TL;DR: The Quick List If you’re looking for high-quality Latino representation that moves past the "let’s count to ten in Spanish" tropes, start here:
- Best for Preschoolers: Alma's Way or Rosie's Rules
- Best for Visual Storytelling: Maya and the Three
- Best for Humor & Folklore: Victor and Valentino
- Best for Family Dynamics: The Casagrandes
- The "Big Screen" Gold Standard: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
For a long time, Latino representation in kids' media was basically just Dora the Explorer. Don't get me wrong, Dora is an icon, but if I have to hear a talking backpack explain a map one more time while my kids stare blankly at the screen, I might lose it.
We’ve moved into a much more interesting era. We’re finally seeing shows where being Latino isn’t the "lesson of the day"—it’s just the world the characters live in. But with that growth comes some noise. We’ve had major controversies (looking at you, Primos), a flood of "brain rot" content on YouTube that uses Latino aesthetics without any substance, and the ever-present struggle of finding shows that actually use Spanish the way real families do (hello, Spanglish).
Here is the breakdown of what is actually worth your family's precious screen time.
You might have heard the internet-wide collective groan when Disney first announced Primos. The backlash was swift: people hated the "yellow filter" (a tired Hollywood trope for Latin America), the "Oye Primos" title (which is grammatically clunky), and the feeling that it was leaning into "dirty/crowded house" stereotypes.
The No-BS Take: Now that it’s actually out, is it "unwatchable"? No. It’s a standard, high-energy Disney cartoon. But compared to the depth of something like Coco, it feels a bit thin. If your kids are already deep into the Disney Channel ecosystem, they’ll probably like it, but it’s not the pinnacle of cultural representation. It’s "fast food" TV—fine in moderation, but don't expect a gourmet meal.
Ask our chatbot about the specific cultural criticisms of Primos
If you have a 4-year-old, you know that "educational" TV can often be a slog. Fortunately, we’ve moved into an era of "social-emotional" learning that actually feels human.
Created by Sonia Manzano (Maria from Sesame Street), this show is set in the Bronx. It is fantastic because it focuses on "thinking through" problems. There’s no magic wand; Alma just stops and processes her feelings. It treats Puerto Rican culture as the baseline, not a "special episode" topic.
- Ages: 3-7
- Why it’s great: It teaches critical thinking without being preachy.
This follows a Mexican-American girl in Texas. It’s great for explaining how the world works—like how the post office functions or why we have taxes (yes, really)—through a bicultural lens.
- Ages: 3-6
- Parent Tip: The Spanglish is very natural here. It’s how many of our families actually talk.
Once kids hit age 8 or 9, they start drifting toward Roblox and "Skibidi Toilet" YouTube shorts. If you want to steer them back toward actual storytelling, these are your best bets.
If you watch one thing on this list with your kids, make it this. It is a visual masterpiece based on Mesoamerican mythology. It’s an epic limited series—think Lord of the Rings but with Aztec and Maya inspiration.
- Ages: 8+ (It gets a bit intense/emotional)
- The Vibe: High-stakes, gorgeous animation, and a female lead who isn't a "perfect princess."
- Warning: It deals with death and sacrifice in a way that is beautiful but might require some "cuddle time" for more sensitive kids.
This is basically Gravity Falls but with Mexican folklore. Two half-brothers spend the summer in a town called Monte Macabre. They encounter creatures from Aztec myths and legends like La Llorona.
- Ages: 7-12
- Why kids love it: It’s spooky, funny, and has that slightly "weird" vibe that kids in this age bracket crave.
A spinoff of The Loud House, this show follows Ronnie Anne and her massive multi-generational family living in the city. It captures the beautiful (and chaotic) reality of living with grandparents, cousins, and constant noise.
- Ages: 6-11
- The Bottom Line: It’s a solid, funny sitcom that handles cultural identity with a light touch.
Check out our guide on the best animated shows for 10-year-olds
We have to talk about the "Ohio" of it all. If your kid is spending hours on YouTube watching "Latino-themed" nursery rhyme channels that look like they were generated by a tired AI in a basement, that’s what we call "brain rot." These channels often use bright colors and repetitive sounds to keep kids' brains in a dopamine loop without offering any actual cultural or linguistic value.
If you’re going to do YouTube, look for Super Simple Español or Canticos. These are intentional, well-produced, and actually help with language acquisition rather than just numbing the brain.
When we talk about Latino shows, "safety" usually isn't about the content being "dangerous," but rather about stereotypes and commercialism.
- The "Sassy" Trope: Watch out for older shows (or poorly written new ones) that rely on the "spicy" or "sassy" Latina trope. It’s lazy writing and not something we want our daughters (or sons) internalizing.
- Roblox Tie-ins: Many popular shows now have Roblox worlds. For example, The Casagrandes has had various digital activations. Just because a show is "educational" doesn't mean the tie-in game isn't a relentless "gimme your money" simulator. Always check the game settings before letting them jump from the TV to the iPad.
- Language Immersion: If you’re trying to teach your kids Spanish, don't just rely on "Dora-style" interjections. Switch the audio track on Netflix to Spanish for shows like Maya and the Three. The dubbing is usually excellent, and it provides a much more immersive experience.
Representation isn't just a buzzword. When kids see a character like Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse struggling with his Spanish or navigating a family dinner, it validates their own messy, bicultural reality.
It also helps non-Latino kids see that our "culture" isn't just a holiday or a food—it’s a complex, varied way of existing in the world. It builds empathy and reduces the "othering" that happens when kids only see one type of person as the hero of the story.
Learn more about the impact of representation on childhood development
The era of "one size fits all" Latino media is over. You don't have to settle for Dora the Explorer if your kid is bored to tears.
- For a family movie night that will make everyone cry (in a good way), go with Coco or Encanto.
- For daily educational viewing, stick with Alma's Way.
- For high-quality action, dive into Maya and the Three.
Parenting in the digital age is about being a curator. You’re the DJ of your kid’s media diet. You don't have to ban everything, but you can definitely "skip" the tracks that are just noise and "repeat" the ones that actually have soul.
- Check your settings: On your next movie night, try switching the language to Spanish with English subtitles (or vice versa).
- Audit the YouTube: If you see "brain rot" Latino nursery rhymes popping up, hit that "Don't recommend channel" button and point them toward Canticos.
- Talk about it: Ask your kids, "What did you think about how Alma solved that problem?" It’s a small step, but it turns passive viewing into active learning.
Ask Screenwise for a personalized show recommendation based on your kid's age