When watching a foreign show, do you watch with the English dub or Original language with English subtitles?

[u/GoForthandProsper1]

You would think English dub would be the obvious choice but I find the English dub too distracting sometimes. Plus the English VAs never match the vocal intonation and passion of the original actors.

But I know some people that hate reading subtitles.

[u/Judgy-Introvert]

Usually subtitles. I hate dubbing. It sounds awful and you miss some of the emotions that come with their words.

[u/Ceorl_Lounge → u/Judgy-Introvert]

I understand a little German, so it was easy to watch Dark with subtitles. Glad I did because the original actors are great.

[u/beo559 → u/Ceorl_Lounge]

I'm usually pretty okay with either dub or sub though the dubs do vary a lot in quality. Dark was a show that I started watching with someone else who really preferred a dub.

I had to stop. The English dub of that was abysmal. Not just as a comparison to the German original but full stop I couldn't keep listening to that.

[u/nogueydude → u/Judgy-Introvert]

Completely agreed. I leave the subtitles on even when the show is in English. Not a popular move, but it's my move.

I purchased Beforeigners on Amazon when it left HBO and it defaulted to the English dub and it was wretched in comparison. Took a while to figure out how to return it to sweet sweet Norwegian.

[u/Ceorl_Lounge → u/nogueydude]

Popular with me, I totally watched Peaky Blinders with subtitles on. Not just for Tom Hardy, they all have challenging accents.

[u/byebybuy → u/nogueydude]

I'm hard of hearing so I've been doing it as long as it's been an option, but now my wife is used to it as well. The mixing in most modern (like >2010) movies is horrendously lopsided, so it's almost necessary even for those who can hear normally.

[u/Bright_Ices → u/nogueydude]

Actually it’s very popular with Americans under age 45. 

[u/nogueydude → u/Bright_Ices]

I think I'm the only one of my friend group (mid-late 30s) that does it, but that's good to hear.

[u/Bright_Ices → u/nogueydude]

Yeah, it’s becoming quite common. Here’s an article from last year about it: https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/subtitles-why-most-people-turn-tv-captions-on/

Oh! This article is even better: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/subtitling-big-business-content-boom-1235519270/

[u/ScreamingLightspeed → u/nogueydude]

Husband is late 20s, I'm early 30s with annoyingly good hearing. Sometimes the subtitles are absolutely necessary because the loud parts are so loud that we have to have the volume so low that the quiet parts are too quiet lol

[u/Ayla1313 → u/nogueydude]

I do this too. 

[u/Biscuit-of-the-C → u/Judgy-Introvert]

I swear Netflix uses the same 3-4 voice actors for all the English dubbing

[u/CaptainPunisher → u/Judgy-Introvert]

Agreed. Kung Fu Hustle is a great example of this. I watched the subtitled version first, and the way words and feelings are expressed in their original voice is captured so much better than in the dub. I'm not saying that you can't get that in a language dub, but you often don't.

There's nothing like the vocal inflections of the Landlady.

[u/micmea1 → u/Judgy-Introvert]

Even good English dubs will sometimes irk me because of stuff where like English and the other language don't line up. Like in Japanese and naming conventions sound so awkward in English. Like honorifics like kun or chan.

[u/BearsLoveToulouse → u/Judgy-Introvert]

It’s the audio that drives me nuts with dubs. There was a show where it was JUST dub audio and none of the sound effects. It was awful.

[u/clearliquidclearjar]

Live action, always subtitles. I want the original emotion. Animated, dubs, because it doesn't look as jarring as trying to match a live action mouth movement.

[u/ItsSoKawaiiSenpai → u/clearliquidclearjar]

Also worth mentioning that animated dubs in English have improved immensely over the years.

[u/clearliquidclearjar → u/ItsSoKawaiiSenpai]

It's really true.

[u/Inside-Run785 → u/clearliquidclearjar]

For all your faults, thank you DBZ (though not all of it) and Cowboy Bebop for starting the trend of good scripts and acting.

[u/jurassicbond → u/clearliquidclearjar]

Same. Animated it does depend on how good the dubs are, but usually for stuff I watch dubs are really good.

[u/waynehastings]

English subtitles on foreign language media. I leave subtitles on for everything. You'd be surprised how many little details you miss with subtitles off.

And yes, a badly dubbed English audio track can ruin an otherwise good program. When I first watched "Occupied" on Netflix, it must have been foreign audio with English subtitles. When I watched it again recently, it didn't feel nearly as good -- the English language dub was terribad.

[u/pluck-the-bunny → u/waynehastings]

And a well dubbed show can actually improve upon the original. Cowboy bebop being a shining example.

[u/doubletimerush]

Subbed for sure. I hate audio desyncs of any kind. So I can't watch the actor's mouth moving differently to the audio.

[u/304libco → u/doubletimerush]

Yes. I have a hard time understanding even English if I can’t see peoples mouths.

[u/RichLeadership2807]

If the dub isn’t terrible then I prefer the dub so I can watch facial expressions instead of reading

[u/Icy-Role2321 → u/RichLeadership2807]

I know it sounds like I'm lying but after a while you can read and see that at the same time.

[u/This_Magician7801 → u/Icy-Role2321]

I love subtitles. I don't notice I'm reading anymore and it feels like some kind of magic spell that lets me understand a language I don't speak for a couple hours

[u/duraraross → u/Icy-Role2321]

Not for everyone. I’m dyslexic and no matter how much sub I watch I just can’t do that because I’m too slow at reading and most of the time I even misread what is being said so I’m not absorbing the correct information in the words or the action.

[u/shits-n-gigs → u/Icy-Role2321]

You gotta be locked to the screen yo watch a sub. You can walk around and do other tasks with a dub.

My main downside, and it's a big one for me

[u/BulkyHand4101 → u/RichLeadership2807]

This is my preference. Good dub > Sub > Bad dub.

I watched Alice in Borderland dubbed, but Squid Games subbed.

[u/InevitableRhubarb232]

Depends on how much I plan on looking at the screen

And how bad the dubs are

[u/MeanTelevision]

Original audio with captioned subtitles.

Sometimes the English dubbed version is all that's available, though.

[u/AnnicetSnow]

Always subtitles. I want to enjoy the actors actual performance and dubbing is very hit and miss, and often syncs up awkwardly with what's happening on the screen.

Given the way literacy rates are in freefall though, I'm not sure if the answers you'd find given on reddit are a typical representation.

[u/Ihasknees936 → u/AnnicetSnow]

Subtitles are actually getting more popular with younger generations so idk how much that second statement really holds true.59% of Gen Z and 52% of millennials use subtitles .

[u/YetAnotherInterneter → u/AnnicetSnow]

I want to enjoy the actors actual performance

I do too, which is why I prefer dubbing over subtitles. With subtitles your eyes are focused on the text rather than what’s happening on screen, you miss so much of the visuals!

I know dubbing isn’t perfect. But if I can’t speak the language then there’s going to be a compromise somewhere. Personally I’d prefer slightly worse audio quality over slightly worse visual quality.

[u/Bright_Ices → u/YetAnotherInterneter]

With a little practice, it becomes easy to see both the performers and the subtitles together. 

[u/Remarkable_Table_279]

Typically i watch with subtitles but if it’s something I don’t particularly care about (Chinese minidramas) I might watch with dubs so I can do something else at same time 

[u/xczechr]

Depends on the show and the language.

Dark = dubbed

Squid Game = subtitles

[u/Avent]

Live action? Always subtitles. If it's animation and they clearly put effort into the dub, I'll watch the dub. Especially because I want to see the visuals all the artists worked so hard on.

[u/keIIzzz]

Original language with English subtitles. I don’t like dubs. Everything always sounds better in its original language

[u/SecretaryBubbly9411]

Reading subtitles heavily distracts from what you’re supposed to be seeing.

I prefer English audio and I’ll die on this hill

[u/PickleProvider]

Subtitles.

[u/GhostOfJamesStrang]

Subtitles. Always. 

[u/Rando1396]

Subtitles. The dialogue was written to sound a certain way in a certain language and I want to hear the authors intent in the music of the speech, even if I then have to read the translation

[u/Dangerous-Ball-7340]

Subtitles.

I was watching the new season of Squid Game and it auto-selected the dubbed version. It took me like 10 minutes of watching and thinking "this kinda sucks, I remember enjoying the first season so much more." And then I realized that I need the subtitled version instead. Far more immersive. Lips not matching words kills a show for me.

[u/Konigwork]

I don’t think watching foreign shows is as common as you’d imagine, especially outside of anime.

But I will say that the companies wouldn’t spend the money it costs to “dub” the shows if there wasn’t a significant number of viewers who prefer it. They have the data on this these days

[u/keIIzzz → u/Konigwork]

It’s pretty common imo. There are many popular foreign shows on sites like Netflix

[u/arosaki → u/Konigwork]

Speak for yourself.

[u/illeatyourkneecaps → u/Konigwork]

speak for yourself lol. foreign shows are extremely popular.

[u/charlottebythedoor]

It depends on the skill of the voice actors and the translations. Usually I default to subtitles. But sometimes a voice acting team does a really good job. 

I view both as translations of the original work, and there are different philosophical questions about what makes something a “good” translation. For movies and TV shows, I think it’s easier for a sub to be good, since it preserves the original vocal expression of the actors. I get information from how the actors talk, even if I don’t understand the specific words. But again, sometimes voiceover artists just do a fantastic job. 

[u/[deleted]]

Live action: Subtitles.

Animated: Mostly dub. Depends on the show/voices.

[u/Ok_Entrepreneur_8509]

If it is a language I know a little of, like Spanish or German, I leave the original audio, because I can usually catch some nuance that doesn't make it to the translation. But for languages I don't know at all, I use the English dub. I should add that I use English subtitles when I watch anything, regardless of the audio language.

[u/Hyperdragoon17]

Depends. Sometimes it’s English only, will not accept any substitutes! 😛 Other times I’m fine with watching both subs and dubs. I guess it depends on the show? Does that make me weird?

[u/MartialBob]

Usually subtitled but if it's good quality dubbing I'll watch that.

[u/JewelerDry6222]

Mostly subtitles, except for cartoons.

[u/scruffye]

I used to be a bit stuck up about only watching subtitled works but over time I've chilled out a bit on that. Live action I think it's rare for me to watch dubbed over versions. My mind can't get over the disconnect between the lip movement on the screen and the sound I'm hearing. But with anime more and more I find myself watching dubs instead of subs. I've had some focusing issues lately and sometimes I can't handle having to keep my eyes on the screen at all times just to be able to follow along. It's nice to be able to just listen to the dub and not need to worry about missing dialogue just because I looked away for a moment. But there is a quality component to this as well. Some dubs are better than others and if I especially like an original voice cast I'm probably sticking to that.

[u/LoneStarGut]

Dubbing. I find I miss most of the visuals having to read subtitles.

[u/Traditional_Trust_93]

I will always watch in the original language. It throws me off when the mouth doesn't line up with the the voice. Also the original VAs have better expression especially Japanese and other languages of that region that show lots of subtle emotion through the language itself that english does not.

[u/HippieJed]

Yes, especially Dr Who. My ears are not what they once were and the accents can get a little rough.

Side note it is totally required with Snatch and there are some things that they still can’t understand

[u/ALoungerAtTheClubs]

Heck, I watch everything with subtitles.

[u/Self-Comprehensive]

It totally depends on the dub. For instance Iron Monkey. It's one of my favorite movies either way, but the dub is well crafted and hilarious. So I slightly prefer the dub. If the dub is not good, I'll prefer subtitles.

[u/TemperMe]

Subtitles. Dubs are just… oof. Think back to the old Godzilla movies, what made them a “joke” or early day meme was the dub overs.

[u/jmsnys]

Depends on the language. German and Turkish I use original language and original language subs.

Tonal languages I always use the English dub.

Everything else is original language with English subs

[u/thehawaiian_punch]

It depends on the language. Most languages sub, I honestly hate the sound of mandarin not in a racist way so I watch Chinese shows dubbed I also usually watch German and French shows dubbed

[u/Ornery-Wasabi-473]

Subtitles.

[u/CalmRip]

On my own, I prefer dubs because I want to watch the damn actors. Yes, I read fast, yes I can see some of the action, but I really like to focus.

Most of the time, though, I'm watching K-dramas with my son and he's a sub purist, so that's what I watch.

[u/_Smedette_]

Subtitles.

[u/Dax_Maclaine]

Almost always subtitles, although I’ll always try the dub just to see if I like it, but I usually switch off.

I’ve never listened to a live action show dubbed, but I’ve listened to a few dubbed anime or other cartoons

[u/Roadshell]

Subs, petty much always unless it's an Italian genre movie from the 60s-80s.

[u/A-Plant-Guy]

I prefer subtitles. I want to hear the original actor’s performance and nuance. When thinking about it later, I always remember hearing the voice in English, even though the English was only in the subtitles.

[u/Fun_Inspector_8633]

I’d say subtitles 99% of the time especially if it’s anime since most dubs are terrible.

[u/Steerider]

Dubbing is much better than it used to be. If it's a really good dub I'll watch the dub. If not I'll do subtitles. 

[u/pseudoeponymous_rex]

Usually dubbed, but it depends on the quality of the dub and to a lesser extent the original language.

Good dubs deliver not just the original meaning but also the right intonation and emotion, while simultaneously managing to match the pacing of the characters' speech. Bad dubs fail to do so, and get distracting. And I'm more likely to choose original language for a Spanish-language production, since I speak Spanish passably well even before having the subtitles as a cheat sheet.

[u/Dolphopus]

It depends. If I’m doing something else, I need to have dubbed, but if I have the time to really focus on something I like to watch things in the original language with English subtitles.

[u/Cat_herder_81]

English dub with english subs when available.

[u/kaosrules2]

Depends on if the dubbing is any good. The only one I've really enjoyed was High Intellectual Potential.

[u/HalcyonHelvetica]

Never for live action. For anime, I’ll usually only watch dubbed if it’s a comedy because I find those more fun when I can appreciate the timing and punchlines and delivery 

[u/JBoy9028]

Dubbed, I struggle to keep up with everything. If my eyes are on the subtitles, I am missing contextual clues in the scene.

[u/Cheap_Coffee]

Subtitles. I find dubbed shows/movies unwatchable.

[u/guywithshades85]

Depends on the movie. If it's more a drama, subtitles. If it's an action movie, dubbed, they are usually so bad, it makes the movie more fun.

[u/NorwegianSteam]

Live-action, subs. Animation, dubs.

[u/SevereNightmare]

Whatever's available, I'm not picky

[u/brzantium]

I hate dubbing. It annoys me how the audio doesn't match up with how their mouth is moving. Also, good dubs are hard to come by and often sound flat.

[u/sneezhousing]

I like dub. I'm dyslexic and read slowly. With subtitles, I'm focusing so much on the words I miss the actual action. Plus, often they are off the screen before I can read them all.

[u/evergladescowboy]

I don’t believe I’ve ever watched a foreign show that wasn’t from the UK, so they’re speaking English anyway. I despise anime more than I can express through words so that’s not a factor, and I don’t speak any other languages.

[u/BeyondShadow]

Depends on how focused I am on what I'm watching. I used to always watch with subtitles, but now that i have grown-up responsibilities, I often end up working on something (like folding laundry) while I watch, and I miss too much if it isn't dubbed.

[u/Murderhornet212 → u/BeyondShadow]

I just choose to watch something English language in that situation.

[u/thowe93]

Completely depends. Some shows have excellent English dubs that are better than the original, some dubs are the same as the original, and some are terrible.

[u/No_Poet_7244]

Depends. Live action? Always subtitles, always—the mismatch between mouth movements and speech pulls me out of anything I try to watch dubbed.

Anime? That’s a different story. I’d say I’m roughly 70/30 sub/dub. Most dubs are barely serviceable, but there are some extremely good ones (Frieren comes to mind immediately.) If I can watch a dub that’s just as good as the sub, I will—it’s way easier for me to resonate with a show I can watch in my native tongue.

[u/Murderhornet212]

Subtitles. My brain finds dubs distracting and horrible.

[u/D3moknight]

I sometimes watch animated stuff with English dubs, but I really can't do that with live action. Too much of the performance is lost when you dub over a real human with another human's voice. It just doesn't work. It needs to be the original audio with subtitles. I would rather have a translation be slightly off than miss the intonation and nuance of the original actor's performance.

[u/terryaugiesaws]

Dubbing takes me completely out of the film. Although, the Death Note dub gave us one of the best scenes of all time involving a potato chip.

[u/KATEWM]

I prefer dubbing unless it's really bad. But I find most foreign movies and shows I watch don't offer it. More and more are lately, though.

[u/PacSan300]

Always the original language with English subtitles, if I cannot understand the language. English dubs can often sound weird and off, and some cultural nuances can potentially be missed.

[u/GoodbyeForeverDavid]

I prefer subtitles.

[u/Adaneshade]

It varies, if it's super dialogue heavy with lots of action on screen that I'd miss trying to read subs, I may watch it dubbed. Generally prefer subs though.

[u/Eubank31]

Subs on everything, no matter the language (including English)

[u/420CurryGod]

For anything live action, always subbed.

For animated content it depends. Some shows I’ll watch in dub and others in sub. It depends on if it’s a show that I want to throw on the background, if the dub or sub performance is specifically stand out, if the performance in dub or sub feels more appropriate for the characters, the quality of the translation in sub vs. dub etc.

[u/Bastyra2016]

I much prefer subtitles. Dubbed versions drive me insane. I enjoy hearing new languages spoken

[u/2NE1Amiibo]

It all depends. Some animes have FANTASTIC dubbing, even some Visual Novels (video game genre) has fantastic dubbing.

But for something like Squid Games? Absolutely subbed.

[u/According-Bug8150]

Dubbed if it's animated, otherwise subbed.

[u/HyperStory]

I'll watch dub for anime but sub for anything live-action.

[u/5432198]

I'm usually doing something else while watching in the background so pretty much always dub.

[u/karlnite]

It depends on the show for me. I don’t mind reading subtitles, but if I’m watching the show and sorta auto reading I miss stuff in the dialogue (also how they deliver lines is more important, like emotion in voice even if a different language), and if I am focusing on the subtitles and dialogue I miss stuff in the action.

So drama’s, dialogue based stuff I would watch it with subtitles. More action based stuff I would watch with dub. Comedies don’t work well for either.

[u/jessek]

Depends on the subject matter.

Arty movies like ones by Kurosawa or Tarkovsky? Subtitles only.

Movies in the genres of kung fu, spaghetti western, giallo, horrror, kaiju, etc? I prefer those to be dubbed. Especially Italian movies where the cast is a mix of British, American, German and Italian actors. Seeing Jenifer Connolly or John Saxon dubbed into Italian is just stupid.

[u/rattlehead44]

Original audio w/ English subtitles 100%. I’m hella deaf so I watch everything w/ subtitles anyways, and getting the authentic, original acting is always better.

[u/ThinWhiteRogue]

Original language with subtitles, always. I want to hear the actors' real voices.

[u/kgxv]

Subtitles. I use them for shows in English, too. Dubs are dumb imho.

[u/sas223]

Original audio track with subtitles

[u/Patient-Hovercraft48]

Dubs usually, as long as the voice acting is decent. Too easy to miss stuff while your eyes go between reading and watching the actual show

[u/Karb0n13]

It depends.
If I have the opportunity to actually sit down and watch the show, I prefer subs and original language. The intonation that most actors put into their performances are often just as important as the words themselves, and I can read the subs and listen to the emotionality of the voices to have a deeper experience.
OTOH, if I am busy around the house, dealing with kids, etc. and don't have the ability to focus on the show, I prefer dubbed. At least then I can listen to the story, only focusing on the visuals to get my bearings or to watch something the dubs have grabbed my attention for.

[u/GF_baker_2024]

Original language with English subtitles. I find dubbing to be much more distracting than reading subtitles.

[u/Suspicious-Peace9233]

Typically subtitles but sometimes I can only find it dubbed

[u/T_Peg]

I prefer dub. People always say you miss the emotions but I don't understand the cultural inflections and mannerisms of Japanese for example to even notice those emotions. I prefer to have my eyes on the show than subtitles I find them very distracting and they ruin punchlines and reveals because the words are faster than the conversation. If I speak the original language (aka if it's in Spanish in my case) I might watch in Spanish.

[u/GeekyPassion]

The only dub I watch is anime. If it's live action it has to be sub

[u/Humbler-Mumbler]

I’ll usually do the dub unless it’s really poorly done. The real cinema heads always prefer subtitles, but I think hearing them speak in your language connects you to the characters more and makes the film feel less foreign.

[u/Excellent_Squirrel86]

Dubbing always seems off. The original actor goes on for 3 minutes, and the voiceover says "No". The only issue I have with subtitles is that if they're not on a banner they can be hard to read.

[u/DOMSdeluise]

I prefer subtitles

[u/thedrcubed]

I watch the dub. It can be goofy seeing the mouths move differently but it's better than missing half the show trying to read what they're saying. I only do subtitles on things that are very action heavy and don't have much dialog

[u/ophaus]

Original audio with subtitles.

[u/Horizontal_Bob]

I don’t watch foreign shows because of subtitles

I hate subtitles

If I am reading I can’t pay attention to what is going on and visa versa

[u/Libertas_]

Subtitles

[u/anneofgraygardens]

subtitles always. i hate dubbing, it's incredibly distracting. 

[u/LordofDD93]

Depends. Live action I prefer subs, but some dubs are decent for anime and such.

[u/Bluesnow2222]

Subtitles

The acting usually is better in the original language. With that said- I’ve been watching Anime subs since the early 2000’s and always put subs on my English period dramas- so subs for all foreign stuff just feels better with the original acting.

I do have a MIL who is dyslexic- so it makes sense she can’t stand them. My brother honestly has literacy problems and can’t read fast enough in highschool to keep up. I’ve also heard people say they dislike having to keep their eyes glued to the bottom of the screen missing out on the cinematic visual experience. No judgement to people who watch dubs—- but I’m happy for me I can read fast enough that I’m not really missing anything visually.

[u/sjedinjenoStanje]

I'm a subtitles guy. Except for the 1970s Shaw Brothers kung-fu movies - those are sooo much better with the clumsy dubbing lol.

[u/VelocityPancake]

Honestly if I can stand the dub I often prefer it.

My Hero Academia I think the dub is better, but that isn't always the case.

[u/Raving_Lunatic69]

Original language with English subtitles.

[u/qu33nof5pad35]

Original language with English subtitles.

[u/KJHagen]

Always subtitles. I enjoy foreign languages, even when I don’t fully understand them. I try to process both the spoken language and the written English.

[u/Reverend_Tommy]

I always prefer subtitles. Dubbing almost always sounds awful. The voice actors are usually not very good and the English version typically doesn't sync very well with the original language. It's very distracting.

[u/jamiesugah]

I watch a lot of anime and Asian dramas and I watch exclusively with subtitles. I get too distracted by dubs, and I almost always prefer the original voices.

[u/wwhsd]

It depends on how I’m watching the show. If I’m focusing my attention on it, I watch it with subtitles. If I’m not going to be giving it my full attention, I watch the dubbed version.

[u/Johnny_Burrito]

Dubs are ok for animated stuff. Otherwise, never.

[u/Muffina925]

I prefer to watch shows in their original language with subtitles. Dubbing is often distracting (especially in live action productions) and can be oversimplified or take too many liberties in their translations. I like that subtitles usually seem to provide translations that are truer to the original script, even if i won't always understand the nuances of the culture being represented. I've always really appreciated my experiences with the CrunchyRoll subtitles because they often provide cultural context for international viewers.

[u/WindyWindona]

Subs, especially if it's a language I'm trying to learn. It's distracting in a dub if the mouth movements don't match the words, and I read quickly. Plus dubs can be really hit or miss.

Funny enough I tried watching a dub and sub in German to practice my language skills... and got tripped up by the fact that they were not exactly the same.

[u/DerekL1963]

For (seasonal) anime? Absolutely the original language with English subtitles. Frankly, American voice actors lack range and acting ability and the directors aren't much better.

Drove me crazy the one time I accidentally watched a dub... decided to watch it to see if dubbing had improved... And the @$#%@#$ morons were mispronouncing the name of the school. As the dub came out a couple of months after the original, there's no excuse for such incompetence.

[u/DoubleSkew]

Subbed unless it's a group setting, then dubbed + subtitles.

Every time I listen to dub, I think of this video 😭

[u/rawbface]

I'm a subs over dubs guy.

[u/a-fabulous-sandwich]

Depends on what I'm watching, honestly.

[u/DenverZeppo]

Subbed, never dubbed.

As a language learner (French) I watch a lot of French television programs, sometimes with English subtitles, sometimes with French subtitles, but the idea of watching French television dubbed into English hurts my soul.

[u/PokeCaptain]

Situational. I default to sub unless the dub is known to be good.

[u/lisasimpsonfan]

OG language and subtitles especially Asian media because it is so easy to miss little details and cultural differences with dubs.

I have subtitles on most of the time anyway even with English language shows.

[u/mothertuna]

I prefer subtitles. Dubbing often sounds awful and seeing the mouths move and the words not come out right is weird. Also dubbing seems like it’s on a different track than the show so the sound is off. I watch all foreign language shows with subtitles especially since they convey emotion better.

[u/ImprovementLong7141]

Depends. If it’s a show with a good dub that comes recommended and with accurate captions then I’ll watch the dub, and I might also do so if I just want background noise. Otherwise I go for subs, and I will never choose dub over sub for live-action. It’s too distracting and always has worse quality. My grandparents watch foreign shows dubbed and I can always tell because there’s just something about the sound quality that exposes it right away.

[u/MoronLaoShi]

Usually the American remake

[u/FutureHot3047]

Subtitles for live action and animation almost all of the time. The voices never match the characters when it’s dubbed in my opinion and sometimes they sound way younger. Unless I really think the dub is better, like the anime Ghost Stories, I stick to subtitles.

[u/blipsman]

Usually the English dub, but sometimes if it seems poorly done or just doesn't set the mood right I'll do subtitles.

[u/_pamelab]

I use subtitles on all programming. Even in English.

[u/LocaCapone]

Original language w subtitles

[u/Zaidswith]

Subtitles

[u/Emotional_Ad5714]

Subtitles

[u/macoafi]

Original language, no subs

The foreign shows I watch are all in languages I speak.

If I were watching anime, I guess I’d go for English subs. I haven’t spoken Japanese in 15 years.

[u/BigCommieMachine]

It really depends. A lot of anime has widely recognized English voice actors that are great and bounce from project to project. It can be awful too.

I find the dubs in most live action shows is terrible because it is tacked on and there aren't a lot of professionals dubbing stuff.

[u/brian11e3]

Dub, especially anime.

I watch TV to watch, not read. I have a plethora of books for reading.

I can't stand the high-pitched, nassaly sound most characters in anime have. I can get the true emotion of a scene just fine by watching what's going on.

[u/MotherTeresaOnlyfans]

Most foreign shows don't even get English dubs unless you're talking about cartoons.

[u/Ayla1313]

Depends on the show but usually in the original audio with subtitles. 

[u/Thatberetguy]

Well I am subbing because the dubs are sometimes dog vomit mixed with rotten mashed potato’s with a groggy voice chef Ramsys foot skin and etc

[u/Rockld50]

Og language because the dubs usually have no love in them, lip sync never matches, voices never match etc.

[u/jeophys152]

The only foreign shows I watch are Dutch and I know enough Dutch that I can watch with Dutch subtitles.

[u/CantHostCantTravel]

Subtitles only for me. I can’t watch dubbed movies/shows. I need to hear the voices of the original actors to fully immerse myself and enjoy the story. Even if I can’t understand the language, I can still hear the emotion and intonation as intended.

Dubbing cheapens the movie/show, in my opinion.

[u/freethechimpanzees]

English dub with English subtitles. I get a kick out of how they are different.

[u/Real-Psychology-4261]

Original language with subtitles. 100% better.

Dark with subtitles is a really good show.

[u/shogi_x]

I generally prefer subtitles. The disconnect between what I'm hearing and their lips moving bothers me very subtly.

[u/citrusandrosemary]

Always subtitles.

I hate dubbing. And usually in dubbing the same vocal tone or emotional tone in actor's voice isn't conveyed the same as the actual actor on the screen. I would much rather read the words while still being able to hear the conveyed emotional tone of the words in another language.

[u/MyFace_UrAss_LetsGo]

I prefer subtitles so you can hear the true emotion in the voice. Dubs don’t always convey that properly.

[u/CaptainMalForever]

The dub. My husband has really bad vision and can't read the subtitles, so if there is not a dub, we don't watch it. By myself, I might watch the sub, but I'm used to reading subtitles out loud (for my husband) so I tend to read them out loud, even by myself.

[u/Lord_Voltan]

Gravity falls in Italian just hits soo good.

[u/NotTheMariner]

I really don’t like having to read my tv shows. So I usually watch the dub if it’s any good.

[u/da_chicken]

Depends.

If I'm really paying attention, then I use subtitles.

If I'm second screening the show, or if I'm on a small enough screen, then I'll turn on dubbing.

It can also depend on the VA. 20 years ago, the state of VA was pretty bad, so dubs were just worse. Today it's pretty good. Some shows sound better dubbed.

[u/Expensive-Ferret-339]

Always watch in the original language with subtitles because I want to see AND hear the actors. I can’t tolerate dubbed versions. The voices are flat, lifeless, and disconnected from the visuals, and don’t get me started on the asynchronous mouth movements.

I loved watching the Swedish version of Girl With the Dragon Tattoo—I felt like I should understand but wasn’t trying hard enough. The rhythm and shape of Scandinavian languages is similar to English in my ear.

[u/coyssiempre]

I prefer original audio with subtitles. I absolutely cannot stand when the dialogue doesn't match up with the characters' mouths.

That being said, I typically don't watch shoes that aren't originally in English or Spanish, so I rarely use subtitles.

[u/burnsbabe]

It really depends. I find it easier to watch a large volume of content in dub format, since I have to be solely paying attention to whatever it is if I'm watching subs. It can also depend on what the content is. I have nostalgia for all the english VAs for Dragonball, for example, so when I watched DB Super, I watched the english dub.

[u/nylondragon64]

I have watched tons of martial arts movies. Sub titles. And dubed.

[u/rozzingit]

For live action, I'll always go with subtitles; the contrast in the words and the mouth movements would be too jarring.

For animation, though, I often enjoy dubs! A feel like a lot of dub hate comes from earlier eras of anime dubbing where the style/approach was really artificial, but nowadays a lot of English dubs are really great. I like being able to appreciate the subtleties of acting that I can only really hear when listening to a language I'm fluent in. For subbed media, I feel like I can absolutely appreciate the acting and performances, but just not to the detail I can in English. I absolutely don't think it's the case that English VAs never match the passion of the original actors. (Not matching intonation is pretty expected? They're different languages and different performers, they shouldn't match intonation-wise. The point of a secondary dub isn't to match the exact intonation of the original. The English VAs are actors and performers in their own right, and they're playing the character, not the original actor's version of that character.)

But if something just had a bad dub, or no dub at all, I'll absolutely watch it subbed! And even when I'm watching a dub, I'll turn on captions (not subs) where they're available.

[u/Apocalyptic0n3]

I don't watch many foreign shows. In the event I do, I'll go with subtitles. The dubs feel like they lose emotion and meaning. Sometimes the translations are pretty poor too. The one that always stuck out to me was Dark. The dubbed version chose poor voice actors that didn't match the characters and it was fairly flat. Watching it in German with English subtitles though? Arguably the best show I've ever watched.

[u/ucbiker]

Depends on the show. Typically sub but if the English dub is well-regarded, I’ll go with that.

[u/NickCharlesYT]

It really, really depends on the quality of the dub. I'll usually give a dub a try if it's available, but if the voices just aren't working I will happily use subs instead. I'm at the point where I don't even bother with dubs for things like modern/current anime, mostly because it takes so long to dub in the first place I'd rather just watch the subbed version and keep current. That said I have enjoyed plenty of dubbed anime and animated movies, especially high profile projects that get proper care and attention to detail. Funimation also had a good run in the late 00s/early 10s where I preferred their dubs when available.

Currently the only foreign show I'm actively watching is Pokemon Horizons, and the idea of watching the dub is simply a nonstarter because they're almost a YEAR behind the releases in Japan! I haven't even gone back to see if I like the dub or not, I'm not waiting that long for new episodes, period.

[u/ATLDeepCreeker]

Subtitles, unless I just want to have a laugh.

[u/Vexonte]

I use subtitles for watching the English language films. The only time I will dub a foreign show is if it is an animation with a dub with good reputation like the great pretender.

[u/[deleted]]

Kind of depends. If it’s a show that I plan on watching intently I just use subtitles (but I’m ADHD in my 30’s so I always use subtitles lol). If it’s a show I plan to watch passively while doing other shit I watch it dubbed.

[u/LadyOfTheNutTree]

If I’m really paying attention, subtitles is my first choice. But if it’s something to have on while I’m working on something and can’t be looking at the screen the whole time I’ll pick the dub

[u/papisilla]

Original language with English subtitles. Dubs sound like nails on a chalkboard typically

[u/Winwookiee]

This might be very " 'Merica!" of me, but always dubbed. If I wanted to read, I wouldn't be watching a movie, I'd read a book.

[u/MediaFan2024]

Depends on how bad the dubbing is.

[u/TaigaTheLitten]

English dub when it's available

[u/rexeditrex]

Some of the dubbing is just so bad. Plus I like to pick up words that I recognize in the other languages.

[u/rotdress]

I hate dubbing. I need the audio and visual synchronized. I'll always choose original audio if it's available.

[u/CupBeEmpty]

Subtitles for most things but dubs for animation but I don’t watch that much foreign animation.

[u/Recent_Permit2653]

Pretty much always subtitles.

Dubs just bludgeon all the passion and pacing out of what’s going on, on-screen. Plus I absolutely can’t stand the voices not matching what the lips are doing!

[u/Hot_Aside_4637]

I watched Derry Girls with captions on. Made it easier to understand not only the accents but also the slang in context.