10 Family Movies to Watch During Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time of the year when Americans come together to celebrate and honor the impact of Hispanic culture, history, and contributions in the United States.

While there are countless ways to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, one fun and accessible approach? Watch a movie! 

This Hispanic Heritage Month, gather your loved ones for a family movie night with captivating stories, colorful characters, and profound insights. It's not just entertainment! The right movie is an opportunity to delve into the heart of Hispanic culture while enjoying quality time with your family. 

Here are ten kid-friendly films that are great to watch during Hispanic Heritage Month. These movies are sure to captivate, inspire, and educate. So, grab the popcorn, settle in, and let the cinematic journey begin!

1. Coco

Age Range: 7+
A beautiful coming-of-age animated story of a Mexican boy following his dreams alongside his rich cultural and family traditions. Be warned, you'll be singing the soundtrack for days.

2. Encanto

Age Range: 6+
An animated Disney musical featuring a Colombian girl and her family, who each have unique and magical gifts. Tons of music, art, and culture woven into the story and images make for a fantastic watch. Plus there's all that not-talking about Bruno to look forward to.

3. Vivo

Age Range: 6+
An animated story that follows a musical kinkajou (tropical rainforest mammal) and his friends in Havana along with a hip-hop and Latin-inspired soundtrack. Musical mammals make for great movies.

4. The Book of Life

Age Range: 6+
An animated movie about a Mexican boy, his bullfighting family, and generations of ancestors with lots of opinions. Proof that family drama really does last for centuries.

5. Pachamama

Age Range: 7+
A 10-year-old boy living high in the Andes Mountains embarks on a journey to retrieve the most treasured item of his people. An endearing look at indigenous South American culture and the condor rides don't hurt.

6. In the Heights

Age Range: 11+
In the Heights is a musical drama that follows the vibrant community of Washington Heights, where a bodega owner named Usnavi dreams of a better life while grappling with his deep connection to the neighborhood. As the characters chase their dreams and navigate personal struggles, they celebrate the rich culture, love, and hope that unites their close-knit community.

7. McFarland USA

Age Range: 10+
A feel-good movie based on a true story of an all-Latino cross-country track team in Central California. Celebrate their wins and trials with smiles and tears along the way. You might even be tempted to take up some jogging of your own.

8. Underwater Dreams

Age Range: 10+
The inspiring true story of undocumented sons of Mexican immigrants learning to build underwater robots and take on the likes of MIT in competition. A true underdog story that's sure to tug at your heart, and make you wonder why kids are so smart.

9. Real Women Have Curves

Age Range: 14+
A comedy-drama starring America Ferrera that takes on body image issues, family, and cultural expectations, and one Mexican-American girl's dreams of something more. Family drama is the universal tie that binds.

10. Selena

Age Range: 12+
Selena is a biographical drama that chronicles the rise of Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla, from her early performances to becoming an international sensation. As her career skyrockets, Selena navigates challenges in both her personal and professional life, all leading to her untimely and tragic death.

Susannah Ferguson is the publisher of Macaroni KID Columbia, Mo., and the managing editor of HulaFrog.

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