Mexican culture is at the forefront of America’s perceptions of Latin America as the USA’s border sister. For decades, Mexicans were portrayed as bandits, maids, and gangsters. Recently, progress has been made towards presenting Mexicans and Mexican Americans more true to who they are, passionate, family-oriented, and soaked in sabor. Here is a list of films, documentaries, and television shows that showcase the culture of Mexico in a positive light!

MOVIES

  • Selena (1997) – Rent on Amazon
    • Everyone knows the story of the Tejano Queen of Texas, Selena Quintanilla. This iconic film stars Jennifer Lopez in the titular role, and features the best hits of 90s.
  • Coco (2017) – Disney Plus
    • Notably the first Latino-lead Disney Pixar film, Coco tells the story of a young boy with big dreams who finds himself cursed to the Land of the Remembered. This family film will have you wiping your eyes and sniffling for hours.
  • The Book of Life (2014) – Rent on Amazon
    • The Dia de Muertos film before mainstream America had Coco features an all-star cast of (mostly) Latinos. Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, and Channing Tatum voice members of a love triangle who fight gods, death, and familial expectations for true love.
  • Frida (2002) – Rent on Amazon
    • Salma Hayek stars as the controversial artist Frida Kahlo in this biopic. In addition to seeing the magic that is Frida come to life, we also get a peek at the magic behind her paintings and her queer sexuality.
  • Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) (1992)  – Rent on Amazon
    • When a young Mexican woman is forbidden to marry her true love, he marries her sister in an attempt to be closer to her. The sensual film also has an aspect of mystical to it, as the main character Tita is able to infuse the food she cooks with emotion.
  • Roma (2018) – Netflix
    • Alfonso Cuaron’s Oscar-nominated foreign film paved the way for Parasite to be the first ever foreign film to win Best Picture. The film won Best Director.
  • Real Women Have Curves (2002) – Hulu
    • “The story of a first generation Mexican-American girl and her passage to womanhood. Although she wants to go away to college, she must battle against the views of her parents, who think she should stay at home and provide for the family.”
  • No One Will Ever Know (Nadie sabrá nunca) (2018) – Netflix
    • “A bland environment and lack of affection forces Lucia and Braulio to turn to the world of fiction to realize their dreams.”
  • Patria (2019) – Netflix
    • “Paco Ignacio Taibo II brings his book trilogy to life, highlighting Mexico’s history in 1854-1867, a period he considers foundational to the country.”

TELEVISION

  • Gentefied (2020) – Netflix
    • “In Los Angeles, three Mexican-American cousins chase the American Dream, even while that dream threatens the things they hold most dear, including their neighborhood, their immigrant grandfather and the family-owned taco shop.”
  • Chef’s Table: Volume 5, Episode 1 “Cristina Marquez” (2019) – Netflix
    • “Drawing on her family’s rich barbacoa tradition. Cristina Marquez has become a Philadelphia food star and a voice for undocumented immigrants.”
  • Como Caido del Cielo (2019) – Netflix
    • Legendary Mexican actor-singer Pedro Infante is sent back to Earth in an impersonator’s body to mend his womanising ways and earn entrance into heaven.

DOCUMENTARIES

  • Taco Chronicles (2019) – Netflix
    • Indulge in the history and origins of Mexico’s most emblematic cuisine – the street taco! The 6-episode series takes you throughout Mexico and Los Angeles telling the stories behind six iconic tacos. ¡Buen provecho!
  • LA Originals (2020) – Netflix
    • Photographer Estevan Oriol and artist Mister Cartoon turned their Chicano roots into gritty art, impacting street culture, hip-hop and beyond!
  • Lucha Mexico (2016) – Rent on Amazon
    • “The lucha libre is so inextricably tied into Mexican culture that it was about time someone made a documentary charting this mildly homoerotic, spectacle of a sport… or is it merely light entertainment? Lucha Mexico answers many such questions over its run time, providing an introduction into the spandex-clad, sequin-spangled world of Mexican wrestling through the eyes of those most intimately involved. Expect appearances from plenty of famed Mexican lucha stars.”
  • Llévate Mis Amores (All of Me) (2014) – Rent on Amazon
    • Las Patronas are a group of Mexican women who have worked for over twenty years providing food and water to the predominantly Central American immigrants travelling the length of Mexico atop La Bestia, a treacherous freight train whose name translates to ‘The Beast’. Llévate Mis Amores brings the tireless, selfless work of these women to the fore, shining a light on humanity and love in their purest forms.
  • Hecho en México (Made in Mexico) (2012) – Rent on Amazon
    • This music documentary is one of the most positive films ever made about Mexico. Focusing on a range of artists and performers, the film is beautifully shot and provides a fascinating insight into the country’s contemporary and folkloric music scene. Iconic groups such as Café Tacvba and artists such as Carla Morrison appear, alongside cultural commentators such as Juan Villoro and Elena Poniatowska.
  • La Bestia (The Beast) (2010) – Free with Amazon Prime
    • Central American migrants jump on the treacherous cargo train called “La Bestia” and make the illegal two-week, one-way journey across Mexico to confront their final obstacle — the U.S. border.
  • Los Niños Héroes de Chapultepec (2017) – Netflix
    • This documentary pays tribute to the young cadets who gave their lives to defend Mexico against U.S. forces during the battle of Chapultepec Castle.
  • Gimme the Power (2012) – Buy on Amazon
    • This “rockumentary” tells the story of the Mexico City music group Molotov, and their formation against the background of Mexico’s many social protest movements. In fact, the film is as much about recent Mexican history as it is about the band, who are not even mentioned until the 34th minute. A great introduction to the major social and political issues in the country.
  • Lorena, la de pies ligeros (Lorena, Light-Footed Woman) (2019) – Netflix
    • This beautiful 28-minute documentary short tells the incredible story of Mexican runner Lorena Ramírez, who wins international ultramarathons in traditional dress and sandals.Lorena lives a pastoral life in the mountains of Chihuahua, Mexico as part of the indigenous Rarámuri community, also known as the Tarahumara. The Rarámuri are famed for their extraordinary long-distance running skills. The very word rarámuri means “light-footed.”
  • Un Abrazo de Tres Minutos (A 3 Minute Hug) (2019) – Netflix
    • This powerful 28-minute documentary captures the joy and heartbreak of families separated by the US-Mexico border sharing a short, bittersweet reunion in 2018.