Is this just a knock-off of Pixar's 'Coco'?

Actually, this film was in production in Mexico long before Coco was announced, though it was released later. It feels more like a local legend than a Hollywood blockbuster. The animation is less 'shiny,' but the cultural details feel very specific and authentic.

How scary are the skeletons for a 5-year-old?

They aren't designed to be scary. They look like traditional sugar skulls and folk art. If your kid handled the skeletons in The Nightmare Before Christmas or Coco, they will be totally fine here.

Is the orphan storyline too depressing?

It's the driving force of the plot, but the movie focuses more on the 'wish' and the discovery than the sadness of being alone. It’s handled with a sense of adventure rather than heavy melodrama.

Should we watch it in English or Spanish?

If your kids can handle subtitles (or speak Spanish), the original audio is the way to go. The English dub is fine, but some of the cultural nuance and local slang in Santa Clara gets a bit lost in translation.

Salma's Big Wish – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Salma's Big Wish

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2019Animation, Family

83%

WISE Score

A 16-year-old orphan in Santa Clara hunts for her parents' identities using a magical book that brings the town's history to life during the Day of the Dead.

6.9

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Salma's Big Wish

movie

2019, Animation, Family

83%

WISE Score

A 16-year-old orphan in Santa Clara hunts for her parents' identities using a magical book that brings the town's history to life during the Day of the Dead.

6.9

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6.9

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Screenwise Verdict

If your family loved Coco or The Book of Life, this is the natural next step. It doesn't have the massive budget of a Disney production, but it makes up for it with a sincere, localized take on Mexican folklore.

Salma is a relatable protagonist for kids who are starting to ask questions about their own family trees. The film manages to be colorful and adventurous without relying on the frenetic, loud pacing that plagues many modern animated movies. It's a solid, culturally rich choice for a weekend movie night that feels like it actually has something to say.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6 and up. It’s a family film through and through, though the 95-minute runtime and some emotional complexity about orphanhood make it a better fit for elementary-aged kids than toddlers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The story centers on a deep respect for family roots and the cultural importance of remembering those who came before us. It avoids cheap humor and sticks to a sincere emotional core.

Imaginative

The film builds out a vibrant spirit world based on Mexican folklore, featuring a magical book that acts as a portal to the past.

Safe

Standard animated fantasy peril. While there are skeletons and themes of the afterlife, they are treated with cultural reverence rather than horror.

Enriching

Excellent for building cultural literacy regarding Dia de los Muertos and sparking interest in genealogy and family storytelling.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Authentic cultural perspective as a Mexican-produced film exploring the Day of the Dead traditions from the inside out.
Strong female lead in Salma, whose quest for identity is driven by curiosity and agency rather than a standard princess trope.
Visually distinct animation that leans into the specific folk art aesthetics of Mexico rather than the polished Pixar house style.

⚠

What to Watch For

The afterlife setting means lots of skeletons and ghosts; most are friendly, but the concept of death is the literal engine of the plot.
Salma’s status as an orphan and her longing for her parents might be a heavy emotional lift for kids sensitive to themes of abandonment or loss.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Salma's town cares so much about keeping a book of everyone's history?"
"If you could ask an ancestor one question about their life, who would you pick and what would you ask?"
"How does Salma's view of the 'spirit world' differ from scary movies we've seen?"

Deep Dive

The 'Other' Day of the Dead Movie

It is impossible to watch Salma's Big Wish (originally titled Dia de Muertos) without thinking of Pixar's Coco. While they share a setting and a holiday, Salma's story feels more like a folk tale and less like a Broadway musical. The animation is a bit stiffer, and the lighting isn't as sophisticated, but there is a groundedness to the town of Santa Clara that feels lived-in and real.

What makes this one stand out is the focus on the 'Special Book.' Instead of just a journey to the land of the dead, it's a mystery about missing history. Salma isn't just trying to see her parents; she's trying to understand why they aren't on the altar and why their stories were lost.

For parents, this is a great tool for discussing the difference between 'scary' skeletons and 'memorial' skeletons. In this world, the dead are just family members who are currently out of the room. It’s a healthy, vibrant way to look at grief and memory. If you can find the original Spanish audio with subtitles, it adds an extra layer of authenticity that the English dub sometimes flattens.