6 Russian Movies and TV Shows on Netflix (December 2024)
Looking for Russian movies and TV shows to watch on Netflix? The selection is pretty sparse at the moment. That’s because of the company’s decision to halt all ongoing and future projects in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
As of 2024, most Russian-language content has been removed from the platform.
But there are still a handful of films and shows you can watch on the streaming giant. Read on to see what’s available (if you’re US-based) and how to find more Russian content as it comes to Netflix.
Contents
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1. Silver Skates
Russian Title: “Серебряные коньки”
Genre: Historical Drama, Romance
Director: Michael Lockshin
IMDB Rating: 6.8
“Silver Skates” is a Russian film that blends romance, drama and sports. Think “Anastasia” on ice!
Set in the 19th century, the story revolves around Matvey, a talented yet impoverished artist, and Alisa, a spirited aristocrat. Their worlds collide when Matvey is commissioned to paint Alisa’s portrait. As they spend time together, their contrasting backgrounds and dreams intertwine, and they discover a shared passion for ice skating.
Against societal norms, they form an unexpected bond through their mutual love for the sport. The film captures their journey as they navigate societal pressures and personal ambitions, all while striving to excel in the world of competitive ice skating. “Silver Skates” beautifully depicts the transformative power of love and the pursuit of dreams in a visually captivating historical setting.
2. Major Brom: Plague Doctor
Russian Title: “Майор Гром: Чумной Доктор”
Genre: Action, Adventure
Director: Vladimir Besedin
IMDB Rating: 6.3
This Russian superhero film follows the story of Igor Grom, a fearless and unorthodox police major. Set in St. Petersburg, Grom takes on the alter ego of “Plague Doctor” to confront a masked vigilante who challenges the city’s corrupt officials and criminal underworld. With his unconventional methods, Grom seeks to restore justice and order.
The film combines action, suspense and a touch of satire to explore themes of corruption and vigilantism. “Major Grom: Plague Doctor” offers a unique take on the superhero genre, showcasing Grom’s determination to unravel the mystery behind the enigmatic Plague Doctor and his relentless pursuit of truth and justice.
3. Dovlatov
Russian Title: “Довлатов”
Genre: Biographical Drama
Director: Alexey German Jr.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
This biographical movie provides a glimpse into the life of Russian writer Sergei Dovlatov.
Set in the 1970s Leningrad, the film chronicles six days in the life of Dovlatov, a talented but struggling author. It shows the author as he navigates the challenges of Soviet literary censorship and personal struggles.
The film offers a portrait of the artistic and intellectual circles of the time. Through interactions with friends, colleagues and his family, “Dovlatov” delves into the complexities of creative expression within a repressive regime. The film captures Dovlatov’s wit, humor and resilience as he grapples with his identity as a writer and his yearning for artistic freedom.
4. Better Than Us
Russian Title: “Лучше, чем люди”
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama
Director: Andrey Dzhunkovsky
IMDB Rating: 7.3
“Better Than Us,” whose Russian title is literally translated as “Better Than People,” is a science fiction television series set in a futuristic world where humanoid robots, or “synthetics,” coexist with humans.
The story revolves around a family that becomes entangled with Arisa, an advanced and experimental synthetic with human-like emotions. As tensions rise between humans and synthetics, the family must navigate complex ethical dilemmas and societal divisions.
The series explores themes of artificial intelligence, human identity and the blurred lines between technology and humanity. “Better Than Us” delves into the impact of advanced technology on society and human relationships, offering a thought-provoking take on the potential consequences of AI integration into everyday life.
5. To the Lake
Russian Title: “Эпидемия”
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
Director: Pavel Kostomarov
IMDB Rating: 7.3
No, you’re not seeing double—the lead male in “To the Lake” is Kirill Käro, and he’s also the lead in “Better Than Us” (along with a number of other shows and movies, including my personal favorite, “The Sniffer”).
Once again, we follow Käro into the realm of Russian sci-fi. “To the Lake” is a Russian TV show set in a post-apocalyptic world. The story follows a group of people who must navigate a deadly pandemic that turns people into violent and contagious individuals. The show is even not-so-subtly titled “Epidemic” in Russian!
As society collapses and chaos ensues, the group embarks on a perilous journey to a remote lakeside location, seeking safety and salvation. Along the way, they face not only the threats posed by the infected but also the challenges of survival and human nature under extreme circumstances.
6. Masha and the Bear
Russian Title: “Маша и Медведь”
Genre: Animation, Family
Director: Oleg Kuzovkov
IMDB Rating: 7.9
“Masha and the Bear” is a popular Russian animated children’s series that follows the misadventures of a mischievous girl named Masha and her friend, a kind-hearted bear. Set in a quaint forest, each episode showcases Masha’s curious nature, which often leads to humorous and unpredictable situations.
The bear, a former circus performer, serves as a paternal figure, trying to keep Masha out of trouble while navigating her boundless energy and imagination.
The series is known for its charming animation, minimal dialogue, and universal themes of friendship, kindness and problem-solving. Masha herself is adorable and charming, though beware: If you’re a parent, you might find her annoying!
And if you can’t get enough of Masha and her bear friend, Netflix currently has three spinoff series: Masha and the Bear: Nursery Rhymes, Masha’s Tales and Masha’s Spooky Stories.
How to Find More Russian Movies and Shows on Netflix
At the time of this writing, there are only six Russian-language TV shows and movies on Netflix. But as things (hopefully) settle down, Netflix may return to adding Russian content to the streaming platform. How will you know, and how can you find more Russian media on Netflix?
To find Russian TV shows and movies on Netflix, follow these steps:
- Search for Russian Content: In the search bar, type “Russian” or specific titles of Russian TV shows or movies you’re interested in. You can choose “Russian movies & TV” from the search results at the top of the page.
- Use Category Codes: Netflix has category codes that allow you to access specific genres easily. For Russian content, you can use code 100393. However, I’ve found the previous tip more effective in finding Russian content.
- Browse Genres: Explore different genres like “International Movies,” “International TV Shows” or “Foreign Language” to discover Russian content.
- Audio and Subtitles: Look for the audio and subtitle options. Some non-Russian content might have subtitles or dubbing in Russian, turning your favorite English-language show into a Russian one.
Remember that Netflix’s content library can vary by region and might change over time. Using these steps, you should be able to find a variety of Russian TV shows and movies to enjoy.
In the meantime, there are other ways to get your Russian media fix. You can find great Russian movies on Amazon Prime and on other platforms or check out the FluentU language learning program.
FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons. You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app. P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)
These Russian movies and TV shows on Netflix can get you started with the world of Russian-language entertainment.
If you love learning Russian and want to immerse yourself with authentic materials from Russia, then I should also tell you more about FluentU.
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FluentU has a very broad range of contemporary videos. Just a quick look will give you an idea of the variety of Russian-language content available on FluentU:
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Access a complete interactive transcript of every video under the Dialogue tab. Easily review words and phrases with audio under Vocab.
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Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)And One More Thing...
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