Amelie (2001)

Jean-Pierre Jeunet's whimsical French comedy about a shy Parisian waitress who secretly improves the lives of those around her became a global phenomenon, drawing over 9 million viewers in France alone and earning $174 million worldwide. Audrey Tautou's luminous performance and the film's candy-colored Paris charmed millions, making it 30% more popular than the average foreign-language film at the box office. Its joyful tone contrasts sharply with Parasite's darker satire, yet both exemplify the universal appeal of foreign cinema.