List of Chicano films



Chicano films are films that have been associated as being part of the tradition of Chicano cinema. Because of the generally marginal status of Chicanos in the film industry, many Chicano films have not been released for wide theatrical distribution. Not all of the films associated with Chicano cinema have been directed by or written by Chicanos or Mexican Americans, who are not often directors of major films.

During the silent film era and the nascent years of Hollywood, Mexican-American actors encountered significant challenges, including typecasting and limited opportunities within the film industry. Despite these obstacles, there were notable exceptions that broke through these barriers, showcasing exceptional talent and paving the way for future generations. One such luminary was actress Dolores del Río, whose illustrious career transcended borders and garnered international acclaim. While not exclusively categorized as Chicano cinema, Mexican films produced during the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema (1930s-1950s) frequently depicted themes and characters that resonated with Mexican-American audiences. These cinematic works served as a window into Mexican culture and traditions, offering insights that influenced subsequent generations of Chicano filmmakers.

One significant outcome of the Chicano Movement was the emergence of Chicano cinema, which served as a powerful medium for expressing the experiences, struggles, and aspirations of the Chicano community. Filmmakers like Jesús Salvador Treviño and Luis Valdez played integral roles in this cinematic movement, using their artistry to illuminate the complexities of Chicano life and challenge prevailing stereotypes and misconceptions. The United Farm Workers (UFW) union, co-founded by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, has left an indelible mark on Chicano cinema. Films like "The Wrath of Grapes" (1969) and "The Fight in the Fields" (1997) spotlight the struggles of farmworkers and the Chicano labor movement, offering poignant insights into the challenges faced by agricultural laborers and the enduring fight for justice and dignity.

Films

 * The Lash (1930)
 * The Lawless (1950)
 * The Ring (1952)
 * Salt of the Earth (1954)
 * I Am Joaquin (1969)
 * Los Vendidos (1972)
 * Yo Soy Chicano (1972)
 * El Corrido (1976)
 * Please, Don't Bury Me Alive! (1976)
 * Trackdown (1976)
 * Agueda Martinez: Our People, Our Country (1977)
 * Alambrista! (1977)
 * Raíces de sangre (1978)
 * Up in Smoke (1978)
 * Chicana (1979)
 * Walk Proud (1979)
 * Boulevard Nights (1979)
 * Once in a Lifetime (1979)
 * Cheech and Chong's Next Movie (1980)
 * Nice Dreams (1981)
 * Zoot Suit (1981)
 * Seguín (1982)
 * The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982)
 * Things Are Tough All Over (1982)
 * Heartbreaker (1983)
 * El Norte (1985)
 * Break of Dawn (1987)
 * La Bamba (1987)
 * Born in East L.A. (1987)
 * The Milagro Beanfield War (1988)
 * Stand and Deliver (1988)
 * Colors (1988)
 * Sweet 15 (1990)
 * Angel Town (1990)
 * La Ofrenda: Days of the Dead (1990)
 * American Me (1992)
 * El Mariachi (1992)
 * Blood In Blood Out (1993)
 * La Carpa (1993)
 * The Search for Pancho Villa (1993)
 * Mi Vida Loca (1994)
 * A Million to Juan (1994)
 * Songs of the Homeland (1994)
 * Tierra (1994)
 * The Cisco Kid (1994)
 * The Devil Never Sleeps (1994)
 * My Family (1995)
 * Desperado (1995)
 * A Walk in the Clouds (1995)
 * Follow Me Home (1996)
 * From Dusk till Dawn (1996)
 * Lone Star (1996)
 * Star Maps (1997)
 * Selena (1997)
 * One Eight Seven (1997)
 * Fools Rush In (1997)
 * Melting Pot (1998)
 * Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
 * The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit (1998)
 * The City (1998)
 * The Mask of Zorro (1998)
 * Luminarias (1999)
 * Bread and Roses (2000)
 * Indigenous Always: La Malinche (2000)
 * Price of Glory (2000)
 * Tortilla Soup (2001)
 * Real Women Have Curves (2002)
 * Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)
 * A Day Without a Mexican (2004)
 * Spanglish (2004)
 * The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005)
 * How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer (2005)
 * Wassup Rockers (2005)
 * Walkout (2006)
 * Quinceañera (2006)
 * Goal! (2006)
 * Bordertown (2006)
 * Amexicano (2007)
 * El Muerto (2007)
 * Freedom Writers (2007)
 * The Blue Hour (2007)
 * Sleep Dealer (2008)
 * La Mission (2009)
 * Gun Hill Road (2011)
 * From Prada to Nada (2011)
 * Filly Brown (2012)
 * Mosquita y Mari (2013)
 * Bless Me, Ultima (2013)
 * A Better Life (2011)
 * Cesar Chavez (2014)
 * Frontera (2014)
 * Spare Parts (2015)
 * McFarland, USA (2015)
 * East Side Sushi (2016)
 * Lowriders (2016)
 * Dolores (2017)
 * Beatriz at Dinner (2017)
 * Overboard (2018)
 * Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018)
 * El Chicano (2018)
 * Extinction (2018)
 * Miss Bala (2019)
 * Beneath Us (2019)
 * The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
 * The Devil Has a Name (2019)
 * Walking with Herb (2021)
 * Murder in the Woods (2021)
 * Father of the Bride (2022)
 * Flamin' Hot (2023)
 * The Long Game (2023)