South Africa boasts one of the world's oldest and most vibrant film industries. Home to a diverse cross-section of people and places, it’s a world of its own and has become a renowned film-making destination. This list of South African films is a contemporary reflection based on ratings over the years. While there are hundreds of South African films, a few of which deserve a spot, the films ranked below are some of the favorites and are all recommended.
Here's a look at some of the best South African movies ever made, spanning various genres and themes:
Top South African Films
These films offer a glimpse into the country's complex history, diverse cultures, and the resilience of its people.
- District 9: From the mind of Neill Blomkamp comes District 9, an Oscar-nominated mockumentary turned sci-fi actioner.
- Life, Above All: Life, Above All is a universal story from Oliver Schmidtz about the intricate relationship between mother and daughter.
- Toorbos: Toorbos is a compelling period drama based on Dalene Mathee’s novel about a woman’s quest for personal freedom.
- Dis ek, Anna: Dis ek, Anna is a powerful and provocative drama that seeks to bring the issue to light by telling the personal story of Anna, a victim of domestic sexual abuse, against the backdrop of a country in crisis.
- Meerkat Maantuig (Meerkat Moonship): Meerkat Maantuig (Meerkat Moonship) is a magical fantasy drama tells the story of Gideonette, a young girl, who moves in with her grandparents after her father passes away and her mother goes to rehab.
- Moffie: Moffie is a brutal, powerful and haunting drama about a young gay conscript who tries to survive two years of intensive military service in Apartheid-era South Africa.
- Yesterday: Yesterday is a simple, pure, slow and quietly powerful South African drama.
- Kanarie: While South Africa’s complicated history of Apartheid diffuses the pop culture of the day, this is where we find Kanarie, a coming-of-age drama about an army conscript searching for his true identity.
- Sink: Sink is a sleek, harrowing and powerful South African domestic drama.
- Liewe Kersfeesvader (Dear Santa Claus): Liewe Kersfeesvader (Dear Santa Claus) is a heartwarming sometimes prickly comedy drama about a dysfunctional family.
- Johnny is Nie Dood Nie (Johnny Isn’t Dead): Johnny is Nie Dood Nie (Johnny Isn’t Dead), adapted from a play by Malan Steyn, is a reunion drama in the tradition of The Big Chill as four friends gather for a braai on the Sunday after Johannes Kerkorrel’s suicide to reminisce about their student days.
- Vir Die Voëls (For the Birds): Vir Die Voëls (For the Birds) has a dramatic and romantic element, but its quirky comedic undertones are carried by a plucky lead character who narrates and stars.
- Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story: Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story tells of the troubled relationship between a mother and her drug-addicted son.
- Hard to Get: Hard to Get echoes a similar passion, intensity and energy to the acclaimed Congolese crime thriller, Viva Riva.
- Blood Diamond: Blood Diamond is an intense, thrilling, blood-drenched action drama about diamond-smuggling in Africa.
What are Conflict Diamonds?
- Nommer 37 (Number 37): Nommer 37 (Number 37) is an Afrikaans language homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, borrowing and re-imagining the concept at the heart of the classic thriller.
- Die Seemeeu (The Seagull): Die Seemeeu (The Seagull) is a stellar and tight-knit drama based on a classic Russian play by Anton Chekhov.
- The Heart is a Muscle: The Heart is a Muscle is a tough yet tender character portrait and social crime drama thriller that journeys with a man who tries to break the cycle of generational trauma by taking account for his actions.
- Knuckle City: Knuckle City is a ferocious, intense and brutal boxing drama.
- Material: Material is a heartwarming and smart drama, which tells the story of a young Muslim man whose love for stand-up comedy leads to conflict when his father expects him to take over the family business.
- Noem My Skollie (Call Me Thief): Noem My Skollie (Call Me Thief) is the story of Abraham and the Young Ones, a small-time gang that were separated for two years by a dangerous stint in Pollsmoor prison.
- Inxeba (The Wound): Having been banned, classified as pornography and elicited vitriol for its revelations Inxeba (The Wound) has been a contentious drama from the get-go.
- Seconds: Seconds is an authentic, gritty, thoughtful and powerfully-acted boxing crime drama with a stellar local cast.
- Fanie Fourie’s Lobola: The unconventional South African romantic comedy Fanie Fourie’s Lobola doesn’t insult your senses, it’s actually street smart and mature.
- Die Windpomp (The Windmill): Die Windpomp (The Windmill) is a quirky comedy romance drama… a mercurial genre butterfly.
- Thina Sobabili (The Two of Us): Thina Sobabili (The Two of Us) is a brave, gut-wrenching and realistic drama about the exploits of a brother and sister in the Alexandra township of Johannesburg.
- Die Wonderwerker: Die Wonderwerker tells the story of writer, poet and researcher Eugène Marais during the months he spent on the van Rooyen’s farm.
- Flatland: Flatland is an epic and sprawling contemporary adventure western, tracking the lives of three women trying to break free.
- Mense van die Wind: Mense van die Wind is a melancholic, gentle, nostalgic, soulful and stirring coming-of-age music drama romance about healing and inspiration.
- Red Dust: Red Dust is a solid political drama with an immersive South African feel and powerful story of the TRC in action.
- Beyond the River: Beyond the River is an uplifting and spirited sports drama based on a true story.
- The Bang Bang Club: The Bang Bang Club is a gritty biographical drama that centres on four conflict photographers in the build-up to South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.
- Vaselinetjie: Vaselinetjie is a haunting and fascinating character portrait drama based on the book by Anouska von Meck.
- The Fragile King: Excellent performances, a sharp script and a moody atmosphere smooth over the bumps in The Fragile King, a heartfelt and finely-crafted coming-of-age drama.
- Verraaiers (Traitors): Verraaiers (Traitors) is an authentic and gritty historical drama about a Boer-officer who decides to risk treason by going home to protect his family during war.
- Die Kwiksilwers (The Quicksilvers): Die Kwiksilwers (The Quicksilvers) is an entertaining, charming, heartfelt and spirited gem of a road movie about four elderly women who head to Sutherland to witness a meteor shower.
- Poppie Nongena: Poppie Nongena is a South African historical biographical drama about a housekeeper who struggles to keep her family together in the face of inhumane pass laws.
- Die Verhaal van Racheltjie De Beer (The Tale of Rachel De Beer): Die Verhaal van Racheltjie De Beer (The Tale of Rachel De Beer) is a stirring and haunting period drama about a South African legend.
- Faan se Trein (Faan’s Train): Faan se Trein (Faan’s Train) is a stellar and well-acted adaptation of a popular Afrikaans stage production that has been running for almost 40 years.
- Glasshouse: Glasshouse is a claustrophobic post-apocalyptic chamber drama about a tight-knit community trying to survive an airborne virus.
Other Notable South African Films
Here are some additional films that showcase the diversity of South African cinema:
- Schuks Tshabalala's Survival Guide to South Africa: This is a comedy loaded with pranks and zany dialogue.
- Spud: A story about Spud Milton's first year at an elite boys only private boarding school in South Africa 1990, during two major events: The release of Nelson Mandela.
- Liefling: A musical celebration about lovers, friends, and enemies brought together by fate.
- Schuks! Your Country Needs You: Schuks sets off on a hilarious journey to create a documentary film that shows South Africa in a positive light.
- Pad na jou hart (Road to Your Heart): A road trip across South Africa's breathtaking landscape leads to hilarious moments and life-changing experiences.
- Platteland: A vibrant story of love and alliances formed in unexpected ways as a woman fights to save her family's farm.
- Semi-Soet: Events on a wedding day lead to a new adventure for childhood friends.
- Material: Cassim is a young Muslim man who works in his father's fabric shop in Johannesburg, while he wants to be a stand-up comedian.
Films About Apartheid and its Impact
South Africa's history of apartheid has inspired many powerful and moving films.
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- Cry, the Beloved Country: The deeply moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son, Absalom.
- Invictus: President Nelson Mandela uses rugby to unite a nation on the cusp of civil war.
- Skin: Based on the true story of a black girl who was born to two white Afrikaner parents in South Africa during the apartheid era.
Animated South African Films
South Africa has also produced some excellent animated films.
- Khumba
South African Films Overview
| Film Title | Genre | Themes |
|---|---|---|
| District 9 | Sci-Fi, Action | Apartheid, Alienation, Social Commentary |
| Life, Above All | Drama | Family, Mother-Daughter Relationship |
| Blood Diamond | Action, Drama | Conflict, Diamond Smuggling, Morality |
| Invictus | Sport, Drama | Unity, Reconciliation, Leadership |
| Material | Comedy, Drama | Family, Culture, Identity |
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