Best Arabic Series to Learn Arabic: Your Ultimate Guide

Gulf Dialect 

1) (Ṭā’irīn)  “طايرين” 

What the show is about:  This entertaining and educational 3D Saudi series follows Abu Masfar and his family as they prepare for their big trip, guiding viewers through the different stages of travel with humor and practical lessons. Ṭā’irīn blends fun storytelling with useful insights, raising awareness about the services and facilities available to travelers. 

Number of episodes:  12  

Where to watch:  YouTube  

2) Tahir's House بيت طاهر 

What the show is about:  This heartwarming Saudi comedy follows the quirky Tahir family as they struggle to save their failing fish shop in Jeddah. With plenty of laughs, family clashes, and unexpected schemes, Tahir’s House shows how love, resilience, and teamwork can turn challenges into opportunities. Against the vibrant backdrop of coastal Jeddah, the series offers a fun and touching look at family life, generational tensions, and the spirit of reinvention.  

Number of episodes: 6 

Where to watch: Netflix 

3) Crashing Eid  جايبة العيد 

What the show is about:  This hilarious Saudi comedy follows Razan, a young woman returning from the UK to Jeddah with her British-Pakistani fiancé to celebrate Eid. With plenty of funny misunderstandings, family clashes, and cultural mix-ups, Crashing Eid, shows how love, patience, and a sense of humor can help bridge traditions and modern life. The film offers a fun and touching look at family dynamics, cultural contrasts, and the chaos (and joy) of holiday gatherings. 

Type: movie 

Where to watch: Netflix  

Levantine Dialect 

1) Our Family Life حياة عيلتنا 

What the show is about: This lighthearted Jordanian series follows the ups and downs of everyday family life, blending humor, warmth, and relatable situations that reflect modern Arab households. It captures the funny, touching, and sometimes chaotic moments shared between parents, children, and extended relatives, offering viewers a heartfelt look at love, traditions, and the joy of simply being together. 

Number of series: ongoing series 

Where to watch: YouTube 

2) My American Neighbor الجار قبل الدار     

What the show is about: This Jordanian comedy-sketch series explores the cultural gap between East and West through the eyes of Ricky, a young American who moves to Amman and becomes neighbors with Traad, a local Jordanian. Ricky constantly misinterprets Jordanian customs, daily situations, and social norms because he sees everything through his American lens—leading to funny misunderstandings, surprising lessons, and genuine moments of connection. 

Number of seasons: 4 

Number of episodes: 10 episodes per season 

Where to watch: Youtube 

3) When Monaliza Smiled  لما ضحكت الموناليزا 

What the show is about: This Jordanian romantic comedy film explores the life of Monaliza, a 37-year-old woman who has never smiled due to a challenging upbringing. She secures a government job in Amman and meets Hamdi, an Egyptian office worker whose cheerful demeanor begins to thaw her emotional reserve. As their relationship develops, Monaliza faces societal pressures, family expectations, and personal dilemmas, all set against the backdrop of contemporary Jordanian life 

Where to watch: watch.plex.tv/movie 

istikana.com 

Egyptian Dialect   

1) Paranormal ماوراء الطبيعة 

What the show is about: This gripping Egyptian supernatural thriller follows Dr. Refaat Ismail, a skeptical medical professor, as he encounters a series of unexplainable and terrifying events after moving into a new home. With plenty of eerie mysteries and supernatural twists, the series offers a thrilling and suspenseful look at human curiosity, fear, and the battle between science and the supernatural.  

Number of episodes: 6-episode 

Where to watch: Netflix  

2) The Catalog (الكتالوج): 

What the show is about: This touching Egyptian dramedy follows Youssef, a workaholic father who suddenly becomes a single parent after the unexpected death of his wife Amina. Lost and unfamiliar with the details of daily parenting, he discovers Amina’s video tutorials — “Amina’s Catalog” — which she created before her passing. As Youssef leans on these videos for guidance, he embarks on a heartfelt journey of grief, self-discovery, and learning how to reconnect with his children. 

Number of episodes: 8 

Where to watch: Netflix 

3) Finding Ola البحث عن علا 

What the show is about: This witty Egyptian dramedy follows Ola, a middle-aged woman navigating life after divorce as she tries to reinvent herself while balancing motherhood, career, and unexpected romance. The series offers a fun and inspiring look at modern womanhood, family ties, and the pursuit of second chances. 

Number of episodes: There are currently 2 seasons (each with 6 episodes) 

Where to watch: Netflix 

Moroccan Dialect: 

1) Said Naciri: Sara فيلم سعيد الناصري : سارة 

What the show is about: This moving Moroccan drama follows Sara, a young girl raised by Abbes, an ex-convict who takes her in as his own and teaches her how to survive through clever tricks and schemes. Their unusual bond is tested when they meet Sanae, a wealthy businesswoman whose world couldn’t be more different from theirs. With moments of tension, unexpected warmth, and sharp social contrasts, Sara explores family, survival, and the search for dignity.   

Where to watch: Youtube 

2) Azouz & Roubio 

What the show is about: This Moroccan 3D animated series, follows the daily adventures and comedic mishaps of two lively characters, Azouz and Roubio. Set in the vibrant neighborhood of Rass Derb, the series uses humor rooted in everyday Moroccan life to explore friendship, family, and community. With playful storylines and relatable situations, the show offers a funny and entertaining glimpse into local culture and the quirks of daily life in a Moroccan neighborhood. 

Number of Episodes: 11 

Where to watch: Youtube 

3) Safia  صفية 

What the show is about: This Moroccan comedy series delves into the daily lives and humorous challenges faced by a married couple, Abdel Qader and Safia. Their seemingly ordinary existence takes unexpected turns, especially with the frequent interference of Safia's cousin, who becomes involved in even the smallest matters. This dynamic leads to a series of comedic situations and adventures and offers a humorous perspective on the trials and tribulations of marriage and familial relationships.  

Number of Episodes: 18 

Where to watch: EchoroukTVOfficiel 

How to learn Arabic while enjoying your series?

Expanding on the tips provided for learning languages through films, here’s a deeper dive into how you can leverage movies and series to learn Arabic. Each tip is designed to help you immerse yourself more effectively in the language and culture you're studying.

1. Read the Synopsis Carefully

Before diving into a new film or series, take some time to read through the synopsis. This gives you a clear idea of the storyline, main themes, and characters. By understanding the context beforehand, you can focus more on the language and less on trying to follow the plot. This pre-knowledge aids in anticipating dialogues and scenes, making it easier to grasp language nuances from the get-go.

2. Slow It Down

Modern streaming platforms often offer the ability to adjust playback speed. Slowing down the speech can help in catching pronunciation, intonation, and the natural rhythm of the language. However, to avoid distortion, it’s advised not to reduce the speed below 0.75f. This balance ensures clarity while giving you extra time to process the language.

3. Use Close-Captioning in the Target Language

Opt for close captioning in the language you’re learning rather than relying on translations. Close captions more accurately reflect the spoken dialogue, including colloquial expressions and slang. This direct exposure reinforces listening comprehension and helps bridge the gap between formal and informal language use.

4. Active Listening

Engage deeply with the dialogue by focusing on how words are pronounced and the melody of sentences. Mimicking the actors not only improves your accent and fluency but also enhances your understanding of emotional nuances and cultural context.

5. Repeat and Shadow

Select scenes or dialogues to watch repeatedly, then practice shadowing by repeating the dialogue as it’s spoken. This technique is akin to a speaking exercise, offering you the chance to practice pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation in a real-world context.

6. Use Pause and Repeat

Whenever you encounter unfamiliar words or phrases, pause the film to look them up. Make a note of these new vocabulary items and try incorporating them into your own sentences. This active engagement transforms passive watching into an interactive language lesson.

7. Watch Multiple Episodes of One Series

Commit to watching several episodes, or even a whole season, of the same series. This consistency allows you to become familiar with the characters’ speech patterns, accents, and the series' thematic vocabulary. Each episode builds on the last, deepening your understanding and connection to the language.

8. Consistency is Key

Incorporate films and series in your target language into your regular study routine. Consistent exposure is crucial for gradual improvement and helps in retaining the language. Like any skill, language learning benefits from regular practice and immersion.

By following these expanded tips, you’re not just watching TV; you’re engaging in a comprehensive and enjoyable language learning experience. Movies and series offer a rich source of authentic language, cultural insights, and real-world context that textbooks alone cannot provide. At ICLS, we believe that culture is an essential component of language learning and add cultural topics to our Arabic classes.