[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
1. “La casa de las flores”<\/a> <\/em>(The House of Flowers)<\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Dark comedy<\/p>\n\u201cLa casa de las flores\u201d<\/em> is one of the most popular shows for Spanish learners.<\/p>\nThe de la Moras seem like a perfect family, but then it turns out that the father is having an affair\u2014and his mistress commits suicide. This exposes a bigger secret: the father actually has a second family with the mistress.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
On top of this, their kids have to deal with challenges like love triangles, accepting their sexuality and drug use, all set against a backdrop of dark humor and satire. \u00a0<\/p>\n
I watched this when I was still lower-intermediate in Spanish. One of the kids, Paulina, speaks very slowly, which makes for great listening practice.<\/p>\n
2. “Las chicas del cable”<\/em><\/a> (Cable Girls)<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain
\nGenre:<\/strong> Historical<\/p>\nFor Castilian Spanish TV shows, don\u2019t miss out on \u201cLas chicas del cable,\u201d<\/em> which has six seasons.<\/p>\nSet in the 1920s to 1930s, it follows four women who work as telephone operators in Madrid. Lidia, one of the women, enters the company with a secret agenda, but her life soon takes an unexpected turn, including being torn between her first love and the telephone company owner\u2019s son.<\/p>\n
There are plenty of touching moments, and all of the women have their own compelling personalities.<\/p>\n
Compared to other shows, it uses more polite forms of address<\/a> like usted<\/em>, se\u00f1or<\/em> and se\u00f1ora<\/em>\u00a0because those were more common before.<\/p>\n3. “Belascoar\u00e1n,\u00a0PI”<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico
\nGenre:<\/strong> Crime<\/p>\nH\u00e9ctor Belascoar\u00e1n Shayne is a one-eyed private investigator in Mexico City in the 1970\u2019s. He used to be an engineer, but he decides to become a detective because he\u2019s frustrated with corporate life.<\/p>\n
His first cases involve diverse clients, eventually leading him into the darker underbelly of the city as he tackles murder and corruption.<\/p>\n
I really like Belascoar\u00e1n because he\u2019s smart, witty and sometimes comical, and he\u2019s portrayed by Luis Gerardo M\u00e9ndez<\/a>, who starred in “Club de Cuervos”<\/em><\/a> and “Narcos: Mexico<\/em>.”<\/p>\nThis miniseries will help you get familiar with famous historical figures in Mexico like Luis Echeverr\u00eda<\/a>\u00a0and Jos\u00e9 Jos\u00e9<\/a>.<\/p>\n4. “Madre solo hay dos” <\/em><\/a>(Daughter from Another Mother)<\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico\u00a0
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Comedy<\/p>\nTwo women\u2014Ana and Mariana\u2014discover that their babies accidentally got switched with each other\u2019s at the hospital. Since it\u2019s already six months in, they agree on a solution: form a single, blended family.<\/p>\n
This leads to funny scenarios because they have contrasting personalities. Ana is a well-off, organized and career-driven, while Mariana is a free-spirited, struggling musician. Even their parenting styles clash.<\/p>\n
Both women, along with their families, go through plenty of adjustments, but then they have bonding moments too where they learn from each other.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a cute, heartwarming show that\u2019s pretty learner-friendly.<\/p>\n
5. “La casa de papel”<\/em><\/a> (Money Heist)<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain
\nGenre:<\/strong> Crime<\/p>\n“La casa de papel”<\/em> is one of the most well-known Spanish-language series on Netflix. After all, it has won a lot of awards, and it\u2019s an unforgettable watch. I was kept on my toes by all of the sudden revelations, moral dilemmas and violent scenes.<\/p>\nIt\u2019s about a multi-day assault on the Royal Mint of Spain, led by a mysterious man known as “The Professor.” He recruits eight people, who adopt city names as aliases, to carry out the ambitious plan to print billions of euros.<\/p>\n
As a Spanish learner, you\u2019ll be exposed to several accents because the characters come from all over Spain.<\/p>\n
6. “Narcos: Mexico”<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico
\nGenre:<\/strong> Crime<\/p>\nYou\u2019ve probably heard of the original \u201cNarcos\u201d series<\/a>, which is one of the best Netflix drug dramas ever. \u201cNarcos: Mexico\u201d is Netflix\u2019s newest release under the saga, and it explores the modern drug war\u2019s roots in 1980\u2019s Mexico. \u00a0<\/p>\nF\u00e9lix Gallardo, a former Sinaloan police officer, rises to power as a major drug lord who unifies several independent drug traffickers. Of course, there\u2019s someone hunting him down: Kiki Camarena, a determined DEA agent.<\/p>\n
The series features a mix of Spanish and English, but I recommend it over the original \u201cNarcos\u201d because the language is more authentic. Actors even improvised on the script!<\/p>\n
7. “La ni\u00f1a”<\/em><\/a> (The Girl)<\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Colombia
\nGenre:<\/strong> Drama\u00a0<\/p>\nBelky is a teenager with a troubled past: she was recruited as a child soldier by guerrillas in Colombia. She managed to escape and wants to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor, but adjusting to regular life isn\u2019t that easy.<\/p>\n
She struggles with PTSD from her violent past, along with being judged by her peers. Her family has to adjust because they thought she was dead, and they can sense that she has secrets she refuses to tell them.<\/p>\n
The conversations are fairly realistic, but the characters here speak fast, especially since there\u2019s a lot of drama and heavy emotion.<\/p>\n
8. “Vis a vis”<\/em><\/a> (Locked Up)<\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain
\nGenre:<\/strong> Action<\/p>\nThe setting of “Vis a vis”<\/em> is a women\u2019s prison. Macarena is an accountant who’s wrongfully jailed because she was set up by her boss and lover. She enters the prison as a naive young woman, but she has to quickly adjust to the harsh realities of life there. To survive, she’s forced to become hardened and cunning.\u00a0<\/p>\nIt really delves into the backgrounds of the inmates, with fantastic character arcs. I adored Zulema, who\u2019s one of the most dangerous women there.<\/p>\n
The dialogues are fast-paced and emotionally charged, and the inmates often use slang, so try it out without subtitles if your Spanish is at upper-intermediate or above.<\/p>\n
9. “El vecino”<\/em><\/a> (The Neighbor)<\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain
\nGenre: <\/strong>Comedy<\/p>\nJavier’s life seems to be going nowhere, but when he encounters an alien, he suddenly acquires superpowers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At first, he’s clueless and clumsy about using his abilities like flight and super strength, which lands him in all sorts of funny situations. He refuses to tell his girlfriend too. Only his neighbor and friend, Jose, knows about it and helps him adjust to his new identity as a superhero.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a wacky and lighthearted show with short episodes, and it got me laughing out loud. It\u2019s also more approachable for Spanish learners because it uses simple, everyday language.<\/p>\n
10. “El rey, Vicente Fern\u00e1ndez”<\/em><\/a> (The King)<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico
\nGenre:<\/strong> Drama<\/p>\n\u201cEl rey\u201d<\/em> is a biographical series that shows the life and career of Vicente Fern\u00e1ndez<\/a>. He\u2019s an iconic Mexican singer who\u2019s called \u201cThe King of Ranchera Music.\u201d<\/p>\nThe story begins with Vicente’s early life and how he tries to break into the industry. You\u2019ll then get to see key moments in his career, including how he developed his unique style. As he became more famous, though, his relationship with his family becomes more strained.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re interested in Mexican culture, this is a must-watch. His songs are helpful for learning Spanish because they\u2019re so memorable, with clear pronunciation.<\/p>\n
11. “Control Z”<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico
\nGenre:<\/strong> Thriller\u00a0<\/p>\nThis fun teen series reminded me of \u201cGossip Girl\u201d\u2014except it\u2019s in Mexico.<\/p>\n
A high school plunges into chaos when a hacker reveals that one of the most well-liked and beautiful students is actually trans. Later on, the hacker spills the secrets of other students too.<\/p>\n
Luckily, there\u2019s Sofia, who\u2019s a bit of a loner but has awesome observation skills similar to Sherlock. She teams up with Javier, a new student with a mysterious past, to solve the mystery of who the hacker is.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll hear tons of teen slang used in Mexican Spanish<\/a>. For example, there\u2019s chido<\/em>, which means \u201ccool\u201d or \u201cawesome.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n12. “Bol\u00edvar”<\/em>\u00a0<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Colombia\u00a0
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Historical<\/p>\nSimon Bolivar is a legendary historical figure in Latin America because he helped several countries become independent from the Spanish empire. Bolivia was named after him!<\/p>\n
This series chronicles his tumultuous and passionate life, starting from his childhood and his travels to Europe as a young man. He then grows to become a revolutionary leader, going on military campaigns across the continent. There\u2019s a bit of personal drama too\u2014his romantic relationships and inner struggles are intimately explored.<\/p>\n
It clocks in at more than 60 episodes, but it’s entertaining all throughout, and you’ll learn a lot about Latin American history.<\/p>\n
13. “Diablero”<\/em><\/a><\/b><\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico
\nGenre:<\/strong> Horror<\/p>\nElvis Infante is a charismatic and skilled diablero<\/em>, meaning he can hunt and fight demons that roam the earth. He\u2019s not alone, though\u2014he\u2019s joined by his sister Keta, a nurse who knows all about herbal medicine, and Ramiro, a priest. Along the way, they meet Nancy, who has a mysterious ability to control demons. \u00a0<\/p>\nThroughout the series, the group faces all sorts of demonic entities and venture into otherworldly realms. I found it fascinating because it draws heavily from Mexican culture and folklore as well as Catholicism. Characters use N\u00e1huatl<\/a>, the language of the Aztec Empire, for the spiritual chants.<\/p>\n14. “Sagrada familia”<\/em><\/a> (Holy Family)<\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain
\nGenre: <\/strong>Thriller<\/p>\nGloria, a single mother, moves with her family to a new neighborhood that seems welcoming at first. But as the series progresses, it\u2019s gradually revealed that the family has a dark and troubling history.<\/p>\n
A central theme here is the complexity of a mother’s love, which is compared to a scorpion\u2019s tail that\u2019s sinister and poisonous.<\/p>\n
The acting is especially brilliant, with Najwa Nimri<\/a> portraying Gloria. She also shows up in two other shows listed here (I’m a fan!): “Vis a vis”<\/em> and “La casa de papel.”<\/em><\/p>\nWhile the plot can get complicated, the language used is conversational with mostly standard accents since it\u2019s set in Madrid.<\/p>\n
15. “La valla”<\/em><\/a> (The Barrier)<\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain
\nGenre: <\/strong>Sci-fi<\/p>\nI got d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu<\/em> watching “La valla”<\/em> because it\u2019s about a pandemic and it echoes real-life situations that we went through, including masks and lockdowns. It was finished in 2019 before the COVID pandemic started, which makes it even more uncanny.<\/p>\nIt portrays Madrid in 2045 as a dystopian society where resources are scarce. Two siblings, Sara and Hugo, get separated because the government wants to study Sarah\u2019s genes, which might hold the key to curing a widespread virus. Sara\u2019s family then goes on a desperate mission to rescue her.<\/p>\n
You can pick up vocabulary here that became more widespread because of COVID, like cuarentena<\/em> (quarantine) and epidemia<\/em> (epidemic).<\/p>\n16. “Sky rojo”<\/em><\/a> (Red Sky)<\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain
\nGenre: <\/strong>Action<\/p>\nThis show was created by \u00c1lex Pina<\/a>, who was\u00a0 behind \u201cLa casa de papel\u201d<\/em> and \u201cVis a vis<\/em>\u201d as well, so you know right away it\u2019s action-packed and a little crazy.<\/p>\nThree women, Carol, Wendy and Gina, work at a brothel, but they then decide to make a desperate and violent escape when they couldn\u2019t take the abuse anymore. Romeo, the brothel owner, is obsessed with capturing them, and the girls continue on the run as it becomes a dangerous cat-and-mouse chase.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s cool is the main characters have different Spanish accents on purpose because the actresses come from different countries\u2014Spain, Argentina and Cuba.<\/p>\n
17. “La reina del sur”<\/em><\/a> (The Queen of the South)<\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico
\nGenre: <\/strong>Action<\/p>\n\u201cLa Reina del Sur\u201d<\/em> is based on the novel by Arturo P\u00e9rez-Reverte<\/a>. I adore this series because it\u2019s a story about survival and ambition.<\/p>\nTeresa Mendoza lives a modest life in Sinaloa, Mexico, but then her boyfriend, a member of a drug cartel, is murdered. Forced to flee for her safety, Teresa ends up in Spain. Here, she starts from the bottom, but through resourcefulness and strategic thinking, she climbs the ranks to become a powerful drug trafficker.<\/p>\n
Because of the diverse settings, the show features a variety of Spanish dialects.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a US-made version of the series called \u201cQueen of the South.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n18. “Distrito salvaje”<\/em><\/a> (Wild District)<\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Colombia
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Action<\/p>\n“Distrito salvaje”<\/i> is another Colombian crime series that involves guerilla fighters, but it\u2019s grittier and much more action-focused than “La ni\u00f1a.”<\/em><\/p>\nJhon, a former guerrilla fighter, moves back to Bogot\u00e1 after a peace treaty. He tries to adapt to civilian life and reconnect with his estranged family, but he gets drawn back into violence and espionage when the Colombian government recruits him as an informant.<\/p>\n
As he\u2019s tasked with investigating criminal organizations, he uncovers corruption and betrayal within the government ranks as well.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll notice that in Colombian Spanish<\/a>, usted<\/em> is used a lot more, even when talking casually to friends and family.<\/p>\n19. “El marginal”<\/em><\/a><\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Argentina
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Crime<\/p>\nAnother prison show that you can\u2019t miss out on would be “El marginal.”<\/i><\/p>\n
Miguel Palacios, a former police officer, is sent to a prison in Buenos Aires under a false identity. His goal is to infiltrate a gang and get information about the kidnapping of a judge’s daughter.<\/p>\n
Inside the prison, he soon discovers a complex prison hierarchy that\u2019s controlled by multiple factions. His mission then gets more complicated as he gets involved in the prison\u2019s internal politics and conflicts.<\/p>\n
Argentinian Spanish<\/a> sounds distinct from other Spanish dialects. You\u2019ll hear lunfardo<\/i> here or street slang, like chorro<\/em> for thieves or criminals and yuta<\/em> for police. <\/i><\/p>\n20. “Alta mar”<\/em><\/a> (High Seas)<\/h2>\n<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\nCountry of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Mystery<\/p>\nTwo sisters are aboard a luxury ocean liner traveling from Spain to Brazil in the late 1940s. But then a woman gets mysteriously thrown overboard, and nobody can figure out what\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n
The sisters, along with the ship’s first officer, start investigating the crime. All throughout, people are dressed luxuriously and the scenery is breathtaking\u2014it\u2019s a visual feast.<\/p>\n
Each of the show\u2019s three seasons features a new mystery. The second and third seasons involve ghosts and a virus being brought on board. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
I would recommend this to learners who are just starting out with Spanish shows because there\u2019s less slang and the characters are easier to understand.<\/p>\n
How to Learn Spanish with Netflix Series<\/h2>\n
Since even one series on Netflix can require several hours of watching, with plenty of slang thrown in, I recommend diving into these when you\u2019re at least lower intermediate (or B1)<\/a> in Spanish.<\/strong> This way, you can watch directly with Spanish subtitles.<\/p>\nIf the amount of new vocabulary gets overwhelming, practice with movies<\/a> first, kids\u2019 shows in Spanish<\/a>, or even YouTube videos<\/a> to build up your listening skills. For instance, a program like FluentU<\/a> gives you a great base for watching full-blown Spanish series. FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n<\/p> \r\n
You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\nP.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n ![\"FluentU](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/2\/NativeAd-Spanish.jpg\")
\r\n \r\n
Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico \u201cLa casa de las flores\u201d<\/em> is one of the most popular shows for Spanish learners.<\/p>\n The de la Moras seem like a perfect family, but then it turns out that the father is having an affair\u2014and his mistress commits suicide. This exposes a bigger secret: the father actually has a second family with the mistress.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n On top of this, their kids have to deal with challenges like love triangles, accepting their sexuality and drug use, all set against a backdrop of dark humor and satire. \u00a0<\/p>\n I watched this when I was still lower-intermediate in Spanish. One of the kids, Paulina, speaks very slowly, which makes for great listening practice.<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain For Castilian Spanish TV shows, don\u2019t miss out on \u201cLas chicas del cable,\u201d<\/em> which has six seasons.<\/p>\n Set in the 1920s to 1930s, it follows four women who work as telephone operators in Madrid. Lidia, one of the women, enters the company with a secret agenda, but her life soon takes an unexpected turn, including being torn between her first love and the telephone company owner\u2019s son.<\/p>\n There are plenty of touching moments, and all of the women have their own compelling personalities.<\/p>\n Compared to other shows, it uses more polite forms of address<\/a> like usted<\/em>, se\u00f1or<\/em> and se\u00f1ora<\/em>\u00a0because those were more common before.<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico H\u00e9ctor Belascoar\u00e1n Shayne is a one-eyed private investigator in Mexico City in the 1970\u2019s. He used to be an engineer, but he decides to become a detective because he\u2019s frustrated with corporate life.<\/p>\n His first cases involve diverse clients, eventually leading him into the darker underbelly of the city as he tackles murder and corruption.<\/p>\n I really like Belascoar\u00e1n because he\u2019s smart, witty and sometimes comical, and he\u2019s portrayed by Luis Gerardo M\u00e9ndez<\/a>, who starred in “Club de Cuervos”<\/em><\/a> and “Narcos: Mexico<\/em>.”<\/p>\n This miniseries will help you get familiar with famous historical figures in Mexico like Luis Echeverr\u00eda<\/a>\u00a0and Jos\u00e9 Jos\u00e9<\/a>.<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico\u00a0 Two women\u2014Ana and Mariana\u2014discover that their babies accidentally got switched with each other\u2019s at the hospital. Since it\u2019s already six months in, they agree on a solution: form a single, blended family.<\/p>\n This leads to funny scenarios because they have contrasting personalities. Ana is a well-off, organized and career-driven, while Mariana is a free-spirited, struggling musician. Even their parenting styles clash.<\/p>\n Both women, along with their families, go through plenty of adjustments, but then they have bonding moments too where they learn from each other.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a cute, heartwarming show that\u2019s pretty learner-friendly.<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain “La casa de papel”<\/em> is one of the most well-known Spanish-language series on Netflix. After all, it has won a lot of awards, and it\u2019s an unforgettable watch. I was kept on my toes by all of the sudden revelations, moral dilemmas and violent scenes.<\/p>\n It\u2019s about a multi-day assault on the Royal Mint of Spain, led by a mysterious man known as “The Professor.” He recruits eight people, who adopt city names as aliases, to carry out the ambitious plan to print billions of euros.<\/p>\n As a Spanish learner, you\u2019ll be exposed to several accents because the characters come from all over Spain.<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico You\u2019ve probably heard of the original \u201cNarcos\u201d series<\/a>, which is one of the best Netflix drug dramas ever. \u201cNarcos: Mexico\u201d is Netflix\u2019s newest release under the saga, and it explores the modern drug war\u2019s roots in 1980\u2019s Mexico. \u00a0<\/p>\n F\u00e9lix Gallardo, a former Sinaloan police officer, rises to power as a major drug lord who unifies several independent drug traffickers. Of course, there\u2019s someone hunting him down: Kiki Camarena, a determined DEA agent.<\/p>\n The series features a mix of Spanish and English, but I recommend it over the original \u201cNarcos\u201d because the language is more authentic. Actors even improvised on the script!<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Colombia Belky is a teenager with a troubled past: she was recruited as a child soldier by guerrillas in Colombia. She managed to escape and wants to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor, but adjusting to regular life isn\u2019t that easy.<\/p>\n She struggles with PTSD from her violent past, along with being judged by her peers. Her family has to adjust because they thought she was dead, and they can sense that she has secrets she refuses to tell them.<\/p>\n The conversations are fairly realistic, but the characters here speak fast, especially since there\u2019s a lot of drama and heavy emotion.<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain The setting of “Vis a vis”<\/em> is a women\u2019s prison. Macarena is an accountant who’s wrongfully jailed because she was set up by her boss and lover. She enters the prison as a naive young woman, but she has to quickly adjust to the harsh realities of life there. To survive, she’s forced to become hardened and cunning.\u00a0<\/p>\n It really delves into the backgrounds of the inmates, with fantastic character arcs. I adored Zulema, who\u2019s one of the most dangerous women there.<\/p>\n The dialogues are fast-paced and emotionally charged, and the inmates often use slang, so try it out without subtitles if your Spanish is at upper-intermediate or above.<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain Javier’s life seems to be going nowhere, but when he encounters an alien, he suddenly acquires superpowers.\u00a0<\/p>\n At first, he’s clueless and clumsy about using his abilities like flight and super strength, which lands him in all sorts of funny situations. He refuses to tell his girlfriend too. Only his neighbor and friend, Jose, knows about it and helps him adjust to his new identity as a superhero.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a wacky and lighthearted show with short episodes, and it got me laughing out loud. It\u2019s also more approachable for Spanish learners because it uses simple, everyday language.<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico \u201cEl rey\u201d<\/em> is a biographical series that shows the life and career of Vicente Fern\u00e1ndez<\/a>. He\u2019s an iconic Mexican singer who\u2019s called \u201cThe King of Ranchera Music.\u201d<\/p>\n The story begins with Vicente’s early life and how he tries to break into the industry. You\u2019ll then get to see key moments in his career, including how he developed his unique style. As he became more famous, though, his relationship with his family becomes more strained.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re interested in Mexican culture, this is a must-watch. His songs are helpful for learning Spanish because they\u2019re so memorable, with clear pronunciation.<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico This fun teen series reminded me of \u201cGossip Girl\u201d\u2014except it\u2019s in Mexico.<\/p>\n A high school plunges into chaos when a hacker reveals that one of the most well-liked and beautiful students is actually trans. Later on, the hacker spills the secrets of other students too.<\/p>\n Luckily, there\u2019s Sofia, who\u2019s a bit of a loner but has awesome observation skills similar to Sherlock. She teams up with Javier, a new student with a mysterious past, to solve the mystery of who the hacker is.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll hear tons of teen slang used in Mexican Spanish<\/a>. For example, there\u2019s chido<\/em>, which means \u201ccool\u201d or \u201cawesome.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Colombia\u00a0 Simon Bolivar is a legendary historical figure in Latin America because he helped several countries become independent from the Spanish empire. Bolivia was named after him!<\/p>\n This series chronicles his tumultuous and passionate life, starting from his childhood and his travels to Europe as a young man. He then grows to become a revolutionary leader, going on military campaigns across the continent. There\u2019s a bit of personal drama too\u2014his romantic relationships and inner struggles are intimately explored.<\/p>\n It clocks in at more than 60 episodes, but it’s entertaining all throughout, and you’ll learn a lot about Latin American history.<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico Elvis Infante is a charismatic and skilled diablero<\/em>, meaning he can hunt and fight demons that roam the earth. He\u2019s not alone, though\u2014he\u2019s joined by his sister Keta, a nurse who knows all about herbal medicine, and Ramiro, a priest. Along the way, they meet Nancy, who has a mysterious ability to control demons. \u00a0<\/p>\n Throughout the series, the group faces all sorts of demonic entities and venture into otherworldly realms. I found it fascinating because it draws heavily from Mexican culture and folklore as well as Catholicism. Characters use N\u00e1huatl<\/a>, the language of the Aztec Empire, for the spiritual chants.<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain Gloria, a single mother, moves with her family to a new neighborhood that seems welcoming at first. But as the series progresses, it\u2019s gradually revealed that the family has a dark and troubling history.<\/p>\n A central theme here is the complexity of a mother’s love, which is compared to a scorpion\u2019s tail that\u2019s sinister and poisonous.<\/p>\n The acting is especially brilliant, with Najwa Nimri<\/a> portraying Gloria. She also shows up in two other shows listed here (I’m a fan!): “Vis a vis”<\/em> and “La casa de papel.”<\/em><\/p>\n While the plot can get complicated, the language used is conversational with mostly standard accents since it\u2019s set in Madrid.<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain I got d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu<\/em> watching “La valla”<\/em> because it\u2019s about a pandemic and it echoes real-life situations that we went through, including masks and lockdowns. It was finished in 2019 before the COVID pandemic started, which makes it even more uncanny.<\/p>\n It portrays Madrid in 2045 as a dystopian society where resources are scarce. Two siblings, Sara and Hugo, get separated because the government wants to study Sarah\u2019s genes, which might hold the key to curing a widespread virus. Sara\u2019s family then goes on a desperate mission to rescue her.<\/p>\n You can pick up vocabulary here that became more widespread because of COVID, like cuarentena<\/em> (quarantine) and epidemia<\/em> (epidemic).<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain This show was created by \u00c1lex Pina<\/a>, who was\u00a0 behind \u201cLa casa de papel\u201d<\/em> and \u201cVis a vis<\/em>\u201d as well, so you know right away it\u2019s action-packed and a little crazy.<\/p>\n Three women, Carol, Wendy and Gina, work at a brothel, but they then decide to make a desperate and violent escape when they couldn\u2019t take the abuse anymore. Romeo, the brothel owner, is obsessed with capturing them, and the girls continue on the run as it becomes a dangerous cat-and-mouse chase.<\/p>\n What\u2019s cool is the main characters have different Spanish accents on purpose because the actresses come from different countries\u2014Spain, Argentina and Cuba.<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Mexico \u201cLa Reina del Sur\u201d<\/em> is based on the novel by Arturo P\u00e9rez-Reverte<\/a>. I adore this series because it\u2019s a story about survival and ambition.<\/p>\n Teresa Mendoza lives a modest life in Sinaloa, Mexico, but then her boyfriend, a member of a drug cartel, is murdered. Forced to flee for her safety, Teresa ends up in Spain. Here, she starts from the bottom, but through resourcefulness and strategic thinking, she climbs the ranks to become a powerful drug trafficker.<\/p>\n Because of the diverse settings, the show features a variety of Spanish dialects.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a US-made version of the series called \u201cQueen of the South.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Colombia “Distrito salvaje”<\/i> is another Colombian crime series that involves guerilla fighters, but it\u2019s grittier and much more action-focused than “La ni\u00f1a.”<\/em><\/p>\n Jhon, a former guerrilla fighter, moves back to Bogot\u00e1 after a peace treaty. He tries to adapt to civilian life and reconnect with his estranged family, but he gets drawn back into violence and espionage when the Colombian government recruits him as an informant.<\/p>\n As he\u2019s tasked with investigating criminal organizations, he uncovers corruption and betrayal within the government ranks as well.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll notice that in Colombian Spanish<\/a>, usted<\/em> is used a lot more, even when talking casually to friends and family.<\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Argentina Another prison show that you can\u2019t miss out on would be “El marginal.”<\/i><\/p>\n Miguel Palacios, a former police officer, is sent to a prison in Buenos Aires under a false identity. His goal is to infiltrate a gang and get information about the kidnapping of a judge’s daughter.<\/p>\n Inside the prison, he soon discovers a complex prison hierarchy that\u2019s controlled by multiple factions. His mission then gets more complicated as he gets involved in the prison\u2019s internal politics and conflicts.<\/p>\n Argentinian Spanish<\/a> sounds distinct from other Spanish dialects. You\u2019ll hear lunfardo<\/i> here or street slang, like chorro<\/em> for thieves or criminals and yuta<\/em> for police. <\/i><\/p>\n Country of Origin:\u00a0<\/strong>Spain Two sisters are aboard a luxury ocean liner traveling from Spain to Brazil in the late 1940s. But then a woman gets mysteriously thrown overboard, and nobody can figure out what\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n The sisters, along with the ship’s first officer, start investigating the crime. All throughout, people are dressed luxuriously and the scenery is breathtaking\u2014it\u2019s a visual feast.<\/p>\n Each of the show\u2019s three seasons features a new mystery. The second and third seasons involve ghosts and a virus being brought on board. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n I would recommend this to learners who are just starting out with Spanish shows because there\u2019s less slang and the characters are easier to understand.<\/p>\n Since even one series on Netflix can require several hours of watching, with plenty of slang thrown in, I recommend diving into these when you\u2019re at least lower intermediate (or B1)<\/a> in Spanish.<\/strong> This way, you can watch directly with Spanish subtitles.<\/p>\n If the amount of new vocabulary gets overwhelming, practice with movies<\/a> first, kids\u2019 shows in Spanish<\/a>, or even YouTube videos<\/a> to build up your listening skills. For instance, a program like FluentU<\/a> gives you a great base for watching full-blown Spanish series. FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n <\/p> \r\n You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Dark comedy<\/p>\n2. “Las chicas del cable”<\/em><\/a> (Cable Girls)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Historical<\/p>\n3. “Belascoar\u00e1n,\u00a0PI”<\/a><\/h2>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Crime<\/p>\n4. “Madre solo hay dos” <\/em><\/a>(Daughter from Another Mother)<\/h2>\n
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Comedy<\/p>\n5. “La casa de papel”<\/em><\/a> (Money Heist)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Crime<\/p>\n6. “Narcos: Mexico”<\/a><\/h2>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Crime<\/p>\n7. “La ni\u00f1a”<\/em><\/a> (The Girl)<\/h2>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Drama\u00a0<\/p>\n8. “Vis a vis”<\/em><\/a> (Locked Up)<\/h2>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Action<\/p>\n9. “El vecino”<\/em><\/a> (The Neighbor)<\/h2>\n
\nGenre: <\/strong>Comedy<\/p>\n10. “El rey, Vicente Fern\u00e1ndez”<\/em><\/a> (The King)<\/b><\/h2>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Drama<\/p>\n11. “Control Z”<\/a><\/h2>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Thriller\u00a0<\/p>\n12. “Bol\u00edvar”<\/em>\u00a0<\/a><\/h2>\n
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Historical<\/p>\n13. “Diablero”<\/em><\/a><\/b><\/h2>\n
\nGenre:<\/strong> Horror<\/p>\n14. “Sagrada familia”<\/em><\/a> (Holy Family)<\/h2>\n
\nGenre: <\/strong>Thriller<\/p>\n15. “La valla”<\/em><\/a> (The Barrier)<\/h2>\n
\nGenre: <\/strong>Sci-fi<\/p>\n16. “Sky rojo”<\/em><\/a> (Red Sky)<\/h2>\n
\nGenre: <\/strong>Action<\/p>\n17. “La reina del sur”<\/em><\/a> (The Queen of the South)<\/h2>\n
\nGenre: <\/strong>Action<\/p>\n18. “Distrito salvaje”<\/em><\/a> (Wild District)<\/h2>\n
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Action<\/p>\n19. “El marginal”<\/em><\/a><\/h2>\n
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Crime<\/p>\n20. “Alta mar”<\/em><\/a> (High Seas)<\/h2>\n
\nGenre:\u00a0<\/strong>Mystery<\/p>\nHow to Learn Spanish with Netflix Series<\/h2>\n
\r\n