In this post: A round-up of the most culturally authentic Spanish movies for bilingual families.
Do your children enjoy movie nights? Watching movies in Spanish is a great way to leverage screen time for increasing language input.
At Llamitas Spanish we are passionate about sharing authentic Spanish resources for families raising bilingual kids.
That’s why we have rounded up our top picks for family movies in Spanish that are available on Amazon Video, Disney + or Netflix.
Please preview the parent content advisories before watching with young children.
Table of Contents
Coco
PG | 1hr 45min | Available on Disney +
It’s probably no surprise that we’re starting with Coco, given it’s huge popularity across the globe! This magical and authentic Pixar movie has been on repeat in our home since its release in 2017!
Despite his family’s generations-old ban on music, young Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead. After meeting a charming trickster named Héctor, the two new friends embark on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
This is without a doubt one of the most culturally rich Hispanic movies ever made! The music is authentic and the themes of family, memory, love and dreams are so relevant.
Related post: Mexican folk art: Teach your kids about Alebrijes
Encanto
PG | 1hr 49min | Available on Disney +
New in 2021, Encanto is another beautiful and authentic movie in Spanish, this time based in Colombia.
The soundtrack is truly outstanding, with the song “We don’t talk about Bruno / No se habla de Bruno” going viral across the globe. Plus parents sobbing to the stunning “Dos oruguitas” song.
The movie tells the story about la familia Madrigal and their magical casita. But the magic starts to fade and Mirabel, the only family member without a gift, has to save it. With themes of reconciliation, forgiveness and compassion, this is movie is will move you deeply.
Ferdinand
PG | 1hr 48min | Available on Amazon Video
Ferdinand is a young bull who escapes from a training camp in rural Spain after his father never returns from a showdown with a matador. Adopted by a girl who lives on a farm, Ferdinand’s peaceful existence comes crashing down when the authorities return him to his former captors. With help from a wisecracking goat and three hedgehogs, the giant but gentle bovine must find a way to break free before he squares off against El Primero, the famous bullfighter who never loses.
This movie is a great way to introduce viewers to Spain and bullfighting without all the gore. It’s a culturally rich and authentic movie with lots of humor sprinkled throughout!
El Libro de la Vida
PG | 1hr 29min | Available on Amazon Video
In the Mexican town of San Angel, Manolo (Diego Luna), Maria (Zoë Saldana) and Joaquin (Channing Tatum) have been friends ever since childhood. Although their lives have taken different paths — Maria was sent to Europe, Joaquin joined the military, and Manolo studied to become a bullfighter — one thing remains the same: Manolo and Joaquin both want to marry Maria. Little does the trio know that battling husband-and-wife deities have made a high-stakes wager on the love triangle’s outcome.
This fascinating movie is uniquely told in a highly musical style. Three fantasy worlds are explored: the underworld, the Land of the Forgotten, and the Land of the Remembered.
Anina
PG | 1hr 18min | Available on Amazon Video (Included in Prime)
A fantastical journey into the world of a ten-year-old girl who, following a playground skirmish, is given the weirdest punishment in the history of weird punishments.
This Uruguayan movie has a slightly surreal tone and animations. Anina, a ten-year-old girl in Uruguay, receives a black envelope that she is not allowed to open for a week. During that time a series of curious things happen and Anina learns a lot about herself in the process.
Canela
NR | 1hr 41min | Available on Amazon Video
Tere, the owner of a restaurant on Mexico City, loses her passion for cooking after a tragic death in the family. Beatrix, the manager of the restaurant, hires a Cordon Bleu chef from France to do the cooking.
This is the funny story about how a granddaughter, Maria, tries to convince her grandmother to go back to using the family restaurant’s original family recipes and reignite her love for cooking.
Cantinflas
PG | 1hr 43mins | Available on Amazon Video
The untold story of Mexico’s greatest and most beloved comedy film star of all time. From his humble origins on the small stage to the bright lights of Hollywood, Cantinflas became famous around the world – one joke at a time.
This award winning comedy drama is about an American movie maker and a Mexican comedian who cross paths and become partners in a project that changes the trajectory of their lives.
Alamar
G | 1hr 13mins | Available on Amazon Video (Included in Prime)
Before their inevitable farewell, Jorge, a young man of Mayan roots, and Natan, his half-Italian son, spend time together living off the Banco Chinchorro coral reef.
Although it lacks a traditional, structured narrative, this film beautifully presents the natural, breathtaking surroundings of the life of a fisherman and tells a lovely, heart warming story of how a young boy adapts to life with his Mayan father.
Pachamama
PG | 1hr 12mins | Available on Netflix
A young boy living in a remote village in the Andes Mountains dreams of becoming shaman
This is an original Netflix production! The indigenous traditions of this movie are wonderful. Pachamama introduces viewers to the Andes and the Incan culture.
La Leyenda de la Lorona
G | 1hr 15mins | Available on Amazon Video
Kids intend to stop the ghost of a woman who abducts children — due to her guilt over having drowned her own — that she finds wandering around the woods at night.
Wow- this animated horror/adventure/comedy is a fantastic way to celebrate Mexican culture and Day of the Dead. It tells the tale of la Llorona and seamlessly integrates indigenous and Spanish influences.
BEWARE: La Leyenda de la Lorona is not appropriate for young kids!
Casi Casi
PG | 1hr 33min | Available on Netflix
At a Puerto Rican Catholic school, Emilio (Mario Pabón), a quiet student who is often picked on by the cruel principal (Marian Pabon), has his heart set on winning over the coolest girl in class. Emilio decides the best way to do this is to become the student body president. Suddenly, he discovers that he’s the unlikely favorite to win the school election. But at the last minute he realizes that the object of his affections is also in the running, and she really hates losing.
This is such a fun story about friendship and loyalty. There is some language and innuendo so it is certainly not appropriate for young kids.
Llamitas Spanish Curriculum
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Founder of the Llamitas Spanish® Curriculum and former Spanish teacher. Corrie holds two Master Degrees in Spanish and Education. She lives in San Diego, California with her husband and two bilingual children.