Textbooks are not a bad choice to learn a new language. But admit it, they are a bit two dimensional and often lack the real-life dialogues.

If you want to know how to learn Spanish in a way that is a bit more vibrant and engaging, consider turning to the big screen for a change.

But can you really learn Spanish by watching movies? The answer is yes! By watching Spanish speaking movies you can master:

How popular words and phrases are pronounced, so that you can work on improving your Spanish accent .

The cadence and timing of spoken Spanish.

Common words and phrases used by different Hispanic and Latinx cultures.

Also, by watching movies, you add both an auditory and visual component to your learning, you’ll pick up a lot of Spanish slang too. That’s helpful. For many people, the more senses they engage the better and faster they learn a new language. Movies also provide context, and that boosts vocabulary understanding.

So let’s look at some of the best movies to learn Spanish. We’ll stick mostly to the big screen, but we’ll add in some TV shows as well. We know that not everyone has access to theaters that show Spanish language films. But you can still benefit from knowing some of the best telenovelas to learn Spanish as well that can be found online.

Casa De Mi Padre

(My Father’s House)

Trailer:

Will Ferrell as the son of a Mexican rancher is pretty cringe-y on many levels. In spite of that, this movie is actually pretty good if you want to improve your Spanish language skills. For one thing, if Ferrell isn’t fluent in real life, he certainly faked it well for this movie. In some ways, the silly plot line may help. This movie is very easy to follow along and the context clues really make it easy to discern what is being said.

We even had a post about one of the songs in from this funny movie.

Maria Llena Eres De Gracia

(Maria full of grace)

Trailer:

Now when you talk about a classic movie with authentic colombian accents and slang, speaking using the usted form throughout and all that, you can’t pass up this amazing film. It’s filled with drama and suspense. This is a very enjoyable and powerful movie.

This movie has countless awards. The lead character, Catalina Sandino Moreno was even nominated for an academy award for best performance by an actress in a leading role.

Como Agua Para Chocolate

(Like Water For Chocolate)

Trailer:

In terms of cinematic quality, you can’t do much better than this movie. When it was released, critics embraced it overwhelmingly. Anyone who wants to learn Spanish should as well.

Are you interested in putting your Spanish skills to the test? Are you ready to start listening to and understanding Spanish language conversations in real time?

If so, rent this movie right away. In addition to a really touching storyline, this movie features tons of that rapid fire and intense dialogue that so many people associate with speaking Spanish.

Pan’s Labyrinth

Trailer:

If you’ve seen Hellboy or The Shape of Water, you already know Guillermo Del Toro can do amazing things on screen. Well, he wrote the movie Pan’s Labyrinth. Not only is it a great watch on its own merits, it’s a great movie for becoming a better Spanish speaker.

It is often categorized as a fantasy, and that’s true. It also covers war, culture, and the rebellious intensity that is so interwoven into Hispanic culture. Are you ready to increase your vocabulary? Go ahead and turn on the subtitles with this one. The heady subject matter means you’ll learn a lot, but you’ll need the help in keeping up.

Che: Parts One And Two

Trailer:

Che Guevara is politically divisive. To some he’s a brutal figure responsible for death and destruction. To others he is a hero. These two films by Steven Soderbergh do a great job in their portrayal of them man no matter how you feel about him. At Gritty Spanish we think this is a big deal, because if a movie and its characters aren’t exciting, you certainly won’t get much out of them.

The combination of great acting, writing, story-line, and visuals keep you interested. This means you’ll pick up quite a bit from the dialogue.

If you’re interested in Speaking Spanish like someone from South America, check out ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’. This is another biography of Che Guevara. Not only does it feature Spanish speaking actors, many in the film are from South America. This will give you a first hand experience of those accents and dialects in action.

Y Tu Mamá También

(And Your Mother Too)

Trailer:

Yes, the title does translate to ‘And Your Mother Too!’. Well, our Spanish audio course is called Gritty Spanish and this movie certainly has plenty of that. It is rude, crude, funny, and quite realistic. We love the story of two teenage boys who loves the same woman.

Not only is this film hilarious, it provides just what you need. It’s full of street talk, slang, swear words and dialogue between relatable characters.

Voces Inocentes

(Innocent voices)

Trailer:

Another entertaining and powerful film you can use to improve your Spanish dramatically is voces inocentes.

In short, the film is about the use of children in the military during the Salvadoran Civil War. When they reach their 12th birthday, the kids are then forced into the military.

The movie also depicts injustice against innocent people who are forced to fight in the war. The main character is an 11 year old boy named, Chava.

Chava works as an assistant to a bus driver when he is not in school and lives with his family in a small town.

This film has a pretty sad ending, so brace yourself.

Women on The Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Trailer:

This is a movie filmed in Spain that received a lot of rewards and positive press when it was released. Filmed in Spanish with English subtitles, it’s got a funny, but in ways sad, story-line. And yes, it is a bit of a chick flick. Still, the story-line is catchy. The writing is really well done, and the acting deserves praise as well.

This is another highly watchable film with subtitles to help you if you get stuck. Add this to your list of good movies to watch in Spanish. You won’t regret it.

Last But Not Least: Spanish Telenovelas!

There’s a lot more these Spanish soap operas than strangely intense stares and guys in bumblebee costumes. Telenovelas can provide you with a way to improve your Spanish right from your own living room. If you’ve got Telemundo, Univision, or other similar channel in your cable package, you can watch telenovelas on the daily! Here are a few that we like.

La Mentira

Maria la del Barrio

Catalina Y Sebastian

Yo Soy Betty, La Fea (I am Betty, The Ugly One)

But, don’t let our preferences dissuade you from checking out any number of Spanish language shows. If you like sitcoms or game shows, try those as well. The more you expose yourself to native speakers, the more you will learn.

Finding Spanish Language Films

Of course, you can’t benefit from watching movies if you can’t find them. The good news is that they may be easier to find than you think. First, check out your streaming channels. Both Hulu and Netflix show Spanish speaking films. Check YouTube out as well. The Spanish speaking channels that your cable company provides have many movies and television shows for you as well.

If you live near a Spanish speaking neighborhood, check out bodegas, and grocery stores. Many of these places feature popular Spanish language films on Blu Ray and DVD. Next, check out movie theaters in these areas. Many screen Spanish language films or English language films dubbed into Spanish. Not only should you check out the films, you can learn quite a bit from the other viewers as well.

A Few Essential Learning Tips!

Let’s keep it real. You can’t just kick your feet up and just watch a movie. You do have to be an active learner.

First, make sure you’re ready to pay attention while you watch. Have snacks and drinks ready. Try to watch without any distractions. This includes your best friend who likes to shout at the screen and crack jokes. Finally, bring along a notebook. Write down new words that you learn, and jot down phrases that you don’t quite understand. You can look those up later.

Remember that cultural experiences are a great way to learn to speak Spanish, and learn about Hispanic culture as well. Movies and television shows are an important part of Spanish speaking culture. Experiencing them is a great learning experience.