Published on November 15, 2023
The best Spanish-language movies on Hulu
Are you looking for Spanish-language movies on Hulu to help you watch your way to Spanish fluency? You’re not the only one; we’ve recommended watching Spanish-language movies before. That’s because watching films and shows is one of the most efficient ways to learn a new language. Since there’s a story to follow, they keep you engaged for longer than a textbook would.
Movies don’t just help you learn new vocabulary and everyday idioms. They also help you sharpen your grammar, pronunciation and listening skills. And films give us a peek into all those cultural nuances we would otherwise miss… all with a side of popcorn, of course.
So, let’s explore the best Spanish-speaking movies Hulu has to offer. ¿Listos y listas? (Ready, everyone?)
You can find countless films on Hulu with Spanish subtitles. But we’re here to challenge ourselves, right? If you’re not sure you’re ready to watch original Spanish-language content, you can try the next best thing: Spanish-dubbed películas (movies).
Dubbing is the process of re-recording a film in a different language. When it’s done well, the dubbed speech syncs up pretty seamlessly with the actors’ lips. One advantage of dubbing for language learners is that the process often utilizes voice actors with a neutral accent and standard vocabulary.
Before we dive into our watchlist, here’s a tip: look for dubbed movies you are already familiar with! Since you know the plot, you’ll be able to focus more on vocabulary.
Director and year: Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, 2001
Genre: Animated fantasy comedy
A classic feel-good movie, Shrek turns all fairytale tropes on their head, and we’re here for it.
This animated film follows the story of a grumpy green ogre who finds his solitude interrupted by a horde of fairytale characters. Shrek sets out to deal with the mean Lord Farquaad, who expelled the annoying creatures into Shrek’s land. He offers Farquaad a trade in which he’ll get his home back if he rescues Princess Fiona from a dragon-guarded tower… but Fiona is hiding a dark secret.
Chances are, you’ve watched Shrek a few times already. You likely know the plot and even some of the more memorable quotes. This familiarity is key, as it will allow you to center your attention on new vocabulary and grammatical structures.
Director and year: Ruben Fleischer, 2009
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Up for a post-apocalyptic comedy with a dash of horror? Yup, Zombieland has all that.
This cult film follows four survivors who join forces in the midst of a zombie-ridden USA. Each one of them has a particular quest in mind: a shy student travels to Ohio to check on his parents; a Florida-bound zombie killer is determined to secure the very last Twinkie in the country; and two sisters strive to reach a supposedly zombie-free amusement park in Los Angeles. Will they survive?
Thanks to its casual back-and-forth dialogue, Zombieland is great if you’re looking to learn everyday vocabulary. Additionally, the dialogue is relatively simple, since there aren’t that many characters in the movie.
Ready for the next level? These are all originally filmed in Spanish, so they’re ideal if you’re looking to learn colloquialisms and immerse yourself in the natural rhythms of the language.
Always take note of a movie’s country of origin. Generally, this is an indication of the particular accent and vocabulary present in the movie.
Director and year: Adrián and Ramiro García Bogliano, 2012
Genre: Horror
Country: Argentina
This horror-thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last frame.
Set in the atmospheric capital city of Buenos Aires, Penumbra tells the story of Marga, a successful and arrogant Spanish businesswoman trying to find new tenants for her family’s spooky city apartment. When she finds a suitable (albeit shady) prospect, she is thrown into a wild wind of horror while a solar eclipse ominously looms over the city.
Penumbra is an excellent opportunity to compare and contrast Argentinian and Spanish accents. You may pick up on the four major grammatical differences between Latin American Spanish and the Spanish spoken in Spain’.
Director and year: Gustavo Taretto, 2011
Genre: Comedy-drama
Country: Argentina
What would the world be without a heartfelt drama?
Medianeras is a thought-provoking story about loneliness and heartbreak in the digital age. Martín and Mariana live in opposite apartment buildings in sprawling Buenos Aires but have never exchanged a word. Both carry on with their mundane lives in their tiny shoebox apartments, one day after another, unaware of the fact that they’re made for each other.
Medianeras is one of the most relatable movies in Spanish on Hulu, so it’ll keep you interested. Plus, it’s a slow burn with easy-to-follow dialogue.
A useful way to find other Hulu Spanish movies and content is to subscribe to their Live TV service. No, we’re not a paid sponsor — it’s just a solid resource.
Not only will you get access to on-demand and extended libraries, but you’ll be able to stream over 85 channels and record live content as well. With your subscription, you’ll also get Disney+, which includes Marvel and Pixar movies — perfect if you’re looking for great Spanish-dubbed films with easy-to-follow plotlines.
Films are a powerful and immersive tool for language learners. They give us a valuable glimpse into the authentic cadence of native speakers and their everyday vocabulary, as well as the culture surrounding the language.
So, now that you’ve got a list of great Spanish-language movies on Hulu to help you with your learning, all you have to do is click on those links and watch the películas. Some popcorn is always welcome, naturally.
