11 Movies You Didn’t Know Were Connected

Despite both franchises being created by Robert Rodriguez, there doesn’t appear to be much connection between the Spy Kids and Machete movies. One is a bouncy, colourful adventure series aimed at kids, while the other is a tribute to sleazy grindhouse movies filled with gore and nudity.

Dig a little deeper and you’ll realise that Danny Trejo's Machete is actually the older brother of Gregorio Cortez, the father of the Spy Kids. In the original movie, the kids visit Uncle "Machete" Cortez at his shop, where he makes various gadgets. It turns out this is what he does in his spare time when he’s not a badass secret agent hacking people up with sharp implements.

It’s a bit odd that he’s supposed to be the same character – since that creates all sorts of odd plot holes – but it’s still a fun link between the two franchises.