Whether you prefer the term Latino, Latinx, Chicana, Centroamericano, Peruano, Cubana, Colombiana or Afro-Latino, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the diversity of identities that fall under the umbrella of Latinidad. And in acknowledging the multitude of ways that one can choose to express their culture — be it in a shared language, music, food, dance, fashion, art (or even memes) — our communal bond becomes even stronger. With this understanding, we’ve put together several collections of documentaries, dramas, comedies and more films and series that cover the gamut of Latino and Latin American culture. From US-set Latino stories to stand-up comedy all-stars, award-winning films en español and family-friendly viewing, there’s something for everyone. Here are 15 movies and shows you can hit play on right now.
A peek into Jennifer Lopez’s seemingly glamorous life, the intimate documentary Halftime is most compelling when the Bronx-born superstar with Puerto Rican roots reveals her fears and insecurities. From the grit of putting together her electric Super Bowl performance with Shakira to getting snubbed by the Oscars for her dazzling portrayal in Hustlers, you get to watch in real time how hard J.Lo has worked (and is still working) to conquer what is often an unforgiving industry. Plus, you get to see her speak Spanish!
Rita Moreno is more than an actor. She’s a pioneer and, quite frankly, a national treasure. Having won every major award in entertainment — an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony — her journey from Puerto Rico to New York and then Hollywood is nothing short of inspirational. Moreno narrates her life story through lengthy on-camera interviews in this revealing documentary, which is directed by Mariem Pérez Riera and features interviews with Eva Longoria, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chita Rivera, Justina Machado and Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
Featuring interviews with Edward James Olmos, Cheech Marin, Shepard Fairey and Dolores Huerta, this documentary unravels the life of one of Los Angeles’ most influential painters. From his troubled youth to his activism in the art world, the Mexican-born visual artist Carlos Almaraz helped define Chicano art in the 1970s. Keep an ear out for Zack de la Rocha (of Rage Against the Machine) reading from Almaraz’s journals.
From Emmy-winning Afro-Latina director Nadia Hallgren, this powerful documentary short centers on three Puerto Rican women facing the challenge of putting their lives back together after fleeing the island in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Living in a FEMA hotel in New York and facing an impending expiration date on help from the federal government, they struggle to figure out next steps in uncertain times.
In Knock Down the House, you get a front-row seat to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 2018 grassroots campaign. The 2019 film charts the Bronx-born progressive’s rise to national prominence as she becomes the youngest woman ever elected to the US Congress. Ocasio-Cortez is one of four working-class women running for office for the first time in this exhilarating (and inspirational) documentary.
The Rarámuri (also known as Tarahumara) — an indigenous group from Chihuahua, Mexico — are world-renowned for their long-distance running skills. In this heartwarming short doc, Lorena Ramirez eschews a pair of running shoes she’s been gifted and instead wins ultramarathons while racing in her community’s hallmark dress and sandals. Albeit a bit shy, the young athlete is endearing as she takes viewers along her lengthy and bumpy runs through the Sierra Madre.
Highlighting the cruelty of our immigration system, A 3 Minute Hug is a bittersweet and heart-wrenching look at families who remain divided by the US-Mexico border. At “Hugs Not Walls,” a 2018 event organized by a nonprofit, loved ones who haven’t touched in years get just three minutes to embrace when the border wall is temporarily opened. This documentary might be on the shorter side (just 28 minutes), but it’s a guaranteed tearjerker.
A favorite of Guillermo del Toro and Alfonso Cuarón, this understated and gritty movie won all kinds of honors (including a Mexican Academy Award) for its sensitive portrayal of a teen forced to leave his hometown of Monterrey, Mexico, for New York City. The only thing that brings him solace is his love of music, specifically cumbia rebajada, and memories of his dance crew back in Mexico. His bleached, spiky pseudo mullet is also a sight to behold.
Chilean American Jorge Garcia — who many of us know from his role as Hurley on Lost — takes his turn as a leading man in this melancholy drama about a former child star who’s now a recluse living on a small Chilean island. By day he works as a sheep farmer, by night he secretly slips on glittery outfits and sings in his angelic voice. His quirky love interest is intent on unveiling his secret.
The premise is right there in the name: a ragtag group of friends defend their neighborhood from (you guessed it!) vampires. Dominican American actor Jaden Michael stars as Miguel alongside Gregory Diaz IV as Luis, “the Puerto Rican Harry Potter.” They cobble together tools like wooden stakes and garlic necklaces to aid in their battle against the undead. Too bad for them, the adults — played by Judy Marte and The Kid Mero among others — don’t quite believe the quest is real. Vampires vs. the Bronx has got gut-busting jokes and charm to spare.
The powerhouse Latino cast in this sweet movie includes Auliʻi Cravalho, Justina Machado, Fred Armisen, Judy Reyes and Rhenzy Feliz. Based on the book Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick, the uplifting family-friendly drama tells the story of a teen girl who’s homeless yet dreams of auditioning to study at Carnegie Mellon. Cravalho’s singing will give you goose bumps.
Perhaps best known for his supporting roles in sitcoms Black-ish and The Last O.G., Allen Maldonado leads this comedy series about a guy whose sneaker addiction might cost him his marriage. It’s an epic adventure about growing up but not growing out of the fashion trends from our youth. Fellow Puerto Rican Jearnest Corchado’s turn as a crafty shoe dealer is also worth a watch.
Ava DuVernay’s harrowing dramatization of the Central Park Five case — in which a group of black and Latino teens were wrongly imprisoned for a crime they didn’t commit — won Jharrel Jerome an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Korey Wise. The 25-year-old Dominican American Jerome became the first Afro-Latino to take home an acting Emmy. Rounding out the limited series’ ensemble cast are Marquis Rodriguez, Freddy Miyares, Dascha Polanco and John Leguizamo in equally powerful performances.
It’s got laughs and heart. And substance. And a 93% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Set in Los Angeles’ Boyle Heights neighborhood, Gentefied follows three cousins trying to save their abuelo’s taco shop from gentrification. It’s chock-full of bits that American Latinos can relate to like when one of the characters is tested on his “Mexicanness” and the unforced way they switch between English, Spanish and Spanglish.
A remake of an Israeli show, The Baker and the Beauty transports the story to Miami and centers on a Cuban family’s flailing bakery. Victor Rasuk (Daniel) is the perfect everyman to Nathalie Kelley’s (Noa) celebrity glamor. When the model falls for Daniel’s “regular dude” energy, the tabloids can’t get enough. Of course, there’s his overbearing and chisme-loving family who have lots of opinions on the budding romance. And we mustn’t forget his musician brother who plays weddings and parties under the embarrassing moniker “DJ Cubano.” Premiering during the peak of the pandemic, the sugary — pun intended — romantic dramedy came at the perfect moment.
