The Best Documentaries About Mexico City To Watch Before Your Trip

Mexico City is hard to capture from a single perspective: its food, art, music, and culture converge into a wild, chaotic, and awe-inspiring mix of sights and sounds. To help you get a grasp on the city before you go, we’ve gathered the best documentaries about the Mexican capital.

Want to discover the best of Mexico City with a small group of like-minded travelers? Join Culture Trip’s five-day adventure in the Mexican capital, which includes a chance to watch the high-flying antics of the lucha libre, a visit to Frida Kahlo’s house and a private tour of a local food market.

Mega Cities: Mexico City (2009)

The Mexico City episode from the Mega Cities series by National Geographic is admittedly a little old school. But it provides an excellent insight into the geography of the capital and why it’s so susceptible to natural disasters. Be warned, some of the photos from the 1985 earthquake are intense.

Reflexión (2016)

A trip down the historically important waterways of Xochimilco is a must on your trip to Mexico City

The chinampas (floating gardens) of Xochimilco are important, historic and endangered. The short documentary Reflexión introduces you to this beautiful and forgotten natural side of the capital and why we should all care about protecting these ancient Aztec floating gardens.

World’s Busiest Cities: Mexico City (2017)

In theWorld’s Busiest Cities episode on Mexico City, BBC reporters Dan Snow, Anita Rania and Ade Adepitan discuss and dissect the struggles of the capital, from maintaining clean water to the upkeep of the streets. It also looks into how the massive metropolis functions from day to day.

The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo (2005)

Come to the Mexican capital and you’ll see Frida’s image everywhere

Before visiting Mexico City, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the capital’s most famous resident. The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo by PBS tells the story of this fascinating, revered artist. It’s essential watching before you tour Casa Azul in the Coyoacan neighborhood – her family home and now a museum dedicated to her life and works.

Super Amigos (2007)

Super Amigos is a comic documentary telling the stories of five superheroes who have donned Mexican lucha libre masks and, instead of hitting the ring, head to the streets. These masked men fight injustice, prejudice, and corruption with the light-hearted attitude of a man in tights.

Chef’s Table: Enrique Olvera (2016)

Enrique Olvera is one of the most celebrated chefs in the country

Chef’s Table dedicated an episode to Mexican star chef, Enrique Olvera. It gives you a taste of the culinary scene in the capital and an insight into one of the leading gastronomic stars in Mexico. Watch before you visit Olvera’s Pujol, one of the top restaurants in the world.

Road to Roma (2020)

Director Alfonso Cuarón won an Oscar for his movie set in the Roma neighborhood

In this accompaniment to the 2018 Oscar-winning movie Roma, director Alfonso Cuarón lays out his artistic vision and process. The behind-the-scenes look at the film may have limited appeal if you’re not a film fanatic, but seeing how he recreated his memories of 1970s Mexico City – and more specifically the Roma nighborhood – is fascinating.

About the author

Lydia Carey

Lydia Carey is a freelance writer and translator based out of Mexico City. She has worked as an editor and writer for various publications including Mexico's English–language newspaper The News, Afar, The New Worlder, International Living and The Latin Kitchen among others. Lydia has been blogging and writing in Mexico for over a decade and lives a double life as a local tour guide in her adoptive hometown. You can find her on the street eating tacos or at her blog www.mexicocitystreets.com.