Mexican cinema has secured significant recognition in The New York Times’ list of the 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century, with five films by Mexican directors making the prestigious ranking.
Three Mexican productions and two Hollywood films directed by Alfonso Cuarón, whom the Times dubbed “the Mexican virtuoso,” earned spots on the list, which was compiled based on input from 500 filmmakers, stars, and influential film critics.
Notable Mexican Films
Leading the Mexican entries at No. 18 is “Y tu mamá también” (2002), Cuarón’s road trip drama starring Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal. It explores themes such as classism, friendship, mortality, and sexuality through the journey of two high schoolers and an older woman.
“Roma” (2018), Cuarón’s black-and-white semi-autobiographical film about a domestic worker in 1960s Mexico City, ranked No. 46. The film examines social hierarchies and inequality in Mexican society.
Guillermo del Toro’s Spanish-Mexican co-production “Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006) earned the 54th spot on the list. This dark fantasy follows a young girl who discovers a mythical world while living under her fascist stepfather during Franco-era Spain.
Hollywood Productions by Cuarón
- “Children of Men” (2006) – A dystopian drama about global infertility, ranked 13th.
- “Gravity” (2013) – A space thriller, appeared at No. 97.
The Times’ top-ranked film overall was “Parasite” (2019), the South Korean social satire directed by Bong Joon Ho.
The recognition highlights Mexico’s significant contributions to global cinema in the 21st century, with Mexican directors continuing to gain international acclaim for their distinctive storytelling and visual styles.
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