Studying a new language through immersion is one of the most effective methods. And what is a better way than to learn a new language by watching films and TV series?
Check out 12 incredible movies to learn Dutch.
Dutch is an Indo-European language, just like English. But with time, it lagged way behind. Today, there are very few Dutch speakers worldwide, nearly 24 million.
But that doesn’t stop us. There are still many benefits of learning Dutch. It opens up new possibilities and helps you settle comfortably in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Like English and German, Dutch belongs to the West Germanic language family. That is why it shares a substantial portion of its vocabulary and other grammatical features with these languages.
We know why many English and German speakers can speak Dutch and consider it a simple language.
You can improve your Dutch by watching television series and movies. It adds visuals to your language learning process.
The theoretical understanding perfectly supports the practical application of all the words and phrases, as well as their context.
Where to Watch Dutch Films?
The number of Dutch movies and Television series is insufficient.
Thanks to the proliferation of online streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and others, everyone can access the best Dutch Films and TV shows wherever and whenever they want.
You can use secret genre codes to save time searching for films and television shows on Netflix.
Replace the last few digits XXXX (Netflix.com/browse/genre/XXXX) with the below-mentioned codes to explore the abundance of content.
Dutch — 70021207, Movies — 10606/ 89601, Movies & TV-Series — 109174, Audio in Dutch — 1400179, DutchMan — 60001571, Drama — 9873, Dutch Light — 70109033, and many more.
You can also try Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Vimeo, and other streaming platforms such as npostart.nl to watch popular and recent Dutch cinema and television series at your convenience.
12 Must-Watch Movies to Help You Learn Dutch
Despite being somewhat overshadowed by German, French, Spanish, and Italian films, Dutch filmmakers have consistently produced several outstanding films, including many award-winning titles.
So, here is a list of the 12 best movies that will help you hone your Dutch-speaking skills and give you a peek into Dutch cinema and culture.
1. Winter in Wartime (Oorlogswinter) — 2008 (R)
The film is set in the post-Second World War era.
Directed by the internationally acclaimed Martin Koolhoven, the film revolves around a teenage boy who joins the Dutch Resistance after helping a wounded RAF soldier.
Oorlogswinter is an enthralling tale of a poor little boy learning the ugly realities of life and war.
This movie perfectly combines melodrama and thriller elements, which is why it has won several awards at various film festivals.
With straightforward, simple dialogues, a beginner in Dutch can benefit greatly.
It is one of the good movies that can help you learn Dutch.
2. Black Book (Zwartboek) — 2006 (R)
Weaved around the Second World War, Black Book is a mysterious drama that keeps you hooked.
The story is set in the fall of 1944 and draws on several real events.
The Black Book is a thriller about a young, attractive German-Jewish woman, Rachel Stein. She falls for a high-ranking Nazi officer while seeking revenge for her family’s killings.
The movie is directed by the famed director of Hollow Man, Paul Verhoeven, and is among the most successful Dutch cinema films.
Black Book is my all-time favorite Dutch movie. Natural dialogues with some crude language are suitable for Dutch speakers at the intermediate or advanced level.
3. The Broken Circle Breakdown (Alabama Monroe) — 2012 (R)
The Broken Circle Breakdown is a heartbreaking tale of two married musicians losing their daughter to cancer.
The film’s emotional intensity will instantly connect you to the family.
The stage play of the same name by Johan Heldenbergh and Mieke Dobbels inspired the film. It won Best Foreign Film at the 39th César Awards and the 2013 Lux Award.
This soul-stirring drama uses the vernacular language, making this film a gem for students learning Dutch.
The flick will benefit you in countless ways, whether you are at the beginning or advanced stages of learning.
4. Simon (2004) (R)
The Dutch entry for the 2005 Oscars, Simon, is a comedy-drama based on friendship. This film presents an independent approach that does not conform to Dutch cultural norms.
The story is about two male friends, one heterosexual and one gay.
The movie highlights the issues of euthanasia and same-sex marriage.
The film eventually narrates a decade-old friendship rekindled with the onset of a severe brain tumor in a friend.
An intermediate- or advanced-level Dutch-language learner can learn a great deal from this film.
You will also learn several phrases that will help you improve your grammar and sentence formation.
5. Soldier of Orange (Soldaat van Oranje) — 1977 (R)
Based on the life of Erik Hazelhoff, a Dutch Resistance fighter, Soldier of Orange is a thrilling drama set during the Second World War.
Some Dutch students participated in the Resistance Movement, taking up different roles.
The story came from the autobiographic book Soldaat van Oranje by Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema. Based on actual events, it is an intriguing anecdote from the Nazi occupation to the end of the Second World War.
If you are a fan of espionage, this will satisfy your inner spy.
With some advanced vocabulary, the film is apt for intermediate and advanced Dutch language learners.
Don’t miss the opportunity to hone your Dutch learning skills while enjoying the thrill this drama brings.
6. Character (Karakter) — 1997 (R)
This Oscar-winning family melodrama is a well-crafted piece of art. Based on a novel of the same name, the series centers on a murder mystery.
The story becomes unpredictable to keep you engaged.
Set in Rotterdam in the first half of the 20th century, the personal battles between a father and his son escalate, leading to an unfortunate incident.
Karakter is not an ordinary thriller but rather a psychological suspense that demands attention throughout this film.
The film’s language is generally straightforward, though the vocabulary is somewhat advanced.
It is best suited for intermediate-level students preparing for various Dutch proficiency exams.
7. Antonia’s Line (Antonia) — 1995 (R)
In 1996, Dutch director Marleen Gorris won an Oscar for this talkie, Antonia’s Line.
This Academy Award winner is all about women’s power. The film follows a strong-willed woman who lives on her family farm without a permanent relationship.
She decides to have a child without a husband. Her child follows the same path, representing an independent woman’s freedom.
Antonia’s Line offers a beautifully refreshing depiction of love in all its forms.
With everyday language and basic vocabulary, the film is suitable for learners at all levels of the Dutch language.
Even without subtitles, you will gain an immense amount of vocabulary and verb expressions, including words related to society.
8. Daens 1992 (R)
Directed by Stijn Coninx, Daens is a biopic of Catholic priest Father Daens in 19th-century Flanders.
This period drama won an Academy Award nomination for its attention to detail. The movie portrays the story of poor labor conditions in a small Belgian village in the 1890s.
The textile factories in the region exploit women and children, against which Daens takes charge.
It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1992.
To appreciate the movie’s full beauty, you need to understand Dutch.
The language and dialogues are simple to understand, using basic vocabulary. It is an excellent Dutch film for beginners.
9. Borgman (2013)
Directed and written by Alex van Warmerdam, Borgman is a twisted psychological thriller from the Netherlands that quickly achieved cult status after its 2013 release.
The film follows a homeless man (Jan Bijvoet) who intrudes on the lives of an upper-class family. The story seems bizarre, evil, and funny at the same time.
Borgman offers a certain charm, with pitch-black humor and unsettling scenes that captivate the viewer throughout its 113-minute runtime.
While this is not a typical action or engaging movie, you will undoubtedly enjoy this perplexing film from Holland.
The lexicon and syntax are simple to understand and suit the comprehensive abilities of intermediate Dutch students.
10. Tot Altijd (Time of My Life) — 2012
Based on a true story, Tot Altijd tells the story of Multiple sclerosis patient Mario Verstraete, an advocate of legalizing euthanasia in Belgium, and was also the first to use the new law.
Verstraete was the first Belgian to commit euthanasia on 30 September 2002.
Verstraete was on the pathway to a successful career in politics when he realized that he had a ravaging form of MS.
It led him to become an outspoken champion of assisted suicide. You can see Verstraete’s plight through the eyes of his dear friend Thomas.
The lengthy conversations about the complex situation will be challenging but valuable for intermediate and advanced learners.
You will learn many words related to contemporary society.
11. The Resistance Banker (Bankier van het Verzet) — 2018
If you wish to enjoy an impressive cast and cinematography, I strongly recommend seeing The Resistance Banker.
The film is about the true story of banker Walraven van Hall, who financed the Dutch resistance during the Second World War.
Unsurprisingly, The Resistance Banker was the Netherlands’ entry to the 2018 Oscars.
It is a gripping, well-written, researched, and magnificently crafted film. It deserves recognition for some of the most splendid performances in recent years.
Through this film, you will witness the Walraven brothers’ challenges while supporting the Dutch defense in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam.
This movie serves its purpose well, exhibiting plenty of slang rapidly.
It would be challenging to watch if you’re an elementary-level Dutch student. If you want to understand, watch it with subtitles.
12. Amsterdamned — 1988 (R)
Directed and written by Dick Maas, Amsterdamned is a 1988 Dutch horror film about a serial killer who uses the canals of Amsterdam to murder random people.
Assigned to the case is a police detective, Eric Visser (Stapel), who sets out to capture this gruesome serial killer.
Will he be successful?
Watch the film about how Amsterdam’s beautiful waterside vistas turn into a waking nightmare.
There is a significant variation in the language used in the talks compared to standard Dutch.
However, slow-paced movies give you enough time to understand the accent and sentences, and they eventually motivate you to watch more movies to learn Dutch.
Final Words on Learning Dutch with Films
There are ways to make the language learning process enjoyable and straightforward. And what is better than viewing movies?
Watching Dutch films and TV series is an authentic way to get used to the Dutch language.
I hope you enjoy my selection of the 12 best movies to learn Dutch.
Have Fun! Veel Plezier! If you want more suggestions, please ask in the comments below.