A common misnomer is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day, but that’s September 16. The holiday actually gets its name from Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. From legendary icons to luchador laughs, today’s a great day to celebrate and enjoy the beauty, struggle, art, and joy of Mexican and Mexican-American stories.
Whether you’re looking for laughs, tears, inspiration, or just something that makes your heart dance, these five films are perfect for a movie night on Cinco de Mayo 2025.
Nacho Libre (2006)
Based (very loosely) on a real Mexican priest-turned-wrestler, Nacho Libre stars Jack Black as Ignacio, a monastery cook who moonlights as a luchador to raise money for orphans. Directed by Napoleon Dynamite’s Jared Hess, this film is part slapstick comedy, part underdog story, and 100% absurdly quotable. It has since become a cult classic and is an oddly sweet love letter to lucha libre culture, with a standout soundtrack and iconic physical comedy.
Where to Watch Nacho Libre: Paramount+ | Fubo | DIRECTV
Selena (1997)
“Anything for Selenas,” an iconic quote from this biopic that turned Jennifer Lopez into a superstar. Directed by Gregory Nava (El Norte), Lopez shines as Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, the beloved Tejano music icon whose life was cut tragically short. Selena is a cultural milestone that honors her legacy, her family, and her impact on both Mexican-American identity and global music. On this Cinco De Mayo, relive the story that captures Selena’s warmth, determination, and unstoppable charisma, and celebrates a legend who still moves hearts decades later.
Where to Watch Selena: Rent/Buy on Prime & Apple TV
Frida (2002)
Salma Hayek transforms into Frida Kahlo in this lush, visually stunning biopic that explores the groundbreaking painter’s tumultuous life, radical politics, fierce independence, and deeply personal art. The film captures the force of nature and fire, which Frida was known for. Nominated for six Oscars, the biopic snagged two (Best Makeup and Best Original Score) for its bold, vibrant portrayal, which fused surrealism, feminism, and Mexican culture into a vivid portrait of a woman who defied convention and painted her pain into beauty.
Where to Watch Frida: Paramount+ | DIRECTV
Coco (2017)
If you’re looking for a family movie night with soul (and skeletons), Pixar’s Coco is the perfect fit for this Cinco De Mayo. The animated film is a dazzling, heartfelt celebration of Día de los Muertos, but it’s also a tribute to the richness of Mexican family, tradition, and music. Young Miguel dreams of becoming a musician despite his family’s mysterious ban on it, leading him on a magical journey through the Land of the Dead. The joyful, emotional, visually gorgeous film won two Academy Awards (Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Remember Me”), touching audiences around the world with its message of remembrance, legacy, and love.
Where to Watch Coco: Disney+
Roma (2018)
Alfonso Cuarón’s deeply personal, black-and-white masterpiece Roma is a perfect watch for those in the mood for quiet reflection and cinematic brilliance. The film follows Cleo, a domestic worker in 1970s Mexico City, as she navigates political unrest, personal upheaval, and the quiet strength of everyday life. The film honors the women, families, and forgotten stories that shape a nation, while remaining intimate, poetic, and rooted in cultural specificity, yet still feeling universally human. Beautifully crafted, Roma made history as the first Mexican film to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and it also won Best Director and Best Cinematography.
Where to Watch Roma: Netflix