Diego Luna is the rare actor who can jump from a gritty, morally gray revolutionary in a galaxy far, far away to a charming, guitar-strumming bullfighter in a Day of the Dead celebration without losing an ounce of soul. He’s the heart of the rebellion, a massive advocate for Mexican culture, and—as we head into the 2026 World Cup—one of the most recognizable faces on the planet.
If your kid is asking about "the guy from Andor" or why that squirrel in the superhero movie sounds so familiar, you’re looking at an actor who has spent twenty years building a filmography that actually respects his audience's intelligence, regardless of their age.
TL;DR
Diego Luna is a powerhouse of charismatic, often bilingual storytelling. For younger kids, The Book of Life is the gold standard for visual flair and heart; for middle schoolers and up, Andor is quite simply the best, most mature thing Star Wars has ever produced. Between his voice work and his massive presence in the 2026 World Cup festivities, he’s a cultural fixture worth knowing.
Before he was a spy for the Rebellion, Luna was carving out a space in animation. He doesn't just "do a voice"; he brings a specific kind of earnestness that lands well with kids who are tired of the "wacky sidekick" trope.
This is the big one. If you haven't seen it, don't dismiss it as "that other Day of the Dead movie." It came out before Coco and has a completely different, wood-carved aesthetic. Luna plays Manolo, a bullfighter who doesn't want to kill the bull—he wants to play music. It’s a gorgeous story about family expectations and being true to yourself. If your kid is into mythology or art, this is a must-watch.
Luna plays Chip, a squirrel with electrical powers who is constantly terrified. It’s a smaller role, but he brings a frantic, neurotic energy that’s genuinely funny. It’s a solid "Saturday morning" watch that doesn't require a deep knowledge of DC lore.
On Netflix, this limited series is a visual explosion of Mesoamerican culture. Luna plays Zatz, the Prince of Bats. It’s epic, it’s stylized, and it’s a great example of Luna using his platform to elevate Latin American stories. It’s a bit more intense than your standard Nick Jr. fare, making it a great pick for the 7-10 age bracket.
If you have a middle schooler or a teen, Andor is the entry point. But here’s the thing: this isn't the Star Wars of toy commercials and "pew-pew" lasers.
Luna’s Cassian Andor is a complicated man. He starts as a thief and a cynic who eventually realizes that you can't just stay on the sidelines when things are going wrong. For parents, this is the ultimate "media literacy" show. It deals with real-world themes: fascism, the cost of revolution, and the idea that "heroes" often have to do dirty work to achieve a greater good.
It’s a masterclass in tension. If your kid is used to the fast-paced, colorful chaos of The Mandalorian, Andor might feel "slow" at first. Stick with it. It builds to some of the most rewarding payoffs in modern TV. It’s the perfect show to watch alongside a kid who is starting to ask bigger questions about how the world works.
For the full breakdown of where this fits in the franchise, check our best movies for kids list or our digital guide for middle school.
As we sit here in May 2026, Diego Luna is everywhere for a reason. With the World Cup kicking off in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada next month, Luna has become a de facto cultural ambassador. He’s a massive football fan (specifically Pumas in Mexico) and has been heavily involved in the "La Máquina" project on Netflix/Disney+, which explores the world of boxing and the pressure of being a national icon.
His new Netflix projects are leaning harder into his role as a producer. He’s not just acting; he’s curated a series of "pan-American" stories that bridge the gap between Spanish-speaking and English-speaking audiences. For families who are bilingual or looking to introduce more Spanish into the household, his filmography is a goldmine.
Diego Luna isn't just a face on a poster; he’s an activist. He’s been vocal about immigration, climate change, and the importance of independent cinema in Mexico.
Conversation Starter: If you’re watching Andor or The Book of Life, ask your kid: "Why do you think this character feels like they have to change the system instead of just following the rules?"
Luna’s characters almost always grapple with the tension between "what I’m told to do" and "what is right." That’s a much better dinner-table conversation than "who would win in a fight: Batman or Superman?"
- Language Matters: Luna often performs in both English and Spanish. If your kid is learning Spanish, The Book of Life is a fantastic way to watch a familiar story in its native linguistic context.
- The Intensity Jump: There is a massive gap between his voice work (ages 5+) and his live-action work. Rogue One and Andor are gritty. People die. The stakes feel real. If your kid is sensitive to "hopelessness" in stories, maybe save Andor for when they're 11 or 12.
- The World Cup Hype: Expect to see him in a lot of ads and documentaries over the next two months. Use it as a way to talk about how sports and culture intersect.
Q: Is Andor okay for a 10-year-old? It depends on the kid. There isn't much gore, but the themes are heavy and the villains are genuinely chilling in a bureaucratic, "banality of evil" way. If they've handled the darker moments in Harry Potter, they can handle this, but they might need you to explain the political stakes.
Q: What is Diego Luna's best movie for a family movie night? Hands down, The Book of Life. It’s visually stunning, the music is great (he actually sings!), and it appeals to everyone from toddlers to grandparents.
Q: Why is he so famous in 2026 specifically? Beyond his acting, he’s a lead ambassador for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico. He’s also just come off a string of successful Netflix producing deals that have made him one of the most powerful Latino voices in Hollywood.
Diego Luna is the "cool older brother" of the acting world. He’s intentional about his roles, he cares about his culture, and he doesn't talk down to his audience. Whether your kid is discovering him through a plastic squirrel or a galactic spy, they’re in good hands.
- Explore more cultural gems in our best movies for kids list.
- If your kid is obsessed with the Rebellion, check out our digital guide for middle school to find more shows that handle big themes well.
- Ask our chatbot for a curated Diego Luna watchlist based on your kid's age
