It’s officially Hispanic Heritage Month in the US, which means it’s a special time to honor all the ways Hispanic and Latino Americans have impacted the country with their culture and history.
During the dedicated period from September 15 to October 15, there are many ways to celebrate in your community, whether it’s local events and festivals or workshops and discussions. But there are also some easy ways you can do to appreciate their heritage from the comfort of your couch: watching movies and shows inspired by Hispanic or Latino language, stories, and more.
Here is a list of five must-watch Hispanic heritage movies on some of the top streaming services that will help you immerse yourself in the vibrant celebration.
Netflix
, “Roma:” Three-time Academy Award winner, “Roma” is a semi-autobiographical tale of director Alfonso Cuarón’s upbringing, told through the eyes of a live-in housekeeper for a middle-class family in Mexico City in the early 1970s .
, “In the Heights:” The musical film by Lin-Manuel Miranda is adapted from the 2005 Broadway musical of the same name. It tells the story of a corner of New York City where each member pursues their suenito or little dream for a better life.
, “Gueros:” Set during the 1999 student strike in Mexico City, “Gueros” follows three teenagers who set out on a road trip to find a folk-rock star.
, “Maricela Escobedo’s three deaths:” This award-winning documentary chronicles a mother’s journey to seek justice for her daughter’s murder after Mexico’s legal system fails her.
, “I’m not here anymore:” The Mexican Spanish-language drama tells the story of a young man forced to leave his family and life in Mexico for New York City after a misunderstanding with a local cartel.
Disney+
, “Encanto:” The Oscar-winning Best Animated Feature follows a multi-generational Colombian family who use the magical gifts they receive from Miracle to help their community, until magic becomes endangered.
, “Coco:” Inspired by the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead, this Pixar film tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who accidentally ends up in the Land of the Dead, where he asks for help from his great-grandfather’s deceased musician in bringing him back to life. ,
– “Gotta kick it:” This classic Disney Channel Original Movie with the tagline mantra, “Si, Se Puede,” is based on the true story of a Latina middle school dance team who finds themselves and overcomes social barriers through their group.
, “McFarland, USA:” Kevin Costner leads this American sports drama based on the true story of a predominantly Latino high school’s cross-country team’s 1987 state championship.
, “West Side Story:” Directed by Steven Spielberg, the second adaptation of the 1957 musical explores a love that sparks a rivalry between two teenage street gangs: the Sharks, recent Puerto Rican immigrants, and the Jets, who are white.
amazon prime video
, “a million miles away:” The play details the life of José Hernández from a farm worker to becoming the first Mexican-American astronaut.
, “The mystery in their eyes:” The Argentinian-Spanish film and winner of the 2010 Academy Award for Best International Feature tells the story of a recently retired legal counsel who decides to write a novel based on a decades-old unsolved rape and murder case.
, “Destructive Angel:” Named to the “Best 1,000 Movies of All Time” list by The New York Times, this film from Mexican director Luis Buñuel shares the story of a group of high-society elites who mysteriously find themselves unable to leave a lavish dinner party. Are. It appears that it can be rented for free on Prime Video.
, “City of God:” The four-time Academy Award nominee’s story follows a young boy hoping to become a professional photographer living in a notorious slum of Rio de Janeiro. It is available to rent for free on Prime Video.
, “Before the night falls:” It journeys through the life and writings of Oscar nominee Cuban author and exile Reinaldo Arenas, spanning from his rural childhood to his later life as a gay man in Cuba. It’s free to watch with ads on Prime/Freevy.
Maximum
, “Selena:” This biopic about Tejano songstress Selena, starring Jennifer Lopez, is at the top of many must-see lists. It describes his rise to fame and sudden death when he was murdered at the age of 23.
, “La Ciénaga:Selected as the greatest film of Argentine cinema in 2022, this internationally co-produced film portrays the life of a self-pitying Argentine bourgeois family.
, “Maria full of grace:” This HBO original was nominated for an Oscar for lead actress Catalina Sandino Moreno’s portrayal of a 17-year-old who accepts a job delivering drugs from Colombia to the US in order to get more money for her family.
, “Real women have curves:” It is the first Latina-directed film to be inducted into the US National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. It follows a first-generation Mexican-American girl’s path to womanhood.
, “stand and Deliver:” Based on a true story, the film starring Edward James Olmos tells the story of an inspirational teacher who inspires his East Los Angeles high school students to learn calculus despite critics questioning his intelligence.