20 Best Lithuanian Movies: A Spotlight On Lithuanian Cinema

Lithuanian cinema has a long and rich history, dating back to the early 20th century. Despite periods of political upheaval and censorship, Lithuanian filmmakers have continued to produce compelling and thought-provoking works that reflect the country’s cultural heritage and social issues.

Some of the best Lithuanian movies have explored a wide range of themes, including history, politics, family dynamics, and personal identity.

These films showcase the country’s artistic talent and cultural diversity, and provide a unique window into the lives and experiences of the Lithuanian people.

Some of the most notable Lithuanian filmmakers include Jonas Mekas, Šarūnas Bartas, and Alantė Kavaitė, who have all made significant contributions to Lithuanian cinema.

Best Lithuanian Movies

Whether you are a film enthusiast or simply curious about Lithuanian culture, these films are definitely worth watching.

Every film in this guide

1. Vaikai is Amerikos viesbucio (1990)

Children from the Hotel America (Lithuanian: Vaikai iš „Amerikos“ viešbučio) is a 1990 Lithuanian drama directed by Raimundas Banionis, from a screenplay by Maciej Drygas.

Set in Kaunas in 1972, it follows teenagers living in a former Hotel America building who secretly listen to Radio Luxembourg and chase rock-and-roll dreams — until the KGB reads their letters and breaks the circle apart. Lithuania’s first Berlinale Panorama entry (1991), it captures the “Kaunas spring” generation around Romas Kalanta’s protest.

2. Adam Wants to Be a Man (1959)

Adam Wants to Be a Man (Lithuanian: Adomas nori būti žmogumi) is a 1959 Lithuanian drama directed by Vytautas Žalakevičius, from Vytautas Sirijos Gira’s story. Vytautas Puodžiukaitis’s Adomas drifts through interwar Kaunas, landing a messenger job at a crooked emigration bureau while dreaming of escape with Liucė — until the scam collapses and he’s left back at the docks.

3. Nobody Wanted to Die (1965)

Nobody Wanted to Die (Lithuanian: Niekas nenorėjo mirti) is a 1965 Lithuanian postwar drama directed by Vytautas Žalakevičius. In a partisan-torn village, Donatas Banionis’s Vaitkus and his brothers confront revenge, collaboration, and Soviet power — a landmark that put Lithuanian cinema on the international map.

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

4. Feelings (1968)

Feelings (Lithuanian: Jausmai) is a 1968 Lithuanian drama directed by Algirdas Dausa and Almantas Grikevičius, from a Vytautas Žalakevičius screenplay. Regimantas Adomaitis’s fisherman Kasparas, newly widowed with twin babies, crosses the Curonian Lagoon to brother Andrius (Juozas Budraitis) as war ends and loyalty, love, and collaboration collide — later voted Lithuania’s greatest film.

5. Devil’s Bride (1974)

Devil’s Bride (Lithuanian: Velnio nuotaka) is a 1974 Lithuanian musical directed by Arūnas Žebriūnas, from Kazys Boruta’s Baltaragis’s Mill, with score by Viačeslavas Ganelinas. Devil Pinčiukas bargains with miller Baltaragis for help and a wife — then claims their daughter Jurga (Vaiva Mainelytė) from suitor Girdvainis (Regimantas Adomaitis). First Lithuanian screen musical, Soviet-era cult favorite.

6. A Small Confession (1971)

A Small Confession (Lithuanian: Maža išpažintis) is a 1971 Lithuanian drama directed by Algirdas Araminas, adapted with Icchokas Meras from Vytautas Bubnys’s novella Arberonas.

Eighteen-year-old Arūnas (Andrius Karka) drifts through a port-town coming-of-age crisis — dull school routine, a distant partisan-veteran father, a mother who leaves for an old artistic dream — until a chance encounter with Rasa softens the isolation. A restored Lithuanian Film Centre classic of intimate teenage cinema.

7. Skrydis per Atlanta (1983)

Flight Over the Atlantic (Lithuanian: Skrydis per Atlantą) is a 1983 Lithuanian historical drama directed by Raimondas Vabalas, written with Juozas Glinskis.

It reconstructs Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas’s 1933 attempt to fly the single-engine Lituanica from New York to Kaunas — Remigijus Sabulis and Eimuntas Nekrošius as the pilots — a 37-hour, roughly 7,000 km journey that ended near the goal. Long ranked among Lithuania’s most popular films; prizes at the 1984 All-Union festival in Kyiv included best production design.

8. Northern Crusades (1972)

Northern Crusades (Lithuanian: Herkus Mantas) is a 1972 Lithuanian historical epic directed by Marijonas Giedrys, from Saulius Šaltenis. Antanas Šurna plays Old Prussian leader Herkus Mantas rallying tribes against the Teutonic Knights — medieval Baltic resistance costume drama rather than an Eisenstein montage.

9. Saduto tuto (1974)

Saduto tuto (Lithuanian: Sadūto tūto) is a 1974/75 Lithuanian drama directed by Almantas Grikevičius, from Vytautas Žalakevičius. Failed sculptor Petras teaches art and carves tombstones, sharing outsider angst with painter friend Povilas — reality and imagination blur as they try to live with the world (and with children who still get them).

10. The Beauty (1969)

The Beauty (Lithuanian: Gražuolė) is a 1969 Lithuanian drama directed by Arūnas Žebriūnas, from a Jurij Jakovlev screenplay, with cinematography by Algimantas Mockus.

Neighbourhood kids crown freckled Inga (Inga Mickytė) “the beauty” in their courtyard game — until a new boy nicknamed Mute calls her ugly and she scrambles to feel pretty again. A poetic children’s classic; Best Cinematography at the 1970 All-Union Film Festival in Minsk.

11. Kolekcioniere (2008)

Kolekcionierė is a Lithuanian drama film that was released in 2008. The film was directed by Kristina Buožytė and is based on the screenplay by Eglė Vertelytė.

The story follows a young woman named Ada who works as a taxidermist and is also a collector of rare and unusual specimens.

When Ada meets a man named Saulius, she becomes obsessed with him and begins to collect pieces of his life, including his hair and other personal items. As Ada’s obsession with Saulius grows, she becomes increasingly isolated and disconnected from the outside world.

The film explores themes of love, obsession, and identity, and has been praised for its strong performances and visual style. Kolekcionierė has won numerous awards, including the Best Director award at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

12. Low Lights (2009)

Low Lights (Lithuanian: Artimos šviesos) is a 2009 Lithuanian–German urban drama directed by Ignas Miškinis.

Insurance-career Tadas (Dainius Gavenonis) seems set — wife, car, new flat — until former classmate Linas pulls him into night drives through the empty city, half a tank of petrol at a time, and a mysterious Vita joins the ritual. Alienation and longing in Vilnius/Cologne neon; Silver Crane awards for Best Film and Best Actor.

13. Eastern Drift (2010)

Eastern Drift (Lithuanian: Eurazijos aborigenas; French: Indigène d’Eurasie) is a 2010 Lithuanian–French–Russian crime drama directed by and starring Šarūnas Bartas.

Drug-runner Gena tries to quit the trade and reclaim a “normal life,” then flees west across a wintry Europe with a prostitute ex-girlfriend after betrayal closes in. A 21st-century noir that premiered in the Berlinale Forum (2010).

14. Back to Your Arms (2010)

Back to Your Arms (Lithuanian: Kai apkabinsiu tave) is a 2010 Lithuanian drama directed by Kristijonas Vildžiūnas. In 1961 Berlin, a father from Soviet Lithuania and his U.S.-raised daughter try to reunite before the Wall — until KGB handlers turn the meeting into a Cold War trap.

15. Mieganciu drugeliu tvirtove (2012)

The Fortress of Sleeping Butterflies (Lithuanian: Miegančių drugelių tvirtovė) is a 2011/12 Lithuanian drama directed by Algimantas Puipa, freely adapted from Jurga Ivanauskaitė’s novel.

After a minor car crash exposes cracks in her marriage, wealthy, childless Monika (Janina Lapinskaitė) shelters three women returned from sexual trafficking in Germany — and their arrival forces her to reprice her insulated life. Four Silver Crane awards in 2012, including Best Film and Best Director. (Lithuania’s 2012 Oscar submission was Audrius Stonys’s documentary Ramin, not this film.)

16. Vanishing Waves (II) (2012)

Vanishing Waves is a 2012 Lithuanian science-fiction film directed by Kristina Buozyte. The film tells the story of Lukas (Marius Jampolskis), a young neuroscientist who volunteers for an experimental project involving a sensory deprivation tank.

Lukas is paired with Aurora (Jurga Jutaite), a woman in a coma, and begins to experience a strange and intense connection with her in a virtual reality world created by their shared consciousness.

The film explores themes of love, desire, and the boundaries between reality and imagination. The visually stunning and surreal imagery creates a haunting and dreamlike atmosphere, while the complex characters and intricate plot keep the audience engaged.

Vanishing Waves has been praised for its innovative approach to science-fiction and its bold exploration of human relationships and consciousness.

It has won several awards at international film festivals and has been widely regarded as one of the best Lithuanian films of the past decade. If you are a fan of science-fiction or experimental cinema, Vanishing Waves is definitely worth watching.

17. The Gambler (2013)

The Gambler (Lithuanian: Lošėjas) is a 2013 Lithuanian–Latvian drama directed by Ignas Jonynas, co-written with Kristupas Sabolius.

Paramedic Vincentas (Vytautas Kaniušonis), drowning in gambling debts, invents an illegal betting game tied to emergency calls — then falls for colleague Ieva (Oona Mekas), who wants the macabre bank shut down. First Baltic feature to premiere at San Sebastián; Lithuania’s Oscar submission for 2014; multiple Silver Crane awards.

18. The Summer of Sangaile (2015)

The Summer of Sangaile is a Lithuanian drama film directed by Alanté Kavaïté, released in 2015. The film tells the story of Sangaile, a 17-year-old girl who is fascinated by stunt flying and dreams of becoming a pilot.

During the summer, she meets Auste, a free-spirited girl who introduces her to new experiences and helps her confront her fears and insecurities.

The film explores themes of self-discovery, sexuality, and coming of age. It received critical acclaim for its visually stunning cinematography and sensitive portrayal of teenage emotions and relationships.

The Summer of Sangaile won several awards, including the World Cinema Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival and the Best Film Award at the Vilnius International Film Festival.

19. Peace to Us in Our Dreams (2015)

Peace to Us in Our Dreams is a 2015 Lithuanian drama film directed by Sharunas Bartas. The film tells the story of a man named Nemunas and his daughter, along with their dog, who decide to spend a peaceful weekend in their summer house by the lake.

As they spend time together, Nemunas and his daughter begin to reconnect and rediscover their relationship. However, their idyllic weekend is interrupted by the arrival of a young woman named Vija, who is seeking refuge from her abusive husband.

The film explores themes of family, love, and the struggle for inner peace. It also features stunning cinematography that captures the beauty of the Lithuanian countryside and its lakes.

Peace to Us in Our Dreams was well-received by critics and premiered in Directors’ Fortnight at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.

The film is considered a powerful and contemplative exploration of the human experience and the search for personal fulfillment and contentment.

20. The Saint (2016)

The Saint (Lithuanian: Šventasis) is a 2016 Lithuanian drama directed by Andrius Blaževičius. Marius Repšys’s Vytas loses his job after the 2008 crash, drifts from wife and kids toward a hairdresser and beer-yard friends, then becomes obsessed with a YouTube clip of a man who claims to have seen Jesus.

3 Characteristics of Lithuanian Movies

Lithuania has a long history of cinema, dating back to the early 20th century. Here are three characteristics that are often associated with Lithuanian movies:

Historical themes: Many Lithuanian films explore the country’s history, including its periods of occupation and resistance against foreign rule. These films often reflect the country’s struggles for independence and highlight the resilience of the Lithuanian people.

Naturalistic style: Lithuanian cinema is known for its naturalistic and understated style, which often emphasizes the beauty of the country’s landscapes and its people.

The focus on realism and authenticity is evident in many Lithuanian films, which often feature long takes and a focus on character development.

Symbolism: Lithuanian cinema also frequently employs symbolism and metaphor to explore themes related to identity, memory, and cultural heritage. Many films use traditional Lithuanian folklore and mythology as a source of inspiration, and they often incorporate elements of magic realism and surrealism into their storytelling.

3 Reasons To Watch Lithuanian Movies

Cultural Exploration: Lithuanian movies provide a unique opportunity to explore the culture, history, and social issues of Lithuania.

They offer a window into the country’s rich and diverse heritage, as well as its complex political and social landscape. Watching Lithuanian movies can help you gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the country’s people, traditions, and way of life.

Artistic Excellence: Lithuanian cinema is known for its artistic and creative talent. Many Lithuanian filmmakers have gained international recognition for their innovative and thought-provoking works.

Watching Lithuanian movies can expose you to a different style of filmmaking and storytelling, and introduce you to some of the most talented filmmakers in the region.

Diverse Themes and Genres: Lithuanian movies cover a wide range of themes and genres, from historical dramas to contemporary comedies.

They tackle sensitive and challenging issues, such as war, politics, and personal identity, offering unique and insightful perspectives on these topics. Whether you are interested in art films, genre cinema, or documentary, Lithuanian cinema has something to offer for everyone.

Related on Filmmaking Lifestyle

Read next: 5 Best Ukrainian Movies: A Spotlight On Cinema From Ukraine, Academy Award For Best Costume Design: Top 10 Movies, and 25 Academy Award For Best Documentary Feature: Celebrating Powerful Real-World Narratives.

Best Lithuanian Movies – Wrap Up

Lithuania has a rich film history and has produced several critically acclaimed movies over the years. Standouts from this guide span Soviet-era landmarks (Nobody Wanted to Die, Feelings, The Beauty, Devil’s Bride, Flight Over the Atlantic) through contemporary festival hits (Vanishing Waves, The Summer of Sangaile, Peace to Us in Our Dreams, The Saint).

These movies represent different genres, from poetic drama to musical and crime thriller, but they have one thing in common – they offer a glimpse into Lithuanian culture and identity.

They have also been recognized at international film festivals and won various awards, cementing their place as some of the best Lithuanian movies of all time.

From Expressionism to New Wave — dive deeper into Film History.

Incendies: Context, Themes, and Style

No Fear, No Die: Symbolism and Interpretation

Frances Ha: The Meaning Behind the Moments

Lola: A Guide to Its Meaning and Impact

A Bay of Blood: Visual Style, Ideas, and Impact

Once Upon a Time in Anatolia: A Modern Appreciation

Demon Seed: A Guide to Watching It Like a Critic

Lone Wolf and Cub: The Final Conflict: A Modern Appreciation

Ex Machina: What Makes It a Classic

12…10