January is often an excellent month for new releases in the cinema both in France and across the world, and this year is no different.
Consuming French media aimed at Francophones remains one of the best ways to develop real fluency in the language.
Although dubbed versions of your favourite English shows may be available, watching French content is better for your French overall.
As well as helping language learners by providing new vocabulary and a feel for how native speakers use grammar and intonation when speaking, films and series provide a key cultural base that will help you take your French to the next level and engage in deeper conversation with French people.
It is best to watch these with French subtitles (or no subtitles if you prefer) to benefit as much as possible.
If heading to the cinema, look for showings with subtitles included, or if watching at home change your settings to best suit you.
L’Âme idéale
L’Âme Idéale is the feature-length debut from Alice Vial, known for her work as writer and director on several recent TV shows and films.
While she has directed the screenplays of other writers before, this is her first work as a screenwriter and director combined.
It stars French cult hero Jonathan Cohen – a man seemingly in just about every French film at the moment and who featured as the star in our December round-up – and Magalie Lépine-Blondeau.
It follows Elsa, a doctor in palliative care, who despite her unassuming look has a superpower in that she can communicate with the dead.
Despite being unlucky in love, this all changes when Elsa meets Oscar and the two begin a whirlwind romance. Of course, the path of love is never as simple as it first seems, as Elsa and Oscar are soon to discover.
The charming and heartwarming comedy has a 4.1 rating on French film site AlloCiné and should be on screens at a cinema near you.
Bistronomia
Bistronomia is a series that follows three friends in their twenties passionate about gastronomy.
They face significant challenges in the Parisian restaurant scene, but aim to open their own restaurant.
It is set around 20 years ago, but explores many issues including struggles with sexism and class that continue to plague the scene today.
There is also a focus on the stresses that come with the required perfectionism of French gastronomy, and the ceaseless search for coveted Michelin stars.
The full series is available on France TV.
Les enfants vont bien
Les enfants vont bien is the second collaboration between writer Nathan Ambrosioni and actress Camille Cottin, after he wrote his first film, Toni en famille, specifically for the actress.
This new collaboration was one of the most anticipated films of 2025 and was released in cinemas in early December.
It tells the story of a mother who suddenly disappears one night, forcing her sister to step in and care for the two children who have been left behind.
Camille Cottin is becoming one of France’s global stars, and has a varied history of work including many Anglophone roles such as Hélène in Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s series Killing Eve.
Many cinemas are still showing the film, which has received rave reviews.
La Maison
Apple TV’s fashion drama series La Maison explores the rivalry between two fictional haute-couture houses ‘Rovel’ and ‘LEDU’.
While LEDU fights to modernise and repair its scandal-ridden image, the head of Rovel seeks to gain control of her business rival as a means of expanding her own fashion empire.
Inspired by Paris’ status as the fashion capital of the world – and several of its most famous houses – the series offers an insight into what goes on behind the closed doors of the often-vicious fashion world, and is a far more accurate depiction than Emily in Paris.
The bingeable 10-episode show was well-received, but so far there are no plans for a second season.
Le Secret de Khéops
Le Secret de Khéops follows archeologist Christian Robinson who is convinced that the treasure of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh was found during Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign, secretly taken to France, and hidden somewhere in Paris.
The discovery of inscriptions in Cairo makes him determined to solve the mystery with the help of his family, resulting in adventures in Parisian vaults and forgotten corners of the city as they search for the treasure.
Think a light-hearted Da Vinci Code set largely in Paris.
The film is available to watch on Canal+ after being released in 2025.
Bonus: Dix pour cent
Dix pour cent is a French series that has reached global heights, and is so beloved that a feature length film is due to be released in 2026.
We do not yet have an exact date, but if you have not yet seen the original series now is the perfect time to watch it in preparation – there are four seasons with six episodes each, perfect to watch throughout cold January evenings.
It follows a fictional Paris-based talent agency that represents some of the biggest actors in France.
Featuring cameos from French cinema royalty including Cécile de France, Mimie Mathy and Jean Dujardin – and starring Camille Cottin – the series brings to life the world of show business, and how those in the celebrities inner circles operate.
It is available on both France TV and Netflix depending on your location.
The first season was released around 10 years ago, but still holds up remarkably well.
