The National Film Registry at the Library of Congress inducted a record five Latino-centric films this year, highlighting the contributions of Latino actors and filmmakers to American cinema. The movies include Spy Kids, Up in Smoke, Mi Familia, American Me, and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Key Highlights:

1. Rep. Joaquín Castro’s Advocacy: Castro has been working to increase Latino representation in the registry. Previously, he advocated for the inclusion of the biopic Selena (1997) and has nominated numerous other films.
2. Latino Contributions:
   • Spy Kids (2001), directed by Robert Rodríguez, celebrates Hispanic culture through its story and characters.
   • Up in Smoke (1978), featuring Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, is a stoner-comedy classic.
   • Mi Familia (1995) explores the Mexican-American immigrant experience and is praised for its emotional storytelling.
   • American Me (1992), Edward James Olmos’ directorial debut, portrays the harsh realities of Chicano gang life.
   • Star Trek II (1982) stars Ricardo Montalbán as the iconic antagonist Khan Noonien Singh, highlighting his legacy as a trailblazing Latino actor.
3. Latino Representation: Despite comprising nearly 20% of the U.S. population, Latinos are underrepresented in media, making up only 6-7% of main cast roles in film and TV in recent years.
4. Cinematic Heritage: Of the 900 films preserved in the National Film Registry, 30 are Latino-focused, reflecting only 3.3% of the total, underscoring the need for greater inclusivity.

The inclusion of these films demonstrates progress in preserving the cultural contributions of Latinos in cinema and aims to inspire more accurate and diverse storytelling in the industry.