The Best Movies to Learn Spanish: 15 Must-Watch Mexican Films

In this post: Discover the best Mexican movies for you to watch and learn Spanish--handpicked by a Spanish teacher and Mexican film aficionado.

When I lived in Mexico City, one of my all-time favorite ways to spend a Saturday night was to catch a film playing at Cine Tonalá or Cineteca Nacional.

I loved to slip into a comfy chair, wait for the lights to go out, and lose myself in a great Mexican documentary or indie film that I knew I would never think to watch in the U.S.

I especially loved that feeling of being a part of the culture as I watched alongside other mexicanos - laughing, crying, feeling the suspense in the room. I was completely immersed.

Well, the good news is that you don’t have to go to a theater in Mexico to have the same experience – you can do that right in the comfort of your own home.

I’ve compiled a list of the 15 best Mexican films that will help you dive into authentic Mexican Spanish and culture – movies that mexicanos know, grew up with, and still talk about. 

Mexican cinema is rich and world-renowned, so you’re in for a real treat. These films will make you laugh, cry, and even question the world around you.

So, what movie are you catching tonight? Let’s take a look at your options.  

Are you in the mood for something heartwarming or inspirational?

Then, the best film for you to learn Spanish may be one of these.  

As you’ll see from these selections, part of Mexican cinema's magic lies in the way directors use their platform to tackle topics such as family, poverty, immigration, and corruption with granular realism—in a way that inspires and uplifts.

1.Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate 1992)

Based on Laura Esquivel's novel, Como Agua Para Chocolate, tells a story of forbidden love, family tradition, and magical realism. The plot unfolds against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution. Bound by a family rule that forces her into a life without marriage to care for her mother, the beautiful Tita can never marry her true love, Pedro. And although he still loves her, Pedro marries Tita’s older sister! Tita’s love for Pedro sparks a series of events marked by passion, sorrow, and the magical influence of her traditional cooking skills, which convey the emotions she can’t otherwise express. Watch this film, and you’ll go deep into Mexican culture, the profound importance of food, tradition, and the nuances of more traditional family life. You can also read the book in Spanish to get even more out of the experience!

2. Radical (Radicle 2023)

Eugenio Derbez plays real-life teacher Sergio Juárez Correa, who arrives as a new 6th-grade instructor at a primary school in Matamoros, México – a border town full of neglect, corruption, and violence. He quickly discovers that the school is practically falling apart, lacking resources like library books and computers and that the children have some of the worst test scores in the country. Rather than following the lead of the other teachers in the school and focusing on prepping the students for the state-mandated tests, Juárez does everything in his power to capture his students’ interests, defying convention and getting into trouble with the teaching staff and local community. What I find most powerful about this movie is that a teacher with an unconventional, nonconformist teaching style comes into a poor rural school in a crime-ridden city. Yet his students end up scoring some of the highest Mexican SAT scores in the country. The film also follows the inspiring true story of a student named Paloma who actually went on to become famous in 2013 at 12 years old after scoring a 921 on the Mexican version of the SATs--the best in the country that year. Check out this film if you’re looking for a true story that will inspire you. You’ll also immerse yourself in contemporary language that accurately reflects the local slang real people use.

La Misma Luna(The Same Moon 2007)

La Misma Luna tells the heart-wrenching story of a young Mexican boy, Carlitos, who embarks on a dangerous journey to the United States to find his mother, Rosario, after his grandmother's death. The film captures the challenges of immigration, family separation, and the enduring bond between mother and son. La Misma Luna is a film you can follow with different degrees of nuance depending on your level of Spanish. The dramatic visual elements in many scenes will help you follow the plot. For example, when you see Rosario swimming across the river or Carlitos hiding from police in a raid on the farm where he works, you’ll immediately understand what’s going on. At other times, a few simple lines spoken by the actors give you the gist of the more complex conversation about to unfold. These contextual clues make it more likely that you’ll grasp the more emotionally complex dialogue that follows.

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Are you in the mood for a comedy or satire? Try one of these:

4. El Jeremías (Jeremy 2015)

Have you ever felt “different” or even misunderstood by your family? Get ready to chuckle through this heartwarming comedy about a gifted young boy from a rural Mexican town. The humor in the film often centers on situations that the whole family can appreciate together on movie night. The dialogue is family-friendly and accessible to learners of all ages. You’ll also notice a mix of visual and situational humor that make the humor accessible to Spanish learners. But you’ll be challenged by the kind of deadpan remarks from the main characters that you’ll need to train your ear to catch—a skill that can come in useful in real life since Mexican humor can often be understated.

Have you ever felt “different” or even misunderstood by your family? Get ready to chuckle through this heartwarming comedy about a gifted young boy from a rural Mexican town. 

The humor in the film often centers on situations that the whole family can appreciate together on movie night. The dialogue is family-friendly and accessible to learners of all ages. 

You’ll also notice a mix of visual and situational humor that make the humor accessible to Spanish learners. But you’ll be challenged by the kind of deadpan remarks from the main characters that you’ll need to train your ear to catch—a skill that can come in useful in real life since Mexican humor can often be understated.

5. Nosotros los Nobles (We Are the Nobles 2013)

What happens when a Mexican construction mogul who has had it once and for all with his three spoiled adult children fakes an embezzlement scheme and freezes their assets? A hugely popular Mexican comedy is born. Nosotros los Nobles follows three characters you’ll love to hate—at least at first—as they learn a few harsh lessons. The film satirizes socio-economic disparities and attitudes in contemporary Mexican society in a way that made it a hit in Mexico. Can you picture how characters who might be considered ‘pretentious’ might speak in films in the US? You know, the way the character might remind people “who they’re dealing with” when things don’t go their way. Can you imagine the turns of phrases and intonations that make them sound superior? Watch this film, and you’ll learn what sounds “pretentious” in Mexican Spanish. You’ll also see how to sound more humble and approachable.

6. No Se Aceptan Devoluciones (Instructions Not Included 2013)

Life changes instantly for carefree playboy Valentín (Eugenio Derbez) when one of his former romantic flings leaves a baby at his doorstep. This inspiring and touching comedy happens to be one of my favorite movies. Watch it, and you’ll find yourself following this father-daughter pair through a series of laughs and misadventures as Valentín becomes a loving father and learns to navigate the challenges of parenthood. For those learning Spanish or for bilingual families, it’s a great film to watch because the father-daughter duo ultimately crosses the border to live in Los Angeles. It’s fascinating and inspiring to watch the daughter grow up bilingual.

7. La Dictadura Perfecta (The Perfect Dictatorship 2014)

What’s funny about the media, drugs, and the influence of money destroying a country from the inside? Plenty in this wicked satirical comedy. The film's title refers to a quote by Nobel-winning writer Mario Vargas Llosa about a major Mexican political party, the PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional, or Institutional Revolutionary Party). The movie explores presidential caricatures, public political blunders, and a media cover-up that is hilarious yet disturbingly close to real life. The dialogue is fast-paced and rich in conversational Spanish, offering learners various authentic accents and plenty of slang. You’ll also get a deeper understanding of what irks many people in Mexico about politics.

8. No sé si cortarme las venas o dejármelas largas (2013)

Although the English title, I Don’t Know Whether to Slit My Wrists or Leave Them Long, seems rather morbid, this is actually a comedy-drama that’s all about the messy, complicated lives of couples living in a Mexico City apartment building. There’s the devout Catholic couple Lucas and Julia, who live across from the strictly Jewish couple, Aaron and Nora. Then there’s Lola, the globe-trotting Spaniard who lives alone, and her new neighbor, Felix, a former soccer star. During Felix’s welcome dinner, secrets spill, and suddenly, Lola’s talking about her mess of a love life, Julia and Aaron are making googly eyes at each other (yep, across those religious lines), and Lucas? Well, he seems a bit too interested in Felix. This film offers authentic Mexican Spanish through sharp and witty dialogue. Trust me, it’s a wild ride from start to finish.

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Are you into indie or artistic films? Then you’re in luck.  

Did you know Mexican cinema is renowned for producing incredible indie and artistic films? Some have even argued that Mexican cinema is currently in its second golden age. 

Mexican films don’t usually have big budgets. So before Mexican filmmakers can go abroad to make blockbuster films, they have to find ways to tell impactful stories with nothing but a few cameras and some people. 

Something magical happens when directors and producers don’t have soaring budgets like they do in the States: they focus on plot, characters, and visual storytelling and use all their creative means to get the idea across. It gives the films a raw and relatable feel that I love. 

If you want to find out what I mean, check out one of these. 

9. Güeros (2014)

An ode to Mexico City and a forgotten folk hero, Güeros is more than a film; it is a heartfelt exploration of youth, identity, and the complex bonds of brotherhood. This coming-of-age film explores the life of Tomás, a rowdy teenager whose antics have pushed his single mother to send him to Mexico City to live with his big brother, Federico. The story unfolds as Tomás, often referred to as “güero” due to his blondness and pale skin, embarks on an unexpected journey alongside his brother. Their mission? Find a Mexican folk singer who has touched their lives with his music. Along the way, the film masterfully captures the essence of Mexico City through dialogue that is both conversational and rich with cultural references.

10. Roma (2018)

In this film, Alfonso Cuarón masterfully depicts life, loss, and love through the eyes of Cleo, an Indigenous domestic worker in 1970s Mexico City. As the plot unfolds, we discover that the white middle-class family she works for seems to be imploding. The father has left, yet the mother, Sofia, tells the children he’ll be back any day. Cleo learns she is pregnant, is quickly abandoned by her boyfriend, and ultimately gives birth to a stillborn child. When Sofia takes Cleo and the children on a weekend vacation, they narrowly avert tragedy. In the emotional moments that follow, the truth comes out in a very poignant ending. Roma is not about heroes or extraordinary people living in exotic places. Instead, it dives into the granular realities of everyday people's lives in a typical neighborhood. In doing so, the film offers deep--yet relatable--cultural insights.

11. Temporada de Patos (Duck season 2004)

Temporada de Patos follows two adolescents in Tlatelolco who plan to go it alone while their parents are away. But what was supposed to be two days of nothing but pizza and video games turns into an absurd situation when the power goes out. A series of unplanned interactions unfolds, including one with a quirky neighbor who insists on using their oven and a humorous yet meaningful conversation with a pizza delivery man about the concept of "on time.”

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If you’re ready for a real cinematic adventure, the following films share a fearless approach to storytelling. Here, you’ll find a candid look at societal issues like youth, violence, and displacement--quite often alongside questions about personal identity and the complexities of human relationships.

Disclaimer: Although these are well-known, popular movies in contemporary Mexican culture, they are full of violence and depict some troubling realities of life in Mexico. Viewer discretion is advised. 

12. Y Tu Mamá También (And Your Mom Too 2001)

An unflinching exploration of friendship, sexuality, and the transition to adulthood is a film many Mexicans know and love. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, this coming-of-age story follows two Mexican teenagers and an older woman on a road trip from Mexico City to a beach in Oaxaca that is something close to paradise. You’ll feel like you’re right there when you join the trio across dusty Mexican vistas--and for long and uncomfortable moments in the car. Y Tu Mamá También provides insight into Mexican society that will leave you asking yourself questions long after the film is over. The mix of Spanish from Spain and local Mexican slang will help you begin to discern different dialects of Spanish--all while experiencing a modern classic.

13. Ya no estoy aquí (I'm No Longer Here 2019)

This film is not your average immigration story, as it follows the journey of a young street gang leader (Ulises) from Monterrey who finds himself in Queens, New York. The non-linear narrative will move you between the world of the unique Kolombia subculture in Monterrey and the immigrant realities and hardships that face day laborers in New York. Although it touches on familiar struggles faced by immigrants, such as cartel violence, extreme poverty, and being undocumented, it’s more nuanced than that. Ya no estoy aquí sheds light on the realities of life in Mexico's impoverished border regions, the connection between culture and identity, and the feeling of being ni de aqui ni de allá (from here nor there). Ya no estoy aquí offers a mix of Spanish and English dialogue, making it accessible for learners while showcasing the culture of Northern Mexico in extreme local detail.

14. Amores Perros (2000)

A car crash in Mexico City throws three lives together in an intense story that will drag you right into the heart of it all. Amores Perros, sometimes translated as “Life’s a Bitch” is not for the faint of heart – you’ll follow characters through abusive relationships, take an accidental turn into the world of dogfighting, and meet a hitman turned vagrant with a story that hurts and moves all at once. (Yeah, it’s a bit intense.) As you can imagine, the dialogue in this film is raw, emotionally charged, and full of Mexican slang. You’ll feel like you’re following a day in the life of the residents of Mexico City--who, in the end, live in entirely different worlds.

15. Sin Nombre (2009)

What would make you hop on a train and take on a dangerous trek to the other side of the border? For Honduran teen Sayra, it’s the promise of a better life with her father and uncle. For the young Mexican gang member nicknamed El Casper, it may be the only way to escape violence and death. As their two paths align, the unlikely pair connect in a harrowing and moving tale. The chance to hear local Mexican and Honduran accents side by side will help you move toward understanding a variety of Latin American speakers. Plus, the raw nature and unpredictable and sometimes intimate situations will take you through an array of expressions that Spanish speakers in real life.

Takeaways

As you browse the movies in this post, I hope you felt a little bit like I did back at the movie theater in Mexico City: full of anticipation, excitement about that next great film, and the satisfaction of knowing that you’re going to strengthen your Spanish and your ties to the culture.

With each film you watch, you’ll immerse yourself in authentic Mexican Spanish, add exciting new expressions to your vocabulary, and improve your listening. So, sit back, slip into a cozy seat, and get ready to become part of a surprising and proud Mexican cinematic world.

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