Best Movies with Mexican and Mexican American Characters and Leads

Last updated: August 23, 2026

Ready for some great movies you can say sí to? Enjoy one of these excellent options highlighting Mexican culture. The films on this list all focus on the stories and experiences of Mexican and Mexican American characters and leads. 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 Latino Characters and Leads.

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Turbo movie poster: A snail looks determined as it speeds over a racing finish line

MOVIE

Turbo

age 6+

Speedy snail dreams big; expect peril, stereotypes.

2013 PG (96 minutes)

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2023 PG (120 minutes)

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Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip: Family members emerge from a crashing RV.

MOVIE

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip

age 10+

Family faces peril, mishaps in book-based road trip comedy.

2025 PG (94 minutes)

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I Am Frankelda movie poster: A ghost-like characters looks down on herself sleeping.

MOVIE

I Am Frankelda

age 10+

Creepy Mexican stop-motion fantasy with peril, scary scenes.

2026 PG (114 minutes)

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McFarland, USA Poster Image

MOVIE

McFarland, USA

age 10+

Poignant story about Latino runners a winner for families.

2015 PG (128 minutes)

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Rafa Márquez: El Capitán Movie Poster: Screaming soccer player running

MOVIE

Rafa Márquez: El Capitán

age 10+

Moving sports docu has brief drug trafficking reference.

2024 NR (82 minutes)

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Selena Poster Image

MOVIE

Selena

age 10+

Touching and ultimately tragic tale of young Tejano star.

1997 PG (128 minutes)

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Story & Pictures By movie poster: pen and paintbrush twist around each other

MOVIE

Story & Pictures By

age 10+

Inspirational docu about picture books celebrates diversity.

2025 NR (84 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.

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.

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.

2022 NR (71 minutes)

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Dolores Poster Image

MOVIE

Dolores

age 11+

Activist combats racism, sexism, and powerful enemies.

2017 NR (95 minutes)

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The Dad Quest movie poster: Father and son interact.

MOVIE

The Dad Quest

age 11+

Parent death, some swearing in gentle Mexican dad-son tale.

2025 NR (83 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.

2022 PG-13 (161 minutes)

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