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Instructions on how to activate English subtitles for Youtube videos are provided below.
1. Ivan V. Back to the Future
Russian Time Travel Comedy (1973)
Plot: A scientist in Moscow builds a time machine at home.
As a result, his neighbor Ivan ends up in the tsarist era and has to pretend that he is the tsar, while the real tsar Ivan the Terrible winds up in 1970s Moscow.
It is a film directed by Leonid Gaidai, who created several Russian comedy classics.
In Russian movie portals and also on IMDB this movie has the highest rating of all Russian movies.
"Iwan V. Back to the Future" on Youtube
2. The Irony of Fate
Greatest classic among Russian films (1975)
This movie is part comedy, part drama.
Plot: A drunken Moscow resident does not realize that he flew to St. Petersburg on New Year's Eve and mistakes someone else's apartment for his own.
The film alludes to the similarity of panel buildings in all Russian cities.
"The Irony of Fate" on Youtube
3. Sherlock Holmes
Russian TV Series (1979 - 1986)
After the first broadcast of this TV series in England in the 1980s, Margaret Thatcher commented that it was the best Sherlock Holmes she had ever seen.
The Russian actor was even made a member of the Order of the British Empire in 2006 for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes (Wikipedia Link).
"Sherlock Holmes TV Series" on Youtube
4. Kin-Dza-Dza
Russian Science-Fiction Comedy (1984)
The two try to find a way to get back home to Earth.
The people living on that planet have some high technologies, but at the same time are quite primitive.
Some things that are very cheap on Earth are highly valued on this planet and are among the most expensive things.
"Kin-Dza-Dza" on Youtube
17 Moments of Spring
Spies in the Second World War TV-Series (1973)
It is about a Russian spy who pretends that he is a Nazi officer in Germany in 1945.
"17 Moments of Spring" is probably the most popular of all Russian films dealing with World War II.
The plot is largely fictional, but is also partly based on real spies of that time.
"17 Moments of Spring" on Youtube
6. Guest from the Future
Russian Time Travel TV Series for Kids (1986)
From there he returns to the 1980s and is followed by a girl from the future and shape-shifting pirates.
The TV series is based on the books of the famous Russian science fiction author Kir Bulychev.
It was by far the most popular TV series for children and teenagers in Russia for a long time.
"Guest from the Future" on Youtube
7. D'Artagnan and Musketeers
Historical Adventure Film (1979)
This film and many of the songs in it are considered absolute classics in Russia.
The role of D'Artagnan made Mikhail Boyarsky famous, who had a big career not only as an actor but also as a musician.
This film adaptation is relatively cheerful with many funny scenes - but is not a pure comedy.
"D'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers" on Youtube
8. Better Than Us
Russian Science-Fiction TV Series (2018)
Just like the British TV series "Humans" (2015), it is actually a remake of the Swedish TV series "Real Humans" (2012).
Plot: In the future, human-looking androids are used in households and in many professions.
This TV series is about an emotionally advanced android named Arisa, a Russian family and a shady company.
"Better Then Us" on Netflix
9. Kidnapping, Caucasian Style
Russian Comedy Classic (1967)
Plot: The title of the film refers to the traditional custom of bride kidnapping before a wedding in the Northern Caucasus.
The main character Shurik plays a central role in other comedies by Gaidai as well, just like the anti-hero trio seen on the poster.
It's a sequel of sorts to "Operation Y" (see #10 below).
"Kidnapping, Caucasian Style" on Youtube
10. Operation "Y"
Russian Comedy Classic (1965)
The film consists of three parts, with three independent stories.
The only thing they have in common is the main character Shurik.
Plot: The first part of the movie is about Shurik working on a construction site, the second part is about university students preparing for exams and the third part is the actual "Operation Y" with the famous anti-hero trio and the good-natured Shurik.
"Operation Y" on Youtube
11. Brother
Russian Crime and Action Movie (1997)
In this film, a young Russian named Danila after serving in the army goes to live with his brother in St. Petersburg.
There it turns out that his brother is not a businessman, but a contract killer.
Through lies, Danila becomes entangled in his brother's bloody business.
"Brother" on Youtube
12. Brother 2
Russian Crime and Action Movie (2000)
This time Danila has to deal with the Russian-Ukrainian mafia in Chicago in the United States.
The interesting thing about this film is the Russian perspective on America, which can find both a positive and negative perspective on the country.
This was the Russian film with the highest budget at the time.
"Brother 2" on Soviet Movies Online
13. The Diamond Arm
Russian Comedy Classic (1968)
It is about smugglers who, by mistake, hide diamonds in the gypsum cast of an ordinary Soviet citizen who is on vacation abroad.
As a result, a cat-and-mouse game takes place between the smugglers, the police and the Soviet citizen.
There was actually a case of real Swiss smugglers who once transported jewels in a gypsum cast to the Soviet Union.
"The Diamond Arm" on Youtube
14. Red Sniper
Russian War Movie (2015)
The film is about Lyudmila Pavlichenko, the most successful female sniper of all time, and closely follows the historical facts and her biographical details.
This included a visit to the USA in 1942 where she really said:
„Gentlemen, I am 25 years old and I have killed 309 fascist occupants by now. Don’t you think, gentlemen, that you have been hiding behind my back for too long?“
"Red Sniper" on Soviet Movies Online
15. Pirates of the 20th Century
Russian Action Film (1979)
According to sales statistics, this action film was seen in Soviet movie theaters by more people than any other Soviet film (87 million film tickets sold).
Though nowadays the action doesn't seem that impressive, for the Soviet Union it was the first film of this kind in the early 80s.
Plot: Pirates attack and sink a Russian freighter somewhere in the South Seas.
The survivors of the ship's crew then fight back.
"Pirates of the 20th Century" on Youtube
16. Naval Cadets, Onwards!
Historical Adventure TV-Series (1988)
This TV series is about the adventures of several young naval cadets in 18th century Russia.
They become involved in political affairs and help the Russian Vice-Chancellor against foreign intrigues.
Nowadays, this series would probably be called "Young Adult".
"Naval Cadets, Onwards!" on Soviet Movies Online
17. The Twelve Chairs
Russian Crime Comedy (1971)
Based on the famous Soviet novel of the same name by Ilya Ilf and Yevgeny Petrov from 1928.
There were also Western film adaptations of this Russian novel, including by Mel Brooks in the United States, but also in Germany and Italy/France.
This is another classic film directed by Leonid Gaidai.
"The Twelve Chairs" on Youtube
18. Formula of Love
Romantic Fantasy Comedy (1984)
In addition to the Count and his companions, the movie is also about the Russian family in whose house they stay.
Cagliostro was a historical figure from 18th century Italy who is widely regarded as a charlatan.
"Formula of Love" on Soviet Movies Online
19. Salyut-7
Russian Space Movie (2017)
Plot: The film is about the dramatic rescue of the Salyut-7 space station in 1985, which is considered one of the most significant achievements of manned spaceflight.
The film depicts the true course of the mission, but also has some fictional elements to increase the drama and suspense.
"Salyut-7" on Soviet Movies Online
20. Well, Just You Wait!
Most Popular Russian Cartoon Series (1969-1986)
There are 16 episodes in total, made over several decades.
The plot is somewhat similar to Tom and Jerry, except here it is a wolf chasing a rabbit.
Many modern Russian music titles were used in the cartoons and all the stories take place within the Soviet Union.
"Well, Just You Wait!" (8 Episodes from 1974-1987) on Youtube
Bonus: Surreal Cartoons
Unique Cartoons from Armenia (1980s)
Lastly, it is worth mentioning the surreal Armenian cartoons from the 1980s. We assure you that you have not seen anything like this.Here is an outstanding example from Robert Sahakyants:
How to activate English subtitles on Youtube:
Click on the "CC" icon (Subtitles/closed captions) at the bottom right of the Youtube video screen.
Some Youtube videos have several subtitle languages to choose from:
To select a subtitle languages, click on the "Settings" icon at the bottom right and then on "Subtitles/CC".
Sometimes you have to select the Russian subtitles first, so that the 'AutoTranslate' option appears where you can select English.
Not all videos have English subtitles — you have to specifically look for them. We have selected some of the best Russian movies for you that are available with English subtitles and linked them above.
