3 Best Spanish Classic Movies of All Time
It wasn’t long ago that I was a Hollywood fan through and through. I used to think no one could do storytelling better than Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, and the likes.
But then my Tío (uncle) made me mirar (watch) Pan’s Labyrinth one weekend, and Guillermo del Toro’s magical storytelling blew me away. How? I will discuss below. But that weekend changed my perspective on Spanish cinema. Despite being a Hispanic American, I used to be pretty bad at speaking Spanish, and following the quickly passing subtitles gave me a headache. But that night made me determine to explore more of Guillermo del Toro’s movies and other Spanish ones as well.
What started with a keen interest in Spanish película (films) made me fluent in the language as well. Something my parents were unable to do, much to their chagrin.
So, in the spirit of celebrating the Spanish magic on our screens, I am discussing the best classic movies below that you need to watch right now.
But before we get into it, make sure you stream these movies in 4K. Because visuals and cinematography are an important part of Spanish films and often contain pesado (heavy) symbolism. So, only a higher resolution will allow you to enjoy these visuals. I shifted to Spectrum Internet after my previous one caused the streaming platform to drop the video quality multiple times. Plus, the customer service for Spectrum en español further guided me by sharing tips on improving my internet speed. This allowed me to understand the heavy symbolism in some Spanish movies.
Let’s check out the movies:
1. Pan’s Labyrinth
Starting with the movie that changed me forever, Pan’s Labyrinth is excelente (excellent) storytelling through and through. It fuses the most unlikely genres together, i.e., fantasy and war. It is known to be Guillermo del Toro’s and the Spanish cinema’s best work ever. No wonder it has an IMDb calificación (rating) of 8.2. The movie is set in post-Civil War Spain, which was ruled by the dictator Francisco Franco, in 1944.
Pan’s Labyrinth fuses the horror of the real world with the magic of a fantastical world through the lived experiences of the 11-year-old protagonist, Ofelia. The movie is filled with stunning visual elements, all thanks to del Toro’s excellent vision, make-up, CGI, and animatronics. These act as the perfect ingredients for the movie’s theme of escapism.
I would also like to add a warning here. The movie is a dark fantasy film, which means it has elements of horror and gore that might be disturbing for some viewers.
Year of Release: 2006
Where to Watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
Rating: R-rated in the US
2. The Sea Inside
While I could have easily made this blog all about Guillermo del Toro’s masterpieces, I wanted to show how Spanish cinema excels in multiple genres. This is why I have preferido (chosen) another classic masterpiece from the drama genre. The Sea Inside, with an IMDb rating of 8, is based on a true story. It features a man’s fight against the system for the right to die.
The protagonist, 28-year-old Ramon Sampedro, is left quadriplegic after a cliff diving accident. The film shows his fight with the Spanish government over his derecho (right) to die by euthanasia and end his suffering. It does a splendid job of exploring a very uncomfortable topic, i.e., suicide, as Ramon faces resistance from religion, friends, family, and the government. The storytelling is raw, realistic, and will leave you feeling nothing but empathy for people like Ramon Sampedro.
Year of Release: 2004
Where to Watch: YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video
Rating: PG–13
3. The Secret in Their Eyes
The Secret in Their Eyes is a crime and suspenso (thriller) movie, directed by Juan José Campanella. Based on the Argentine writer, Eduardo Sacheri’s novel of the same name, it has an IMDb rating of 8.2. The film follows a non-linear narrative with the protagonists jumping back and forth between the present and the past as they revisit the trauma of an unsolved rape case of a 25-year-old girl.
Investigator Benjamin Espósito recalls the details of the unsolved case with Irene Menéndez-Hastings because he is writing a novel on it in an attempt to find closure. The cause has haunted both of them for twenty-five years. This storyline is intertwined with rising political tensions in Argentina and the romance between the two protagonists. The movie’s emotional depth and the plot twist set it apart from other movies and will leave you wanting more.
Year of Release: 2005
Where to Watch: Cineplex, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video
Rating: R
You might start these Spanish classic movies as just something to watch, but trust me, they’ll leave a lasting impression. Get your popcorn ready and start streaming!
