Movies to Watch During Hispanic Heritage Month

What movies can you name that celebrate or portray Hispanic culture or people? Considering that Latin people have been part of American history for as long as it has been around, the list is disappointingly low. But no te preculpes (don’t worry), keep reading and I will provide several movies to watch during Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond. Maybe it celebrates the artist, or the culture or the people. Some of these movies check off several boxes.

If you would like to learn more about these movies, the title will take you to the IMDB.com page.

Representation

I have always taken a ton of pride in my heirtage on both sides of my family. My dad was born in Puerto Rico and my mom was half Welsh. Mostly, I feel lucky to have had the best of both worlds. When it came to my outward appearance, that was all the P.R. side of the family. I had dark, almost black, curly hair, carmel skin, a curvy figure and doe brown eyes.

Growing up, there really was not a ton of people that looked like me in blockbuster hits. And when there was, the hispanic person was rarely the lead. Furthermore, it was rare to find something that portrayed hispanic culture, history or struggle.

Not only was it important for me to see myself, my heritage and some of my experiences portrayed in film to feel represented, it also normalized our differences. Additionally, it brought me closer to my family by providing context and understanding to their traditions and history. Since I was only half Puerto Rican, there was a lot I was never exposed to. I really love seeing some of my experiences being portrayed and seeing the ones I missed out on. 

And Now?

Luckily, now there are many more options then when I was young. It is still pretty bleak but hopefully we continue to make headway.

There are movies about hispanic figures, like Che, Frida, Cesar Chavez. You can also find movies like Coco and Vivo that are vibrant and warm, like much of the culture. There are movies that give you a peak into the folklore like Book of Life. And there are movies that show you some of the struggle of hispanics in history or in assimilation, West Side Story and Stand and Deliver. Not just how they grew up but how they lived here when they assimilated or in the their native countries. Historical events

Now it is time to check out movies to watch during Hispanic Heritage Month!!

Vivo (2021)

A tale of a musical kinkajou (tropical rainforest animal), Vivo and his quest to deliver a song to his owner’s long lost love. I enjoyed the contrast of old and new in this story. The first half of the story takes place in old Havana, Cuba with his owner and gives a sense of older, traditional times and values. The second half takes place in Miami, an upbeat metropolitan hub, with younger characters and a more modern feel.

Where can I watch it? Netflix

Coco (2017)

Miguel dreams of being a musician even though his family has banned music due to family skeletons which we uncover when he ends up in Land of the Dead. The colors, the music, the story shed light into Dia de Los Muertos and life after death.

Where can I watch it?  Disney+

Book of Life (2014)

This movie uses Mexican folklore and ancient mythology to tell the story of three friends from a small town, the expectations of their lives and finding their way. 

Where can I watch it? Disney+

West Side Story (1961)

This is a “modern day” Romeo and Juliet story.  The Jets fight to keep control of the streets as the Puerto Rican gang (the Sharks) move into their neighborhood. And true to any Romeo and Juliet story, someone from each side falls in love which continues the ripples of tragedy and pain. Having had a family that came to the states during this era, I often found myself wondering how similar it may have been for them in the sentiment about being here in the states both internally and externally.

Where can I watch it? YouTube, Vudu, Amazon

La Bamba (1987)

A bigraphical movie about the rise of the musical legend Rocky Valenz and his tragic death. As a kid this is one of the few popular movies about anyone that looked like me.

Where can I watch it? Prime TV, Fubotv, tubi

Selena (1997)

This is based on the true story of the sensational musical pop star and Tehano singer, Selena Quintanilla Perez. Her rise to fame and the tragic death.

Where can I watch it? Fubotv, tubi

In the Heights (2021)

This musical tells the story of a hispanic neighborhood of Washington Heights, highlighting several characters’ dreams and struggles to make their dreams a reality. The story is current and relevant and themes are part of the hispanic identity in the US. From the father who came to the states for the american dream and give his family a better life, the daughter that goes to school but feels the pressures of not being white, the girl with the big dreams to get out of the neighborhood and “make it”; the young man with the crush that wants to do right by the father’s ghost, and Dreamer that want to live his life with the same rights as citizens. it really is a celebration of community!

Where can I watch it? YouTube, Vudu, Amazon

Missing (1982)

This movie is based on true events of a journalist that disappears during a 1973 coup in Chile as his wife and father attempt to find him. After studying in Chile, I learned of the horrors that took place during this coup and the dictatorship that followed so this movie has a lot of meaning to me. I also think it is important to understand what goes on in the world around us and these types of autracities that have occured in other countries in Latin America.

Where can I watch it? Amazon

Stand and Deliver (1988)

Based on a true story of a high school teacher that inspired his students. It is a heart felt story and shows how one person can have an impact.

Where can I watch it? Hulu, HBOMax

Nothing Like the Holidays (2008)

A family comes together in their family home for the holidays with plenty of secrets and struggles that unfold. I absolutely love how this movie was able to incorporate holiday traditions, the Spanish language, food, and so many other references and homage to hispanic culture in this story.

Where can I watch it? Tubi, Youtube

John Leguizamo’s Latin History for Morons (2018)

I have always enjoyed John Leguizamo as an actor and a comedian. In this special, John takes on the history of Latin America and how this history has been left out of the conversation and the history books. This interesting look into the history provided some fantastic information that he unpacks.

Where can I watch it? Netflix

Real Women Have Curves (2002)

A coming of age story about a Mexican-American girl who looks to set her own path in contrast to her traditional parents and their plans for her.

Where can I watch it? HBO Max, Hulu, YouTube TV, Amazon

There are other options too!

All of the movies mentioned above I have watched and highly recommend. I plan to check out several other films this year. Who knows, I just may be making a longer list for next year’s movies to watch during hispanic heritage month post! I would be ecstatic to provide additional recommendations! If you are interested now and want to check out what I will be watching here is the list:

Like Water for Chocolate, My Family, Frida, The Mambo Kings, Walkout, In the Time of the Butterflies, McFarland USA, Under the Moon and a few more as they are recommended.

I hope you are able to check out at least a few options of movies to watch during Hispanic Heritage Month and would love to hear your thoughts or recommendations! Don’t worry if you can’t get them all in by October 15. Having a month of awareness and celebration is a wonderful and powerful motivator. But I am all for using ANY time one can to support, engage in or learn about another’s culture. I truly believe that is how we are able to live a compassionate and beautiful life together!

There are also lots of other ways to engage and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and embrace this amazing culture!

Adios for now!