9 Latino Biopics You Have to See: From ‘La Bamba’ to ‘Selena’

Hollywood will never run out of subject matter for biopics. This summer alone, we have two: ‘Get On Up,’ about Godfather of Soul James Brown, and the upcoming ‘Cantinflas,’ the untold story of Mexico’s most famous comedic actor. With ‘Cantinflas’ hitting theaters soon, here are 9 more Latino biopics to watch.

In this 3 hour-plus epic, director Steven Soderbergh and Oscar-winner Benicio Del Toro team up to tell the story of the infamous revolutionary.

The life and times of famous singer Ritchie Valens (played by Lou Diamond Phillips) take center stage in this well-received biopic.

What is J.Lo’s best performance? It’s a tie between ‘Out of Sight’ and her work in this 1997 film, where she plays the late Tejano singer.

Edward James Olmos gives a career-best performance as inner city math teacher Jaime Esclante in this film, based on Esclante’s real-life efforts to inspire his troubled students by advancing their education.

Edward James Olmos adds another strong performance to his resume in this biographical prison drama. In the film, Olmos plays a character based on Rodolfo Cadena, a founding member of the prison gang La Eme – also known as the Mexican Mafia.

Diego Luna directs and Michael Peña stars as the titular subject of this compelling film, based on the labor leader’s efforts to help bring about the United Farm Workers.

The second biopic on our list about Che Guevara, this 2004 film stars Gael Garcia Bernal as a young Che -- who joins his friend Alberto Granado for an eye-opening road trip through South America.

In his breakout role, Oscar-winner Javier Bardem – opposite an in-drag Johnny Depp -- plays Reinaldo Arenas, an openly gay activist in Cuba who defected in 1980 to escape Castro’s oppressive rule.

Surrealist Frida Kahlo makes for engaging subject matter here, thanks in large part to Salma Hayek’s inspired performance as the conflicted artist.