Dramas explore intense human narratives, rooted in reality, often carried by French or international stories that echo our times. If you like sensitive portraits and major societal issues, this guide lists the films to see right now and upcoming releases, with regular updates.
Emmanuelle: erotic drama by Audrey Diwan on Netflix
Emmanuelle, Audrey Diwan's erotic drama starring Noémie Merlant, arrives on Netflix in France on December 25, 2025. [Read more]
The Drowning, Louise Hémon's debut film, hits theaters today.
Selected for the Directors' Fortnight at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Louise Hémon's L’Engloutie hits theaters on December 24, 2025, starring Galatea Bellugi. [Read more]
Louise: drama starring Diane Rouxel and Cécile de France in theaters in December 2025
Louise, a drama by Nicolas Keitel starring Diane Rouxel and Cécile de France, will be released in theaters on December 10, 2025. A story of identity and family between past and present. [Read more]
Rebuilding: Josh O'Connor in Max Walker-Silverman's new drama
Presented at Sundance, Rebuilding by Max Walker-Silverman, starring Josh O'Connor and Meghann Fahy, will be released in theaters in France on December 17, 2025, distributed by KMBO. [Read more]
13 Days, 13 Nights — Martin Bourboulon's gripping real-life thriller airing on Canal+
Dramatic thriller directed by Martin Bourboulon, featuring Roschdy Zem and Lyna Khoudri, 13 Days 13 Nights will air on Canal+ on December 30, 2025, at 9:07 p.m. [Read more]
Qui brille au combat: family drama starring Mélanie Laurent
Qui brille au combat, Joséphine Japy's debut film starring Mélanie Laurent, follows a family dealing with disability and will be released in theaters on December 31, 2025, in France. [Read more]
Le Pays d'Arto: Tamara Stepanyan's drama starring Camille Cottin, now in theaters.
Le Pays d'Arto, a drama by Tamara Stepanyan starring Camille Cottin and Zar Amir Ebrahimi, will be released in theaters on December 31, 2025, after being selected for the Locarno Film Festival. [Read more]
On a blues note: musical drama starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson
On a Blues Note, a musical drama by Craig Brewer starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, will be released in theaters on December 31, 2025. [Read more]
Nanjing Photo Studio: Chinese historical drama about memory and survival
The Nanjing Photo Studio, a Chinese historical drama directed by Ao Shen, will be released in theaters in France on January 7, 2026. A story about memory and survival. [Read more]
Sans pitié: French drama thriller starring Adam Bessa, now in theaters.
Sans pitié, a dramatic thriller by Julien Hosmalin starring Adam Bessa and Tewfik Jallab, is released in theaters on January 14, 2026. Presented in Angoulême, the film explores a family history marked by buried trauma. [Read more]
Guru: thriller starring Pierre Niney in theaters in 2026
Gourou, a dramatic thriller by Yann Gozlan starring Pierre Niney, is released in theaters on January 28, 2026, and explores the excesses of personal development. [Read more]
La Grazia – political drama by Paolo Sorrentino starring Toni Servillo
Paolo Sorrentino returns with La Grazia, a political drama starring Toni Servillo, winner of the Volpi Cup, in theaters January 28, 2026. [Read more]
The Whale Hunter: a drama by Philipp Yuryev in theaters in January 2026
The Whale Hunter, a drama directed by Philipp Yuryev, is released in theaters on January 28, 2026. The film follows an isolated teenager between Russia and America. [Read more]
Nuremberg: historical drama starring Rami Malek and Russell Crowe in theaters in January 2026
Nuremberg, a historical drama by James Vanderbilt starring Rami Malek, Russell Crowe, and Michael Shannon, will be released in theaters on January 28, 2026, to mark the 80th anniversary of the trial. [Read more]
At work, Valérie Donzelli's personal drama
À pied d’œuvre is a film directed by Valérie Donzelli, starring Bastien Bouillon, inspired by Franck Courtès’ novel. The movie explores themes of creativity and economic hardship. It hits theaters on February 4, 2026. [Read more]
N121 – Night Bus, a gripping urban thriller filled with tension
N121 – Bus de nuit is a French dramatic thriller directed by Morade Aïssaoui, set during a night that takes a dark turn aboard a Parisian bus. Scheduled for release in theaters on February 4, 2026. [Read more]
Rental Family: Brendan Fraser in the new Searchlight Pictures film
Brendan Fraser returns to the big screen with Rental Family, a comedy-drama directed by Hikari, in theaters in France on February 4, 2026, distributed by Searchlight Pictures. [Read more]
Wuthering Heights: adaptation by Emerald Fennell starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, in theaters in 2026
Wuthering Heights, adapted by Emerald Fennell and starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, will be released in theaters on February 11, 2026. Info, plot, production, and trailer. [Read more]
Les Enfants de la Résistance: Christophe Barratier's new adventure in theaters in 2026
Adapted from the comic book by Vincent Dugomier and Benoît Ers, Les Enfants de la Résistance by Christophe Barratier will be released in theaters on February 11, 2026, starring Lucas Hector and Gérard Jugnot. [Read more]
Marty Supreme: dramatic biopic starring Timothée Chalamet, in theaters in 2026
Marty Supreme, Josh Safdie's dramatic biopic starring Timothée Chalamet, hits theaters in France on February 18, 2026, and unveils its new trailer. [Read more]
A fragile and wondrous world: a romantic drama set in Beirut
A fragile yet enchanting world — a romantic drama directed by Cyril Aris starring Mounia Akl hits theaters on February 18, 2026. Trailer just released. [Read more]
Is This Thing On?: drama starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern, directed by Bradley Cooper, now in theaters.
Bradley Cooper's film Is This Thing On?, starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern, will be released in theaters in France on February 25, 2026. A drama about couples and rebuilding. [Read more]
Christy: dramatic biopic starring Sydney Sweeney as boxer Christy Martin
Biopic by David Michôd starring Sydney Sweeney as Christy Martin, icon of women's boxing. In theaters in France on March 4, 2026. [Read more]
The Testament of Ann Lee: historical and musical biopic by Mona Fastvold starring Amanda Seyfried
The Testament of Ann Lee, a biopic by Mona Fastvold starring Amanda Seyfried, is released in theaters on March 11, 2026. The true story of the founder of the Shakers. [Read more]
Scarlet and Eternity, the new film by Mamoru Hosoda
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, Scarlet and Eternity is a Japanese animated drama film scheduled for release on March 11, 2026, presented at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. [Read more]
The Dog Stars: Ridley Scott explores a post-pandemic world
Directed by Ridley Scott, The Dog Stars tells the story of a pilot and his dog's survival in a world ravaged by a pandemic. In theaters March 25, 2026. [Read more]
Les Misérables: Fred Cavayé brings Victor Hugo’s classic to the big screen
Les Misérables, a gripping adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel directed by Fred Cavayé and starring Vincent Lindon, Tahar Rahim, and Camille Cottin, hits theaters on December 9, 2026. [Read more]
Dramatic films focus onemotion, realism and character depth. Often close to comedy-drama, it tackles universal themes (family, justice, resilience) and offers great roles for actors to discover on the big screen.
This guide offers a selection of dramas, whether already in theatres or soon to be announced. The list is regularly updated according to the latest cinema news. You'll find :
A film focused on human and social issues, with an emphasis on emotion, realism and character development.
Yes. The sections above are updated in real time whenever a new article tagged "drama" is published on Sortir à Paris.
Also read: Biopics to see in theaters - Comedy dramas: in theaters and coming soon - Thrillers: suspense & upcoming releases
