7 Best Czech Movies: A Deep Dive Into The Cinema Of Czech Republic

Czech cinema has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century, with many influential filmmakers and iconic films. From the surreal works of Jan Svankmajer to the gritty realism of the Czech New Wave, Czech cinema has produced a wide range of styles and genres.

Some of the most notable Czech films include the surreal stop-motion animated films of Jan Svankmajer, such as Alice (1988) and Little Otik (2000). The Czech New Wave of the 1960s produced such classics as Closely Watched Trains (1966) by Jiri Menzel, Loves of a Blonde (1965) by Milos Forman, and Daisies (1966) by Vera Chytilova.

More recent Czech films have also gained international recognition, such as the Oscar-winning Kolya (1996) by Jan Sverak and the acclaimed drama I, Olga Hepnarova (2016) by Petr Kazda and Tomas Weinreb.

Best Czech Movies

Every film in this guide

1. Closely Watched Trains (1966)

Closely Watched Trains (Ostře Sledované Vlaky) is a 1966 Czechoslovak film directed by Jiří Menzel, based on a novel by Bohumil Hrabal. The film is set in German-occupied Czechoslovakia during World War II and follows the story of a young railway apprentice named Milos, who works at a small railway station.

Milos dreams of becoming a hero and impressing a young girl, but he is plagued by insecurities and fears. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he falls in love with a young conductor and becomes involved in a plot to sabotage a Nazi train.

The film is known for its bittersweet humor, its exploration of the human condition under oppression, and its poetic use of symbolism. Closely Watched Trains won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1968, and it is considered to be one of the greatest Czechoslovak films of all time.

2. The Firemen’s Ball (1967)

The Firemen’s Ball (Czech: “Hoří, má panenko”) is a 1967 Czechoslovak comedy film directed by Miloš Forman. The film is a satire about a firemen’s ball held in a small Czech town that turns into a series of disasters and comic mishaps.

The film’s humorous and irreverent tone was seen as a criticism of the Communist government in Czechoslovakia, which did not take kindly to the film’s portrayal of authority figures as inept and corrupt. After a brief Prague Spring release in 1968, the film was banned following the Warsaw Pact invasion; Forman, already working abroad, remained in the West rather than return to a film industry that had shut him out.

Despite the political controversy surrounding its release, The Firemen’s Ball is now considered a classic of Czechoslovak cinema and a landmark of the Czech New Wave. Its depiction of small-town life, social hierarchy, and human fallibility has resonated with audiences around the world and influenced generations of filmmakers.

The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1969, and Miloš Forman went on to have a successful career in the United States, directing acclaimed films such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Amadeus.

3. Kolya (1996)

Kolya is a 1996 Czech drama film directed by Jan Svěrák. The film tells the story of Louka, a middle-aged Czech musician and confirmed bachelor, who is hired by a young Russian woman to marry her so she can obtain Czech citizenship.

After the marriage, Louka is left to care for her 5-year-old son, Kolya, when she abruptly leaves the country. Despite their initial struggles and language barriers, Louka and Kolya develop a deep bond and friendship that changes Louka’s life forever.

The film features beautiful cinematography, a memorable musical score, and excellent performances, particularly from lead actor Zdeněk Svěrák, who co-wrote the screenplay with his son Jan. Kolya won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1997 and is widely considered one of the greatest Czech films of all time.

4. A Blonde in Love (1965)

A Blonde in Love (Czech: “Lásky jedné plavovlásky”), also known as Loves of a Blonde, is a 1965 Czechoslovak comedy-drama directed by Miloš Forman. It is known for its gentle humor and its clear-eyed look at young desire in a tightly managed society.

The story centers on Andula, a young factory worker in a provincial town where women far outnumber men. After a dance arranged for the factory girls, she spends the night with Milda, a visiting pianist from Prague, and takes the encounter more seriously than he does. When she later travels to the capital to find him, she meets his baffled parents and faces a bruising lesson in how casually other people can treat a romance that felt momentous to her.

The film is notable for its naturalistic style, non-professional textures, and patient observation of everyday embarrassment. Themes of love, sex, and loneliness are handled with warmth and irony rather than melodrama, which is why it remains one of Forman’s most beloved Czech films.

For more about Czech Republic cinema, you can check out our overview of the best films from Czech Republic and our country-by-country exploration of global cinema.

5. The Shop on Main Street (1965)

The Shop on Main Street is a Slovak-Czechoslovak film directed by Ján Kadár and Elmar Klos, released in 1965. The film is set during World War II in a small Slovak town, and follows the story of a Slovak carpenter named Tóno who is appointed “Aryan controller” of a Jewish-owned button shop. Tóno struggles with his conscience as he becomes increasingly involved in the lives of the shop owner, an elderly Jewish woman named Rozália, and her community.

The film was a critical success, winning the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1966, and is considered a masterpiece of Slovak and Czechoslovak cinema. The film explores themes of complicity, guilt, and humanity in the face of prejudice and genocide. It is a powerful and emotional portrayal of the Holocaust from the perspective of an ordinary person caught up in the events of the time.

6. Divided We Fall (2000)

Divided We Fall (Czech: “Musíme si pomáhat”) is a 2000 Czech film directed by Jan Hřebejk. The film takes place during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia and tells the story of a couple, Josef and Marie Cízek, who decide to hide a Jewish man, David, in their apartment. The couple faces many challenges as they try to keep David’s presence a secret from their nosy neighbor and the Gestapo.

The film explores themes of resistance, sacrifice, and the complexities of morality during wartime. It was highly acclaimed by critics and audiences, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2001.

Divided We Fall is notable for its blend of drama, humor, and suspense, and for its portrayal of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It remains one of the most important films in Czech cinema, and a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the darkest of times.

7. Zelary (2003)

Zelary is a 2003 Czech/Slovak film directed by Ondřej Trojan. Set in the Nazi-occupied Czech lands during World War II, it follows Eliška, a nurse and resistance courier whose lover, a surgeon in the same underground network, flees when the Gestapo closes in.

Forced into hiding, Eliška is sent to the remote mountain village of Želary with Joza, a rough-hewn patient whose life she earlier helped save with a blood transfusion. Under a new identity, and eventually as Joza’s wife for cover, she has to abandon city habits and learn a harsher rural life. What begins as wary coexistence deepens into an unlikely bond as occupation, suspicion, and wartime violence press in around them.

Zelary is a handsomely shot wartime romance-drama about love, survival, and adaptation under occupation. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2004 and remains one of the better-known Czech films of the early 2000s.

3 Characteristics of Czech Movies

Dark humor: Czech movies are often known for their unique brand of dark humor, which combines satire, irony, and absurdity. This type of humor is often used to comment on serious social or political issues, such as corruption or oppression, in a lighthearted and playful way.

Visual style: Czech movies are also known for their distinct visual style, which often features vivid colors, surreal imagery, and unexpected camera angles. This style is often used to convey a sense of whimsy or fantasy, as well as to create a visual metaphor for the themes or ideas explored in the film.

Subversion of genre: Czech movies frequently subvert traditional genre conventions, often using them as a vehicle for social or political commentary. For example, the Czech New Wave of the 1960s frequently used elements of comedy and surrealism to critique the oppressive political regime of the time. This subversive approach to genre is often used to explore taboo subjects or to challenge mainstream cultural norms.

3 Reasons To Watch Czech Movies

Rich Cinematic History: Czech cinema has a rich and diverse history, with influential filmmakers such as Milos Forman, Jan Svankmajer, and Jiri Menzel. Czech and Czechoslovak films have been recognized globally for their artistic and intellectual merit, including multiple Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film and major festival recognition.

Unique Visual Style: Czech films are known for their distinct visual style, often blending elements of surrealism and dark humor with social commentary. Many Czech filmmakers also use animation and puppetry in their films, creating a distinctive and memorable aesthetic.

Insightful Social Commentary: Czech films often address important social and political issues, with a focus on human relationships, morality, and society. They provide insightful commentary on the challenges of living in a post-communist society, as well as broader issues of identity, freedom, and individuality. Watching Czech films can provide a unique perspective on the world, and expand your understanding of different cultures and societies.

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Best Czech Movies – Wrap Up

In this list of best Czech movies, we’ve covered a range of films that showcase the unique voice and vision of Czech cinema. From classic works of the Czech New Wave, such as Closely Watched Trains and The Shop on Main Street, to modern masterpieces like Divided We Fall and Kolya, Czech cinema has a rich and diverse history.

Whether you’re drawn to New Wave satire, wartime drama, or quieter character comedy, Czech cinema has something to offer. It remains a distinctive part of the international film community, and continues to reward viewers with its humor, moral complexity, and artistic vision.

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