Inside: Best Mexican Movies on Netflix for Spanish learning. Netflix Mexican movies for cinco de mayo or to honor Mexican heritage. Family movies for on Netflix that celebrate Mexican-Americans and Mexico. List of must-watch movies set in Mexico or created by Mexicans on Netflix. Best Spanish movies for language learners from Mexican cinema. List of the best movies in Spanish on Netflix, Mexican titles, for advanced learners.
Author – Allison Wienhold
Published – April 24, 2026
Best Mexican Movies on Netflix
Looking for the best Mexican movies on Netflix to use in your Spanish class or to practice your Spanish language learning at home? Whether you want to build language skills, explore Mexican culture, or simply plan engaging movie nights, this curated list of Mexican films has something for every level of Spanish learners.
From family-friendly adventures to award-winning Spanish-language movies, these titles give students an authentic glimpse into Latin America, especially life in Mexico City and beyond.
In a Spanish film filled with Spanish culture you can select language and even use Spanish or English subtitles if you prefer. A great way to practice Mexican Spanish and slang. Romantic dramas, real life, dark comedy, new releases, romantic movies, a crime drama, Gael García Bernal, and more! (But FYI Amores Perros is no longer on Netflix, which is why it’s not in my list).
Many are school-appropriate, and I’ve noted which are best suited for class. I’ve sorted the list from family friendly to mature movies for you to watch at home.
Family Friendly Mexican movies on Netflix
The best Mexican Netflix movies.
- El camino de Xico
- Chupa
- Going Varsity in Mariachi
- The Casagrandes Movie
- Lorena, la de pies ligeros
- El juego largo
El Camino de Xico
2020, 1h 26m, Authentic Mexican film, adventure, animated, Rating: TV-Y7
The first movie that was created in Spanish in Mexico is El camino de Xico. It is authentic, made by a Mexican filmmaker, animated, and family-friendly.
A girl and her dog set out to save their town from environmental destruction. Perfect for novice learners and cultural/environmental discussions. Xico’s Journey would work for upper elementary to high school seniors. My Spanish 3/4 class watched it as a part of an environmental unit and they enjoyed it.
Chupa
PG, 2023, 1h 35m, Netflix film, live-action movie, adventure, Rating: PG
Chupa is a perfect appropriate Mexican movie on Netflix. While the film was originally in English, it has a Mexican director and actors. Chupa was directed by Jonás Cuarón, a Mexican filmmaker & the son of acclaimed Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón.
A young boy visiting Mexico discovers a mysterious creature and forms an unexpected friendship. Themes of family, identity, and belonging make it great for students.
Chupa also includes the theme of being proud of your Mexican heritage. It is a family-friendly version of the legend Chupacabras. Chupa includes lucha libre, authentic Mexican food & many more ideas for cultural expansion. If your group of students has not yet seen Chupa, it is my number 1 suggestion the best Mexican family movie on Netflix.
- Chupa in Spanish Class blog post for many ideas on how to use this film in Spanish class.
- Ready-to-go Chupa guide in my website store
- Chupa movie guide on TPT – the same guide offered in a different place
Going Varsity in Mariachi – ¡Vamos al mariachi!
TV-PG, 2023, 1h 45m, Documentary, Rating: PG
Next, is the culture-filled documentary Going Varsity in Mariachi. This documentary about the competitive world of high school mariachi music is set in South Texas. It has an almost all-Latino cast, a ton of culture, and is a relatable & appropriate documentary. While not technically Mexican, it was created by Mexican-American filmmakers and is an appropriate option for Spanish class or your family.
This film only has English audio, but there is a lot of Spanglish used, and provides a lot of opportunities to talk about Mexican-American culture.
- Going Varsity in Mariachi blog post
- Going Varsity in Mariachi Worksheets – my store
- TPT Going Varsity in Mariachi
The Casagrandes Movie – La familia Casagrande: La película
PG, 2024, 1h 25m, Netflix film, animated, fantasy/comedy, Rating: TV-Y7
The newest film about Mexico on this list is The Casagrandes Movie. This new 2024 Netflix film follows the family from the Nickelodeon show with the same name.
Ronnie Anne and her large multigenerational Mexican-American family travels to Mexico to visit Great Grandma for the summer.
While this film was created in English, the Mexican creator and actors make The Casagrandes enjoyable and not stereotypical. There is a ton of Spanish in this entertaining and funny adventure with a lot of culture of Mexico and Indigenous peoples.
- The Casagrandes Movie blog post
- The Casagrandes Movie Guide in my website store
- Casagrandes Questions on TPT.
Lorena, la de pies ligeros
2019, 28m, Documentary, sports, inspirational, Rating: TV-PG
This short documentary tells the inspiring true story of Lorena Ramírez, an Indigenous Rarámuri runner who competes in ultramarathons wearing traditional sandals. It offers a powerful look at Mexican culture, resilience, and identity. It’s excellent for class use and highly accessible for Spanish learners. A great option if you only have one class period for a shorter film.
El juego largo (The Long Game)
2023, 1h 46m, Sports drama, true story, Rating: PG
Based on a true story, this film follows Mexican-American teens forming a golf team in 1950s Texas and overcoming discrimination. While set in the United States, it connects strongly to Mexican heritage, identity, and perseverance. While The Long Game is originally in English it’s a great Netflix movie for classroom discussion.
Best Mexican Movies on Netflix for High School Students
Best Mexican Netflix movies for older Intermediate Spanish students. These are rated PG-13 or TV-14, mostly for some language and more mature themes. Make sure to preview to see if it fits your school culture.
- El Jeremías
- Como caído del cielo
- Todas las pecas del mundo
- Los (casi) ídolos de Bahía Colorada
El Jeremías
2015, 1h 37m, Comedy-drama, Rating: PG-13
El Jeremías is a 2015 Mexican family comedy-drama. It follows a gifted young boy from a humble background who discovers his extraordinary intelligence He struggles to find his place in a world that doesn’t understand him. The film gained attention for its heartwarming humor and portrayal of childhood genius within a Mexican cultural context. This appropriate film is excellent for school discussions as well.
Como caído del cielo
2019, 1h 52m, Musical comedy, fantasy, romantic, Rating: TV-14
Como caído del cielo is a 2019 Mexican musical comedy film directed by José Pepe Bojórquez and distributed by Netflix. The movie blends fantasy, music, and romantic comedy. It reimagines the spirit of legendary Mexican singer Pedro Infante in a modern setting. This Mexican movie on Netflix is a fun musical filled with classic songs and humor.
Todas las pecas del mundo
2019, 1h 30m, Teen romance, comedy, Rating: TV-14
Todas las pecas del mundo (All the Freckles in the World) is a 2019 Mexican coming-of-age romantic comedy film directed by Yibrán Asuad. It’s set in Mexico City during the 1994 World Cup. The Mexican film follows a teenage boy’s attempt to win over his crush amid adolescent awkwardness and football fever. The film gained attention for its nostalgic portrayal of 1990s youth culture in Mexico. A sweet and relatable middle school love story with humor and nostalgia.
Los (casi) ídolos de Bahía Colorada
2023, 1h 36m, Comedy, Rating: TV-14
A lighthearted reunion story full of humor and nostalgia. Los (casi) ídolos de Bahía Colorada is a 2023 Mexican comedy film. The movie follows two half-brothers with contrasting personalities who reunite in their coastal hometown to compete in a road rally that could change their lives. It blends humor, family dynamics, and regional pride in a story set against a Baja California backdrop.
Best Mature Mexican Movies on Netflix for Adults
These are the best Mexican movies on Netflix for adults. These are all rated R or MA, so preview to see if you’d like to watch the film.
- Roma
- Y tu mamá también
- Desierto
- Ya no estoy aquí
Roma
2018, 2h 15m, Drama, Rating: R
Roma is a 2018 award winning drama film written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Set in early 1970s Mexico City, it portrays a year in the life of a middle-class family and their domestic worker, exploring class, gender, and social change. The film gained widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and technical mastery. If you like award-winning movies, Roma won 3 Academy Awards (Best Director, Cinematography & Best Foreign Language Film), plus was nominated for best picture or best film of the year.
Roma centers on Cleo, an indigenous live-in maid working for a middle-class family in Mexico City’s Colonia Roma district. Through Cleo’s quiet perspective, the film captures personal and political upheaval. Themes of motherhood, social inequality, and resilience underpin its narrative.
Y tu mamá también
2001, 1h 46m, Drama, road trip, Rating: R
Y tu mamá también (2001) is a Mexican coming-of-age drama directed by Alfonso Cuarón and co-written with his brother Carlos Cuarón. The film follows two teenage boys and an older woman on a road trip across Mexico, blending sexual awakening, friendship, and social commentary. It gained international acclaim for its naturalistic style and political undercurrents.
Desierto
2015, 1h 28m, Thriller, drama, survival, Rating: R
A tense and gripping story following a group of migrants crossing the desert while being hunted. It provides a powerful look at border realities between Mexico and the United States. Best for adults or advanced classes due to intense themes.
Ya no estoy aquí
2019, 1h 52m, Drama, coming-of-age, Rating: TV-MA
Ya no estoy aquí is a 2019 Mexican drama film written and directed by Fernando Frías de la Parra. It explores youth identity, migration, and cultural displacement through the lens of Kolombia subculture in Monterrey, Mexico. The film gained international acclaim for its visual style and social realism.
The story follows Ulises, a 17-year-old leader of a street dance crew called Los Terkos, devoted to cumbia rebajada, a slowed-down form of Colombian cumbia music. After a violent misunderstanding with local gangs, Ulises is forced to migrate to the United States. The film contrasts his alienation in New York with nostalgic memories of Monterrey’s vibrant, marginalized youth scene. Central themes include belonging, cultural identity, and the loss of community through displacement.
Bonus – Maya y los tres
2021, 1 Season, 9 Episodes, 25–40 min, TV-Y7, Animated, Fantasy, Adventure, Pre-colonial Latin America
Maya & the 3 is an animated show on Netflix set in fictional pre-colonial Latin America. I have not shown it to students, but my own elementary boys enjoyed the show. They have chosen to watch the whole limited series multiple times. This is the only show on the list not originally made in Spanish, but it has rich culture for class.
Maya y los 3 would be appropriate for any level of Spanish student. But, I think upper elementary or middle school Spanish would enjoy it the most. It would work well for Middle School or an Exploratory Spanish sub plan.
If you want to try it out, I have a variety of resources for Maya & the 3
- Maya y los 3 Episode 1 guide in my MCL shop
- Episode 1 Maya & the Three guide on TPT
- More resources in this Maya y los tres blog post.
- bonus Character introduction slides for Maya y los tres
If you want to introduce the characters of the show Maya y los Tres in novice Spanish, I have an editable Slideshow all ready to go. Just enter your email below and they will be sent to you.
Want Mexican movies on Disney Plus?
- The Book of Life
- Coco
- McFarland USA
- Mexico Untamed
- Spanish Class Documentaries on Disney+ – Buried Truth of the Maya
- Top 7 Short Spanish Movies on Disney+ – in particular The Last of the Chupacabras (13 min)
- Top Spanish TV Series on Disney+ for Class & Learners
More Appropriate Spanish Language Movies on Netflix
+ Best Netflix Shows in Spanish for Adults
Bingeworthy TV shows & international TV shows for adults on Netflix.
+ Top 10 Appropriate Netflix Shows in Spanish Class
More Resources to Learn about Mexico
- Novice-level Mexico reading
- Piñata Mini-Unit
- Día de Muertos Songs for Spanish class
- The Best Movies to Teach the Day of the Dead
- Best Cinco de mayo movies
- Cinco de mayo in Spanish class
- Indigenous Peoples in Spanish class
How many of these movies have you seen or used with your students? Which one if your favorite?
