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This article explores the pedagogical potential of movie titles in the teaching of Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE). Based on a corpus of 250 internationally known film titles from Hollywood spanning five decades (from the 1970s to the present), the study examines the translation and adaptation strategies used in the Spanish-speaking world (Spain and Spanish America). These mechanisms include retaining the original title, literal translations, partial adaptations, omissions, additions, and complete recreations. By comparing the English titles with their Spanish versions, the study analyzes the linguistic, cultural, and contextual differences that enrich language learning. Due to their brevity and cultural relevance, movie titles are appealing and valuable resources for working on vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and cultural nuances. Through practical examples, the article proposes didactic activities that encourage reflection on linguistic and cultural adaptation processes, strengthening both students’ communicative skills and critical thinking. This approach not only brings learners closer to the language but also introduces them to the Spanish-speaking cultural universe through cinema—a medium that connects languages and cultures in an accessible and dynamic way.
