Best historical documentaries about Latin America

This 2017 documentary provides a unique, long-term historical perspective on Cuba through the eyes of its citizens and a dedicated filmmaker. It offers a decades-long look at the country and its people, capturing significant historical changes.

This 2019 documentary remains a highly relevant and critically acclaimed film for understanding the recent political history and ongoing challenges of democracy in Brazil. It depicts institutional corruption and populist mistrust through a political lens.

Released in April 2026, this documentary offers the most current perspective on Mexico's historical and cultural landscape. It challenges stereotypes and provides insights into its ancient roots and modern life, making it highly relevant for understanding contemporary Mexico.

As a very recent release from a critically acclaimed director, this film offers a timely and in-depth examination of a significant contemporary historical and political development in Brazil. It explores the influence of Christian fundamentalism on the nation's political discourse.

This 2019 documentary offers a visually engaging and informative look into the historical and cultural richness of Guatemala, particularly its Mayan heritage. It spotlights the nation's culture, geography, and ancient cities.

This 2014 documentary offers a critical historical examination of corporate exploitation and its long-lasting consequences on Latin American politics, economy, and society. It exposes the impact of major fruit companies from the 1900s to today.

This recent documentary provides a powerful and personal historical narrative, shedding light on enduring social issues in Brazil through a familial lens. It explores generational trauma, confronting Brazil's racism and sexism.

This 2019 docuseries offers an incisive look into the defining events of 1994 in Mexico, with many of the crises from that year still reverberating in the country's current political, economic, social, and cultural landscapes. It provides crucial context for understanding modern Mexico.

This 2016 documentary remains a powerful and relevant film for understanding the ongoing historical struggles over land rights and environmental protection in Latin America. It focuses on the conflict between indigenous communities and the Peruvian government.

This recent film offers a powerful and personal historical investigation into the violence and civil unrest that has impacted Colombia. It highlights the enduring search for truth and justice for victims of disappearances during periods of conflict.

This 2018 film offers a unique and important historical perspective on the role of women in revolutionary movements in Latin America. It tells the untold stories of Nicaraguan women warriors and social revolutionaries during the 1979 Sandinista Revolution.

This PBS series, premiered in 2024, offers a fresh and comprehensive perspective on the often-overlooked history of Latinos. It highlights their pivotal contributions from ancient empires to the present, making it crucial for a more inclusive understanding of American and Latin American history.

This 2011 series provides an essential historical perspective on the African diaspora in Latin America. It highlights the significant yet often overlooked contributions and experiences of Black communities across various countries, enriching the understanding of the continent's diverse history.

This 2025 documentary provides a very recent and unfiltered look at Peru's historical traumas and their ongoing impact on its political and social landscape. It offers critical insights into a nation grappling with its identity, from the Spanish conquest to modern political instability.

This recent film provides a critical look at contemporary societal issues in Mexico, reflecting historical patterns of corruption and struggle for survival. It offers a biting examination of exploitation through the lens of an insurance adjuster.

This documentary offers a recent and intimate historical account of a significant cultural figure and the political context of Cuba. It provides insights into the country's recent past through the lens of music and personal experience, focusing on Afro-Cuban icon Pablo Milanés.

This very recent film offers a timely and personal historical perspective on the migrant crisis and its impact on families, particularly those with Mexican heritage. It delves into the grief and generational trauma impacted by migration and societal rhetoric.

This 2023 documentary provides a recent and inspiring historical account of resilience and activism in Colombia. It showcases the ongoing struggle for peace and the role of women in shaping the nation's future amidst war and armed conflicts.

This 2020 docuseries provides a comprehensive and engaging historical overview of a significant cultural movement in Latin America. It demonstrates the connections between rock music and political and social changes from the late 50s to the early 2000s.