Hollywood is undoubtedly the movie capital of the world. It is usually the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of movies and filmmaking. Hollywood is responsible for creating many of the most iconic, revered films of all time. It is responsible for numerous highly influential Film movements, such as the Hollywood Golden Age and the American New Wave. Its influence on filmmaking and storytelling is evident and continues to be a major voice in the art of making movies. After over a hundred years of making movies, Hollywood continues to create memorable films and perform well at the international box office.
The influence of Hollywood on filmmaking is inarguable, but that does not mean that it is the only Film Industry that produces incredible films. The world is large, and there is a multitude of countries besides the United States that contribute significantly to the international film industry. Just as Hollywood has changed the industry with its film movements, so have other film industries. German Expressionism is considered to be one of the most important film movements, a movement that focused on art design and playing with shadows. The French New Wave broke conventional film rules and utilized jump cuts and frequent tracking shots. Many countries have contributed to the art of filmmaking with unique techniques and ideas that have forever changed the ways in which a movie can be made. In addition to Hollywood, these other countries continue to reshape and redefine what a film can be. Here are the top ten film industries outside of Hollywood, ranked:
10 Spain
From stories told by directors such as Juan Antonio Bardem to Pedro Almodovar, Spain has produced some truly incredible films. Talk to Her by Almodovar, Pan’s Labyrinth (in collaboration with Mexico), and the terrifying found footage horror film [REC] are just a few of the remarkable films that Spain has gifted the world with. The history of Spanish cinema started out rather complicated, with most of the country’s silent era footage destroyed during the Spanish Civil War and many Spanish filmmakers fleeing the oppressive regime. Still, Spain has come a long way from its rocky cinematic beginnings and continues to create inspiring, well-crafted films.
9 Australia
Many Australian actors have made their way into the Hollywood film industry over the years, such as Nicole Kidman, Chris Hemsworth, Guy Pearce, and Margot Robbie, but many of these actors got their start in the Australian film industry. Australia is home to classic film franchises such as the Mad Max movies and cult classics such as Wolf Creek. The Land Down Under has also produced emotional horror films such as Lake Mungo and The Babadook, along with underrated movies such as Roadgames (starring a post-Halloween Jamie Lee Curtis), The Rover, and Two Hands, which happened to be one of Heath Ledger’s first film roles. Let’s not forget, Australia also gave us the weird comedy classic, Crocodile Dundee.
8 Germany
Given the approach to filmmaking during the German Expressionism movement, the German film industry has become known for its contributions to the technical and artistic aspects of filmmaking as far back as the early 20th century. Before Hollywood became the center of the wider film industry, Germany was perfecting the craft. Even Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage has stated that his acting influences hail from the German Expressionism movement. Modern German cinema has made acclaimed films such as The Edukators (starring a pre-Marvel Daniel Bruhl), the Oscar-winning war drama All Quiet on the Western Front, and the pre-WWI mystery The White Ribbon.
7 Hong Kong
Visionary director Wong Kar-Wai probably comes to mind when thinking of films to come out of Hong Kong. Wai’s films are beautifully written and filmed and have a near-perfect blend of humor and drama. Chungking Express and Fallen Angels depict the interconnected lives of Hong Kong citizens during the ’90s. In the Mood for Love follows the emotional romance between two people whose spouses are cheating with each other. While Wai is incredibly influential in the film industry and specifically Hong Kong’s film industry, the territory has produced many other great movies. Infernal Affairs is a tense crime thriller directed by Andrew Lau Wai-keung and Alan Mak, and was actually the inspiration for Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning film, The Departed. Hong Kong is also the home of many Bruce Lee films and Jackie Chan’s Police Story movies.
6 Italy
Italian cinema has been one of the most influential film industries in the world for many decades. Italy may be known for its delicious food, but it has also given moviegoers some of the most beloved films of all time. From Giallo horror movies to gut-wrenching dramas to spaghetti Westerns, Italy has been at the forefront of filmmaking for years. The list of important Italian films could go on forever, but here are just a few; Bicycle Thieves, Suspiria, Cinema Paradiso, and The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly. Italian cinema has revolutionized the international film industry, starting with the Italian Neorealism Movement in the 1940s, which aimed to portray the real-life struggles of everyday people in the aftermath of WWII.
5 Japan
For many movie-going audiences, Japan is known for its incomparable animation studio, Studio Ghibli. The studio has produced classics such as Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Grave of the Fireflies. Studio Ghibli makes endearing, introspective films that subvert the expectations of an animated movie. However, they are not the only filmmakers in Japan to make great films. From family melodramas to fast-paced action stories, Japan has something for everyone. Harakiri by Masaki is widely considered to be the best samurai film of all time, and Seven Samurai by Akira Kurosawa is also a strong contender. Emotional, thought-provoking films such as Hiroshima, Mon Amour and Tokyo Story will leave you feeling all your emotions by the time the credits roll. If you’re in the mood for something utterly bizarre, Japan has House for you. Japan is one of the best exporters of media, ranging from games to anime, and the country absolutely does not lack in the film department.
4 The United Kingdom
Hollywood’s friends across the pond are a huge contributor to the global film industry. A multitude of films from the United Kingdom are shown and marketed here in the U.S. just as much as Hollywood’s films, which makes sense considering just how many U.K. actors star in American films. The U.K. is also home to one of the most renowned film studios in the world, Pinewood Studios. The film industry in the U.K. has produced films in every genre one can think of, and if you think you haven’t seen a film from the U.K., we can almost guarantee you are wrong. Pride & Prejudice, 28 Days Later, Trainspotting, Love Actually, Atonement, and the entire Harry Potter franchise are just a handful of movies that barely scratch the surface of the U.K. film industry’s filmography. Its film industry has made everything from devastating period pieces to horror comedies.
3 Bollywood, India
India’s Bollywood film industry is one of the largest film industries in the world. The term “Bollywood” is actually the informal name for the Hindi-language film industry based in India. Bollywood films have become known for their large-than-life plots and elaborate dance numbers. The themes that Bollywood films typically center around are love, family, and societal issues, and they will often include fantasy or mythological elements in the narrative. Om Shanti Om, Chennnai Express, and Kutch Kutch Hota Hai are a few of the most popular Bollywood films. In more recent years, the industry has produced ultra-popular films such as the action drama RRR, which became a massive hit on Netflix. Bollywood is the largest film industry in the world in terms of the number of films produced, and the largest market in the world in terms of box office admissions.
2 France
The film industry in France has been shaping the way films are made for many decades now. The country’s film industry is most known for its incredibly impactful film movement, The French New Wave, that occurred during the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s. The movement rejected traditional film techniques and instead opted to experiment with editing, narrative, and visual styles to create something outside the norm. Directors such as Jean-Luc Goddard and Agnes Varda were considered auteurs of the movement, and notable films would include Breathless, Band of Outsiders, Cleo from 5 to 7, and The 400 Blows. Since then, France has continued to make experimental, engaging films that stray outside the “normal” filmmaking process. The heart-wrenching crime drama La Haine, the experimental horror movie Raw, and the utterly bizarre film Climax are just a few examples of how the French film industry continues to create unique stories.
1 South Korea
South Korea has been consistently delivering high-quality films for years now and is the home country to some of the best directors working today. Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan Woo, and Hong Kang-soo, among others, are South Korean directors that have continuously made phenomenal films. The early days of the South Korean film industry were riddled with censorship and an unstable political environment, but in the ’90s, young directors such as Joon-ho set out to change the film landscape with the South Korean New Wave. The movement had a particular interest in class, which paved the way for South Korean masterpieces such as Memories of Murder, Oldboy, and The Handmaiden. It also paved the way for recent gems such as Parasite, Burning, and I Saw the Devil. South Korea’s film industry consistently puts out introspective, entertaining, provocative films that stay on your mind long after the film has ended.
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