Bouchareb · 2h 17m
Stream: Cohen Media Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Google Play Movies, YouTube
Stream: STUDIOCANAL PRESENTS Apple TV Channel, Studiocanal Presents Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Rent or buy: Fetch TV
05 Algerian rebels wage a guerrilla campaign against French colonial forces in 1950s Algiers.
Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo · 2h 02m · Rated NR
Nominated for 3 Oscars9 wins & 8 nominations
Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, BFI Player · Buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Stream: Beamafilm · Rent: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Beamafilm · Buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
06 A doctor and a nurse search for her missing husband during Algeria's civil war.
Directed by Djamila Sahraoui · 1h 35m
Rent or buy: Amazon Video
07 A fashion design student defies Algeria's rising fundamentalism to stage an underground show.
Directed by Mounia Meddour · 1h 48m
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Philo, OVID, Fandor Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Rent: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, BFI Player, YouTube · Buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
08 A farmer's displacement traces the years leading up to the Algerian War of Independence.
Directed by Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina · 2h 57m
Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Rent or buy: Apple TV Store
Stream: MUBI, Rialto Amazon Channel, MUBI Amazon Channel
Stream: MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel
09 A widowed Algerian mother juggling several jobs fights to keep her family together against mounting hardship.
Directed by Detlev Buck · 1h 38m
Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.
