Best Movies with Mexican and Mexican American Characters

Last updated: August 8, 2025

Ready for some great movies you can say sí to? Enjoy one of these excellent movies highlighting Mexican culture. The films on this list all focus on the stories and experiences of Mexican and Mexican American characters. From the award-winning drama Roma to the (literally) mouthwatering romance of Like Water for Chocolate to the vibrant celebration of family and music in Coco, there's something for everyone here. And when you're done, try one of these Great TV Shows with Latinx Characters and Leads.

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Coco Movie Poster: Miguel and Hector stand back to back on a path made out of marigold petals

MOVIE

Coco

age 7+

Stunningly animated, poignant tribute to family and culture.

November 22, 2017 2017 PG (109 minutes)

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The Book of Life Poster Image

MOVIE

The Book of Life

age 7+

Beautifully animated film has some scary imagery.

October 17, 2014 2014 PG (95 minutes)

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The Casagrandes Movie poster: Girl on a skateboard.

MOVIE

The Casagrandes Movie

age 7+

Fast-paced movie based on TV series has cartoon violence.

March 22, 2024 2024 NR (84 minutes)

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Hola Frida movie poster: Animated young Frida is shown alongside smaller images of her family, against a blue backdrop

MOVIE

Hola Frida

age 8+

Young artist faces illness in vibrant animated biopic.

August 8, 2025 2025 NR (82 minutes)

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Xico's Journey Poster Image

MOVIE

Xico's Journey

age 8+

Pro-nature tale is beautiful and sweet, has some violence.

February 12, 2021 2021 NR (85 minutes)

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Chupa movie poster: A boy strokes a cub of the mythical beast known as a chupacabra

MOVIE

Chupa

age 9+

Fantasy adventure has mythical beasts, peril, life lessons.

April 7, 2023 2023 PG (95 minutes)

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A Million Miles Away movie poster: Michael Peña as migrant worker turned astronaut José Hernández.

MOVIE

A Million Miles Away

age 10+

Positive messages in migrant-turned-astronaut underdog tale.

September 15, 2023 2023 PG (120 minutes)

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McFarland, USA Poster Image

MOVIE

McFarland, USA

age 10+

Poignant story about Latino runners a winner for families.

February 20, 2015 2015 PG (128 minutes)

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Selena Poster Image

MOVIE

Selena

age 10+

Touching and ultimately tragic tale of young Tejano star.

March 21, 1997 1997 PG (128 minutes)

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The Long Game Movie Poster: Collage of Jay Hernandez, Dennis Quaid, and golfers

MOVIE

The Long Game

age 10+

Inspiring real-life story has racial slurs, mild violence.

April 12, 2024 2024 PG (106 minutes)

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Underwater Dreams Poster Image

MOVIE

Underwater Dreams

age 10+

Inspiring story about an underdog high school robotics team.

July 11, 2014 2014 NR (85 minutes)

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What We Leave Behind movie poster image.

MOVIE

What We Leave Behind

age 10+

Dynamic docu honors Mexican grandfather's legacy of love.

September 23, 2022 2022 NR (71 minutes)

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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: Movie Poster

MOVIE

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

age 12+

Epic, women-led sequel is part tribute, part intense battle.

November 11, 2022 2022 PG-13 (161 minutes)

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Cantinflas Poster Image

MOVIE

Cantinflas

age 12+

Showbiz tale about legendary Mexican actor is mostly tame.

August 29, 2014 2014 PG (106 minutes)

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Flamin' Hot movie poster: Richard Montañez gets inspired.

MOVIE

Flamin' Hot

age 13+

Fun, feel-good biopic has language, drugs, mature themes.

June 9, 2023 2023 PG-13 (99 minutes)

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How to Be a Latin Lover Poster Image

MOVIE

How to Be a Latin Lover

age 13+

Comedy about aging gigolo has racy bits, stereotyping.

April 28, 2017 2017 PG-13 (115 minutes)

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Instructions Not Included Poster Image

MOVIE

Instructions Not Included

age 13+

Mix of comedy and tragedy in Mexican dad-daughter tale.

September 6, 2013 2013 PG-13 (115 minutes)

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Los Tigres del Norte at Folsom Prison Poster Image

MOVIE

Los Tigres del Norte at Folsom Prison

age 13+

Excellent docu featuring musicians performing for inmates.

September 17, 2019 2019 NR (64 minutes)

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Radical Movie Poster: Eugenio Derbez squats, his back turned to the viewer, in front of his 6th grade students

MOVIE

Radical

age 13+

Moving drama has positive messages, violence, language.

November 3, 2023 2023 PG-13 (122 minutes)

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Stand and Deliver Poster Image

MOVIE

Stand and Deliver

age 13+

Math teacher inspires in powerful fact-based drama.

March 11, 1988 1988 PG (99 minutes)

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