Not everyone marks Día de Muertos on their calendar, but if you’re the sort who digs the counter-spirit of Halloween—less horror, more heart—then this Central American celebration is absolutely worth your attention. This isn’t a solemn affair; it’s a fiesta of remembrance, colour, and community.
Super Monsters:
Día de los Monsters (2020)
Netflix got it right with this adorable little special. Día de los Monsters sends the pint-sized Super Monsters crew south to Mexico with their friend Vida, who shows them what her family’s traditions are all about. It’s less spooky, more sweet—and honestly, that’s the point.
Kids learn the meaning behind this holiday through songs, colours, and food (without a single jump scare in sight). It’s perfect for introducing little ones to the idea that remembering the departed can be as joyful as it is emotional.
- Platform: Netflix
- Notes: Netflix Original; debuted October 2020 and remains in the kids’ lineup.
Day of the Dead:
A Celebration of Life (2020)
Here’s one for those who prefer their viewing experience steeped in real tradition. This documentary lovingly shows how communities across Mexico prepare for the big day, building elaborate *ofrendas* (altars) with food, drink, and mementos to welcome spirits back for a night of connection.
It’s a touching, visually rich piece that reminds viewers Día de Muertos isn’t about fear—it’s about memory, identity, and love that doesn’t fade. Perfect background viewing while you’re setting up your own candles and marigolds.
- Platforms (AVOD/SVOD/TVOD): Tubi · Prime Video · Apple TV · Google Play
- Notes: Subtitled and dubbed versions available depending on the platform.
MexZombies (2022)
Let’s face it—if there’s one thing pop culture can’t resist, it’s mashing up zombies with any holiday imaginable. And this take does it with flair. It’s a teen horror-comedy that takes place during celebrations gone horribly wrong. One minute, the kids are planning the ultimate party; the next, the neighborhood’s crawling with the undead.
What makes this one stand out is its self-awareness—it’s not trying to reinvent the zombie genre, just inject it with Mexican flavour and humour. Think Shaun of the Dead, but with marigolds and sugar skulls.
- Platforms: ViX (ad-supported/free in many regions) · Prime Video (rent/buy)
- Notes: Check your local listings; some regions have it free, others rental-only.
Streaming within Central America.
Especial: El Día de Muertos Canal Once
(various, 2020–present)
Public broadcaster Canal Once takes Día de Muertos seriously. Every year, they roll out a curated lineup of specials, interviews, and mini-docs exploring the holiday’s roots. One episode might take you inside the construction of towering public *ofrendas*; another might feature artisans explaining why the tiniest sugar skulls still matter.
It’s smart, heartfelt programming that gives you an inside look at how deeply Día de Muertos is woven into Mexican identity. Think of it as cultural immersion without leaving your couch.
- Platform: Canal Once (Once Digital)
- Examples: Especial del Día de Muertos · Día de Muertos program page
Día de muertos (2024)
This 2024 drama dials the mood down but never loses the colour. Set over the week of Día de Muertos, it follows a grieving protagonist who’d rather skip the celebrations—until the rituals themselves pull them back toward healing. The smell of *pan de muerto*, the glow of candles, the laughter of family—it’s all there, wrapping grief in a blanket of beauty.
The film gently reminds us that remembering someone isn’t about being stuck in sorrow; it’s about keeping their story alive. Bring tissues.
- Platform: Prime Video (MX catalog) *
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