Beyond bad hombres, mamacitas, and borders: rethinking representation of Mexicanidad in 2017 animation Coco.

This article analyzes the 2017 Disney animated film *Coco* as a culturally significant text that subverts longstanding negative stereotypes of Mexican identity (Mexicanidad) in U.S. media. It highlights how *Coco* departs from traditional archetypes such as "bad hombres" and "mamacitas" by portraying complex, multifaceted Mexican characters who embody mestizaje and cultural contradictions, particularly through its representations of masculinity, femininity, and the afterlife. The film's depiction of Mexican traditions like Día de los Muertos and mariachi music serves both as a celebration of Mexican culture and a symbolic bridge across cultural and temporal borders, despite some reinforcement of stereotypes related to border control and socioeconomic divides. The article situates *Coco* within broader discussions of Latinx representation in children's animation and U.S.–Mexican intercultural relations, emphasizing its role in advancing more nuanced and authentic portrayals of Mexican-American identities.