Are you eager to take your Serbian to the next level? Listening is the perfect way to learn on the go, while scrubbing the bathroom
Sanja Markovic
January 16, 2025
Learning Serbian is incredibly rewarding, but let’s face it — studying sometimes feels like a real snore-fest. Of course, that goes double if your old dusty textbook is your primary resource. Luckily, jazzing up your study sessions is dead simple — you just need to watch Serbian TV shows.
To make it even easier, here’s a list of the iconic Serbian series to break the monotony. Grab some popcorn and get ready to improve your language skills the easy way.
When studying English, many learners resort to the legendary sitcom Friends more often than textbooks. Indeed, learning through enjoyable activities like movies and series works like magic. Since it’s effortless and fun, you don’t need to force yourself to keep up with it. All you need to do is press the play button.
With that in mind, here are seven insanely popular Serbian TV Series to add to your watch list.
After getting a divorce, the protagonists of Ljubav, navika, panika, Mića and Vera, can’t afford to live separately. As a result, they keep living in the same apartment as flatmates.
Expectedly, a shared living space and countless grudges cause this unconventional couple a sea of troubles. Of course, it doesn’t help that they live with their adolescent daughters, Maja and Janja, who are constantly butting heads.
Living together is a constant struggle for the family, leading them into sticky situations that are hilarious to watch.
All in all, the 55 episodes are excellent learning material, filled with slang and phrases you won’t see in your textbook. There’s a catch, though; all the characters speak incredibly fast, making it hard to catch each line. But, don’t worry if you can’t understand everything — you’ll still be learning plenty.
Watch on YouTube
Otvorena vrata, RTS & Monte Royal Pictures- Trailer
Cakana, the main character in the series Otvorena vrata, is a quirky and misunderstood artist. She can’t live off her bizarre art, so she sells doors to make up for it.
She lives with her hypochondriac son, little daughter with radical political views, dorky brother, and biker niece. And although their home is equipped with a cutting-edge door, the strangest, most eccentric visitors always find a way in, including her cheating ex-husband.
The best part of the show is the odd characters and even stranger lines. Thanks to the timeless humor, this series is as funny today as it was in the 90s when it was first aired.
Watch it on YouTube
Vratiće se rode follows the life of two pals, Švaba and Ekser. After living in Germany, they’re struggling to adjust to life in rural Serbia.
Also, the duo is taking up shady gigs and resorting to petty crime, trying to make ends meet and hoping for a better life. Yes, elements like drugs, crime, and less-than-rosy reality are central to this show.
Still, episodes are brimming with dark yet side-splitting humor. On top of that, the series does a great job depicting Serbian culture and the way of thinking through funny scenes and witty dialogues.
Indeed, the Serbian struggle for a better, happier life is never-ending. As the title promises, Bolji život is all about that struggle.
Specifically, this iconic TV series depicts the ups and, more often, downs of a family of five living in former Yugoslavia.
Throughout 82 episodes, we see the members of the Popadić family trying to adapt to the deepening crisis. Each character seeks ways to overcome obstacles towards a better life and find love and happiness.
With a blend of comedy and drama, this series will give you a sense of nostalgia even if you know little about the turbulent times of former Yugoslavia.
Every Serb old enough to remember the 90s has watched the TV series Srećni ljudi at least once. While the previous series depicts people heading toward moral and economic collapse, this show is already there. Yet, the characters are trying to make ends meet and make the most of what they have.
This time, the Golubović family members try to stay happy (and sometimes succeed) against all odds. Their conflicts and struggle with the bleak reality lead to all sorts of sticky situations. A dog with three owners, a cursed ranch, and love triangles are just a few things you’ll get to see in this legendary series.
Another blast from the past, Porodično blago is a natural successor of the previous two shows. This time around, we’re following the members of the Gavrilović family who are trying to stay afloat in the middle of a crisis.
Suddenly, the appearance of a buried treasure chest promises a way out and awakes the best and worst in people. Three seasons and 62 episodes later, it becomes clear that the real treasure isn’t the jewels and golden nuggets but family, love, and honest work.
While it may sound like a simplistic series with a predictable plot, that’s exactly what makes it so comforting. It’s a down-to-earth show full of both hilarious and heart-warming moments.
Interestingly, several characters are from southern Serbia and speak in a dialect. So, if at times you have hard time understanding what people are saying, no worries — it’s nothing to do with your language skills.
The most recent out of all the Serbian TV shows on our list, Senke nad Balkanom, has a much more modern vibe. It’s a historical fiction drama set in the 1920s that deals with exciting topics like politics, crime, and love.
There are also secret societies and mysterious rituals to spice things up, but we don’t want to spoil the entire plot. Complex, intriguing, and visually stunning, this series is worth your time whether you’re learning Serbian or not.
Watch on Amazon Prime
After checking out our list, all that’s left to do is get comfy and start binging these Serbian TV shows. On top of helping you pick up phrases with zero effort, each one will give you a glimpse of Serbian culture and mentality. Of course, if you want to make the most out of every episode, you can jot down unfamiliar phrases or look up new words in the dictionary — whatever fits your learning style best.
All in all, learning by watching Serbian TV series is fun and easy, and it’s for free — just like our newsletter. Sign up here and get our original self-study worksheets twice a month. Enjoy studying Serbian!
Are you eager to take your Serbian to the next level? Listening is the perfect way to learn on the go, while scrubbing the bathroom
Pressed for time in the Serbian capital? Worry not! You can see, taste, and experience plenty in a single day — as long as you