Netflix Bought the Selena y Los Dinos Documentary and Our Inner Child Is Crying in Spanglish
If you were raised on “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” reenacted her dance moves in the mirror, or sobbed watching Jennifer Lopez say “Anything for Selenas,” then get ready. The Selena y Los Dinos Documentary is officially coming to Netflix—and it’s a major win for the culture.
Announced on May 13 by Netflix, the new film gives fans an intimate look at the rise of Selena Quintanilla and her family band, Los Dinos, from backyard parties to sold-out stadium tours. Directed by Isabel Castro (Mija, Darlin) and executive produced by Selena’s siblings Suzette Quintanilla and AB Quintanilla III, the doc promises rare footage from the family’s personal archive—and, for the first time, their perspective in their own words.
What makes the Selena y Los Dinos Documentary different?
This isn’t your typical recap of Selena’s story. Yes, it hits the iconic milestones. But what makes the Selena y Los Dinos Documentary special is its raw, unfiltered lens—featuring VHS footage filmed by Suzette herself and behind-the-scenes moments that never made it into past biopics or series.
According to the LA Times, the film shows the “real-time” evolution of a young Latina band navigating fame, family, and identity. And as director Castro said in Netflix’s press release, “I wanted to honor her extraordinary rise and enduring legacy, while also giving a window into her life behind the stage.”
The documentary first premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Archival Storytelling. It also racked up Audience Awards at SXSW and the Miami Film Festival.
Why Netflix’s deal is such a big, well, deal
Netflix reportedly closed the acquisition for $6 to $7 million, according to Deadline. That price tag alone signals something big—but it’s also a powerful move that puts Latina stories front and center on a global platform.
“This is so meaningful,” Suzette Quintanilla said in the official announcement. “We are so excited to finally share that our documentary Selena y Los Dinos is coming to Netflix! Grateful to have a platform that helps bring Selena’s story to fans around the world.”
Castro echoed that sentiment, saying, “I can’t wait for a global audience to experience the magic, heart, and community that Selena gave to all of us.”
The Selena y Los Dinos Documentary honors more than a legacy—it honors a movement
The film isn’t just about Selena’s music or her style (though, yes, expect major fashion nostalgia). It’s about community. About resilience. About seeing a working-class Mexican-American family create something transcendent.
At Sundance, the doc was so anticipated that festival organizers had to pull it from the online platform after eager fans uploaded unauthorized clips, as reported by Deadline. That kind of cultural hunger? That’s Selena-level.
Even Karol G couldn’t hold back when she heard the Netflix news. “Me morí! OMG, en serio?” she told press. “People always ask me what was that specific moment when I realized this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. And it was watching Selena’s movies. She deserved it.”
Selena y Los Dinos will stream globally on Netflix in winter 2025. While we wait, just know this: we’re about to see Selena in a way we’ve never seen her before.
