Global Expansion: Mexico's Oscar-Winning Trio!

In this edition of Global Expansion, we are heading down to Mexico and highlighting their most prestigious directors -- Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Guillermo Del Toro, and Alfonso Cuarón. Coming up in the same generation of Mexican creators, these three masters have led the way not only for a new wave of Mexican filmmaking but have helped define the contemporary artform as well. With 11 Oscars between these three gentlemen, let’s dive into their background and my personal three favorites from each artist. 

1. Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Iñárritu was born in Mexico City, and has been gracing audiences with films that have redefined the medium since 2000. In regards to his prolific career, he is the first Mexican-born director to be nominated for Best Director at the Oscars, an accolade that accompanies his 4 wins in Directing, Best Picture, and Original Screenplay.

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

Birdman is a story of an over-the-hill superhero actor who tries to resuscitate his career on Broadway. Iñárritu’s 2014 release is one of the most critically-acclaimed movies of the 21st century, apparent in its collection of Academy Award wins for Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, and Cinematography. Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, and Emma Stone also gave Oscar-nominated performances, with the sound mixing and sound editing garnering deserved nods as well. Birdman is most famous for its form, with the movie taking place all within one shot, not to mention its relationship to the hectic jazz drumming that narrates the story. It’s dark, funny, edgy, surreal, and the epitome of a must watch. (Available on VOD/Digital)

Amores Perros (2000)

In 2000, Iñárritu made his feature debut with Amores Perros, a mosaic of characters yearning for love that intertwined within one connecting theme: dogs. Amores Perros is as heartbreaking as it is endearing, a gritty tale of violence, inequality, and toxic masculinity. The movie is not the easiest watch, with many intense scenes involving dogs, but is a rewarding and incredibly emotional experience. Iñárritu’s title is, of course, a reference to the love of dogs seen in the film, but also a double-entendre, also referring to the old saying “Love’s a Bitch”. (Available on VOD/Digital)

The Revenant (2015)

The Revenant is Iñárritu’s follow-up to Birdman, released just a year later, a film that made just as much, if not more, noise in the critical sphere. Most notably, Iñárritu helped Leonardo DiCaprio earn his first Oscar win after 5 prior nominations. The historical epic also gave Iñárritu his second win in a row for Best Director, solidifying himself as one of the greatest directors of his generation. (Available on VOD/Digital)

2. Guillermo Del Toro

Born in Guadalajara, Mexico. Del Toro is known for his fantastically dark tones, experiences that feel like fairy tales or legends. Similarly, Del Toro features many creatures in his films, often using practical effects, heavy costuming, and makeup to produce his visions. His filmography is vast and acclaimed, boasting 2 Oscar wins and 4 nominations.

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Arguably Del Toro’s best work, Pan’s Labyrinth is the pinnacle of the director's twisted, fantasy-like tastes. Taking place during the Franco era and World War II in Spain, the movie follows a young girl named Ofelia who goes to join her father at a military base camp. Soon after her arrival, she is taken into a Labyrinth by a fairy and learns that she is a princess. Through her journey within the fantasy land, audiences are engulfed by horrific creatures as Del Toro expresses themes of escapism in a harsh reality and the effects of war. The film is a masterclass in set design, makeup, and writing, all three coming together to immerse viewers in this darkly imaginative tale. (Available on VOD/Digital)

The Shape of Water (2017)

The Shape of Water is Del Toro’s most awarded film (so far), as it received four Oscars at the 2018 ceremony. Apart from its wins for Production Design, Directing, Score, and Best Picture, it was also recognized for Sally Hawkins's leading role, supporting performances by Richard Jenkins and Octavia Spencer, as well as its Screenplay, Costuming, Cinematography, Sound, and Film Editing. The film is incredibly evocative, both emotionally and visually, as it follows a janitor who forms a connection with an amphibious man being held in a top secret lab, showcasing Del Toro's long-standing sentimentality toward monsters and outsiders. (Available on VOD/Digital)

Frankenstein (2025)

It almost feels inevitable that Del Toro would eventually some day tackle one of the most iconic fictional monster tales in history, and he more than delivered with his take on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Delving deeper into themes of father-son relationships, death and rebirth, and, of course, finding beauty in the macabre, Del Toro is at his absolute best with this film, combining his predilection for practical effects with his ability to draw out career-best performances from the likes of Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Mia Goth. We expect this one to do numbers this Awards Season -- and possibly Del Toro's second Best Directing Oscar! (Stream on Netflix)

3. Alfonso Cuarón

Last, but certainly not least, is Alfonso Cuarón, the Mexico City native who has a lengthy catalog that features many different types of films, from Gravity to Harry Potter. Cuarón has also won 4 Oscars, producing films with budgets as big as $130 million dollars to $5 million.

Children of Men (2006)

Not only is Children of Men my personal favorite Cuarón film, it is easily one of my favorite films of all time. Based on a novel of the same name, this dystopian sci-fi tale follows Theo, a former activist, who gets roped into protecting the last pregnant woman in the world. Cuarón’s masterpiece explores infertility, hope, racism, and faith -- ideas expressed through commanding cinematography, gritty realism, and powerful imagery. It was recognized at the 2007 Oscars for its camerawork, as well as its editing and source adaption. (Available on VOD/Digital)

Roma (2018)

Roma, another masterful display of filmmaking by Cuarón, is a semi-autobiographical look at life in Mexico City during the 1970s, seen through the eyes of a caretaker for a wealthy family. An incredibly emotional film, Roma navigates motherhood, class divide, race, and loneliness, all expressed through its breathtaking black and white visuals, beautiful monotony, and observational lens. The film earned Cuarón his second Best Director Oscar, after having won in 2014 for Gravity. Roma also received nods for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, and took home Best Cinematography, making Netflix a true contender at the Academy Awards. The movie is heartbreaking, inspiring, and poetic, a true triumph in visual storytelling. (Stream on Netflix)

Y Tu Mamá También (2001)

Less emotionally intense than Roma and Children of Men, but equally as magnificent in its complexity, Y Tu Mamá También is the film that put Cuarón on the map. A coming-of-age adventure that is as sexually explicit as it is humorous, the movie follows two teenage boys who convince an older woman to join them on a road trip to a fictional beach. Through their journey, Cuarón wades through the values of friendship, sexuality, and social inequality. It’s a fun, reflective, and often melancholy project, one that takes a raw look at growing up and maturing. (Stream on Netflix and AMC+)