Ukrainian Films and TV Shows for Language Learning

Films and cartoons in Ukrainian are an easy way to hear the language more often, especially for families living abroad. Here is a selection of Ukrainian-language cartoons, series and films for different ages, with tips on watching them in a way that helps with the language. Keeping children interested is covered in How to Maintain Interest in Learning Ukrainian Online.

For Younger Children

• Myshko and Dzvinka (2016–2018), a series from studio KAPI, which makes animation for children.
• Adventures of Kotyhoroshko and His Friends (2013–2014), a UkrAnimaFilm series based on the folk tale about Kotyhoroshko.
• Cossacks, a classic of Ukrainian animation about three Zaporozhian Cossacks. The first episode came out in 1967, with new ones in 2016 and 2018. The cartoons have no dialogue, so they introduce the culture rather than the language.

For Older Children and the Whole Family

• Mavka: The Forest Song (2023), an animated film from the Animagrad studio, adapted from Lesya Ukrainka’s verse drama The Forest Song and featuring figures from Slavic and Ukrainian folklore. It became the top-grossing film in the history of independent Ukraine and was released in around 140 countries.
• Babai (2014), Ukraine’s first full-length animated feature.
• Nikita the Tanner (2016), a 3D animated film by UkrAnimaFilm that received Ukraine’s Golden Top award.

For Teenagers and Adults

• Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1965), Sergei Parajanov’s film of Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky’s novel and the best-known Ukrainian film abroad. It was shot in Ukrainian, in the Hutsul dialect, and the director refused to make a Russian version. The dialect is not easy, so the film suits viewers who already understand Ukrainian well.
• The Guide (2014), a film by Oles Sanin.
• Pamfir (2022), a drama by Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk set in Bukovina just before the Malanka festival, now on Netflix. The cast lived in Bukovina for three months and learned the local dialect.

How to Watch for Language Practice

Since 2019, Ukrainian law has required every film shown in Ukraine to be dubbed or subtitled in Ukrainian, and in 2021 Netflix released its first film with Ukrainian dubbing. So familiar cartoons can often be found in Ukrainian too, and they are easier to follow because the story is already known. Subtitles that match the spoken language are worth switching on: studies show they help school-age children understand what they read and build reading skills. Watch out for one trap: when a disc offers both dubbing and subtitles, the two translations are often made separately, so the words on screen do not match what you hear. How much time to set aside for films and lessons is the subject of How to Create an Optimal Schedule for Learning Ukrainian Online.

Video in Our Lessons

In our Ukrainian lessons, stories, poems, songs and videos become a way to learn more about Ukrainian authors, traditions and history. The teacher picks materials to match each student’s level and interests.

How to Get Started

In our Ukrainian course, students study grammar, learn to hold a conversation and understand spoken language, build their vocabulary and write messages, letters and essays. The teacher assesses each student’s level and builds an individual programme. Lessons are open to students from age 5. A trial lesson costs $8: it is individual and lasts 45 minutes. More about the course is on the Ukrainian page.