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The Ultimate List of Movies to Show in Spanish Class

April 13, 2021 admin

Sometimes a good Spanish movie is just what you need in class.

Used appropriately, films can be a perfect way to spark interest when beginning a unit, for subs who don’t speak Spanish… or that day when you’re getting over the flu and just can’t!

This list of Spanish movies includes over 50 titles, with brief descriptions to help you quickly find what you need. Some include links to Amazon for streaming or purchase, and I’ve tried to note where they are currently available on Netflix or other platforms.
Spanish movies
Related: The Best Shows and Series for Spanish class

How-To Teach a Movie in Spanish Class

My students love watching familiar movies like Finding Nemo or The Incredibles in Spanish, but this list focuses on movies written in Spanish, or films that specifically feature Latin American or Spanish culture.

The films are categorized as:

  • Spanish Movies for Middle School and Up
  • Spanish Movies for High School and Up
  • Spanish Documentaries

Personally, when showing movies with students I recommend adding the subtitles in Spanish, regardless of the audio. Unless students are advanced, a bunch of native speakers talking sounds like noise, and I feel they get more Spanish exposure with the subtitles and audio together.Spanish movie guides and graphic organizers

If you want to give your students templates for taking notes or exploring themes/vocabulary/characters while watching, this pack of editable movie guides and graphic organizers on TpT can be adapted for any theme or film, and make perfect emergency sub plans as well.

Also, if you’re looking for some good Spanish shows for yourself, see my list of 50 Spanish Shows on Netflix for your next PD in pajamas obsession.

Please note: when you show a movie made in Spanish with English subtitles, strong words in Spanish sometimes get translated as stronger curse words in English. I mention inappropriate/adult content when I am aware of it, but *please* preview and click on the links for more details.

I’m sure I’m not the only teacher with an embarrassing story to share about missing inappropriate content before using it in class. 😉 Use your judgment and always preview!

Spanish movies for middle school

Spanish Movies for Middle School and Up

Encanto (PG, 1h, 49min)
The newest Disney movie is full of the rich culture of Colombia. It centers on the theme of family and is a musical. It is a great new, appropriate movie in Spanish with authentic culture and a great story. (more resources for Encanto here)                                                            Themes: Colombia, Magical Realism, music, family.

El gato con botas: el último deseo (PG, 1h, 49min)
The newest Puss in Boots film, is an extension of the Shrek universe. It is set in a fictional Spanish-speaking place, likely Mexico. There are tons of words in Spanish, even in the English version. (more resources for Puss in Boots here)                                                             Themes: Fairy tales, animals, identity, mortality

Coco (PG, 1h, 45min)
OBVIOUSLY. This movie took the world by storm when it came, and is packed with rich culture. It centers on the Day of the Dead in Mexico and the meaning of the family. One of the BEST Spanish movies out there for authentic culture and a great story. (more resources for Coco here)                                                                                                                                                                                             Themes: Mexico, Day of the Dead, music, family.

Canela (PG, 1h 40min)
Great for accompanying a food unit, Canela follows Maria, a young girl who reaches out to her grieving grandmother to come back to the family restaurant.
Themes: Mexico, food, family, heartwarming.

Book of Life (PG, 1h 35min)
A colorful and delightful movie, El Libro de Vida introduces viewers to holiday traditions through a tale of love vs. family expectations.  (Find activities to go with the movie here)
Themes: Mexico, Day of the Dead

Zipi y Zape y la isla del capitán (PG, 1h 45min)
Zipe and Zape– the main characters in the film, are based on two popular, mischievous Spanish comic book characters that have been read for decades. In this movie, a family vacation goes wrong and they end up at a mysterious home with missing parents.
Available on Netflix.
Themes: Spain, adventure, comedy, family.

McFarland, USA (PG, 2h 9min)
McFarland USA has all the makings of a classic sports Disney story, this time about a cross-country team in California. Even better, it explores cultural tensions and life in a predominantly Latino and agricultural community.
Themes: Hispanics in the US, immigration, sports, teens, heartwarming. 

Atlético San Pancho (NR, 1h 41min)
A rag-tag soccer team in Mexico get help from the school janitor to reach their dream of playing a championship game. The characters are appealing and kids can’t wait to find out who wins the big game at the end.
Themes: Mexico, soccer, teens, fun. 

Pachamama (PG, 1h 12min)
A young boy living in a remote village takes it upon himself to rescue a cherished relic, on a dangerous journey to the capital Incan city of Cusco in this beautifully animated film. (more resources for Pachamama here)
Available on Netflix.
Themes: Peru, indigenous culture, Incan history, Spain. 

Ferdinand (PG, 1hr 41min)
Ferdinand is a calm bull who likes to sit and smell flowers. Due to a run-in with a bee, he gets mistaken for a fierce fighter and is selected to fight the infamous matador, El Primero. This has a great, happy ending and introduces watchers to Spain and bullfighting without the gore. (more resources for Ferdinand here)
Themes: Spain, bullfighting

Caídos del mapa (PG, 1h 35min)
Four junior high students hide out while skipping a class, and are interrupted by the schoolmate in this movie, based on the first book of an Argentine Young Adult series by María Inés Falconi. (Currently on Netflix.)
Themes: Argentina, adventure, friendship.

Casí Casí (PG, 1h 33min)
Emilio, a teenager in Puerto Rico, ends up running for school president against the most popular girl in school– who also happens to be his crush. Students love the drama, and the plot and characters are familiar and appealing to students.
Themes: Puerto Rico, teens, school life, fun. 

 

Spanish Movies for High School and Up

Selena (PG, 2h 7min)
Selena introduces the life of Mexican singer Selena Quintalla-Perez, who eventually made it to the top of Latin and U.S. music charts.  The music and relationships really appeal to students and the ending leaves them wanting to know more about her. (more resources for Selena here)
Themes: Mexican-American identity, music, discrimination, family.

Bajo la misma luna (PG-13, 1h 46min)
A young boy and his mother are separated when she leaves him behind in Mexico to go work in the U.S. He leaves his family and tries to cross the border to find her. This is one of my favorites– difficult themes, but beautifully done and very touching. This would work as well for most 8th graders.
Themes: Immigration, family, heartwarming/wrenching.

The 33 (PG-13, 2h 7min)
A retelling of the Chilean miners trapped in a collapsed mine for 69 days, in 2010.  (This was made by the same director as Bajo la misma luna.)
Themes: Chile, friendship.

Viva Cuba (NR, 1h 20min)
A tale of friendship between two Cuban children, Malú and Jorgito, separated by class differences, a la Romeo and Juliet. The two friends
escape and search for Malu’s father in the midst of political tension. There’s a scene you’ll probably want to skip; make sure to preview it.
(Currently on Amazon Prime.)
Themes: Cuba, politics, friendship.

Sweet 15 (NR, 2h)
Sweet 15 tells the story of a girl getting ready for her quinceañera. In the midst of the preparations, she discovers her family is undocumented. It’s made-for-TV and dated, but I’ve found that students have a love-hate relationship with the 90s-riffic style and are very connected to the immigration themes in light of today’s political climate.
Themes: Immigration, family, coming-of-age, identity.

Cinco días para bailar (NR, 1h 19min)
This semi-documentary follows a group of high schoolers who have five days to set up a dance show, and must work together.
Themes: Music, dance, identity, heartwarming, Spain. 

Valentín (PG-13, 1h 26 min)
In 1967 Argentina, an 8-year-old boy lives with his grandmother and dreams of being part of NASA one day. He also wants to solve the problems in his family, which no else seems to be able to do.
Themes: Family, humor, heartwarming,  Argentina. 

Il Postino (PG, 1h 48min)
An
Italian film that introduces Pablo Neruda during the time of his exile.
A local boy is hired to as a personal postman, discovers Neruda’s
poetry, and the two form a friendship. Oscar winner for best foreign
film.
Themes: Pablo Neruda, poetry, coming-of-age.

Diamantes negros  (NR, 1h 38min)
Two brothers from Mali journey to Spain in hopes of becoming professional soccer players.
Themes: Human trafficking, soccer, Spain. 

Stand and Deliver (PG, 1h 43 min)
A Latino teacher in a Hispanic community uses unconventional methods to reach his tough students and help them pass the AP Calculus exam. You will probably want to research the history behind this story, and be prepared to discuss, as there was an investigation into alleged cheating and some contend that the film distorts the facts.
Themes: School, urban issues, inspirational. 

3 Bellezas (R, 1h 37min)
In Venezuela (which has more international Beauty Pageant wins than any other country), a mother becomes obsessed with her daughter becoming the next big beauty queen. It’s gritty and covers difficult issues with some comic twists, but is ultimately a hard-hitting look at the Beauty Pageant industry and complex.
Themes: Venezuela, beauty, identity, feminism. 

También la lluvia (NR, 1h 43min)
A director from Spain is creating film about Christopher Columbus and his treatment of indigenous people, and selects Bolivia for the location in order to cut costs. All goes well until they try to privative a nearby water supply, and the local people erupt in protest.
Themes: justice, enviroment, history, Bolivia.

The Mission (PG, 2h 5min)
A Spanish priest tries to establish a Catholic mission in South America
in the 18th century and is joined by a former slave trader. Portugal
acquires the territory with the goal of enslaving the natives, and the
two men fight to defend the mission. Even though it’s PG, this one is
probably for mature classes and contains a good bit of nudity (mostly
within the native tribes) and violence.
Themes: South America, colonization, religion.

The Way (PG-13, 2h 3min)
A father embarks on a journey on the Camino de Santiago after traveling to France when his son dies attempting the same pilgrimage.  (Currently on Netflix.)
Themes: Spain, loss, religion, family, inspirational, identity. 

No se aceptan devoluciones (PG-13, 2h, 2min)
In this comedy-turns-to-tearjearker baby gets left on the doorstep of a single man, whose life gets turned upside as he takes her in while
pursuing a career as a stuntman. Six years later, the birth mother shows up and wants her daughter back. You might want to skip minutes 3:30-6:10.
Themes: Family, heartwarming/wrenching. 

Real Women Have Curves (PG-13, 1h 30 min)
A first generation, 18-year-old Mexican-American has plans of going to college and receives a full scholarship to Columbia University. Her mother has other ideas:stay hom, get married, and work at the local factory.
Themes: Immigration, identity, family, education.

Spare Parts (PG-13, 1h 54min)
A robotics team of four Hispanic students is pitted against the champion MIT team. (Currently available on Amazon Prime.)
Themes: Coming-of-age, school, immigration.

Goal! The Dream Begins (PG-13, 1h 58min)
Santiago Muñez is offered the chance to play professional soccer with Newcastle United, and must navigate his new world of fame and money. There are definitely parts to skip if shown in the classroom so be sure to preview it first.
Themes: Mexican-American life, family, soccer. 

A Better Life (PG-13, 1h 38min)
A single, hardworking Mexican father living in California seeks to keep his son out of gang life. When his truck is stolen, the father and son begin an adventure trying to recover it.
Themes: Immigation, Mexican-American life, urban issues, family. 

The Motorcycle Diaries (R, 2h 6min)
An iconic dramatization of Che Guevera’s journey across South America, this is one of the most famous Spanish-language movies filmed.
Themes: Latin America, Che Guevera, history. 

Buen día, Ramón (PG-13, 2h)
A young Mexican boy who has made various attempts to cross the border, ends up traveling to Germany instead. In his struggle to survive, he meets an elderly woman and begins an unlikely friendship. (Preview for sexual content.)
Themes: Immigration, friendship.

No (R, 1h 58min)
With Chile in the grip of dictactor Agusto Pinochet, a group of opposition leaders convince an advertiser to head an anti-Pinochet campaign and win elections to lead Chile.
Themes: Chile, history.

Cantinflas (Various movies)
Cantinflas was a legendary figure in Mexican cinema, as an actor, producer, writer, and singer– click on the link to see a list of movies he was a part of.

Cambio de Ruta (NR, 1h 34min)
Nicte is a fantastic, unconventional tour guide in the Riviera Maya. Through unexpected circumstances has to start her own tour company, and enters a competition to the top tour guide in Mexico.
Themes: Mexico, the environment, nature.

El viaje de Carol (NR, 1h 43min)
A 12-year-old travels with her mother from New York to Spain in 1938 just
as the Spanish Civil War is raging. She must navigate her new
surroundings and the changing times as a teenager.  (Currently available
on Amazon Prime.)
Themes: Spain, Spanish Civil War, coming-of-age, friendship.

La ciudad (NR, 1h 28min)
Four touching stories about living in New York in the Latin American community, and how immigrants make their way there.
Themes: Immigration, employment, social justice.

Vivir intentando (NR, 1h 35min)
Also known as Cinco Amigas, in this fun and light-hearted, movie five very different friends form a band and set off on a journey to fame, for different reasons.
Themes: Friendship, music.

Ixcanul (NR, 1h 33min)
María is set to marry a plantation foreman, arranged by her indigenous parents in the highlands of Guatemala, but she has other plans. Be aware that there is strong sexual content and other very mature themes. Made by Guatemalans–not Hollywood– Volcano is different from most Spanish language movies you’re likely to come across. In fact, Kaqchikel, not Spanish, is spoken by the main characters. (Currently on Netflix.)
Themes: Guatemala, indigenous life, feminism, social justice, identity.

Entre nos (NR, 1h 20min)
A Colombian mother travels New York with her two children, only to be abandoned by her husband once there. She must improvise and find a way to survive on her own, by collecting cans in the city trash.
Themes: Colombia, immigration, family, inspirational.

Sugar (R, 1h 54min)
The journey of Miguel “Sugar” Santos, who leaves the Dominican Republic to play baseball in the U.S. and adjusts to his new, different life. There are several adult scenes and profanity throughout so be sure to preview.
Themes: Baseball, Dominican Republic, racism, immigration, identity.

Voces Inocentes (R, 2h)
Set during 1980’s El Salvador, Innocent Voices follows
a young boy and his mother trying to survive violence and war. This
film depicts strong scenes of war violence and won’t be appropriate for
all classrooms.
Themes: El Salvador, family, social justice. 

El laberinto del fauno (R, 1h 58min) 
A young girl in 1940’s Spain is sent with her mother to live with her stepfather, a cruel officer in Franco’s army. A fairy appears in the middle of night and takes her into a labyrinth where she must complete three tasks in order to be reunited with her true father, the king.
Themes: Spanish Civil War, magical realism. 

El orfanato (R, 1h 45min)
A young boy, Simón, is raised by adoptive parents in a former orphanage and tells his mother about five invisible friends. After they reopen the orphanage, Simón disappears and his mother must search for him outside the purely physical realm. This would go well with the novel La calaca alegre.
Themes: Spain, family, mystery

La lengua de la mariposas (R, 1h 36min)
A boy gets caught up in the complexities of the Spanish civil war, with his Republican father and teacher pitted against the Nationalist rebels. Definitely preview for sexual content.
Themes: Spanish Civil War, coming-of-age.

 

Spanish documentary

Spanish Documentaries

When the Mountains Tremble (1h 23min)
Narrated by 1982 Nobel Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú, this film recounts her life as an indigenous Guatemalan during the country’s civil war. Her Spanish accent is clear and easy to understand, although the themes are difficult. (Available on YouTube.) This would work well with the novel Esperanza.
Themes: Guatemalan civil war, indigenous people groups, social justice.

Living on One Dollar (56min)
Four friends leave the U.S. and plan to live on $1 per day in Guatemala. Although this film can reinforce the common storyline of interpreting poverty and Latin America only through the eyes of foreigners, it can be a powerful way for students to see outside their everyday lives. (Currently on Netflix.)
Themes: Central America, travel, social justice, poverty.

Which Way Home (1h 30min)
This documentary follows the lives of several children as they make the dangerous journey to the U.S.-Mexico border. This is a very powerful movie that conveys a difficult reality, and will need to be previewed for sure. (Free lesson plans available here.) This would work well with the novel Esperanza.
Themes: Immigration, poverty, Central America and Mexico.

The Ghosts of Machu Picchu (1h 39min)
The mysteries and history surrounding this famous Incan sacred site. This documentary does a great job of bringing ancient history to life in a way that really engages even middle school students.
Themes: Peru, Incan history. 

Five days to dance (1h 19min)
A group of high schoolers in Spain have five intense days prepare a choreographed work for a community event. They work with two choreographers, learning to dance and work together. Very well done. (Click on the link to access the show.)
Themes: Spain, dance, friendship, identity.

Mariachi High (G, 55min)
This Spanish movie follow a year in the lives of a little-known champion mariachi band at Zapata High School in South Texas.
Themes: Mexican-American life, music, heartwarming.

30 for 30: The Two Escobars (1h 44min)
An investigation of the mysterious death of Andrés Escobar, a Colombian soccer player who was killed nine days after causing his team to lose an important game in 1994. The show also explores possible connections to the cartels of Pablo Escobar, who played an important role in building up the national team.
Themes: Colombia, Pablo Escobar, soccer. 

El pelotero (1h 17min)
The journey of two Dominican baseball players to signing contracts with major league teams, only to find that the organization is rife with corruption. (More resources for Pelotero including a movie guide here)
Themes: Dominican Republic, baseball, social justice.

Landfill Harmonic (1h 24min)
Kids living in a slum in Paraguay form an orchestra made out of recycled trash, with the help of a music teacher. They end up touring the world to play their music.
Themes: Paraguay, poverty, the environment.

Escape from Havana: An American Story (1h)
This documentary tells the story of how more than 14,000 children were secretly flown out of Cuba to the U.S. during Castro’s rise to power. This would be good with the novel El escape.
Themes: Immigration, politics, Cuba, Fidel Castro.

Buena Vista Social Club (G, 1h 45min)
A group of aging Cuban musicians are brought together to make incredible music and revisit their stories of being musicians through all the changes in Cuba.
Themes: Music, art, Cuba. 

Romero  (PG-13, 1h 42min)
A biography of Archbishop Oscar Romero, who fought against oppression from the government of El Salvador during the violence of the 1970’s, which eventually cost him his life.
Themes: El Salvador, religion, social justice. 


Llámame Francisco (4 Episodes)
The story of Father Jorge Bergoglio’s journey becoming Pope Francis. (Currently on Netflix.)
Themes: Argentina, religion.

Yvy Maraey, Land Without Evil (NR, 1h 47min)
A mix of drama and documentary, a Bolivian filmmaker travels with a Guaraní Indian guide to remote southeastern Bolivia to create a film about the Guaraní people there, while exploring the integration of culture within Bolivian society.
Themes: Bolivia, indigenous people groups, identity. 

For Greater Glory: The True Story of Christiada (R, 2h 25min)
This epic drama details the Cristeros War in early 20th-century Mexico, between the Catholic faithful and the atheistic government. Be sure to preview, as there is quite a bit of violence.
Themes: Mexico, religion, politics. 

Wildest Latin America (5 Episodes, 44min each)
The people, animals, and beautiful landscapes of Latin America,
spotlighting the most famous and dramatic places. (Currently on
Netflix.)
Themes: Nature, Latin America

 

**Are you now wondering HOW to teach a movie in Spanish class? Read this blog post to learn more!

Let me know what I missed, and which ones are your favorites!

 

                         

 

73 Comments

  • Unknown May 16, 2017 at 9:37 pm

    I would also recommend Five Days to Dance, an award winning documentary from Spain. Absolutely amazing.

  • Unknown May 16, 2017 at 11:45 pm

    I like "Real Women Have Curves" starring America Ferrera (coming of age) along with George Lopez as her high school teacher trying to help her go to college.

    • señora Mona April 17, 2023 at 2:19 pm

      Yes! There are a lot of “Stereotypes” about latin beliefs in that movie.
      I like it because you can see what affect parents have on their kids.
      GREAT movie.

  • Unknown May 17, 2017 at 1:20 am

    Also, Valentín, about a young boy in Argentina. A cute story.

  • Angie Smith May 17, 2017 at 1:31 am

    Also, Caídos del Mapa, currently on Netflix. youtu.be/Jmhph_wsIMI

  • Angie Kopydlowski May 17, 2017 at 2:27 am

    Amazing! Thank you all for the fantastic ideas!

  • ProfeBrown May 17, 2017 at 3:08 am

    Y Buen dia, Ramon…

  • ProfeBrown May 17, 2017 at 3:10 am

    My Spanish 3 students enjoyed Cambio de Ruta. It has some nice footage of cenotes and other natural aspects of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is a fictional story about a tour company being taken over by a larger corporate entity and a guide's efforts to keep the focus on the environment.

  • Elisabeth May 18, 2017 at 1:46 am

    I will add this one too– teachers are always looking for Netflix choices. 🙂

  • Elisabeth May 18, 2017 at 1:56 am

    Got it! This looks so good.

  • Elisabeth May 18, 2017 at 1:56 am

    This sounds great! Just added it. 🙂

  • Elisabeth May 18, 2017 at 2:09 am

    Just added it!

  • SenoraMThomas May 18, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    but can you obtain Canela? I've not had an luck

  • Srta Español May 18, 2017 at 7:00 pm

    My Spanish 2 students really enjoyed In the Time of the Butterflies when we studied the Dominican Republic and it also coincided with International Women's Day.

  • Srta Español May 18, 2017 at 7:01 pm

    It's also available on YouTube with Spanish subtitles

  • Elisabeth May 18, 2017 at 9:22 pm

    It is disappearing and I don't know why. Perhaps at local libraries?

  • Unknown May 21, 2017 at 3:36 am

    My Spanish 1B 8th graders enjoyed these 2 movies:
    Walk Out based on true story of high school students fighting for their civil rights in the '70's.
    Mariachi High (I'm pretty sure that is the name) documentary about a Texas high school mariachi band. Great music! Great story! One of my student's favorites.

  • Unknown May 22, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    Tortilla Soup

  • Unknown May 23, 2017 at 11:39 pm

    also Buena Vista Social Club for documentaries

  • Lisa May 24, 2017 at 6:11 am

    La Historia Oficial – Dirty war in Argentina. A history teacher discovers that her adopted daughter is from parents who were arrested for their political views and "disappeared." She searches for the girl's biological family. Some language and one scene of physical violence. A powerful story.

  • Kara Jacobs June 5, 2017 at 9:09 pm

    A few others: 3 Bellezas (Venezuelan beauty queens), Diamantes Negros (human trafficking in European soccer), and También la lluvia. All are excellent, especially if you focus on the AP themes.

  • Unknown June 23, 2017 at 7:13 am

    We also watch El Estudiante. The kids actually really love it

  • Unknown July 10, 2017 at 2:18 pm

    Yes!! I second this one! 🙂

  • Meg August 5, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    Zipe, Zape y el Club de la Canica is fantastic! It's like a mix between The Goonies and Harry Potter. (Bonus: it's on Netflix) netflix.com/title/70292944

  • Meg August 5, 2017 at 6:06 pm

    Yes! It used to be required viewing when I taught undergrad Spanish at The University of Texas.

  • Meg August 5, 2017 at 6:15 pm

    Also, haven't watched it yet, but there's an Argentine cartoon, Metegol, about foosball that looks like it could be great for a middle school sports unit. Also available on Netflix netflix.com/search?q=metegol

  • Unknown October 10, 2017 at 2:57 pm

    Please unsubscribe me…. I have Spanish I students and I thought these would have English subtitles. Thanks

  • Unknown October 20, 2017 at 8:33 pm

    Sugar is rated PG-13, not R.

    I teach Abrazos, a copy of which I obtained when the filmmaker, Luis Argueta, came to my alma mater to speak. I also use Chocolate Country, a documentary about cacao farmers in the Dominican Republic, to teach about fair and direct trade. I believe it is currently available on YouTube. Finally, although it is not about Latin@/Hispanic immigrants, I use the film The Visitor, directed by Tom McCarthy (the same director of Spotlight, but filmed years before he was famous), during a unit on immigration.

  • Unknown November 17, 2017 at 3:10 pm

    I have also shown "El Norte," a powewrful story about young immigrants coming from Guatemala through Mexico to the United States. Only for older students.

  • Panama1987 November 21, 2017 at 1:24 pm

    Sin Nombre is good, showed it to middle school, its rated R, there is a sexual scene in the beginning so skip that, and there is a lot of swearing, I cover the subtitles, there are stretches where the language is fine. It's definately on the violent side, but again enough stretches of story line to show students.

    Its about illegal migration riding freight trains through Mexico by Central Americans. Heavily themed of the infamous MS-13 gang, great insight into how they work.

  • Unknown November 26, 2017 at 11:31 pm

    I usually show my High School Spanish students the Motorcycle Diaries when we cover our Spanish speaking countries and capitals unit. I do require the students to bring in permission slips due to the strong language and sexual situations(there is no nudity). Some additional immigration related documentaries to add would be The Other Side of Immigration, De Nadie Border Crossings, Maquilapolis: A City of Factories(youtube), and PBS Frontline: Lost in Detention(streamable online).

  • Unknown January 4, 2018 at 6:19 am

    Which parts should i fast forward for class?

  • Unknown January 4, 2018 at 6:21 am

    El Libertador for advanced Spanish classes studying historical heroes units. There’s two parts to cut or skip.

  • Unknown February 12, 2018 at 7:41 am

    Wow that is looks great.. keep on updating your blog. free movies streaming

  • Srtajill February 19, 2018 at 4:09 pm

    I love the Perfect Game, about boys from a poor Mexican town who rise up to win the Little League World Series. It's based on a true story.

  • M. Alderete March 8, 2018 at 4:33 pm

    Love these! I'm a Spanish teacher and always looking for resources to enhance my classroom. Thanks for this!

  • Unknown March 22, 2018 at 6:53 pm

    Donkey X is a Shrek like take on Don Quijote.
    En el nombre de la hija (skip 2 minutes when a crazy man is naked) and Bella are liked by many of my students.

  • Unknown March 25, 2018 at 7:16 am

    LOVE your very complete list of movies! … and the link to PANTAYA! Thank you!
    I would also add the movie "NO" – (has García Bernal… always fun to watch 🙂 about the ad campaign that brought down Pinochet in Chile. Works great while teaching the IB theme of comunication and media/censorship etc.
    Also, for 2nd year Spanish I like to show "Ladrón que roba ladrón" – an Ocean´s Eleven style heist flic that kids love and gives a light intro to the theme of immigration (shows a variety of latin american immigrants being successful).
    Thanks again! 🙂

  • Kara Jacobs April 3, 2018 at 10:25 am

    You can now rent or buy it on Amazon Prime (digitally) and YouTube! Yay!

  • MaestraH April 25, 2018 at 9:47 pm

    Honestly, I'm pretty shocked you showed this to middle school students.
    There are two very graphic rape scenes and a huge amount of violence.
    I wouldn't show this to my high school students even with a permission slip.
    Absolutely not worth the professional risk and more so, not worth the potential to traumatize students.

  • Brandon Stevan May 17, 2018 at 1:40 pm

    Netflix is the world's leading Internet television network with over 117 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, .Thanks for the information. I will recommend this to nexter.org/category/movies.

  • CPardo May 23, 2018 at 1:28 am

    Did your students like NO? I bought and watched it but even thought I found it interesting, I do not think the students would like it at all.

  • CPardo May 23, 2018 at 1:29 am

    I show 7 Cajas and the students absolutely love it and talk about it the rest of the year. It is about a murder in a market in Paraguay. Excellent movie.

  • CPardo May 23, 2018 at 1:32 am

    How about Dirty Dancing Havana nights about dancing and the cuban revolution or Dance with me with Chayanne or Bella

  • amir reza July 10, 2018 at 2:26 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  • Unknown September 14, 2018 at 2:13 pm

    Wow, Thank you. I am watching LO IMPOSIBLE with my students and it is pretty easy for the students whatch it with the Spanish subtitles because there are not so much deep conversations and most of them ere simple and basic questions and answers imdb.com/title/tt1649419/

  • Unknown October 9, 2018 at 4:05 pm

    Trying to find "Caidos del Mapa" but can't find it anywhere! It's not on Netflix anymore

  • Unknown December 17, 2018 at 11:54 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  • Vincent January 9, 2019 at 8:24 pm

    A good mini series is Zapata:Amor en rebeldia. Six episodes 4.5 hours en total.
    Here is a review:
    User Reviews

    Zapata done right – with authenticity and heartfelt Mexicanismo
    12 October 2007 | by socrates99 – See all my reviews
    Probably you have to have some Mexican blood in your veins to get the full effect, but this 4 hour plus TV mini-series is better than an extended vacation in Guadalajara. This is the way real Mexicans want to remember the reluctant but unwavering hero of the Mexican Revolution. And not one actor in this little epic so much as hesitates to deliver their best in tribute. True there's a contrived romance meant to liven up the historical record, between the landowner's daughter and Zapata, but, oddly enough, it doesn't as much detract from the film as add a pleasurable dimension. The buxom Lorena is a pleasure to watch and, besides, there's no doubt women would have played a key role in the revolution as they do in everything Mexican.

    Lorena Rojas seems to be burn on screen with unusually affecting passion, and Carlos Torres Torija is more than believable as the cruelly ambitious pursuer of Zapata. And then there's Jovana Zacarias as Josefa who fights along side Zapata knowing he loves another woman. But the key to all is the magnificent Demian Bichir as Zapata who seems to miraculously embody everything positive about the man with the inexplicable ease of someone born to the role. How anyone could follow this man's performance as Zapata is beyond me. I truly think Bichir has captured the man for all future generations in a way most actors would kill to be able to.

    I know there's another movie, Zapata – El sueño del héroe, released in 2004 and I haven't seen it though I understand it was not well reviewed. I saw this movie, Zapata – Amor en Rebeldia, on DVD from Blockbusters and tried to comment on it earlier but could not find it until I looked under the director's filmography. That's a shame because it really needs to be seen by more people. This is a beautiful and touching film that only seldom shows its TV origins.

  • Vincent January 9, 2019 at 8:32 pm

    The Grandfather is a very enjoyable movie and although slow in pace would be very rewarding for a group of seniors or juniors. Beautiful scenery in Northern Spain also. Here is the synopsis:
    THE GRANDFATHER tells the story of love, friendship, honor and betrayal within one powerful family spanning three generations. Director Jose Luis Garci's tale is set within the rich historical context of turn of the century Spain. The old Count of Albrit, now penniless and almost blind, returns from Peru where he has lost his large fortune. While he is pleased to meet his charming granddaughters, Nelly and Dolly, he is burdened by a secret that surrounds them. When the Count was still in America, his only son died. Upon his death, his few belongings, including an unfinished letter, were shipped to the Count. The letter informed the Count that his daughter-in-law, the beautiful Lucrecia Richmond, was not a faithful wife to his son. Furthermore, the Count learns, one of his granddaughters is not his true heiress and he is determined to discover which grandchild is worthy of his name and his love. When the Count threatens to expose this betrayal, Lucrecia Richmond conspires to get rid of him to protect both her good name and the security of her family. As the Count grows weary from the battle with his daughter-in-law, he becomes despondent and frail. Ultimately, he is saved by an unlikely angel who teaches him that blood ties are meaningless; only love matters.

  • Vincent January 9, 2019 at 8:56 pm

    El Profe with Cantinflas is a fun movie for the students

    A more serious movie from the 1940's is Dona Barbara with Maria Felix the most famous actress of the golden years

  • Vincent January 9, 2019 at 9:00 pm

    Another famous writer driven movie El gallo de oro famous writers Carlos Fuentes, Gabriel García Márquez, Roberto Gavaldón (Story: Juan Rulfo), this would be great for a literary Spanish class.

  • Unknown January 25, 2019 at 4:05 pm

    Yes! I was just going to comment that it is on Amazon Prime, but I see someone already commented. I bought it there yesterday for $9.99. My students loved it so far, we didn't have time to see all of it yet. I can't wait to watch it this weekend with my own kids at home. Thanks for the recommendation!

  • Gris January 29, 2019 at 1:55 am

    Hello, can you let me know who is the author of El Escape. I search the name but they are many with similar names and I cannot find the right one. Thanks

  • Unknown February 3, 2019 at 4:13 pm

    I our district we are not allowed to show Netflix. Too bad!

  • Unknown February 14, 2019 at 8:27 am

    “NO” is a very good movie if you know the historical context of what was going on in Chile during those years. Honestly, if you are Chilean who lived during the NO propagana time , you get chills watching it…it is a movie by and for Chileans. I am afraid your students won’t understand it without a profound historical background.

  • Unknown February 15, 2019 at 9:21 pm

    Anyone have any ideas for finding 'Casi Casi'. I have seen it and think my students this year would LOVE it. Any ideas?? Thanks!

  • David Nu March 27, 2019 at 10:11 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  • Unknown May 13, 2019 at 6:17 pm

    I showed it this year on Youtube

  • Sarah K. May 30, 2019 at 4:20 pm

    For anyone interested, Mariachi High should be available on Kanopy (if your school or public library subscribes you can access free and there is a study guide available).

  • Unknown August 6, 2019 at 5:14 am

    Thank you sooooo much for taking the time to compile and organize this tremendous list! You are really getting me excited for this next school year!

  • Ariadne Costa August 22, 2019 at 9:52 pm

    Hi. Thanks so much for all the resources you provide. You have no idea how much you have helped me throughout last school year.
    I used Zip & Zap (on Netflix) with 4th grade and it's a huge hit. There are two films and both work well, though I prefer Zipy y Zape y el Club the la Canica. They are adaptations from an old Spanish comics. I have some resources that I can send to you (I don't have a blog). Let me know if you are interested. All the best and have a wonderful new year.

  • Senor McGrady September 17, 2019 at 1:51 pm

    I am a first year middle school Spanish teacher, and was wondering if you think this series would be too "Little kid" for my 7th and 8th graders? I know their language level is around preschool, but if it is too young for them, they will lose interest.

  • SuperArgo October 3, 2019 at 4:27 pm

    What..? No mention of "Nacho Libre"?

  • Unknown October 24, 2019 at 5:20 pm

    Herencia Inheritance from Argentina (fine movie from Argentina like PG)
    El abuelo (The Grandfather) from northern Spain PG nice movie and scenic
    Zapata Amor en rebeldia Very good Mini soap opera Very good
    Cantinflas El profe

  • Shannon OConnor May 20, 2021 at 3:33 pm

    Also The Devil´s Miner. Documentary from Bolivia about a 14 year old working in the silver mines. Very good.

  • Ruth June 19, 2021 at 11:07 pm

    What is the name of the Netflix movie in which this singer keeps getting run over by a truck in Mexico City until he finally gets it right with his girlfriend and this angel called Angélica helps him out. Sweetest story ever. Please help me out if you know what I mean.

    • Sarah October 12, 2021 at 7:28 pm

      Caidos al suelo or something like that?

  • nancy December 14, 2021 at 3:23 pm

    Does anyone know the name of a kids’ movie, Spanish (set in Spain), maybe late 90s or early 2000s?
    It is about a elementary age-boy and his little brother, on summer vacation, their mother works a lot and dad is a trucker, I believe. Maybe the boy character from a book or comic book series?

    It was really cute, but I have forgotten the name and can’t find it by searching online 🙁

  • Steve December 15, 2021 at 3:50 am

    It’s perhaps even more difficult to find kid-friendly videos that will begin and end within a single class period — and with time left for processing/discussion/comprehension exercises.

    The frame story “My Backyard was a Mountain” (Spanish with English subtitles) is 24 minutes long. My middle school students have always responded well to it. The main characters are around 12 years old and the coming-of-age issues are familiar to them. Some themes: the excitement and trepidation of moving to a new place, the pain of parting with a beloved pet, first stirrings of romantic attraction, the childhood friends that you’ll never forget.

    https://vimeo.com/189566943

  • Bobguide June 17, 2022 at 6:24 pm

    You have a very nice post and I really want to thank You for sharing it as it has been very helpful.

  • Ariana January 25, 2023 at 8:39 pm

    “La historia oficial”: old but a classic that won the Best Foreign Film Oscar

  • Erika April 17, 2023 at 12:31 pm

    Great list! I would add “In The Time of the Butterflies”, the Maribel sisters fight for freedom from Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship in the Dominican Republic; “The Devil’s Miner”, a documentary of child labor in Bolivia’s silver mines told from the prospective of a 12 year who works in the mines with his brother; and “Dance with Me”, the story of a Cuban immigrant who must adapt to US culture as he attempts to form a relationship with the father who doesn’t know he exists.

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