Discover the best of Swiss cinema, film, and television
Discover the definitive list of popular and critically-acclaimed movies and TV shows from Switzerland. Find your next binge-watch, streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
The cinema of Switzerland
Swiss cinema has navigated a unique path between four distinct linguistic traditions, creating a fascinatingly diverse yet cohesive film culture. The industry dates back to the 1930s and is influenced by neighbouring France, Germany and Italy, with which it shares languages. What transformed Swiss filmmaking was the French New Wave in the mid-1960s, which led to more experimental cinema after decades of sentimental productions. The breakthrough came with the legendary 'Groupe 5' from Geneva, consisting of Alain Tanner, Claude Goretta, Michel Soutter, Jean-Louis Roy and Jean-Jacques Lagrange. These pioneering directors developed an interesting collaboration scheme involving the sharing of actors and composers, creating a distinctly Swiss approach to filmmaking that emphasised community and artistic cooperation. Die Schweizermacher (1978) by Rolf Lyssy is widely regarded as the most successful Swiss film of all time, a brilliant satire about Swiss citizenship that perfectly captures the nation's complex relationship with identity and belonging. Contemporary documentarian Markus Imhoof achieved international acclaim with "More than Honey" (2012), which became the most successful Swiss documentary film of all time. Television has evolved significantly, with "Davos 1917" representing the largest-ever collaboration between Swiss and German television in 2023. The multilingual broadcasting landscape reflects the country's linguistic diversity, with channels serving German, French, Italian, and Romansh speakers. What makes Swiss cinema special is its thoughtful exploration of identity, community, and place. Whether examining rural traditions or urban modernity, Swiss films consistently demonstrate meticulous craftsmanship and philosophical depth that reflects the nation's contemplative character.
Best Swiss series
Eurovision Song Contest 1956
The Eurovision Song Contest is an international song competition, organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and featuring participants representing primarily European countries. Each participating country submits an original song to be performed on live television and radio, transmitted to national broadcasters via the EBU's Eurovision and Euroradio networks, with competing countries then casting votes for the other countries' songs to determine the winner.
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New Heights 2021
When business consultant Michi Wyss inherits his late father's troubled farm he must confront his rural past -- and his family's future.
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Winter Palace 2024
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Tschugger 2021
Normally, the Valais cantonal police are concerned with minor details: runaway sheep and a presence at the village festival. Until the day when an inconceivable murder attempt awakens the criminalistic energy of policemen Bax and Pirmin. In the process, the duo not only uncovers local networks, but also tangles with dark forces.
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Davos 1917 2023
More determined than ever to live her life in accordance with her deepest desires, nurse Johanna Gabathuler finds herself embroiled in a spy conspiracy with international implications. There’s a high price to pay and it’s risky to say the least, but she will do anything it takes to find her daughter and, ultimately, secure her freedom.
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Wilder 2017
A detective returns to her home town in the Swiss mountains, to remember her brother who died in an accident many years ago along with several other children. After a murder in town, she stays and starts to investigate.
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Best Swiss movies
A Dangerous Method 2011
Seduced by the challenge of an impossible case, the driven Dr. Carl Jung takes the unbalanced yet beautiful Sabina Spielrein as his patient. Jung’s weapon is the method of his master, the renowned Sigmund Freud. Both men fall under Sabina’s spell.
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The Colony 2021
In the not-too-distant future: after a global catastrophe has wiped out nearly all of humanity on Earth, an elite astronaut from Space Colony Kepler must make a decision that will seal the fate of the people on both planets.
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Singularity 2017
When Elias van Dorne, CEO of the world's largest robotics company, introduces his most powerful invention, Kronos-a super-computer designed to end all wars-it determines that humans are the biggest threat and launches a worldwide attack on mankind. A small band of survivors must form an unlikely alliance to survive the greatest artificial intelligence threat man will ever know.
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Mad Heidi 2022
In a dystopian Switzerland that has fallen under the fascist rule of an evil cheese tyrant, Swiss mountain girl Heidi transforms herself into a kick-ass female fighting force who sets out to liberate the country from a cheese-fueled machinery of hate.
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Mario 2018
Two young gay soccer players get caught up between the politics of the game and the politics of love.
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Blue My Mind 2017
15-year-old Mia faces an overwhelming transformation which puts her entire existence into question. Her body is changing radically, and despite desperate attempts to halt the process, Mia is soon forced to accept that nature is far more powerful than she is.
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