Best Movies to Learn Spanish

Key takeaways:

• Movies expose you to natural Spanish accents, slang, and real-world conversations you won’t find in textbooks
• The best Spanish films to learn Spanish for beginners include Coco and Encanto, while advanced learners benefit from Pan’s Labyrinth and Wild Tales
• Passive watching doesn’t create fluency. You need to practice phrases with a Spanish tutor or conversation partner
• Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ offer the best selection of Spanish-language films with quality subtitles

The best movies to learn Spanish are the ones that match your level, hold your attention, and give you phrases you’ll use in real conversations. If you’re just starting out or already comfortable with conversation, watching Spanish movies helps your listening skills, grows your vocabulary, and trains your ear to different accents across the Spanish-speaking world.

This guide breaks down the top Spanish movies by skill level, shows you how to turn passive watching into active learning, and explains why pairing films with conversation practice through Spanish tutors makes the biggest difference in how long it takes to learn Spanish.

How movies help you learn Spanish (and their limits)

Movies put you right in the middle of natural speech patterns, cultural context, and everyday expressions that textbooks rarely cover. You hear how native speakers talk, including the pauses, shortcuts, and informal phrases that make conversations feel real.

Films give you real life situations where you see how Spanish speakers use the language in different settings, from casual chats to formal exchanges.

Language learning through movies builds your ability to understand what you hear and pick up on spoken words in context. You start recognizing the meaning behind phrases instead of translating word by word in your head.

But here’s the catch: watching alone won’t make you fluent. Your brain soaks up patterns and vocabulary, but without speaking practice, those words stay locked away. You recognize them when you hear them, but you can’t pull them out when you need them in conversation.

That’s why the best ways to learn Spanishcombines movies with regular speaking sessions. When you practice new phrases with a real person, they move from things you recognize to things you say. Language lessons with a Spanish teacher give you the feedback you need to speak Spanish with confidence.

Find your Spanish tutor today

Best Spanish movies for beginners

Coco (2017)

• Country/accent: Mexico (general Mexican Spanish)
• Why it works for beginners: Clear pronunciation, slower dialogue pace, simple sentence structures with lots of repetition. The Spanish version features spoken dialogue that’s easy to follow, making it a great starting point if you’re new to the language.
• Key vocabulary themes: Spanish Family relationships, celebrations, music, emotions, food
• Where to watch: Disney+
• Learning tip: Focus on the songs. Music helps phrases stick in your memory, and the repetition makes it easier to catch every word. Watch with Spanish subtitles to connect the sounds you hear to written words.

Encanto (2021)

• Country/accent: Colombia (gentle Colombian accent)
• Why it works for beginners: Animated films use clearer pronunciation, and the family-focused story introduces practical everyday vocabulary. The dialogue moves at a pace that helps beginner Spanish learners follow along without getting lost.
• Key vocabulary themes: Family dynamics, feelings, home life, personal qualities, magical realism
• Where to watch: Disney+
• Learning tip: Watch with Spanish subtitles first. Pause after character introductions and repeat their lines to practice pronunciation.

Vivo (2021)

• Country/accent: Cuba (Caribbean Spanish)
• Why it works for beginners: Musical format with repetitive lyrics, straightforward plot, expressive characters that use gestures to support meaning. A good movie for understanding Caribbean accents at a manageable pace.
• Key vocabulary themes: Music, travel, friendship, determination, Cuban culture
• Where to watch: Netflix
• Learning tip: Caribbean Spanish drops some consonants. Notice when characters say “pa'” instead of “para” to prepare your ear for casual speech.

Best Spanish movies for intermediate learners

Ocho Apellidos Vascos (Spanish Affair) (2014)

• Country/accent: Spain (Basque and Andalusian accents featured)
• Why it works for intermediate learners: This comedy showcases Spanish culture and regional differences between areas of Spain.The dialogue is clear enough to follow but fast enough to push your listening skills. Spanish Affair introduces you to regional vocabulary and humor from the Basque Country.
• Key vocabulary themes: Regional stereotypes, relationships, travel, Spanish identity, social situations
• Where to watch: Amazon Prime, FlixOlé
• Learning tip: This film showcases accent differences across Spain. Pay attention to how the Basque and Andalusian characters speak differently to train your ear for variety. The comedy context helps you understand meaning even when you miss a few words. 

Y Tu Mamá También (2001)

• Country/accent: Mexico (Mexico City Spanish)
• Why it works for intermediate learners: Natural dialogue between young adult characters, featuring slang and conversational flow. The spoken language feels authentic, showing you how real conversations happen outside the classroom.
• Key vocabulary themes: Friendship, travel, coming of age, Mexican slang, social class
• Where to watch: Netflix, Criterion Channel
• Learning tip: Note the informal “tú” usage and casual Mexican expressions. Write down 3-5 slang phrases per viewing and practice them in your next conversation with your teacher.

El Secreto de Sus Ojos (2009)

• Country/accent: Argentina (Buenos Aires Spanish)
• Why it works for intermediate learners: Mystery plot keeps you engaged, moderate dialogue complexity, clear emotional context helps you understand meaning. One of the best Spanish movies for intermediate learners who want to experience Argentine cinema.
• Key vocabulary themes: Justice system, investigation, memory, romance, workplace dynamics
• Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Tubi
• Learning tip: Argentine Spanish uses “vos” instead of “tú” and has Italian influences. Focus on the rhythm and flow rather than catching every word. 

La Mala Educación (Bad Education) (2004)

• Country/accent: Spain (Castilian Spanish)
• Why it works for intermediate learners: This Almodóvar film features layered storytelling with clear dialogue. The vocabulary mixes everyday conversation with emotional and dramatic language, perfect for expanding your range.
• Key vocabulary themes: Education, memory, identity, relationships, Spanish society
• Where to watch: HBO Max
• Learning tip: Pedro Almodóvar films use rich, expressive Spanish. Watch scenes twice to catch the nuances in dialogue and practice the more dramatic phrases to improve your spoken expression.

Best Spanish movies for advanced learners

Roma (2018)

• Country/accent: Mexico (Mexico City Spanish)
• Why it works for advanced learners: Natural, unscripted-feeling dialogue with overlapping conversations and background noise, similar to real-life Spanish. The film is visually stunning and uses minimal dialogue, forcing you to pay close attention to every spoken word.
• Key vocabulary themes: Family life, social class, domestic work, emotions, everyday routines
• Where to watch: Netflix
• Learning tip: Focus on how characters shorten words and speak indirectly. Rewatch key scenes and repeat lines out loud to improve rhythm and pronunciation. Notice the use of past tenses in storytelling.

El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth) (2006)

• Country/accent: Spain (Castilian Spanish)
• Why it works for advanced learners: This dark fantasy film combines complex storytelling with historical context from the Spanish Civil War. El Laberinto del Fauno uses both formal and informal ways of speaking, with rich descriptive language throughout. Pan’s Labyrinth pushes your comprehension skills with layered dialogue and symbolism. The story follows a young girl during the Spanish Civil War, blending fantasy with harsh reality.
• Key vocabulary themes: Spanish Civil War, fantasy, childhood, resistance, authority
• Where to watch: HBO Max, Amazon Prime
• Learning tip: The film switches between fantasy and reality, using different vocabulary styles. Notice how characters change their speech based on who they’re addressing. The young boy and adult characters use distinctly different language patterns worth studying.

Relatos Salvajes (Wild Tales) (2014)

• Country/accent: Argentina (various Argentine accents)
• Why it works for advanced learners: Fast-paced dialogue, dark humor requiring cultural understanding, multiple storylines with different vocabulary sets. Wild Tales delivers sharp, rapid-fire conversations that test your ability to keep up with native speakers.
• Key vocabulary themes: Revenge, justice, social frustration, Argentine culture, conflict resolution
• Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime
• Learning tip: Each segment introduces different professional and social contexts. Pick one segment, watch it three times, and shadow the dialogue to match the speed and emotion.

También la Lluvia (Even the Rain) (2010)

• Country/accent: Spain and Bolivia (Castilian and Bolivian Spanish)
• Why it works for advanced learners: This film weaves together historical and modern stories, requiring you to follow complex themes and dialogue. También la lluvia presents class struggles and cultural differences through layered conversations.
• Key vocabulary themes: Colonization, film production, water rights, social justice, exploitation
• Where to watch: Amazon Prime
• Learning tip: The film includes dialogue in both European and Latin American Spanish. Notice the vocabulary differences and how context shapes meaning across different Spanish-speaking cultures.

How to learn Spanish with movies (step-by-step)

Movies only work as a language learning tool when you watch actively, not passively. Here’s a simple system that turns entertainment into practice:

1. First watch: Spanish audio + Spanish subtitles

Read along while listening. This connects the sounds to the spelling and helps you catch words you already know but might not recognize by ear. Spanish subtitles work way better than English subtitles for building your comprehension skills because you’re reinforcing the connection between spoken and written Spanish.

2. Second watch: Pause and note useful phrases

Stop after scenes with dialogue you want to remember. Write down 5-10 phrases that sound natural and useful for real conversations. Focus on complete phrases, not individual words, since Spanish uses many expressions that don’t translate word for word.

3. Shadow short scenes out loud

Pick a 30-second to 1-minute scene. Play it, pause it, and repeat the lines exactly as the actor says them. Match their speed, tone, and emotion. This technique, used by actors and language learners alike, helps you internalize the rhythm of spoken Spanish.

4. Practice those phrases in conversation

This is where passive knowledge turns into active speaking skill. Use your new phrases in a real conversation with a Spanish tutor online or language partner within 24 hours. Your teacher corrects your pronunciation and helps you understand when to use each phrase the right way.

Book a trial lesson and practice the phrases you’ve noted with a native speaker who corrects your pronunciation on the spot.

How italki helps you learn Spanish faster with movies

Think of movies as your vocabulary source and conversation practice as your training ground. italki connects you with native online Spanish tutors who turn the phrases you learn from films into words you use.

Your tutor helps you understand slang from the movies you watch, explains cultural references you miss, and gives you immediate feedback when you try using new expressions. Instead of wondering if you’re saying something right, you practice with a real person who corrects you on the spot.

Plus, you choose Spanish teachers from specific countries. If you’re watching Mexican films like The Motorcycle Diaries or Coco, book lessons with a Mexican tutor. If you’re focused on Spanish films from Spain, like Pedro Almodóvar’s work or movies set in the Basque Country, find a teacher from Madrid or Barcelona. This targeted approach helps you pick up the exact accent and expressions you’re studying.

A native speaker explains why certain phrases work in one context but not another, something you can’t learn from watching alone. They’ll help you practice the dialogue patterns you notice on screen and teach you when to use formal versus informal language.

Discover the best resources for learning Spanish to create a well-rounded approach to fluency.

Learn Spanish faster with personal guidance from 2500+ expert tutors trusted by over 5 million learners worldwide. Book a trial lesson today.

FAQ

Is it possible to learn Spanish by watching movies?

Yes, but only if you combine watching with active practice. Movies build listening skills and vocabulary, but you need conversation practice to develop speaking fluency. The easiest way to learn Spanish pairs passive input with active speaking practice.

Is watching Spanish movies a good way to learn Spanish?

Watching Spanish movies is a great addition to your learning routine. It exposes you to natural speech, regional accents, and cultural context. However, it works best when paired with speaking practice through Spanish tutors online or language partners who help you use what you learn.

What to watch on Netflix to improve Spanish?

• For beginners: Coco, Encanto, Club de Cuervos.
• For intermediate level: La Casa de Papel, Élite, Como Agua Para Chocolate.
• For advanced level: Roma, El Camino, Narcos.

Choose based on your level and interest to stay engaged. You can also watch your favorite movies dubbed into Spanish or Spanish documentaries on topics you enjoy.

Which Disney movie is best for learning Spanish?

Coco is the best Disney movie for learning Spanish because it features clear Mexican Spanish, repetitive dialogue, memorable songs, and cultural vocabulary. Encanto works well for Colombian Spanish, while Moana dubbed in Spanish offers simple sentence structures for absolute beginners.