7 Best Canadian Movies to Watch

By Vlad Zakh · January 2, 2026

Canadian cinema’s strongest reputation comes out of Quebec, where Denis Villeneuve, Xavier Dolan and Denys Arcand built one of the most consistent national film movements in decades. Incendies has twins uncovering a devastating family secret, Mommy has a single mother pushed to the limit by her volatile teenage son, and The Barbarian Invasions has a dying man gathering friends for a last honest reckoning. C.R.A.Z.Y., Away from Her, The Sweet Hereafter and Bon Cop Bad Cop round out the list.

Incendies (2010)

IMDb ★ 8.3 RT 91% Metacritic 80

Twins fulfil their late mother's dying wish by uncovering a devastating secret about her wartime past.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve · 2h 11m · Rated R

Nominated for 1 Oscar41 wins & 20 nominations

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Mommy (2014)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A struggling single mother battles to raise her volatile, unpredictable teenage son.

Directed by Xavier Dolan · 2h 18m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005)

TMDB ★ 7.7

A young man in a large Quebec family spends years trying to reconcile his faith with his sexuality.

Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée · 2h 06m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Stream: Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now · Rent: Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Barbarian Invasions (2003)

TMDB ★ 7.3

A dying man's estranged son gathers old friends and lovers for one last honest reckoning.

Directed by Denys Arcand · 1h 39m

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Away from Her (2007)

TMDB ★ 7.3

A husband faces his own grief as his wife's Alzheimer's leads her to form a bond with another man at her care home.

Directed by Sarah Polley · 1h 50m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Sweet Hereafter (1997)

TMDB ★ 7.5

A lawyer arrives in a grieving small town to convince parents to sue over a devastating school bus accident.

Directed by Atom Egoyan · 1h 52m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Bon Cop Bad Cop (2006)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A straitlaced Ontario cop and a rebellious Quebec detective are forced to team up on a murder straddling both provinces.

Directed by Érik Canuel · 1h 56m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

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

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

7 Best Canadian Movies to Watch

Incendies (2010)

Mommy (2014)

C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005)

The Barbarian Invasions (2003)

Away from Her (2007)

The Sweet Hereafter (1997)

Bon Cop Bad Cop (2006)

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