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Movies Set in Mexico: Stories of Faith, Struggle, and Heroism

Mexico is a land rich with dramatic history, vibrant culture, and stories that span empires, revolutions, and even boasts a Marian apparition. This list of movies set in Mexico includes both classics and hidden gems that bring to life Mexico’s complex past, its heroes and martyrs, and its Catholic heritage. From before the time of Cortez to the Catholic monarchs of the 19th century, and the Cristero War of the 1920s, the backdrop of Mexico has inspired many films. Whether you're exploring history, apparitions, or epic battles, these films are set against the rugged beauty and heart of Mexico.

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01 Apocalypto

First up on our list of movies set in Mexico is Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto which thrusts viewers into the raw and terrifying world of ancient paganism, revealing the fear, violence, and spiritual darkness at the heart of Aztec life. The story follows Jaguar Paw, a young husband and father whose village is raided and who is taken as a prisoner to be sacrificed. His daring escape and desperate race back to his family becomes a gripping tale of survival and courage. Unflinching in its portrayal of evil and surprisingly hopeful in its ending, Apocalypto offers a powerful commentary on what truly makes a civilization. 

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02 Max & Carlota

Michael Bowen and Gabriel Pimentel in Max & Carlota
Industrious Family Films

Max & Carlota, a 20-minute historical drama from Industrious Family Films, tells the little-known story of Mexico’s brief experience with a European monarchy in the 1860s. While the United States was embroiled in its Civil War, Emperor Maximilian von Habsburg and his wife Carlota of Belgium answered a call to establish a Catholic monarchy in Mexico. Opposed by Benito Juarez and Abraham Lincoln, and undermined by the Monroe Doctrine, their mission ended in tragedy. The film captures their courage and Catholic outlook in the face of betrayal and ultimate loss.

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03 The Alamo

Richard Widmark and John Wayne in The Alamo (1960)
The Alamo Company

Though it takes place in what is now Texas, The Alamo earns its spot on this list because, taking place in 1836, it is still one of the movies set in Mexico. This film stars John Wayne as Davy Crockett and recounts the fateful stand at the Alamo Mission. While it has a slow pace and somber tone, the film honors the grit and loyalty of the men who gave their lives for independence. It captures the struggle that men often face when they are presented with a stressful situation and how they must use their gut instincts to survive. One standout performance comes from Laurence Harvey as Colonel Travis, whose gruff exterior softens in his final scenes, leaving a lasting impression.

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05 The Magnificent Seven

The Magnificent Seven (1960)
Alpha Productions

With standout performances from Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, and Charles Bronson, The Magnificent Seven remains one of the most iconic movies set in Mexico. When the townspeople of a small Mexican village can no longer bear the oppression of a ruthless bandit leader, they hire a group of seven American gunmen to defend them.

What makes this film truly thought-provoking is the way it contrasts two kinds of courage. On the surface, the gunmen appear brave—facing danger head-on with grit and skill. But as the story unfolds, it's clear that their freedom is rooted in not belonging. They can walk away from any situation, from any person, at any time. In contrast, the men of the village—fathers, farmers, and workers—are the ones truly bound to a higher purpose. They face danger not for glory but for love of their families and the future of their village. In a quiet but powerful way, The Magnificent Seven reveals that the greatest heroism often comes from those who commit to ordinary lives and make daily sacrifices out of duty and love. It’s a tribute to the quiet courage of fatherhood and the everyday man who gives back to the world by staying when it's hard.

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04 For Greater Glory

Andy Garcia in For Greater Glory
NewLand Films

For Greater Glory is a 2012 film that did wonders in getting Mexican Americans interested in their Catholic heritage. Many people think of Mexico as a Catholic country but they don't realize that freemasonry and corruption have plagued Mexico for over a century. This film tells the story of the Catholic heroes of the Cristeros War. The success of the film in this area as well as the very wonderful performances of Andy Garcia and Eva Longoria plus the moving martyrdom of Saint Jose Sanchez del Rio doesn't completely cover for the problems in the film. When Catholics anticipate films like this one, and films like Cabrini and Fátima, their hopes are quickly dashed when they realize the film isn't that Catholic after all. That being said, many feel it is a must see that is timeless and timely, but the war violence can be relentless and the young priest who picks up arms make for an uncomfortable family viewing experience.

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Bonus Title: Juan Diego: Messenger of Guadalupe

Juan Diego: Messenger of Guadalupe
CCC of America

This charming short film brings to life the most miraculous event in the history of the Americas: Our Lady of Guadalupe’s appearance to Saint Juan Diego in 1531. This event brought more converts to the Church than Lutherism had taken. The film accurately portrays the tension of the Spaniards and the Indians without blowing the details out of proportion like modern historians propagate. Our Lady's coming united the two nations in the same belief. St. Juan Diego's humility and simplicity is captured perfectly. Finally, there is a catchy ending song that all ages enjoy. Have Mexican food and watch this short film on December 13th, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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Apocalypto: A Gripping Tale of Survival that Confronts the Darkness of Pagan Civilization and Points to Hope

Rudy Youngblood and Morris Birdyellowhead in Apocalypto
Icon Productions

If you've read Anne Carroll’s Christ and the Americas, you’ll remember that the book begins not with Christ’s presence in the New World, but His absence. The early chapters recount in grisly detail the blood-drenched cultures of the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas—civilizations steeped in ritual human sacrifice. Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto, though likely uninspired by Carroll directly, draws from the same brutal historical truths, delivering them with unforgettable intensity.

The story follows Jaguar Paw, a young warrior from a remote tribe who first encounters fear when he sees a neighboring group fleeing destruction. The next day, his own village is attacked—not for territory or resources, but for human captives. Before he's taken, he hides his pregnant wife and son in a pit, vowing to return. He is marched across unfamiliar terrain to an advanced Aztec city, where captives are painted and led up temple stairs to have their hearts cut out and their heads thrown to jubilant crowds below. Just before Jaguar Paw’s turn, a solar eclipse is interpreted as a sign that the gods are appeased. He is spared—momentarily—and given a chance to run. The rest of the film becomes a relentless survival thriller as he races back to rescue his family. His journey ends on the beach where he and his pursuers witness something entirely alien: Spanish ships approaching the shore.

The film is not for children. It is unflinching in its portrayal of violence, human sacrifice, and tribal sensuality. The costuming is period-accurate, meaning minimal clothing and frank cultural expressions of fertility and a mild birth scene. While these elements are difficult to watch, they are not gratuitous. Apocalypto is not meant to entertain as much as it is meant to provoke—a meditation on civilization, fear, and the thin veneer of order. One striking contrast is between the simpler tribe’s love for life and family and the sophisticated Aztecs’ worship of death. Gibson’s final visual—the arrival of Christian explorers—suggests not imperial doom but a possible deliverance from darkness.

The film challenges the modern narrative that demonizes the Spanish while romanticizing pre-Christian cultures. While the conquest was affected by fallen human nature, the Aztec regime sacrificed an estimated 50,000 people a year—far more than the numbers often used to indict the Spanish. Apocalypto reminds us that true civilization requires moral truth. History shows that where God is acknowledged, civilization grows; where Satan is worshipped, it apes that order, twisting it. And where neither God nor devil is present, there is only chaos.

In this story, the most advanced society isn’t the one with the tallest temples—it’s the one arriving with sails on the horizon, bearing the Gospel.

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We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on These Movies Set in Mexico

Which of these stories did you enjoy the most? Did we miss your favorite movies set in Mexico? Whether you're here for the history, the heroes, or the faith, we’d love to hear from you. Share your favorite titles or suggestions for what we should watch next.