10 Classic Spanish Movies You Don’t Want to Miss
Classic Spanish movies are the pinnacle of art and a window to Hispanic culture. Through movies, you can learn about traditions, customs, and different points of view!
If you are a hardcore cinephile (someone who love movies) or you just enjoy casually watching them, and you are learning Spanish, this is a great learning opportunity! Watching movies in Spanish (with or without subtitles) actually helps you with your fluency and helps your ear to get used to the different accents and word pronunciations all around Latin America and Spain.
In this blog post, I show you 10 awesome classic Spanish movies of different genres and countries of origin. Each of them has made an impact in Hispanoamerican film history. They have influential actors, interesting points of view, and fascinating themes.
But before we begin with the list, answer me one question:
What Makes a Classic Movie a Classic?
If you think of a classic movie you may think of black and white pictures from a long time ago. But the truth is, modern movies are also classics!
A movie is a classic when, one way or another, it breaks the mold and makes an impactful change in the way filmmakers make movies from that moment forward. The classic is influential in its genre and people still enjoy them many years after their release date.
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10 Classic Spanish Movies of All Time
1. Macario
Rating: PG13
Country of Origin: Spain
Genre: Drama
Year: 1960
Director: Roberto Gavaldón
Watch it on: Youtube or buy it on Amazon
We start this list with the best! Macario came out in May 1960. It is a Mexican movie starring Ignacio López Tarso and Pina Pellicier, who were important figures of Mexican cinema during that time. The movie is an adaptation of a novel by the same name authored by B. Traven. It is set during the time Mexico was part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. The movie shows themes like death, poverty, and selfishness.
You’ll hear a strong Mexican accent throughout the movie and catch some slang words as well as unique Mexican expressions.
This was the first Mexican movie to receive a nomination for an Academy Award in the category for Best Foreign Language Film. It also entered the 1960 Cannes Film Festival.
2. Bienvenido Mister Marshall (Welcome, Mr. Marshall)
Rating: 7+
Country of Origin: Spain
Genre: Comedy
Year: 1953
Director: Luis García Berlanga
Watch it on: rtve.es or Buy it from Amazon
This one is a classic comedy masterpiece from Spain. Released on April 4 1953, this movie is a satire and social criticism of the Francoist Spain of that time. It is full of intended American and Spanish stereotypes and jokes that never stop. Is truly a masterpiece, and for that reason, it entered the 1953 Cannes Film Festival.
When you watch this movie, you will hear a Spanish (from Spain) accent.
3. Dos Tipos de Cuidado (Two Careful Fellows)
Rating: 7+
Country of Origin: Mexico
Genre: Comedy
Year: 1953
Director: Ismael Rodriguez
Watch it on: Amazon Prime and Youtube
This is a classic Ranchera comedy. Starring the amazing and beloved Mexican star Pedro Infante and Mr. Jorge Negrete, it tells the story of two friends (Jorge Bueno and Pedro Malo) who become rivals after a romantic misunderstanding. The movie has an amazing soundtrack composed by Manuel Esperon that includes coplas (couplets) and serenatas (serenades).
This classic movie still influences the way Mexican movies and soap operas are made. If you are interested in telenovelas and all their dramatic glory, check out the 10 Best Spanish Telenovelas on Netflix.
Watching this movie you will hear a clear, almost neutral, Mexican Spanish.
4. Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside)
Rating: PG13
Country of Origin: Spain
Genre: Drama
Year: 2004
Director: Alejandro Amenábar
Watch it on: Amazon Prime
A lot of people consider this classic Spanish movie one the best movies by director Alejandro Amenábar. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2004. Mar Adentro is the story of writer Ramón Sampedro (played by Javier Bardem) who became quadriplegic after a terrible accident and spent 28 years fighting for his own euthanasia.
This movie is dramatic, but it also has comedic and hopeful undertones. It touches difficult topics in an almost poetic way. It is definitely worth the watch (and the tears!).
This is a Spanish movie, so you will hear a Spanish accent through all of it.
5. Los Tres Reyes Magos (The Three Wise Kings)
Rating: +7
Country of Origin: Mexican
Genre: Animation
Year: 1976
Director: Fernando Ruiz/ Adolfo Torres Portillo
Watch it on: Youtube
This old classic Spanish movie was the first animated feature film produced completely in Mexico. It’s a Christmas movie about the biblical story of the three wise kings that tells the story of their journey to meet baby Jesus, and all the difficulties they go through.
It is a comedic movie that engages the viewer from beginning to end. It also mixes certain Mexican elements— like the clothes, environments, and music.
The Mexican accent in this movie is easy to understand. While you’re watching, the Spanish you hear is clear and faintly neutral.
If you would like another list full of great movies to watch with all your family, check out these 15 Good Family Movies to Watch On Netflix.
6. El hijo de la novia (Son of the Bride)
Rating: PG 13
Country of Origin: Argentina
Genre: Comedy Drama
Year: 2001
Director: Juan José Campanella
Watch it on: play.cine.ar
This movie has become an instant classic in Spanish. It stars Ricardo Darín, Héctor Alterio, Norma Aleandro, Eduardo Blanco and Natalia Verbeke. It won the Silver Condor for Best Film and also received the nomination for an Academy Award for best foreign language film.
The movie is about the relationship between Rafael—a man who suffered a heart attack—and his parents. His mother has Alzheimer’s and his father wants to renew their wedding vows because they never had a Catholic wedding. This classic portrays a fascinating dynamic among quirky characters and an entertaining unfolding of events.
El Hijo de la Novia is full of running jokes and comedy gags. t This is an Argentinian movie with heavy accents and lots of regional expressions.
7. No Se Aceptan Devoluciones (Instructions Not Included)
Rating: PG 13
Country of Origin: Mexico
Genre: Comedy Drama
Year: 2013
Director: Eugenio Derbez
Watch it on: Netflix
This Mexican comedy-drama became an instant classic in Latin America. It stars its own director, Eugenio Derbez. This movie is surprising because it balances perfectly two supposed opposites: drama and comedy. And it’s perfect for a family movie night! The plot is engaging and fun with an exciting twist. The unexpected turn makes it even better!
No se aceptan devoluciones received the nomination for the 2013 People’s Choice Awards as a favorite comedic movie.
While you can hear a lot of different Spanish accents in this movie, it doesn’t make it hard to understand.
Spoiler Alert: Get some tissues ready for this one. And if you enjoy crying your heart out while watching movies, check out this list of the Best Spanish Movies That Will Make You Cry!
8. Atraco a las 3 (Robbery at 3 o’clock)
Rating: 7+
Country of Origin: Spain
Genre: Comedy
Year: 1962
Director: José María Forqué
Watch it on: Youtube
The Italian film “Big Deal on Madonna Street” inspired this classic Spanish movie starring José Luis López Vázquez, Gracita Morales, Katia Loritz and some other big names of the time.
Atraco a las 3 is about a bank clerk named Fernando who involves his coworkers in a plan to rob the bank they work for. They want to get revenge for their manager’s dismissal and poor work conditions. And everything would have worked out—if not for a band of real robbers!
Being an Spanish movie, the Spanish accent you will hear in this movie is proper from Spain.
9. Los Olvidados (The young and the damned)
Rating: PG13
Country of Origin: Mexico
Genre: Drama, Documentary
Year: 1950
Director: Luis Buñuel
Watch it on: Youtube
This movie received a lot of criticism when it released in 1950. It realistically depicts children in poverty in Mexico. It stars Alfonso Mejía, Stella India, Miguel Inclan, and Roberto Cobo. At times, the movie feels like a social commentary mixed with realistic elements. But it also contains a lot of surrealistic elements that are a trademark of Luis Buñuel, the director.
Los olvidados won Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival. Nowadays, people consider it a masterpiece of Latin American cinema.
You will hear a Mexican accent when watching this movie.
10. El abrazo de la Serpiente (Embrace of the Serpent)
Rating: PG13
Country of Origin: Colombia
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Year: 2015
Director: Ciro Guerra
Watch it on: Amazon Prime
This Colombian film is shot in almost complete black and white. It follows the story of the indigenous shaman Karamakate and his journeys who traveled with a German ethnographer and a North American botanist. Their goal was to find a rare plant called Yakruna.
This movie won the Art Cinema Award of the Cannes Film Festival and received universal critical acclaim because of its cinematography and theme.
When you’re watching this movie, pay attention to the Spanish Colombian accent. You’ll also hear three different Colombian Indigenous languages: Huitoto, Ticuna, and Wanano.
And… Action!
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