When you think about Mexico, some of the things that first cross your mind are the bright colors, Mariachi bands and sombreros. These associations that we create with a particular culture are what lead to them becoming pop culture references. If you want to learn what forms modern Mexican pop culture, keep reading as we fill you in!
Escoge una persona que te mire como si quizás fueras magia
Frida Kahlo (Literal translation: Choose a person who looks at you as if you were magic.)
Mexican History
To better understand where Mexican pop culture stems from, one needs to know about the bittersweet history of the country. Mexico was first populated over 13,000 years ago. Once the Spanish took it over, it became inhabited by people from all over Asia, Africa and Europe, making it culturally diverse. This fusion created a uniquely diverse heritage. After gaining independence from Spain in 1821, Mexico began to forge its own national identity—one that continues to shape the vibrant and dynamic popular culture we recognize today.
From music and cinema to fashion and television, Mexican pop culture is a colorful reflection of its people’s resilience, creativity, and spirit. Let’s explore some of the key elements that define it:
What Does Mexican Pop Culture Consist of
Certain factors intermingle to create the culture of a place. And these factors are usually influenced by history, art, sports, cinema, food and, etc. Here are all the things you need to know about Mexican pop culture:
Mexican Cinema
To learn more about Latin American culture, one must explore the golden age of cinema in Mexico during the 1940s and 50s. Through this period, Mexican cinema was huge and could even be compared to Hollywood. Their films were shown all over Europe and Latin America, making it a factor that significantly influenced Mexican pop culture. Here all the top five Mexican movies of all time:
Amores Perros (2000)
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, this film intertwines three distinct stories connected by a car accident in Mexico City, exploring themes of love, loss and the complexities of human relationships.
Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
This coming-of-age road trip film by Alfonso Cuarón follows two teenage boys and an older woman on a self-discovery oriented trip, set against the backdrop of Mexico's socio-political landscape.
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, this dark fantasy intertwines the real world with a mythical realm, telling the story of a young girl's escape into a magical labyrinth during post-Civil War Spain.
Roma (2018)
Alfonso Cuarón's semi-autobiographical film portrays a year in the life of a live-in housekeeper to a middle-class family in 1970s Mexico City, capturing personal and political upheavals.
Like Water for Chocolate (1992)
Based on Laura Esquivel's novel, this film blends magical realism with romance, telling the story of a young woman whose emotions influence her cooking, affecting those who consume her dishes.
Some examples of Mexican cinema that laid the foundations for modern Mexican pop culture include:
Maria Candelaria, the movie
A film directed by Emilio Fernández. It was released in 1943 and was awarded the Palme d’Or at the 1946 Cannes Film Festival, right after the Second World War
Luis Buñuel, the director
He was a naturalized Mexican who was one of the most famous directors of the era. Some of his top Mexican movies were Los Olvidados and Viridiana, released in 1949 and 1961
The most notable Mexican celebrities from these years were Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete, Cantinflas and Dolores del Rio. Furthermore, the influence of recent movies on Mexican pop culture cannot be understated either. Films such as Como agua para chocolate, Cronoa, Pan’s Labyrinth and Y tu mamá también have left a lasting impression on Mexico and the world.
Mexican Media
Media is an integral part of any culture. In Mexico, two leading television broadcasting companies own four primary networks that reach over 75 percent of the Mexican population. These are Televisa and TV Azteca. The former is known as the largest Spanish-language content producing company that broadcasts over the world. Furthermore, Grupo Multimedios is a media conglomerate that broadcasts Spanish shows in Spain, Mexico and the US.
They help export Mexican telenovelas to other parts of the world. Television soap operas are known as telenovelas in Latin America. Some of the best Mexican TV shows that people enjoy worldwide are La Reina del Sur, Rubí and Lo que la vida me robó. These shows are known for their dramatic storylines based on real-life events. Some Mexican celebrities famous for acting in telenovelas are Thalía, Verónica Castro and Lucía Méndez.
The Mexican Music Scene
Mexican culture is very diverse and it shows within the various music genres enjoyed by Mexican society. Some of the typical music types native to Mexico are ranchera, corridos, bands, mariachi and norteño. However, most Mexicans listen to contemporary music genres such as rock and pop in Spanish and English.
As a result of their influence, some of the best Mexican singers known all around the world are:
- Alejandro Fernández
- Julieta Vengas
- Luis Miguel
- Thalía
- Paulina Rubio
- Juan Gabriel
- Gloria Trevi
And as far as Mexican folk singers are concerned, Alejandra Robles, Lila Downs, GEO Meneses, Jaramar and Susana Harp are the most famous names.
Sports in Mexico
Mexico hosted both the 1970 and 86 world cup finals in one of the most famous soccer stadiums ever, known as the Estadio Azteca, situated in Mexico City. This stadium also hosted the Summer Olympics in 1968. Soccer is the most prominent sport in Mexico. People believe that Cornish miners introduced soccer in Mexico in the 19th century and as a result of British influences, a five-team league emerged in Mexico by 1902. These days, the top soccer clubs in Mexico are:
- Guadalajara
- Toluca
- América
- Tigres
- Tijuana
Some Mexican players who have made their name in the sport include Antonio Carbajal, Hugo Sanchez and Chicharito. Antonio Carbajal became the first Mexican soccer to play in five world cups. Meanwhile, the IFFHS named Hugo Sánchez the best player in the CONCACAF league during the 20th century. Mexico also has its baseball league that plays matches professionally and it is known as the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol.
Several Mexican baseball players have also been signed by baseball teams in the MLB, such as the Dodgers, who recently signed Fernando Valenzuela as their pitcher. From a traditional standpoint, one of the most famous sports in Mexico is bullfighting, with bullrings established in all major Mexican cities. The biggest bullring can be found in Mexico City and is named Plaza México.
There are also popular wrestling promotions in Mexico, such as the CMLL and the AAA. And thousands flock to watch ‘Lucha libre’ (professional wrestling in Spanish) in these stadiums.
As a result, Mexico is home to some of the most renowned boxers in the world, such as:
- Erik Morales
- Vicente Saldivar
- Julio César
- Salvador Sánchez
- Rubén Olivares Chávez
Thanks to their efforts, Mexico has also won numerous boxing medals in the Olympics.
Mexican Cuisine
Mexican cuisine has always been heavily associated with powerful flavors, different spices and colorful decoration. The Aztec and Maya, who belonged to pre-Columbian times, inspired modern Mexican dishes by utilizing food trends made common by Spanish colonists.
The colonists ended up combining imported foods vital to them – such as beef, rice, chicken, wine, pork, onion and garlic – with foods common within pre-Columbian tribes, such as tomato, maize, guava, vanilla, chili pepper, squash, turkey, peanut, pineapple, beans and sweet potato.
Mexican food does differ from region to region due to ethnic and geographical differences among the natives and the varying degrees of Spanish influence. Additionally, Northern Mexico is famous for its goat, ostrich and beef production for meat dishes, notably Arrachera cuts primarily used in tacos. Central Mexico is also responsible for creating some original famous Mexican dishes such as carnitas, tamales, pozole, menudo and barbacoa. However, within the Southeastern region of Mexico, spicy chicken and vegetable-based dishes are widely popular. Due to its geographic location, it is significantly influenced by Caribbean cuisine.
Tacos, particularly tacos al pastor, are among Mexico's most popular dishes. This variety features marinated pork, traditionally cooked on a vertical spit, thinly sliced and served on small corn tortillas with toppings like onions, cilantro and pineapple.
Learn Mexican Spanish to Immerse Yourself in Mexican Pop Culture
There is a lot to know about Mexican pop culture, which is both fascinating and inspiring. From food to cinema, several cultural aspects are incredibly unique to Mexico and have become identifiers for people worldwide. Additionally, if you want an in-depth education on the workings of Mexican pop culture, you should contemplate learning the language. Doing so will also help you watch Mexican movies without subtitles! Superprof offers tutors near your area who will make it their goal to teach you Spanish within your required timeframe!
Superprof connects you with experienced Spanish tutors who customize lessons to your learning style and goals, making it easier to immerse yourself in Mexican culture. Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your fluency, personalized tutoring can help you understand conversations, music and films in their authentic form. With flexible schedules and a wide range of tutors, you can learn at your own pace and gain deeper insight into Mexican traditions, slang and expressions. Start learning with Superprof tutors and experience Mexican pop culture like never before!
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