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Activities Background Tools Resources Grammar About Check my Level

 

 

As covered in Video Grading,

 

 

The use of subtitles will lower the grade by about one for: English subtitles for French-dubbed (from original English), and French subtitles for original, standard French.

 

For harder, original French, subtitles will lower the level down to C1, or B2 if the main source of the original difficulty is the dialect.

 

Sourcing Films

 

You can get a LOT of films on Netflix – which seems the best platform for language learning at the moment.

 

To find films with French language, go down to the bottom of your home page, then choose ‘Audio and Subtitles’. Then select ‘Audio’ (left box), then ‘French’ in the box next to it. Then look around until you see a film you might like.


There are LOADS of Netflix English language films with French dubbing (most of the recent ones it seems), and with English subtitles. They also keep bringing new ones in. Happy days.


However, there are a lot fewer original-language French films. You may also be restricted in which subtitle language you can use. Interestingly, you can get more films if you have a VPN and make it look as though you are in France.

 

As discussed in Video Grading, either French or English subtitles can be effective. However,  if the level of the French spoken language is a bit of a stretch for you, and you use English subtitles, you may simply end up relying entirely on these. If possible, therefore go with the French subtitles.


It’s hard to search on Netflix for French films, as the search process is a bit basic, and they typically change the title to an English equivalent. The best bet seems to just put ‘French’ into the search box, and then go through what comes up.


Doing this, I have identified a number of original French films below. Every month they keep changing them, which means that you can usually find some new ones – although you may have also lost some favourites.

 

 

 

Netflix French language Films

 

FILM
Subs
Description
Level
 
 
 
No Subs
With Subs
I am not an easy man
E + F
Romantic, feminist comedy
C2
C1
Blind date
E + F
Romantic comedy
C1
B2
The African doctor
E + F
Docu drama
C1
B2
Wedding unplanned
E + F
Family relationship
C1
B2
Blue is the warmest colour
E
Romance, coming of age
C2
B2
He even has your eyes
E + F
Family relationships
C1
B2
10 jours en or
E + F
Drama, road trip
C1
B2
He even has your eyes
E + F
Family relationships
C1
B2
The climb
E + F
Underdog, heartfelt
C1
B2
To each her own
E + F
Romcom
C2
C1
Bad seeds
E + F
Dramedy
C1
B2
In the shadow of Iris
E + F
Romantic drama
C1
B2
The boss' daughter
E + F
Forbidden love
C2
B2
Headwinds
E + F
Tearjerker
C1
B2
Shéhérazade
E + F
Drama
C2
C1
Gad gone wild
E + F
Comedy
C1
B2
Paris is us
E + F
Dramatic mystery
C2
B2
Un plus une
E + F
Romance
C1
B2
The crew
E + F
Drama
C2
C1
The pact
E + F
Documentary
B2
B2
2 alone in Paris
E + F
Comedy
C1
B2
Nothing to hide
E + F
Relationships
C1
B2
Lady J
E + F
Period romance
C1
B2
Kill Hitler
E + F
Documentary
B2
B2

 

 

 

 

Other films

 

Apart from these, I have given just a few examples of films which I think it would be worth getting hold of. Partly because of their value for language learning, but also because they are recent classics. You should really watch films you are interested in, and search them out yourself. You should watch films to enjoy them, rather than as a language exercise.

 

The simplest way of getting hold of these is to buy them from Amazon France. They are delivered from France, so should match the specifications from their website. Make sure that whatever you buy has the correct language and subtitles.

 

 

English Films, with French dubbing

 

Harry Potter 8 films. € 22.34. E + F Subtitles. B2 no subs, B1 English subs.

Classic series - read the books first, then you will be able to use context to help you.

 

Titanic. € 6.77. E + F Subtitles. B2 no subs, B1 English subs.

Most popular film in France. Lots of dialogue. You know the story...

 

The Big Blue. € 14.40. E + F Subtitles. B2 no subs, B1 English subs.

English language, but French style (and very popular in France).

 

Finding Nemo. € 10.92. E + F Subtitles. B2 no subs, B1 English subs.

Popular and engaging cartoon.

 

 

French Videos, standard French

 

Petit Nicolas + Les vacances du Petit Nicolas 2 films. € 8.78. F Subtitles.C1 no subs, B2 French subs.

Faithful adaptations. Great fun, with many insights into French life (even the French find the subjunctive tricky).

 

Asterix and Obelix - Au Service de sa Majesté & Mission Cléopâtre . 2 separate films. € 13.69 & € 7.99. F Subtitles. C1 no subs, B2 French subs.

The two best of the series (imho). The English accent in the first one is funny.

 

Radin. € 7.99. F Subtitles. C1 no subs, B2 French subs.

Humour - played well by Dany Boon.

 

Populaire. € 7.09. F Subtitles. C1 no subs, B2 French subs.

Relations between the sexes.

 

 

French Videos, harder French

 

Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain € 9.15. F Subtitles. C2 no subs, B2 French subs.

Popular classic. If you ever go to Paris, you can actually visit the Café des 2 Moulins.

 

Un Prophète € 15.00. F Subtitles. C2 no subs, C1 French subs.

Award winning drama. Great acting and direction.

 

Intouchables € 5.77. F Subtitles. C2 no subs, B2 French subs.

Great film, very popular. Really good performances.

 

Bienvenu Chez Les Ch'tis. € 8.30. F Subtitles. C2 no subs, C1 French subs

Really popular in France and a great comedy.