Skip to main content

It’s almost time to celebrate the annual May holiday, Cinco the Mayo. The date commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla. Thanks to Disney’s streaming platform, Disney+, there’s plenty of movies and television shows that celebrate Mexican and Hispanic-American culture. Here are a few of our favorites. 

‘Coco’ is available for streaming on Disney+

There’s nothing more important than family. Miguel finds that out pretty quickly after defying his family’s ban on music. Following in the footsteps of his hero, Ernesto de la Cruz, Miguel steals a guitar to play in a talent show on Día de Muertos, the Day of the Dead. He finds himself in the Land of the Dead and must return home before sunrise.

Since its release, this animated film earned multiple awards and nominations, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Coco is available on Disney’s streaming platform, along with other Pixar movies like Toy Story 4 and Onward.

Donald Duck, Panchito, and José of the Three Caballeros
Donald Duck, Panchito, and José of the Three Caballeros | Disney Junior via Getty Images

The original ‘The Three Caballeros’ is available on the Disney+ library, along with its spinoff series

Originally released in 1944, this film introduces Disney fans to a few of Donald Duck’s friends. José teaches viewers about Bahia and the traditions of Brazil. Panchito teaches the others about Mexican culture, including Las Posadas and the meaning behind the piñata. They’re three birds of a feather, and they’re just better together.

The classic animated film, The Three Caballeros, is on the Disney+ streaming library. There’s also the spinoff series created in 2018, The Legend of The Three Caballeros. The entire first season is on this streaming platform, taking fans on the many adventures of Donald Duck, José, and Panchito. 

There’s ‘Elena of Avalor’ and the Disney+ original series, ‘Diary of a Future President’

Diary of a Future President is a Disney+ original series, following the life of Cuban-American middle school student, Elena. Fans also learn about Elena’s brother, Bobby, who is coming to terms with his sexuality, and her mother, Gabi, who finds herself in a relationship following the death of her husband.

Elena Cañero-Reed is Cuban-American, but there’s plenty of moments on this series that speak to the Hispanic-American experience, including the misspelling of Bobby’s last name on his tennis jacket. The best part? Viewers learn that Elena grows up to be the President of the United States. 

“I hope young girls feel represented by this show and that it means as much to them as it does to me,” Tess Romero said during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “It is extremely important that young girls are able to watch female characters who look like them, are successful, and grow up to help others, just like Elena.”

“Representation is crucial, not just on television but in all media. I hope that Elena can inspire young girls and show them they can achieve their dreams,” she continued. The first season of this Disney+ original series is available on the streaming platform, as is the Disney Junior series, Elena of Avalor.

To learn more about Disney+ and to subscribe, visit their website.

Best in Entertainment