Talking about Movies in Italian
In this post we’re going to learn vocabulary and expressions that you can use to talk about movies in Italian. 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 Italian
First, let’s start with some basic vocabulary and expressions related to the movies in Italian.
- il film
movie, film - Guardiamo un film!
Let’s see a movie! - Guardiamo un film stasera.
Let’s watch a film tonight. - È un film fantastico.
It’s a great film. - l’attore, l’attrice
actor, actress - È un attore molto bravo.
He’s a really good actor. - È un’attrice molto brava.
She’s a really good actress.
- È il mio attore preferito.
He’s my favorite actor. - È la mia attrice preferita.
She’s my favorite actress - il regista, la regista
director - È il mio regista preferito / È la mia regista preferita.
He’s/She’s my favorite director. - Quali attori famosi ci sono in quel film?
Who stars in that movie? - Chi recita in quel 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? i film d’azione action films, i film d’avventura adventure films, le commedie comedies, i film di fantascienza science-fiction films, i film di fantasia fantasies, i film dell’orrore horror films, i film romantici romance films, le commedie romantiche romantic comedies, i film di mistero mysteries, i film pieni di suspense suspense films, i thriller thrillers, i documentari documentaries, i film per bambini children’s films, i film drammatici dramas, i film d’animazione animation, i film polizieschi crime dramas, i film western westerns, i musical musicals, i film di arti marziali martial arts films, i film storici historical films, i film catastrofici disaster films, le biografie biographies, i film di supereroi superhero films, i film di spionaggio spy films, i gialli giudiziari legal dramas.
- Che generi di film ti piacciono?
What kind of movies do you like? - Amo i film di fantascienza.
I love science fiction films. - Non sopporto i musical.
I can’t stand musicals. - Non guardo mai i film dell’orrore.
I never watch horror movies. - I film polizieschi sono i miei preferiti.
Crime dramas are my favorite kind of movies. - Ho voglia di guardare una commedia stasera.
I feel like watching a comedy tonight. - Non mi va di guardare un film serio.
I’m not in the mood for a serious movie. - Non voglio guardare un film di paura.
I don’t want to watch a scary movie. - Voglio guardare qualcosa di più allegro.
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.
- Non vedo l’ora di guardare quel film.
I can’t wait to see that film. - Quando esce il film?
When is the film coming out? - Qual è la data d’uscita del film?
What’s the release date? - Sta ricevendo delle ottime recensioni.
It’s getting really good reviews. - Sta ricevendo delle pessime recensioni.
It’s getting really bad reviews. - Mi è piaciuto tantissimo il suo ultimo film.
I loved his/her last movie. - È il sequel di un film che mi è piaciuto tantissimo.
It’s a sequel, and I loved the first movie. - È il sequel di un film che non mi è piaciuto per niente.
It’s a sequel, and I hated the first movie. - Hai già visto il trailer del nuovo film?
Have you seen the trailer for the new movie yet? - Il trailer sembra molto buono.
The trailer looks really good. - Il trailer è terribile.
The trailer looks terrible.
At the Movies
Now we’ll cover vocabulary and expressions for when you finally get to the cinema to see the movie al cinema (at the movies/cinema).
- Ho comprato i biglietti online.
I bought tickets online. - Dobbiamo comprare i biglietti al cinema.
We have to buy tickets at the cinema. - Mamma mia, i biglietti del cinema sono costosi!
Wow, movie tickets are expensive! - Abbiamo degli ottimi posti.
We have great seats. - Abbiamo dei posti terribili.
We have awful seats. - Ci vedo benissimo!
I can see perfectly! - Non vedo niente! Questo tizio mi blocca la visuale.
I can’t see a thing! This guy is blocking my view. - Ho voglia di popcorn.
I feel like getting some popcorn. - Queste persone parlano troppo forte!
Those people are talking too loud! - Il cinema è troppo affollato.
The cinema is too crowded. - Shhh! Il film sta iniziando.
Be quiet! The movie’s starting. - Devo andare in bagno, ma non mi voglio perdere nessuna scena!
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.
- Guardiamo il film a casa.
Let’s watch the movie at home - Guardiamo un film in streaming, stasera.
Let’s stream a movie tonight. - Ci sono troppi film tra cui scegliere.
There are too many movies to choose from. - Non mi va di guardare quel film. Che ne dici di questo?
I don’t feel like watching that movie. How about this one? - Dov’è il telecomando?
Where’s the remote [control]? - Metti in pausa! Devo andare in bagno.
Pause it! I have to go to the bathroom. - Manda indietro! Cos’ha detto?
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.
- Mi è piaciuto tantissimo questo film.
I loved that movie. - Il film era bellissimo/fantastico/meraviglioso.
The movie was great/fantastic/wonderful. - Gli attori erano eccellenti.
The acting was really good. - La trama era originale.
The plot was original. - Era emozionante, dal ritmo frenetico.
It was very fast-paced and exciting. - Mi è piaciuto tantissimo il protagonista.
I loved the main character. - Le riprese erano bellissime.
The filming was beautiful. - C’è stato un colpo di scena sorprendente.
There was a surprising plot twist. - Riguarderei questo film.
I would see that movie again. - Lo raccomando vivamente, dovresti guardarlo!
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.
- Ho odiato questo film.
I hated that movie. - Il film era terribile.
The movie was terrible. - Questo film mi ha fatto schifo.
That film really stank! (familiar) - Gli attori erano pessimi.
The acting was really bad. - La trama non era originale.
The plot was unoriginal. - Era molto lento e noioso.
It was very slow and boring. - Non mi è piaciuto il protagonista.
I didn’t like the main character. - Le riprese erano pessime.
The filming was bad. - La trama era prevedibilissima.
The plot was completely predictable. - Questo film è stato uno spreco di tempo e di soldi!
That movie was a waste of time and money! - Non guardare quel film, non ti piacerebbe.
Don’t see that movie, you would hate it.
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