I always plan to show a movie during the 3rd quarter because honestly both the students and I need a break from the regular routine. It is a nice way to have a relaxing few days, incorporate culture, and spark interesting class discussions. Over the years, I have incorporated these movies into my classes, Spanish 1-4. Click on the links to check out the movie guides I created for them.
Spanish 1 & 2:
These movies work well for language learners at lower levels. Most come with Spanish audio and English subtitles, and they feature themes that are accessible while still rich in Spanish culture and history.
🌱 Pachamama
Set in a remote village in the Andes, this colorful animated film introduces South American culture through the story of a young girl who dreams of becoming a shaman. With authentic culture and easy-to-follow dialogue, it’s a great movie for Spanish subtitles or audio.
Why I love it: It’s short, age-appropriate, and full of visual support—perfect for new language learners.
This eye-opening documentary follows two teenage boys working in Bolivian silver mines. It’s a compelling way to spark conversation about real life in Spanish-speaking countries and introduces new vocabulary related to family, work, and hope.
Why I love it: It features real people, authentic Spanish, and offers tons of cultural connections.
A Mexican father living in the United States struggles to keep his son on the right path. This great addition to your curriculum is entirely in English but works beautifully to frame a lesson on immigration, family, and true identity. (Pair it with Spanish-language activities or a movie guide in Spanish.)
Why I love it: Students really connect with the father-son relationship, and it opens the door for deep classroom conversations.
🌾 La cosecha
Follows child migrant workers across the United States and introduces real women and families trying to survive. If your students have never thought about where their food comes from, this film will hit hard—in the best way.
Why I love it: The interviews are moving, and it’s a great way to build empathy while hearing native speakers in action.
Additional Spanish 1 or 2 Movies
Valentin:
Set in Buenos Aires, this short film-style drama tells the story of a young boy who dreams of becoming an astronaut. The acting is phenomenal, and students will fall in love with ValentĂn’s character. Bonus: It’s spoken in Argentine Spanish, exposing students to different dialects.
Why I love it: It’s charming, quirky, and filled with cultural references that advanced beginners can handle.
La misma luna:Â
A young Mexican boy embarks on a dangerous journey to reunite with his mother in Los Angeles. It’s a good Spanish movie for emotional impact and Spanish classes that want a more serious tone.
Why I love it: Students always ask questions afterward—it really stays with them.
🎥 Spanish 3 & 4:Â
For advanced students, I like to choose movies that challenge their listening skills and spark mature conversation. These top Spanish movies often include Spanish subtitles or Spanish audio, and the movie guides help guide deeper comprehension.
Based on Esmeralda Santiago’s memoir about her experience moving from Puerto Rico to the United States, this film explores cultural identity, adolescence, and finding your voice in a new world.
Why I love it: It’s a true story told with grace—and my students are always drawn to the main characters and family themes.
Follows several children traveling from Central America and Mexico City to the United States via freight train. It’s raw, emotional, and highlights real life for Spanish speakers making impossible decisions.
Why I love it: It’s powerful, timely, and the kids’ stories stay with you. Plus, it includes Spanish audio and real interviews.
A shorter film based on interviews in rural Mexico that explains the reasons behind Mexican migration. It’s full of authentic culture, Spanish learning, and shows the deep connection between Latin America and the U.S.
Why I love it: It helps students understand migration from a Spanish-speaking country’s perspective, and it works well with high school students.
This one breaks the mold—it’s a series of interviews with successful Latino figures in the U.S., from Gloria Estefan to Antonio Banderas. Perfect for short clips or to introduce real people using Spanish and English.
Why I love it: It’s incredibly inspiring, and students love seeing stories from people they recognize.
🍿 Bonus Picks & Teacher Favorites
If you’re looking to change things up or want something more light-hearted, try these bonus options:
- El Laberinto del Fauno / Pan’s Labyrinth – A beautiful, haunting magical realism film by Guillermo del Toro. Ideal for upper-level students studying Spanish films or magical powers in fiction. (Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director nominee.)
- El Libro de Vida (The Book of Life) – A gorgeous animated film with themes of love, death, and tradition. It’s a good movie for exploring Mexican Spanish, cultural connections, and Day of the Dead.
- Dora y la Ciudad Perdida (Dora and the Lost City of Gold) – Yes, really! This romantic comedy/adventure hybrid is surprisingly funny and full of Spanish words, native language jokes, and language learning humor.
🧠Teaching Tips
- Use movie guides to help students track vocabulary, make cultural comparisons, and understand the plot.
- Assign short writing tasks in Spanish like a summary, character analysis, or alternate ending.
- Turn a scene into a speaking activity: Have students role-play a moment in the movie using new vocabulary.
- Use your public library or Amazon Prime to stream films if you don’t have a subscription service.
💬 What’s Your Favorite?
This blog post barely scratches the surface of all the great movies out there for Spanish classes, but hopefully it gives you a starting point for building your own list.
Have you used one of these Spanish-language movies in class? Did your students love it? Hate it? Have a new favorite to recommend?
📲 Drop me a line on Instagram or Facebook. I’d love to hear how you use films and TV shows to support language learners in your classroom!
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