Ciao Amico! Looking to add a touch of Italy to your upcoming movie night? Well, you know, art isn’t the only thing Italy is rich at, Italian films have proved to be a part of the country’s rich heritage as well. And when it comes to streaming, there is no platform that offers the perfect blend of everything but Netflix.
Whether you’re in the mood for drama, comedy, action, adolescent romance, or some eerie true stories, Netflix has some of the best Italian movies to fulfill your streaming cravings.
In this article, I have handpicked some of the best Italian movies on Netflix for my readers so that you can be felice and contento. So, order some pizza and get cozy because this article is your ride to some greatest Italian movies on Netflix. Let’s go!
Please keep in mind that there is a slight possibility that the following Italian movies on Netflix are specific to certain regions. However, you don’t need to worry because a reputable VPN can seamlessly grant you access to Netflix’s geo-restricted library.
1. On My Skin: The Last Seven Days of Stefano Cucchi (2018)
| Stars | Massimiliano Tortora, Alessandro Borghi, Mivia Marigliano |
|---|---|
| Director | Alessio Cremonini |
| Writer | Alessio Cremonini, Lisa Nur Sultan |
| IMDb | 7.3/10 |
| Genre | Biography, Drama |
| Runtime | 1h 40m |
| Name in Italian | Sulla mia pelle |
On October 15, 2009, Stefano Cucchi, a young building surveyor, was discovered in possession of several packs of hashish, two grams of cocaine, and a tablet containing an epileptic medication. As a result, he was sent to Regina Coeli’s jail in Rome that evening.
While incarcerated, he endured terrible abuse and mistreatment. The film recounts the physical and psychological torment that Stefano Cucchi endured and delves into the circumstances leading up to his murder in brutal detail.
The story’s visceral quality is reflected in the title, “On My Skin,” which highlights the effect of the terrible events on Stefano Cucchi personally.
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2. The Hand of God (2021)
| Stars | Toni Servillo, Filippo Scotti, Teresa Saponangelo |
|---|---|
| Director | Paolo Sorrentino |
| Writer | Paolo Sorrentino |
| IMDb | 7.3/10 |
| Genre | Drama |
| Runtime | 2h 10m |
| Name in Italian | È stata la mano di Dio |
Paolo Sorrentino’s understated coming-of-age movie, The Hand of God takes place in Naples in the 1980s and is inspired by his personal experiences.
Young Fabietto and his parents, reside in Naples in the 1980s. He wants to major in philosophy in college and does not have many friends or a significant other. He mostly enjoys watching Diego Maradona play for his hometown team, Napoli, and listening to music.
Halfway through the movie, Fabietto is obsessed with females and soccer. However, his life completely changes when his family goes through tragedy.
The movie’s title suggests a well-known soccer goal made by Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup, a play on words for the unpredictable moments in Fabietto’s life.
The movie captures the spirit of Naples during a difficult time by fusing historical and personal themes. It looks at the value of familial ties, pursuing one’s goals, and dealing with the losses and difficulties of growing up.
3. Rose Island (2020)
| Stars | Leonardo Lidi, Elio Germano, Matilda De Angelis |
|---|---|
| Director | Sydney Sibilia |
| Writer | Sydney Sibilia, Francesca Manieri |
| IMDb | 7.0/10 |
| Genre | Adventure, Biography, Comedy |
| Runtime | 1h 57m |
| Name in Italian | L’incredibile storia dell’Isola delle Rose |
Rose Island is the perfect movie for you if you want to spend two hours fleeing to the warmth of an Italian island.
Set in 1968, Rose Island centers on the life of Giorgio Rosa, a recently graduated engineer who, with the assistance of his friend Maurizio, plans to construct an island off the coast of Rimini. Georgio seemed to have created his paradise apart from the laws and regulations.
However, after learning about Rosa’s application to the UN for Giorgio’s island to become an independent state, the Italian government determines that Giorgio’s utopian island is Italy’s number one enemy.
This entertaining Italian comedy is much more fascinating because it is based on an intriguing true story of the Republic of Rose Island.
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4. 18 Presents (2020)
| Stars | Benedetta Porcaroli, Vittoria Puccini, Edoardo Leo |
|---|---|
| Director | Francesco Amato |
| Writer | Massimo Gaudioso, Francesco Amato, Davide Lantieri |
| IMDb | 6.9/10 |
| Genre | Drama |
| Runtime | 1h 55m |
| Name in Italian | 18 Regali |
Soon after learning that she had breast cancer, pregnant Elisa gives birth to her infant girl Anna and makes an effort to be a part of her life by giving her 18 personal and emotional presents. Despite her own struggles, she painstakingly plans the gifts for Anna’s birthdays, which she will never be a part of.
Shortly after giving birth, Elisa passes away. 18 Presents wanders into fantasy at many points in the story. After being struck by a car, Anna loses consciousness and awakens to discover that not only is her deceased mother with her, but she has also been back in time to three months before her birth.
5. The Ruthless (2019)
| Stars | Sara Serraiocco, Riccardo Scamarcio, Alessio Pratico |
|---|---|
| Director | Renate De Maria |
| Writer | Valentina Strada, Renate De Maria, Federico Gnesini |
| IMDb | 6.2/10 |
| Genre | Crime, Drama |
| Runtime | 1h 51m |
| Name in Italian | Lo Spietato |
Obviously, at least one mafia film has to be included. But just one, as there’s so much more to Italian cinema than only mobster flicks! This one represents a realistic and brutal look into crime in Italy.
The Ruthless centers on the lives of young and aspirational Santo Russo, who work up the Italian mafia’s ranks. The movie explores Santo’s path from a small child with a difficult family history to a strong and merciless mafia leader.
As Santo rises as a criminal, the movie delves into issues of power dynamics, treachery, and the human costs incurred in the quest for supremacy.
Saverio Marobito, a real-life mafia boss who ultimately turned informant for the police, served as the model for the main character.
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6. Yara (2021)
| Stars | Alessio Boni, Isabella Ragonese, Thomas Trabacchi |
|---|---|
| Director | Marco Tullio Giordana |
| Writer | Giacomo Martelli, Graziano Diana |
| IMDb | 6.3/10 |
| Genre | Drama, Crime, Thriller |
| Runtime | 1h 36m |
| Name in Italian | Yara |
Yara revolves around the prosecutor, Letizia Ruggeri, the prosecutor of 13-year-old Yara Gambirasio who got disappeared in the Italian region of Brenbate di Sopra. Her corpse wasn’t discovered until February 15, 2011, which was three months after her disappearance.
The case proves to be heartbreaking not just for Yara’s family but also for the team looking into her horrible death.
Fans of law and order and real crime drama series will love this fast-paced criminal thriller about a woman trying to solve a murder and build a case with less evidence.
7. The Catholic School (2021)
| Stars | Giulio Pranno, Benedetta Porcaroli, Emanuele Maria Di Stefano |
|---|---|
| Director | Stefano Mordini |
| Writer | Massimo Gaudioso, Edoardo Albinati, Luca Infascelli |
| IMDb | 5.6/10 |
| Genre | Drama |
| Runtime | 1h 46m |
| Name in Italian | La scuola cattolica |
All of the time travel to 1975 leads us to the moment when two wealthy students abduct two girls, torture, drug, and rape them before killing one of them in the horrifying real event of The Catholic School.
Sexual violence is a result of their perspectives on their particular peculiarities and challenges at school and home. Though one girl survives, the killers laughingly hope to kill both of them.
Each of the rapist-killers received a life sentence. After receiving an early release from a life sentence due to good behavior, one of them went on to murder two more women.
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8. Caught By a Wave (2021)
| Stars | Roberto Christian, Elvira Camarrone, Donatella Finocchiaro |
|---|---|
| Director | Massimiliano Camaiti |
| Writer | Massimiliano Camaiti, Claudia Bottino |
| IMDb | 5.8/10 |
| Genre | Romance, Drama, Sport |
| Runtime | 1h 39m |
| Name in Italian | Sulla Stessa Onda |
Fan of heart-wrenching films will definitely enjoy summer romance film under the Sicilian heat. If you’re looking for a story that makes you cry like a baby, watch Caught by a Wave.
The movie is about two young, free-spirited people named Sara and Lorenzo who fell deeply in love while on summer vacation. But when Sara’s crippling sickness worsens, their budding romance is put to the test.
The story follows the couple’s attempt to manage their grief and maintain their passionate relationship. The highs and lows of their relationship, the significance of first love, and the resiliency of the human spirit are all expertly portrayed in the movie.
9. Under the Riccione Sun (2020)
| Stars | Davide Calgaro, Cristiano Caccamo, Matteo Oscar Giuggioli |
|---|---|
| Director | Younuts |
| Writer | Enrico Vanzina, Caterina Salvadori, Ciro Zecca |
| IMDb | 5.6/10 |
| Genre | Comedy, Drama, Romance |
| Runtime | 1h 41m |
| Name in Italian | Sotto il sole di Riccione |
An Italian coming-of-age film based on teen romance, anyone?
Of course, this one is set on a beach, I mean, where would it be? Under the Riccione Sun centers on a group of youngsters spending their summer in the Adriatic seaside town of Riccione, Italy.
The group strives to make this summer special by looking for love and, in some cases, sex. But there are many challenges, such as never having experienced love before, heartbreak in the past, insecurity, or just unfortunate timing.
Will everyone find love, or will some people miss out?
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10. My Name is Vendetta (2022)
| Stars | Ginevra Francesconi, Alessandro Gassmann, Alessio Pratico |
|---|---|
| Director | Cosimo Gomez |
| Writer | Franco Fraternale, Sandrone Dazieri, Cosimo Gomez |
| IMDb | 5.6/10 |
| Genre | Action, Crime, Drama |
| Runtime | 1h 30m |
| Name in Italian | Il mio nome è vendetta |
Do you think that the killer must be killed? This is what Santo thinks, which pretty much summarises the violence this revenge drama will include.
Santo, a former member of the Sicilian mafia, goes on a violent retribution against the people who wrecked his house after losing loved ones to the mayhem of his criminal past. However, he is not acting alone in his quest for justice; his daughter, Sofia, works with him to find the people who destroyed their perfect family.
The series vividly depicts Rome’s dirty side and is full of intrigue and interesting characters.
11. Robbing Mussolini (2022)
| Stars | Matilda De Angelis, Pietro Castallito, Tommaso Ragno |
|---|---|
| Director | Renato De Maria |
| Writer | Renato De Maria |
| IMDb | 5.4/10 |
| Genre | Action, Comedy, Crime |
| Runtime | 1h 30m |
| Name in Italian | Rapiniamo il Duce |
Renato De Maria’s opening statement for the movie was, “The story is true-ish,” with the word “ish” denoting the most intriguing fact that De Maria is playing with history.
Set in Milan in 1945, Robbing Mussolini revolves around the bold scheme of a bunch of intrepid criminals who want to steal none other than Benito Mussolini, the famous dictator. The story is set against the backdrop of fascist Italy and is a tale of suspense, intrigue, and surprising allies.
Enjoy a slice of history that has been infused with witty banter, exciting romance, and complicated plots that are sure to go awry.
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Final Say!
Settle in with a large dish of pasta and a cappuccino, or even both, and without any further delays, watch the above mentioned Italian movies on Netflix. You will be introduced to the Italian language and learn about Italian history, slang, culture, and fascinating tales.
Any of these films is a great choice; just remember to watch them with subtitles, capiche? Capiche!
