Despite its dark premise, Taste of Cherry is ultimately an life-affirming exploration of the small things that make life worth living—such as the simple taste of a ripe cherry.

Stream films from Abbas Kiarostami | The Criterion Collection

If you have a library card or a university login, you can often stream Taste of Cherry for free via .

The elderly Turkish taxidermist (played by Abdolrahman Bagheri) tells Badii a story about attempting suicide himself. He explains that a single taste of a cherry—the sweetness of life—saved him. This monologue is the film’s heart. Accurate English subtitles preserve the rhythm of his storytelling, which is hypnotic, not rushed.

If you are looking to stream this monument of world cinema online with , you are about to embark on a logistical hunt—and a spiritual one. Here is everything you need to know about where to find the film, why the subtitles matter so much, and how to prepare for the experience.

Whether you prefer a or a one-time rental .

Where to Watch Abbas Kiarostami’s Taste of Cherry Online with English Subtitles

Searching for is the first step on a remarkable cinematic journey. Abbas Kiarostami’s Palme d’Or winner is not entertainment in the traditional sense—it is an experience, a conversation, and a mirror.

As the digital age continues to make masterpieces like "Taste of Cherry" more accessible, audiences around the globe are reminded of the enduring power of cinema to educate, to inspire, and to provoke thought. So, for those on the cusp of discovering this Iranian cinematic gem, the option to watch it online with English subtitles is a welcome gateway to a world of introspection and aesthetic pleasure.

These services include the film in their monthly subscription cost. All listed provide reliable English subtitles.

: Kiarostami uses the desolate, construction-ridden outskirts of Tehran to reflect Badii’s internal landscape—barren, isolated, and in a state of decay.

As Badii drives, he picks up three distinct passengers, each representing a different facet of society and a unique perspective on life and death:

The most reliable way to watch Taste of Cherry online with high-quality English subtitles is through premium art-house streaming services. 1. The Criterion Channel

The film’s genius lies not in action but in dialogue, landscape, and the weight of silence. Kiarostami blurs the line between fiction and reality, culminating in one of the most debated endings in cinema history. To watch it is to confront your own feelings about life, pain, and the small sweetnesses that keep us going—like the taste of a cherry.

Subscribing usually grants access to exclusive interviews, scholarly audio commentaries, and Kiarostami’s short films.

Without spoiling the final moments, Taste of Cherry features one of the most debated and revolutionary endings in film history, breaking the fourth wall to force viewers to reflect on the nature of cinema itself. Avoid Unofficial Bootlegs and Free Streaming Sites

: The dialogue mirrors Iranian poetic traditions, which English subtitles translate to capture the underlying melancholy and hope.