Best Netflix Watches In A Foreign Language

Did you know? The majority of films and shows on Netflix can be played in another language! And subtitles are always an option to help with lower levels of understanding. There is also a neat Chrome extension called "Language Learning with Netflix" for those of you who like to see both original AND target languages at the same time.

Note: Language and subtitle options vary with each country.

French

Marseille

A 2 series political/crime drama. Despite very mixed views, it provides a particularly great insight into French culture in addition to the language, and also interestingly shows Spanish, Italian, South African and Mediterranean cultures through starring characters.

Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran

Adapted from the relatively famous and easy to read novel which is often studied in schools, starring Omar Sharif. The film is simple and it's a heartwarming story to watch.

Home

Any fans of David Attenborough would definitely enjoy this gripping documentary

about our planet and the devastating destruction we are causing. It is clearly spoken with

interesting vocabulary and environmental terms, not to mention the stunning views of nature, filmed beautifully. Home can be found for free on YouTube,

Spanish

La Llamada (Holy Camp)

A Spanish musical comedy which provides an interesting insight into older versus younger Spanish traditions and generational cultural differences, and also includes fun pop song interpretations.

Ocho Apellidos Vascos (Spanish Affair)

This classic contemporary Spanish comedy highlights the cultural differences between regions in Spain, and features the famous Spanish comedian Dani Rovira.

English

The Crown

You likely will have already heard of this show, as it is the current must-watch in the UK. It is a fascinating drama series based on the Royal Family, with often freakishly accurate portrayals of the hidden scandals and secrets of the Royals.

German

Babylon Berlin

Germany’s most expensive cinematic creation follows a police officer in the 1920’s in a world of drug crime and corruption. This may interest those keen on European history and the time between World Wars in Germany.

Mixed languages

One Day at a Time

A series mainly in English, but with some Spanish dialogue and Latin American actors and characters. This is a personal favourite show of mine which shows numerous modern themes such as sexism, racism, feminism, religion and LGBTQ+ in a Cuban family - starring the hilarious Rita Moreno, this is aimed generally at younger audiences and is a fun comedy.

Mandarin Chinese

The Untamed

This rivoting 50-episode drama follows the story of two soulmates as they battle demonic forces, and cleverly explores a queer romance against the backdrop of Chinese censorship. Based on the novel Mo Dao Zu Shi, it includes daring sword fights, stunning costumes, and a budding romance that keeps you coming back for more.