Best Movies From 1998. If you’re a fan of international cinema, you won’t want to miss these award-winning movies from 1998 that showcase the diversity and richness of different cultures.
In 1998, cinema was buzzing with excitement as filmmakers from around the globe pushed the boundaries of storytelling and visual artistry.
While Hollywood dominated the box office with blockbusters like “Armageddon” and “Saving Private Ryan,” some of the most unforgettable and critically acclaimed movies of the year came from outside the English-speaking world.
From the Pedro Almodovar drama to the quirky romance of “Central Station,” these movies captured the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide and continue to inspire and entertain us to this day.
Check at the end of the list, where you can stream some of the movies, links to buy the DVD and trailers.
20- The Thin Red Line
Director: Terrence Malick
Release Month: December
Trailer: The Thin Red Line
Synopsis: Set during World War II, a group of soldiers find themselves caught in the middle of the battle for Guadalcanal. As they face the harsh realities of war, they grapple with their own inner struggles and the existential questions that arise in the face of death.
Main Cast: Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, Jim Caviezel
19- After Life
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Release Month: January
Trailer: After Life
Main Cast: Arata Iura, Erika Oda
Synopsis: In a small waystation between life and death, newly deceased individuals must choose a single memory to take with them into eternity. A dedicated team of caseworkers helps guide the departed through this process, leading to introspection and self-discovery.
Main Cast: Arata Iura, Erika Oda
18- Shakespeare in Love
Director: John Madden
Release Month: December
Trailer: Shakespeare in love
Main Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush
Synopsis: A young William Shakespeare, suffering from writer’s block, finds inspiration and love when he meets Viola de Lesseps, a noblewoman who longs to act on the stage. Their passionate affair fuels the creation of one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays, “Romeo and Juliet.”
Main Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush
17- You’ve Got Mail
Director: Nora Ephron
Main Cast: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan
Synopsis: Two rival bookstore owners, Joe and Kathleen, unknowingly fall in love with each other through anonymous email exchanges. As their online relationship blossoms, they must navigate the challenges of their real-life circumstances, including the impending closure of Kathleen’s bookstore.
Release Month: December
Streaming: Available on Crave TV (Canada) and HBO MAX (USA)
Trailer: You’ve got an email
16- The Dreamlife of Angels
Director: Erick Zonca
Release Month: May
Trailer: The Dream life of Angels
Main Cast: Élodie Bouchez, Natacha Régnier
Synopsis: In Lille, France, two young women, Isa and Marie, form an unlikely friendship while struggling to make a living. As they navigate the harsh realities of life, their bond is tested by love, jealousy, and the pursuit of happiness.
Main Cast: Élodie Bouchez, Natacha Régnier
15- There’s Something About Mary
Director: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Release Month: July
Streaming: Available on Disney Plus
Synopsis: Ted, a socially awkward man, hires a private detective to find his high school crush, Mary. As various characters vie for Mary’s affections, hilarity ensues in this comedy filled with mistaken identities, outrageous situations, and unexpected romance.
Trailer: There’s Something About Mary
Main Cast: Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon
14- American History X
Director: Tony Kaye
Release Month: October
Trailer: American History X
Main Cast: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong
Synopsis: Derek Vinyard, a former neo-Nazi leader, tries to prevent his younger brother from following the same path of hatred and violence that he once embraced. Through a series of events, Derek’s own transformation and redemption are explored.
Main Cast: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong
13- The River
Director: Tsai Ming-liang
Release Month: September
Trailer: The River
Main Cast: Lee Kang-sheng, Miao Tien, Chen Shiang-chyi
Synopsis: Hsiao-kang, a young man suffering from neck pain, visits various spas and medical centers in search of relief. Along the way, he encounters strangers and witnesses mundane moments of human connection amidst the bustling cityscape.
Main Cast: Lee Kang-sheng, Miao Tien, Chen Shiang-chyi
Streaming: Available on MUBI
12- Pi
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Release Month: July
Trailer: Pi
Main Cast: Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis
Synopsis: Max Cohen, a brilliant mathematician, becomes obsessed with finding patterns in the stock market using his self-created mathematical model. As he delves deeper into his work, Max’s quest for knowledge leads him down a path of paranoia, madness, and spiritual revelation.
Main Cast: Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis
11- Mulan
Director: Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook
Release Month: June
Trailer: Mulan
Main Cast: Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong
Synopsis: Mulan, a young Chinese woman, disguises herself as a man and takes her father’s place in the army to fight against the invading Huns. Mulan embraces her true strength with courage and determination and becomes a legendary warrior.
Main Cast: Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong
Streaming: Available on Disney Plus
10- Run Lola Run
Director: Tom Tykwer
Release Month: August
Trailer: Run Lola Run
Synopsis: Lola receives a frantic phone call from her boyfriend, Manni, who has lost a large sum of money. Determined to help him, Lola embarks on a high-stakes race against time, repeating the same 20 minutes with different outcomes, as she tries to secure the money and save Manni’s life.
Streaming: Available on MUBI (Canada) and Prime Video (USA)
Main Cast: Franka Potente, Moritz Bleibtreu
9- The Big Lebowski
Director: Joel Coen
Release Month: March
Trailer: The Big Lebowski
Synopsis: Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski, an easygoing slacker, is mistaken for a millionaire with the same name. When thugs urinate on his rug, he seeks compensation from the real Lebowski, setting off a chain of events involving mistaken identity, bowling, and kidnapping.
Streaming: Available on Prime Video (USA)
Main Cast: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore
8- Tango
Director: Carlos Saura
Release Month: October
Trailer: Tango
Synopsis: Mario, a successful director, is haunted by memories of his former lover, Elena, during the rehearsal of a tango performance. Through dance and music, the film explores the complex relationships and emotions that arise within the world of tango.
Main Cast: Miguel Ángel Solá, Cecilia Narova
Streaming: Available on MUBI
7- The Red Violin
Director: François Girard
Release Month: September
Trailer: The Red Violin
Synopsis: The journey of a unique violin, crafted in the 17th century, unfolds over four centuries and across different continents. As the violin changes hands, it impacts the lives of its owners, leaving a lasting imprint on their fates.
Main Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Carlo Cecchi, Sylvia Chang
6- The Truman Show
Director: Peter Weir
Release Month: June
Trailer: The Truman Show
Synopsis: Truman Burbank leads an idyllic life in a picturesque town, but he gradually begins to suspect that his life is not what it seems. Unbeknownst to him, Truman is the star of a 24/7 reality show, and his every move is being watched by millions around the world.
Main Cast: Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Ed Harris
Streaming: Available on Prime Video
5- The Celebration
Director: Thomas Vinterberg
Release Month: June
Trailer: Festen
Synopsis: A wealthy family gathers to celebrate the 60th birthday of their patriarch, but beneath the surface of the lavish festivities lies a dark secret. Long-held resentments and hidden truths come to light as the party unravels, challenging the family’s façade of happiness.
Main Cast: Ulrich Thomsen, Henning Moritzen, Thomas Bo Larsen
4- Saving Private Ryan
Director: Steven Spielberg
Release Month: July
Trailer: Saving Private Ryan
Synopsis: Following the Normandy landings during World War II, a group of soldiers led by Captain John Miller embarks on a dangerous mission to find and bring home Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in action. The film portrays the brutal realities of war and the sacrifices made by those who serve.
Streaming: Available on Paramount +
Main Cast: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore
3- Life Is Beautiful
Director: Roberto Benigni
Release Month: December
Trailer: Life is Beautiful
Synopsis: Guido, a Jewish man, uses humour and imagination to shield his son from the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. Through his love and comedic antics, Guido creates a world of hope and resilience, showcasing the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Streaming: Available on Prime Video (USA) or Netflix (some countries)
Main Cast: Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi
2- Central Station
Director: Walter Salles
Release Month: September
Trailer: Central Station
Synopsis: Dora, a retired schoolteacher working as a letter writer, befriends Josué, a young boy searching for his father. Together, they embark on a journey across Brazil, forging a heartfelt bond as they encounter a diverse array of characters along the way.
Main Cast: Fernanda Montenegro, Vinícius de Oliveira
1- All About My Mother
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Release Month: April
Trailer: All About My Mother
Synopsis: After her teenage son dies in a tragic accident, Manuela travels to Barcelona in search of her ex-husband. As she navigates the city and encounters a vibrant cast of characters, Manuela finds solace, strength, and a renewed sense of purpose in her journey of self-discovery.
Main Cast: Cecilia Roth, Marisa Paredes, Penélope Cruz
Click on the link for more info.
You’ve Got Mail (Streaming in Crave TV, Canada – HBO MAX USA)
There’s Something About Mary (Streaming in Disney Plus)
The River (streaming in MUBI)
Mulan (Streaming in Disney Plus)
Run Lola Run (Streaming in MUBI Canada and Prime Video, USA)
The Big Lebowski (Streaming USA in Prime Video)
Tango (Streaming in MUBI)
The Truman Show (Streaming in Prime Video)
Saving Private Ryan (Streaming on Paramount +)
Life Is Beautiful (Streaming in Prime Video USA or Netflix in some Countries)
