Mexican animated films exploring Mexican legends beyond Coco, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico City): Following the Day of the Dead celebrations on November 1 and 2, a Mexican publication notes that the festive atmosphere has lingered, making it a good time to watch a film that reflects the holiday’s importance. While Disney and Pixar’s Coco is often the first title that comes to mind, the report points out that several other films also explore the relationship between the living and the dead.
Some animated productions also highlight the cultural importance of Mexican legends, myths and traditions. The report states that although the Day of the Dead inspired the story behind Coco, Mexican filmmakers have also sought to celebrate the country’s culture through the Las Leyendas saga, a series of films that use Mexican traditions to build worlds full of color, mystery and fantasy.
According to the report, viewers interested in the series should start with Las leyendas: El origen and La leyenda de la Nahuala. The second film is set in the state of Puebla during the Day of the Dead, but in the year 1807.
Its plot follows Leo San Juan, a boy who must enter an old mansion to rescue his brother Nando, who has been captured by the spirit of La Nahuala.
The report says the success of that film led to other titles, including La leyenda de la Llorona, La leyenda de las Momias de Guanajuato, La leyenda del Chupacabras, La leyenda del Charro Negro, La leyenda de los Chaneques and La venganza del Charro Negro. The report states that the last of these premiered in Mexican cinemas on October 22, 2026.
For viewers who want more stories inspired by the Day of the Dead, the publication also recommends Maya y los tres, an animated Netflix miniseries that takes viewers into a fantasy universe inspired by Mesoamerican cultures. The report notes that although it is not directly inspired by the Day of the Dead, its depiction of the gods, the underworld and Mesoamerican traditions connects it to the roots of the celebration.
