- Home>
- Gallery»
- From Narcos to Griselda: Top Drug Cartel Movies & Series to Watch After El Mencho’s Death Shocks Mexico
From Narcos to Griselda: Top Drug Cartel Movies & Series to Watch After El Mencho’s Death Shocks Mexico
From real-life crime sagas to fictional power struggles, drug cartels have long fascinated filmmakers and audiences worldwide. These films and series explore how cartels rise, operate, and collapse, often revealing the human cost behind violence and wealth.
Interest in cartel stories has surged again after reports that feared CJNG leader El Mencho was killed in a major military operation in Mexico. Set across Mexico, Colombia, the United States, and Europe, these narratives blend crime, politics, ambition, and survival.
Some are inspired by true events, while others use fiction to expose harsh realities. Together, they offer a gripping look into the dark underworld of global drug trafficking.
Somos. – True Crime Mini-Series on Mexican Cartels
“Somos” is a dramatic mini-series that explores the tragic impact of cartel violence on the residents of a Mexican border town. Inspired by real events, the show delves into how powerful drug cartel operations overwhelm ordinary lives, exposing human cost and social breakdown. Viewers see the community confront drugs, fear, and loss as the cartel's reach grows. The storytelling is grounded in true crime and offers a gritty, emotional portrayal of cartel influence. (Photo: Social Media)
Queen of the South – Rise of a Cartel Queenpin
“Queen of the South” follows Teresa Mendoza, a woman from Sinaloa who builds a powerful drug empire in the U.S. after personal tragedy pushes her into cartel life. The series blends action, power struggles, and cartel politics as Mendoza navigates deadly alliances and ruthless rivals. It portrays her transformation from vulnerable immigrant to drug lord with global influence. (Photo: Social Media)
Griselda – True Crime Miniseries of Colombian Drug Lord
“Griselda” is a Netflix biographical drama telling the life and crime career of Colombian drug lord Griselda Blanco. Known as the “Cocaine Godmother,” she ruled the Miami cocaine trade in the 1970s and 1980s. The series shows her ambition, brutality, and pursuit of wealth and power in the dangerous world of international drug trafficking. (Photo: Social Media)
ZeroZeroZero – International Cocaine Trade Drama
“ZeroZeroZero” unfolds across continents, charting the journey of a massive cocaine shipment from Mexico to Europe. The show explores cartel logistics through the eyes of an American shipping family acting as brokers between Italian mobs and Mexican drug networks. It presents cartel crime as global enterprise with far-reaching consequences. (Photo: Social Media)
Narcos: Mexico – Expansion of Mexican Drug Cartels
“Narcos: Mexico” chronicles the origins and growth of Mexican drug cartels, showing how criminal syndicates expand their reach and power. The series offers a deep look into cartel structure, cartel-state relationships, and the escalating conflict with law enforcement. It’s a companion to the wider “Narcos” universe focused on narco-trafficking history. (Photo: Social Media)
Narcos: Pablo Escobar – Cocaine Kingpin Series
“Narcos: Pablo Escobar” traces the rise and fall of the notorious Colombian cartel kingpin Pablo Escobar. Through dramatic storytelling, it shows how Escobar built his cocaine empire and clashed with authorities and rival gangs. The series blends historical events with intense character drama about power, corruption, and violence. (Photo: Social Media)
Ferry: The Series – Crime Drama and Cartel Connections
“Ferry: The Series” dives into the underworld of crime and cartel ties through the eyes of its characters, blending smuggling, betrayal, and organized crime dynamics. Set against gritty backdrops, the show highlights how cartel power structures influence local and international criminal networks. (Photo: Social Media)
Savages – Film on Drug Cartel Conflict
“Savages” is a gritty crime film focused on two marijuana growers who clash with a powerful Mexican cartel. The story examines loyalty, friendship, and survival when ordinary criminals face cartel violence. The film’s tense action and cartel power struggles show the brutal reality of drug wars. (Photo: Social Media)
Loving Pablo – Story of a Cartel and a Journalist’s Romance
“Loving Pablo” tells the story of famed cartel boss Pablo Escobar through the eyes of a journalist who becomes romantically involved with him. This film weaves the personal and the criminal, showing Escobar’s lavish lifestyle, power, and the dangers of loving a ruthless cartel leader. (Photo: Social Media)
Scarface – Classic Crime Film on Drug Empire
“Scarface” is an iconic crime film that follows Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who rises to power in Miami’s drug underworld. The movie depicts his violent ascent and downfall as he builds a vast cocaine empire. Known for its intense action and gritty portrayal of greed and ambition, the film remains a cultural touchstone in drug cartel cinema. (Photo: Social Media)
