Netflix is a great resource for language learners. There’s so much good stuff there, both audio and subtitles, to spark some inspiration. In this article, I want to focus on multilingual Netflix shows for language learners. You know, the kind of show you watch and your language brain activates because there’s multiple languages being used on screen, and it’s not some niche black and white arthouse thing in a tiny independent cinema? (Sidenote: I love niche black and white arthouse things in tiny independent cinemas too!)

Here’s 23 multilingual Netflix shows for language learners. I’m sharing 8 I’ve watched at least partially myself, and then lots more additions suggested over on Instagram.

For advice on how to use Netflix for language learning, be sure to check out this article, The Ultimate Guide to Netflix for Language Learning.

23 Multilingual Netflix Shows You Need to Watch

There’s a combination in this post of my favourites that I’ve watched all the way through, and others suggested by language learners on Instagram. We’ll start with my suggestions!

My Favourite Multilingual Netflix Shows

The Casketeers – English, Maori, Samoan, Tongan

This is a reality show with real heart. Following the goings-on at Tipene Funerals in New Zealand, it’s an interesting insight into funeral practices with Maori and South Pacific Island communities within New Zealand.

Although most of the show is in English, there’s always Maori words every episode, including the credits, and some episodes feature short snippets of other languages such as Samoan and Tongan.

I couldn’t find a trailer on YouTube, but this clip gives you an idea of what to expect…

Unorthodox – English, Yiddish, German

Unorthodox is the show that started this quest of discovery for me. After watching an episode, and seeing the popularity of the show it got me thinking that maybe, just maybe, the wider world is ready for multilingual TV shows.

Much like The Casketeers, the dominant language is English, but the Yiddish and German are so well woven into the story that you’d barely notice the switch between languages were it not for the switch between settings.

Gentefied – English, Spanish, Spanglish

I loved, loved, loved Gentefied!

Gentefied tells the story of the beloved family taco shop in trouble partly as a result of gentrification of the area, and explores how the younger generation of the family work together to bring it back to life.

From an outsider perspective with a love for all things Spanish, I really enjoyed the open use of what felt like an honest representation of bilingualism between generations in the show.

Nailed It – different versions = English, Spanish (Mexico and Spain), German, French

You’ve seen Nailed It at least once, right? Or at the very least, you’ve seen a meme online of a failed attempt at a cake side by side with the original in all its glory?

Well, Nailed It! takes that format and runs with it. Running so far with it that they’ve made (to date) four different international versions of the show.

If you know even bits of some of these languages, it’s fun to see how the catchphrases translate!

Twogether – Korean, Mandarin Chinese, English

Twogether follows Taiwanese star Jasper Liu and Korean star Lee Seung-gi on a journey across Asia.

Even though they don’t share a common language, they have to work together to complete challenges as they meet fans in the locations they visit too.

A fun watch if you’ve ever learnt one of these languages and are curious about the other.

A potentially confusing but useful watch if you’ve studied both and never heard them used at the same time!

Home Game – Italian, English, Tagalog (?), Krgyz, French (maybe Creole?), Indonesian (maybe Balinese?)

This was a real surprise for me. Watching it on a whim one day, within seconds we were hooked.

The series follows unusual sports around the world, including il calcio storico in Italy, Catch Fétiche in the Congo, and Makepung Lampit in Bali.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a sports fan, if you enjoy languages and culture, you’ll likely enjoy this show.

I couldn’t find a trailer, but here’s a clip from the Italian episode.

Street Food – English, Thai, Japanese, Indonesian, Taiwanese Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, Cebuano, Tagalog, Spanish, Portuguese

Much like Home Game, if you enjoy taking hops across the world episode to episode, you’ll love Street Food. This show is like Home Game, but with food.

Season One explores street food traditions across Asia and season 2 does the same in Latin America.

But as you soon discover, it’s always about so much more than food. The stories of the people that make the food are wonderfully woven in to each episode. And some of those stories will grab at your heart.

Sing On! – Different Versions = English, Spanish, German

I watched some of the Spanish version of Sing On! and wasn’t a huge fan personally. However, that’s just my opinion, so I’m still listing it here.

One reason for that is that there’s already a Spanish version and a German version! This could be one that Netflix expand further in the future to other languages…

Also, it struck me watching the Spanish version how although some songs picked to sing were English, 1) I got to hear some new Spanish songs, and 2) I got to hear how a (Spain) Spanish accent pronounces certain English words and sounds.

Plus, if you’re a beginner in those languages, as with all shows like this, there’s lots of simple introduction vocab to enjoy.

Your Favourite Multilingual Netflix Shows

And now onto shows recommended by you over on Instagram!

I haven’t seen these, so won’t comment on them but I will include trailers where possible so you can start to discover more on the ones that interest you most.

Queen Sono – Russian, French, Zulu, Afrikaans, Swahili, Xhosa, Southern Sotho, English & maybe Pretoria Shona, Yoruba, Xitsonga

Recommended by @speakingtonguespod

Ultimate Beastmaster – English, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, German, Portuguese & maybe French, Italian, Chinese, Hindi

Recommended by @kerstin_fluent

Blood & Water – Swahili, Zulu, Xhosa, Sesotho, Arabic and more

Recommended by @speakingtonguespod

Narcos – English and Spanish

Recommended by @amandacsteele and @neverthecoolnerd

Note: I’m really not a fan of the obsession Netflix seem to have with making shows with a combination of Latin America & drugs/Pablo Escobar/El Chapo. It does a disservice to an entire region of the world. However, as this one was recommended multiple times, I’m including it here. Also, searches for “Latin America” on Netflix are now showing (slightly) more diverse results than just that, another reason I’m listing this one.

The Circle – French, Portuguese, English

Recommended by @cathy.intro

Ok so I will comment a little here too! The Circle originally started in the UK and as someone who grew up with Big Brother every summer, it had me hooked from the start. When I found out Netflix were making other language versions, I was very happy. However, at the time of writing, these versions aren’t available everywhere, and none are available in the UK on Netflix! Boo!

Into The Night – French, Flemish, English, Italian, Turkish, Arabic, Russian, Bulgarian, Mandarin, Polish

Recommended by @sabe.languages

Bon Cop/Bad Cop – Quebecois French, English

Recommended by @neverthecoolnerd

Note – not sure if this one is on Netflix worldwide but sharing here as I found it on UK Netflix at the time of writing!

Sense 8 – Each character speaks another language

Recommended by @polyglossa

Fauda – Arabic, Hebrew

Recommended by @days_french_swedish

Caliphate – Swedish, Arabic

Recommended by @days_french_swedish

Elite – Spanish, bits of English, Arabic

Recommended by @breepolyglot

Orange Is The New Black – English, German, Pennsylvanian Dutch, Spanish, Russian, K’iche’

Recommended by @breepolyglot

The Gift – English and Turkish

Recommended by @oyd11

The OA – English, Russian, Arabic

Recommended by @lingogermanita

Giri/Haji or Duty/Shame – Japanese and English

Recommended by @madelon_cxx

Watch & Learn: Make the Most of Multilingual Netflix Shows!

Sometimes the joy of film & TV for language learning is quite simply watching and enjoying stuff in another language.

But sometimes, you want to make it a more active part of your language learning. For days like that, you want my active learning process.

I explain everything in Watch & Learn – my super binge-able mini course all about how to get the most from film & TV for language learning.