LAST UPDATED: 21 Might 2023

South Africa has one of many oldest movie industries on this planet. Dwelling to a various cross-section of individuals and locations, it’s a world of its personal and has grow to be a famend film-making vacation spot. Being a South African and film critic, Spling has made it his mission to look at as many South African movies as doable!

This record of fifty South African movies is a up to date reflection primarily based on Spling’s rankings through the years. Whereas there are a whole bunch of South African movies, just a few of which deserve a spot, the movies ranked beneath are a few of Spling’s favourites and are all really helpful having acquired a 7/10 score or larger. Whereas they’re all really helpful, some usually are not for delicate viewers.

1. District 9

Watching District 9 was a brand new movie expertise from the thoughts of Neill Blomkamp, which might solely be described as Resort Rwanda, Fido and Lars and the Actual Woman… in a blender.

2. Life, Above All

Life, Above All is a common story from Oliver Schmidtz concerning the intricate relationship between mom and daughter.

3. Toorbos

Toorbos is a compelling interval drama primarily based on Dalene Mathee’s novel a couple of girl’s quest for private freedom. A dapper gentleman tries to arrange the free-spirited younger girl for civilised society and marriage as her connection to nature attracts her again to her spirit house – the woods.

4. Dis ek, Anna

Dis ek, Anna is a robust and provocative drama that seeks to carry the difficulty to mild by telling the private story of Anna, a sufferer of home sexual abuse, towards the backdrop of a rustic in disaster.

5. Meerkat Maantuig

Meerkat Maantuig or Meerkat Moonship is a magical fantasy drama from writer-director Hanneke Schutte, which tells the story of Gideonette, a younger woman, who strikes in along with her grandparents after her father passes away and her mom goes to rehab. Meerkat Maantuig Film Assessment

6. Moffie

Moffie is a brutal, highly effective and haunting drama from Oliver Hermanus a couple of younger homosexual conscript who tries to outlive two years of intensive navy service in Apartheid-era South Africa. Moffie Film Assessment

7. Yesterday

Yesterday is a straightforward, pure, sluggish and quietly highly effective South African drama from writer-director Darryl Roodt – the primary feature-length Zulu movie – and was nominated for an Oscar for Finest Overseas Movie, lauded for its universality and purity, in contrast with The Bicycle Thieves.

8. Kanarie

Whereas South Africa’s difficult historical past of Apartheid diffuses the popular culture of the day, that is the place we discover Christiaan Olwagen’s Kanarie, a coming-of-age drama about a military conscript trying to find his true identification. Kanarie Film Assessment

9. Sink

Sink is a modern, harrowing and highly effective South African home drama from writer-director Brett Michael Innes.

10. Liewe Kersfeesvader

Whereas the title would make you assume Christmas, that is extra of a heartwarming generally prickly comedy drama a couple of dysfunctional household from writer-director Etienne Fourie.

11. Johnny is Nie Dood Nie

Johnny is Nie Dood Nie, tailored from a play by Malan Steyn, is a Christiaan Olwagen reunion drama within the custom of The Large Chill as 4 pals collect for a braai on the Sunday after Johannes Kerkorrel’s suicide to reminisce about their pupil days.

12. Vir die Voëls

Whereas Vir Die Voëls additionally has a dramatic and romantic ingredient, its quirky comedic undertones are carried by a plucky lead character who narrates and stars.

13. Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story

Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story tells of the troubled relationship between a mom and her drug-addicted son. Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story Film Assessment

14. Laborious to Get

Laborious to Get echoes an analogous ardour and vitality to the acclaimed Congolese crime thriller, Viva Riva.

15. Blood Diamond

Blood Diamond is an intense, thrilling, blood-drenched motion drama about diamond smuggling in Africa.

16. Nommer 37

Nommer 37 is an Afrikaans language homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, borrowing and re-imagining the idea on the coronary heart of the basic thriller. Nommer 37 Film Assessment

17. Die Seemeeu

Die Seemeeu or The Seagull relies on a basic Russian play by Anton Chekhov, which was initially modernised for stage by writer-director Christiaan Olwagen. Die Seemeeu Film Assessment

18. Felix

Felix is an irresistible really feel good household music comedy drama.

19. Knuckle Metropolis

This ferocious, intense and brutal boxing drama comes from the thoughts of Jahmil X.T. Quebeka. Knuckle Metropolis Film Assessment

20. 5 Fingers for Marseilles

5 Fingers for Marseilles is a gritty South African western directed by Michael Matthews and written by Sean Drummond… 5 Fingers for Marseilles Film Assessment

21. Materials

Materials is without doubt one of the smartest, most heartwarming films to originate from South Africa, telling the story of a younger Muslim man whose love for stand-up comedy results in battle when his father expects him to take over the household enterprise.

22. Tsotsi

Gavin Hood’s Oscar-winning gangster film, Tsotsi, put South Africa on the map with gritty, gripping and even touching crime drama.

23. Noem My Skollie

Noem My Skollie or Name Me Thief is the story of Abraham and the Younger Ones, a small-time gang that have been separated for 2 years by a harmful stint in Pollsmoor jail. Noem My Skollie Film Assessment

24. Inxeba (The Wound)

Having been banned, labeled as pornography and elicited vitriol for its revelations Inxeba (The Wound) has been a contentious drama from the get-go.

25. Wonderlus

Wonderlus aka Surprise Wander is a moody and nostalgic coming-of-age ensemble drama elevated by its co-lead chemistry and star-studded native forged…

26. Fanie Fourie’s Lobola

This new South African romantic comedy doesn’t insult your senses, it’s really road good and mature.

27. Die Windpomp

Die Windpomp or The Windmill is a mercurial style butterfly.

28. Thina Sobabili

Thina Sobabili (The Two of Us) is a courageous, gut-wrenching and lifelike drama concerning the exploits of a brother and sister within the Alexandra township of Johannesburg, South Africa.

29. Die Wonderwerker

Katinka Heyns is the director behind South African classics comparable to Paljas and Fiela se Variety…

30. Flatland

An epic and sprawling up to date journey western, monitoring the lives of three girls making an attempt to interrupt free. Flatland Film Assessment

31. Mense van die Wind

Mense van die Wind is a melancholic, mild, nostalgic, soulful and stirring coming-of-age music drama romance about therapeutic and inspiration. Mense van die Wind Film Assessment

32. Purple Mud

Purple Mud is a stable political drama with an immersive South African really feel and highly effective story of the TRC in motion.

33. Past the River

South Africa wants Past the River, an uplifting sports activities drama primarily based on a real story.

34. The Bang Bang Membership

The Bang Bang Membership is the story of 4 battle photographers, Greg Marinovich, Kevin Carter, Ken Oosterbroek and João Silva, within the build-up to South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.

35. Ballade vir ‘n Enkeling

Ballade vir ‘n Enkeling is a thriller drama primarily based on the ’80s tv collection of the identical title.

36. Vaselinetjie

Vaselinetjie is a captivating character portrait drama primarily based on the guide by Anouska von Meck.

37. Verraaiers

Verraaiers (Traitors) is the most recent drama from director-writer group, Paul Eilers and Salmon de Jager, who beforehand collaborated on Roepman (Stargazer).

38. Roepman

Set in 1966, Roepman (Stargazer) is a captivating and nostalgic coming-of-drama taken from the angle of an 11-year-old rising up in a railway group.

39. Poppie Nongena

Poppie Nongena is a South African historic biographical drama a couple of housekeeper who struggles to maintain her household collectively within the face of inhumane cross legal guidelines. Poppie Nongena Film Assessment

40. Die Verhaal van Racheltjie De Beer

Die Verhaal van Racheltjie De Beer is a stirring and haunting interval drama a couple of South African legend. Die Verhaal van Racheltjie De Beer Film Assessment

41. Faan se Trein

Faan se Trein is an adaptation of a well-liked Afrikaans stage manufacturing that has been working for nearly 40 years.

42. 4 Corners

Pollsmoor Jail is overpopulated and means past capability, well-known for Nelson Mandela’s incarceration and notorious for its prolific gangsterism.

43. Tess

Tess is a movie adaptation of Tracey Farren’s novel, Whiplash, which follows the heartrending journey of a intercourse employee who falls pregnant, and the difficulties she encounters on the streets of Cape City.

44. Themba: A Boy Referred to as Hope

Themba: A Boy Referred to as Hope is an inspirational coming-of-age drama a couple of younger South African boy’s escape from poverty and the pursuit of a dream.

45. Mandela: Lengthy Stroll to Freedom

Nelson Mandela is a rare man, whose life story performs like a political model of The Rely of Monte Cristo.

46. Ayanda

Ayanda is a contemporary coming-of-age romance drama set within the suburb of Yeoville in Johannesburg, South Africa.

47. Hollywood in my Huis

Hollywood in my Huis is a South African romantic comedy a couple of wallflower, residing in an impoverished railway neighbourhood, who tries to plan the proper matric promenade.

48. Glasshouse

Glasshouse is a claustrophobic post-apocalyptic chamber drama a couple of tight-knit group making an attempt to outlive an airborne virus. Glasshouse Film Assessment

49. Pou (Peacock)

Whereas led by up to date elevated horror masters, Pou is an edgy, elegant and intriguing gothic horror drama that wields iconic performances and highly effective, well timed themes. Pou Film Assessment

50. iNumber Quantity

iNumber Quantity leverages South Africa’s burgeoning crime fee towards Hollywood’s burning want to inform a narrative that’s entertaining and thought-provoking.

Beneficial

Spud

Spud is trustworthy to the guide, giving an account of Nineties South Africa with the discharge of Nelson Mandela and John “Spud” Milton’s first 12 months at Michaelhouse, an elite non-public boarding college for boys in Durban North.

Necktie Youth

Necktie Youth is a black-and-white drama with a documentary really feel that makes an attempt to seize the Zeitgeist of South African youth tradition.

Little One

Little One is the story of a mom, who takes a younger woman underneath her wing.

Wesens

One in all South Africa’s solely discovered footage function movies… Wesens is a interval sci-fi thriller that recovers the investigation of a UFO crash touchdown within the late ’60s.

Son of Man

Son of Man is a wonderful, good and considerate adaptation of the story of Jesus Christ informed within the type of an African fable.

My Father’s Struggle

My Father’s Struggle is a drama from writer-director, Craig Gardner, which examines the fractious relationship between David, a struggle veteran father, and his rebellious son, Dap.

Goodbye Bafana

Goodbye Bafana is a biographical drama primarily based on the memoirs of Nelson Mandela’s jail guard, James Gregory.

Sons of the Sea

A poacher’s bag of abalone lures brothers right into a harmful sport with a corrupt official on this somber and considerate crime drama thriller.

‘n Man soos My Pa

‘n Man Soos My Pa, which suggests A Man Like My Father, is an Afrikaans ensemble drama a couple of household reunion that turns into a chance for father-son reconciliation.

New Materials

New Materials picks up the story of Materials as Cassim’s arise profession takes off and sacrifices are made.

Invictus

Invictus is a movie that makes an attempt to seize the Zeitgeist of the New South Africa in its infancy.

Woodwind

Woodwind is a trendy, enigmatic and meditative musical journey of therapeutic and self-discovery.

Again of the Moon

Again of the Moon is a trendy, intense and moody portrait of an mental man’s crumbling legal empire.

Vaya

Vaya is a South African crime drama, which primarily pivots on the story of three adolescents looking for their means within the huge metropolis.

White Lion

Breathtaking visuals and a wonderful African story are on the coronary heart of White Lion.

Driving with Sugar

A vibrant, energetic, spirited, slick and well-acted crime drama thriller.

A Million Colors

A Million Colors relies on the true story of two finest pals, who fought the system that attempted to separate them, after they shot to fame in 1975 with the discharge of the South African movie e’Lollipop.

Vir Altyd

Vir Altyd is the most recent romance comedy drama from film-makers and stars, Donnalee Roberts and Ivan Botha.

Sleeper’s Wake

Sleeper’s Wake is a robust, haunting and slow-burning thriller that offers with the darker, primal urges of residing in a seemingly lawless nation.

Spud 3: Studying to Fly

Spud 3: Studying to Fly has a barely darker, extra critical tone which supplies the schoolboy drama extra weight with out diminishing the vitality of the comedy.