Talking about Movies in French
In this post we’re going to learn vocabulary and expressions that you can use to talk about movies in French. Everyone loves a good film. Well, maybe not everyone. If you’re more of a book person,, check out this post. But if you like movies, read on. First we’ll cover some general vocabulary and basic expressions. Then we’ll talk about kinds of movies so you can say which genres you like, and which you don’t. After that we’ll cover some expressions that you can use to talk about what you’ve heard about movies. Next, we’ll go to the cinema and cover related vocabulary and expressions. Then we’ll turn to streaming movies at home. Finally, we’ll wrap up with some expressions that you can use to say whether you liked or didn’t like a movie.
Basic Vocabulary and Expressions for Movies in French
First, let’s start with some basic vocabulary and expressions related to the movies in French.
- un film
movie, film - C’est un très bon film.
It’s a great film. - Allons voir un film !
Let’s go see a movie! - Regardons un film ce soir.
Let’s watch a film tonight. - un acteur, une actrice
actor, actress
- C’est vraiment un bon acteur.
He’s a really good actor. - C’est vraiment une bonne actrice.
She’s a really good actress. - Il est mon acteur favori.
He’s my favorite actor. - Elle est mon actrice favorite.
She’s my favorite actress - le réalisateur, la réalisatrice
director - Elle est ma réalisatrice favorite.
She’s my favorite director. - Il est mon réalisateur favori.
He’s my favorite director. - Quelle est la vedette de ce film ?
Who stars in that movie? - Qui joue dans ce film ?
Who acts in that movie?
Movie Genres
Next let’s talk about different kinds of movies. Most people enjoy certain kinds of films more than others. Let’s look at how to talk about movie genres, which ones you like, and which ones you don’t.
Which of these movie genres do you like? un film d’action action, un film d’aventure adventure, une comédie comedy, un film de science-fiction science-fiction, un film fantastique fantasy, un film d’horreur horror, un film romantique romance, une comédie romantique romantic comedy, un film de mystère mystery, un film à suspense suspense, un thriller thriller, un documentaire documentary, un film pour enfants children’s, un film dramatique drama, un film d’animation animation, un film policier crime drama, un western western, un film musical musical, un film d’arts martiaux martial arts, un film historique historical, un film catastrophe disaster, un film biographique biography, un film de super-héros superhero, un film d’espionnage spy, un film de procès legal drama.
- Quel genre de films aimes-tu/aimez-vous ?
What kind of movies do you like? - J’adore les films de science-fiction.
I love science fiction films. - Je ne supporte pas les films musical.
I can’t stand musicals. - Je ne regarde jamais les films d’horreur.
I never watch horror movies. - Les films policiers sont mon genre favori de films.
Crime dramas are my favorite kind of movies. - J’ai envie de regarder une comédie ce soir.
I feel like watching a comedy tonight. - Je n’ai pas envie d’un film sérieux.
I’m not in the mood for a serious movie. - Je ne veux pas regarder un film qui fait peur.
I don’t want to watch a scary movie. - Je veux regarder un film qui remonte le moral.
I want to watch something uplifting.
Movie Reviews and Trailers
Next, let’s talk about reviews and the anticipation of waiting for movie to come out. You may have a lot to say during the months (or years!) before a big film is released.
- J’ai hâte de voir ce film.
I can’t wait to see that film. - Quand est-ce que sort ce film ?
When is the film coming out? - Quelle est la date de sortie ?
What’s the release date? - Il a vraiment de bonnes critiques.
It’s getting really good reviews. - Il a vraiment de mauvaises critiques.
It’s getting really bad reviews. - J’ai adoré son dernier film.
I loved his/her last movie. - C’est une suite, et j’ai adoré le premier film.
It’s a sequel, and I loved the first movie. - C’est une suite, et j’ai détesté le premier film.
It’s a sequel, and I hated the first movie. - As-tu/Avez-vous déjà vu la bande-annonce du nouveau film ?
Have you seen the trailer for the new movie yet? - La bande-annonce a l’air vraiment bien.
The trailer looks really good. - La bande-annonce a l’air mauvaise/nulle.
The trailer looks terrible.
At the Movies
Here’s some vocabulary for when you finally get to the cinema to see the movie au cinéma at the movies/cinema.
- J’ai acheté les tickets en ligne.
I bought tickets online. - Nous devons/Il faut acheter les tickets au cinéma.
We have to buy tickets at the cinema. - Ouah, les tickets de cinéma sont chers !
Wow, movie tickets are expensive! - Ce film est interdit aux moins de douze ans.
No one under twelve years old can see this film. - Nous sommes très bien placés.
We have great seats. - Nous sommes très mal placés.
We have awful seats. - Je vois très bien !
I can see perfectly! - Je ne vois rien du tout ! Ce type m’empêche de voir.
I can’t see a thing! This guy is blocking my view. - J’ai envie d’aller chercher du popcorn.
I feel like getting some popcorn. - Ces gens parlent trop fort !
Those people are talking too loud! - Il y a trop de monde dans la salle.
The cinema is too crowded. - Chut ! Le film commence.
Be quiet! The movie’s starting. - Je dois aller aux toilettes mais je ne veux rien rater !
I have to go to the bathroom but I don’t want to miss anything!
Watching Movies at Home
Now let’s turn to streaming movies at home. For many people, watching movies at home is easier and more enjoyable.
- Regardons un film à la maison.
Let’s watch the movie at home. - Regardons un film en streaming ce soir.
Let’s stream a movie tonight. - C’est difficile de choisir: il y a trop de films.
It’s hard to choose; there are too many films. - Je n’ai pas envie de regarder ce film. Pourquoi pas celui-là ?
I don’t feel like watching that movie. How about this one? - Où est la télécommande ?
Where’s the remote [control]? - Mets sur pause ! Je dois aller aux toilettes.
Pause it! I have to go to the bathroom. - Reviens en arrière ! Qu’est-ce qu’elle a dit ?
Rewind! What did she say?
When You Like a Movie
Next we’ll talk about movies that you like. Hopefully you really liked what you saw. If so, you may want to say this.
- J’ai adoré ce film.
I loved that movie. - Le film était très bon/ super/ fantastique/ merveilleux.
The movie was very good/ great/ fantastic/ wonderful. - Les acteurs étaient vraiment bons./Les acteurs jouaient vraiment bien.
The acting was really good. - L’intrigue/l’histoire était originale.
The plot was original. - Le rythme était très rapide. On était pris par l’action.
It was very fast-paced and exciting. - J’ai adoré le personnage principal.
I loved the main character. - C’était très bien filmé.
The filming was beautiful. - Il y avait un rebondissement surprenant à la fin.
There was a surprising plot twist. - J’aimerais revoir ce film.
I would see that movie again. - Je te le recommande vivement, tu devrais le voir !
I highly recommend it, you should see it!
When You Didn’t Like the Movie
Finally, we’ll talk about movies that you didn’t like so much. But of course, lots of movies are complete duds.
- J’ai détesté ce film.
I hated that movie. - Ce film était vraiment mauvais.
The movie was terrible/awful. - Les acteurs étaient vraiment mauvais./ Les acteurs jouaient vraiment mal.
The acting was really bad. - L’intrigue/l’histoire était banale.
The plot was unoriginal. - C’était très lent et ennuyeux.
It was very slow and boring. - Je n’ai pas aimé le personnage principal.
I didn’t like the main character. - C’était très mal filmé.
The filming was bad. - L’intrigue/l’histoire était complètement prévisible.
The plot was completely predictable. - Ce film était une perte de temps et d’argent !
That movie was a waste of time and money! - Ne va pas voir ce film, tu vas détester.
Don’t see that movie, you would hate it.
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