Odds are, you've checked out at least one of Netflix's viral international hits. Often, among the streaming giant's American hits, a show like the Spanish thriller Money Heist (a.k.a. La Casa de Papel) or the binge-worthy K-drama Squid Game will become a mega-hit, with millions of people exploring a different country's TV offerings afterward. Maybe you tuned into (and loved) a show like Lupin, the popular French crime drama, meaning it's time to check out Netflix's other French-language offerings.
These French-language shows, from countries including France, Canada, and Belgium, span multiple engrossing genres, from comedies to sci-fi to reality TV and docuseries, to straight-up horror. Viewers also get to dive into the language (team subs, no dubs), picking up some basic skills (educational TV!). Here are some of the best French-language shows to check out.
'The 7 Lives of Lea' (2022)
This wild mystery comedy combines time travel and body swapping: The day after 17-year-old Lea stumbles upon a male corpse, she wakes up in 1991 in the dead boy's body. Over seven episodes, she goes back and forth between the present and the past while trying to solve—and prevent—the murder.
'The Billionaire, The Butler, and The Boyfriend' (2023)
Francophiles who also love true crime need to check out this three-part docuseries about Liliane Bettencourt, who was the wealthiest woman in the world at the time of her death in 2017, and her scandalous friendship with celebrity photographer, François-Marie Banier.
'Black Butterflies' (2022)
In this tense psychological thriller, struggling author Adrien takes a job ghostwriting the memoir of Albert, an older man with a murderous secret. The show switches between the present-day and flashbacks as both Adrien and a determined detective begin to look more into Albert's past.
'Call My Agent!' (2015–2020)
This workplace comedy melds reality and fiction. It's set at a fictional talent agency where the clients are real-life French celebrities.
'Can You Hear Me?' (2018–2021)
This French-Canadian series follows Ada, Fabiola, and Carolanne, three friends who live in a low-income neighborhood in Montreal. The chemistry between the three leads, as they cope with their messy lives in different ways, will make you want to spend more time with your best friend.
'Chef's Table: France' (2016)
These four documentary episodes take a peek behind the scenes of the French culinary arts scene, following four chefs who make some of the world's best cuisine. So much amazing food!
'The Circle: France' (2020)
If you seriously can't get enough of Netflix's reality shows, why not tune into the international versions? There's a French rendition of The Circle, and it's filled with just as many wild contestants and top-notch catfishes as the U.S. show.
'Class Act' (2023)
This BAFTA-winning miniseries is a decades-spanning "fictionalized biopic" on Bernard Tapie, the late TV-host-turned-business-mogul who has been called the French Donald Trump.
'Criminal: France' (2019)
Another franchise with multiple international versions, Criminal is made for crime fans who want to be on the edge of their seat. The French version follows a new group of interrogators and suspects enveloped in thrilling stories of deception.
'Don't Hate the Player' (2024)
This reality competition series is like Survivor meets Surviving Paradise: 13 players start in a grubby camp and compete for a spot in a luxury villa and a prize pot of €150,000.
'Family Business' (2019–2021)
With France moving toward legalizing marijuana, the struggling son of a dysfunctional family decides to turn their kosher butcher shop into a cannabis cafe. The whole family of larger-than-life characters ends up on the wrong side of the law as nothing goes smoothly.
'The Forest' (2017)
This Belgian crime drama follows the small-town disappearance of a 16-year-old girl, though the town in question is a picturesque village surrounded by the Ardennes Forest. As the police begin to investigate, a concerned teacher uncovers some unsettling secrets.
'The Hook Up Plan' (2018–2022)
Rom-com fans, this one's for you. Elsa is about to turn 30 and still reeling from a relationship that ended two years ago. Her friends Emilie and Charlotte have a unique solution: hire an escort to take her out.
'Into the Night' (2020–2021)
This Belgian thriller will make even the most frequent fliers squirm in their seats. A group of plane passengers find themselves in the middle of a natural disaster, where sunlight carries a fatal toxin. The fliers have to keep outrunning the sun to survive.
'Lupin' (2021– )
Inspired by the literary character Arsène Lupin, Assane Diop (Omar Sy) is a thief and master of disguise on a mission to avenge his father, who died imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. Come for the cinematic heists, stay after falling for the compassionate heart of the titular thief.
'Marianne' (2019)
This horror series follows an author in a small French coastal town. When she decides to stop writing about her book series' central villain, the titular Marienne, she ends up haunted by the character in real life.
'Mortel' (2019–2021)
A paranormal teen drama, Mortel follows three high schoolers, Sofiane, Victor, and Luisa, who use magical powers to find Sofiane's missing brother.
'Osmosis' (2019)
If you've been craving new episodes of Black Mirror, this one-season sci-fi drama may be just what you need. In futuristic France, an experimental dating app matches singles with their true love with 100 percent accuracy by mining their brain for data.
'The Parisian Agency: Exclusive Properties' (2020– )
Fans of Selling Sunset must check out this reality series, which is filled with grand Parisian apartments, stunning French estates, and even a castle or two. Rather than the O Group, this international gem follows the Kretz family of agents and their super-rich clients.
'Vampires' (2020)
If paranormal romance is your thing, this teen drama about with half-human vampires is a must-watch. 16-year-old Doina is torn between two worlds, as she tries to make it through high school while exploring her bloodthirsty urges.
