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5 Dutch films to watch on Netflix this holiday season (English subtitles)

5 Dutch films to watch on Netflix this holiday season (English subtitles)

Can’t figure out what to watch this holiday season? Fancy watching something in Dutch but you’re not quite there yet in terms of your language skills? Netflix may not completely fulfil your language learning wishes, you might need a Dutch course for that, but it can help you a little.

Watching something completely in Dutch with no subtitle help in English is going to be challenging, so we’ve searched through the many films Netflix has on offer to find you some great ones which have English subtitles. You’re welcome. A pre-warning: There are no typical Christmas films on this list - sorry, we tried!

1. First Kiss

Who doesn’t love a romantic film at Christmas? The answer is, of course, no one. Everyone loves a good romance during the holiday season! That’s exactly what you’ll get with First Kiss, with a good dose of drama thrown in.

The story follows Roos, a starry-eyed employee at her mother’s successful cosmetics company First Kiss. The drama and romance begin when a handsome photographer is hired, who is secretly indebted to a major rival of the company, Roos’ sketchy aunt. Roos’ aunt will stop at nothing to sabotage First Kiss, but will she be having the last laugh?

The film from 2018 is full of make-up, social media, love and friendship - a true modern teen drama. Although it is not very Christmassy, it’s sure to have you on a roller coaster of emotions and cheering on the goodies.

2. The Resistance Banker (Bankier van het Verzet)

This film is simply a classic and one you have to have seen at some point during your Dutch residence. So, why not take a holiday afternoon to sit on the sofa with a bucket of popcorn while this film thrills you and reminds you that life wasn’t always peaches ‘n cream in the Netherlands.

Witnessing the devastation wreaked by the Nazi occupation of his homeland, Dutch banker Walraven van Hall decides to fight back. Using his unique skill set, he comes up with a method of surreptitiously financing the Dutch resistance. What starts out as a phoney “Sailor’s Fund” quickly develops into the biggest fraud in the history of Dutch banking. The bigger the operation gets, the higher the stakes and the riskier it becomes.

Based on a true story, this drama sheds light on a relatively unknown aspect of the war. As you would expect, there are dramatic Nazi raids, secret meetings and narrow escapes. But the film also has an understated quality in its fascinating exploration of the underground logistics of resistance: for all its focus on heroics and dramatic deeds, the Resistance Banker serves as a powerful reminder that even resisting evil has a price tag.

3. A Noble Intention (Publieke Werken)

It’s Amsterdam in the year 1888. The Victoria Hotel – the one opposite Amsterdam Central station – has not yet been built, but it’s about to be. However, where the hotel now stands are houses, with people still living in them. This film sees a stubborn violin maker and his cousin, a pharmacist, oppose powerful businessmen who plan on building that oh-so-iconic hotel.

That’s not all; of course, there is also the matter of the cousin getting into a pickle after being involved in illegal medical practices. The United States comes into the picture, as Anijs (the cousin) promises a colony of poor peat cutters a future there. All in all, this dramatic movie full of beautiful scenes of Amsterdam is sure to have you glued to the screen. Enjoy!

4. Tuscan Wedding

I know, I know, another rom-com. Well, it is Christmas time, so why not celebrate love a little. This film takes you to Casa Matrimonio in Tuscany, where guests come together to celebrate love and life. It’s the perfect setting for a wedding. So perfect that some guests come back more than once. You only marry twice in your life, after all.

5. Bon Bini Holland

If you need a film to make you laugh until your stomach hurts, this is it. In this absolutely hilarious comedy, Robertico Florentina, a charming crook, runs a small-scale scam business on the tropical island of Curaçao. His brainchild, Bon Bini Bungalows, makes money by letting fancy houses to tourists - without the owner’s knowledge.

However, when some of Robertico’s guests trash a villa belonging to the local mob, he is in big trouble. Owing the mob a huge sum of money in damages, he is shipped off to Rotterdam to come up with 200.000 Dutch guilders. Posing as a slick entrepreneur, he attempts to obtain an investment from businessman Ken Maduro. His new plan falters, however, when he falls for Ken’s daughter.

Time to snuggle up on the sofa

Get your cosy blankets ready and snuggle up on the sofa this holiday while you watch some of these Dutch films and improve your language skills without lifting a finger. Which film will you be watching first?

Have you seen any of these films? Let us know what you thought of them in the comments below!

Mina Solanki

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Mina Solanki

Completed her Master's degree at the University of Groningen and worked as a translator before joining IamExpat. She loves to read and has a particular interest in Greek mythology. In...

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