The 20 greatest foreign language TV shows

Squid Game is a South Korean phenomenon that has taken over the world and become Netflix’s most-watched series ever. Launching in 2021, the show follows a group of cash-strapped players who agree to participate in a series of children’s games for a large monetary prize. However, what they don’t know is that losing means instant execution. It is without a doubt the most popular international series ever made, and more impressively, one of the biggest shows of all time. 

Money Heist is another incredibly popular Netflix original that comes from Spain. The story follows a group of thieves who attempt to carry out the most perfect robbery in Spanish history, which includes stealing billions of euros from the national mint. The heist is led by criminal mastermind “The Professor." The Dali masks that the robbers wear have become a popular symbol in pop culture, and the show reached international acclaim due to its riveting tension and twists.

Dark is a mind-bending sci-fi series from Germany, and one of the most original and inventive shows Netflix has ever produced. It is set in a town where two children disappear, exposing the fractured relationship between four families. There are supernatural twists that tie back to the same town in 1986, which are incorporated through elements of time travel. Aside from its complex and detailed storytelling, Dark also has an eerie and chilling atmosphere that will draw in audiences. 

Inspired by the fictional character of Arsène Lupin, French series Lupin follows the adventures of gentleman thief and master of disguise Assane Diop. The story sees Assane set out to avenge his father against a wealthy family. The leading role is played by Omar Sy, who injects effective charisma into his performance. The plots are often far-fetched and ludicrous, but the show is a wonderfully fun and fast-paced ride with compelling mysteries scattered throughout.

Alice in Borderland is a Japanese sci-fi thriller series that often draws comparisons to Squid Game because of conceptual similarities, despite Alice in Borderland being incredibly unique. The series follows Arisu, an obsessed video gamer with no job or prospects. One day, he finds himself in a strange and empty version of Tokyo, where he and his friends must compete in deadly games to survive. This one is a must-watch for fans of Squid Game.

Babylon Berlin is a German period crime-drama series set during the 1920s. It follows Colognian commissioner Gereon Rath, who is transferred to Berlin and sent on a secret mission to take down an extortion ring. The show’s setting and time period are incredibly fascinating due to political and social changes, and detail-oriented production and costume design help bring it all to life. Western audiences might recognize The White Lotus actor Christian Friedel.

Audiences might be familiar with the U.S. TV series The Returned, which is actually a remake of the French series of the same name. It is set in a small French town where people start to come back from the dead without any explanation. They haven’t aged, are physically whole, and are unaware of their own demise. This causes havoc in the town, as the dead try to reclaim their lives while others try to make sense of the phenomenon. This version, unsurprisingly, is definitely the one worth checking out.

Gran Hotel is a Spanish telenovela series that mixes crime, romance, and mystery. It is set in a family-owned hotel in the fictional coastal town of Cantaloa in 1905. The initial story follows Julio Olmedo, who comes to the hotel to visit his sister, who is the manager. However, he is told that she disappeared over a month ago. Like all soap operas, some suspension of disbelief is required, but Gran Hotel makes for addictive and completely entertaining television.

Kingdom is a Korean Netflix series that mixes period drama with zombie horror. Set during the Joseon period, the show follows Prince Lee Chang, who investigates the recent illness affecting the King. When a mysterious plague begins to spread, he must save his people from the new evil that has emerged. Kingdom does an excellent job at blending genres and making them feel fresh, while also delving into social commentary to give the show substance as well as action.

My Brilliant Friend is an Italian drama series that is based on the Neapolitan Novels series by Elena Ferrante. This touching coming-of-age story follows Elena, an elderly woman, as she recounts her friendship as a young girl with Lila, whom she has just learned recently disappeared without a trace. Elena explores their time at school together during the 1950s, and the challenges they faced over a number of decades. It’s a beautifully made series that is true to its source material.

Borgen is a Danish political drama that follows the minority political party leader Brigitte Nyborg. In her rise to power, she becomes the first female Prime Minister of Denmark. The show also explores other areas that intersect with politics, including journalism and business. The characters are incredibly well written and come across as authentic and morally complex figures. Borgen ran for four seasons over a span of twelve years, with the final season releasing nine years after its predecessor.

Deutschland 83 is a German spy thriller series that follows Martin Rauch, a twenty-four-year-old who is sent from East Germany to West Germany as an undercover spy. Set in 1983, Martin’s task is to infiltrate the West German army, but his actions threaten his cover. While the show didn’t particularly take off in its own country, it became acclaimed internationally, becoming the first German-language series to air on a U.S. network. Two more seasons, titled Deutschland 86 and 89, followed.

Gomorrah is an Italian crime series that made its way onto HBO Max in the U.S. It follows the Savastano crime syndicate, led by gangster Don Pietro. His right-hand man, Ciro di Marzio, attempts to become the next boss after Don is arrested. Gomorrah is a fantastic addition to the mafia genre, with despicable characters and, challengingly, nobody to root for. It won’t be for everybody, but those willing to embrace the dark side will be rewarded.

Elite is a Spanish teen drama series that has found a large Western audience thanks to its Netflix distribution. It follows the lives of private school students in Spain and the clash between wealthy and working-class students. Featuring scandals, drama, sex, and murder, the series is completely over the top and unrealistic. However, because of that, it makes for a perfect guilty pleasure watch. This one is definitely for fans of shows like Euphoria and 13 Reasons Why.

Skam is a Norwegian teen series that follows a group of high school students in Oslo. Each season is told from a different character’s point of view, and looks at issues such as bullying, relationships, and schooling. The show earned acclaim for its earnest and realistic portrayal of teenagers, as well as for having complex and three-dimensional queer characters. It doesn’t follow traditional stereotypes seen in Western teen shows, which makes it feel fresh and compelling.

Maxton Hall: The World Between Us is a German teen romance series based on the novel Save Me by Mona Kasten. The story follows scholarship student Ruby, who witnesses a huge secret at Maxton Hall. James, a privileged and arrogant millionaire heir, attempts to silence her, but their clash ultimately results in romance. Fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope will adore Ruby and James’s relationship, and the show had the most successful launch of any non-American Prime Video original ever.

Billionaire Island is a Norwegian dramedy series that premiered on Netflix in 2024. It is set in a small coastal community in Norway, following two rival families who are both in the global salmon farming market. As the ruthless owner of one of the farms plans a hostile takeover of the other, chaos ensues. The show cleverly mixes dramatic and comedic elements, and funnily enough, could be described as Succession, but instead set in the world of salmon farming. 

Ghoul is an Indian horror miniseries on Netflix, consisting of only three episodes. It is set in a futuristic and totalitarian version of India, and sees mysterious prisoner and sect leader Ali Saeed sent to a remote military interrogation center. There, interrogator Nida Rahim tries to get the truth out of him, but he turns the tables and reveals that he is possessed by a demon. Ghoul uses Arabic folklore to create a genuinely terrifying experience that also has deep social commentary.

The Bridge is a Nordic crime series that is a co-production between Denmark and Sweden. When a body is found on the border of Denmark and Sweden, Danish inspector Martin Rhode and Swedish detective Saga Noren must share jurisdiction and work together to discover the identity of the killer. It makes for a thrilling watch, and stars Killing Eve ’s Kim Bodina. There was also an American remake starring Diane Kruger, but the original still remains the best.

The Chestnut Man is a Danish crime series that is based on the novel by Søren Sveistrup. When a figurine made of chestnuts is found at the scene of a murder, two detectives use it as a clue to hunt for a killer linked to the missing child of a politician. It follows the structure of a classic police procedural drama, but will leave a chilling impact thanks to its creepy and eerie atmosphere. There are also many psychological elements used to explore themes of death and grief.