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Ready for a guilt-free binge-watching session?
It’s time to turn Netflix into your favorite new French learning tool.
We’re calling this “Netflix and skill.” It’s a new trend. It’s a lot like your normal Netflix routine… except you’ve got to put on those French subtitles.
Watching Netflix with French subtitles is an awesome way to learn new vocabulary and see all those French grammar rules you’ve been learning in context. It’s also a totally engaging way to boost your reading comprehension skills, especially if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t love traditional book learning.
While Netflix doesn’t have an enormous selection of authentic French movies that come with subtitles, we’ll cover a handful of interesting ones later in this post. We’ll also show you what English-language films can be watched (and read!) in French for targeted language learning.
Grab the remote!
Can You Really Learn French by Watching Netflix?
Netflix isn’t necessarily renowned for its educational value. For most of us, Netflix is the perfect way to relax and let our minds wander. But watching movies and shows subtitled in French can have a number of benefits for language learners:
Plus, while a textbook does have some nice structure, it won’t teach you the same French slang and curse words that you’ll pick up from Netflix movies and series. You can’t find meuf (slang for femme, or girl/lady/chick) and ouf (slang for fou, or crazy) in textbooks. This is part of why it’s so fun (but also effective!) to learn a language through non-traditional resources like Netflix.
How Can French Subtitles Help You Learn French?
It’s science. Our brain works in amazing ways, and even if it doesn’t feel like you’re learning while watching these movies, you’ll be thinking more en français (in French) than you might realize. Here are some specific ways that turning on your Netflix subtitles will help you learn French:
With the subtitles supporting your learning, this is like a training-wheels ride before conversing with native French speakers or navigating a French-only environment.
Tips for Success When Learning with Subtitles
Watching with French subtitles and soaking it all up is one thing, but taking it a little more seriously can make all the difference in your progress with the French language. Be intentional about your learning:
Maybe you want to expand your knowledge of action verbs; nature documentaries are a great option. Maybe you just want to build your knowledge of basic, everyday nouns and verbs; sitcoms and even cooking shows are good for those.
FluentU lets you learn French from real-world content like music videos, commercials, news broadcasts, cartoons and inspiring talks.
Since this content is material that native French speakers actually watch regularly, you’ll get the opportunity to learn real French the way it’s spoken in modern life.
One quick look will give you an idea of the diverse content found on FluentU:
Love the thought of learning French with native materials but afraid you won’t understand what’s being said? FluentU brings authentic French videos within reach of any learner. Interactive captions guide you along the way, so you never miss a word.
Tap on any word to see a definition, in-context usage examples, audio pronunciation, helpful images and more. For example, if you tap on the word “suit,” then this is what appears on your screen:
Don’t stop there, though. Use FluentU to actively practice all the vocabulary in any video through word lists, flashcards, quizzes and fun activities like “fill in the blank.”
As you continue advancing in your French studies, FluentU keeps track of all the grammar and vocabulary that you’ve been learning. It uses your viewed videos and mastered language lessons to recommend more useful videos and give you a 100% personalized experience.
Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes store or Google Play store.
Grab the popcorn! All but two (noted below) of the English-language movies and shows in this list come with French audio on Netflix as well.
English Netflix Series Available for Learning French with SubtitlesFor beginner-friendly subtitles:
Based in a school setting, this animated series features your classic high school drama with basic vocabulary surrounding daily activities. Geared more toward children, it’s a great way to learn foundational vocabulary.
Similarly, this series for kids is full of action and contains some quick-on-your-feet language tactics for conflict resolution. It’s great for beginners for the purpose of learning basic French vocabulary and action verbs!
For technical, action-based vocabulary:
This political drama series set in Washington D.C. is best suited for those looking to develop French skills for the political or business arenas. This series can get complicated in plot and in language used, especially amid power struggles and moral conflicts, so you may find yourself re-watching scenes to catch French subtitles you missed the first time—but the dramatic plot makes it worth it!
Set in the French city of Marseille, this is basically the French version of “House of Cards.” If you’re interested in learning more about French culture, politics and government, this is the series to watch.
It does get technical and move quickly, but you’ll find lots of idiosyncratic French expressions, facial expressions and gestures… which are equally useful for communicating in French!
Moving at a slightly quicker pace, and with lots of slang, this series is likely more suited for advanced French learners. The vocabulary can be very idiosyncratic, and the plot can sometimes be challenging to follow (even in English!). Nonetheless, it’s a great resource for picking up vocabulary for contemporary conversational French.
For lighter, sitcom-like humor:
This is the saga of a young woman living her life after being unearthed from a bunker in the ground where she and others had been kidnapped. Doesn’t sound like the plot to a comedy, but it is, due to Kimmy Schmidt’s “unbreakable” spirit and her crazy cast of friends. This show offers fairly easy vocabulary, but does have a quicker pace at times with lots of funny quips!
English Netflix Movies Available for Learning French with SubtitlesFor classic, historically-based subject matter and to practice your tenses:
This classic film will help in understanding how to express emotions and also provides some foundational governmental/political vernacular that can be useful for discussing current events.
For theme-specific, paced language learning:![]()
This documentary, named for its focus on the job of sommeliers (wine specialists), will certainly take you on a French adventure into wine country. This is a great documentary to watch to bulk up your dining/eating/tasting vocabulary with descriptive words… and some tasty new knowledge of French wines.
Note: no French audio for this movie on Netflix.
This biographical documentary of Barry Crimmins’ life as a comedian and satirist who evolved into an activist is for mature audiences, both age-wise and in terms of French language knowledge. Although somewhat heavy, this documentary will help you understand how to explain and talk about deeply touching personal experiences, and you’ll certainly gain an understanding of the commonly used French phrase c’est grave/ce n’est pas grave (it’s serious/it’s no big deal) firsthand.
Note: no French audio for this movie on Netflix.
French Netflix Movies Available for Learning French with Subtitles
Feeling confident watching Netflix in English with French subtitles? There are many more French films (in spoken French) out there, so check out some of these wonderfully weird movies or these great movies for French learners that aren’t currently featured on Netflix with French subtitles.
For a worldly adventure in spoken French, you can add French subtitles to be sure to catch all the excitement in one of these films available on Netflix:
“Journey to Greenland” is about two Parisians who travel to a remote village while also navigating challenges in their relationship. This film offers a funny and insightful look at French customs and how to express an array of emotions in a strange place.
This poignant film offers insight into French village life and also breaches the subject of prejudice. It’s both touching and tender, and the small village and family setting makes the conversation and plot easy to follow.
This sensitive and cheeky romantic comedy is prime for learning how to go about adult life à la française (French style) and presents a great opportunity to learn how to relate to others and problem-solve in French. This film is better for moderately confident learners, and also has some slang and proper French humor in it.
Watching Netflix with French subtitles is basically like a pick-your-own-adventure lesson. Either way you spin it, having French subtitles on while you watch your favorite show makes it no-shame Netflix marathoning. With enough French-subtitled Netflix under your belt, your motivation to learn will take off and you’ll get to sit down and chomp popcorn while your skills improve.
Gretchen Kaija lives in Nice, France, where she enjoys exploring the Cote d’Azur with all of her senses.
If you liked this post, something tells me that you'll love FluentU, the best way to learn French with real-world videos.
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