Dive into Spanish: The Best Movies to Learn the Language

Learning a new language can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. What if you could combine language learning with something you already enjoy - watching movies? This article explores a curated list of Spanish-language films perfect for learners of all levels. These movies offer an engaging and effective way to improve your listening comprehension, expand your vocabulary, and immerse yourself in Spanish culture.

Why Use Movies to Learn Spanish?

Turning movie time into Spanish practice offers a multitude of benefits:

Immersion: Movies provide an opportunity to hear the language spoken in a natural context, exposing you to authentic accents and colloquial expressions.
Vocabulary Acquisition: You'll encounter new words and phrases related to various topics, from everyday conversations to specialized fields.
Contextual Understanding: Visual cues and storylines help you understand the meaning of words and phrases, making them easier to remember.
Pronunciation Practice: By listening to native speakers, you can improve your pronunciation and intonation.
Cultural Insights: Movies offer a window into the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries, providing valuable context for language learning.

Spanish Movies for Beginners (A2 Level)

These films feature clear pronunciation, simple vocabulary, and engaging storylines that are easy to follow for those just starting their Spanish journey.

Arrugas ("Wrinkles")

Where to watch: Available to rent on various streaming platforms.
This 2011 animated film tells the story of two elderly men living in a nursing home, one of whom is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
Why it's great for beginners: The characters speak slowly and clearly, and the vocabulary revolves around everyday topics like food, hobbies, and family.

El número

This short film by Spanish director Marco Besas is perfect for upper beginner level (A2).
Having previous knowledge about vocabulary related to stationery can help you understand the details, but the story is easy enough to follow for newbies as well.
Here you can learn vocabulary about life (including birth and death), how to express your feelings and how to talk about your dreams.

Spanish Movies for Intermediate Learners (B1/B2 Level)

These films offer more complex storylines, faster-paced dialogue, and a wider range of vocabulary, suitable for learners who have a solid foundation in Spanish grammar and vocabulary.

El laberinto del fauno ("Pan's Labyrinth")

Where to watch: Available to rent on various streaming platforms.
This critically acclaimed film takes place in post-Civil War Spain and tells the story of a young girl who enters a dark, fairytale world.
Why it's great for intermediate learners: It introduces vocabulary related to war, revolution, rebellion, and fantasy. While knowing some of the historical background can make this movie easier to understand, the story is still easy to follow for intermediate learners.

La comunidad ("Common Wealth")

Where to watch: Available for free (with ads) on PlutoTV, and available to rent from various other streaming platforms.
This black comedy follows a real estate agent who discovers a hidden fortune in an apartment building.
Why it's great for intermediate learners: You'll learn vocabulary about communities and neighborhoods, as well as how to express opinions and hypotheses.

También la lluvia ("Even the Rain")

Where to watch: Available to stream on Netflix, and available to stream on various other streaming platforms.
This award-winning film is set against the backdrop of the Cochabamba Water War in Bolivia and tells the story of a film crew caught up in the protests.
Why it's great for intermediate learners: It features different types of Spanish accents (Mexican, Spanish, and Bolivian) and vocabulary about film-making.

El secreto de sus ojos ("The Secret in Their Eyes")

Where to watch: Available to rent from various streaming platforms.
This Argentinian thriller won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and tells the story of a retired legal investigator who reopens a cold case.
Why it's great for intermediate learners: It helps you develop vocabulary about justice, crimes, and other complex societal concepts.

Tesis ("Thesis")

Where to watch: Not currently available for streaming in the United States.
This horror film follows a university student who discovers a sinister secret while writing her thesis about violence in the media.
Why it's great for intermediate learners: It helps refresh and improve previously learned vocabulary about film and television, as well as academic studies and university life.

Diez minutos

If you're at a more upper intermediate than beginner level, you'll enjoy Alberto Ruiz Rojo's short film.
Here you can pick up different expressions of anger, how to ask and give information and other vocabulary useful for communication.

Spanish Movies Suitable for a Wide Range of Learners

These films are generally family-friendly and can be enjoyed by learners of all ages and levels, with varying degrees of cultural immersion and vocabulary acquisition.

Vivo

Where to watch: Netflix
This animated movie is set in Cuba and South Florida and features Afro-Latinx representation.
Why it's great: It has great music by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Gloria Estefan, and the songs even change to Spanish if you change the Netflix audio. It is PG and animated, so it would work well for elementary all the way to high school.

Encanto

This Academy Award-winning film is set in Colombia with an all-Latinx cast.
Why it's great: It is a musical with a strong theme of family and being yourself. There is a ton of culture from Colombia in the film. It would be great for elementary all the way to adults.

Coco

This animated Disney movie is PG and works for elementary up to adults.
Why it's great: The music and cultural connections are wonderful. It has a cultural focus on The Day of the Dead, and themes of family, family relationships, and Mexican-American identity, and is set in Mexico.

El camino de Xico

It is rated TV-Y7, which means it would be appropriate for ages 7 and up.
Why it's great: It is an authentic Spanish movie from Mexico, that is very appropriate, yet could go as deep as you want with relevant themes. This movie would work in elementary on up.

Ferdinand

This movie is set in Spain and based on the characters from the classic children’s book.
Why it's great: It also goes great with any studies of Spain or Bullfighting. This movie would work in upper elementary on up.

Wish

The Disney movie Wish is now available on DVD and digital download.
Why it's great: Wish is set in the Iberian Peninsula, where present-day Spain is located. The movie Wish has a very diverse cast, including an Afro-Latina lead.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

The 2022 Puss in Boots sequel Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
Why it's great: It is a fun, animated fantasy based on classic fairy tales that your Spanish students likely have not already seen. El gato con botas: el último deseo has quite a bit of Spanish in the film.

The Casagrandes Movie

The multigenerational Mexican-American family, The Casagrandes, travels to Mexico on a family vacation in the new film.
Why it's great: The Casagrandes has a big theme of family, with a positive representation of Mexican-Americans. This movie ties in with legends and the indigenous peoples of Mexico. In particular, The Casagrandes Movie uses the languages and traditions of the Purépecha.

Chupa

Set in Mexico, Chupa is a live-action, real life, family-friendly take on the legendary Chupacabras.

Dora and the Lost City of Gold

The newer live-action movie Dora and the Lost City of Gold or Dora y la ciudad perdida is a family-friendly adventure.
Why it's great: Dora y la ciudad perdida goes great for students who were fans of classic Dora. Plus it has the added themes of family and indigenous cultures of South America.

The Book of Life

A movie to teach about Mexico and the Day of the Dead, that is a little more lighthearted is The Book of Life or El Libro de Vida.
Why it's great: It is animated and would work with upper elementary on up.

Pachamama

Pachamama is the shortest film on the list at only 72 minutes.
Why it's great: It goes great with the themes of ancient history of indigenous cultures of South America and the environment.

McFarland USA

McFarland USA is a feel-good Disney sports movie set in the United States.
Why it's great: There are many connections to the Spanish class such as a quinceñera, tamales, migrant farming, sports, the immigrant experience, and much more.

Selena

Selena is based on the real-life story of the late musical artist Selena Quintanilla Perez.
Why it's great: It is great for a family or music unit, with themes of the Mexican-American experience. It is PG, but due to her outfits and romantic elements, I would use it in middle school and older.

A Million Miles Away

A Million Miles Away is a perfect film for Hispanic Heritage Month in Spanish class.

Canela

If you prefer Spanish-language films, Canela is fill of authentic culture.

Paddington in Peru

Paddington in Peru is about the beloved bear Paddington who returns home to visit his Aunt Lucy.
Why it's great: Paddington en Perú has connection to Indigenous Peoples, El dorado, the Amazon, travel & connects well with a family unit.

Going Varsity in Mariachi

It is a great real-people option that follows real kids on a mariachi team.
Why it's great: This documentary was created in English, but it has a lot of deep themes with Chicano Identity and Hispanic Heritage. It would be great for cultural comparisons and connections in a Heritage Spanish class. This documentary would be especially great with students who enjoy music and the performing arts.

Pelotero

It is set in the Dominican Republic & follows the story of 2 teen prospects for the MLB.
Why it's great: It has tons of Afro-Latinx representation & pairs well with the book Felipe Alou.

Tips for Learning Spanish with Movies

Start with subtitles: Begin by watching movies with subtitles in your native language to understand the plot and identify new vocabulary.
Switch to Spanish subtitles: Once you're familiar with the storyline, switch to Spanish subtitles to reinforce your reading comprehension and vocabulary.
Watch without subtitles: As your listening comprehension improves, try watching movies without subtitles to challenge yourself.
Pause and rewind: Don't be afraid to pause and rewind to listen to difficult passages or look up unfamiliar words.
Take notes: Keep a notebook to jot down new vocabulary and phrases.
Repeat and practice: Watch your favorite movies multiple times to reinforce your learning.
Shadowing: As you repeat your favourite Spanish movies, start talking along with the characters and copy their body language while speaking. This will help you learn the pronunciations and keep you engaged while watching.
Use language learning tools: Consider using browser extensions like Language Learning with Netflix (LLN) to display subtitles in both Spanish and your native language, providing instant translations and vocabulary assistance.

Beyond Movies: Complementary Resources

While movies are a valuable tool, they should be part of a well-rounded language learning approach. Supplement your movie-watching with these resources:

Language learning apps: Babbel, Duolingo, and other apps offer interactive lessons in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
Online courses: Consider enrolling in an online Spanish course for structured instruction and personalized feedback.
Language exchange partners: Practice speaking with native Spanish speakers through online language exchange platforms.
Books and podcasts: Read Spanish-language books and listen to Spanish-language podcasts to further expand your vocabulary and improve your comprehension.

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