Netflix offers large catalog of foreign-language TV shows
Top offerings include Spanish teen drama “Elite” and German supernatural thriller “Dark.”
The Oscar-winning South Korean film “Parasite” (now streaming on Hulu) is only one example of the beauty and potential of non-English language entertainment.
With Netflix‘s recent global expansion, language barriers no longer seem to be an issue for subscribers, as the streaming platform has added several local-language shows, dubbed into English or subtitled. From the Danish series “The Rain “to Colombian crime drama “Narcos”, the international brand offers an impressively diverse array of options from various nations and cultures.
As people are forced to stay at home during COVID-19 shutdowns and inperson movie watching no longer seems like a viable option, now is the best time to binge those TV shows you were unable to watch before. Whether you’re craving a dark mystery drama or a lighthearted teen series, scroll through our list of foreign favorites to watch something other than “The Office” or “Grey’s Anatomy“:
‘Money Heist’ (Spain)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)
Description: The first episode of this crime drama (aka “La Casa de Papel”) will immediately engage you with its thrilling plot, as a group of eight robbers plan the biggest robbery in history. Hostages and infamous gang masks are only a part of what makes this show so suspenseful and intriguing.
Premiered: May 2017
Episodes: 23
‘Osmosis’ (France)
Language: French (Dubbed) Description: “Black Mirror meets
Ex-Machina” is Netflix’s description of this sci-fi drama. An app promises to help people find their soulmates by probing into their brain and using data in the form of memories, thoughts and desires, but it’s not as perfect as it seems.
Premiered: March 2019
Episodes: 8
‘Unorthodox’ (Germany)
Language: Yiddish, German, English (Subtitles)
Description: This inspiring German-American drama documents a young woman from a strict Hasidic Jewish community who flees to Germany to find her place in the world.
Premiered: March 2020
Episodes: 4
‘Ragnarok’ (Norway)
Language: German (Dubbed) Description: If you enjoy Marvel’s “Thor,” you might be interested in this
teen series that documents a teenage boy’s discovery of his supernatural powers. A modern interpretation of Norse mythology, “Ragnarok” combines an intriguing plot with gorgeous scenic imagery. The end of the first episode will have you sitting on the edge of your seat.
Premiered: January 2020
Episodes: 6
‘Control Z’ (Mexico)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)
Description: With quick 20-minute episodes, this addicting Mexican teen drama revolves around an anonymous hacker who publicly humiliates and exposes the secrets of multiple high school students.
Premiered: May 2020
Episodes: 8
‘Fauda’ (Israel)
Language: Hebrew (Dubbed) Description: This action-packed Israeli series traces the Israel-Palestinian conflict, as an Israeli commander of an undercover Israeli unit in Palestinian territory pursues a suspected terrorist, who was presumed dead 18 months earlier.
Premiered: February 2015
Episodes: 36
‘Dark’ (Germany)
Language: German (Dubbed)
Description: Resembling an adult version of “Stranger Things,” the supernatural thriller explores the complex discoveries following the suspicious disappearance of two children. Oh, and there’s time travel involved!
Premiered: December 2017
Episodes: 18
‘Kingdom’ (South Korea)
Language: Korean (Dubbed)
Description: Set after the Japanese invasions of the 1590s, this thriller details a mysterious plague that turns the dead into bloodthirsty killers. Gory zombie scenes combined with political turmoil in the royal dynasty makes this show more complex than “Daybreak” or “The Walking Dead.”
Premiered: January 2019
Episodes: 12
‘Elite’ (Spain)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)
Description: This teen drama captures the elitism and socioeconomic contrasts of “Gossip Girl” with a dark twist, as three working-class students take extreme measures to retaliate against the wealthy socialites of a prestigious high school.
Premiered: October 2018
Episodes: 24