French films and series to watch in October

The ultimate challenge for all language learners is getting to the point where they are fully comfortable in the real world of the target language. 

An easy way to increase your cultural knowledge is by engaging with French film and TV. Not only does it expose you to language as it is really spoken, you can also deepen your cultural understanding of France.

TV series and films are accessible to all levels. While complete beginners may find it daunting, start by using audio in French and subtitles in English and then switch.

When you feel comfortable, put both the audio and subtitles in French. People are often surprised by just how much they can understand, even with basic knowledge. 

Mixing up genres and watching content from different historical periods is a good way to diversify the language you are engaging with, tuning your ear to different accents and how different people speak. 

Below are five recommendations to watch this October.

Les Reclus : Une Famille Sous Emprise 

This mini true-crime documentary series tells the story of the Védrines family, eleven members of which were under the complete control of a single man, Thierry Tilly, for ten years. 

Known in popular culture as the Védrines affair, the case received significant coverage in the press due to its involvement of prolonged psychological manipulation and isolation of the wealthy family by Tilly, who was posing as a protector against supposed enemies. 

The family were led to believe by him that he was their only means of safety.

The documentary dives into interviews and footage, to try and establish what exactly went on in one of France’s most well known criminal cases.

It is available to watch on Canal+.

Deux Pianos 

The plot of this film follows pianist Mathias Vogler, who returns to France after a long spell away in Asia. 

When his former piano tutor encourages him to take part in a series of concerts, it kickstarts his life back in France, leading him back to people from his past. 

Starring François Civil – one France’s star actors this decade –  the film explores themes of regret and nostalgia for lives that could have been lived and the ongoing impact of mistakes and choices you make along the way. 

The film premiered in French cinemas in October 2025, and is now available to rent on Canal+.

Notre Salut

Notre Salut is a Franco-Belgian historical drama set in 1940 as the regime of Vichy France begins. 

Engineer Henri Marre arrives in Vichy with his self-published manifesto explaining how he wants to rebuild France following the damage in the opening phases of World War Two. 

Having left his family behind, he settles into the Vichy administration, becoming a cog in the machine. 

It explores how Henri, a normal man, rationalised decisions, but becomes slowly brainwashed into the regime. 

The film premiered at Cannes 2026, where it received a very positive reception from critics and won the Best Screenplay award. 

It is available to watch now in cinemas.

Carême

Carême is an eight-episode historical drama, telling a fictionalised story of Marie-Antoine Carême, otherwise known as the world's first celebrity chef, who revolutionised French cooking during the time of Napoleon.

From humble beginnings in late 18th-century Paris, Carême started work at a young age in a basic restaurant before becoming an apprentice to a leading Parisian pâtissier.

He quickly rose through the ranks to become an iconic chef, but his new-found celebrity status does not go unnoticed by France’s politicians, who want to use Carême as a spy. 

Carême is available to watch on AppleTV.

Chef’s Table France 

Keeping with the cooking theme, learn about France’s most innovative and up-and-coming chefs on Chef’s Table: France on Netflix. 

Each of the four episodes focuses on a unique chef in France, attempting to take cooking in bold new directions.

This includes a three-Michelin-star restaurant focusing on vegetables, and an ambitious chef pairing traditional Chinese cooking techniques with French ingredients. 

It offers insight into how French cooking continues to evolve beyond the classic techniques and menus for which it is so applauded.