If you’re itching to get a taste of Argentine culture, learn about local history, or practice Castellano before joining us for your Mente Argentina Program, starting your immersion through TV is the perfect way to begin!
Argentinians will definitely be pleasantly surprised and impressed when you start talking about the iconic characters in Los Simuladores or your theory about the newest Netflix true crime case.
A great medium for preparation is television, and fortunately, streaming services have significantly invested in high-quality Argentine content. Here is our recommended selection for your study abroad pre-game:
The Must-Watch Classics & New Blockbusters
1. Los Simuladores
- Genre: Iconic Comedy / Thriller
- Streaming: Look for it on Amazon Prime Video or Paramount+ internationally. (Note: It was removed from Netflix in many regions in 2024.)
- Why Watch: I dare you to name a more iconic Argentine show! This national treasure follows four men who solve the problems of regular people through extremely thorough (and often ridiculous) “simulations” or cons. Mentioning Betún or Mario Santos is an instant conversation starter with any porteño.
2. Nada (NEW CULTURAL FAVORITE)
- Genre: Comedy-Drama / Gastronomy / Culture
- Streaming: Star+ in Latin America; Disney+ or Hulu in the US/Europe.
- Why Watch: This short, critically acclaimed miniseries follows Manuel (Luis Brandoni), a sophisticated and particular food critic in Buenos Aires whose life is thrown into chaos after his housekeeper dies. He hires an inexperienced young woman from Paraguay, and the resulting culture clash and lessons on life, gastronomy, and porteño idiosyncrasies are tender and hilarious. Robert De Niro co-stars as Manuel’s old friend who narrates the series.
- Mente Argentina Tip: Each episode is titled after a famous Argentine slang phrase, which De Niro’s character often explains. This is one of the best shows for getting an inside look at the life and language of wealthy Buenos Aires.
3. El Eternauta (NEW SCI-FI HIT)
- Genre: Sci-Fi / Thriller / Blockbuster
- Streaming: Netflix
- Why Watch: Released in 2025, this is the biggest Argentine production of the year. Based on the iconic 1957 graphic novel, the series stars the legendary Ricardo Darín and features a high-budget, post-apocalyptic Buenos Aires. Watching this series will immerse you in a piece of national cultural history while delivering modern, high-stakes entertainment.
4. El Marginal
- Genre: Intense Prison Drama / Crime
- Streaming: Netflix (All 5 Seasons)
- Why Watch: This intense, multi-award-winning series offers a raw look into the lives inside a Buenos Aires prison.
- Mente Argentina Tip: It is highly recommended that you watch with subtitles, even if you are advanced! The heavy Buenos Aires slang and prison dialect (lunfardo) can be difficult to understand, making it an excellent, albeit challenging, way to practice your street Spanish before your Intensive Spanish Program begins.
📚 True Crime, Comedy & Cultural Insights
- Carmel: Who Killed Maria Marta (True Crime): This Netflix docu-series chronicles the baffling 2002 death of María Marta García Belsunce in her wealthy gated community—a key piece of modern Argentine social history.
- Nisman: the Prosecutor, the President, and the Spy (Political True Crime): This Netflix series explores the mysterious 2015 death of prosecutor Alberto Nisman, linking it back to the critical 1994 AMIA bombing.
- División Palermo (Comedy): This hit Netflix comedy follows a fictional, satirical neighborhood guard unit formed to hire minorities and people with disabilities. It offers smart, fast-paced humor about social and political themes in Buenos Aires.
- Apache: The Life of Carlos Tevez (Sports Biopic): A must-watch for fútbol fans! This Netflix series documents the difficult upbringing and journey of one of Argentina’s most iconic footballers from a rough neighborhood to international stardom.
Ready to Start Your Immersion?
Watching these shows is the perfect way to tune your ear to the Argentine accent and local slang before you arrive for your Mente Argentina Internship or study program.
Mente Argentina provides the language support, cultural excursions, and community needed to turn your TV immersion into a real-world adventure!
Explore all Mente Argentina Programs & Start Planning Your Trip Today!
