15 Best Movies to learn English
Created: Nov 05, 2024
Last Updated: Dec 21, 2024
So you want to find the best movies to learn English? We’re happy to help. As creators of a one-of-a-kind platform for learning English through film, we carefully select movies that are perfect for building language skills. With interactive quizzes tailored to your proficiency level and vocabulary lessons from each film, you can learn new words at your own pace.
Most of the movies on this list will be available on the Flurret platform, allowing you to learn from them before watching. By signing up for Flurret, you can work toward fluency in English, gaining full control over your learning experience (while enjoying movies as you go!).
Enjoy movies as they were meant to be watched - without disruption, without pauses, and with complete engagement.
The best movies to learn English
Movies are one of the most engaging ways of learning a language. If you're a beginner to the English language or an intermediate looking to learn advanced English, watching movies regularly will propel your learning further. From understanding new vocabulary to identifying different accents and learning a little bit more about British culture, there is a huge selection of ideal movies that we've handpicked right here. If you prefer lessons in small doses, checkout our list of TV shows to learn English for additional resources!
Try to tick off as many as you can from the list below! We're continually adding to our library, so you will never run out of great movies.
1. Four Weddings and a Funeral
- English proficiency level: Intermediate to advanced
- Genre: Comedy Romance
- Summary of learnings: Regional British accents, British humour, British wedding culture
You'll love this movie if you're intrigued by British culture and the range of accents across towns. This delightful film, full of British wedding culture and humour, will help you get to grips with conversational language, accents, and social customs. Bonus: British heartthrob Hugh Grant makes for the perfect romantic lead!
2. Juno
- English proficiency level: Intermediate
- Genre: Comedy, drama
- Summary of learnings: US teen slang, family and teen culture, sarcasm and humour
Younger viewers will be highly entertained by this lighthearted coming-of-age movie. The movie follows the story of a 16-year-old’s journey as she navigates all of life's surprises (such as teenage pregnancy). Its conversational style and comedic dialogue make this a great watch for intermediate English learners with an admiration for teenage American movies. It's authentic, funny and heartfelt, with characters and a storyline that will stay with you long after watching.
3. The King's Speech
- English proficiency level: Advanced
- Genre: Historical/Biography
- Summary of learnings: British history, formal language, speech therapy techniques and public speaking
If you want to add an Oscar-winning hit to your list, make this film based on King George VI's speech impediment your next top pick. We recommend it for its portrayal of 1930s England, memorable monologue, and royal dialect. It’s a powerful movie that sheds light on the challenges of speech disorders, where pronunciation can be incredibly hard. The breath control and speech training techniques featured in the movie can help improve your own fluency, focusing on clearer, easier, and slower speech.
4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
- English proficiency level: Intermediate
- Genre: Fantasy/Family
- Summary of learnings: Formal British language, Latin origin, academic words
You can't miss one of the most beloved stories in the world: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer’s Stone. It's magical, engaging, fun, and whimsical - what's not to love? Aimed at family audiences, this film features accessible dialogue and inspiring young characters. As Harry discovers his magical background, viewers are introduced to a wide range of vocabulary, including spells derived from Latin and expressions that reflect traditional British school culture. The phrasing used throughout will expand your vocabulary, particularly about the fantasy genre. Learn English with Harry Potter by signing up to Flurret!
Packed with themes of friendship, good versus evil, and bravery, this movie makes improving language skills entertaining.
Fun fact: The Harry Potter book series includes 85% of the words on the official Academic Word List!
5. Avatar
- English proficiency level: Intermediate
- Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Summary of learnings: Scientific terminology, creative language, cultural concepts
Avatar includes world-building, encouraging viewers to escape into an entirely new world. If you enjoy using your imagination and learning fictional invented words, this one's for you. The film dives into themes related to the environment and technology, so you can pick up new vocabulary in different areas outside of day-to-day conversations. This movie is rich in emotions - it's fascinating to watch how the characters express their strong feelings in English. With an exciting story and beautiful visuals, even if the language feels overwhelming or confusing at first, you can still enjoy a mindblowing cinematic experience.
6. Frozen
- English proficiency level: Beginner
- Genre: Family Animation
- Summary of learnings: Child-friendly language, English lyrics, conversational language
If you love animated movies, Frozen is one of the best and most popular of the generation. Watching this hit Disney film in English will help you pick up basic vocabulary, made even easier by the catchy musical numbers that make practicing rhythm and pronunciation fun. Whether you're learning English as a family or helping your child with their studies, Frozen is a heartwarming movie that beautifully expresses feelings of love, joy, friendship, and fear.
7. The Devil Wears Prada
- English proficiency level: Intermediate
- Genre: Comedy Drama
- Summary of learnings: Corporate terminology, communication skills and idiomatic expressions
The Devil Wears Prada is an iconic movie starring Meryl Streep that is ideal for English language learners. Expect sharp and witty humour, a compelling plot and valuable insight into modern corporate culture and the fashion world of New York. Watching this movie in English will expose you to specialized vocabulary related to the fashion industry, so you can add commonly used phrases from professional settings to your word bank. From exploring the dynamics of the workplace to learning context about discussions with friends and coworkers, we’re confident you’ll learn a lot from this movie!
8. Inside Out
- English proficiency level: Beginner
- Genre: Family, Animated
- Summary of learnings: Abstract concepts, family dynamics and emotional expression
Inside Out plays with the concept of emotions, quite complex despite its age rating. It’s a beautiful animated movie that reflects on themes such as emotional intelligence, personal growth, and the way in which children and adults handle their feelings. The film personifies emotions like Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust, turning them into characters that interact with one another and shape the narrative.
This personification helps beginners in particular understand abstract concepts like emotions more tangibly. As a viewer, you are introduced to vocabulary related to mental states and family dynamics, showing you how emotion impacts everything we do and say as people.. It’s the perfect choice for beginners and children, thanks to its relatable language and emotional depth.
(psst.. If you’re a fan of cartoons, read a list of the best cartoons to learn English on our blog!)
9. Darkest Hour
- English proficiency level: Advanced
- Genre: Historical drama
- Summary of learnings: Political speech, British history, emotional expression
Darkest Hour is basically a history lesson wrapped up in a fantastic masterclass of English. It’s a must-watch movie to sharpen your language skills while escaping into the tense world and life of Winston Churchill during World War II.
Gary Oldman’s performance is phenomenal, he accurately represents what we know of Churchill’s fiery spirit and determination. The dialogue is rich in formal, professional language - think powerful speeches and political conversations. Expect historical lingo, inspirational and intense moments that’ll definitely expand your vocabulary. There’s never a dull moment in this movie, it’s thrilling, engaging and guaranteed to have you at the edge of your seat!
10. Bend it Like Beckham
- English proficiency level: Intermediate
- Genre: Sport, comedy, drama
- Summary of learnings: Cultural conflict, multicultural experience, Indian English
If you're a soccer fanatic (or football as they call it in the UK), you won’t want to miss this. Bend It Like Beckham is a British masterpiece, lighthearted yet driven by real issues related to gender expectations and cultural conflict. It follows the story of a teen female protagonist who’s trying to make her dream of playing football a reality. When faced with the male-dominated industry - as a teenage girl with an Indian background - multiple obstacles stand in the way.
This movie is more than just about the game; it’s about personal ambition and breaking the barriers of gender conformities. You’ll hear cheeky British slang, various accents, and meaningful English in a multicultural setting.
For a movie that perfectly balances powerful storytelling with the right amount of lighthearted humor, make sure to add Bend it Like Beckham to your list.
11. Love Actually
- English proficiency level: Intermediate
- Genre: Romantic comedy, Christmas movie
- Summary of learnings: Interconnected storylines, British accents, emotional language
Love Actually is a classic Christmas watch, but its heartwarming story can be enjoyed any time of year. The film follows multiple interconnected storylines that focus on various characters and how their lives intertwine, leading to a feel-good, happy ending. You’ll experience a wide range of personality types, British humor at its best, and touching moments that stay with you long after watching.
For intermediate English speakers, this movie is a great way to improve conversational language, particularly in expressing emotions, relationships, and affection. The thoughtful monologues and acts of love throughout the film offer useful examples of how to communicate deep feelings. It also introduces British slang and colloquial expressions, some of which have become very popular - even 20 years after its release date! The accents and speech styles make it an effective resource for understanding the nuances of the English language in all kinds of contexts.
12. Clueless
- English proficiency level:Intermediate
- Genre: Teen romantic comedy
- Summary of learnings: Retro teen slang, sarcasm and irony
If you love a good chick-flick, make this a priority on your ‘must-watch’ list. Inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Emma, this 90s LA-based movie is full to the brim with fun slang, casual interactions, and plenty of relationship drama (not to mention the iconic outfits!).
Clueless features a protagonist who speaks with exaggerated clarity, so you’ll never struggle to understand what she’s saying. Watching this movie offers a chance to experience the Californian accent, understand American teenage culture, and enjoy genuinely witty, fun dialogue.
13. Paddington
- English proficiency level: Beginner
- Genre: Family adventure
- Summary of learnings: Authentic British setting, miscommunication, cultural differences
Paddington (2014) is a movie that will truly tug at your heartstrings. A modern retelling of the classic children’s stories,, this movie reflects on the very concept of understanding a language as someone with cultural differences. Paddington, the cute little bear, symbolizes an outsider figuring out the complexities of English, from misusing common idioms to making endearing missteps. Through his curiosity and determination, he shows first-hand how language can be both bewildering and a powerful tool for connection.
Not only is this movie a wonderful lesson in English language, it’s a lesson in acceptance and kindness and approaching new scenarios with optimism. It’s overflowing with heartfelt moments, cultural quirks, and iconic mishaps, encouraging audiences to embrace life’s little misunderstandings and laugh off any mistakes with grace. It’s educating, entertaining and playful with a sprinkle of wholesome humor and charm.
14. The Hunger Games
- English proficiency level: Advanced
- Genre: Dystopian, action
- Summary of learnings: Political, world-building, emotive, class systems
The Hunger Games series shines a spotlight on the disturbing reality of corrupt power and the darker, more brutal aspects of human nature. It forces viewers to question the future of society and the true meaning of morality. Raw, intense, and at times hard to watch, it challenges audiences to reflect on how far human beings could go in the name of survival and freedom in the face of oppression.
Despite its unsettling themes, The Hunger Games rightfully secures its place as one of the most influential dystopian series of its generation.
There’s diverse vocabulary, from those considered the lowest class to those in high power, offering a great mix of political speech and simpler, everyday language. There’s no disputing either of the movies in the series are good for practicing English, and that’s mainly down to the engaging, intense plot and emotional storyline.
15. The Social Network
- English proficiency level: Intermediate to advanced
- Genre: Drama, biography
- Summary of learnings: Social media,
The Social Network is great for those looking for a fast-paced, quick dose of English learning. We recommend this film for its unique filming style, as it incorporates coding chats, Facebook posts, and all types of online communication. Seeing the text on screen can help enhance written skills, providing insight into tech vocabulary and modern internet slang.
This movie tackles a theme that most countries are familiar with: the social media world. Its relatable subject matter makes it easy to follow along, while still being educational and interesting in equal measure. Expect exposure to legal language, modern business scenarios, and courtroom discussions.
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