The $100 million stop-motion gamble pays off

I Am Frankelda, a Spanish-language stop-motion feature film, has achieved a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, marking a milestone for Mexican animation. The film, produced by Netflix, was mentored by Guillermo del Toro and has won audience awards at major festivals before streaming worldwide.

The film's success is a testament to the growing expertise of Mexican animators and their capacity to compete on the international stage. I Am Frankelda serves as a prequel to the HBO Max series Frankelda's Book of Spooks, known in Spanish as Los Sustos Ocultos de Frankelda.

The production team retained much of the original voice talent,with Mireya Mendoza, Arturo Mercado Jr., and Luis Leonardo Suárez returning as Frankelda, Herneval,and Procustes respectively. A robust supporting cast adds depth and personality to the film's eclectic inhabitants.

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The film's festival run was equally impressive, with I Am Frankelda premiering at the Guadalajara International Film Festival, followed by screenings at the Annecy International Animation Festival and the Fantasia International Film Festival, where it captured the Silver Audience Award for Best Animated Feature.

These accolades preceded its limited theatrical release across Mexico in the autumn of 2025, allowing audiences to experience the tactile charm of stop-motion before the Netflix debut.

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The film's success signals a broader shift in the global animation landscape. The project showcases how traditional techniques such as stop-motion can coexist with modern streaming platforms, reaching viewers worldwide while preserving a handcrafted aesthetic.

It also highlights the importance of cross-generational mentorship, with del Toro's guidance helping the Ambriz brothers refine their craft and bring a distinctly Mexican voice to a genre historically dominated by European and North-American studios.

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The movie's runtime of 104 minutes, its lush animation,and its layered narrative have earned it recognition not only from genre enthusiasts but also from mainstream critics who see it as a landmark achievement for Mexican cinema.

As Netflix continues to expand its catalogue of international animated titles, I Am Frankelda stands out as a prime example of how culturally specific stories can achieve universal resonance when paired with masterful storytelling and visual innovation.