Arabic is a popular language in the Middle East, and it can get hard to learn if you don’t live there, where you can witness the culture and language around you. Learning a foreign language is always exciting, and Arabic has a heritage and rich history. But sometimes, the conventional ways of learning can get boring. But what if there was a way you could make learning interesting?
Instead of going through a tedious process of finding a teacher, reading numerous books to understand the language, and practicing many exercises, you can watch Arabic movies to learn Arabic. The advent of technology has given us access to Arabic language media, and you can watch any movie or series online.
Why Learn Arabic Languages through Movies and Films?
- Learning Arabic through movies and films has several benefits:
- Immersion: Watching movies in Arabic exposes you to the language in a natural, conversational setting, which can help with immersion and language acquisition.
- Cultural understanding: Arabic-language movies can provide insight into Arabic-speaking communities’ culture, traditions, and values.
- Vocabulary and grammar: Movies can help you expand your vocabulary and grammar in a fun and engaging way.
- Pronunciation: Listening to native speakers can help you improve your pronunciation and accent.
- Motivation: Watching movies in Arabic can be an enjoyable way to practice and improve your language skills, which can keep you motivated to continue learning.
How Does Watching Movies Help To Learn Arabic?
Watching movies in Arabic can help with learning the language in several ways:
- Exposure to native speech: By listening to native speakers in various real-life scenarios, you can improve your comprehension and pronunciation.
- Vocabulary building: Movies can expose you to new words and phrases, allowing you to expand your vocabulary.
- Contextual learning: Watching movies in Arabic provides context for words and grammar structures, making them easier to understand and remember.
- Cultural immersion: Arabic-language movies offer a window into the culture, customs, and values of Arabic-speaking communities, which can help deepen your understanding and appreciation of the language and culture.
The following are some of the top movies to learn Arabic from as per the learner level:
- The best films to learn Arabic for beginners
Theeb (2014)
Genre – Adventure, Drama
This movie is set in the First World War, but the story is about a boy that goes into the desert to look for adventure. The young boy Theeb lived in a region part of the Ottoman Empire. His older brother helps a British officer navigate the desert, and Theeb sneaks along. The main aspect of the movie is its authenticity. The Bedouin dialect used in the movie is one example of its authenticity. Also, it is very fun to learn Arabic through movies.
Online platform: YouTube
The Mummy (1969)
Genre – Drama
This movie is set in the late 1800s, and it shows how a grave-robbing gang of an upper Egyptian tribe help the local authorities to find the cache of an ancient treasure. The movie also depicts war, colonialism, and antiquity trying to search for Egyptian National Identity. The Arabic used in the movie is slow and modern, perfect for beginners to learn the language. It has a conversational context, and you can even use subtitles in the movie.
Online platform: YouTube
West Beirut (Bayrut Algharbiat, 1998)
Genre – War/ Drama
A civil war is portrayed in the movie where two friends Omar and Tarek are the main characters. They have just entered adulthood, and the civil world is the last thing they are bothered about. They don’t have any school or rules and are on endless vacations. The cinematography shows the gripping realism of the civil world that will always keep you on the edge of your seat. Lebanese Arabic is spoken in the movie, and you can learn a lot from it.
Online platform: YouTube
- The best films to learn Arabic for intermediate level
Solitaire (Mahbas 2016)
Genre – Comedy
It is a Lebanese Syrian Arabic movie that is timeless as ever, and it is about a mother who is thoroughly disappointed in her daughter’s choice of a husband. For someone trying to learn Arabic, this movie is a good test for you as the dialogue changes between the two dialects rapidly. This is one of the best movies to watch to learn Arabic.
Online platform: YouTube
Blessed Benefit (Inshallah Istafadet, 2016)
Genre – Comedy
It is a Jordanian Arabic cinema. Although it is a prison film, this is one of the best Arabic comedies where prison life is saner than life outside. Ahmed, a contractor, has been imprisoned for three months because he couldn’t deliver a project on time. He meets people from different levels of Jordanian society, and they discuss their life philosophies. There have been numerous quirky and witty dialogues that will make you laugh and learn all at the same time.
Online platform: YouTube
3. The best films to learn Arabic for Advanced level
The Sin (Al-Haram, 1965)
Genre – Political Drama
The Sin is a relatively sad and grim movie to watch which is about the oppression peasants in Egypt had to endure every day. It shows a young farmer’s wife who has to go through terrible oppression without sharing it with anybody because it might affect her family’s happiness. It has Modern Standard Arabic, and it’s a good movie to start with if you are learning Arabic.
Online platform: YouTube
Kandisha (Qandisha, 2008)
Genre – Supernatural mystery
It is a Moroccan film where a woman hires a lawyer, Nyla Jade to defend her as she was accused of killing her husband. She claimed that a vengeful spirit known as Kandisha killed her husband. Kandisha is an old Moroccan legend, and as the movie progresses, incidents happen that make Nyla believe her client. Now, she tries to make everyone in the court, her colleagues, and her husband believe the story. It is an interesting and good movie for learning Arabic. It has a modern mixture of Moroccan Arabic dialects that is good for beginners.
Online platform: YouTube
The Worthy (Almukhtarun, 2016)
Genre – Thriller
This movie is set in a post-apocalyptic world where water is a limited resource. After a big drought that destroyed humanity and crumbled civilization, a set of very well-mannered and amicable newcomers tries to get into a group of survivors who are guarding the only water source for miles around. There are 12 characters from different states in the Middle East, and you will learn the different Arabic dialects, enhancing your knowledge.
Online platform: YouTube
Omar (Umar, 2014)
Genre – Drama/Thriller
This movie features an Israel/ Palestine conflict where three best friends fall in a crossroads. Omar, Amjad, and Tarek are childhood best friends, and when Israeli security forces capture Omar and force him to go against his friends. The worst part is both Omar and Amjad are in love with Tarek’s sister. In a conflict zone, the feeling of getting trapped and oppressed where they had to choose terrible things against one’s happiness. Here you will see that the Philistines speak fluent Palestinian Arabic, and it’s a good and thought-provoking movie to watch for learning Arabic.
Online platform: YouTube
Tips on Learning Arabic through Movies
You may feel how much you can learn from Arabic movies, although if you require Arabic for your academic purposes, you can take courses from outside. Still, you can revise your Arabic understanding from movies. You can start with learning Arabic by movie clips. Aside from movies, you can also opt for Arabic TV shows to learn Arabic, such as Fauda. It’s also recommended to start with movies with English subtitles to help understand and gradually move on to movies without subtitles.
Advantages of Learning Arabic through Movies
- Exposure to real-life language: By watching movies in Arabic, you will be exposed to the language in its natural, conversational form, allowing you to develop a better understanding of how it is used in real-life situations.
- Cultural immersion: Arabic-language movies provide an opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of Arabic-speaking communities, which can deepen your understanding and appreciation of the language and culture.
- Improving listening and comprehension skills: By listening to native speakers in various real-life scenarios, you can improve your listening and comprehension skills and better understand the flow and rhythm of the language.
There are multiple reasons why you may want to learn Arabic. It will help you progress in your career if you are centered in the Middle East, open more opportunities in your career, and be a good addition to your CV. Above mentioned are some of the best movies to learn Arabic. By watching these fun and interesting movies, you can learn a language, pass certification exams and pass with flying colours.
FAQ
What type of movies are best for learning Arabic?
Arabic-language movies with clear, easy-to-understand dialogue and a range of subjects and genres can effectively teach language.
How can I find Arabic movies to watch?
You can find Arabic movies on various streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube or purchase DVDs from a local store or online.
How often should I watch movies to learn Arabic?
The frequency of watching movies to learn Arabic will depend on your learning style and schedule. However, watching movies regularly can help reinforce your language skills and keep you motivated in your language-learning journey.
Can I use movies to learn Arabic on my own, or should I take a class?
You can use movies to learn Arabic on your own. However, taking a structured language class can provide additional support and structure for your learning. Combining both approaches can be a highly effective way to learn Arabic. Platforms like Curiotory will enhance your experience of learning.