While Latines are still largely underrepresented in TV & Film, let’s take a moment to celebrate and support the undeniable talent of Latinas in film in 2023.
I’m a planner kind of person. I’m also a supporter of Latinas and femme Latines in film kind of person, which means that when I hear a film featuring Latina/femme Latine talent is being released, I like to jot down the release date in my planner. Now, you may think it doesn’t really matter when you watch these films because support is support, right? Unfortunately, the success of a film is still largely measured by early audience consumption (i.e. opening weekend box office receipts or streaming views). It absolutely does matter when we watch a new film, which is why we must show up for each other.
If a film featuring Latine talent—when we are still so underrepresented—doesn’t do well early on, it endangers future projects featuring our gente. How? Because the powers that be can say, “Well, XYZ didn’t do well, so why should we invest in another project with Latine talent?” But if we consistently watch and support films featuring members of our community, how can they continue to leave us out?
This year, I’m adding the following release dates to my calendar, and I’m sharing them with you so you can contribute to the success of our community.
Daniella Pineda in Plane
Released Date: January 13, 2023 in theaters
Gerard Butler (Last Seen Alive) plays pilot Brodie Torrance, who saves his passengers from a lightning strike only to land on a war-torn island. Daniella Pineda (Cowboy Bebop) plays Bonnie, a badass flight attendant.
Jennifer Lopez in Shotgun Wedding
Release Date: January 27, 2023 on Amazon Prime
Darcy (Jennifer Lopez) and Tom (Josh Duhamel) planned a destination wedding but all of their guests get taken hostage and it’s up to them to save everyone.
Salma Hayek and Carmen Olivares in Magic Mike’s Last Dance
Release Date: February 10, 2023 in theaters
It’s safe to say that Mike (Channing Tatum) will be showing some skin. It will be fun to see what Salma Hayek (Frida) and Carmen Olivares (Dexter) add to the mix.
Selenis Leyva in Creed III
Release Date: March 3, 2023 in theaters
Selena Leyva (Orange Is the New Black) joins the Creed crew for the third film, directed by the franchise lead Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther).
Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera in Scream 6
Release Date: March 10, 2023 in theaters
Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) and Melissa Barrera (In the Heights) lend their talents to the latest Scream installment. If that’s not something to scream about, then I don’t know what is!
Zoe Saldaña in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Release Date: May 5, 2023 in theaters
Zoe Saldaña reprises her role as Gamora!
Rachel Zegler in Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Release Date: March 17, 2023 in theaters
Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) joins the cast as goddess Anthea. “There’s 3 goddesses. I am the youngest of 3 goddesses, there’s 3 sisters. We come and shake up the Shazamily a bit. It’s such a fun movie,” Rachel told Variety.
Jennifer Lopez in The Mother
Release Date: May 2023 on Netflix
Jennifer Lopez plays an assassin on the run who comes out of hiding because the daughter she gave up years ago needs her help in this action/adventure film.
Luna Lauren Vélez and Natalie Morales in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Release Date: June 2, 2023 in theater
Luna Lauren Vélez (New York Undercover) and Natalie Morales (Dead to Me) join the Oscar-winning animated Spider-verse.
Annie Gonzalez in Flamin’ Hot
Release Date: June 9, 2023 on Hulu
Can’t wait to watch Annie Gonzalez (Gentefied) play Judy Montañez, who allegedly helped develop the distinct flavor of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, as I snack on Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Release Date: June 9, 2023 in theaters
Formerly known as MJ Rodriguez, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (Pose), joins the cast as Nightbird.
Mariela Garriga in Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning — Part One
Release Date: July 14, 2023 in theaters
Mariela Garriga (Bloodline) makes her Mission Impossible franchise debut.
America Ferrera in Barbie
Release Date: July 21, 2023 in theaters
The spectacular America Ferrera (Superstore) co-stars opposite Margot Robbie (Suicide Squad) and Ryan Gosling (La La Land) in the Warner Bros movie about the doll line directed by Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird).
Rosario Dawson in Haunted Mansion
Release Date: August 11, 2023
Rosario Dawson (DMZ) leads a star-studded cast as Gabbie, a doctor and single mom, who gets a too good to be true deal on a mansion in New Orleans.
Bruna Marquezine, Adriana Barraza, Elpidia Carrillo, and Belissa Escobedo in Blue Beetle
Release Date: August 18, 2023 in theaters
Lots of Latine talent to support in this DC Universe film about a Mexican teenager (Xolo Maridueña) that gets superpowers when he comes across an alien beetle.
Ariana DeBose in Kraven the Hunter
EXCLUSIVE: Fresh off her historic win at the #SAGAwards Sunday night, Ariana DeBose has her sights set on her next major project as the Oscar-nominee is set to join Sony Pictures’ ‘Kraven the Hunter,’ starring Aaron Taylor Johnson in the titular role https://t.co/8V0YNPBF34 pic.twitter.com/e1BXsZ7cb8
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) March 1, 2022
Release Date: October 6, 2023 in theaters
Oscar winner Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) joins the MCU as Calypso, the titular villain’s associate and love interest.
Rachel Zegler in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Release Date: November 17, 2023 in theaters
Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) stars as Lucy Gray Baird in this Hunger Games prequel.
Indya Moore in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Release Date: December 25, 2023 in theaters and HBO Max
Indya Moore (Pose) lends their tremendous talents to the DC Extended Universe Aquaman sequel in the role of Karshon.
About the Author
Claudya Martinez
Claudya Martinez is a writer and content creator with a sense of humor. She loves collaborating with #WeAllGrow. You can follow her at @byclaudya on IG. You can read more of her pieces here.
