Ukrainian Cinema: 9 Must-Watch Films That Define a Nation’s Spirit

Explore the best of Ukrainian cinema—from timeless classics to powerful modern dramas—that reveal the country’s identity, history, and resilience.

From poetic Soviet-era masterpieces to bold contemporary dramas, Ukrainian cinema offers a powerful lens into the soul of a resilient nation. These nine essential films reflect the country’s complex history, rich cultural fabric, and unbreakable spirit. Whether you're new to Ukrainian film or seeking a deeper understanding, this list is your gateway to the stories that have shaped—and continue to shape— the identity of Ukraine.

Earth, 1930 — dir. Oleksandr Dovzhenko

Often hailed as one of the fathers of Soviet cinema, Oleksandr Dovzhenko crafted a cinematic hymn to nature, life, and death. Earth depicts a Ukrainian village during the violent upheaval of collectivization, focusing on the deep, almost spiritual bond between peasants and the land. Recognized for its poetic visuals and philosophical undertones, the film explores the well-known XX century contradiction between tradition and modernity while remaining rooted in Ukraine’s agrarian identity.

Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, 1965 — dir. Serhiy Parajanov

Serhiy Parajanov broke with socialist realism to create a visually groundbreaking, avant-garde masterpiece. Based on a novella by Ukrainian author Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky, the film tells a tragic love story set in the Carpathian Mountains. Through surreal imagery and non-linear storytelling, Shadows immerses viewers in Hutsul culture, folklore, and rituals—a celebration of Ukraine’s ethnographic heritage and artistic defiance.

Cyborgs: Heroes Never Die, 2017 — dir. Akhtem Seitablaiev

Directed by Crimean Tatar filmmaker Akhtem Seitablaiev, the film offers a powerful look at modern Ukrainian heroism. This war drama is about "cyborgs"—a nickname given to defenders of Donetsk Airport in 2014–2015 for their endurance. Gritty, emotional, and laced with dark humor, the film balances intense battle scenes with quiet reflections on loyalty, identity, and sacrifice—capturing the human dimension of modern war and a nation’s will to survive

Atlantis, 2019 — dir. Valentyn Vasyanovych

Director Valentyn Vasyanovych crafts a dystopian world that feels unsettlingly real. The film takes place "a year after the end of the war"–in 2025 in Eastern Ukraine. Shot in static long takes with non-professional actors, including veterans, the film explores trauma, environmental devastation, and the fragile hope of renewal. A quiet yet devastating meditation on life during the war, Atlantis feels all the more urgent today.

Homeward, 2019 — dir. Nariman Aliev

Nariman Aliev’s debut feature explores themes of loss, displacement, and intergenerational conflict. The relationship between father and son, loss and reconciliation, are deeply universal emotions familiar to many. A poignant movie with deep emotional resonance, "Homeward" follows a Crimean Tatar father and son transporting the body of their elder son, killed in the war in Eastern Ukraine, back to their ancestral home in occupied Crimea. It sheds light on the little-known plight of Crimean Tatars under Russian occupation and reaffirms the enduring bond between land, memory, and identity.

My Thoughts Are Silent, 2019 — dir. Antonio Lukich

This film marked Antonio Lukich as one of the most promising voices in Ukrainian cinema. This dark comedy follows a quirky sound engineer tasked with recording animal noises in Western Ukraine for a Canadian video game. His plans for emigration are interrupted when his eccentric mother joins the journey.

With deadpan humor and heartfelt moments, "My Thoughts Are Silent" explores millennial frustration, family dynamics, and the absurdity of modern life, offering both local flavor and universal charm.

Stop-Zemlia, 2021 — dir. Kateryna Gornostai

An honest and emotional film by director Kateryna Gornostai, Stop-Zemlia resonates with teenage experiences around the world.

With non-professional actors and a documentary-like touch, the film captures adolescence with rare tenderness and honesty. An intimate and authentic coming-of-age drama, "Stop-Zemlia" immerses viewers in the emotional world of Ukrainian teenagers navigating love, identity, and uncertainty. Against the backdrop of Kyiv’s urban landscapes, this film speaks universally to the anxieties of growing up—yet remains deeply rooted in its cultural context.

Luxembourg, Luxembourg, 2022 — dir. Antonio Lukich

This is Antonio Lukich's second feature film, combining absurdist humor with sharp social observation, following two estranged twin brothers—one a policeman, the other a small-time crook—as they embark on a chaotic journey to Luxembourg to see their dying father. With charismatic duo Kurgan & Agregat, the film offers a satirical yet touching portrait of modern Ukrainian masculinity, fractured families, and the pursuit of identity in a post-Soviet reality.

Carol of the Bells, 2023 — dir. Olesya Morgunets-Isaenko

"Carol of the Bells" is a heartfelt reminder of the price of humanity in the dark times of World War II—and the enduring power of hope by director Olesya Morgunets-Isaenko.

Set in Stanislaviv (modern-day Ivano-Frankivsk) during World War II, this historical drama follows three families—Ukrainian, Polish, and Jewish—who share one house and try to preserve their humanity amid rising violence.Inspired by true events, the film celebrates coexistence and cultural resilience, framed by the haunting melody of Shchedryk (known worldwide as Carol of the Bells). It’s a tribute to memory, hope, and survival.

Anastasiia Stepanenko, grant writer, project manager, cultural critic, expert at the United Ukraine Think Tank