Learning how to say simple words in another language can be fun and helpful. In French, there are different ways to say everyday words like “movie.” Knowing these words is a great way to start a conversation or enjoy French culture. It can also help you understand French movies better.
In this article, we will learn how to say “movie” in French. We will also look at other ways to say it, how to respond, and practice with simple exercises. By the end, you’ll feel more confident about using this word. Let’s get started!
Ways to Say “Movie” in French
In French, the most common word for “movie” is film (pronounced “feelm”). However, there are other ways to say it depending on the context. Below are 25 ways to say “movie” in French, along with their pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences.
Film (feelm)
Meaning: Movie, film.
In a Sentence:
- J’adore ce film. (I love this movie.)
- As-tu vu le film hier soir ? (Did you see the movie last night?)
Long-métrage (lohng-may-trahzh)
Meaning: Feature film.
In a Sentence:
- Ce long-métrage a gagné un prix. (This feature film won an award.)
- Le long-métrage dure deux heures. (The feature film lasts two hours.)
Court-métrage (koor-may-trahzh)
Meaning: Short film.
In a Sentence:
- Ils ont projeté un court-métrage avant le film principal. (They showed a short film before the main movie.)
- Le court-métrage était très émouvant. (The short film was very moving.)
Cinéma (see-neh-mah)
Meaning: Cinema or movies (as a concept).
In a Sentence:
- J’adore le cinéma français. (I love French movies.)
- On va au cinéma ce soir ? (Are we going to the movies tonight?)
Pellicule (peh-lee-kool)
Meaning: Film reel or old-style movie.
In a Sentence:
- La pellicule de ce vieux film est abîmée. (The reel of this old movie is damaged.)
- Ce film a été tourné sur pellicule. (This movie was shot on film.)
Projection (proh-jek-syon)
Meaning: Screening or showing of a movie.
In a Sentence:
- La projection commence à 20h. (The screening starts at 8 PM.)
- La projection du film a attiré une grande foule. (The movie screening attracted a big crowd.)
Œuvre cinématographique (uhv-reh see-neh-mah-toh-grah-feek)
Meaning: Cinematic work or movie.
In a Sentence:
- Ce réalisateur crée des œuvres cinématographiques exceptionnelles. (This director creates exceptional cinematic works.)
- Une œuvre cinématographique doit toucher le public. (A cinematic work must reach the audience.)
Blockbuster (blohk-boos-tehr)
Meaning: Popular and high-grossing movie.
In a Sentence:
- Ce blockbuster est sorti cet été. (This blockbuster was released this summer.)
- J’ai adoré ce blockbuster d’action. (I loved this action blockbuster.)
Chef-d’œuvre (sheh-duhv)
Meaning: Masterpiece (used for exceptional movies).
In a Sentence:
- Ce film est un véritable chef-d’œuvre. (This movie is a real masterpiece.)
- As-tu vu ce chef-d’œuvre au cinéma ? (Have you seen this masterpiece in the theater?)
Documentaire (doh-koo-mahn-tehr)
Meaning: Documentary movie.
In a Sentence:
- Ce documentaire était très informatif. (This documentary was very informative.)
- Elle préfère regarder des documentaires. (She prefers watching documentaries.)
Comédie (koh-meh-dee)
Meaning: Comedy movie.
In a Sentence:
- Cette comédie m’a fait beaucoup rire. (This comedy made me laugh a lot.)
- On regarde une comédie ce soir ? (Shall we watch a comedy tonight?)
Drame (drahm)
Meaning: Drama movie.
In a Sentence:
- J’aime les drames qui font réfléchir. (I like dramas that make you think.)
- Ce drame est basé sur une histoire vraie. (This drama is based on a true story.)
Thriller (tree-layr)
Meaning: Suspense or thriller movie.
In a Sentence:
- Ce thriller m’a tenu en haleine. (This thriller kept me on edge.)
- Les thrillers psychologiques sont mes préférés. (Psychological thrillers are my favorite.)
Film d’animation (feelm dah-nee-mah-syon)
Meaning: Animated movie.
In a Sentence:
- Ce film d’animation est parfait pour les enfants. (This animated movie is perfect for kids.)
- J’adore les films d’animation japonais. (I love Japanese animated movies.)
Film d’action (feelm dahk-syon)
Meaning: Action movie.
In a Sentence:
- On regarde un film d’action ce soir. (We’re watching an action movie tonight.)
- Ce film d’action a des effets spéciaux incroyables. (This action movie has amazing special effects.)
Film romantique (feelm roh-mahn-teek)
Meaning: Romantic movie.
In a Sentence:
- Ce film romantique était très touchant. (This romantic movie was very touching.)
- Ils ont regardé un film romantique ensemble. (They watched a romantic movie together.)
Biographie (bee-oh-grah-fee)
Meaning: Biographical movie or biopic.
In a Sentence:
- Ce film est une biographie d’une actrice célèbre. (This movie is a biography of a famous actress.)
- Les biographies me fascinent. (Biopics fascinate me.)
Film muet (feelm mweh)
Meaning: Silent film.
In a Sentence:
- Les films muets faisaient appel à l’imagination. (Silent films relied on imagination.)
- Ce vieux film muet est un classique. (This old silent film is a classic.)
Film policier (feelm poh-lee-syay)
Meaning: Detective or crime movie.
In a Sentence:
- Ce film policier était plein de suspense. (This detective movie was full of suspense.)
- Les films policiers sont toujours captivants. (Crime movies are always captivating.)
Film historique (feelm ees-toh-reek)
Meaning: Historical movie.
In a Sentence:
- Ce film historique raconte une histoire vraie. (This historical movie tells a true story.)
- Les films historiques m’aident à apprendre. (Historical movies help me learn.)
Cinématographie (see-neh-mah-toh-grah-fee)
Meaning: The art of filmmaking (used formally).
In a Sentence:
- Il étudie la cinématographie à l’université. (He studies cinematography at university.)
- Ce film montre une cinématographie remarquable. (This film showcases remarkable cinematography.)
Séance (say-ahns)
Meaning: Movie showtime.
In a Sentence:
- La séance commence à 19h. (The showtime is at 7 PM.)
- Quelle séance est la meilleure ? (Which showtime is the best?)
Film culte (feelm kult)
Meaning: Cult movie.
In a Sentence:
- Ce film culte est apprécié par des générations. (This cult movie is loved by generations.)
- J’ai enfin vu ce film culte. (I finally watched this cult movie.)
Téléfilm (teh-leh-feelm)
Meaning: TV movie.
In a Sentence:
- Le téléfilm est diffusé ce soir. (The TV movie is airing tonight.)
- Ce téléfilm est basé sur un roman. (This TV movie is based on a novel.)
Animation (ah-nee-mah-syon)
Meaning: Animation (as a genre or style).
In a Sentence:
Les enfants adorent les films d’animation. (Kids love animated movies.)
L’animation dans ce film est impressionnante. (The animation in this movie is impressive.)
Other Ways to Say “Movie” in French
Below is a table with other ways to say “movie” in French. Each phrase includes its pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Vidéo | vee-deh-oh | Video or movie (informal) | Cette vidéo est très drôle. (This video is very funny.) On regarde une vidéo ce soir ? (Are we watching a movie tonight?) |
| Spectacle | spek-tak-luh | Show or performance | Le spectacle commence à 20h. (The show starts at 8 PM.) C’était un spectacle incroyable. (It was an amazing show.) |
| Programme | proh-gramm | Program or movie on TV | Quel programme est diffusé ce soir ? (What movie is on tonight?) Le programme est très populaire. (The movie is very popular.) |
| Ciné | see-nay | Short for cinema (casual) | On va au ciné ce weekend. (We’re going to the movies this weekend.) Le ciné était plein. (The movie theater was full.) |
| Fiction | feek-syon | Fiction or movie genre | J’adore la fiction historique. (I love historical fiction.) Ce film est une fiction captivante. (This movie is a captivating fiction.) |
| Film artistique | feelm ar-tee-steek | Art film or artistic movie | Ce film artistique a été acclamé par la critique. (This art film was critically acclaimed.) Un film artistique souvent inspire. (An artistic film often inspires.) |
| Superproduction | soo-pehr-proh-dook-syon | Big-budget production (blockbuster) | Cette superproduction a battu des records. (This blockbuster broke records.) Les superproductions attirent toujours du monde. (Blockbusters always attract crowds.) |
| Projection privée | proh-jek-syon pree-veh | Private screening | La projection privée était très exclusive. (The private screening was very exclusive.) As-tu reçu une invitation à la projection privée ? (Did you get an invitation to the private screening?) |
| Feuilleton télévisé | fuh-yuh-tohn teh-leh-vee-zay | TV series or serialized movie | Ce feuilleton télévisé est très célèbre. (This TV series is very famous.) Les feuilletons télévisés captivent les téléspectateurs. (TV series captivate viewers.) |
| Cinémathèque | see-neh-mah-tek | Movie library or archive | La cinémathèque propose des films anciens. (The film library offers old movies.) J’ai visité la cinémathèque ce week-end. (I visited the film library this weekend.) |
| Cinémascope | see-neh-mah-skohp | Widescreen movie format | Ce film est en cinémascope. (This movie is in widescreen format.) Les cinémascopes sont impressionnants. (Widescreen movies are impressive.) |
| Docu | doh-koo | Short for documentary | On regarde un docu ce soir ? (Are we watching a documentary tonight?) Le docu était fascinant. (The documentary was fascinating.) |
Responses to “Movie” in French
Here are ways to respond when discussing movies in French, along with example sentences to help you understand their use.
J’adore ce film.
Pronunciation: Zhah-dohr suh feelm
Meaning: I love this movie.
In a Sentence:
J’adore ce film, il est tellement drôle. (I love this movie; it’s so funny.)
Ce film est incroyable, j’adore ce genre d’histoire. (This movie is amazing; I love this kind of story.)
Je n’ai pas encore vu ce film.
Pronunciation: Zhuh nay pah ahn-kor voo suh feelm
Meaning: I haven’t seen this movie yet.
In a Sentence:
Je n’ai pas encore vu ce film, mais il a l’air bien. (I haven’t seen this movie yet, but it looks good.)
Ce film est au cinéma ? Je ne l’ai pas encore vu. (Is this movie in theaters? I haven’t seen it yet.)
Ce genre de film ne me plaît pas.
Pronunciation: Suh zhahr duh feelm nuh muh pleh pah
Meaning: I don’t like this type of movie.
In a Sentence:
Ce genre de film ne me plaît pas, je préfère les comédies. (I don’t like this type of movie; I prefer comedies.)
Ce drame est bien fait, mais ce n’est pas mon style. (This drama is well-made, but it’s not my style.)
Quel est ton film préféré ?
Pronunciation: Kel eh tohn feelm preh-feh-ray
Meaning: What is your favorite movie?
In a Sentence:
Quel est ton film préféré ? Le mien, c’est “Les Choristes.” (What’s your favorite movie? Mine is “The Chorus.”)
Mon film préféré est une comédie. Et toi ? (My favorite movie is a comedy. And you?)
Ce film est un chef-d’œuvre.
Pronunciation: Suh feelm eh uhn sheh-duhv
Meaning: This movie is a masterpiece.
In a Sentence:
Ce film est un chef-d’œuvre, tout le monde devrait le voir. (This movie is a masterpiece; everyone should see it.)
Un vrai chef-d’œuvre, avec une cinématographie magnifique. (A true masterpiece, with stunning cinematography.)
Il y a une belle critique de ce film.
Pronunciation: Eel yah uhn bel kree-teek duh suh feelm
Meaning: There’s a good review of this movie.
In a Sentence:
Il y a une belle critique de ce film dans ce magazine. (There’s a good review of this movie in this magazine.)
Tu devrais lire les critiques, elles sont très positives. (You should read the reviews; they’re very positive.)
Je vais le regarder bientôt.
Pronunciation: Zhuh veh luh reh-gar-day byahn-toh
Meaning: I’m going to watch it soon.
In a Sentence:
Ce film a l’air génial, je vais le regarder bientôt. (This movie looks great; I’m going to watch it soon.)
On peut le regarder ensemble ? Je comptais le voir bientôt. (Can we watch it together? I was planning to see it soon.)
Ce film m’a beaucoup touché.
Pronunciation: Suh feelm mah boh-koo too-shay
Meaning: This movie really moved me.
In a Sentence:
Ce film m’a beaucoup touché, surtout la fin. (This movie really moved me, especially the ending.)
Les émotions dans ce film sont incroyables, il m’a touché. (The emotions in this movie are incredible; it moved me.)
Ce film a eu beaucoup de succès.
Pronunciation: Suh feelm ah uh boh-koo duh sook-seh
Meaning: This movie was very successful.
In a Sentence:
Ce film a eu beaucoup de succès au box-office. (This movie was very successful at the box office.)
Il a gagné plusieurs prix, preuve de son succès. (It won several awards, proof of its success.)
Je préfère les séries aux films.
Pronunciation: Zhuh preh-fehr lay seh-ree oh feelm
Meaning: I prefer series over movies.
In a Sentence:
Je préfère les séries, elles durent plus longtemps. (I prefer series; they last longer.)
Les films sont bien, mais les séries ont plus d’histoires. (Movies are good, but series have more stories.)
Exercise to Practice Saying “Movie” in French
Here are 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises using the ways to say “movie” in French. Each sentence is entirely in French, with its meaning provided. After the exercises, you’ll find the answers.
Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Ce soir, nous allons voir un ______ au cinéma.
(Tonight, we are going to see a movie at the theater.) - Le ______ d’animation que j’ai vu hier était incroyable.
(The animated movie I watched yesterday was amazing.) - La ______ privée commence à 20h.
(The private screening starts at 8 PM.) - Mon ______ préféré est un film d’action.
(My favorite movie is an action film.) - Ils ont montré un ______ avant le film principal.
(They showed a short film before the main movie.) - Ce ______ est basé sur une histoire vraie.
(This film is based on a true story.) - Le ______ que j’ai vu récemment a gagné un prix.
(The feature film I recently saw won an award.) - Ce ______ a été tourné en noir et blanc.
(This movie was shot in black and white.) - J’aime bien regarder des ______ à la télévision.
(I like to watch TV movies on television.) - Ce ______ est un véritable chef-d’œuvre.
(This movie is a true masterpiece.) - Les ______ muets étaient très populaires au début du cinéma.
(Silent films were very popular at the beginning of cinema.) - Je vais lire une critique avant de voir ce ______.
(I’ll read a review before watching this movie.)
Answers
- film
- film
- projection
- genre
- court-métrage
- film historique
- long-métrage
- film muet
- téléfilms
- chef-d’œuvre
- films
- film
Conclusion
Learning how to say “movie” in French opens up a world of fun conversations and cultural understanding. Whether you use film, cinéma, or a specific type like long-métrage, these words help you talk about movies with ease. You can use them when discussing your favorite genres, planning a trip to the theater, or sharing reviews.
By practicing the different terms and their pronunciations, you’ll feel more confident speaking about movies in French. It’s a small step that can make your interactions more engaging and enjoyable. Keep practicing, and soon, these words will become a natural part of your French vocabulary!