Inklingo

How to Say "movie" in Spanish

English → Spanish

película

nounA1General
Use 'película' for the general, everyday term for a motion picture or a film you watch for entertainment.

Examples

¿Quieres ver una película esta noche?

Do you want to watch a movie tonight?

film

/feelm//fil(m)/

nounA2Formal/Technical
Use 'film' when referring to a cinema production, especially in a slightly more formal or technical context, or when discussing the art of filmmaking.
A large, classic film reel lying on its side, ready for projection, symbolizing a movie.

Examples

¿Qué film vamos a ver esta noche?

What movie are we going to watch tonight?

El director presentó su nuevo film en el festival.

The director presented his new film at the festival.

Es un film de terror muy bien hecho.

It's a very well-made horror movie.

Always Masculine

Remember that 'film' is always a masculine noun, so you use 'el film' or 'un film,' even though 'película' (the common synonym) is feminine.

Mixing Gender

Mistake: “La film fue buena.”

Correction: El film fue bueno. (The word is masculine, so the article 'el' and the adjective 'bueno' must match.)

filme

/FEEL-may//ˈfilme/

nounA2Informal
Use 'filme' in informal contexts, often as a slightly more casual or colloquial synonym for 'película' or 'film'.
A classic movie camera on a tripod next to a large reel of film.

Examples

Este filme ganó el premio a la mejor fotografía.

This film won the award for best cinematography.

Vimos un filme clásico de terror anoche.

We saw a classic horror movie last night.

Gender Check

Even though it ends in 'e', 'filme' is masculine, so you always use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Filme vs. Película

Mistake: “Using 'filme' for every single movie conversation.”

Correction: Use 'película' for general chatting. Use 'filme' if you want to sound a bit more professional or like a movie critic.

Choosing Between Película, Film, and Filme

The most common mistake is overusing 'film' or 'filme' when 'película' is perfectly suitable. While 'film' can sound more sophisticated, 'película' is the go-to word for almost all casual conversations about watching movies.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.