14 Brilliant Foreign Films That Deserve Hollywood Attention 14 Brilliant Foreign Films That Deserve Hollywood Attention

Hollywood often dominates the global film industry, but some of the most creative, emotional and visually stunning films come from outside the U.S. Foreign films bring unique storytelling, cultural perspectives and bold filmmaking techniques that often surpass mainstream Hollywood productions. While some international films get remakes, The Departed was based on Hong Kong’s Infernal Affairs, many hidden gems remain untouched. Here are 14 brilliant foreign films that deserve Hollywood attention, whether as wider releases, adaptations or just more recognition.

The Man from Nowhere, 2010 – A South Korean Action Masterpiece

This South Korean thriller is an intense mix of Taken and John Wick, following a mysterious pawnshop owner with a deadly past who goes on a brutal mission to save a kidnapped girl. With gripping action and emotional depth, this film could easily be adapted into a Hollywood blockbuster starring someone like Keanu Reeves or Jake Gyllenhaal.

Ragnarok, 2013 – A Norwegian Monster Movie Worthy of a Bigger Budget

This Norwegian adventure film feels like a mix between Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park. It follows an archaeologist who stumbles upon an ancient Viking secret, leading to a thrilling encounter with a giant sea monster. With Hollywood’s love for creature features, this could be turned into a jaw dropping blockbuster with cutting-edge CGI.

The Invisible Guest, 2016 – A Mind-Bending Spanish Thriller

This Spanish mystery thriller is filled with twists and turns, following a businessman accused of murder who must prove his innocence in one night. The storytelling and suspense rival Hollywood hits like Gone Girl and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. An English-language remake could bring this film the recognition it truly deserves.

Train to Busan, 2016 – The Ultimate Zombie Thriller

While a Hollywood remake, The Last Train to New York, is in development, nothing can top the original South Korean zombie masterpiece. Mixing heart pounding action with emotional storytelling, Train to Busan redefined the zombie genre. If Hollywood does remake it, they must ensure it keeps the emotional weight and high stakes intensity of the original.

A Prophet, 2009 – A French Crime Epic Ready for the Big Leagues

This French prison drama follows a young Arab man who rises through the ranks of a brutal crime syndicate. Gritty, intense and masterfully acted, A Prophet could be adapted into an English language crime thriller, possibly starring a rising actor like Barry Keoghan or Timothée Chalamet in a dramatic transformation.

Let the Right One In, 2008 – A Vampire Film Unlike Any Other

This Swedish horror drama is one of the most unique takes on vampire mythology, focusing on the bond between a lonely boy and a mysterious girl who might not be human. A Hollywood remake, Let Me In, already happened, but it failed to capture the eerie beauty of the original. A better adaptation, possibly as an A24-style indie film, could do justice to this masterpiece.

The Raid: Redemption, 2011 – Action at Its Purest

This Indonesian action film is hands down one of the best martial arts movies ever made, following an elite SWAT team trapped in a high rise full of criminals. Hollywood has tried to replicate its success, Dredd had a similar plot, but a proper adaptation with stars like Iko Uwais or Scott Adkins could be a game-changer for action cinema.

City of God, 2002 – A Crime Drama That Deserves More Exposure

This Brazilian masterpiece tells the gritty, harrowing story of life in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas, following young boys caught in a cycle of violence. While the original is nearly perfect, a Hollywood adaptation set in a different part of the world, perhaps focusing on American inner city gangs, could bring its raw storytelling to a new audience.

The Handmaiden, 2016 – A Period Thriller That Could Shine in Hollywood

This South Korean erotic psychological thriller, inspired by the novel Fingersmith, is a stunningly shot film about deception, power and forbidden love. Hollywood has already adapted its source material into The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister, but a more faithful remake of The Handmaiden could captivate global audiences.

House of Flying Daggers, 2004 – A Martial Arts Epic That Deserves a Revival

This visually stunning Chinese film is a blend of romance, action and breathtaking cinematography. While Hollywood has produced some wuxia-inspired films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny, a big budget remake or inspired retelling could breathe new life into martial arts cinema.

The Lives of Others, 2006 – A Political Thriller That Feels Timeless

This German film, set during the East German surveillance state, is a gripping tale of morality and secrecy. Given today’s world of mass surveillance and political intrigue, a Hollywood adaptation, perhaps set in modern times with an American or British intelligence agency, could be incredibly relevant.

Oldboy, 2003 – A Revenge Thriller Hollywood Failed to Adapt

Spike Lee’s 2013 Hollywood remake of this South Korean masterpiece was a massive disappointment, proving that some films shouldn’t be remade without proper care. However, if done right, a new adaptation—perhaps with a darker, John Wick-style approach—could bring Oldboy back into the mainstream.

Bacurau, 2019 – A Brazilian Dystopian Thriller Ready for Hollywood

This Brazilian sci-fi-western hybrid follows a small town that mysteriously disappears from maps and becomes the target of foreign mercenaries. With its social commentary, action and bizarre storytelling, Bacurau could be adapted into a Hollywood dystopian thriller starring actors like Oscar Isaac or Pedro Pascal.

I Saw the Devil, 2010 – The Ultimate Serial Killer Thriller

This South Korean revenge thriller is brutal, unsettling and gripping from start to finish. A secret agent hunts down a sadistic serial killer, but instead of stopping him, he decides to torment him in return. With the right director, maybe Denis Villeneuve or David Fincher, I Saw the Devil could be Hollywood’s next great psychological thriller.

Hollywood has a history of adapting foreign films, sometimes with great success, The Departed, Let Me In and other times with failure, Oldboy, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. While some of these films are perfect as they are, wider international recognition or a well crafted remake, could introduce them to new audiences. If you have not seen these movies yet, do yourself a favor and watch them before Hollywood inevitably tries to remake them!

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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