I recently wrote about 5 bilingual (English-Spanish) children’s books that every parent should have in their library at home.
Writing about how these books encourage children to celebrate their heritage and practice a second language got me thinking about other forms of media that do the same: from music to movies, games, and TV shows.
Today, I want to share 4 children’s movies that celebrate the concept of Latinidad and Latinx heritage by telling powerful and compelling stories that kids can learn from and ultimately relate to.
- The Book of Life | Watch it on Disney+
This animated story celebrates Mexican culture and tradition by introducing children to the Day of the Dead. The movie follows the story of Manolo, Maria, and Joaquin. In a bid to save Maria’s life, Manolo sacrifices himself and is transported to the Land of the Remembered, where he meets a group of unique characters who help him get his life back.
- Pachamama | Watch it Netflix
This visually-stunning animated film tells the story of a young boy, Tepulpaï, who dreams of becoming a shaman. When a sacred statue is stolen from his Incan village in the Andes by an evil debt collector, Tepulpaï and his friends embark on a mission to retrieve it and return it to where it belongs. A celebration of culture and heritage, as well as a beautiful story about bravery and growing up, this film is a beautiful look at ancient traditions from a child’s perspective.
- Coco | Watch it on Disney+
An instant classic, the movie tells the story of a young boy named Miguel. While Miguel dreams of becoming a celebrated musician, his family has a strict “no-music” ban that pushes him to disobey their orders. After landing himself in the Land of the Dead, Miguel must work alongside his newfound friend Héctor to return to the land of the living and deliver news about his family´s history that will change their lives forever. A celebration of Mexican heritage and culture, this beautiful film teaches children about the importance of family and following their dreams.
- Xico’s Journey | Watch it Netflix
This animated film is a story about bravery. It follows Xico, a local pup, and two young children as they set out to save their hometown from a large and destructive corporation who wants to mine the surrounding mountains for gold. Filled with magic, the movie touches upon Mexican culture and teaches children about the importance of being environmentally-aware and taking care of the planet.
Do you have any other movies to add to the list? Leave its name in the comments below and let me know why you enjoyed it so much 🎞