If your goal is learning Italian, you don’t really have to limit yourself to textbooks, flashcards, and language apps. There are many enjoyable ways to boost your learning skills and one of our favorites is this: watching Italian movies (though TV series are okay too). Why? Because they let you hear the language as it’s naturally spoken. And you also get to enjoy a story while learning!
Don’t know where to start? Here’s a curated list of some of my favorite Italian movies to learn Italian.
Level: Beginner
La gabbianella e il gatto is an animated classic most kids loved in the early 2000s. The story it’s quite easy (though a bit strange): a cat who becomes the guardian of a young seagull and has to learn how to raise him. It can seem like a childish story but trust me, it's filled with tenderness and humor. And you’ll love it.
If you’re a beginner this is one of the best movies to watch. It was initially made for kids so, as you can imagine, the dialogue is slow and very basic. Sentences, too, are short and simple making it easy to understand the story even if you don’t know all the words!
Level: Beginner–Intermediate
This is one of my favorite comedies. It’s all about cultural differences between the North and the South of Italy and follows the story of a northern Italian post office manager who is transferred to a small town in the South. Through his (many) struggles and humorous misunderstandings, he adapts to local customs and discovers the charm of southern Italy. I’ll just tell you this: you might not get all of the cultural jokes, but as soon as you find out more about Italian culture you’ll be laughing non-stop!
For language learners, this is an excellent movie to hear conversational Italian. Dialogue is clear and vocabulary is simple, though you’ll occasionally hear stronger southern accents. The best part? The mix of polite and informal exchanges will give you a sense of how Italians speak in different contexts.
Level: Beginner–Intermediate
This drama will hit you right in the heart. It tells the story of a mother who, before passing away, leaves 18 gifts for her daughter. One for each birthday she’ll have without her before reaching adulthood. In the movie you’ll see the daughter growing up with these gifts, which keeps her connected to her mom. Trust me, it’s beautifully told and you might want to keep some tissues nearby. Just in case!
If you want to practice Italian listening, this is a perfect movie thanks to the conversations that are modern and easy to follow. People use everyday phrases, and the context makes it really easy to understand even if you miss a word here and there. Also, the pace is not too fast. It’s, like, the perfect bridge between beginner and intermediate listening.
Level: Intermediate
Here’s a movie that will make you laugh and cringe at the same time. And maybe even think twice about leaving your phone on the table for everyone to see! After all, that’s the premise of it all: a group of friends that chooses to share all incoming texts and calls with everyone at the table during a dinner party. Sounds fun, right? Well, not really, because it doesn’t take long before secrets come spilling out!
If you’re learning Italian, Perfetti sconosciuti will feel like stepping into a real conversation with Italian friends. It’s fast and full of slang and jokes, and you probably won’t catch it all the first time. But don’t stress, it’s normal: after all, you’re listening to the way Italians really speak in informal settings.
Level: Intermediate
Based on a true story, this movie is about an engineer who decides to build his own island off the Italian coast and declare it independent. Yes, he literally builds a (not recognized) micronation. And what follows is a mix of comedy and political satire with a feel-good tone that makes it really fun to watch.
From a learner’s perspective, L’incredibile storia dell’Isola delle Rose is the perfect movie for hearing modern, everyday Italian. Most of the dialogue is informal and easy to follow but you’ll also get some formal language when the government is involved. And the humor makes the vocabulary much easier to learn!
Level: Intermediate–Advanced
Nuovo Cinema Paradiso is one of Italy’s most beloved movies. Ask any movie geek and they will likely know it! The story is very much Italian: a young Sicilian boy falls in love with movies and eventually gets mentored by the local projectionist. All while life keeps unfolding normally in his small town.
For Italian learners, this movie is the perfect mix of informal conversations (in the childhood scenes) and reflective narration (during the adulthood moments). The vocabulary here is richer than the one from beginner movies but it’s still clear enough to follow. It really is a great choice if you want to challenge yourself with more advanced Italian!
Level: Intermediate–Advanced
Another great classic of Italian cinema. Matrimonio all’italiana is set in the 1960s and it follows the relationship between a businessman and a very charming, very strong-willed woman. Their love story is complicated and passionate which makes it both entertaining and stereotypically “Italian.”
For Italian learners, this movie is the perfect chance to listen to a kind of Italian that’s definitely more expressive than the one you find in modern movies. The pace is not troubling but the vocabulary might be a bit difficult to follow since it’s more on the older side. This is it: it might not be the easiest movie to watch but if you’re up for a challenge give it a try!
Level: Advanced
This movie is epic. And I mean it. It follows the story of two Italian brothers across several decades of Italian history, exploring family, politics, social changes, and personal struggles. It covers everything, from family drama to big historical events, and gives a real panoramic view of Italian life and culture. It’s long (I mean, a whole 6 hours) but it’s worth it.
For advanced Italian learners, La meglio gioventù is like a masterclass in Italian listening. You’ll move from casual conversations, to emotional outbursts, to formal dialogue, and professional conversations. There’s Italian in so many registers and speeds that it really stretches your comprehension!
Level: Advanced
La grande bellezza is basically a love letter to Rome. And also a critique of its society. The movie tells the story of a writer as he reflects on art and searches for the meaning of life. It is stunning both visually and philosophically and feels like a meditation more than a movie. And, trust me, it will stay with you long after the credits roll.
As for language learning, this movie is challenging but incredibly rewarding. Dialogues mix poetic Italian with casual exchanges, often at a fast pace. It’s full of idioms and metaphors. So yes, it’s definitely not the movie to start with, but if you’re already at an advanced level and want to experience Italian at a high level, this is a must watch.
Now that you have your movies to choose from, let me give you just a few tips. Because watching Italian movies is more than entertainment. It can become a powerful language learning tool if you approach it in the right way!
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