Learn English with Movies & TV Shows
English runs on idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang that textbooks barely cover. Movies and TV shows give you all of that in context. Hear how people actually talk, from boardrooms to coffee shops.
Why Learn English?
The global default language
English is the working language of international business, science, aviation, and the internet. Around 60% of all web content is in English.
Endless entertainment access
Hollywood, Broadway, the BBC, podcasts, YouTube. Learning English unlocks the largest library of media content on the planet.
Career and travel doors open
English proficiency is required or preferred for jobs at most multinational companies. It is also the most useful language for traveling across different countries.
How to Learn English with Wordy
Three steps to start picking up English from real movies and shows.
Pick a Movie or Show
Browse English content from our library of 15,000+ clips or connect your streaming service.
Watch and Tap Words
Tap any word in the subtitles for instant translation. Save words you want to remember.
Review with Flashcards
Practice saved vocabulary with spaced repetition flashcards linked to the original scene.
Popular English Content for Learning
Great English movies and shows to get you started.
Friends
Everyday conversations at a natural pace, packed with common idioms and American humor.
The Office (US)
Workplace vocabulary and casual American English with lots of repetition across episodes.
The Shawshank Redemption
Clear dialogue with a slower pace, great for picking up formal and narrative English.
Sherlock
British English with sharp, articulate speech and a rich vocabulary.
Forrest Gump
Simple, heartfelt dialogue that covers decades of American culture and expressions.
Tips for Learning English from Movies
Focus on phrasal verbs
Native speakers use phrasal verbs constantly. "Figure out," "come up with," "run into." Learn these in movie scenes and you will sound much more natural than someone who only uses formal equivalents.
Shadow fast speakers
Pause after a line of dialogue and repeat it at the same speed and rhythm. This builds muscle memory for connected speech, where words blend together like "gonna," "wanna," and "shoulda."
Compare British and American
Watch both British and American shows to notice differences in vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation. Knowing both variants makes you a more flexible communicator.
English Fun Facts
English has borrowed words from over 350 languages, making it one of the most eclectic vocabularies in the world (Oxford English Dictionary).
The most common letter in English is "e," appearing in about 11% of all words (Oxford Dictionary analysis).
There are roughly 170,000 words currently in use in English, but most native speakers only use about 20,000 to 35,000 (Nation & Waring, 1997).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn English?
How long does it take to learn English?
It depends on your native language. Arabic or Japanese speakers typically need 2,200+ hours (FSI Category IV), while Spanish or Dutch speakers can reach proficiency in about 600 hours (FSI Category I). Watching English content daily can significantly accelerate this.
Can I learn English just by watching movies?
Can I learn English just by watching movies?
Movies alone are not enough, but they are one of the most effective supplements. They train your listening, build vocabulary in context, and teach you natural rhythm and intonation. Pair them with active practice like speaking and writing for the best results.
What English accent should I learn first?
What English accent should I learn first?
Start with whichever accent you hear most or plan to use. American English is the most widely understood globally due to media influence. British English (Received Pronunciation) is common in international education. Exposure to both through movies helps you understand any accent over time.
Is English grammar really that hard?
Is English grammar really that hard?
English grammar is actually simpler than most European languages. No grammatical gender, no case endings, and verb conjugations are minimal. The hard parts are irregular verbs, prepositions, and the massive vocabulary.
Start Learning English Today
Download Wordy and learn English from your favorite movies and TV shows. Free to start.