Netflix Doubles Down On Mexican Film: New Slate Includes Diego Luna In ‘México 86’ & Adaptation Of Carlos Fuentes Novel ‘Aura’

EXCLUSIVE: Netflix has greenlit six Mexican movies, including Mexico 86which stars Diego Luna and tells the story behind Mexico landing the 1986 World Cup.

Also on the Streamer’s Slate are Pics from Jorge Michel Grade, Rodrigo García, Ariel Winograd, Alonso RuizPalacios and Maite Alberdi.

“Our commitment is real,” Carolina Leconte, Netflix’s VP of Content for Mexico, said in an exclusive interview with Deadline about its plans for local film and series.

She referenced its pledge earlier this year to spend $1B on Mexican content over the next four years, its investment in the iconic Churubusco Studios, and a Creative Equity fund it has set up to open doors for the next generation of local talent.

“Mexico is a diverse and rich country, full of unique and authentic stories still waiting to be told. Its talent – both behind and in front of the camera –is renowned globally. That’s why today, to celebrate Mexican Cinema Day, we are announcing a film slate that represents that diversity,” said Leconte.

Netflix has already released Rodrigo Prieto’s magical realist film Pedro Páramobased on the 1955 Juan Rulfo novel. Deadline can reveal it will again mine Mexican literature on Auraan adaptation of influential Mexican novelist Carlos Fuentes’ 1962 short novel. Alonso Ruizpalacios will adapt and direct and Stacy Perskie will produce.

Mexico 86meanwhile, will be directed by Gabriel Ripstein from a script he penned with Daniel Krauze. Luna will exec produce as well as star in the film, which chronicles Mexico’s audacious, against-all-odds — and successful — bid to host the 1986 World Cup. Gaumont USA will produce.

Netflix’s Mexican fare has been resonating globally, with the likes of Counterattack reaching over 71 million views and making it into the global all-time Top 10 for non-English-language, while Lucca’s World topped 28 million views worldwide in the first half of 2025. International success is clearly welcomed, but Leconte explained that the priority is always finding an audience at home.

“We love seeing Mexican stories being so well received, not just here but all over the world,” she said. “Still, our main focus is always on creating local content for local audiences. What matters most to us is telling stories that reflect who we are, that help us see ourselves and our reality on screen. If those stories go on to cross borders, that’s amazing – but our heart is always with what moves us as a country.”

New film slate

Other titles in Netflix’s new Mexican movie slate include Against the hurricane (the English-language titles of the new slate are mostly TBC, but this translates as Against the Hurricane). It will tell the story of two half-brothers struggling to survive when an unexpected storm turns into a hurricane off the coast of Acapulco. Jorge Michel Grau directs.

Rodrigo García writes and directs The Follieswhich follows six women dealing with social and family pressures and whose paths unexpectedly cross on a rainy day in Mexico City.

The time of the brave (The Hour of the Brave), meanwhile, is a comedy starring Luis Gerardo Méndez and Memo Villegas in a story about an accident that brings a psychoanalyst and a police inspector together for an unexpected adventure. Ariel Winograd directs and K&S Films produces.

There is also a feature doc in the mix. With the working title of An own child (A Son of One’s Own), it follows a woman who longs to become a mother and fakes a pregnancy. As the lie spirals out of control, a medical scandal is unleashed that will shake the whole country. Maite Alberdi directs.

Commitment to Mexican content

“Variety is key for us: From adaptations of literary classics like Aura by Carlos Fuentes, to high-production-value features like Against the hurricaneand bold new comedies and dramas like The time of the brave and Mexico 86, ” Leconte said.

“Mexican nonfiction has also found a strong audience, and that’s why we’re betting on innovative documentaries like An own child by two-time Academy Award nominee Maite Alberdi. These are productions of a level never seen before in Mexico.”

It’s fitting that Netflix has doubled down on Mexico’s local film industry on Mexican Cinema Day, but Leconte highlighted its work across series as well as features.

“Our commitment to Mexico is stronger than ever,” she said. “This year, for example, we’re bringing films like The Folliesalong with the Juan Gabriel docuseries, one of the most loved Mexican artists ever, The Dead Girlswhich is the very first series by acclaimed director Luis Estrada, and new seasons of fan favorites like The Manny.”

Netflix has wrapped production on four brand new series in Mexico: Santita, Love 9 to 5 (Office love), I’m Not Afraid (I am not afraid) and Corruptors (Los Corruptors).

The streamer today also confirmed the end of production of Lovesick (Evil love), the adaptation of Ángeles Mastretta’s novel that is written and directed by her daughter, Catalina Aguilar Mastretta.