If you're learning Spanish (or any other language), watching movies in the language can improve your listening skills, boost your vocabulary, and help you understand the culture and slang. You can watch movies from Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and any other Spanish-speaking country.
Whether you're after a thriller, a drama, or a cinematic masterpiece, Spanish-language cinema is terrific, and there are movies suited to Spanish speakers of any level.
| Movie Title | Country | Genre | Difficulty | Why It’s Great for Learners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) | Argentina | Biographical/Drama | Intermediate | Travel-based story with South American Spanish accents |
| Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) | Mexico/Spain | Fantasy/Drama | Advanced | Rich dialogue, poetic language, award-winning director |
| Talk to Her (2002) | Spain | Drama | Advanced | Emotional story, deep character interactions |
| Women on the Verge... (1988) | Spain | Comedy | Intermediate | Fast-paced humour and cultural references |
| REC (2007) | Spain | Horror | Beginner | Simple vocabulary, easy to follow with subtitles |
| Cell 211 (2009) | Spain | Thriller/Drama | Intermediate | Action-packed story with clear speech |
| The Secret in Their Eyes (2009) | Argentina | Crime/Thriller | Intermediate | Engaging mystery with slow, deliberate speech |
| Mar Adentro (2004) | Spain | Drama | Advanced | Emotional depth and philosophical themes |
| Volver (2006) | Spain | Drama | Intermediate | Strong cast led by Penélope Cruz, natural dialogue |
| Todo Sobre Mi Madre (1999) | Spain | Drama | Intermediate | Award-winning film by Pedro Almodóvar |
| Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) | Spain/USA | Romance/Drama | Beginner | Bilingual elements, good for newcomers |
| Lucia y el Sexo (2001) | Spain | Romance/Drama | Advanced | Personal story with expressive dialogue |
| La Mala Educación (2004) | Spain | Drama | Advanced | Challenging but rewarding language and themes |
| Contratiempo (2016) | Spain | Thriller | Intermediate | Fast-paced, ideal for training your ear |
| Open Your Eyes (1997) | Spain | Sci-Fi/Thriller | Intermediate | Suspenseful plot and natural conversations |
| Tesis (1996) | Spain | Thriller | Intermediate | Academic setting, modern language use |
| Crimen Ferpecto (2004) | Spain | Comedy/Crime | Intermediate | Wordplay and dark humour |
| Colombia: Magia Salvaje (2015) | Colombia | Documentary | Beginner | Clear narration, great for nature lovers |
| Roma (2018) | Mexico | Drama | Intermediate | Everyday speech, emotional family story |
| A Fantastic Woman (2017) | Chile | Drama | Intermediate | Socially impactful, clear spoken Chilean Spanish |
| The Platform (2019) | Spain | Thriller/Sci-Fi | Intermediate | Modern vocabulary and gripping story |
| Champions (2018) | Spain | Comedy/Drama | Beginner | Easy language, uplifting and funny |
| Pain and Glory (2019) | Spain | Drama | Advanced | Reflective and emotional with rich vocabulary |
| Even the Rain (2010) | Bolivia/Spain | Historical Drama | Intermediate | Great for history lovers and strong dialogue |
| Y Tu Mamá También (2001) | Mexico | Drama | Intermediate | Slang-heavy but realistic and dynamic |
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The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
The Motorcycle Diaries
Original Title
Diarios de motocicleta
Starring
Gael García Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna
Director
Walter Salles
Country
Argentina
Genre
Biographical Drama
Year
2004
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Regional Latin American accents with real-life, conversational Spanish across South America.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Pan's Labyrinth
Original Title
El laberinto del fauno
Starring
Ivana Baquero, Sergi López
Director
Guillermo del Toro
Country
Mexico/Spain
Genre
Fantasy Drama
Year
2006
Language Difficulty
Advanced
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Poetic and historical Spanish with rich dialogue and clear enunciation.
Talk to Her (2002)
Talk to Her
Original Title
Hable con ella
Director
Pedro Almodóvar
Starring
Javier Cámara, Darío Grandinetti
Country
Spain
Genre
Drama
Year
2002
Language Difficulty
Advanced
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Dense emotional dialogue, perfect for advanced learners exploring nuance.
If you're looking to speak Spanish quickly, movies offer a great way to immerse yourself in natural speech, different accents, and the rhythm of Spanish.
Whether you want to watch a drama, a thriller, or even a comingof-age story, you can find Spanish language films for almost every genre you can think of.
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988)
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Original Title
Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios
Director
Pedro Almodóvar
Starring
Carmen Maura, Antonio Banderas
Country
Spain
Genre
Comedy
Year
1988
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Fast-paced, humorous dialogue with slang and expressive conversation.
REC (2007)
REC
Original Title
REC
Director
Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza
Starring
Manuela Velasco
Country
Spain
Genre
Horror
Year
2007
Language Difficulty
Beginner
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Simple vocabulary and practical, real-time speech in an emergency scenario.
Cell 211 (2009)
Cell 211
Original Title
Celda 211
Director
Daniel Monzón
Starring
Luis Tosar, Alberto Ammann
Country
Spain
Genre
Thriller/Drama
Year
2009
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Colloquial Spanish with tense, action-driven dialogue.
Spanish-language movies offer a fun and flexible way to supplement more structured language-learning approaches. Naturally, movies are a bit advanced for Spanish beginners, but you can always start with subtitles in English first, before switching to Spanish, and ultimately removing them when or if you no longer need them.
The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)
The Secret in Their Eyes
Original Title
El secreto de sus ojos
Director
Juan José Campanella
Starring
Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil
Country
Argentina
Genre
Crime/Thriller
Year
2009
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Deliberate pacing and clearly spoken Argentinian Spanish.
The Sea Inside (2004)
The Sea Inside
Original Title
Mar Adentro
Director
Alejandro Amenábar
Starring
Javier Bardem, Belén Rueda
Country
Spain
Genre
Drama
Year
2004
Language Difficulty
Advanced
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Emotional depth and slow, articulate speech perfect for comprehension.
Volver (2006)
Volver
Original Title
Volver
Director
Pedro Almodóvar
Starring
Penélope Cruz, Carmen Maura
Country
Spain
Genre
Drama
Year
2006
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Authentic conversations with regional accents and family dynamics.
Remember that Spanish films are great for training your ear to different accents and styles, especially if you start watching movies from other Spanish-speaking countries like Mexico, Argentina, Chile, etc. You'll begin to hear the different accents but you should also remember that while they don't have different accents, there are plenty of excellent books for learning Spanish that you can also use as part of your language-learning resources.
All About My Mother (1999)
All About My Mother
Original Title
Todo sobre mi madre
Director
Pedro Almodóvar
Starring
Cecilia Roth, Marisa Paredes
Country
Spain
Genre
Drama
Year
1999
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Award-winning drama with clear, emotional dialogue and strong characters.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Original Title
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Director
Woody Allen
Starring
Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson
Country
Spain/USA
Genre
Romance/Drama
Year
2008
Language Difficulty
Beginner
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
A mix of English and Spanish, ideal for beginners starting to transition into native listening.
Sex and Lucia (2001)
Sex and Lucia
Original Title
Lucía y el sexo
Director
Julio Medem
Starring
Paz Vega, Tristán Ulloa
Country
Spain
Genre
Romance/Drama
Year
2001
Language Difficulty
Advanced
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Emotionally rich, expressive language with complex relationship dynamics.
Movies are a great way to teach yourself Spanish. Start mastering the language with movies with your favourite stars like Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem, and Gael García Bernal before moving onto more obscure Spanish-language films.
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Bad Education (2004)
Bad Education
Original Title
La mala educación
Director
Pedro Almodóvar
Starring
Gael García Bernal, Fele Martínez
Country
Spain
Genre
Drama
Year
2004
Language Difficulty
Advanced
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Dramatic, layered dialogue with challenging but rewarding language.
The Invisible Guest (2016)
The Invisible Guest
Original Title
Contratiempo
Director
Oriol Paulo
Starring
Mario Casas, Ana Wagener
Country
Spain
Genre
Thriller
Year
2016
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Sharp, modern dialogue with twists and turns that keep you actively engaged.
Open Your Eyes (1997)
Open Your Eyes
Original Title
Abre los ojos
Director
Alejandro Amenábar
Starring
Eduardo Noriega, Penélope Cruz
Country
Spain
Genre
Sci-Fi/Thriller
Year
1997
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Natural conversations and an intriguing story that draws you into language through plot.
Movies aren't the only way to teach yourself Spanish; there are plenty of great Spanish apps, too! You'll pick up phrases from movies from great directors like Almodóvar, Bollaín, or Amenábar, but you'll really see your Spanish progress when you use a range of resources.
Thesis (1996)
Thesis
Original Title
Tesis
Director
Alejandro Amenábar
Starring
Ana Torrent, Fele Martínez
Country
Spain
Genre
Thriller
Year
1996
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Suspenseful academic setting with modern vocabulary and clear enunciation.
The Ferpect Crime (2004)
The Ferpect Crime
Original Title
Crimen Ferpecto
Director
Álex de la Iglesia
Starring
Guillermo Toledo, Mónica Cervera
Country
Spain
Genre
Dark Comedy
Year
2004
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Witty dialogue and wordplay make it ideal for learners ready for satire and slang.
Colombia: Magia Salvaje (2015)
Colombia: Magia Salvaje
Original Title
Colombia: Magia Salvaje
Director
Mike Slee
Starring
Narrated by Julio Sánchez Cristo
Country
Colombia
Genre
Documentary
Year
2015
Language Difficulty
Beginner
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Clear narration and nature vocabulary with an easy-to-follow structure.
The internet has made many of these films more accessible than ever, but it's also made online Spanish resources a powerful addition to any student's study routine.
Remember that while movies are really useful, they're not the only way to study a language.
Roma (2018)
Roma
Original Title
Roma
Director
Alfonso Cuarón
Starring
Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira
Country
Mexico
Genre
Drama
Year
2018
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Everyday Mexican Spanish used in domestic and emotional settings.
A Fantastic Woman (2017)
A Fantastic Woman
Original Title
Una mujer fantástica
Director
Sebastián Lelio
Starring
Daniela Vega, Francisco Reyes
Country
Chile
Genre
Drama
Year
2017
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Clear Chilean Spanish with themes of love, identity, and resilience.
The Platform (2019)
The Platform
Original Title
Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
Director
Sebastián Lelio
Starring
Iván Massagué, Zorion Eguileor
Country
Spain
Genre
Thriller/Sci-Fi
Year
2019
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Modern slang and dystopian dialogue that’s clear and fast-paced.
Movies and Spanish-language cinema is also a great option for learning through visual and auditory cues. It's a great strategy for teaching Spanish to learners with dyslexia who might otherwise struggle with text-heavy learning approaches.
Champions (2018)
Champions
Original Title
Campeones
Director
Javier Fesser
Starring
Javier Gutiérrez, Juan Margallo
Country
Spain
Genre
Comedy/Drama
Year
2018
Language Difficulty
Beginner
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Simple, heartwarming language in everyday social settings.
Pain and Glory (2019)
Pain and Glory
Original Title
Dolor y gloria
Director
Pedro Almodóvar
Starring
Antonio Banderas, Asier Etxeandia
Country
Spain
Genre
Drama
Year
2019
Language Difficulty
Advanced
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Reflective and autobiographical tone with layered, expressive language.
Even the Rain (2010)
Even the Rain
Original Title
También la lluvia
Director
Icíar Bollaín
Starring
Gael García Bernal, Luis Tosar
Country
Spain/Bolivia
Genre
Historical Drama
Year
2010
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish: Combines clear Spanish dialogue with indigenous and colonial themes.
Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
Y Tu Mamá También
Original Title
Y Tu Mamá También
Director
Alfonso Cuarón
Starring
Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna
Country
Mexico
Genre
Drama
Year
2001
Language Difficulty
Intermediate
Why It’s Great for Learning Spanish
Fast-paced slang and informal speech typical of young Mexican speakers.
Tips for Learning Spanish Through Movies
The important thing is that you use these movies as effective resources to improve your language skills.
Here are some of our top tips:
- Start with Subtitles: Use English subtitles for your first watch, then rewatch with Spanish subtitles. Eventually, try watching without any at all.
- Choose Films that Match Your Level: Beginners might prefer slower-paced dramas or documentaries, while advanced learners can tackle fast comedies or layered thrillers.
- Pause and Repeat: Don’t hesitate to rewind and replay scenes. Listening more than once helps lock in new vocabulary and expressions.
- Write Down New Words: Keep a small notebook or app handy to jot down unfamiliar words or phrases and look them up later.
- Focus on Dialogue: Pay attention to how native speakers talk including intonation, slang, and filler words all help build your ear for natural conversation.
- Explore Different Accents: Spanish varies widely across Spain and Latin America. Movies are a great way to get used to different regional accents.
- Watch with Purpose: Try setting a specific goal before each movie. Try learning 10 new words or mastering a particular accent.
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