Last Updated on 29 June 2026 by frenchflicks
Pour yourself a glass of chilled rosé, crank the AC down to arctic levels, and prepare to sweat vicariously. Summer has officially arrived, and while we’re all for getting a tan, we’re mostly for staying indoors and pretending we’re in the South of France (or Tahiti, or Greece).
Luckily, the French streaming platform TV5MONDE+ is serving up a curation of sun-soaked, travel-obsessed cinema and television. From mint-flavored 1970s teenage nostalgia to chaotic Greek vacations and a tropical police procedural, here are 10 titles to add to your queue right now.
1. Number One
Watch it on: TV5MONDE+ (Now streaming)
The Vibe: A magical-realist feminist workplace comedy.
Famous Faces: Aziz Saadallah, Nezha Rahil, and French comedy icon Chantal Ladesou.
The Story: Aziz runs a clothing factory with an iron fist, terrorizing the fifty female workers under his employ. But when his wife notices he is perfectly capable of playing the charming gentleman for foreign female clients, she decides she’s had enough and casts a literal spell on him. Suddenly, Aziz is cursed with being an accidental, hardcore feminist. Watching a macho boss navigate life when his brain forces him to respect women is pure comedic gold—and a total nightmare for Aziz.
2. I Love Greece
Watch it on: TV5MONDE+ (Now streaming)
The Vibe: Chaotic family vacation comedy.
Famous Faces: Stacy Martin (Nymphomaniac) and Vincent Dedienne.
The Story: Nothing tests a romantic relationship quite like a trip to the Mediterranean with an overly enthusiastic, boundary-free extended family. Marina and Jean are heading to Athens for the summer, but instead of romantic seaside strolls, they get sucked into an existential crisis involving the Greek economic meltdown and a parade of eccentric relatives. It’s funny, incredibly relatable, and beautiful to look at.
3. Bled Number One
Watch it on: TV5MONDE+ (Now streaming)
The Vibe: Poignant culture-clash dramedy.
Famous Faces: Biyouna, the iconic Algerian actress and singer.
The Story: Directed by Rabah Ameur-Zaïmeche, this Cannes-selected feature follows Kamel as he is deported from France back to his native Algerian village. Expecting a simple return to his roots, he instead finds himself navigating a dizzying landscape of traditional expectations and modern clashes. The heavy summer heat mirrors the tension of a man trying to find where he truly belongs.
4. Timgad
Watch it on: TV5MONDE+ (Now streaming)
The Vibe: Feel-good sports comedy.
The Story: Think Ted Lasso meets the ancient Roman ruins of Algeria. Jamel is a French-Algerian archaeologist who arrives in the historic town of Timgad to dig up the past, only to find himself roped into coaching the local under-12 soccer team. The kids don’t have jerseys or proper shoes, but they have endless heart. It’s an incredibly warm, sun-drenched underdog story that will leave you grinning.
5. Diabolo Menthe (Peppermint Soda)
Watch it on: TV5MONDE+ (Now streaming)
The Vibe: Classic, vintage coming-of-age nostalgia.
Famous Faces: Anny Duperey; directed by Diane Kurys.
The Story: A masterpiece of 1970s French cinema, this autobiographical cult classic takes us back to the school year of 1963 through the eyes of two teenage sisters. It captures the exact flavor of youthful rebellion, first crushes, and that restless, endless anticipation for the summer holidays. If you’ve ever ordered a green diabolo menthe at a Parisian café just to feel chic, this one is mandatory viewing.
6. Comme un avion (The Sweet Escape)
Watch it on: TV5MONDE+ (Now streaming)
The Vibe: Whimsical mid-life crisis road trip (on water).
Famous Faces: Bruno Podalydès, Sandrine Kiberlain, and Agnès Jaoui.
The Story: Michel is a graphic designer obsessed with airmail planes who decides, on a whim, to buy a kayak, pack it with absurd amounts of gear, and paddle down a tranquil French river. What follows is a slow-paced, deeply funny, and sensory journey through rural France filled with colorful riverside characters and excellent food. It’s the ultimate “peace out” fantasy for anyone tired of staring at a computer screen.
7. Si demain
Watch it on: TV5MONDE+ (Now streaming)
The Vibe: Intimate, slow-burn psychological drama.
The Story: Elena is a young woman sleepwalking through her life until she uncovers a mysterious diary that seems to detail the secret life of another woman. Driven by a sudden, intense curiosity, she embarks on a journey to piece together the truth. Set against a lush, atmospheric backdrop, it’s a beautifully shot puzzle of a movie about identity and female connection.
8. Tant que le soleil frappe (Beating Sun)
Watch it on: TV5MONDE+ (Now streaming)
The Vibe: Gritty urban drama with high stakes.
Famous Faces: Swann Arlaud (Anatomy of a Fall).
The Story: Max is a passionate landscape architect fighting a grueling uphill battle to create a wild green park in the dead center of downtown Marseille. In a city baking under an intense, unforgiving Mediterranean sun, his dream pits him against ruthless real estate developers and cynical politicians. Driven by a brilliant performance from Swann Arlaud, this film turns urban botany into a high-octane thriller.
9. Les tribulations d’un Chinois en Chine (Up to his Ears)
Watch it on: TV5MONDE+ (Now streaming)
The Vibe: Pure 1960s slapstick action adventure.
Famous Faces: Jean-Paul Belmondo and Ursula Andress.
The Story: Think Indiana Jones but with an impeccable French accent and way more physical comedy. Belmondo plays a bored billionaire who decides to take out a massive insurance policy on himself and hires a hitman to end his life—only to immediately change his mind when he falls head over heels for a beautiful archaeologist (Andress). What follows is a breathless, globe-trotting chase that is delightfully retro and wildly fun.
10. Tahiti PK 0
Watch it on: TV5MONDE+ (Now streaming)
The Vibe: Sun, sand, and secrets.
The Story: If you need a break from movies, dive into this addictive television series set entirely in the paradise of French Polynesia. When a young gendarme from mainland France arrives in Tahiti, he is partnered with a local investigator to solve a series of mysterious crimes deeply rooted in local myths and island politics. The crystal-blue water looks gorgeous, but the secrets hidden underneath are dark enough to keep you hitting “Next Episode” all night.
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