6 International TV Shows Like Breaking Bad On Netflix

Since you're reading this, I bet you're one of those who continue to be haunted by the final scene of Walter White lying on the lab floor. And honestly? I cannot blame you! Years after Breaking Bad's finale, nothing quite fills the gap left by those perfectly flawed characters, shocking choices, and that gritty world where good people turn bad one small decision at a time.

Still hunting for TV shows like Breaking Bad on Netflix to get that same rush? If yes, then you're in the right place! I've tracked down 6 international crime dramas that capture that perfect mix of moral complexity and character development.

The best part? Watch them in their original language with the Lingopie Extension, and you'll pick up Korean slang while drug kingpins negotiate or learn Italian slang during mob showdowns. Who said binge-watching can't be productive?

TV Shows Like Breaking Bad

Whether you're itching to pick up some Korean, master Italian, or nail French slang, we've matched each show with the language you'll learn. Just pick your next language goal and fire up the matching show - your brain won't even realize it's learning while you're busy getting caught up in drug deals and moral dilemmas.

Narco-Saints (Korean)

When businessman Kang In-gu moves to Suriname for what seems like a legitimate fish export venture, he has no idea he's about to get tangled with one of the most twisted drug kingpins around. The twist? This drug lord isn't your typical cartel boss - he's masquerading as a Korean church pastor, using his congregation as drug mules while they believe they're doing God's work.

Narco-Saints' exploration of double lives and moral compromise makes it scratch that Breaking Bad itch. Just as Walter White hid behind his chemistry teacher persona, Pastor Jeon hides his drug empire behind religious authority. Both shows feature ordinary men forced into extraordinary circumstances, making increasingly questionable choices while trying to navigate dangerous waters.

How To Sell Drugs Online Fast (German)

In HTSDOF, you'll get to meet Moritz - a high school nobody who starts an online drug business to win back his ex-girlfriend after she discovers party drugs during her year abroad. With his terminally ill best friend Lenny, he builds "MyDrugs” into Germany’s Amazon of illegal substances.

The Walter White comparison hits hard in this one since both characters let pride and ambition drive them to build empires they’re not equipped to handle. I think younger people will appreciate this more since we can see how modern selling actually works (with all those high-tech stuff like encryption, cryptocurrencies, and the dark web).

Ferry: The Series (Dutch)

Ferry Bouman just wants to settle down with his girlfriend Danielle. He proposes, she says yes (right before getting sick), and life should be perfect. Except there's one problem - he's flat broke. His criminal instincts kick in when he spots a pill with a kangaroo stamp at a party. The Ecstasy operation that used this mark has been busted, creating a market gap. Now Ferry's racing to find 30,000 hidden pills and get a meeting with a biker gang called Pusaka, all while keeping his fiancée in the dark about returning to his old ways.

Ferry shares that classic Breaking Bad tension of watching someone with decent intentions get pulled back into crime. You’ll also recognize the familiar beats - a protagonist trying to balance personal relationships with criminal ambitions, the constant threat of exposure, and the slippery slope of "just one more job."

Griselda (English/Spanish)

Sofia Vergara trades comedy for cocaine in this shocking true story. The series opens with a wounded Griselda Blanco rushing home, blood on her hands, ordering her sons to pack their bags. She's fleeing her violent husband and heading to Miami with nothing but determination and a small package of cocaine. What follows is her rapid climb from desperate immigrant to the most feared drug lord in Miami during the 1970s and 80s.

Like Walter White, Griselda starts with somewhat sympathetic motives - survival and protecting her children. But power changes her, and we watch as each decision pulls her deeper into violence and paranoia. The Miami setting pops with 70s color and grit, and the show doesn't shy away from showing the brutal reality of the drug trade.

Suburræterna (Italian)

The crime-riddled story follows the Anacleti clan, now run by matriarch Adelaide with her enforcer Nadia working the streets. Meanwhile, the Luciani siblings fight for their slice of the drug trade twenty years after the Anacletis murdered their parents. Add in rival politicians, Vatican slush funds, and betrayals at every turn, and you've got a crime drama so tangled it makes the Roman ruins look simple.

What connects this show to Breaking Bad is its focus on family ties twisted by criminal ambition. Both shows tackle how crime warps relationships - turning spouses into accomplices and siblings into enemies. I also love the fact that Suburræterna offers Rome's ancient streets as a backdrop for modern sin. Pretty unique, right?

Inhuman Resources (French)

Inhuman Resources is about Alain Delambre, a 57-year-old man fired from his job for being "too old." After six years of scraping by with odd jobs, he can’t keep up with his mortgage payments. When a promising HR position comes up, Alain jumps at the chance—until he learns the final test. Candidates must role-play a hostage situation to evaluate executives who will be tasked with firing thousands of workers.

Like Breaking Bad, this show asks how far someone will go when pushed to the edge by an unfair system. Both Walter White and Alain Delambre start as regular guys who’ve been mistreated by their industries. Their desperation turns them ruthless.

So Why Not Learn a New Language While Getting Your Crime Drama Fix?

Ready to shake up your language learning journey? Lingopie makes it super easy. Our interactive subtitles let you click any word you don’t know for an instant translation. Plus, you can slow down scenes, create video-based flashcards from real dialogue, and practice with bite-sized quizzes based on what you just watched.

Think about it – you're already going to binge these shows. Might as well pick up some Korean drug slang, Italian mafia terms, or French corporate speak while you're at it!

The best part? You'll stick with it because you actually care about what happens next in the story. That's so much better than forcing yourself through generic language apps with made-up scenarios you couldn't care less about.

Try Lingopie free for 7 days and turn your Breaking Bad obsession into your language-learning secret resource. Who knows? Your next vacation might include confidently asking questions in Italian or German – all thanks to your crime drama addiction!

FAQ About Watching International Shows on Lingopie

What languages can I learn while watching these crime shows?

Each show offers a different language opportunity! Narco-Saints teaches Korean, How To Sell Drugs Online helps with German, Ferry gives you Dutch practice, Griselda features Spanish, Suburræterna teaches Italian, and Inhuman Resources helps you pick up French. Pick the show that matches the language you want to learn for the most fun studying you'll ever do.

How does Lingopie work with Netflix shows?

Lingopie has a "Netflix Selects" feature right inside the platform, which showcases the best Netflix shows for language learning. You'll need to download the Lingopie Extension to make it work on your device. This clever tool adds all the language learning features (clickable words, instant translations, vocabulary tracking) to your favorite Netflix crime dramas while you watch.

Do I need to be an advanced language learner to benefit

?Not at all! Lingopie works for beginners through advanced learners. Beginners can use dual subtitles (both English and target language), slow down dialogue, and focus on picking up basic phrases. More advanced learners can switch to target-language-only subtitles and use the more challenging vocabulary features.

Will I actually learn a language just by watching TV?

You'll definitely pick up real, natural language skills, but it works best as part of a learning plan. Watching shows you enjoy keeps you motivated and teaches you how people actually speak (not textbook language). Lingopie's interactive features help cement what you hear, making the learning stick better than passive watching alone.

Can I try Lingopie before committing to a subscription?

Yes! Lingopie offers a 7-day free trial that gives you full access to all features and content. This gives you plenty of time to watch a few episodes of these crime dramas and test the language learning tools. No credit card is needed to sign up for the trial, so you can check it out risk-free.