Making Arabic Learning Fun with Lebanese Cinema
Learning Arabic doesn’t have to be all about textbooks and grammar drills. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the language is by watching movies and series! Not only do they help improve your listening skills, but they also expose you to real-life conversations, cultural expressions, and different dialects. That’s why we’ve curated a list of must-watch Lebanese films and series to enhance your Arabic learning journey!
Top Lebanese Movies & Series to Watch:
1. West Beirut (1998)
Drama | 1h 45m A coming-of-age story set during the Lebanese Civil War, following two teenage boys navigating their lives in divided Beirut.
Watch it on: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcx31Omr-N8&ab_channel=FilmeyFalmo
2. Capernaum (2018)
Drama | 2h 6m A gripping, emotional film about a child in Beirut who sues his parents for bringing him into a life of suffering.
Watch it on: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Bn9aScRKs&ab_channel=MyChannel24
3. Caramel (2007)
Romance/Comedy | 1h 36m A heartwarming story set in a Beirut beauty salon, following the lives and struggles of five women.
4. Halla' La Wen? (Where Do We Go Now?) (2011)
Drama/Comedy | 1h 50m A thought-provoking film about women in a Lebanese village using creative tactics to prevent religious conflicts among men.
5. Mahbas (Solitaire) (2016)
Comedy/Romance | 1h 32m A lighthearted romantic comedy about cultural differences and family drama when a Syrian man meets his Lebanese fiancée’s family.
Watch it on: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O2Vw89A12M&ab_channel=Aliyoussef
6. As7ab Wala A3azz (Perfect Strangers) (2022)
Drama | 1h 39m A suspenseful drama about a group of friends whose lives take unexpected turns when they play a revealing game at dinner.
Watch it on Netflix.
7. Ghadi (2013)
Comedy/Drama | 1h 40m A touching story about a father who spreads an imaginative lie to protect his differently-abled son from their judgmental town.
8. 2024 (2024)
Drama Series | Streaming Now A gripping Lebanese drama following Captain Sama Akl, who goes into hiding after resigning from her position, escaping the El Deeb family's pursuit while facing new challenges that test her resilience. If you want you can watch season 1 of this series it's called "2020" and you can watch it on Netflix.
Watch it on: https://shahid.mbc.net/en/series/2020/series-864874
9. Beirut 6:07 (2020)
Drama/Anthology Series | Short Episodes A powerful series based on real-life stories of people affected by the Beirut Port explosion.
10. Zozo (2005)
Drama | A heartfelt drama following a young Lebanese boy, Zozo, who is forced to flee to Sweden during the Lebanese Civil War. Struggling with loss, identity, and adaptation, he navigates his new life while holding onto memories of home.
Where to Watch Lebanese Movies & Series for Free
Shahid.net (Some movies require a subscription)
YouTube (Official channels often post full-length movies)
Netflix & Amazon Prime (For premium Lebanese films)
Best Settings for Learning Arabic While Watching
Use English subtitles (Or your own language) to connect words to their meanings.
Watch with Original audio.
Tips to Make Learning More Effective
Pause & Repeat – If you hear a useful phrase, pause, repeat it, and even write it down.
Make flashcards with the vocabulary you learnt, and review it regularly. Use these words in sentences.
Talk About It – After watching, try summarizing the plot in Arabic or discussing it with a language partner or even your teacher.
Take notes with the words/ expressions that you don't understand so you can later search them, discuss them with your Arab friends/family, or with your teacher during the Arabic Lessons.
Lebanese cinema offers a fun and engaging way to learn Arabic while getting familiar with Lebanese culture and the different Lebanese accents. Pick a movie from this list, grab some popcorn, and start learning!
Want to accelerate your Arabic learning? We offer specialized courses tailored to help you master the language through real-world practice. Book a private lesson on imasterlanguages.com, or a group course on imasterarabic.com Contact us today!
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