Spain has a rich cinematic history with filmmakers known for their storytelling prowess and visual flair. Spanish cinema has given us some of the most iconic movies of all time. From comedy to drama, romance to thriller, Spanish cinema has a diverse range of genres to offer. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the 33 best Spanish movies to watch in 2023, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Whether you are a cinephile or just looking for some good movies to watch, this list has something for everyone. So, here’s a list of the 33 best Spanish movies to watch in 2023:
1) The Platform (2019)
This dystopian thriller takes place in a vertical prison where inmates on the upper floors eat well while those on the lower levels starve. As a new prisoner arrives on the lowest level, he tries to survive in the harsh conditions and find a way to escape.
2) Volver (2006)
This comedic drama from director Pedro Almodóvar tells the story of a woman who returns to her hometown in La Mancha to reconnect with her family and confront the secrets of her past. Raimunda, played by Penélope Cruz, returns to her hometown in Madrid to deal with the aftermath of her mother’s death. As she reconnects with her sister, old secrets are unearthed and tensions rise. This film blends comedy, drama, and mystery to create a compelling story about family, grief, and forgiveness.
3) The Skin I Live In (2011)
Dr. Robert Ledgard is a brilliant plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life to creating a new type of skin that can withstand any kind of damage. However, his obsession with perfection and his past traumas lead him down a dark and twisted path that will test the limits of his sanity. This psychological thriller explores themes of identity, gender, and power in a way that is both disturbing and thought-provoking.
4) All About My Mother (1999)
A grieving mother travels to Barcelona to find her estranged husband and discovers that he has a new life as a trans woman. This drama explores the themes of motherhood, identity, and the complexities of human relationships.
5) Marshland (2014)
Set in the 1980s, this crime thriller follows two detectives who investigate the disappearance of two teenage girls in a small town in the marshlands of Andalusia. This crime thriller explores the themes of corruption, power, and the dark side of human nature. The team of two homicide detectives with contrasting personalities investigate various cases. As they dig deeper, they uncover a web of corruption and violence that has plagued the region for years.
6) Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
Two teenage friends, Tenoch and Julio, invite a woman named Luisa to join them on a road trip to a mythical beach. As they travel, they navigate through their own complicated relationship with each other and with Luisa. This coming-of-age film explores the complexities of friendship, love, and sexuality in a way that is both honest and entertaining.
7) The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)
The Secret in Their Eyes is a crime thriller that follows retired legal counselor Benjamin Esposito as he revisits a case from 25 years ago that still haunts him. A retired detective and his former colleague work together to solve a decades-old rape and murder case. This Argentinean crime drama explores the themes of love, justice, and revenge in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
8) Talk to Her (2002)
Almodóvar’s emotionally complex drama follows two men who bond over their love for women in comas and the complications that arise when one of the women wakes up. A working-class father seeks revenge on the gang members who have been terrorizing his family and making their lives a living hell.
9) The House of the Snail (2021)
This horror film follows a man who inherits a crumbling mansion and soon discovers a secret room that reveals the dark history of the house and its former occupants. This is one of the must watch Spanish movie of all time.
10) While at War (2019)
This historical drama takes place during the Spanish Civil War, and follows the philosopher and writer Miguel de Unamuno as he struggles with his own beliefs and allegiances in the midst of political turmoil.
11) May God Save Us (2016)
Two police detectives investigate a series of gruesome murders in Madrid during the scorching summer of 2011. As they navigate through the city’s underbelly, they discover a twisted web of corruption and abuse that threatens to consume them.
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12) Julia’s Eyes (2010)
A woman investigates the suspicious death of her twin sister, who suffered from a degenerative eye disease that may have contributed to her demise. This is one of the best Spanish movie that is full of Suspense and Thrill.
13) Pain and Glory (2019)
Salvador Mallo is a renowned film director who has lost his creativity and is struggling with chronic pain. As he reflects on his past and reconnects with old acquaintances, he finds inspiration and a renewed sense of purpose.
14) The Bar (2017)
Directed by Álex de la Iglesia, The Bar is a black comedy horror film set in a café in Madrid. When a group of strangers are trapped inside the café due to a mysterious virus that has infected the outside world, they must band together to survive. As tensions rise and secrets are revealed, the group begins to turn on each other. The film stars Blanca Suárez, Mario Casas, and Secun de la Rosa.
15) The Fury of a Patient Man (2016)
This tense thriller follows a man seeking revenge on those who wronged his girlfriend, leading him to cross paths with a troubled young mother. José is a quiet and reserved man who seeks revenge on those who caused his girlfriend’s death. As he begins his mission, he meets Ana, a single mother who becomes intrigued by his mysterious persona. However, as he delves deeper into the criminal underworld, he realizes that his thirst for revenge may consume him.
16) Los cronocrímenes (2007)
Another time travel thriller, this film follows a man who stumbles upon a mysterious lab and gets caught up in a series of time loops that threaten his very existence. This is the most unique Spanish thriller movie of all time.
17) Wild Tales (2014)
Wild Tales is an anthology film consisting of six short stories that explore the extremes of human behavior. Each story is connected by the theme of revenge and the unexpected consequences that come with it. This is undoubtedly one of the best Spanish movies to watch in 2023.
18) The Invisible Guest (2016)
In this tense mystery, a successful businessman wakes up in a hotel room next to the dead body of his lover and hires a top-notch lawyer to help him clear his name.
19) The Orphanage (2007)
A woman returns to the orphanage where she was raised to open a home for disabled children, but strange occurrences lead her to investigate the dark secrets of the past.
20) Julieta (2016)
Julieta, played by Emma Suárez and Adriana Ugarte, is a middle-aged woman who struggles to come to terms with the events that caused her to become estranged from her daughter. This drama explores the themes of grief, loss, and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships.
21) The Sea Inside (2004)
This film tells the story of Ramón Sampedro, a man who became a quadriplegic after a diving accident and spends the rest of his life fighting for the right to die. The Sea Inside explores the themes of disability, euthanasia, and the human right to self-determination.
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22) The Devil’s Backbone (2001)
Set in a remote orphanage during the Spanish Civil War, this horror film tells the story of a young boy who discovers a ghostly presence in the school. The Devil’s Backbone explores the themes of war, power, and the supernatural in a way that is both eerie and thought-provoking.
23) Bad Education (2004)
This film tells the story of two boys who reunite as adults, and the secrets that they share about their past at a Catholic school. Bad Education explores the themes of abuse, power, and the consequences of living a lie.
24) The Others (2001)
A woman, played by Nicole Kidman, moves into a haunted house with her two children and soon discovers that they are not alone. This is the best Spanish horror movie.
25) Schoolgirls (2020)
Set in the 1990s, this coming-of-age drama follows a group of young girls attending a strict Catholic school in Seville, as they navigate their budding sexuality and the changing cultural landscape of Spain.
26) The Endless Trench (2019)
During the Spanish Civil War, a man is forced to hide in his own home’s basement for more than 30 years, fearing for his life. As his world becomes smaller and smaller, he must navigate the challenges of survival and the psychological toll that comes with living in isolation.
27) Even the Rain (2010)
Even the Rain is a drama film that follows a film crew as they travel to Bolivia to make a movie about Christopher Columbus and the indigenous people of the Americas. As they begin filming, they become embroiled in the real-life water privatization protests that are happening in the country.
28) Eye for an Eye (1996)
This crime thriller follows a nurse who becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of revenge after caring for a dying drug lord.
29) Toc Toc (2017)
A group of people who suffer from different obsessive-compulsive disorders are stuck in a waiting room of a prestigious doctor who is running late. As they spend time with each other, they start opening up about their peculiar disorders and how they affect their lives.
30) Blue Rai (2018)
A retired musician named Rai travels to a small town in the Spanish countryside to reconnect with an old friend. While there, he becomes embroiled in the lives of the locals and the conflicts that have arisen between them.
31) To Steal from a Thief (2016)
A group of bank robbers team up to steal millions of euros from a heavily guarded safe in Valencia. But when they discover that the money they have stolen is dirty, they must figure out a way to launder it before the police catch up with them.
32) Advantages of Traveling by Train (2019)
A young woman suffering from depression takes a train journey to visit her grandmother, only to find herself transported to different time periods and alternate realities.
33) Sleep Tight (2011)
A concierge at an apartment building in Barcelona becomes obsessed with a tenant who is seemingly perfect in every way. He begins to invade her privacy and manipulate her. This is one of the most watched Spanish movie in recent times.
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In conclusion, Spanish cinema has a lot to offer to film enthusiasts in 2023. With a diverse range of genres and storytelling techniques, these 33 Spanish movies showcase the richness of Spanish culture and language. From heart-wrenching dramas to hilarious comedies, these films have the potential to captivate and entertain audiences around the world. So, if you are looking to explore a different kind of cinema in 2023, give these Spanish movies a chance and experience the magic of storytelling in a whole new way.