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Can’t decide between an English language lesson or just chilling on the couch with a movie? Well, there’s no reason you can’t do both! Check out these movie recommendations for all your language learning goals:
English movies to improve speaking
English movies to improve comprehension
English movies to improve vocabulary
🎬🗣 English movies to improve speaking
Do you want to learn to speak English like a local? If your goal is to use casual expressions, make jokes, and handle everyday conversations, comedies and rom-coms are a great choice. The dialogue in these films is usually straightforward and natural, rather than textbook-like. The characters tend to interact in informal ways and talk about ordinary topics, which helps you learn how to sound natural—without having to keep track of advanced vocabulary that may be found in other genres.
It can also be helpful to watch movies featuring actors with diverse accents, since this exposes you to a wider range of speech patterns and pronunciation.
| Movie | Helpful because… |
|---|---|
| Sweet Home Alabama (2002) | the actors have a variety of U.S. accents and use plenty of colloquialisms |
| The Intern (2015) | it contains clear speech, workplace English, and professional expressions |
| Crazy Rich Asians (2018) | it contains both native English speakers and second-language speakers, varying between formal and casual speech |
| Marriage Story (2019) | it contains tons of dialogue, emotional scenes, and arguments that demonstrate real spoken English |
| The Thursday Murder Club (2025) | the actors speak clearly yet casually in British accents |
🎬👂 English movies to improve listening skills (without needing subtitles!)
You may be wondering—can’t all movies help me understand spoken English? And yes, while that’s true, some are better suited for this task than others. Teen movies, for example, are particularly helpful because they usually have simple plots, and the characters spend a lot of time on screen talking. This makes it easier to understand what’s happening, even without subtitles.
Another bonus? Many teen movies include narration from the main character. When a character tells you directly what’s going on—and who’s who—it takes some pressure off. You can relax and follow along without having to keep track of a complicated story, which can be tiring in another language. Narration is a great way to train your ear because you can’t rely on the visual aid of watching people’s mouths.
| Movie | Helpful because… |
|---|---|
| Forrest Gump (1994) | it contains slow main character narration in a Southern U.S. accent |
| Mean Girls (2004) | it contains main character narration and articulate yet casual speech |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010) | it contains character narration, and the actors have accents that are easy to understand for many learners |
| How To Train Your Dragon (2010) | it contains clear narration as well as a mix of U.S. and U.K. accents |
| Do Revenge (2022) | it contains casual, everyday speech and main character narration |
🎬🔠 English movies to improve vocabulary
If you’re looking to build a more advanced vocabulary, some genres are a better fit than others. More verbose movies—like cerebral, sci-fi, fantasy, or adventure films—often use richer and more specialized language. Stories about time travel, magic, or more “out there” plots tend to include more advanced or niche vocabulary and often revolve around a specific theme that uses it repeatedly.
Historical movies and period pieces are another great option for expanding your vocabulary. These films often use old-fashioned expressions or references to historical objects that aren’t common in everyday speech. While you might not use this language daily, it can help you build a deeper knowledge of English—especially if you’re interested in history or fantastical subjects.
| Movie | Helpful because… |
|---|---|
| The Martian (2015) | it contains scientific jargon and main character narration |
| Enola Holmes (2020) | it contains old-fashioned words and expressions and British accents |
| Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) | the actors have a variety of accents, and there are scenes with pedantic dialogue |
| Oppenheimer (2023) | contains verbose dialogue and academic vocabulary |
| Uglies (2024) | contains easy-to-understand accents, and some scientific and technical vocabulary |
Press play and let the learning begin
No matter what you watch, the most important thing is to have fun while learning. So at the end of the day, pick something you’re interested in, sit back, and enjoy! 📽️🍿✨