MOVIES:
- Under the Same Moon (Baja La Misma Luna)
Where you can watch it: Hulu (with subscription), Stars (with subscription), Amazon Prime (with subscription), YouTube (with subscription)
What it’s about: A young boy from Mexico illegally travels to the US to be reunited with his mom, who is also illegally in the US after his grandmother and caregiver passes away. This movie is incredibly heart-wrenching and interspersed with moments of comedy and joy. The characters in this story work hard to have a better life for themselves and their families. Isn’t that what the American Dream is all about?
- Spy Kids
Where you can watch it: Hulu (with subscription), Amazon Prime (with subscription), YouTube (with subscription)
What it’s about: Two children save their secret agent parents from evil. Okay, hear me out: even though it’s a children’s movie, “Spy Kids” is a hilarious movie with great representation. This movie has a Hispanic director, a mainly Hispanic cast, set in Latin America, and not to mention features the legend that is Machete (Danny Trejo).
- Selena
Where you can watch it: Amazon Prime (with subscription) and YouTube (with subscription)
What it’s about: The Tejano legend that is gone but never forgotten. This biopic tells the story of Selena Quintanilla, the Texas-born Tejano star of the 1990’s, and it was the breakout film that launched Jennifer Lopez’s career. Not to mention, this is one of the few films that really demonstrates the struggle of multicultural identity that many Hispanic Americans face.
- From Prada to Nada
Where you can watch it: Amazon Prime (with subscription) and YouTube (with subscription)
What it’s about: Loosely based on Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility,” this movie shows the riches to rags story of two sisters who have to move from Beverly Hills to East LA after their father passes away. The sisters learn to embrace their culture, find meaning beyond material possessions and status and appreciate the community around them. This movie has goofy and lovable characters with fiestas, family and food.
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Where you can watch it: Netflix (with subscription), Amazon Prime (with subscription), YouTube (with subscription)
What it’s about: In this alternate universe, Miles Morales, a Black Puerto Rican teenager from Brooklyn, is the one true Spiderman. He joins forces with spider-powered individuals from other universes to stop evil that threatens all dimensions. It’s a great day to see a Hispanic superhero finally move from the comic books to the big screen.
- Coco
Where you can watch it: Disney+ (with subscription), Amazon Prime (with subscription), and YouTube (with subscription)
What it’s about: It’s not Hispanic heritage month without “Coco”, a movie about the Mexican holiday “Day of the Dead,” where many celebrate the lives of ancestors and deceased family members. Coco is about a young boy in Mexico who wants to pursue music despite his parents’ opposition and travels to the land of the dead to find his famous musician great-great-grandfather. Like many Disney movies, it’s hard to guarantee you won’t cry.
- Gotta Kick It Up
Where you can watch it: Disney+ (with subscription), Amazon Prime(with subscription), and YouTube (with subscription)
What it’s about: This classic early 2000’s Disney Channel Original Movie is based on a true story of a teacher who helps young Latina girls grow and overcome obstacles in their high school dance troupe. If you want to watch a fun and inspirational coming of age movie, this is the one for you.
TV SHOWS:
- George Lopez
Where you can watch it: YouTube (with subscription), Amazon Prime (with subscription), Vudu (with subscription)
What it’s about: A Mexican American family sitcom set in LA, with an absolutely iconic title sequence that has lulled many a Gen Z to sleep. One of the first sitcoms centered around the Hispanic experience, this show hilariously highlighted the struggles and beauty of growing up as an American with Hispanic heritage.
- Love, Victor
Where you can watch it: Hulu (with subscription)
What it’s about: Set in the “Love, Simon” universe, this show centers around a Puerto Rican family living in Atlanta navigating traditions, coming of age and family values. Victor is a high school student who explores his sexuality amid the conflicts of his family and his new high school. The coming of age story for Hispanic and LGBTQ communities comes to light in this amazing and seriously underrated show.
- Wizards of Waverly Place
Where you can watch it: Disney+ (with subscription) and Amazon Prime (with subscription)
What it’s about: A family of wizards living in New York City, where three teenage children come of age and go on adventures learning how to use their wizarding powers. In an Italian and Mexican American household, learning about their cultural roots was never amiss. With episodes of the kids learning Spanish, visiting family members with Hispanic guest stars, and Alex’s quinceanera, the show highlighted Mexican culture in such a beautiful and authentic way that not many teen shows have before.
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Where you can watch it: Hulu (with subscription) , YouTube (with subscription), Amazon Prime (with subscription), NBC.com (free), TBS (with cable)
What it’s about: A squad of police officers in Brooklyn that fight crime and bond like a family. Rosa Diaz, a tough and brilliant detective, and Amy Santiago, an ambitious and adorkable detective, are hilarious and refreshing characters that stray away from the over-sexualized stereotypes of Latinas in modern media.
- One Day at a Time
Where you can watch it: Netflix (with subscription), Hulu (with subscription), and YouTube (with subscription)
What it’s about: A Cuban American family sitcom featuring a Hispanic female veteran mom, a Cuban immigrant grandma, and a lesbian teenage daughter; the representation we never had but always needed. The show covers issues like PTSD, sexuality, immigration, and non-traditional family roles, which can be considered taboo among many Hispanic cultures.
- Pose
Where you can watch it: Netflix (with subscription), YouTube (with subscription), and Amazon Prime (with subscription)
What it’s about: A drama based on New York City’s African American and Latino LGBTQ ballroom culture during the 1980s. This high energy show gives a fresh take on finding your chosen family and chasing your dreams.
- On My Block
Where you can watch it: Netflix (with subscription)
What it’s about: A group of friends in a rough LA neighborhood navigating life, friendship and coming of age. This show features witty, admirable, and diverse characters in real situations that communities across the country face. It’s one of the few shows that portrays the highs and lows of growing up and navigating the world around you.
- When They See Us
Where you can watch it: Netflix (with subscription)
What it’s about: Based on a true story, this show tells the story of five teenagers from Harlem who were falsely accused of an attack in Central Park. There are so many reasons to watch this show, namely, Jharrel Jerome, who was the first Afro-Latino to win an Emmy and first Latino period to win an outstanding lead actor in a limited series or movie because of this show. We love a win for Afro-Latinos everywhere, who often get excluded from discussions of Latino and Hispanic cultures.
Featured Illustration by Serena Rodriguez