An effective way to improve your Italian language skills is to immerse yourself in media in the target language, and a convenient way to do this is to watch Italian movies. Not only do you get a glimpse of Italian customs and culture, but you also get to hear local actors speak the language!
With the many streaming services available, watching Italian movies is relatively easy, even if you live in another country. In this article, we will explore the services offered by one of the most popular platforms, Netflix. While its collection of Italian films may not match the number of English-language films (and let's face it, it never will), there are still some noteworthy films worth exploring.
In this guide, I'll walk you through the process of discovering Italian movies on Netflix, provide a curated list of recommendations, and share tips on how to watch other Italian-language movies.
Step 1: Find Italian movies on Netflix
To easily find Italian movies on Netflix, just type “Italian” in the search bar. You'll see a list of suggestions, including options for Italian-language movies. Click on it to browse Italian movies and documentaries. Alternatively, you can search the keyword “Italian movies” directly in the search bar to get similar results.
Step 2: Choose a movie
Choosing a movie from this list can be daunting, especially if you're new to Italian cinema, actors, and directors. To help you get started, here's a selection of movies.
notes: I prioritize movies produced and/or distributed by Netflix because they will likely remain on the platform indefinitely. Keep in mind that you may come across other movies that Netflix has licensed for a limited time. Also, please note that available movie selections may vary by country.
The incredible story of Rose Island
(Literally: The Incredible Story of Rose Island)
Chinese name: Rose Island
George built his own island in the Adriatic Sea, 11 kilometers off the coast of Emilia Romagna, and declared it an independent microstate. The comedy is inspired by the extraordinary true story of George Rosa and the Republic of Rose Island, which briefly existed in 1968. Starring famous Italian actors such as Luca Zingaretti.
New Olympus
(literal meaning: New Olympus)
The film is directed by the critically acclaimed Turkish-Italian director Ferzan Özpetek. It is set in Rome in the late 1970s and tells the story of two young people who fell in love but were separated due to an accident. Thirty years later, they find each other again. The story is partly inspired by Özpetek's own life.
18 gifts
Chinese name: 18 gifts
The film tells the true story of Elisa Girotto, who discovered she had advanced breast cancer while she was pregnant with her daughter Anna. Elisa decided to prepare 18 gifts for her daughter so that she could receive one for each of her first 18th birthdays and learn about her mother's love and sacrifice along the way.
Christmas at all costs
(Literal meaning: Christmas at all costs)
Chinese title: The Price of Family
The film, a remake of the French film My Very Dear Children, tells the story of Carlo and Anna, a mature couple who fabricate an inheritance to convince their adult children to spend Christmas with them. The play stars Christian De Sica and Angela Finocchiaro, both well-known comediennes in contemporary Italian cinema. Christian De Sica continues his father's cinematic legacy as the son of legendary director Vittorio De Sica, who set the stage for the new reality emerging in Italy in the 1940s. played a key role in the movement.
it's time
(Literally. It’s time)
Chinese name: Still Time
Dante and Alice have a wonderful relationship, but Dante finds himself constantly overwhelmed with work and struggling to keep up with his busy schedule. On his birthday, Dante is caught in a time loop where each day represents a year's jump. Now, he must find a way to save their relationship and escape his workaholic lifestyle.
This fantasy comedy premiered at the Rome Film Festival in 2022. long story shortreleased just a year ago.
future life
(literally: his own future)
Chinese title: Future Life
In “The Life Ahead,” Madame Rosa is a former prostitute and Holocaust survivor who takes in a Senegalese kid named Momo after he tries to rob her. Despite their initial differences, the two form an unexpectedly deep bond. The film stars legendary actress Sophia Loren and was directed by her son Eduardo Ponti. Filmed in Bari, Puglia in southern Italy, the film tells this touching story against the beautiful backdrop of the region.
Riccione/Amalfi under the sun
English title: Under the Riccione / Under the Amalfi Sun
“Under the Sun in Riccione” and its sequel “Under the Sun in Amalfi” offer classic teen rom-coms that, while perhaps not promising much in terms of depth, offer the opportunity to practice your Italian while Admire the stunning views of the Italian coast, especially Amalfi's breathtaking scenery.
The films follow the summer adventures of five friends and their romantic getaway to the seaside. In it, the love story of Vincenzo and Camila begins in Riccione and continues a year later in Amalfi after a long-distance relationship.
It is worth noting that the title of the first film was inspired by a pop song of the same name by the former band “The Giornalisti”, and the English title was used instead of using the Italian article “i”.
Heartless
Chinese name: The Heartless
This crime drama delves into the rise and fall of notorious gangster Santo Russo in Milan in the 1980s. The character is inspired by the real-life Saverio Morabito, played by the famous actor Riccardo Scamarcio.
hand of God
Chinese name: Hand of God
The film is set in Naples in the 1980s and tells the story of Fabietto's journey. As he navigates an uncertain path marked by a burgeoning filmmaking career, his experiences shape his future.
This film is arguably the best on this list and represents the pinnacle of Italian cinema. Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, one of the most important figures in contemporary Italian cinema, the film tells a deeply personal narrative and incorporates the director's deep affection for his home city.
It's worth noting that the film's dialogue is full of Neapolitan accents and dialects, making it a challenging film for those unfamiliar with the language and without Italian subtitles.
You are in the soul (Beautiful Rebel)
The biopic, scheduled for release on May 2, 2024, will be based on singer-songwriter Gianna Nannini's autobiography and depict her life and career. Titled “you are in the soul” In Italian, the film references one of Nannini’s most famous songs, promising an in-depth exploration of her journey through the highs and lows of her personal and professional life.
Step 3: Check the audio and enable subtitles!
Watching Italian movies with Italian audio and subtitles is a great way to immerse yourself in the language and improve your comprehension. By listening to dialogue while reading subtitles, you can improve your understanding of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Plus, it’s a fun way to experience authentic Italian culture and storytelling.
notes: Sometimes you may only encounter subtitles in English or another language, or you may find Italian subtitles and closed captions (CC) for hearing-impaired viewers. Unfortunately, this isn't always within your control. This depends on the country you are streaming in and the selections the content provider has made for that particular movie.
Sticking to an Italian-Italian approach can be difficult at first, and the temptation to switch to English subtitles (or subtitles in your native language) can be strong. However, I advise you to resist! English subtitles tend to draw your attention away from what you're hearing, causing you to focus more on the text than the spoken word. Stick to an Italian-Italian background and try watching the same movie multiple times. You'll be surprised how much you learn every time you watch. This approach reflects the way I learned English before moving to the UK.
Step 4 (optional): What about non-Italian movies?
If none of the movies listed above pique your interest, or you just want to watch something different, there's still hope of finding other Italian-language movies. Many movies released in Italy are dubbed by professional actors and have Italian audio. Whether there will also be Italian subtitles depends on your location, but you might have better luck if the movie is produced by Netflix.
One thing to note is that Italian may not show up as a language option unless your Netflix profile is set to Italian. To do this, you need to log into your Netflix account using a computer (desktop or laptop), or use a mobile device with a browser instead of the Netflix app (the app does not allow you to change the language of your profile). My suggestion is to create a second profile for Italian so that your main profile remains for English (especially if you have multiple people in your household using that profile).
You can follow Step-by-step instructions on how to get Italian audio and subtitles in our guide on Netflix. Keep in mind that this doesn't guarantee that all movies on the platform will have an Italian option, but it does ensure that if the movie offers Italian audio and subtitles (depending on your region), the option will be available.
What about TV shows?
I'm so glad you asked!We also created an article about Italian TV series. check it out!
Mathieu Gasquet was born and raised in Turin, northern Italy, to an Italian mother and a French father. He provides audio pronunciation for Daily Italian Words.
