5 Enjoyable Netflix Recommendations for Portuguese Learners

Portuguese media has a much more limited range on Netflix than some of the other languages we’ve looked at so far, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it to practice the language!

But whether you’re learning the language for professional reasons or to use it when visiting a Portuguese-speaking country, there’s a little bit of everything to help you boost your skills.

Here are some of the best suggestions for things to watch in both European and Brazilian Portuguese. Enjoy!

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir

Animations always let us off the hook with languages! Change your audio preferences to Portuguese (European), and the subtitles too if you might need them, and you’re all set!

If you aren’t aware of Ladybug & Cat Noir as a series, really, where have you been hiding? The story follows two teenagers who by day attend the same school with one (Marinette) crushing painfully on the other (Adrien), yet by night fight crime side by side as Ladybug and Cat Noir.

The twist if it isn’t already obvious is that they have no clue about each other. There is a love story weaved through this that has captured the hearts of many an adult and teen!

 

Jonas/Jonah

 

Jonas, shown on Netflix in Brazilian Portuguese, was sold as a ‘kidnap romance’ when it first aired back in 2015. Jonah and Branca knew each other as children though drifted apart as a result of living on two very separate sides of society.

Jonas is a bit of a loner, who instantly falls in love with Branca when she shows up at the town carnival many years later, where he works and is dealing drugs.

Without giving too much away, a kidnap follows, with much of the film being shot inside a giant whale float at the carnival. This is a beautiful visual though with slightly more complex language than a beginning learner might be comfortable handling. Definitely, one to watch with the subtitles on!

 

 

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

 

After Love, Simon earlier in the year, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before is probably the second most popular ‘teen’ film of 2018. So, if you want to practice some (Brazilian) Portuguese, this is probably a great place to start.

Lara Jean is a dreamer, living inside her head with her nose always in a romance novel dreaming up the perfect life. She’s had five crushes over the course of her life and felt them so intensely that she wrote each a letter — that her little sister Kitty secretly posts out.

This leads to awkwardness, a fake relationship, and a chance at real love. And with an 80s soundtrack playing in the background, this is a really sweet and easy watch.

 

Shadowhunters

If you aren’t already watching this amazing series, seriously, what are you thinking?! Shadowhunters takes place in The Shadow World, where the two ‘sides’ of the Shadowhunters and Downworlders are both united and torn apart by their similarities and differences. There is romance, action, and great commentary on our society told in a fantasy setting.

You can watch in both European and Brazilian Portuguese since there is audio for both, though unfortunately there are no subtitles, so perhaps pre-intermediate learners and up would benefit most.

Get watching; this show has won heaps of well-deserved praise for its representation and is a great choice for practicing your language skills!

 

 

Learning Portuguese? Check out our free Portuguese placement test to see how your level measures up!

 

 

Salvador Martinha — Tip Of The Tongue

 

Our final choice of Netflix watches is one that is definitely for those more confident in their Portuguese. This is a stand-up comedy show with Salvador Martinha, an actor, writer, and comedian who apparently has his audiences doubled over in laughter.

If you are more used to the stand-up comedy of the best comedians from the US and the UK, Salvador is just as engaging and touches on just as many cringeworthy, hilarious, and controversial subjects.

This is a great example of using media to pick up accents and colloquialisms though the pace is very fast. There are subtitles available in both English and European Portuguese to help you as you watch.

Unfortunately, there is no trailer to give you a sample, but we promise this is an excellent watch!

 

We are sure that more original series and films will soon be added to Netflix in both Brazilian and European Portuguese. But for now, these are all great places to start. Happy watching (and learning)! And since you’re at it, you might want to find out what is your true Portuguese level?

We happen to have here on our website a fun and comprehensive Portuguese language test that will take you about 15 minutes to complete. Click here to start your Portuguese language test and assess your language skill level!