The Shocking Transformations: 5 Must-Know Details From The 'No Se Aceptan Devoluciones' 10-Year Reunion
Ten years ago, a small Mexican dramedy titled No se aceptan devoluciones (known internationally as Instructions Not Included) captivated the world, becoming an unexpected global box office phenomenon. As of the current date, December 21, 2025, the film's legacy is being celebrated with a massive 10th-anniversary reunion, bringing together the beloved cast for a look back at the movie that changed their lives and the landscape of Spanish-language cinema. The most striking element of the celebration is the incredible transformation of its stars, especially the young actress who played Maggie, and the emotional, never-before-told anecdotes shared by its creator, Eugenio Derbez. The reunion event confirms the film's lasting impact and provides fans with an intimate look at the true story behind the blockbuster.
The 10-year celebration, which centered around the film’s anniversary in September 2023, was not just a simple gathering; it was a comprehensive event that included a limited theatrical re-release of the movie and a special documentary feature. This article dives into the most crucial and surprising details revealed by the cast—including the current lives of Loreto Peralta and Eugenio Derbez—and the staggering records the film still holds a decade later. This is the definitive breakdown of one of the most heartwarming reunions in recent cinematic history.
Eugenio Derbez and Loreto Peralta: A Decade of Transformation and Triumphs
The core of the No se aceptan devoluciones phenomenon lies in the undeniable chemistry between its two main stars. The 10-year reunion provided a rare opportunity to see how much they have evolved both personally and professionally since the film’s 2013 release. Here is a brief but complete profile of the two central figures, Eugenio Derbez and Loreto Peralta, who played the iconic father-daughter duo, Valentín Bravo and Maggie.
- Eugenio Derbez (Valentín Bravo)
- Full Name: Eugenio González Derbez
- Born: September 2, 1961 (Age 64 as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Mexico City, Mexico
- Profession: Actor, Comedian, Director, Producer, Writer
- Key Filmography (Post-2013): Instructions Not Included (Director/Actor), How to Be a Latin Lover (2017), Overboard (2018), Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019), CODA (2021 - Oscar Winner for Best Picture), The Valet (2022).
- Notable Achievement: One of the most influential and recognizable Latin American actors in Hollywood, with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His role in CODA significantly elevated his international profile.
- Loreto Peralta (Maggie)
- Full Name: Loreto Peralta Ruiz de Velasco
- Born: June 9, 2004 (Age 21 as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Florida, USA
- Profession: Actress, Model
- Key Filmography (Post-2013): Instructions Not Included, The Little Mermaid (2018), All the Freckles in the World (2019), Guerra de Vecinos (TV Series, 2021-2022).
- Notable Achievement: Loreto Peralta was only 9 years old when the film premiered. She has since transitioned successfully into adult roles, balancing her acting career with studies and a successful modeling career. Her current appearance is a major talking point of the reunion, demonstrating a complete and elegant transformation from the little girl with the iconic red beanie.
The Reunion Special: Untold Anecdotes and Emotional Revelations
The centerpiece of the 10th-anniversary celebration is the documentary-style special, “Reunión 10 años – No se aceptan devoluciones,” which premiered on Apple TV. This special feature offers an in-depth look at the film's production and its seismic impact on everyone involved. The reunion brought back not only Derbez and Peralta, but also other key cast members, providing rich material for the topical authority of the article.
1. The Casting Controversy: Why Loreto Peralta Almost Didn't Get the Part
One of the most surprising revelations from the reunion special involved the casting of Loreto Peralta as Maggie. Eugenio Derbez, who also directed the film, revealed the immense difficulty in finding an actress for the role. He needed a bilingual girl who could convincingly play his daughter, but the search was long and arduous.
Loreto was found through a social media casting call, but there was a significant hurdle: she was blonde and spoke perfect English, but her Spanish was initially weak. Derbez admitted to being hesitant, but Loreto’s natural talent and chemistry with him were undeniable. He made the risky decision to cast her, and the reunion highlighted how that risk paid off, as her performance as Maggie is what made the film's emotional core so powerful.
2. The Return of the Full Cast: Jessica Lindsey and Karla Souza Speak Out
While the focus is often on Valentín and Maggie, the reunion also featured other crucial members of the ensemble cast, including Jessica Lindsey, who played Julie (Maggie’s biological mother), and Karla Souza, who played Jackie. Their presence added depth to the discussion of the film's themes of parental responsibility and unconventional family structures.
Jessica Lindsey shared anecdotes about the emotional weight of her character, Julie, and the challenge of portraying a mother who returns after abandonment. Karla Souza, who has since become a major star in her own right with roles in How to Get Away with Murder, discussed the film's role in catapulting her career into the international spotlight. The inclusion of these entities—Julie and Jackie—adds significant topical authority to the reunion coverage.
The Unbreakable Legacy: Box Office Records and Cultural Impact
The success of Instructions Not Included was a watershed moment for Mexican and Spanish-language cinema. The anniversary reunion constantly referred to the film's unprecedented commercial performance, emphasizing its enduring cultural significance a decade later. This section details the staggering financial and critical success that cemented the film's place in history.
3. Breaking the US Box Office Record for a Spanish-Language Film
The film's performance in the United States was nothing short of miraculous. Released by Pantelion Films, Instructions Not Included grossed approximately $44 million domestically. At the time, this made it the highest-grossing Spanish-language film in US history, a record that stood for years. It surpassed the domestic gross of Guillermo del Toro's critically acclaimed Pan's Labyrinth, which had previously held the record with $37.6 million.
This achievement demonstrated a massive, untapped market for high-quality, emotionally resonant Latin American cinema in North America. The film's global success was equally impressive, with a worldwide gross exceeding $101 million, making it a true international breakout hit and the most successful Mexican film of its era.
4. The Viral Poster Recreation and Transformation
A major highlight of the 10-year reunion that went viral on social media was the recreation of the original movie poster. The original poster featured a young Loreto Peralta (Maggie) nestled in the arms of Eugenio Derbez (Valentín). The recreated image showed a now-adult Loreto, standing tall and elegant, next to a beaming Derbez.
This visual comparison was a powerful, emotional testament to the passage of time and the growth of their on-screen relationship. The image instantly resonated with fans, showcasing the incredible transformation of Loreto Peralta from a child star to a successful young woman, and reaffirming the father-daughter bond that made the original movie so beloved.
5. The Anniversary Re-Release: A Return to the Big Screen
To properly commemorate the 10th anniversary, Eugenio Derbez and the producers announced a limited re-release of No se aceptan devoluciones in theaters. This move allowed a new generation of fans to experience the Mexican dramedy on the big screen and gave original fans a chance to relive the emotional journey of Valentín and Maggie.
The re-release was a strategic move to celebrate the film’s status as a cultural phenomenon and a testament to its enduring quality. The film’s themes of unconditional love, sacrifice, and the definition of a family continue to resonate, making it a timeless piece of cinema. The reunion special and the theatrical return collectively cemented the film’s legacy as a cornerstone of modern Latin American filmmaking, and the ongoing collaboration and friendship between Derbez and Peralta suggest its story—and the stories of its stars—are far from over.
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