6 Russian Movies and TV Shows on Netflix (December 2024)

Are you searching for Russian films and TV series to stream on Netflix? The current options are quite limited. This is a result of the company's choice to suspend all current and planned projects in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.

By 2024, the majority of Russian-language material has been taken off the platform.

However, a small number of films and series remain available on the streaming service. Continue reading to find out what you can watch (for viewers in the US) and learn how to locate more Russian content when it appears on Netflix.

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 combines elements of romance, drama, and sports. Imagine a story similar to “Anastasia,” but set on an ice rink!

Taking place in the 19th century, the narrative focuses on Matvey, a gifted but poor artist, and Alisa, a lively aristocrat. Their paths cross when Matvey is hired to paint Alisa's portrait. As they get to know each other, their different social standings and aspirations become connected, and they find a common interest in ice skating.

Defying social expectations, they develop an unlikely friendship through their shared enthusiasm for the sport. The movie portrays their path as they deal with societal expectations and personal goals, all while aiming to succeed in competitive ice skating. “Silver Skates” elegantly illustrates how love and the chase of one's dreams can be transformative, set against a visually stunning historical backdrop.

2. Major Brom: Plague Doctor

Russian Title: “Майор Гром: Чумной Доктор” Genre: Action, Adventure Director: Vladimir Besedin IMDB Rating: 6.3

This Russian superhero movie tells the story of Igor Grom, a brave and unconventional police major. Located in St. Petersburg, Grom adopts the identity of “Plague Doctor” to face a masked vigilante who confronts the city's dishonest officials and criminal elements. Using his non-traditional approaches, Grom aims to bring back justice and order.

The film mixes action, suspense, and a hint of satire to examine ideas of corruption and vigilante justice. “Major Grom: Plague Doctor” presents a distinct perspective on the superhero genre, highlighting Grom's resolve to solve the mystery of the elusive Plague Doctor and his persistent quest for truth and justice.

3. Dovlatov

Russian Title: “Довлатов” Genre: Biographical Drama Director: Alexey German Jr. IMDB Rating: 6.4

This biographical film offers a look into the life of the Russian author Sergei Dovlatov.

Taking place in Leningrad during the 1970s, the film covers six days in Dovlatov's life as a skilled but underappreciated writer. It portrays the author as he deals with the difficulties of Soviet literary censorship and his own personal issues.

The movie provides a depiction of the artistic and intellectual communities of that era. Through his relationships with friends, coworkers, and his family, “Dovlatov” explores the intricacies of artistic creation under an oppressive system. The film shows Dovlatov's cleverness, humor, and perseverance as he struggles with his identity as a writer and his desire for creative liberty.

4. Better Than Us

Russian Title: “Лучше, чем люди” Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama Director: Andrey Dzhunkovsky IMDB Rating: 7.3

“Better Than Us,” which translates directly from Russian as “Better Than People,” is a science fiction series situated in a future where humanoid robots, known as “synthetics,” live alongside humans.

The plot centers on a family that gets involved with Arisa, a highly advanced and experimental synthetic being capable of human-like feelings. As conflicts increase between humans and synthetics, the family is forced to face complicated moral questions and social divisions.

The series delves into topics of artificial intelligence, human nature, and the increasingly indistinct boundary between technology and humanity. “Better Than Us” examines the effects of sophisticated technology on society and personal connections, presenting a reflective view on the possible outcomes of integrating AI into daily life.

5. To the Lake

Russian Title: “Эпидемия” Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller Director: Pavel Kostomarov IMDB Rating: 7.3

You are not mistaken—the main actor in “To the Lake” is Kirill Käro, who also stars in “Better Than Us” (as well as several other series and films, including a personal favorite, “The Sniffer”).

Once more, we join Käro in the domain of Russian science fiction. “To the Lake” is a Russian television series set in a post-apocalyptic world. The storyline follows a group of survivors who must travel through a lethal pandemic that transforms people into aggressive and infectious carriers. The show's Russian title is quite direct, being called “Epidemic”!

With society falling apart and chaos spreading, the group sets out on a dangerous trip to a secluded lake, hoping to find safety and refuge. On their journey, they confront not only the danger from the infected but also the difficulties of survival and human behavior in extreme situations.

6. Masha and the Bear

Russian Title: “Маша и Медведь” Genre: Animation, Family Director: Oleg Kuzovkov IMDB Rating: 7.9

How to Find More Russian Movies and Shows on Netflix

Currently, Netflix features only six Russian-language TV series and films. However, as the situation (hopefully) stabilizes, Netflix might begin adding Russian content again to its streaming service. How will you be aware of this, and how can you discover more Russian media on Netflix?

To locate Russian TV series and films on Netflix, you can take these steps:

• Search for Russian Content: Type “Russian” or the names of specific Russian TV shows or movies into the search bar. You can select “Russian movies & TV” from the options that appear at the top of the page.
• Use Category Codes: Netflix employs category codes for easy access to specific genres. For Russian content, the code 100393 can be used. However, the previous method has proven more reliable for finding Russian material.
• Browse Genres: Look through different categories such as “International Movies,” “International TV Shows,” or “Foreign Language” to find Russian content.
• Audio and Subtitles: Check the available audio and subtitle options. Some content not originally in Russian might offer Russian subtitles or dubbing, allowing you to watch your preferred English-language show in Russian. This is also possible outside of Netflix. Many popular English movies and TV shows have Russian voice-overs. Consider this episode of “The Simpsons,” for instance:

Keep in mind that the content available on Netflix can differ based on your region and may be updated periodically. By following these steps, you can find a range of Russian TV series and films to watch.

In the meantime, other avenues exist for accessing Russian media. You can discover excellent Russian films on Amazon Prime and other services, or look into the Lingflix language learning program.

Lingflix uses authentic videos—such as music videos, movie previews, news, and motivational talks—and converts them into customized language learning sessions.You can try Lingflix at no cost for two weeks. Visit the website or get the iOS app or Android app.P.S. Click here to benefit from our ongoing sale! (Ends at the close of this month.)

These Russian films and TV shows on Netflix can serve as your introduction to Russian-language entertainment.

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