70 Exceptional Mexican Films – Ariel Award Winners

Three young boys are awaiting sentencing in a juvenile detention center in Mexico City. One killed his stepfather to protect his mother. Another blinded his chief tormentor after being provoked. The third turned to theft to help his family.

In a remote countryside village, Ana and her friends Maria and Paula face the harsh realities of their lives. Their families toil in the poppy fields, harvesting opium, while the girls must cope with the growing threat of a local…

Tita's romantic life turns heartbreaking when her mother prevents her from marrying Pedro, leading to his marriage to Tita's sister. Overwhelmed by grief, Tita finds comfort in cooking, a skill she’s perfected. She discovers she can infuse her food with…

In Monterrey, Mexico, a young street gang lives for dancing to slowed-down cumbia and enjoying parties. When a misunderstanding with a local cartel leads to their leader being forced to move to the U.S., he quickly misses his home.

During the Mexican Revolution, a young man returns to his hometown in Chihuahua after studying in Paris, only to find it occupied by Pancho Villa's forces. He revisits his abandoned home, recalling memories of his youth – his uncle, the…

Marta fiercely shields her son from a family history of schizophrenia, a secret she's kept from her husband.

In Mexico City, several people grapple with their personal challenges. Chava, who owns a bar, wants to leave for America. Abel, a barber, is in love with Alma, whose life takes an unexpected turn. Susanita, a lonely woman, seeks a…

Deep in the jungle, a smuggler lives a secluded life with his wife, La Choca, his son, and his sister-in-law, Flor. Their peaceful existence is shattered when strangers arrive, accusing him of betrayal.

The film follows an expert Indian hunter renowned for his exceptional ability to capture animals alive, preserving their pelts. This skill earns him respect from his community and the envy of others. He is also depicted as a wise and…

In a dangerous slum of Mexico City, a group of young people fight to survive in a world of violence, crime, and poverty. Pedro, one of these youths, starts with a strong sense of right and wrong. But as he's…

Damian, a married artist in Los Angeles, accidentally hits a woman and flees the scene. Seeking atonement, he travels to Mexico alone to find peace and connect with his family history. With the help of a local guide named Arce,…

A guerrilla commando attempts to kidnap a politician. The operation results in the deaths of several police officers and guerrillas. The leader of the kidnappers unexpectedly encounters an old acquaintance. To prevent the acquaintance from revealing their plans, he takes…

Young Father Amaro travels to Mexico to care for his aging Father Benito, but finds himself struggling with temptation. He develops an affair with a 16-year-old girl, who is herself the daughter of Father Benito's former lover. Torn between his…

In 1960s Mexico City, this film tells the story of two teenage girls growing up and facing unexpected difficulties. Flavia, a sheltered schoolgirl, befriends Veronica, a lively orphan interested in witchcraft. Veronica believes she has supernatural abilities, and the girls…

October 1968. Mexico City is gripped by student protests against the government. As the protests intensify, the government responds with increasing force, leading to a violent confrontation on October 2nd. This historical drama portrays this turbulent period, where the struggle…

This drama unfolds in a small Mexican town, exploring the complicated relationships shaped by family, ambition, and tradition. Conflicts arise when pride and greed divide the community, forcing characters to question their beliefs. The film examines the tension between old…

"Cilantro y perejil" is a comedy about couples in Mexico struggling with the economic crisis. The story explores the enduring question of whether it's worth being in a relationship. The film offers humorous, unexpected, and relatable insights. After a ten-year…

A car crash in Mexico City triggers a series of unexpected events for three individuals: a supermodel, a young man planning to elope with his sister-in-law, and a homeless man. Their lives are dramatically altered by the seemingly insignificant fate…

A hapless individual creates a superhero costume and uses his bicycle to patrol for crime. His activities draw him into a larger conflict concerning American businesspeople attempting to seize control of local Mexican enterprises.

Against the backdrop of 1999 student strikes in Mexico City, two brothers embark on a nostalgic journey through the city to find an elderly, famous musician. Filmed in black-and-white, *Güeros* is a vibrant coming-of-age story filled with youthful energy.

A young man struggles to sell household items and is unsuccessful. His sister, weary of their impoverished circumstances, runs away with a criminal.

Ceci, a seven-year-old girl, carries a weighty secret she doesn't fully grasp. Her family's survival hinges on her staying silent, but the nature of the secret remains unclear. Living in hiding from military oppression in Argentina, Ceci grapples with the…

Fourteen-year-old Sofia is deeply in love with Ulises, but their connection leads her into a prostitution ring in Mexico. To help her escape, Ulises must find someone to take her place. Based on the novel by Jorge Volpi, the story…

A devastating illness emerges in a Mexican town. A doctor recognizes it as an epidemic and attempts to warn officials, but his concerns are ignored. The disease quickly spreads, prompting the government to suppress information and avoid public alarm.

Magdalena travels to find her son, who has gone missing while heading for the U.S. Border. During her search, she meets Miguel, a man recently deported from the United States. They begin traveling together: Magdalena searching for her son, and…

In a quiet Mexican village in the 1940s, political unrest escalates when the town's three mayors die suddenly. A quiet janitor, hoping to improve the community, unexpectedly becomes the new mayor. Power quickly corrupts him, turning him into an abusive…

Set in 1940s Mexico City, the story follows a schoolboy named Carlos who develops a crush on his best friend's mother, Mariana. Carlos is drawn to Mariana's family, who possess numerous American possessions despite not being wealthy – a rarity…

Dionisio unexpectedly experiences a period of good fortune, but soon forgets that luck is fleeting and that life in his bleak town makes it easy to lose hope.

Fleeing poverty and violence in the slums of Guatemala City, a group of teenage friends sets out for California, hoping for a better life.

During the tumultuous Mexican Revolution, General Reyes and his guerrilla soldiers invade Cholula, a prosperous conservative town near Mexico City. This action dramatically changes the town and deeply affects General Reyes. While his troops plunder Cholula's wealth, Reyes becomes unexpectedly…

This film follows a peasant family in late 19th-century rural Europe as they struggle to achieve their goals, facing resistance and hostility from their community.

Don Reynaldo, a respected hunter facing his twilight years, finds his family's history and his father's legacy at risk. This creates dangerous shifts in his relationships with his family, his employees, and the land he holds dear.

This is the story of a foreign company's brutal suppression of miners in a small Chilean nitrate town. The workers fight for their basic rights, sparking a conflict that mirrors the historical union struggles in northern Chile, which tragically ended…

As death nears, Mexican painter Francisco Goitia creates a final work: a recollection of his life. It depicts his return to Mexico and connection with his homeland, his lifelong quest for self – both as a man and an artist…

A native language is disappearing, with only two remaining speakers who have been estranged for over 50 years due to a past disagreement. Martín, a young linguist, must bridge this divide, persuading the old friends to communicate again so he…

The film follows the Boteros, a working-class Mexican family facing hardship after their father's passing. Ignacia (Egurrola), the mother, makes a difficult decision: she's willing to jeopardize her three older children's futures to safeguard her youngest, Gabriel (Laguardia). She believes…

This thrilling story centers on a driven alchemist from the past who relentlessly seeks the secret to immortality. His invention, the Cronos device, is unexpectedly found by an antique dealer hidden within a statue. Unknowingly, the dealer activates the device,…

Following the Spanish Civil War, ten-year-old Ofelia and her pregnant mother go to live with her abusive stepfather. She discovers a strange labyrinth and encounters a faun who tells her she might be a princess from a hidden kingdom. To…

Laura and Eva, two young waitresses, develop romantic relationships with Adrian, a movie distributor, and his friend Luis.

Nineteen-year-old Vladimir Olhosvky flees Russia after the Revolution, seeking exile in Mexico City. He must now navigate a completely unfamiliar country and build a new life for himself.

Deported back to Mexico, a man is forced to join the ruthless drug cartel that controls his hometown, simply to stay alive.

A peculiar bond between two brothers.

Fourteen-year-old friends Flama and Moko have been inseparable since childhood. With a comfortable life – a parent-free apartment, video games, magazines, soft drinks, and pizza delivery – they're prepared for a typical, uneventful Sunday.

This drama centers on a public works engineer who faces challenges beyond a major construction project. As he manages the complex undertaking, his personal life deteriorates. He struggles with family issues while also confronting a corrupt local businessman who views…

A typical middle-class family's life is disrupted by the arrival of a highly energetic vacuum cleaner salesman who goes door-to-door.

A man journeys back through generations, visiting the homes of his father, grandfather, and further into the past.

Jesus Juarez, known as Chucho, has long played the Devil in his town's annual Nativity play. This Christmas, the new pastor's casting choice ignites a conflict between the two men, a struggle between good and evil.

On a stormy day in Parián, a mythical town where paths cross, a group of people consumed by a lack of love, guilt, pain, and a thirst for revenge gather at a cantina. They seek solace in mezcal and in…

This Mexican drama follows a solitary, elderly postal worker who becomes the target of a mean-spirited prank. It starts when the grumpy postman, Andre, is bothered by his young neighbor Marianna’s loud music during her romantic encounters. Seeking revenge, Marianna…

This film chronicles the life of painter Frida Kahlo and her interactions with the people of her era. Confined to a wheelchair due to polio, surgeries, and amputations, she confronts and reflects the vibrant and often contentious aspects of Mexican…

Mexico City, 1970s. Two women working as domestic servants provide support to a mother of four while her husband is away for a long time.

Following a car accident with his family, Juan meets a series of unusual and memorable people who offer assistance. What starts as a simple situation evolves into a profound experience, prompting reflection on themes of mortality, familial relationships, romance, and…

In a small coastal village, fisherman Quino and his wife Juana struggle to care for their sick son Coyotito, who was stung by a scorpion. The town doctor refuses treatment because they owe him money. Then, Quino finds an extraordinary…

A British slave trader is shipwrecked and stranded on a remote tropical island. Alone and isolated, he must learn to survive without modern comforts or human contact. Over time, he uses his wits to build a life for himself, finding…

The film follows three interconnected stories exploring themes of betrayal, desire, affection, and heartbreak.

A con artist charms the widow of a wealthy man, only to discover she and her lover orchestrated the husband's death. A dangerous game of deception begins, leaving the question: who is truly manipulating whom?

Troubled by gambling debts, Andrés and his lover, Blanca, leave the city and journey across several states. Along the way, they spend time with a pair of hippies before tragedy strikes.

A mechanic brings his family to a car race, where a series of events unfold involving trouble, betrayal, violence, and the unforeseen death of an older person.

A woman spends years awaiting the return of her son, a sailor who writes to her frequently. She shares his letters and her sorrow with a coworker and friend, who gradually develops an idealized view of the son.

Zambrano, a young criminal, sees a chance for redemption by joining the legendary prison football team, The Dogs of Santa Martha. However, his aspirations draw him deeper into the world of organized crime. The Dogs, also known as The 4th…

Five elderly men start a band and escape from their nursing home, hoping to perform for an audience. They face challenges from the city, the nursing home staff, and the police, all of whom try to stop them. Their dream…

Johan and his family are Mennonites from northern Mexico. He defies both religious and societal expectations when he falls in love with someone else.

This film explores the mind of a man who believes humanity is inherently immoral. Driven by this conviction, he isolates his family within their home, viewing outside interaction as a dangerous path to temptation. The story examines power, control, and…

A young woman with traditional values, living with her godmother, undergoes a profound and unexpected change after meeting a man.

In a lively Mexican home, seven-year-old Sol gets caught up in the excitement of planning her father Tona's birthday party. Her mother, aunts, and relatives orchestrate the preparations, building towards an event that feels both eagerly awaited and a little…

Jose is informed that his ex-wife, Nora, has died by suicide. A rabbi explains that because of the upcoming holiday, Nora must be buried within five days. Unbeknownst to Jose, Nora had meticulously planned her funeral arrangements, ensuring he would…

A rural teacher is summoned by the Mexican President to work in a remote village. There, he finds the community controlled by a cruel and powerful chieftain.

Workers in a mining town, oppressed by those in control, secretly form a union.

Fresh out of prison, Tarzan Lira tries to start over with a job at a bank. But things might not go as smoothly as he hopes.

This film dramatizes the newspaper reports of John Reed, focusing on his experiences during the Mexican Revolution. It is widely recognized as the first major cinematic depiction of the Mexican Revolution in Mexican film history.