Polish cinema and television boast a wealth of gems that have gained acclaim both at home and internationally. Many are now available on Netflix, which showcases many outstanding Polish films and series. From poignant dramas to gripping crime productions, the Polish catalog on Netflix promises unforgettable experiences to viewers. Here are the most popular Polish films and series, both in Poland and abroad, available on Netflix today.
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The best Polish films and series on Netflix
Given the rising popularity of Polish productions on Netflix, pinpointing the best titles can be quite challenging. To aid in uncovering true gems, we’ve curated a selection from the vast array of offerings. Below, you’ll find our list of the best and most popular Polish films and series deserving attention from every aficionado of high-quality entertainment.
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Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało) – Film (2019), Poland
(„Boże Ciało„ Film, 2019) „An absolute gem,” this psychological and religious masterpiece from 2019, directed by Jan Komasa and penned by Mateusz Pacewicz, is inspired by true events. Daniel is a twenty-year-old undergoing a spiritual transformation while serving his sentence in a detention center. Despite his desire to become a priest, this possibility is denied to him due to his criminal record. Upon leaving the detention center, he is assigned a job at a carpentry workshop in a small Polish town. However, upon his arrival, dressed as a priest, he is mistaken for the parish priest. The appearance of this young and charismatic preacher becomes an opportunity for the community, shaken by a tragedy that occurred some time ago, to begin healing its wounds. Daniel’s unconventional ministry serves as a catalyst for profound introspection and healing. The film garnered international critical acclaim, earning 10 prestigious statuettes at the Polish Feature Film Festival and eleven Eagles. „Boże Ciało” was nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 2020 Academy Awards.
Directed by Jan Komasa. Starring Bartosz Bielenia, Aleksandra Konieczna, Eliza Rycembel, Tomasz Zietek.
1670 – Tv series (2023), Poland
(TV Series 2023, Comedy – 1 Season, 8 episodes) “Absolutely hilarious”: In this satirical comedy series helmed by directors Maciej Buchwald and Kordian Kądziela, viewers are transported to the whimsical world of 1670. Star of the series is Jan Paweł Adamczewski, patriarch of a prestigious noble family and proprietor of the quaint village of Adamczeja’s „smaller half.” With aspirations of etching his name in the annals of Polish history as the most renowned John Paul, Adamczewski’s antics lead to a cascade of hilarity and hijinks. Imbued with many references to Polish culture and history, each episode is a laughter-filled journey through a bygone era, peppered with witty dialogue and absurd scenarios. This production has delighted audiences not only in Poland but also across international borders, garnering popularity in Germany, Great Britain, and the United States.
Directed by Maciej Buchwald and Kordian Kądziela. Starring: Bartłomiej Topa, Katarzyna Herman, Martyna Byczkowska
Johnny – Film (2023), Poland
(Film 2022 – Drama, Biography) „Everyone deserves a second chance”: Johnny is an emotional biographical drama directed by Daniel Jaroszek, chronicling the remarkable life of priest Jan Kaczkowski. Set against the backdrop of a hospice, the film follows the transformative journey of an ex-criminal named Patryk, who finds redemption through an unexpected friendship with a compassionate priest.As Patryk learns the art of caring for terminally ill patients alongside a group of young boys under Jan Kaczkowski’s guidance, he discovers a newfound love for humanity and the world around him. The film, inspired by true events, emphasizes the theme of second chances and the power of love to transcend barriers. The film was awarded with four Eagles in 2023.
Directed by Daniel Jaroszek. Starring: Dawid Ogrodnik, Piotr Trojan, Beata Zygarlicka
The Art of Loving (Sztuka kochania) – Film (2017), Poland
(„Sztuka kochania” Film, 2017 – Biography, Comedy, Drama) The biographical film, „The Art of Loving: Story of Michalina Wislocka” chronicles the extraordinary life of renowned Polish gynecologist and sexologist Michalina Wisłocka. Set against the backdrop of Communist-era Poland, Wisłocka defies societal taboos and bureaucratic hurdles to publish her groundbreaking book on love and sexuality. Through three pivotal stages of Wisłocka’s life, viewers witness her relentless determination as she battles for the right to share her revolutionary insights, which ultimately transform the sexual landscape of Poland. Michalina Wisłocka emerges as a trailblazing figure, challenging conventions and advocating for sexual liberation in a repressive regime.
Directed by Maria Sadowska. Starring: Borys Szyc, Piotr Adamczyk, Magdalena Boczarska, Tomasz Kot.
Forgotten Love (Znachor) – Film (2023), Poland
(Film 2023, Drama) „Forgotten Love” a 2023 Netflix-produced drama directed by Michał Gazda, unfolds the poignant narrative of Professor Rafal Wilczur, a revered neurosurgeon in 1920s Poland. Despite his professional acclaim, Rafal’s personal life takes a devastating turn when his wife leaves him for another man, taking their daughter with her. Following a violent altercation that robs him of his memory, Rafal’s life takes an unexpected trajectory as he loses his family and self. Stranded in the countryside, he wanders as a vagrant for 15 years, his identity and past obscured by amnesia. Yet, fragments of memory persist, intertwining with his innate medical instincts as he grapples with his past until a chance encounter reignites memories of his daughter and his former life. „Forgotten Love” stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, offering a compelling exploration of second chances and the enduring power of familial bonds.
Directed by Michał Gazda. Starring: Leszek Lichota, Maria Kowalska, Ignacy Liss
High Water (Wielka Woda) Tv series (2022), Poland
(TV Series 2022, Drama – 1 Season, 6 episodes) High Water (2022) is a gripping Polish disaster drama series made up of six heart-pounding episodes. Inspired by the harrowing true events of the Millennium Flood that ravaged Poland in 1997, particularly impacting Wrocław and its vicinity, this series immerses viewers into a world of suspense and survival. As the destructive floodwaters loom, threatening the very existence of the city, scientists and local government officials are thrust into the midst of life-and-death decisions. Against the backdrop of chaos and peril, they grapple not only with the impending disaster but also with bureaucratic incompetence and personal demons from their past. Each of the six episodes is inspired by the resilience and heroism of real people who faced the catastrophic flood firsthand.
Directed by Jan Holoubek and Bartłomiej Ignaciuk. Starring Agnieszka Żulewska, Tomasz Schuchardt, Ireneusz Czop, Marta Nieradkiewicz, Mirosław Kropielnicki, Anna Dymna and Tomasz Kot.
Queen (Królowa) – Tv series (2022), Poland
(TV Mini Series 2022) Released in 2022, „Queen” soon became one of Netflix’s most popular productions, captivating audiences with its compelling drama centered around a drag queen storyline. This TV mini-series garnered praise, particularly in Poland, for its bold subject matter (Poland is a very conservative country). „Queen” follows the journey of Sylwester Borkowski, known by his stage name „Loretta,” a drag queen residing in Paris. Upon returning to his hometown in Lower Silesia after years abroad, he embarks on a poignant quest to make amends with his daughter, Wioletta.
Starring: Andrzej Seweryn, Maria Peszek, Julia Chętnicka. Creators: Árni Ólafur Ásgeirsson
Clergy (Kler) – Film (2018)
Clergy (Kler), a highly controversial and critically acclaimed Polish drama directed by Wojciech Smarzowski, shattered box office records upon its release in Poland in September 2028. The film garnered numerous awards and nominations at Polish film festivals. Centered on the struggles and conflicts of three flawed Catholic priests grappling with their faith and destiny, Clergy delves into the murky depths of corruption and deceit within Poland’s most revered institution. Its unflinching portrayal of issues such as pedophilia, corruption, and alcoholism within the Catholic Church sparked a fierce backlash from right-wing conservative factions in Poland. Clergy remains a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of morality and spirituality.
Directed by Wojciech Smarzowski. Starring: Arkadiusz Jakubik, Robert Więckiewicz, Jacek Braciak.
Hold Tight (Zachowaj spokój) – Tv series (2022), Poland
Hold Tight (Polish: Zachowaj spokój) is a captivating Polish crime drama television miniseries that debuted on Netflix on April 22, 2022. Adapted from the novel of the same name by acclaimed author Harlan Coben, the series unfolds in an affluent Warsaw suburb where a tight-knit community is rocked by the disappearance of a young man following the death of his friend. Directed by Michał Gazda and Bartosz Konopka, Hold Tight delves into the intricacies of relationships and unveils a web of secrets and lies lurking beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic lives. Coben himself has praised the series, declaring it one of his favorite adaptations of his own work.
Directed by Michał Gazda and Bartosz Konopka – Creator: Harlan Coben – Starring: Magdalena Boczarska, Leszek Lichota, Krzysztof Oleksyn
Loving Vincent (Twój Vincent) – Animated film (2017), Poland
Loving Vincent is a mesmerizing Polish-British full-length animated film, released in 2017, and directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman. The film, which employs unique painting techniques, revolves around the life and tragic death of the renowned painter Vincent van Gogh. Garnering critical acclaim, Loving Vincent earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Animated Feature Film and an Oscar nomination in the same category. Ultimately, it secured the European Film Award for Best Animated Film. Notably, the film comprises approximately 65,000 oil paintings meticulously crafted over seven years by over 100 Polish and international artists, faithfully emulating van Gogh’s distinctive style. With 12 images per second of video, the film provides a visually stunning portrayal of van Gogh’s world, drawing upon insights gleaned from the artist’s extensive correspondence, including over 800 letters.
Best Polish films and series on Netflix
This is a selection of some most popular Polish films and series on Netflix now, both in Poland and abroad, but we will be updating this list regularly so… keep in touch!
Source: Netflix, Polish Observer