If you’re looking for an effective and fun way to learn Spanish, look no further than Netflix!
With a plethora of Spanish-language shows available, you can level up your language skills in the comfort of your own home. From lighthearted comedies to gripping dramas, there’s something for everyone who is wanting to explore the world of Spanish TV.
So grab some snacks, get cozy on the couch, and prepare yourself to be entertained while learning key phrases and gaining comprehension with these amazing Spanish TV shows on Netflix.
Are There Any Spanish Shows on Netflix?
Netflix has an impressive library of Spanish shows that cater to a wide variety of viewers. Some of its best Spanish offerings include La Casa de Papel, Velvet Colección, Paquita Salas, Elite and Ingobernable:
- La Casa de Papel is a gripping heist drama that follows the members of an intricate criminal plan as they pull off a daring mission.
- Velvet Colección is a romantic period drama that follows four employees as they navigate their way through a high-end fashion shop in Madrid in the 1950s.
- Paquita Salas is a hilarious comedy about the misadventures of a talent agency trying to make it big in Hollywood.
- Elite is an intriguing mystery series which revolves around three students from different backgrounds attending an elite school in Spain.
- Ingobernable stars Kate del Castillo as the daring First Lady fighting against corruption while searching for the truth behind her husband’s disappearance.
With so many rich storylines, these award-winning Netflix original shows are sure to keep you captivated and entertained! Best of all, they are great resources to help you learn Spanish in your free time. Ask your Spanish instructor for tips, and check out the following video for more reasons why taking Spanish lessons just makes sense:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmnNn-u9SXA
Where Can I Watch Spanish Shows?
Netflix is perhaps the most popular place to catch a Spanish TV show, but it’s not the only place that showcases TV shows in Spanish. There are many streaming services that offer a great selection of Spanish shows and films.
Some of the most popular services include Prime Video and Hulu, which both offer television series and documentaries in Spanish. If you’re looking for more film titles, then Canal+ Spain may be just what you need. Their catalog includes some of the best Spanish language classics and also offers quite a few on-demand films as well.
If you’re interested in sports and entertainment, FOX Play is another great option with plenty to choose from. Whether you want to watch comedy, drama or even telenovelas, these services can provide endless hours of fun watching Spanish content!
How Can Watching a TV Show in Spanish Help You Learn?
One of the most common tips that Spanish teachers will tell their students is to watch shows in Spanish for listening comprehension. But what should you watch? More often than not, I find students who are learning Spanish on their own to end up watching “Narcos” or “El Señor de Los Cielos”.
Although they are great shows, I wouldn’t suggest watching them for educational purposes. There are a lot of words and phrases that we should avoid using when we converse in Spanish. Especially if it’s for your high school Spanish class. This leads to the question, “What should I watch?” and “Why should I watch it? Below I have a list of must-see Spanish shows that are available on Netflix.
Is there a difference between watching a show dubbed and watching a show that is in the original language? Yes. Dubbing, also known as voice-over, are actors that are reading a translated script.
A couple of pros: when you watch a show in its original language and you know the story, then you can compare the audio to the subtitle. It is recommended that you watch the shows in the Spanish language while using English subtitles. It will help you build the association between the written words.
Now the cons: as I mentioned, when dubbing, the voice actors are using a translated script and that, my friends, may cause inaccuracies to the story. Whereas watching the original language will be more accurate to the original plot line. Using subtitles is still a great option that you can use as a language learner, especially when it comes to expanding your vocabulary and phrases.
As a language coach and teacher, I use a chrome extension called “Language learning with Netflix”. This allows you to have the original subtitles (the dialogue of the film), a subtitle that translates, and a literal translation. Unfortunately, you can only use this option when watching Netflix on a computer.
What Are the Best Spanish TV Shows on Netflix?
Here are some of the best Spanish TV shows on Netflix that can help you brush up on the language!
Siempre bruja (Always a Witch)
In this fun young adult sci-fi fantasy, a young 17th-century witch time-travels to the future to save the man she loves, but first must adjust to present-day Cartagena and defeat a dark rival. This show is uses Colombian Spanish. This will be great to learn new phrases that will be typically used in Colombia!
LEVEL: Late Beginner-Intermediate
Alta Mar (High Seas)
In this binge-worthy Spanish murder mystery, two sisters discover disturbing family secrets after a string of mysterious deaths that occur on a luxury cruise traveling from Spain to Brazil in the 1940s. Will the truth unfold? This show will be great for Late beginners to Intermediate to help with the Castellan pronunciation.
LEVEL: Intermediate-Advanced
Rompan todo (Break It All: The History of Rock in Latin America)
Another Binge-worthy series that is filled with different Spanish dialects, this show will help you realize that you don’t have to have perfect pronunciation when speaking Spanish. In this fascinating six-part docuseries, it explores the 50-year history of Latin American rock. Featuring iconic bands such as Soda Stereo, Café Tacvba, Los Prisioneros, Aterciopelados, and many more. If you are learning Spanish to better communicate with your Spanish-speaking family, this would be a great show to watch together.
LEVEL: Late Beginner-Intermediate
POCOYO
There is only one adjective that I can describe this show. CUTE! Pocoyo is a preschool educational series that was originally created in Spanish but has English as the “original” language on Netflix so you will have to change the audio to Spanish. POCOYO is a great show for absolute beginners, as the phrases tend to be more isolated and it is easy to catch.
LEVEL: Beginner
XICO’S JOURNEY
Xico’s Journey is a Mexican animated family adventure about a girl and her dog who journey into a mountain to save it, the environment, and all the people in her town. The intrepid hero, Copi, is a strong girl lead, smart, kind, and fearless. She has strong support from friends and family, as well as from Xico, her guardian dog, who could turn out to be more magical than even Xico could imagine. This movie is a great movie for all Spanish learners.
LEVEL: ALL LEVELS
Nailed it Mexico
I had to add a form of a reality show to the list. It is important to listen to the natural speed of how one talks in Spanish. NAILED IT MEXICO is where amateur bakers try to recreate baked masterpieces. A great show to learn vocabulary about ingredients, foods, and directions. Whether you are looking to improve in descriptions or commands.
What Are the Best Spanish TV Shows for Kids?
Spanish TV shows for kids are a great way to help them get acclimated to the language and culture of Spanish-speaking countries. There are a variety of options available, from educational programs that can help reinforce what they’re learning in school, to lively cartoons and even soap operas.
Some of the most beloved choices by children include Plaza Sésamo, which brings back fond memories for many parents, as well as Pocoyo and La Niñera.
There is truly something for everyone when exploring the world of Spanish-language programming designed specifically for children – it’s never been easier to introduce kids to a new language with so much fun and excitement!
What Are the Best TV Shows to Learn Spanish for Adults?
If you’re an adult looking to learn Spanish, there are plenty of great TV shows available to help you do just that. For starters, Familia Moderna is a Mexican sitcom set in Mexico City perfect for learning the language in an entertaining way.
Another show that adults can use to advance their Spanish skills is La Casa de Las Flores, which follows the lives of members of a privileged family in Mexico City.
For more educational content, documentaries such as Cocina con Arte provide creative and educational cooking instruction while using vocabulary and expressions from the Spanish language.
What Are the Best Spanish TV Shows for Beginners?
Latin culture is full of energy, animation, and flavor. Immersing oneself in the language can be quite a challenge. With that in mind, one of the best ways to learn known languages such as Spanish is through entertainment.
Watching TV shows in Spanish is a great way to practice comprehension and pick up new vocabulary.
For beginners who are just starting off on their Spanish-language journey, a few excellent Spanish TV programs included La Casa de Papel (Money Heist), Elite, and Vis a Vis (Locked Up).
These exciting and captivating series provide a comprehensive introduction to the Spanish language and Latin cultures around the world.
As an added bonus, viewers receive a unique education about contemporary real-world issues such as immigration, poverty, social media obsession, sexuality, racism, and much more. Newcomers to Spain can learn important facets of the beloved country while enjoying good storylines in these classic series.
Watch Spanish TV Shows on Netflix Today!
Choosing what to watch on Netflix can be daunting since there a lot of options to choose from. When choosing a show for listening comprehension, you have to consider where you are in your Spanish journey. For example, if you are a beginner you would want to avoid a show that generally is fast-paced. Typically, I advise beginners to watch children’s shows or Disney show’s like “Violetta” (available on Disney+) since the speech is slowed down and phrases are easier to catch.
What are some Spanish phrases you caught from a Spanish show you watched? Let me know via the comments and be sure to sign up for Spanish lessons ASAP to further build your skills.
Happy Learning!
Rosita Ruiz