There aren’t many new entertainment releases for this year’s Día de (los) Muertos, but two offerings caught my eye. One is accessible outside Mexico; for the other, La venganza del Charro Negro (The Legend of the Black Charro: The Revenge), I’m hoping for an eventual home video release. Since 2020, streaming seems to have become the only way to see the Leyendas films after their theatrical runs. I hope to be proved wrong, since there’s a niche fanbase beyond this country.
Whether Netflix’s Day of the Dead: Ofrenda counts depends on how folks feel. Select it, and all we get is a short animated sequence featuring an altar against a changing background. It’s a cute way to acknowledge those who live away from home and want to feel part of this two-day celebration following Halloween.
The other is the latest film in Ánima’s Las Leyendas (Legend Quest) franchise.
It’s terrific that some viewers can access the recent films through Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video in the USA, but this hidden gem deserves attention elsewhere too. The early movies are available to purchase and the first film is available on Tubi. Although I haven’t found any home media releases for entries since 2020. La venganza del Charro Negro continues the story from de las Chaneques. The 2023 film involved a kaiju sized threat, and that’s all I can surmise based on trailers. Only time will tell when this latest will hit streaming too. According to the wiki, another film will soon be in the works!
For those able to catch it, this series offers a great look at Mexican folklore and superstition. For now, here are more deets on this year’s release, based on published reviews:
La venganza del Charro Negro Plot synopsis:
Leo San Juan’s past comes back to haunt him in La venganza del Charro Negro. Seeking revenge and payment for an unsettled debt, the sinister horseman unleashes supernatural enemies Leo and his friends have faced before. Among the returning threats are La Llorona and the Chupacabras, but this time the danger strikes closer to home: Leo’s brother, Nando.
To save him, Leo must reunite with his companions and venture into the underworld. The journey tests their courage and loyalty as they confront old foes and uncover the purpose behind the Charro Negro’s return. At the heart of this adventure is the bond between two brothers and how far they’ll go to protect each other.
