Happy Cinco de Mayo to all who celebrate! 🇲🇽💃🏾🪅 The fifth of May is a holiday following Star Wars Day that marks the Mexican army’s victory over France on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. So it’s not the same as Mexican Independence Day. I’m a bit late to the party, but hey, you can always celebrate Mexican culture and heritage all week and beyond. So, I figured I’d take a moment to share five films by five Mexican directors you should check out.
Obviously, there are way more than five movies made by Mexican filmmakers, but I’m focusing on five from the last five years across five different genres. I also want to shine a light on female directors and mostly lesser-known filmmakers of Mexican heritage that some of you may not know about. So here they are in alphabetical order.
A Million Miles Away (2023)
I love this biopic about José Hernández, José Hernández, who was the first Mexican-American migrant farm worker to make it to space as a NASA astronaut. I’m a huge fan of Michael Peña, so it’s awesome to see him take on a leading role. Directed by Mexican filmmaker Alejandra Márquez Abella, the film is fun, emotional, and uplifting as it honors José’s journey with both wonder and genuine passion.
It’s a wonderful tribute to Mexican culture and a heartfelt nod to teachers everywhere, who are the true unsung heroes of our society.
Daughters of the Forest (2025)
I just reviewed this last month, so it’s still fresh in my mind. Director Otilia Portillo Padua has an impressive background; she studied architecture at Cambridge University and the Architectural Association in London. This film is something special, mixing genres with sci-fi elements and documentary style, showcasing two female Indigenous mycologists—scientists who focus on fungi—as they work to connect the past with the present.
It kicks off with the ‘voices’ of the fungi, almost like they’re chatting with the audience. It’s as mesmerizing as it is informative, and I really hope it gets a streaming release soon so everyone can see it!
Flamin’ Hot (2023)
Eva Longoria is a true powerhouse with many talents. This movie marks the directorial debut of the Texican actor, director, and businesswoman, and it dives into the backstory of Richard Montañez, the guy behind Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. While his story might lean more towards urban legend, Flamin’ Hot is still a fun and uplifting family flick.
Longoria has made a smart choice by picking a story that resonates with her as she steps into the director’s chair. I really appreciate the message about embracing one’s heritage and having faith in one’s potential. It’s an inspiring film that really connects with the Hispanic community and beyond.
Frankenstein (2025)
Ok, so even non-cinephiles likely know who Guillermo del Toro is, but I still want to include his incredible film. I adore it so much that it made it into my Top 10 of 2026. The Guadalajara-born filmmaker has been captivated by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein since he was just 11, so you could say this has been a passion project for 30 years. Everything about this film is absolutely breathtaking… a genuinely masterful work and a heartfelt tribute to his beloved monster.
Del Toro always connects more with the monster than the humans, so it’s no shock that Jacob Elordi’s performance is less about being grotesque and more about being a sensitive, tragic character. It’s definitely Elordi’s best performance to date, but I also really appreciate Oscar Isaac, who is perfectly cast as the cold and ruthless creator Victor Frankenstein, bringing a distinct rock-star vibe.
It’s no hyperbole to call Frankenstein the most beautiful film of 2026, so I’m glad it won all the technical Oscars for Best Makeup/Hairstyling, Production Design, and Costume Design. Del Toro insisted on fully constructed sets for Victor’s laboratory and Captain Anderson’s ship, and the result is jaw-dropping. I had to stop just to admire the set pieces, yet it never becomes style over substance. Fortunately, this film is on Netflix, so I can watch it over and over again.
La Cocina (2024)
I’m glad I got to see this as part of TCFF a couple of years ago. It’s a visceral cinematic experience by Mexican filmmaker Alonso Ruizpalacios, set in a bustling NYC kitchen. The narrative has so many dimensions; it dives deep into more than just kitchen life, shedding light on immigrants’ struggles for the elusive American dream and offering a captivating glimpse into power and class dynamics. It was my first time seeing Mexican actor Raúl Briones, and he delivered a remarkable, go-for-broke performance alongside Rooney Mara.
The black-and-white cinematography is breathtaking and elegant, providing a stark contrast to the chaotic vibe that creates a sense of anxiety for viewers. La Cocina is the kind of film with such frenetic energy that folks with high blood pressure should proceed with caution.
It’s streaming on MUBI, and you can also rent it on Prime Video. I highly recommend this one!
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
Five films I have on my watchlist with Frankenstein being the film I wanted to see more than anything as I wanted to see it in the theaters but it came away WAY too quickly from my multiplex as well as other unnecessary distractions that prevented me from seeing it when it came out. Guillermo is someone I will always support as I just love his passion for cinema and love of monsters.
Roma by Alfonso Cuaron would be at the top of my list. Among other things, the cinematography is exquisite and surprisingly not the work of his regular collaborator Emmanuel Lubezki but Cuaron himself.