Add These Best South African Movies to your Watch List

The South African movie industry is known for producing quality African movies. Many South African movies are co-produced by foreign producers. However, these movies still have a strong identity with South African culture.

There are countless South African movies available. The South African movie industry has been in the game since 1961. Currently there are countless movies available.

To make your choices easier, we came up with a list of best South African movies to add to your watch list. This list contains the best of South African movies from 2015 to 2018.

Read on!

Best South African Movies Released in 2018

Number 37

Released in March 2018, Number 37 is a fast paced thriller about Randal Hendricks, a paraplegic who schemes a way to pay off loan sharks and gangsters. Set in Cape Town, Number 37 is filled with lots of grit, action and suspense that can make any thriller fan whoop for joy.

Number 37 is directed by South African film maker, Nosipho Dumisa who successfully pulled off her tight plot with an even tighter cast of actors featuring the likes of Irshaad Ally, Monique Rockman, Ephram Gordon, David Manuel and Sandy Schultz. Number 37 has a solid 7 out of 10 on IMDb

Thys and Trix

Released in June, Thys and Trix is a comedy movie directed by Quentin Krog. It centers on two police siblings, Thys and Trix who are assigned to an undercover investigation in the upper class part of South Africa.  To make their disguise more believable, these siblings must pretend to be married to each other.

With a superb cast of actors like Leandie du Randt Bosch, Bouwer Bosch, Brendon Daniels, Zak Hendrikz, Dorette Potgieter and Deon Coetzee, Thys and Trix has a good 7.6 on IMDb.

Wonderlus

Wonderlus is an award winning romantic movie that bravely focuses on the issues and doubts young South Africans have about relationships. Wonderlus is widely praised for its rich Afrikaans dialogue, vivid imagery, and bold uninhibited scenes.

Wonderlus was released in April and directed by South African film maker Johan Cronje. The actors include Lea Vivier, Edwin Van Der Walt and Mila Guy.

Best South African Movies Released in 2017

Inxeba (The Wound)

Inxeba is a South African drama film directed by John Trengove. The movie was shortlisted for the Best Foreign Language film at the 90th Academy awards and was also screened at the 2017 Sundance  Film Festival.

The movie centers on thr complicated and sexual relationship between three young me during thr Xhosa initiation rite of Ulwaluko. With great performance from the likes of Nakhane Toure, Niza Jay Ncoyini, Bongile Mantsai and Thobani Mseleni, Inxeba has a solid 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Keeping up with the Kandasamys

Keeping up with the Kandasamys is a 2017 South African Indian comedy directed by Jayan Moodley. Funny and brilliant, Keeping up with the Kandasamys is the first South African Indian movie to be screened widely in the cinemas.

The movie is centered on two unfriendly neighbours Jennifer and Shanti who are ready to do anything to prevent their children from falling in love with each other.

Best South African Movies Released in 2016

Happiness is a Four Letter Word

This romantic drama directed by Thabang Moleya was the perfect Valentine movie back in 2016. The film centers on the lives of three women, Zaza, Nandi and Princess. These women have to define what happiness means for them and strive to experience it.

The movie earned about $780,000 dollars in box office, thanks to the stellar performance from actresses Khanyi Mbau, Mmabatho Montsho, and Renate Stuurman.

Shepherds and Butchers

Shepherds and Butchers is a thought provoking drama film directed by Oliver Schmitz. The plot follows the trial of a white prison guard who shoots seven black men.

The movie is set during the apartheid in South Africa and is an adaptation of a novel of the same name authored by South African Chris Marnewick. The film was featured in the 66th Berlin international film festival.

Best South African Movies Released in 2015

Tell Me Something Sweet

This is a multiple award winning romantic comedy directed by Akin Omotoso. The movie received nine nominations and won awards for best achievement in screenplay and best supporting actress for Thishiwe Zukubu at the 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards.

Chappie

Chappie is a brilliant sci-fi thriller directed by South African film maker, Neil Blomkamp. The movie casts Academy Award winner Hugh Jackman and music by Academy Award composer Hans Zimmer.

The movie is centered on an artificially intelligent robot that is captured and taught by gangsters, who nickname it Chappie.

Best South African Movies Released in  2014

Leading Lady

Directed by Henk Pretorius, Leading Lady is a comedy drama that is centered on a British actress who  convinces a South African farmer to prepare her for a role as an Afrikaans war heroine.

The movie features stellar actors like Katie Mcgrath, Bok Van Blerk and Gill bellows.

Spud 3

The Spud franchise is an all time South African favorite. Directed by John Barker, this comedy movie focuses on the hilarious adventures of sixteen year old Spud Milton as he returns to boarding school.

The franchise is an adaptation of a novel of the same name authored by South African writer John van de Ruit.

What do you think of this watch list of best South African movies? Do you have other movie titles in mind? Feel free to mention them in the comment section below.