Spanish Movie Recommendations
Are you looking for a way to practice your Spanish effortlessly? Why not improve your listening comprehension while exploring your fears with El laberinto del fauno(Pan's Labyrinth) or while indulging your romantic side with Como agua para chocolate(Like Water for Chocolate)? Keep reading for more Spanish movie recommendations for learners at all levels.
We know you’re constantly looking for new ways to practice your Spanish, so below you'll find a list of movies that will help improve your vocabulary, pronunciation, and listening comprehension. ¡Pero eso no es todo!(But that's not all!) By watching films in Spanish, you will experience how the language is used in real-life situations and explore the nuances of Spanish dialects around the globe. These films bring language learning to life!
Beginner
Do you have some free time tonight? Watch one of your favorite movies in Spanish! If you are just starting to learn Spanish, change the audio of a movie you have already seen in English to Spanish. Since you already know the plot, you’ll be able to focus on the grammar and vocabulary.
There are also many Spanish-language films that are suitable for beginners. Here's a list of a few:
Arrugas
Improve your food, family, and hobbies vocabulary by watching Arrugas(Wrinkles), a Spanish animated film that follows the story of two elderly men living in a nursing home. Its high-frequency vocabulary, clear and simple dialogues, and easy-to-follow storyline make this film suitable for a beginner.
Como agua para chocolate
Are you interested in Hispanic culture and traditions? Como agua para chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) is the perfect film for you! This deeply moving tale of forbidden love centers on a young woman who discovers that her cooking has magical effects. Watch this film and learn Spanish vocabulary related to cooking.
La misma luna
La misma luna(Under the Same Moon) tells the story of a mother who crosses the border into the United States in search of a better life, leaving her son behind in Mexico. The film pulls at the heartstrings, reminding us of the struggles faced daily by undocumented Mexican immigrants. As an added bonus to this wonderful film, you will learn family and city vocabulary, as well as basic Spanish expressions.
Intermediate
Diarios de motocicleta
¿Te gusta viajar?(Do you like to travel?) We have the perfect movie for you! Diarios de motocicleta(The Motorcycle Diaries) tells the story of an adventurous journey through South America undertaken by Ernesto (Che) Guevara, a Cuban-Argentinian revolutionary. Join Che and his friend on their pursuit to discover the real Latin America, and experience landmarks like Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuaman, and the Atacama Desert. You will also see cultural elements such as drinking maté(mate) from a metal straw and dancing the tango.
In this movie, you will hear slang from Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela. By listening to how Spanish differs throughout Latin America, you will become a more well-rounded Spanish speaker.
Since the film takes you through several countries in the Southern Cone, you will be exposed to vos. Vosis an informal second-person singular subject pronoun that is equivalent to tú.
El laberinto del fauno
Watch El laberinto del fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth) and get a glimpse into Spanish history while learning vocabulary related to war, revolution, and fantasy. Historical details seamlessly intermingle with a fairytale world, making this a perfect film for fantasy film buffs who are interested in learning about Spanish history. The film takes place shortly after the brutal Spanish Civil War. It tells the story of the stepdaughter of a fascist army officer who escapes into a sinister, war-torn fantasy world of her own imagination.
Volver
Directed by Pedro Almodóvar, one of the most internationally successful Spanish filmmakers, Volvertackles many complex themes by following three generations of women in rural Spain. Watching this film will enrich your knowledge of Spanish culture while teaching you many colloquialisms used in Spain. You will hear authentic, everyday conversations between women, which you can then use to improve your own conversational skills.
Advanced
If you are an advanced learner, the sky is the limit when choosing a Spanish film to watch. There’s the Chilean historical drama Machuca, Spain’s melodramatic Mar adentro(The Sea Inside), and Mexico’s racy coming-of-age drama Y tu mamá también. For a crime drama, check out María llena eres de gracia(Maria Full of Grace). If you prefer romance, consider watching Spain’s powerful Hable con ella(Talk to her). If you enjoy dark humor, turn on Argentina’s groundbreaking film Relatos salvajes(Wild Tales).
For complex psychological dramas with nonlinear narratives, look no further than Amores perrosand Biutiful, two of Alejandro González Iñárritu's most notable films.
Strategies for Beginners/Intermediate Learners
Here are some strategies you can employ to get the most out of the Spanish film-watching experience:
- Write down important vocabulary.
- Have the SpanishDictionary.com app ready to go when you need to look a word up. That way, you won't need to pause the movie every time you don’t understand a word.
- Focus on getting the gist of the story. Don’t get caught up on every word you don’t know.
- Try repeating the characters' lines, mimicking their accents.
- Start by watching Spanish movies with the subtitles in your native language. When you feel comfortable, change the subtitles into Spanish. Eventually, you’ll be able to turn the subtitles completely off!
Click here for more effortless ways to practice your Spanish!
Interested in culture? Check out these articles and learn more about literature and culture from around the Spanish-speaking world!
