Thanks to worldwide streaming networks like HBO and Netflix, foreign series and movies are finally getting the attention and exposure they deserve in the West. Not only is cinema a beautiful way of getting to know different viewpoints and cultures, but these pieces stand their ground in the Emmy and Oscar Award shows as well.
There is a lot of Netflix original series that have slipped by under the radar but are definitely just as binge-worthy as the ones that made it to the top ten lists. From action through rom-coms all the way to true stories, these series not only offer a new and fresh cinematic experience but also represent complex realities that are worth thinking about. So without further ado, here are the top non-English Netflix original series streamable today.
10 Élite (Spain)
While it's no masterpiece, Élite is a very well-made feel-good high school drama with very real emotions explored along the way. The show has a nice flow to it, and the acting is supreme. Viewers and critics were relieved while watching the series, as it's way better than one would first expect. The plot revolves around a Spanish private school and the wealthy kids who go there. Behind the plot, it focuses on the devastating results of growing up too fast, and on the surface, it's a murder mystery.
But unlike the well-known similar shows of Hollywood, like Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars, Élite is very well written. It's more than a show about spoiled kids, and it doesn't lose focus of the plot and the big questions. While it's a bit dragged now at the fourth season, people are still eagerly waiting for what the story will bring next.
9 Kingdom (South Korea)
Three years after the Imjin War, Crown Prince Lee Chang stumbles across a plague that resurrects the dead. This discovery and other conflicts result in the mind-blowing series that is Kingdom, a South Korean political period horror thriller show. The actors are divine, their chemistry on screen is top-notch, and the visuals of the show are absolutely perfect.
While the story may seem daunting, the new take on zombies is a breath of fresh air for fans of the genre. The entire story is intriguing throughout the series, and the character arcs are well established and very interesting. Overall, it's an underrated show that anyone who is intrigued by the plot should watch.
8 Cable Girls (Spain)
In 1928, a modern telecommunication company opens in Madrid, offering jobs for men and women alike. Cable Girls focuses on the lives of four women working at the company, and the way this opportunity changes their lives. The journey of these women reveals the hardships that working women faced in the 20s and the overall state of Spain at the time.
Cable Girls was the first Spanish original series produced by Netflix, and quickly it became the talk of the town. The story is powerfully written and touches some very serious topics in an enjoyable, airy way. The historical setting is very authentic and eye-opening, and the love stories are heartwarming, even if they are cheesy at times. Overall, it's the perfect soapy feel-good show.
7 The Club (Mexico)
For people who enjoyed the German series How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast), this is a must-watch. It's the same concept, except it's written for a more mature audience in a more serious tone. Over the past few years Netflix has produced many amazing Spanish/Mexican series and movies, but so far, this one is the most underrated of them all.
The plot focuses on a group of privileged friends who, through an application, get involved with drug trafficking. It may not be a surprise that this affair leads to some dangerous and powerful people, and serious problems begin. The plot is well written, the acting is phenomenal, and the visuals are amazing. Overall, it's a ten out of ten.
6 Girls From Ipanema (Portugal)
Brazil, bossa nova, the beach — all in the 60s. What more do people need? The visuals and the overall atmosphere of this series is perfect, and the soapy plot is everything a person needs after a long day in the office.
Girls from Ipanema is an underrated gem and basically perfect in every way. The actresses do a fabulous job, the story never falters, the scenery and costumes are jawdropping, and everyone has fallen in love with the show in a heartbeat. If it hasn't already found its place in your Netflix list, it should now.
5 Lupin (France)
Simply put, Omar Sy carries everything he acts in on his back — and the same is true with Lupin, an infuriating show that doesn't make sense, but somehow people (even though they know this) still like it and go back a second and even third time.
Even though some scenes make viewers want to shout at the characters, the atmosphere, stellar acting, and cinematography make up for the fact that the plot and writing sometimes fall flat. Lupin is just a fun show. The heists are full of wonder and suspense, the setting is amazing, and the actors are — again — a great choice. Because the name Lupin is a staple in French literature, the series quickly made its way to Netflix's top ten list, and it's up to the people to decide if it deserves to stay.
4 Undercover (Belgium)
The co-production of Netflix and Belgian TV station Eén, Undercover quickly made it into the top ten list of Netflix as a crime drama based on true events. It tells the fascinating story of Richard Wershe Jr., an alleged drug lord and FBI informant.
Without spoiling the details of the show, it's safe to say that it's one of the best series on Netflix today. People and critics are showering Undercover with praise, and they can't get enough of the flawless depiction of the jarring true story. The characters feel all too real, and the gradual escalation of the plot (and the stakes) is too much to bear. It's an absolutely perfect show that will stay with the audience for a long time.
3 The Billion Dollar Code (Germany)
This is a shocking true story about a pair of German computer pioneers who go against Google to fight for their invention of Google Earth's algorithm. While it's an airy feel-good documentary with a lot of humor to fill the void, The Billion Dollar Code still manages to keep viewers on the edge of their seats as they root for the little guy to come through in the end.
Even if someone doesn't care about tech, or isn't really into the world of technology, the show is worth a watch. The series does an incredible job explaining the technicalities to the audience, and the last episode in court is an eye-opener to what's wrong with the American court system, and how technical cases like this have all too many loopholes. Overall, it's a very well-made show with great humor, a few jarring scenes, and some extremely lovable characters.
2 Squid Game (South Korea)
There's nothing new under the sun that can be said about Squid Game, and there's hardly a person who hasn't heard about it (or seen it). The South Korean horror series is equal parts nerve-wracking, emotionally draining, and sickeningly gory. Oddly, this holy trifecta works wonders, because even people who hate violence watch it for the meaningful plot.
The show that has been rejected by other studios for 10 years ended up "saving Netflix," as its sudden rise to the top caused such a surge of traffic that further maintenance was needed for the site. And still, the entire series cost less than some shows spend on a single episode.
1 Money Heist (Spain)
Another series that took Netflix by storm and needs no introduction, Money Heist or La Casa de Papel is something that everyone must see. It cannot be summarized, as the pure action, the soapy plot, and the stakes have to be felt by the audience.
The creators did this in a flawless way. Each character holds a special place in fans' hearts, and every character arc is written and directed perfectly and effortlessly. Simply put, Money Heist is not just a series, it's almost a state of being that can only be experienced through watching this epic show.