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IMDbPro

Flamin' Hot

  • 2023
  • PG-13
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
20K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,464
23
Jesse Garcia in Flamin' Hot (2023)
FLAMIN' HOT is the inspiring true story of Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia), the Frito Lay janitor who channeled his Mexican American heritage and upbringing to turn the iconic Flamin' Hot Cheetos into a snack that disrupted the food industry and became a global pop culture phenomenon
Play trailer2:16
8 Videos
99+ Photos
DocudramaBiographyDramaHistory

This is the inspiring story of Richard Montañez who, as a Frito Lay janitor, helped disrupt the food industry by channeling his Mexican heritage to turn Frito Lay snacks into an iconic globa... Read allThis is the inspiring story of Richard Montañez who, as a Frito Lay janitor, helped disrupt the food industry by channeling his Mexican heritage to turn Frito Lay snacks into an iconic global pop culture phenomenon.This is the inspiring story of Richard Montañez who, as a Frito Lay janitor, helped disrupt the food industry by channeling his Mexican heritage to turn Frito Lay snacks into an iconic global pop culture phenomenon.

  • Director
    • Eva Longoria
  • Writers
    • Lewis Colick
    • Linda Yvette Chávez
    • Richard Montanez
  • Stars
    • Jesse Garcia
    • Annie Gonzalez
    • Emilio Rivera
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    20K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,464
    23
    • Director
      • Eva Longoria
    • Writers
      • Lewis Colick
      • Linda Yvette Chávez
      • Richard Montanez
    • Stars
      • Jesse Garcia
      • Annie Gonzalez
      • Emilio Rivera
    • 114User reviews
    • 74Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 7 wins & 9 nominations total

    Videos8

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:16
    Official Trailer
    How Eva Longoria and Cast Prepared to Get 'Flamin' Hot'
    Clip 3:32
    How Eva Longoria and Cast Prepared to Get 'Flamin' Hot'
    How Eva Longoria and Cast Prepared to Get 'Flamin' Hot'
    Clip 3:32
    How Eva Longoria and Cast Prepared to Get 'Flamin' Hot'
    Flamin' Hot: Snack Wars
    Clip 1:19
    Flamin' Hot: Snack Wars
    Flamin' Hot: Who Eats Cool Ranch Anyway?
    Clip 0:27
    Flamin' Hot: Who Eats Cool Ranch Anyway?
    Flamin' Hot: Be Great
    Clip 1:04
    Flamin' Hot: Be Great
    Flamin' Hot: Viva La Revolucion! (Featurette)
    Featurette 1:52
    Flamin' Hot: Viva La Revolucion! (Featurette)

    Photos158

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    + 152
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    Top cast60

    Edit
    Jesse Garcia
    Jesse Garcia
    • Richard Montañez
    Annie Gonzalez
    Annie Gonzalez
    • Judy Montañez
    Emilio Rivera
    Emilio Rivera
    • Vacho Montañez
    Vanessa Martinez
    Vanessa Martinez
    • Concha Montañez
    Dennis Haysbert
    Dennis Haysbert
    • Clarence C. Baker
    Tony Shalhoub
    Tony Shalhoub
    • Roger Enrico
    Pepe Serna
    Pepe Serna
    • Abuelito
    Bobby Soto
    Bobby Soto
    • Tony Romero
    Jimmy Gonzales
    Jimmy Gonzales
    • Hector Morales
    Matt Walsh
    Matt Walsh
    • Lonny Mason
    Carlos S. Sanchez
    Carlos S. Sanchez
    • Young Richard
    • (as Carlos Sanchez)
    Hunter Jones
    Hunter Jones
    • Lucky Montañez
    Carlos Solórzano
    Carlos Solórzano
    • Young Lucky Montañez
    • (as Carlos Solorzano)
    Brice Gonzalez
    Brice Gonzalez
    • Steven Montañez
    Jayde Martinez
    Jayde Martinez
    • Young Judy
    Fabian Alomar
    Fabian Alomar
    • Pablito
    Mario Ponce
    Mario Ponce
    • Diego
    Eric Marq
    Eric Marq
    • Nacho
    • Director
      • Eva Longoria
    • Writers
      • Lewis Colick
      • Linda Yvette Chávez
      • Richard Montanez
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews114

    6.819.9K
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    Featured reviews

    7frank-liesenborgs

    Not a true story but a very watchable movie!

    While the story presented in the movie may not be entirely true, it doesn't diminish the fact that it is an enjoyable film to watch. Frito-Lay, through a spokesperson, disputed Richard Montañez's claim and stated that he was not involved in creating the product line in question, according to an internal investigation. However, it is true that Montañez did rise from a floor-level position to a marketing executive at Frito-Lay and was involved in pitching new products, including Flamin' Hot Popcorn in 1994. Despite the lack of factual accuracy, screenwriter Lewis Colick mentioned that enough of the story was true. PepsiCo released a statement supporting Montañez's contributions and expressed their concern about the strain on their friendship with him and the Latino community due to the debunking of his story. Montañez retired from PepsiCo in March 2019 during an internal investigation. In the end, the movie offers outstanding acting, a compelling storyline (albeit fictional), and portrays Richard Montañez as the hero. The only mistake they made is telling us it is a true story. But the movie is fun to watch, therefore a 7/10. Watch or skip? Depends. If you like movies, yes. If it needs to be based on a true story to get you going, No.
    8Top_Dawg_Critic

    A Flamin' Hot fun and entertaining story.

    This film was heartwarming, entertaining and with actual laugh out loud moments - truth to the story or not. One can argue that a huge corporation like Pepsico would deny any truth to the story because after all, any acknowledgement otherwise would open them up to a 1 billion dollar sales profit royalty lawsuit. So no matter what you choose to believe, it doesn't take away from the fun and entertaining story that was well directed, perfectly cast and performed, with great cinematography and score. It's still an inspirational story that will keep you rooting for the underdog, no matter how you slice it.
    6spencermcook

    Did PepsiCo Get This Ad For Free?

    On the basis of emotional sentiment this story checks the boxes by properly building up each sequence with just enough "hope" to maximize the most of its climax. There's a sense of relatability, not only in a product that is universally recognizable, but also in a character that we seem to know all too well in each of our own lives. The tone is light and though you receive a certain payoff toward the end, the reservation of critical moments throughout the rest of the film lingers as an aftertaste. We're entering the era of product films and whether the pieces for each story come from extraordinary roots or simply fall into place they all tend to feel the same. Jesse Garcia is an enjoyable screen presence who leads a unique Hulu project, and from what I've seen with his previous performances, he's only trending upward. I approached the film with a curiosity for an origin story that may or may not have been entirely dramatized, and walked away rooting for the aspirational spirit that is sometimes deeply embedded within each one of us.
    7srgymrat33

    Fact check ?

    Did I love this movie ? Yes . I love a good underdog , I love chips , I love Mexican culture , I love Spanish , I love spicy food , I love a strong female character BUT!

    Too many inaccuracies to make it work . If this had been all true - easy 9-10. Even following in his own story they took too many liberties and that bothers me . I know it is disputed and honestly I want to believe this guy that it is all legit - and maybe it is BUT prove it some way or at least make the timeline make sense in terms of documented events at the company .

    Truth aside - it was funny , entertaining , happy and inspiring .

    Worth the watch but still too mad about the fact check situation to give it a higher score .
    6ceilia-lucas

    Could we truly call it a Biographical movie if its based on lies?

    Flamin' Hot is a 2023 American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Eva Longoria, about a Frito Lay janitor named Richard Montañez, who came up with the idea for Flaming Hot Cheetos.

    This year has definitely been the year for inspirational biopics such as Tetris, Air and Blackberry and now this latest story - Flaming Hot is captivating, funny and heart warming.

    The movie tells us about Montañez's life, his determination to make something of himself, his love and support for his neighbourhood and his family and the struggles along the way he faced.

    The story is fresh and enjoyable with just enough drama to pull the viewer in. The cast was well chosen and the acting was spot on.

    Does the fact that the story is not entirely true takes away the enjoyment of the movie?

    Not in my opinion.

    Could we truly call it a Biographical movie if its based on lies?

    I leave this question to you.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Richard Montañez's claim of inventing Flamin' Hot Cheetos has been disputed. According to a 2021 Los Angeles Times report, Flamin' Hot Cheetos were invented by a team of food professionals led by Lynne Greenfeld at Frito-Lay's headquarters in Plano, Texas, to compete with spicy snacks sold in inner-city mini-marts in the Midwest. Frito-Lay would neither confirm nor deny Montañez's account and told the Times, "None of our records show that Richard was involved in any capacity in the Flamin' Hot test market", but "Different work streams tackling the same product without interacting occasionally occurred in the past when divisions operated independently." Roger Enrico also did not become the CEO of Frito-Lay until 1991, after the product and brand had been developed. Enrico died in 2016 before the Times' report; his secretary said that Montañez's phone call with Enrico took place in 1993 to pitch Flamin' Hot Popcorn, two years after Flamin' Hot Cheetos were introduced. Frito-Lay did confirm that Montañez pitched several successful snacks developed for Latino customers while working as a machine operator, and that the film's account of Montañez ascending from working as a janitor to an executive is accurate.
    • Goofs
      Food stamps were not called SNAP benefits in 1992. They were still called food stamps until the 2010s.
    • Quotes

      Lonny Mason: You better pray for a miracle, Montanez. Because before this is over, one way or another, you won't have a job.

    • Crazy credits
      The Searchlight Pictures fanfare is played in a Mexican musical style.
    • Connections
      Featured in Half in the Bag: Fool's Paradise and The Corporate Product Biopic Trend (2023)
    • Soundtracks
      Las Nubes
      Written by Juan Hernandez Almaguer

      Performed by Little Joe & La Familia

      Published by San Antonio Music Publishers, Inc.

      Courtesy of La Familia Enterprises, LLC (TDI Records)

      By arrangement with The Orchard

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Flamin' Hot?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 9, 2023 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Searchlight Pictures
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Flamin' Hot: El sabor que cambió la historia
    • Filming locations
      • Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA(Richard's house, Neighborhood exteriors and basketball court and park.)
    • Production companies
      • Franklin Entertainment
      • Searchlight Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 39m(99 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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