Italian movies that Italians watch
Recommendations for Italian-made movies and series.
If you love Italy, you’ve probably seen, or at least heard of, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Under The Tuscan Sun and Stanley Tucci’s show. Now, if you’d like to gain a deeper understanding about a Italy’s culture, my recommendation is to go directly to the source, and to see it from Italians’ point of view, with movies made by Italians, and for Italians.
Here are some personal favorites
Most available on Netflix, unless otherwise noted.
in italics: only subtitled
in bold: also dubbed
Critically acclaimed drama:
Ultras (set in Naples)
L’isola delle rose - Rose Island (set in Romagna)
Sulla mia pelle - On My Skin
The Life Ahead
È stata la mano di Dio
Animation:
Tear Along the Dotted Line series (set in Rome suburbs)
Series crime:
Suburra: Blood on Rome
Series drama:
The Lying Life of Adults (set in Naples)
L’Amica Geniale - My Brilliant Friend (my favorite drama, set in Naples and Florence) available on HBO
Series comedy:
Boris (my favorite comedy) available on Disney Plus
Generation 56K
Do you have any others to recommend? Please let us know in the comments below. Also, please share your thoughts on any of the above!
Here’s what I found interesting recently
The Lying Life of Adults book (Elena Ferrante, 2019), which the homonymous Netflix show is based off of. A coming-of-age story that touches on adult topics, set in 1990s Naples.
The Decameron series, available on Netflix. Set during the Black Plague, it follows a group of young people who escape Florence to seek refuge in a countryside villa. While in isolation, they share stories with one another, exploring themes like love, desire, morality, and human nature. The series focuses on their interpersonal dynamics, secrets, and relationships in a dramatic and at times darkly comedic tone. Fans of Monty Python or The Princess Bride will greatly appreciate.
Loosely based on Tuscan author Giovanni Boccaccio's classic 14th-century book of the same name, whose less “rowdy” passages are studied in most Italian middle schools and/or high schools Literature classes.
Newsletter-only recommendation
Do you love live music? Make sure you catch La Rappresentante di Lista in concert soon. The whole band puts on a great show, and Tuscan singer Veronica Lucchesi will blow your mind with her incredible vocals. This is your next favorite Italian band that you didn’t know you needed.
Tickets available on TicketOne.it. See you at their Florence concert next week!
And thank you for the music tip! Just listened to Diva and love it.
Thank you for this list! We loved Sburra Blood on Rome and also the sequel, Sburra Eterna. I also enjoyed La Legge di Lidia Poet on Netflix, and am happy to see that a second season has just been added. And we’re part way through L’Amica Geniale, which is fabulous.