Top 5 animated movies for English language learners

Liked: 178 Time to read: 5 min

Animated movies without translation are one of the best tools for learning English. They typically use simpler dialects without complex constructions. Moreover, the characters tend to speak slower than in regular movies, making it easier for children and teenagers to understand the dialogue without difficulties. Consequently, many begin their English language learning journey with these movies.

Here’s a selection of animated movies that can be watched even by those at the A2 or B1 level of English proficiency. Over time, you will be able to repeat phrases and entire sentences from these movies, thereby expanding your vocabulary.

Peppa Pig

“Peppa Pig” is a British animated series for children that first aired on Nick Jr. in 2004. Created by Astley Baker Davies, the series chronicles the adventures of a little pig named Peppa and her family. Each episode lasts about 5 minutes, making it ideal for young viewers with limited attention spans. The plots are simple and everyday: from family car trips to playing with friends. An important feature of the show is its bright and colorful animation style, which attracts children’s attention.

This animated series is particularly suitable for beginners learning English. Firstly, the series uses simple and understandable English. The characters speak slowly and clearly, which helps in catching phrases and words. Moreover, the series often uses repetition, aiding in better memorization and understanding.

Some of the popular phrases heard in the series worth remembering include simple expressions like “Hello, Peppa!”, “Let’s play!”, and “I love muddy puddles!”.

Finding Nemo

“Finding Nemo” is another popular animated film, created by Pixar and released by Walt Disney Pictures in 2003. It tells the story of a brave fish named Nemo, who accidentally gets caught by divers. His caring father Marlin embarks on a dangerous and exciting journey across the ocean to find his son. Along the way, he meets various sea inhabitants, including a forgetful fish named Dory. The film abounds with colorful animation, memorable characters, and humor, making it appealing to viewers of all ages.

For those learning English, this animated movie offers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in authentic and varied English. Although the dialogues in the film may be more complex than in “Peppa Pig”, they offer a rich vocabulary and various accents, which helps improve listening comprehension in English. Paying attention to phrases repeated by characters, such as Dory’s famous “Just keep swimming”, can be easily remembered and used in conversation.

Toy Story

“Toy Story” is a revolutionary animated film from Pixar, first released in 1995 and becoming the first full-length film entirely created using computer graphics. The film is about a world of toys that come to life when people are not watching. The main characters – cowboy Woody and space ranger Buzz Lightyear – embark on adventures and go through a series of trials, learning about friendship and understanding.

For those learning English, this animated film offers a rich linguistic experience. The characters speak at a B2-C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This means that the dialogues include a wide range of vocabulary, encompassing both everyday and more complex lexicon, as well as various grammatical structures. The film series contains many cultural references and idioms, making them especially useful for those seeking to understand Anglophone culture more deeply.

Besides vocabulary and grammar, “Toy Story” is distinguished by expressive characters whose different accents and styles of speech provide an excellent opportunity to practice listening comprehension. From simple and memorable phrases like Buzz Lightyear’s famous “To infinity and beyond!” to more complex dialogues, every aspect of the film contributes to improving language skills.

Frozen

“Frozen” is an animated film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, released in 2013. It tells the story of two sisters, Elsa and Anna, living in the kingdom of Arendelle. Elsa’s special ability is to control ice and snow. The plot revolves around themes of self-acceptance and understanding others, as well as the importance of family and friendship.

For those learning English, “Frozen” is an excellent resource. The language of the film varies from B1 to B2 level, making it accessible to those who have already mastered the basics of English but have not yet reached an advanced level. The film contains many songs, which aid in learning through music. For example, the song “Let It Go” became globally famous and can be used to train listening comprehension and expand vocabulary.

The dialogues include everyday expressions and phrases, useful for developing conversational skills. Additionally, the characters speak clearly and articulately, facilitating comprehension for non-native speakers.

The Lion King

The final animated film in our selection is “The Lion King”, released by Walt Disney in 1994. It tells the story of a young lion named Simba, who must overcome personal trials and a struggle for power to take his rightful place as king. The film is rich with powerful themes such as personal growth, responsibility, and the circle of life, and includes famous musical numbers.

For those learning English, “The Lion King” offers a valuable linguistic experience. The language of the film corresponds to B1-B2 levels, making it accessible to intermediate learners. Characteristic phrases and expressions, such as “Hakuna Matata” (no worries) and “Circle of Life”, aid in learning everyday lexicon and cultural aspects of Anglophone countries. The characters speak clearly and articulate, aiding in better listening comprehension.

Additionally, the film includes a number of musical numbers, which are useful for practicing the language through singing. The music and lyrics of “The Lion King” are not only memorable but also contain linguistic structures important for understanding English.

Conclusion

It may take up to six months to adapt to watching animated films in English. Once you confidently understand the characters’ speech, move on to more complex content, such as TV series, movies, and shows.

178Interested

Interesting Blog

  • Liked: 415

    Who are polyglots and why are they rare?

    In a world where global connectivity has become the norm, the ability to communicate in multiple languages is a valuable asset. However, there exists a rare breed of individuals who have taken language mastery to an extraordinary level – the polyglots. These linguistic virtuosos possess the remarkable capability of speaking, reading, and writing fluently in...

  • Liked: 345

    7 apps for language practice with a native speaker

    If you’re learning English online with teachers, you can make the most of your free time by using helpful apps for additional practice. Speaking practice is essential for mastering a new language, and these apps can provide the opportunities you need. Whether you’re looking to improve your conversation skills or reinforce what you’ve learned in...

  • Liked: 324

    7 best podcasts for learning English

    Have you been studying English for a long time but still struggle to understand native speakers? Different approaches work for different people. Some watch movies and TV shows without subtitles, some find a conversation partner and try to speak more with a native speaker, and others start listening to podcasts — whether at home in...

  • Liked: 322

    Teaching methods in online language learning: from gamification to AI assistance

    Online language learning has experienced exponential growth, with the market size reaching $18.7 billion in 2024 and projected to surpass $30 billion by 2028. This surge is driven by technological advancements and the increasing demand for language skills in a globalized world. A recent study found that 68% of language learners now prefer online methods...

  • Liked: 318

    A beginner’s guide to mastering the English alphabet

    Are you just starting your journey into the vast world of English language learning? There’s no better place to begin than with the very foundation of the language itself: the alphabet. Alphabets serve as the building blocks of language, representing its phonetics and providing the groundwork for communication. In this article, we delve into the...

View all