English is a very beautiful and widely spoken language, across many, many people around the world. But, sometimes, we, as consumers of entertainment can forget that it’s not the only one (we can’t really blame ourselves though, Hollywood has its hands on every platform and they’re not very keen on switching the languages once in a while). To change that, here are ten shows from different parts of the globe, and not in English, that you need to watch.
1. La Jauría (2020)
Translated to “The Pack,” this Chilean show, based loosely on terrifying real life events, graced our screens in July of this year, shocking the local and international population. Its feminist undertones, incredible plot, and acting are the reasons you should definitely watch it, alongside the important topics this show talks about, such as assault, mental health, and Internet safety. There are several trigger warnings for sexual assault and violence. You can stream La Jauría on Amazon Prime in some places, or you can watch it using this site.
2. Dark (2017)
This German masterpiece tells a tale of time traveling, complex family trees and bravery, and switching between different eras and characters. This is a hit show for various reasons, including amazing storytelling, wonderful cinematography and music, and the way it keeps you on your toes at all times. Dark is available for streaming on Netflix.
3. Skam Norway (2015)
Its English translation means “Shame”, which is something a lot of us can relate to when it comes to thinking about our teenage years. Skam is a Norwegian coming of age teen drama, that approaches topics of different ranges, like relationship difficulties, identity, eating disorders, sexual assault, LGBTQ+ issues, mental health problems, and religion. The witty and diverse characters, good handling of storylines, and how relatable it can be make Skam a must watch. Sadly, it’s not available on any streaming platforms, but you can watch all subtitled episodes on Dailymotion, using this link.
4. Itaewon Class (2020)
The South-Korean production is an adaptation of a webtoon comic with the same name, and follows the life of an ex-convict and his friends trying to pursue their dreams of opening a bar in the middle of Seoul. It’s an incredible and captivating show and a must watch, with takes on social issues, such as classism, power disadvantages, discrimination, and sexuality. Itaewon Class is available worldwide on Netflix.
5. The Hookup Plan (2018)
Directly from France, this romantic comedy show has a hilarious storyline, involving breakups, heartbreak, friends, champagne, and gigolós (yes, but not in the way you think). It’s very well written, the cast has amazing chemistry, and the dynamics between the friend groups are very realistic and relatable, which is why it is such a fun watch. The Hookup Plan is available to stream worldwide on Netflix.
6. La Casa de las Flores (2018)
Translated to “The House of Flowers,” this Mexican show/telenovela is filled with dark humor (hilarious one, not racist or homophobic or anything like that), amazing fashion choices and iconic Latinx actors. It depicts a dysfunctional upper-class family that owns a prestigious floristry shop and a struggling cabaret, both called The House of Flowers. It has all of the elements of a dramatic telenovela, but also the discussion of sexuality, mental health, financial struggles and classism, so you should definitely watch it. La Casa de las Flores is available in all countries via Netflix.
7. The Rain (2018)
If you like shows about the apocalypse and how people would survive it, this one’s for you. The Danish production tells the story of a virus (ha!) carried by rainfall, which wipes out almost all humans in Scandinavia. The show never feels rushed, and has a very established and easy to follow pace. It has a take on how a singular person’s actions can affect everyone around them, as well as talking about loss, heartbreak, and bravery. The Rain is a Netflix original, and you can find it on their platform.
8. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016)
Also known as “Goblin,” and coming from South Korea, this drama follows an immortal military general, cursed to see his loved ones die as punishment for the soldiers he killed to protect his country. The storyline may sound confusing, but it’s actually very entertaining, and its roots come from Korean folklore. The romance in this story is also very different from what Korean dramas are used to show, alongside the stunning visuals, acting, and music. Goblin is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
9. Sacred Games (2018)
This Indian crime thriller is an adaptation of the 2006 book with the same name. The show dives deep into the Indian crime underworld, mob style, following a Mumbai Police inspector who needs to save the city in 25 days from the rampage of several crime lords. The series is packed with action shots and interesting storylines, and it references multiple real life cases, focusing on India, of course. Sacred Games is available worldwide on Netflix.
10. 3% (2016)
Coming from Brazil, this dystopian thriller depicts an unspecified future, where 20-year-old citizens of an impoverished have the opportunity to advance into a wealthier society, but only 3% of those who try, succeed. The show has a wide range of diverse and interesting characters, and dives into topics like classism, poverty, and mental health, which makes it a must watch. 3% is a Netflix original, and can be streamed on their platform.
