TOP 50 Best Finnish Movies
by touko-viinikainen | created - 15 Oct 2016 | updated - 26 Dec 2021 | PublicThe director has to be Finnish, speaking language must be Finnish/partly Finnish and the actors have to be mainly Finnish! TV Movies also included! :) No documentary movies!
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1. The Unknown Soldier (1955)
177 min | Drama, War
The tale of a platoon of soldiers during the Continuation War. Based on Väinö Linna's book of the same name.
Director: Edvin Laine | Stars: Kosti Klemelä, Heikki Savolainen, Reino Tolvanen, Veikko Sinisalo
Votes: 7,817
2. Häjyt (1999)
105 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Häjyt tells a story of two friends who have a hard time finding their place in the society. Antti and Jussi are released from jail. While they were doing time for bank robbery, the third ... See full summary »
Director: Aleksi Mäkelä | Stars: Samuli Edelmann, Juha Veijonen, Teemu Lehtilä, Kalevi Haapoja
Votes: 5,284
3. The Unknown Soldier (1985)
197 min | Drama, War
This film is the second silver screen adaption of the Finnish war book by Väinö Linna with the same name as the film. The story is based on Linna's experiences as an infantry man in the ... See full summary »
Director: Rauni Mollberg | Stars: Risto Tuorila, Pirkka-Pekka Petelius, Paavo Liski, Mika Mäkelä
Votes: 3,044
4. The Prodigal Son (1992)
97 min | Drama, Thriller
Esa is a small time crook who has been precisely released from prison. He starts to make money by mugging people. One day psychiatrist Lindström rings Esa's doorbell. He has a very strange ... See full summary »
Director: Veikko Aaltonen | Stars: Hannu Kivioja, Esko Salminen, Leea Klemola, Markku Peltola
Votes: 439
5. Joulukuusivarkaat (2009 TV Movie)
76 min | Drama
After bank confiscates an old-timer's lands and threatens to take his house he is forced to question his morale.
Director: Heikki Kujanpää | Stars: Pekka Autiovuori, Aarno Sulkanen, Marjukka Halttunen, Taisto Oksanen
Votes: 221
6. The Quiet Village (1997)
78 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
After his predecessor on a long-festering wilderness village murder case resigns for "reasons of health", a young police detective decides it's time for more forceful methods. But there's ... See full summary »
Director: Kari Väänänen | Stars: Taisto Reimaluoto, Sari Havas, Taneli Mäkelä, Vesa Vierikko
Votes: 188
7. A Summer by the River (1998)
85 min | Comedy, Drama
Topi's mother, who is also Tenho's wife dies and Tenho and Topi have to move out from the town because they don't have enough money to pay their rent. Tenho gets a job as a lumberjack (... See full summary »
Director: Markku Pölönen | Stars: Pertti Koivula, Simo Kontio, Esko Nikkari, Anu Palevaara
Votes: 715
8. Under the North Star II (2010)
138 min | Drama, War
Continues to follow the life of a Finnish family from aftermath of the Finnish Civil War to the Second World War which unites the country. But at what cost?
Director: Timo Koivusalo | Stars: Ilkka Koivula, Vera Kiiskinen, Risto Tuorila, Ritva Jalonen
Votes: 462
9. Täällä Pohjantähden alla (2009)
193 min | Drama, Romance, War
A new film-adaptation of Väinö Linna's famous book here Beneath the North Star.
Director: Timo Koivusalo | Stars: Ilkka Koivula, Vera Kiiskinen, Risto Tuorila, Ritva Jalonen
Votes: 793
10. The Grump (2014)
Not Rated | 102 min | Comedy, Drama
The Grump is a man from the past. A man who knows that everything used to be so much better in the old days. Pretty much everything that's been done after 1953 has always managed to ruin ... See full summary »
Director: Dome Karukoski | Stars: Antti Litja, Petra Frey, Mari Perankoski, Iikka Forss
Votes: 2,957
11. Riisuttu mies (2006)
119 min | Comedy, Drama
A story of a priest, who considers himself as a rebel is suddenly asked to run for bishop of Turku.
Director: Aku Louhimies | Stars: Samuli Edelmann, Matleena Kuusniemi, Laura Malmivaara, Mikko Kouki
Votes: 831
12. Euthanizer (2017)
85 min | Comedy, Drama, Horror
A man who euthanizes animals as a side job runs afoul of a white supremacist.
Director: Teemu Nikki | Stars: Matti Onnismaa, Jari Virman, Hannamaija Nikander, Heikki Nousiainen
Votes: 2,276
13. The Other Side of Hope (2017)
Not Rated | 100 min | Comedy, Drama
A poker-playing restaurateur and former traveling salesman befriends a group of refugees newly arrived to Finland.
Director: Aki Kaurismäki | Stars: Sherwan Haji, Sakari Kuosmanen, Kaija Pakarinen, Tuomari Nurmio
Votes: 13,655 | Gross: $0.18M
14. Drakarna över Helsingfors (2001)
90 min | Drama
Epic tale about two generations of men in a wealthy Finnish family, spanning from the 1960s all the way through the early 1990s. The father has achieved his position as director of the ... See full summary »
Director: Peter Lindholm | Stars: Pirkka-Pekka Petelius, Paavo Kerosuo, Pekka Strang, Johanna af Schultén
Votes: 698
15. Pearls and Pigs (2003)
113 min | Comedy
When their bootlegging father ends up in jail, four twenty-something brothers need money to pay his debts to local crooks. Next, their 9-year-old half-sister is dumped on their doorstep by ... See full summary »
Director: Perttu Leppä | Stars: Mikko Leppilampi, Laura Birn, Amanda Pilke, Unto Helo
Votes: 3,290
16. Havukka-ahon ajattelija (2009)
110 min | Comedy, Drama
Self-taught philosopher Konsta Pylkkänen guides a group of researchers through Finland's Kainuu wilderness in the hopes of having a "sinistä ajatusta", idea out of the blue. While firing ... See full summary »
Director: Kari Väänänen | Stars: Kai Lehtinen, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Tommi Korpela, Ilkka Heiskanen
Votes: 557
17. Purge (2012)
Not Rated | 125 min | Crime, Drama
A tormented young woman is given a hiding place by an elderly lady and soon they are reminded of their mutual horrendous past.
Director: Antti J. Jokinen | Stars: Laura Birn, Liisi Tandefelt, Amanda Pilke, Peter Franzén
Votes: 3,909
18. Amazon (1990)
R | 96 min | Adventure, Drama
Widowed and broke Finnish businessman Kari takes his two teenage daughters with him to Brazil. A bush pilot introduces him to the idea of gold mining in the jungle, but a beautiful and ... See full summary »
Director: Mika Kaurismäki | Stars: Kari Väänänen, Robert Davi, Rae Dawn Chong, Minna Sovio
Votes: 561
19. The Eternal Road (2017)
103 min | Drama, History
One night of 1930, nationalist thugs violently abduct Ketola from his home in Finland. Beaten and forced to walk the Eternal Road towards a foreign Soviet Russia, his only dream is to return to his family cost it what it may.
Director: Antti-Jussi Annila | Stars: Tommi Korpela, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Irina Björklund
Votes: 2,730
20. Open Up to Me (2013)
95 min | Drama, Romance
Maarit has successfully managed to live her life as a transgender, attractive and intelligent woman. However, this new life has come at a considerable price, as many transgender individuals... See full summary »
Director: Simo Halinen | Stars: Leea Klemola, Peter Franzén, Ria Kataja, Emmi Nivala
Votes: 785
21. The Man Without a Past (2002)
PG-13 | 97 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
M arrives in Helsinki only to be viciously attacked by thugs and pronounced dead by medics. He revives but with no memory of his past or his identity. He rebuilds his life from scratch, but the past inevitably catches up with him.
Director: Aki Kaurismäki | Stars: Markku Peltola, Kati Outinen, Annikki Tähti, Juhani Niemelä
Votes: 26,124 | Gross: $0.92M
22. Drifting Clouds (1996)
Not Rated | 95 min | Comedy, Drama
The recession hits a couple in Helsinki.
Director: Aki Kaurismäki | Stars: Kati Outinen, Kari Väänänen, Elina Salo, Sakari Kuosmanen
Votes: 9,067
23. Bad Luck Love (2000)
94 min | Crime, Drama
A murderer tries to leave his criminal past in East Helsinki and make a new life for his family
Director: Olli Saarela | Stars: Jorma Tommila, Tommi Eronen, Maria Järvenhelmi, Elmeri Karlsson
Votes: 1,504
24. Käpy selän alla (1966)
89 min | Drama
Two student couples go camping in the Finnish countryside; partner swapping and interpersonal dynamics - with a touch of their philosophy - between them all arise.
Director: Mikko Niskanen | Stars: Eero Melasniemi, Kristiina Halkola, Pekka Autiovuori, Kirsti Wallasvaara
Votes: 799
25. Rukajärven tie (1999)
Not Rated | 123 min | War, Drama
Set during the World War 2. In the summer of 1941 the Finnish army crosses the border of Russia. A platoon led by Lt. Eero Perkola goes through the wilderness around the Lieksa lake to ... See full summary »
Director: Olli Saarela | Stars: Peter Franzén, Irina Björklund, Kari Heiskanen, Taisto Reimaluoto
Votes: 4,472
26. Life for Sale (2011)
102 min | Drama, Thriller
Home Sweet Home is the story of one unlucky man's descent into disaster, a dramatic, human-destiny thriller with contemporary social undertones.
Director: Aleksi Mäkelä | Stars: Samuli Edelmann, Katariina Kaitue, Santeri Kinnunen, Kerli Kyllönen
Votes: 579
27. Popular Music (2004)
105 min | Comedy, Drama
Two boys grow up together in the town of Pajala during the 1960s. United by rock'n'roll music.
Director: Reza Bagher | Stars: Max Enderfors, Andreas af Enehielm, Jarmo Mäkinen, Kati Outinen
Votes: 5,616
28. Mother of Mine (2005)
Not Rated | 111 min | Drama, War
During World War II, more than 70,000 Finnish children were evacuated to neutral Sweden to avoid the conflict. From the award-winning Klaus Härö (Elina: As If I Wasn't There (2002)), "... See full summary »
Director: Klaus Härö | Stars: Topi Majaniemi, Marjaana Maijala, Maria Lundqvist, Michael Nyqvist
Votes: 4,608
29. Rare Exports (2010)
R | 84 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Horror
In the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains, 486 meters deep, lies the closest ever guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up. This Christmas everyone will believe in Santa Claus.
Director: Jalmari Helander | Stars: Jorma Tommila, Onni Tommila, Peeter Jakobi, Tommi Korpela
Votes: 32,155 | Gross: $0.26M
30. Silence (2011)
110 min | Drama, War
A drama between people under unconventional circumstances. In the Second World War Finland was the only nation who brought casualties killed-in-action back to be buried at home. These ... See full summary »
Director: Sakari Kirjavainen | Stars: Joonas Saartamo, Lauri Tilkanen, Terhi Suorlahti, Joanna Haartti
Votes: 467
31. Siivoton juttu (1997 TV Movie)
100 min | Comedy
Two unemployed losers start their own business. They buy an old carpet cleaning machine from Stockholm, instruction manual not included, and begin creating havoc anywhere they turn up, from... See full summary »
Director: Tapio Piirainen | Stars: Kai Lehtinen, Pertti Koivula, Maarit Peltomaa, Saara Pakkasvirta
Votes: 791
32. Laugh or Die (2018)
TV-14 | 103 min | Drama, History, War
In a detention camp in 1918, a group of Finnish actors are sentenced to death. When an important German general arrives, the camp's vicious commandant forges out a cruel plan: the ... See full summary »
Director: Heikki Kujanpää | Stars: Martti Suosalo, Jani Volanen, Leena Pöysti, Paavo Kinnunen
Votes: 1,082
33. Lapland Odyssey (2010)
Not Rated | 92 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Janne has made a career out of living on welfare; suddenly, his girlfriend gives him an ultimatum: Buy a new digital TV box or she will leave him.
Director: Dome Karukoski | Stars: Pamela Tola, Jussi Vatanen, Jasper Pääkkönen, Timo Lavikainen
Votes: 6,549
34. Hustlers (2010)
95 min | Comedy, Drama
Saku and Ässä: two guys spend careless life. One day Ässä meet woman named Anna and boys careless lifestyle is in danger.
Director: Lauri Nurkse | Stars: Mikko Leppilampi, Antti Luusuaniemi, Pihla Viitala, Hennariikka Laaksola
Votes: 987
35. Kotia päin (1989)
93 min | Drama, Thriller
Mika's (Ilkka Koivula) mother marries a man who is getting out of the jail. At the beginning everything seems to be all right. Mika leaves Oulu, an industrial city up in Northern Finland, ... See full summary »
Director: Ilkka Järvi-Laturi | Stars: Ilkka Koivula, Jonna Järnefelt, Leena Suomu, Risto Tuorila
Votes: 269
36. East of Sweden (2018)
104 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
The lives of three troubled people are connected by accident when they are faced with moral questions.
Director: Simo Halinen | Stars: Samuli Vauramo, David Nzinga, Laura Birn, Andreas af Enehielm
Votes: 626
37. Lapland Odyssey 3 (2017)
103 min | Comedy
Janne is having an emotional crisis and decides to go for a hike in the beautiful nature of Lapland - alone. As usual, things don't work out that easily. Inari wants to return to work life ... See full summary »
Director: Tiina Lymi | Stars: Jussi Vatanen, Pamela Tola, Timo Lavikainen, Santtu Karvonen
Votes: 1,275
38. Nousukausi (2003)
98 min | Comedy
Katri and Janne want to make a trip, which none of their friends have made. They end up in Jakomäki.
Director: Johanna Vuoksenmaa | Stars: Tiina Lymi, Petteri Summanen, Kari-Pekka Toivonen, Juha Veijonen
Votes: 2,918
39. Eläville ja kuolleille (2005)
95 min | Biography, Drama
An ordinary suburban family is shattered when their youngest son is killed in an accidental fire while locked inside the family's car on their yard. Mother Marja can't stop crying, father ... See full summary »
Director: Kari Paljakka | Stars: Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Katja Küttner, Johannes Paljakka, Risto Salmi
Votes: 278
40. The Mercenary Soldier (1997)
79 min | Drama
Palkkasoturi tells the story of a modest man who decides to go to work as a mercenary in the Yugoslav civil war. He doesn't get approval for his decision from his parents or friends of the local bar.
Director: Anssi Mänttäri | Stars: Ilkka Heiskanen, Martti Suosalo, Kari Heiskanen, Turo Pajala
Votes: 52
41. Lunastus (1997)
78 min | Drama
"The Redemption". In a small village in Eastern Finland in 1918, Patrick, who has taken care of the chaplain, teacher and physician, has been filled with loneliness and brutal spirit of work for five years.
Director: Olli Saarela | Stars: Kari Heiskanen, Jussi Puhakka, Jussi Lehtonen, Robert Enckell
Votes: 191
42. Miami (2017)
TV-14 | 119 min | Crime, Drama
Two sisters reunite after years of separation. Their lives intertwine as they share a dream of a bright future, only to find out that the past can't be easily undone.
Director: Zaida Bergroth | Stars: Krista Kosonen, Sonja Kuittinen, Juhan Ulfsak, Alex Anton
Votes: 670
43. Trench Road (2004)
111 min | Comedy, Drama
Matti Virtanen is trying to get his family back by buying a house.
Director: Veikko Aaltonen | Stars: Eero Aho, Tiina Lymi, Ella Lymi, Kari Väänänen
Votes: 936
44. Tom of Finland (2017)
Not Rated | 117 min | Biography, Drama
Award-winning filmmaker Dome Karukoski brings to screen the life and work of artist Touko Valio Laaksonen (aka Tom of Finland), one of the most influential and celebrated figures of 20th-century gay culture.
Director: Dome Karukoski | Stars: Pekka Strang, Seumas F. Sargent, Chris Myland, Alf Myreen
Votes: 6,415 | Gross: $0.38M
45. Rööperi (2009)
133 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
Professional criminals in Finland from 1966 to 1979.
Director: Aleksi Mäkelä | Stars: Samuli Edelmann, Peter Franzén, Kari Hietalahti, Pihla Viitala
Votes: 3,682
46. The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki (2016)
Unrated | 92 min | Biography, Drama, Romance
The true story of Olli Mäki, the famous Finnish boxer who had a shot at the 1962 World Featherweight title.
Director: Juho Kuosmanen | Stars: Jarkko Lahti, Oona Airola, Eero Milonoff, Joanna Haartti
Votes: 5,009
47. Above Dark Waters (2013)
108 min | Drama
A ravishing story about little Pete and his survival and growth in the gray area between love and fear.
Director: Peter Franzén | Stars: Olavi Angervo, Matleena Kuusniemi, Milja Tuunainen, Samuli Edelmann
Votes: 598
48. Other Girls (2015)
90 min | Drama
Four 18-year-old girls--Jessica, Jenny, Taru, and Aino--are on the verge of adulthood as they lose their innocence and, at times, their faith. Based on the story of four 18-year-old girls ... See full summary »
Director: Esa Illi | Stars: Ida Vakkuri, Bahar Tokat, Misa Lommi, Sara Soulié
Votes: 230
49. Esa ja Vesa - auringonlaskun ratsastajat (1994)
88 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Successful nerd accidentally becomes involved in a bank robbery.
Director: Aleksi Mäkelä | Stars: Santeri Kinnunen, Juha Veijonen, Minna Pirilä, Aino Seppo
Votes: 736
50. The Unknown Soldier (2017)
132 min | Drama, War
A film adaptation of Väinö Linna's best selling novel The Unknown Soldier (1954) and the novel's unedited manuscript version, Sotaromaani.
Director: Aku Louhimies | Stars: Eero Aho, Johannes Holopainen, Jussi Vatanen, Aku Hirviniemi
Votes: 12,916
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