Living and learning in Italy is an enriching experience, and what better way to deepen your connection to the culture than by immersing yourself in its captivating cinema? Many of ourclients ask for film recommendations to help improve their Italian. While regional dialects can add a layer of complexity, films offer a fantastic opportunity to enhance your listening comprehension and vocabulary in a fun and engaging way (with the aid of subtitles of course).
So, grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready to be transported to Italy through the silver screen. Here’s our handpicked selection of 10 must-watch Italian films, spanning iconic classics to contemporary gems, to add to your watchlist:
La Dolce Vita (1960) - Directed by Federico Fellini, this classic film is a must-watch for its portrayal of Rome's high society in the 1960s.
Cinema Paradiso (1988) - Directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, this heartwarming film tells the story of a young boy's love for cinema in a small Sicilian village, Piazza Adriana.
La vita è bella (Life is Beautiful) (1997) - Directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, this poignant film combines humor and tragedy as it follows a Jewish man's attempts to shield his son from the horrors of a concentration camp during World War II.
Il Postino (The Postman) (1994) - Directed by Michael Radford, this film tells the story of a postman on a small Italian island who becomes friends with the exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.
Ladri di biciclette (Bicycle Thieves) (1948) - Directed by Vittorio De Sica, this neorealist masterpiece follows a poor man in post-war Rome whose bicycle, essential for his job, is stolen.
Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (Cinema Paradiso: The Director's Cut) (2002) - This extended version of the original film offers more depth and background to the characters and story.
La Strada (1954) - Directed by Federico Fellini, this iconic film tells the story of a young woman sold by her mother to a circus strongman and the wandering performer who tries to save her.
Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain (Amélie) (2001) - Although not strictly Italian, this French film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet is set in Paris but features an Italian actor, and its whimsical storytelling and charming characters make it a delight for Italian learners.
Gomorra (2008) - Directed by Matteo Garrone, this gritty and realistic film offers a glimpse into the world of organized crime in Naples, based on the book by Roberto Saviano.
Romanzo Criminale (2005) - Directed by Michele Placido, this crime drama follows a group of criminals in Rome as they rise to power in the 1970s.
Watching these films will not only enhance your Italian language skills but also provide insights into Italian culture, history, and society. Buona visione!
Do you have a favorite Italian film on this list, or perhaps another you’d like to recommend? Share your thoughts – we’d love to hear about your Italian language learning journey!