Looking for the most interesting films for Spanish learners to watch to learn Spanish? Here’s 9 of my favourites.

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9 Interesting Films for Spanish Learners to Watch

Bad Education

I could make this a list of just Almodóvar films, but I’ll resist.

Instead, Bad Education is here to represent a whole catalogue of great films by the great Spanish director.

Almodóvar is known for his bold characters, playful stories, and colourful aesthetic.

The recurring themes of gender, sexuality, and religion make for an easily identifiable style. You know an Almodóvar film when you see one.

Honestly, I could pick from so many. It’s hard to have just one.

But I studied Bad Education at A-level so it’s one I know really well, hence the personal bias.

Rec

If you’re as much of a sucker for found footage horror as me, then you’ll enjoy Rec. It’s quite a short film, just 78 minutes. But it’s well-paced and a nice break from films that seem to be getting longer and longer.

You’ll love Rec if you love things like The Blair Witch Project, 28 Days Later or Alive.

Rotting In The Sun

When you start watching, it’s easy to think Rotting In The Sun is just playing into the self-indulgent, lazy millennial trope as you follow ketamine-addicted artist Sebastián for the first part of the film.

Then something happens that changes the film into something else entirely.

Without saying too much, it’s a dark comedy which explores interesting characters.

Well worth joining Mubi for (if you haven’t already to watch the not-in-Spanish but phenomenal The Substance!)

Language Lessons

Ok, so Language Lessons is…half in English. But if your Spanish learning has had you taking online lessons, then you’ll appreciate this one.

The film feels very of its time (it was released in 2021), and is primarily filmed via webcam view.

What starts with Adam’s partner buying him a package of online Spanish lessons with Cariño turns into an essential outlet for Adam when his life takes an unexpected turn.

A real joy to watch. You might cry a bit. Because I did.

Roma

You’ve probably heard of this one.

It won lots of awards back when it came out in 2018. And deservedly so.

The choice to make it black and white is an easy way to make it feel instantly classic.

But it’s more than the style. The story gives an insight into class in 1970s Mexico. You get to hear some Mixtec in the film as well, which is cool.

The Orphanage

If you liked Rec, I have another horror for you – The Orphanage.

It’s a different kind of horror though. Think creepy kid/creaky house horror like The Others or Them.

Laura returns to where she grew up, an orphanage, with plans to reopen it as a place for disabled children. But her adopted son, Simón “makes friends” with someone who may or may not live there and who may or may not exist.

Maria Full of Grace

Another film that goes way back for me. This one I picked up on DVD from Blockbuster for Spanish listening practice.

It’s the story of Maria whose life in Colombia doesn’t leave her many options but to become a drug mule and fly to the US.

An enlightening look at a topic that so often gets reduced to Netflix series that can easily be read as glorifying the wrong people.

The Heiresses

This Paraguayan film explores lives not often seen on screen.

A lesbian couple have been living together for 30 years in an inherited house. As the money has begun to dry up, they’ve started selling things to make ends meet. When one goes to prison, the other suddenly has to start fending for herself in a world she’s spent all her life being sheltered from.

I loved the believable characters in this and world-building. My only critique is there’s not enough Guarani, but I understand why.

Lopez Street

If you love people watching when you travel, this day-in-the-life-of-a-street doc will be right up your…street. And, yes, the street is Lopez Street.

Insightful, slow, meandering film where nothing much happens but that’s kind of the point. You’ll gain a new appreciation for the everyday through this peek at Mexican life.

Drifting between following various vendors and people throughout moments of their everyday, Lopez Street feels like a non-intrusive fly-on-the-wall, mainly thanks to the black and white.

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