50 South African Films Ranked
LAST UPDATED: 20 April 2025
South Africa has one of the oldest film industries in the world. Home to a diverse cross-section of people and places, it’s a world of its own and has become a renowned film-making destination. Being a South African and movie critic, Spling has made it his mission to watch as many South African films as possible!
This list of 50 South African films is a contemporary reflection based on Spling’s ratings over the years. While there are hundreds of South African films, a few of which deserve a spot, the films ranked below are some of Spling’s favourites and are all recommended having received a 7/10 rating or higher. While they’re all recommended, some are not for sensitive viewers.
1. District 9
From the mind of Neill Blomkamp comes District 9, an Oscar-nominated mockumentary turned sci-fi actioner. District 9 Movie Review
2. Life, Above All
Life, Above All is a universal story from Oliver Schmidtz about the intricate relationship between mother and daughter. Life, Above All Movie Review
3. Toorbos
Toorbos is a compelling period drama based on Dalene Mathee’s novel about a woman’s quest for personal freedom. Toorbos Movie Review
4. Dis ek, Anna
Dis ek, Anna is a powerful and provocative drama that seeks to bring the issue to light by telling the personal story of Anna, a victim of domestic sexual abuse, against the backdrop of a country in crisis. Dis ek, Anna Movie Review
5. Meerkat Maantuig
Meerkat Maantuig (Meerkat Moonship) is a magical fantasy drama tells the story of Gideonette, a young girl, who moves in with her grandparents after her father passes away and her mother goes to rehab. Meerkat Maantuig Movie Review
6. Moffie
Moffie is a brutal, powerful and haunting drama about a young gay conscript who tries to survive two years of intensive military service in Apartheid-era South Africa. Moffie Movie Review
7. Yesterday
Yesterday is a simple, pure, slow and quietly powerful South African drama. The first feature-length Zulu film, it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film, lauded for its universality and purity.
8. Kanarie
While South Africa’s complicated history of Apartheid diffuses the pop culture of the day, this is where we find Kanarie, a coming-of-age drama about an army conscript searching for his true identity. Kanarie Movie Review
9. Sink
Sink is a sleek, harrowing and powerful South African domestic drama. Sink Movie Review
10. Liewe Kersfeesvader
Liewe Kersfeesvader (Dear Santa Claus) is a heartwarming sometimes prickly comedy drama about a dysfunctional family. Liewe Kersfeesvader Movie Review
11. Johnny is Nie Dood Nie
Johnny is Nie Dood Nie (Johnny Isn’t Dead), adapted from a play by Malan Steyn, is a reunion drama in the tradition of The Big Chill as four friends gather for a braai on the Sunday after Johannes Kerkorrel’s suicide to reminisce about their student days. Johnny is Nie Dood Nie Movie Review
12. Vir die Voëls
Vir Die Voëls (For the Birds) has a dramatic and romantic element, but its quirky comedic undertones are carried by a plucky lead character who narrates and stars. Vir die Voëls Movie Review
13. Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story
Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story tells of the troubled relationship between a mother and her drug-addicted son. Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story Movie Review
14. Hard to Get
Hard to Get echoes a similar passion, intensity and energy to the acclaimed Congolese crime thriller, Viva Riva. Hard to Get Movie Review
15. Blood Diamond
Blood Diamond is an intense, thrilling, blood-drenched action drama about diamond-smuggling in Africa. Blood Diamond Movie Review
16. Nommer 37
Nommer 37 (Number 37) is an Afrikaans language homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, borrowing and re-imagining the concept at the heart of the classic thriller. Nommer 37 Movie Review
17. Die Seemeeu
Die Seemeeu (The Seagull) is a stellar and tight-knit drama based on a classic Russian play by Anton Chekhov. Die Seemeeu Movie Review
18. Felix
Felix is an irresistible feel good family music comedy drama.
19. Knuckle City
Knuckle City is a ferocious, intense and brutal boxing drama. Knuckle City Movie Review
20. Five Fingers for Marseilles
Five Fingers for Marseilles is a gritty South African western… Five Fingers for Marseilles Movie Review
21. Material
Material is a heartwarming and smart drama, which tells the story of a young Muslim man whose love for stand-up comedy leads to conflict when his father expects him to take over the family business. Material Movie Review
22. Tsotsi
The Oscar-winning gangster movie, Tsotsi, put South Africa on the map with a gritty, gripping and even touching crime drama.
23. Noem My Skollie
Noem My Skollie (Call Me Thief) is the story of Abraham and the Young Ones, a small-time gang that were separated for two years by a dangerous stint in Pollsmoor prison. Noem My Skollie Movie Review
24. Inxeba (The Wound)
Having been banned, classified as pornography and elicited vitriol for its revelations Inxeba (The Wound) has been a contentious drama from the get-go. Inxeba Movie Review
25. Wonderlus
Wonderlus (Wonder Wander) is a moody and nostalgic coming-of-age ensemble drama elevated by its co-lead chemistry and star-studded local cast… Wonderlus Movie Review
26. Seconds
Seconds is an authentic, gritty, thoughtful and powerfully-acted boxing crime drama with a stellar local cast. Seconds Movie Review
27. Fanie Fourie’s Lobola
The unconventional South African romantic comedy Fanie Fourie’s Lobola doesn’t insult your senses, it’s actually street smart and mature. Fanie Fourie’s Lobola Movie Review
28. Die Windpomp
Die Windpomp (The Windmill) is a quirky comedy romance drama… a mercurial genre butterfly. Die Windpomp Movie Review
29. Thina Sobabili
Thina Sobabili (The Two of Us) is a brave, gut-wrenching and realistic drama about the exploits of a brother and sister in the Alexandra township of Johannesburg. Thina Sobabili Movie Review
30. Die Wonderwerker
Die Wonderwerker tells the story of writer, poet and researcher Eugène Marais during the months he spent on the van Rooyen’s farm.
31. Flatland
Flatland is an epic and sprawling contemporary adventure western, tracking the lives of three women trying to break free. Flatland Movie Review
32. Mense van die Wind
Mense van die Wind is a melancholic, gentle, nostalgic, soulful and stirring coming-of-age music drama romance about healing and inspiration. Mense van die Wind Movie Review
33. Red Dust
Red Dust is a solid political drama with an immersive South African feel and powerful story of the TRC in action. Red Dust Movie Review
34. Beyond the River
Beyond the River is an uplifting and spirited sports drama based on a true story. Beyond the River Movie Review
35. The Bang Bang Club
The Bang Bang Club is a gritty biographical drama that centres on four conflict photographers in the build-up to South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994. The Bang Bang Club Movie Review
36. Ballade vir ‘n Enkeling
Ballade vir ‘n Enkeling is a mystery drama that centres on the disappearance of a writer and based on the 1980s television series of the same name.
37. Vaselinetjie
Vaselinetjie is a haunting and fascinating character portrait drama based on the book by Anouska von Meck. Vaselinetjie Movie Review
38. The Fragile King
Excellent performances, a sharp script and a moody atmosphere smooth over the bumps in The Fragile King, a heartfelt and finely-crafted coming-of-age drama. The Fragile King Movie Review
39. Verraaiers
Verraaiers (Traitors) is an authentic and gritty historical drama about a Boer-officer who decides to risk treason by going home to protect his family during war.
40. Roepman
Set in 1966, Roepman (Stargazer) is a charming and nostalgic coming-of-drama taken from the perspective of an 11-year-old growing up in a railway community.
41. Die Kwiksilwers
Die Kwiksilwers (The Quicksilvers) is an entertaining, charming, heartfelt and spirited gem of a road movie about four elderly women who head to Sutherland to witness a meteor shower. Die Kwiksilwers Movie Review
42. Poppie Nongena
Poppie Nongena is a South African historical biographical drama about a housekeeper who struggles to keep her family together in the face of inhumane pass laws. Poppie Nongena Movie Review
43. Die Verhaal van Racheltjie De Beer
Die Verhaal van Racheltjie De Beer (The Tale of Rachel De Beer) is a stirring and haunting period drama about a South African legend. Die Verhaal van Racheltjie De Beer Movie Review
44. Faan se Trein
Faan se Trein (Faan’s Train) is a stellar and well-acted adaptation of a popular Afrikaans stage production that has been running for almost 40 years. Faan se Trein Movie Review
45. Four Corners
A gifted chess player from Cape Town’s notorious Cape Flats faces a perilous dilemma: to pursue his passion or succumb to the allure of gang life in Four Corners.
46. Tess
Tess is a film adaptation of Tracey Farren’s novel, ‘Whiplash’, which follows the heartrending journey of a sex worker who falls pregnant, and the difficulties she encounters on the streets of Cape Town.
47. Themba: A Boy Called Hope
Themba: A Boy Called Hope is an inspirational coming-of-age drama about a young South African boy’s escape from poverty and the pursuit of a dream.
48. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Nelson Mandela is an extraordinary man, whose life story plays like a political version of ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.
49. Ayanda
Ayanda is a colourful and fresh coming-of-age romance drama set in the suburb of Yeoville in Johannesburg, South Africa.
50. Hollywood in my Huis
Hollywood in my Huis is a South African romantic comedy about a wallflower, living in an impoverished railway neighbourhood, who tries to devise the perfect matric prom.
Recommended
Glasshouse
Glasshouse is a claustrophobic post-apocalyptic chamber drama about a tight-knit community trying to survive an airborne virus. Glasshouse Movie Review
Pou (Peacock)
While led by contemporary elevated horror masters, Pou is an edgy, elegant and intriguing gothic horror drama that wields iconic performances and powerful, timely themes.
iNumber Number
iNumber Number leverages South Africa’s burgeoning crime rate against Hollywood’s burning desire to tell a story that’s entertaining and thought-provoking.
Spud
Spud is faithful to the book, giving an account of 1990s South Africa with the release of Nelson Mandela and John “Spud” Milton’s first year at Michaelhouse, an elite private boarding school for boys in Durban North.
Necktie Youth
Necktie Youth is a black-and-white drama with a documentary feel that attempts to capture the Zeitgeist of South African youth culture.
Little One
Little One is the tender story of a mother, who takes a young girl under her wing.
Wesens
One of South Africa’s only found footage feature films… Wesens is a period sci-fi thriller that recovers the investigation of a UFO crash landing in the late ’60s.
Son of Man
Son of Man is a beautiful, smart and thoughtful adaptation of the story of Jesus Christ told in the form of an African fable.
My Father’s War
My Father’s War is a drama from writer-director, Craig Gardner, which examines the fractious relationship between David, a war veteran father, and his rebellious son, Dap.
Goodbye Bafana
Goodbye Bafana is a biographical drama based on the memoirs of Nelson Mandela’s prison guard, James Gregory.
Sons of the Sea
A poacher’s bag of abalone lures brothers into a dangerous game with a corrupt official in the somber and thoughtful crime drama thriller, Sons of the Sea.
‘n Man soos My Pa
‘n Man Soos My Pa (A Man Like My Father) is an Afrikaans ensemble drama about a family reunion that turns into an opportunity for father-son reconciliation.
New Material
New Material picks up the story of Material as Cassim’s stand up career takes off and sacrifices are made.
Invictus
Invictus is a film that attempts to capture the Zeitgeist of the New South Africa in its infancy.
Woodwind
Woodwind is a stylish, enigmatic and meditative musical journey of healing and self-discovery.
Back of the Moon
Back of the Moon is a stylish, intense and moody portrait of an intellectual man’s crumbling criminal empire.
Vaya
Vaya is a South African crime drama, which essentially pivots on the story of three adolescents trying to find their way in the big city.
White Lion
Breathtaking visuals and a beautiful African tale are at the heart of White Lion.
Riding with Sugar
Riding with Sugar is a colourful, energetic, spirited, slick and well-acted crime drama thriller.
Gebokste Liefde
Sharp performances, dexterous genre play and powerful themes compel the plucky romcom and sports drama, Gebokste Liefde.
A Million Colours
A Million Colours is based on the true story of two best friends, who fought the system that tried to separate them, after they shot to fame in 1975 with the release of the South African film e’Lollipop.
Vir Altyd
Vir Altyd is the latest romance comedy drama from film-makers and stars, Donnalee Roberts and Ivan Botha.
Sleeper’s Wake
Sleeper’s Wake is a powerful, haunting and slow-burning thriller that deals with the darker, primal urges of living in a seemingly lawless country.
Spud 3: Learning to Fly
Spud 3: Learning to Fly has a slightly darker, more serious tone which gives the schoolboy drama more weight without diminishing the vitality of the comedy.
Die dekonstruksie van Retta Blom
A strong lead performance compels Die Dekonstruksie van Retta Blom, a bittersweet, entertaining and zesty love-in-later-life adventure romance drama.
