Watching Hungarian movies is an excellent way to improve your listening comprehension.

You get to hear native speakers using natural pacing and modern slang.

This medium also exposes you to the beautiful cultural nuances of Hungary.

I’ve compiled the best films and resources to help you learn Hungarian efficiently.

Talk in Hungarian (top recommendation)

Before you jump into native media, you need a strong foundation in the language.

Talk In Hungarian is our highly recommended platform for achieving this.

We designed this tool to take you from complete beginner to confident speaker.

You’ll learn the exact grammar and vocabulary needed to actually understand Hungarian cinema.

It’s the most efficient way to accelerate your progress before turning on the subtitles.

Kontroll (2003)

Kontroll is a dark comedy thriller set entirely within the Budapest subway system.

It follows a quirky team of ticket inspectors dealing with eccentric passengers and a mysterious killer.

This film is fantastic for learning everyday slang and casual Hungarian expressions.

The actors speak at a very natural, fast pace.

You’ll frequently hear the most famous phrase from the Budapest metro system.

Macskafogó (1986)

Macskafogó (Cat City) is a famous Hungarian animated science fiction comedy.

It tells the story of secret agent mice trying to stop an evil syndicate of cats.

Because it’s animated, the voice actors articulate their words very clearly.

This makes it an ideal movie for upper beginners trying to catch distinct words.

The film is a massive part of Hungarian pop culture.

Testről és lélekről (2017)

Testről és lélekről (On Body and Soul) is a beautiful Oscar-nominated drama.

It focuses on two introverted slaughterhouse workers who discover they share the exact same dreams.

This movie features a very slow and deliberate pace.

The dialogue is sparse, giving you plenty of time to process what’s being said.

It’s perfect for practicing your comprehension without feeling overwhelmed.

Kincsem (2017)

Kincsem is a historical adventure based on the most successful racehorse in history.

It’s one of the highest-grossing Hungarian films ever made.

The movie uses slightly more formal and historical language.

This provides a great opportunity to expand your vocabulary beyond casual slang.

It’s an entertaining way to experience nineteenth-century Hungarian history.

Hungarian movie vocabulary

You should learn a few basic terms before setting up your movie night.

Here’s a simple table of essential cinema vocabulary.

Watching films is a highly rewarding part of acquiring a second language.

You should always try to watch these with Hungarian audio and Hungarian subtitles.

This forces your brain to connect the spoken sounds with the written words.