Watch Hispanic films with your family to honor your heritage and loved ones! These entertaining, dazzling, and culturally inclusive films star Penelope Cruz, Daniel Bruhl, and others. From comedies, horror, and social commentary. These movies are the best Spanish language science fiction films. They’re fun for lovers of science fiction and cinema.
Find out which 14 Hispanic films film buffs should watch! And most of them are on streaming services or for sale!
14. Invasión (1969)
Directed by Hugo Santiago
Invasion is a film by Jorge Luis Borges and Adolfo Bioy Casares. It combines elements of fantastic literature and science fiction. Set in the fictional city of Aquilea, the film follows a group of armed defenders. Led by Don Porfilio they fight against a group of dehumanized invaders. The film reflects the psychological anguish of the hero. He’s a technocratic being with limited emotions.
The production design, visual language, and music also reflect the Argentine identity. Santiago Muchink utilizes real locations and a strong Argentine identity. The film also references the military coup of Juan Carlos Onganía. It’s the coup that moved Santiago to escape to France. Museo del Cine Pablo Ducrós Hicken surveyed the 100 greatest films of Argentine cinema and the film reached 38th place.
13. O 5º Poder or “The Fifth Power” (1962)
Directed by Alberto Pieralisi
The film O 5º Poder by Alberto Pieralisi is a spy movie. But the plot resembles science fiction elements. The film follows secret agents from a foreign country. The agents use subliminal messages through radio and television to manipulate the population. The goal is to persuade the government to allow invaders to take over natural resources. Only people who don’t watch television or listen to radio are unaffected. They assume the responsibility to avoid the coup without realizing what they are facing.
The film has a strong message. It focuses on the appropriate use of science against the obsessive use of media. Most of The Fifth Power is shot in Rio de Janeiro and showcases the Brazilian identity and the importance of avoiding the chaos caused by excessive media use. The story is as important today as it was in 1962.
12. Órbita 9 or “Orbiter 9” (2017)
Directed by Hatem Khraiche Ruiz-Zorrilla
Orbiter 9 is Hatem Khraich’s directorial debut. It’s a sci-fi film that follows Helena (Clara Lago), a lifelong spacecraft occupant who falls in love with a ship’s occupant, Alex (Alex Gonzalez). The film has beautiful production values and a touching scene where Helena begs Alex to make love to her. But, a cloning twist emerges, making the final act feel different from the first two. The film’s central love story is surprising. It’s one of the more insightful and romantic space relationships in the galaxy.
Watch it on ViX, Netflix
Buy or rent Orbiter 9 (2017) on Amazon
11. La pasajera or “The Passenger” (2021)
Directed by Raúl Cerezo, Fernando González Gómez
The Passenger is a horror-science fiction film. It’s directed by Spanish filmmakers Raúl Cerezo and Fernando González Gómez. It’s a horror-science fiction film featuring a Mexican religious dogmatist, a socialite woman, and her daughter. The film explores microcosmic devastation, with strong characterization and offbeat humor. It’s a tense genre chiller with impressive effects and pacing, offering a semi-woke update on alien invasion flicks.
Watch it on AMC+
Buy or rent The Passenger (2021) on Amazon
10. Extraterrestre or “Extraterrestrial” (2012)
Directed by Nacho Vigalondo
Extraterrestrial is a mix of romantic comedy, absurdist farce, and alien-invasion drama. It has unique charms and understated wit. Despite its dryness and lack of originality, it works. It’s a light comic genre piece with offbeat and amusing results. Director Nacho Vigalondo’s understated wit guides the story, making it an exceptional and traditional romantic comedy set during an alien invasion.
Buy or rent Extraterrestrial (2012) on Amazon
9. Los últimos días or “The Last Days” (2013)
Directed by David Pastor, Ãlex Pastor
Los últimos días is a captivating and well-drawn film. It is another look at a post-apocalyptic world. It’s ten minutes too long. But it’s a moving and often thrilling piece of end-of-the-world cinema. The film, directed by Alex and David Pastor, is an unusual take on their 2009 English-language debut, Carriers. The Last Days offers clever storytelling, good acting, and novel apocalypse tales. It proves that even with a modest budget, there is hope.
Buy or rent The Last Days (2013) on Amazon
8. Acción mutante or “Mutant Action” (1993)
Directed by Ãlex de la Iglesia
The movie effectively portrays rebels as hideous, while the leaders are attractive. Gore is present, with a bride cutting into a rebel and a hostage’s lips stapled. Humor is present, as Ramon and his clique fight for mediocrity rather than self-improvement. Acción Mutante, a sci-fi satire by Álex de la Iglesia, is praised for its chaotic anarchy and critique of religion, primarily focusing on the sanctity of marriage. Despite its promising premise, the film lacks the necessary fun and sick humor.
Buy or rent Mutant Action (1993) on Amazon
7. Eva (2011)
Directed by Kike Maíllo
Kike Maillo’s debut Spanish feature, Eva, is an inventive small-scale film. German actor Daniel Bruhl shows an impressive grasp of a Spanish accent. The film’s sweet Alex-Eva relationship grounds it. The ending is weak but the characters make up for it, and the final scenes enhance earlier content. This movie shows why human engagement is crucial for emotional exploration. Eva had me at the robot cat.
Watch it on The Roku Channel, Hoopla, and Fandango at Home
Buy or rent Eva (2011) on Amazon
6. Tempus fugit (2003)
Directed by Enric Folch
Tempus Fugit is a human take on time travel, focusing on an ordinary man’s mission to save the world. Time travel is central to the story, but it’s a simple device used in a simple manner. The characters are sympathetic, from the main character to his secret admirer and neighbor.
The film’s low production values are not distracting, and the charming tale is told lovingly. The ending, which rivals Hollywood, is only possible after a story like this.
Buy or rent Tempus Fugit (2003) on Amazon
5. Moebius (1996)
Directed by Gustavo Mosquera R.
Moebius is an Argentine adaptation of a 1950 science fiction short story by American astronomer Armin Joseph Deutsch named “A Subway Named Moebius.” It follows Marcos Blasi, the subway system’s general director, as he investigates a train’s disappearance using lost tunnel plans and mathematical theories.
Director Gustavo Mosquera blends science fiction and horror genres, creating a fearful, oppressive atmosphere with characters living for machines and constructions. The film was shot in real subway locations.
Watch it on PlutoTV, Tubi
4. Los cronocrímenes or “Timecrimes” (2008)
Directed by Nacho Vigalondo
Timecrimes is a low-budget Spanish time-travel thriller that showcases clever execution and wit. The film is a mix of DeLoreans and lightning bolts, with a focus on temporal interaction. Director Nacho Vigalondo’s filmmaking is smart and resourceful even with a small budget. The film is entertaining, weird, funny, and consistently surprising.
Watch it on Hoopla
Buy or rent Timecrimes (2008) on Amazon
3. Hombre mirando al sudeste or “Man Facing Southeast” (1987)
Directed by Eliseo Subiela
Man Facing Southeast is an Argentine film inspired by Adolfo Bioy Casares’ novel “The Invention of Morel.” The story follows psychiatrist Julio Denis, who becomes paranoid when he meets a being from another planet named Rantes. He’s cold and mechanical. Criticizing humans for their “stupidity.”
The film explores doubts about Rantes’ credibility, using science fiction elements and symbolism to portray his rigid attitude and obsession with Denis, highlighting the ancient neuropsychiatric hospital.
Watch it on Fawesome
Buy or rent Man Facing Southeast (1987) on Amazon
2. Abre los ojos or “Open Your Eyes” (1997)
Directed by Alejandro Amenábar
The film Abre los ojos by Spanish director Mateo Gil is a smart, mischievous, and stylish thriller that challenges audience expectations and suppositions. The film is a resonating portrait of millennial angst. Penélope Cruz is a delight.
The film’s cumbersome plot twists almost make it unfathomable, and the intellectual meat on its stylish bones makes it a must-watch for adventurous moviegoers. The film’s virtuoso style and connection to the youth audience make it a model for European cinema.
Watch it on MAX, The Critereon Channel
Buy or rent Open Your Eyes (1997) on Amazon
1. El Año de la Peste or “The Year of the Plague” (1978)
Directed by Felipe Cazals
The film “A Journal of the Plague Year” is a Mexican film directed by Felipe Cazals, set in a city with 15 million inhabitants. A doctor warns authorities of a deadly epidemic, but the government ignores the warnings, covering up the situation. The film critiques discrimination against marginalized people in the city and the lies the government spreads to avoid panic and maintain political and economic power.
The film features multiple protagonists, each with different perspectives on the situation. The documentary style of the film effectively portrays the plague, marginality, and lies of politicians, showcasing real images of people with diseases and poor people in peripheral villages.
Penelope Cruz, Daniel Bruhl, and other celebrities star in these stunning, engaging, and culturally inclusive movies. Whether you want a horror or a comedy. These are the best science fiction films in Latin American countries. Fans of science fiction and movies will love these.
Which is your favorite Spanish-language sci-fi film? Let us know in the comments below!
