10 Great French Movies to Watch and Learn French
Learning a new language can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be dull. Luckily, there’s a fun and effective way to complement your language learning: watching movies! If you’re looking to improve your French skills, immersing yourself in French movies is a fantastic choice. Not only will you expand your vocabulary and grammar knowledge, but you’ll also get a glimpse into the rich tapestry of French culture and history.
But with so many French films out there, where do you even begin? Don’t worry, in this post, we’ll explore some of the best French movies to watch and share some tips on how to learn French while enjoying them. So sit back, grab some popcorn, and get ready to take your French to the next level!
Table of Contents
Why Learn French?
Before delving into the best French movies to watch, let’s take a moment to discuss why learning French is a great choice.
French is the official language of 29 countries, making it one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It is also the second-most studied language in the world, after English. So, if you’re looking for a language that will give you plenty of opportunities to practice and improve your skills, French is definitely worth considering.
French is also the official language of the United Nations, the European Union, UNESCO, and many other international organizations. So if you’re looking to boost your career prospects, especially in business and international relations, knowing French can make you a more competitive candidate.
If interested in learning more about what can French learning bring you, check out our previous post on the benefits of language learning.
Best French Movies to Watch and Learn French
Now without further adue, let’s dive into some of the best French movies to watch and learn French:
Amélie (2001)
- IMDb rating: 8.3
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu
Amélie is a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. Set in Paris, the film tells the story of a quirky young woman named Amélie who decides to help those around her find happiness. The movie is full of whimsical characters, stunning visuals, and a beautiful soundtrack, making it a joy to watch.
Amélie is perfect for French beginners as the dialogue is relatively easy to follow. You’ll also pick up some useful French expressions and idioms.
Les Intouchables (2011)
- IMDb rating: 8.5/10
- genre: Comedy/Drama
- where to watch: Netflix
Les Intouchables is a heartwarming movie based on the true story of a wealthy quadriplegic who hires a young ex-convict as his caretaker. The film deals with themes of friendship, class, and disability, and is guaranteed to make you laugh and cry.
From a language-learning perspective, Les Intouchables is perfect for intermediate French learners as the dialogue is relatively easy to follow, and the film features a mix of formal and informal language.
Portrait d’une jeune femme en feu (2019)
- IMDb rating: 8.1
- Genre: Drama/Romance
- Where to watch: Hulu
Portrait de la jeune fille en feu (Portrait of a Lady on Fire) is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful film set in 18th-century France. Every scene in the film looks like a beautiful oil painting. The movie follows the story of a female artist who is hired to paint a portrait of a young woman, only to fall deeply in love with her subject. The film explores themes of love, desire, and the role of women in society.
From a language-learning perspective, Portrait d’une jeune femme en feu is great for intermediate to advanced learners as the dialogue is relatively complex and poetic. The film also features some archaic French vocabulary that you may not encounter in everyday conversation.
La Haine (1995)
- IMDb rating: 8.1
- Genre: Drama/Crime
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Kanopy
La Haine is a gritty and powerful film that explores the lives of three young men living in a poverty-stricken suburb of Paris. The movie deals with themes of racism, police brutality, and social inequality, making it a thought-provoking watch.
From a language-learning perspective, “La Haine” is great for intermediate learners as the dialogue is fast-paced and full of slang. You’ll also get a sense of how French youth culture differs from other parts of the world.
Les Choristes (2004)
- IMDb rating: 7.9/10
- genre: Drama/Music
- where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Les Choristes is a heartwarming drama that tells the story of a music teacher who changes the lives of his students through his passion for music. Set in post-World War II France, the movie explores themes of education, mentorship, and personal growth.
Les Choristes is great to improve your vocabulary. Even though the background is in the 50s, the dialogues are relatively easy to follow with words and phrases we still use today. The music also provides a great opportunity to sing along and practice your listening and speaking skills.
La Grande Vadrouille (1966)
- IMDb rating: 8.0/10
- genre: Comedy/War
- where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
La Grande Vadrouille is a classic French comedy that tells the story of two unlikely allies – a French pilot and a group of British soldiers – as they try to escape from Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II. The movie is full of slapstick humor and witty one-liners, making it a fun and entertaining watch.
The film features a mix of French and English and the dialogue is relatively slow.
Caché (2005)
- IMDb rating: 7.3/10
- genre: Drama/Mystery
- where to watch: Hulu
Caché is a psychological thriller that explores themes of guilt, memory, and identity. The film tells the story of a Parisian couple who begin to receive mysterious videotapes that show them being secretly filmed. As they try to uncover the identity of their stalker, they are forced to confront their past and the secrets they have been keeping from each other.
From a language-learning perspective, Caché is great for advanced learners as the dialogue is complex and full of nuance.
La Grande Illusion (1937)
- IMDb rating: 8.0/10
- genre: Drama, War
- where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
La Grande Illusion is a classic French film that tells the story of French prisoners of war during World War I. The movie explores themes of social class, nationalism, and the futility of war. It is a great choice for advanced learners because the dialogue is more complex and the movie deals with more nuanced themes. The movie also provides a great opportunity to learn about French history and culture.
Un homme et une femme (1966)
- IMDb rating: 7.5
- Genre: Romance/Drama
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Kanopy
Un homme et une femme is a classic French film that tells the story of a widowed race car driver and a divorced script girl who meet at their children’s boarding school and gradually fall in love. The movie is known for its beautiful cinematography and iconic soundtrack.
From a language-learning perspective, “Un homme et une femme” is great for beginners as the dialogue is relatively straightforward and easy to follow. You’ll also get a sense of French culture and social norms from the film’s depiction of relationships and family life.
La Vie d’Adèle (2013)
- IMDb rating: 7.8
- Genre: Drama/Romance
- Where to watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video
La Vie d’Adèle is a critically acclaimed, coming-of-age French film that tells the story of a teenage girl named Adèle who falls in love with an older, blue-haired art student named Emma. The movie explores themes of identity, sexuality, and the complexities of relationships.
From a language-learning perspective, La Vie d’Adèle can be challenging for beginners due to its complex dialogue and mature themes. However, it’s a great resource for intermediate to advanced learners looking to improve their listening skills and learn more about contemporary French culture.
How to Learn French by Watching French Movies
Learning French by watching movies can be a fun and effective way to improve your language skills. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your movie-watching experience.
First and foremost, choose movies and shows that interest you. The important thing is that you keep motivated and spend more time immersed in the language. If you enjoy comedies, watch French comedies. If you’re interested in history, watch French historical dramas. This will keep you motivated and engaged in the learning process.
Watching movies with French subtitles is another great way to improve your reading skills and expand your vocabulary. You’ll be able to see the words as they’re spoken, which will help you understand the meaning of what is being said. Additionally, taking notes while watching can help you remember new words and phrases. Write down words you don’t know and look up their meanings later, or jot down frequently used phrases to incorporate into your conversations.
Repeating after the actors is a fantastic way to improve your pronunciation and speaking skills. Try pausing the movie and repeating what the actors say, or even dubbing your favorite parts of the movie after watching. Pay attention to how the actors pronounce the words and try to imitate them.
Lastly, don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results right away. Learning a new language takes time and effort. Celebrate your small victories along the way and keep pushing yourself to improve. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to fluency in no time!
