Top 10 Spanish Language Movies

Here’s a movie tip for the casual, English-speaking moviegoer: check out this Argentine thriller before you waste time on the sub-par 2015 American version starring Julia Roberts. Directed by Juan J. Campanella and featuring a young Carla Quevedo from HBO’s “Show Me a Hero,” “The Secret in Their Eyes” demonstrated how to efficiently deliver a truly unforgettable hook, complemented by the overall symbolic take on Argentine politics. It’s best to go into this one cold, and by the end of the Academy Award-winning film, you’ll probably want to further explore the filmography of its director, beginning with another Argentine classic, 2001’s “Son of the Bride.”

Everybody loves a good prison flick, but of course, nobody enjoys being locked up in a literal slammer. As the winner – yes, winner – of eight Goya Awards, Daniel Monzón’s film details the plights of a prison guard turned accidental inmate. And spoiler alert – Juan Oliver has a few difficult decisions to make. However, while many films of the genre will deliver the usual clichés, the director capitalized on the opportunity to comment on both the Basque Country of Spain as well as the country’s terrorism.

By the time of this film’s release, director Luis Buñuel had already established himself as a legend, both within the landscapes of Spanish and Mexican cinema. However, “Viridiana” didn’t necessarily please the Italians over at the Vatican. But for a story about the loss of innocence and misunderstandings, there was no one better than Bunuel to figuratively dress up “Viridiana.” In a time when the French New Wave presented new cinematic ideals, this film showcased a master at his best and won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, over a full decade after he won Best Director at the festival for his Mexican production “Los Olvidados.”

Co-produced by the iconic Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and starring the daughter of Charlie Chaplin himself, this throwback horror flick marked the directorial debut of J.A. Bayona, who injected a healthy dose of artistry into a genre typically known for cheap tricks. Based on the story of a woman flipping her childhood home into the titular orphanage, the narrative requires a certain amount of patience, as each page of the script comes to life by way of the superb direction and genuine, if frightening, performances.

Before Penelope Cruz was a household name in America, she was already well known in her native Spain for starring in this original sci-fi production. Directed by Alejandro Amenábar, “Open Your Eyes” investigates the perceived realities of a disfigured man and the dreams that would ultimately become his nightmares. By not forcing easy answers upon the viewer, and fueled by the performances of Eduardo Noriega and Cruz, the psychological thriller combines realism and fantasy to deliver a narrative that will find a permanent home within your psyche. Cruz would reprise her role in the American remake, “Vanilla Sky,” but we suggest you seek out the original masterpiece first.

Spanish. Zombie. Horror. Today, the found footage genre has produced its share of surprise hits, but no other international thriller made an impact quite like this Barcelona-shot film. Based on the concept of a news story gone horrible wrong, “REC” found its place in history through an understanding of auditory and visual timing. And by that, we mean the film masterfully balances the narrative tension with a sense of genuine terror, as the technical side of the production showcases what can be achieved with framing, timing and, of course, SCREAMS!

Pedro Almodóvar has long been recognized as one of the preeminent filmmakers of not only his country, but in general. By the close of the 20th century, he made a film truly ahead of its time, as “All About My Mother” deconstructed social taboos while presenting an otherwise deeply serious narrative with stylistic references to a bygone era of filmmaking. It’s also an ode to all the mothers and women of the world. Just a few years later, Almodóvar once again floored moviegoers with another psychological study in “Talk to Her.”

Kicking off the so-called “Trilogy of Death,” Alejandro González Iñárritu’s drama thriller is a film that would change the modern landscape of Mexican cinema. Amid the three chaotic narratives of “Amores perros” emerges a frenetic energy, heightened by the pacing of its director, the Mexico City setting and the collective ensemble of actors, including future star Gael García Bernal. With dogs functioning as the symbolic representation of loyalty, Iñárritu digs deep into the essence of what makes us all tick and the cruel realities of the world in which we live.

Rising to the immensely high standard set by Iñárritu the year before, director Alfonso Cuarón unveiled one of the most controversial films of the day by tackling sexuality, the political spectrum of his country, and the spirit of Mexican youths. With the aforementioned Gael García Bernal starring opposite Diego Luna, “Y Tu Mamá También” hits the road, thriving by way of a devilish sense of humor and a willingness to challenge a rating system more accepting of overt violence than natural human desires. Following the success of this film, Bernal became a worldwide star after portraying a young Che Guevara in 2004’s “The Motorcycle Diaries.”

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“El Topo” (1970)
“Instructions Not Included” (2013)
“Like Water for Chocolate” (1992)
“Volver” (2006)
“Nosotros los pobres” (1948)

Countless filmmakers have given us temporary escapes from reality through cinema, but not many have been able to succeed on the level of Guillermo del Toro. With the Spanish Civil War as a backdrop, this film engulfs viewers in a spectacular fantasy world as young Ofelia encounters creatures that live and breathe through the visual poetry of the imaginative director. “Pan’s Labyrinth” represents artistic filmmaking in the most grandiose of ways, thus setting itself apart from the rest of the pack. Though “The Devil’s Backbone” might have initially been considered a masterpiece, it’s now clear that del Toro was just getting warmed up.

Do you agree with our list? What is your favorite Spanish Language movie? For more mind-blowing Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.