The present disclosure relates to the field of battery technology. A battery cell with directional pressure relief and a battery module are provided. The battery cell with directional pressure relief includes a housing and a cover plate, and the cover plate is buckled on the housing. The cover plate is provided with an explosion-proof valve, the explosion-proof valve includes an arc notch and a connecting portion, the arc notch and the connecting portion are connected end-to-end to enclose and define a circular structure, and the circular structure separates the cover plate into a circular part and an annular part. When a thermal runaway occurs, the explosion-proof valve is flushed open, the arc notch is fractured, and the circular part is turned around the connecting portion.