One of the most prolific actors in French Cinema, Catherine Deneuve made her debut in 1957 at the young age of 12. Though she turned in a great performance as a young actor, her name did not reach prominence until her role in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. While the majority of Deneuve’s films have been in French, her popularity gained her international attention, eventually earning her English-language roles like in The Hunger and Dancer in the Dark. Deneuve is a French legend, even taking over from Mereille Mathieu as Marianne, France’s National symbol for Liberty from 1963 to 1965.
With a career spanning the last six decades, Deneuve’s filmography stretches very far. Considering that her most recent release, Peaceful, was in 2021 — a film that she, per Variety, says “changed her outlook on life” — it would seem that Deneuve is still focused on her career. After starring in over 100 films, the actress has truly made a name for herself not just in her native France, but internationally as well. Among all those films, it’s difficult to sift through to find the best. Nonetheless, here’s our list of the best Catherine Deneuve movies, ranked.
8 The Last Metro
Les Films du Carrosse
Set during the German occupation of France in 1942, The Last Metro / Le Dernier Métro follows a small theater in Montmartre as it keeps up a passive resistance against the Nazi government. The title is based on the fact tha,t due to fuel shortages during this time, many people spent their evenings in theaters before catching the last metro to get home. Starring Deneuve and Gérard Depardieu, The Last Metro took home a whopping 10 César Awards, most notably for Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Actress. The film also received a nomination at the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.
7 Indochine
Paradis Films
Set during the French Indochina period between 1930 and 1950, following the lives of French plantation owner, Éliane Devries and her adopted Vietnamese daughter Camille, Indochine tells the story of a romantic love triangle. European imperialism looms overhead while Éliane is faced with raising her granddaughter alone. The film was subject to a great deal of praise for managing to show the pattern of France’s relationship with Indochina. Indochine earned the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and Deneuve received a nomination for Best Actress for her performance.
6 Potiche
Wild Bunch
One of Deneuve’s later films is Potiche, which roughly translates to “trophy wife” and is a comedy based on the play of the same name. The film revolves around submissive housewife Suzanne, who takes over the management of her husband’s umbrella factory after he has a heart attack from the workers’ protestation of unfair wages. As Suzanne adjusts to her new duties, she discovers her natural leadership, inspiring her workers and a local politician. Potiche has been subject to a considerable amount of praise for showing the struggle women faced during the 1970s. The film won a Magritte Award for Best Supporting Actor for Jérémie Renier.
5 Tristana
Talía Film
Deneuve stars alongside Fernando Rey and Franco Nero in Tristana. The film tells the story of an orphaned girl named Tristana who is taken in by Don Lope who, though respected, is a tyrannical guardian. When Tristana falls in love with the artist Horacio, she must face Don Lope’s wrath in order to maintain a relationship with Horacio. Based on the novel of the same name, Tristana was subject to an immense amount of praise from critics, being nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards and winning a total of 11 accolades, including the Sant Jordi Award for Best Film and the Premios CEC for Best Film.
4 The Young Girls of Rochefort
Parc Film
The Young Girls of Rochefort / Les Demoiselles de Rochefort is a musical comedy that revolves around twin sisters Delphine and Solange who are desperate to find love. The girls find themselves hired to sing at the local carnival, and Solange falls for an American musician, played by Gene Kelly, all while Delphine dumps her current boyfriend to find her ideal man. Deneuve stars alongside her real-life sister Françoise Dorléac in this light-hearted musical that is perfect to watch on a summer day. The film was a great success and even received a nomination at the Academy Award for Best Scoring of a Motion Picture – Original or Adaptation.
3 Repulsion
Compton Films
Under the direction of Roman Polanski, Deneuve stars in Repulsion. Repulsion tells the story of manicurist Carole, whose crippling fear of interacting with men is amplified when she is left alone in her sister’s apartment, leading her down a dark whole filled with horrifying hallucinations of men and their desires for her. Repulsion was Polanski’s English-language debut film that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1965. It is considered one of Polanski’s best films to date thanks to the great deal of critical acclaim. The film was nominated for a number of awards and took home the FIPRESCI Prize and the Silver Berlin Bear-Extraordinary Jury Prize.
2 The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Umbrella saleswoman Geneviève and mechanic Guy are madly in love, but their love is rudely interrupted when Guy is drafted to serve in the Algerian War. When Geneviève finds out she is pregnant, she marries businessman Roland and tries to move on from her time with Guy. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg / Les Parapluies de Cherbourg, is a musical film that conveys all dialogue through song. The film is separated into three parts and takes place over the span of six years. The film won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for a total of five Academy Awards. The film’s popularity even led to a stage adaptation being made in 1967.
1 Belle de Jour
Valoria
Topping our list is the erotic drama Belle de Jour. Based on the novel of the same name, Belle de Jour revolves around Severine, a frigid housewife who spends her weekday afternoons as a sex worker in order to fulfill her inner desires. While working, Severine encounters many men, with Marcel taking a special interest in her that places her split lifestyle in danger. Belle de Jour won the Golden Lion and the Pasinetti Award for Best film at the Venice Film Festival and is considered one of Luis Buñuel’s most successful films. Belle de Jour received a 4 out 4-star rating from Roger Ebert and, in 2010, made Empire magazine’s list of the “100 Best Films of World Cinema.”
