My Favorite International Shows You Can Watch On Netflix

Whether it is to practice a language or to discover something new, watching a show from another country is a great way to do both. I love watching shows from other countries and here are a few of my favorites you can watch right now on Netflix. (All shows listed are rated TV-MA for either language, violence, or sex.)

Derry Girls (Ireland)

This quirky Irish comedy takes place in Northern Ireland during The Troubles in the 90s. It is about 5 teenage friends trying to find their way around their troubled city while trying to figure out themselves. It is hilarious and is refreshing from the other comedies on Netflix. Although it is technically in English, it sometimes feels like you are trying understand a different language with their strong Irish accents. It is a good way to learn Irish slang though.

Morocco: Love in Times of War (Spain)

This Spanish drama takes place in Spain and Morocco during the Rif War in the 1920s. It is about nurses who are sent to Morocco to work in a hospital. There they make friendships, fall in love with natives and doctors, and encounter danger and drama. It is a great show to learn about Spanish history and practice listening to Spanish from Spain.

Charite (Germany)

This German hospital drama takes place in Germany in the 1800s. It is about a nurse who falls in love with helping people and wishes to become a doctor. She has to fight hard to make her dream come true because of the views and status of women at the time. She also encounters old and new love, but has to decide between love and being a doctor. It is a great way to learn about German history and how women were treated during this time period.

The Hookup Plan (France)

This French series takes place in present day Paris. It is about a girl who feels that she has ran out of luck in love. Her friends don’t want her to give up on love, so they hire a prostitute to date her. Eventually the two of them actually fall in love, but the lie between them strains their relationship and her relationship with her friends. This series may sound weird, but it is really good and is quite entertaining. It also has a very catchy song that you will probably add to your playlist.

Home For Christmas (Norway)

This Norwegian mini-series takes place in present day Norway. It is about a girl who is fed up with people always nagging her about a boyfriend, so she tells her family that she has a boyfriend and she is going to bring him to Christmas dinner. Because of this, she has only a few weeks to find a boyfriend before the family dinner. She tries everything, even online dating, to find a boyfriend, but none of the dates go well. So who will she bring to Christmas dinner?

The Bonfire of Destiny (France)

This French drama takes place in France in the 1800s. It is about a fire at a charity event that turns everyone’s life upside down. This series follows the story of a few affected by the event and how they come together in the end. I love this show. I binged it in two days. It is so hard to stop watching it. It is full of drama, suspense, love, and danger. It is also a good way to practice your French.

Charite: At War (Germany)

This German hospital drama is the sequel to Charite. It takes place at a German hospital during World War II. The series also deals with the Eugenic movement in Germany and what it meant to be homosexual at the time. This series is interesting, because it shows the less know things happening at the time that are often overshadowed by the war and the Holocaust. I highly recommend this series. There is so much to learn from it.

The House of Flowers (Mexico)

I am currently watching this series on Netflix and so far it is good. It is my first time watching a show without any English. I kept the audio on Spanish and put on Spanish subtitles to help myself understand it. So far it has been pretty easy for me to follow what is happening, so I recommend this is you are learning Spanish. It is about a wealthy family in Mexico. At the parents anniversary party, the family finds out that their father has been having a secret affair when his lover hangs herself in the garden room. Now the family has to figure out how to put themselves back together, while also figuring out how to do that with their fathers second family. There is a lot of lies, love, and drama in this show. It will definitely keep you interested.

I hope you decide to check out these shows. They are all a great ways to practice a language, learn about history, or learn about the culture of another country.