Movies About Cartels

From Brian De Palma, starring Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Rated R

Scarface is a 1983 crime drama directed by Brian De Palma and starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee who arrives in Miami during the Mariel Boatlift of 1980. After gaining success in the criminal underworld, Tony becomes the most powerful drug kingpin in the city. As his power increases, Tony's ambition and paranoia spiral out of control, leading to a violent and tragic downfall. The film is a classic tale of the American dream gone wrong, and shows the corrupting influence of power and greed.

From Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson
Rated R

No Country for Old Men is a 2007 neo-Western crime thriller film directed by the Coen Brothers. The film follows a weathered Texan, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), as he discovers a suitcase filled with $2 million and soon finds himself in the pursuit of a relentless and psychopathic hitman, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem). The story takes place in 1980's rural Texas, and follows Moss as he struggles to evade Chigurh and the law, led by an aging and weary Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones). Through its twists and turns, No Country for Old Men ultimately examines themes of fate, morality, and mortality. Along with its riveting story, the film is noted for its stunning cinematography, as well as the powerful performances of its leads. No Country for Old Men was a critical and commercial success, winning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From José Padilha, starring Wagner Moura, André Ramiro, Caio Junqueira, Milhem Cortaz
Rated R

Elite Squad is a 2007 Brazilian crime film directed by José Padilha. It follows two police officers, Captains André Matias and Nascimento, as they try to clean up the crime-ridden slums of Rio de Janeiro. In order to combat the rising crime rate, Matias and Nascimento enlist the help of a special unit of highly trained police officers, known as the BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais). This elite group is tasked with leading a massive military campaign to rid the slums of drug trafficking and gangs of violent criminals. As the film progresses, the officers must grapple with the moral dilemmas of their mission, as the line between “good” and “bad” quickly blurs. In the end, Matias and Nascimento discover that the ultimate enemy is the corrupt system of government that allows the slums and their citizens to suffer.

From Billy Corben, starring Jon Roberts, Al Sunshine, Sam Burstyn, Mickey Munday
Rated R

Cocaine Cowboys is a 2006 documentary film directed by Billy Corben. The film tells the story of how Miami became the drug, murder and cash capital of the United States in the 1980s. The film follows a number of individuals involved in the cocaine trade, including drug smugglers, hit men and corrupt law enforcement officials. It also examines the various links between the drug trade, money laundering and organized crime. The film chronicles the sudden increase in violence and money laundering during this era and its impact on Miami. Cocaine Cowboys offers an eye-opening look into the drug trade and its effects on a city.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, Jon Bernthal
Rated R

Sicario is a 2015 crime thriller film directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, and Josh Brolin. The story follows an idealistic FBI agent, Kate Macer (Blunt), who is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs along the border of the United States and Mexico. The task force is led by a mysterious consultant Matt Graver (Brolin), who brings along an enigmatic mercenary, Alejandro (Del Toro). Kate soon finds herself in the middle of a dangerous operation that involves corruption and betrayal at the highest levels. As she navigates the violence and deception, she must find out if she can trust Matt and Alejandro to help her get out alive.

From Steven Soderbergh, starring Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Toro, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jacob Vargas
Rated R

Traffic is an American crime drama directed by Steven Soderbergh. The film follows several parallel storylines which converge in a dramatic climax. In Mexico, police officer Javier Rodriguez (Benicio Del Toro) is sent to investigate the corrupt drug trade chain that runs from Mexico to the United States. In San Diego, U.S. Customs agent Montel Gordon (Don Cheadle) takes on the task of busting the drug smuggling operation across the border. Meanwhile, in Washington D.C., newly appointed Drug Czar Robert Wakefield (Michael Douglas) learns that his teenage daughter has become addicted to drugs. As the stories unfold, the characters realize the consequences of the drug war and its effects on the lives of ordinary people. The film was a critical and commercial success, and won four Academy Awards.

From David Ayer, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, America Ferrera
Rated R

End of Watch is a 2012 American crime drama film directed by David Ayer and starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña as two Los Angeles Police Department officers. The film follows their day-to-day patrol of South Central Los Angeles and offers an intimate look into their lives and relationships as well as the dangers of their job. As they patrol, they encounter a variety of criminals, drug dealers, and gangs, and soon become targets in an escalating war between a powerful Mexican drug cartel and the LAPD. In the process, they learn to rely on each other and their newfound skills as they battle to survive on the streets.

From Ted Demme, starring Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Franka Potente, Rachel Griffiths
Rated R

Blow is a biographical crime drama film directed by Ted Demme and starring Johnny Depp. The film is based on the true story of George Jung, a drug smuggler and drug trafficker who was part of the Cocaine Cowboys in the 1970s. The film follows Jung's journey from a small-town kid with big dreams to a major player in the international drug trade. In addition to the drugs, the film also explores Jung's complex relationship with his parents and girlfriend. The film shows the consequences of Jung's criminal activities and his eventual downfall. In the end, Jung is faced with the reality that his actions and lifestyle have led him to a dead-end.

From Matthew Heineman, starring Tim Nailer Foley, José Manuel 'El Doctor' Mireles, Paco Valencia, Chaneque
Rated R

From Shaul Schwarz, starring
Rated R

From Robert Rodriguez, starring Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Joaquim de Almeida, Cheech Marin
Rated R

From Stefano Sollima, starring Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Isabela Merced, Jeffrey Donovan
Rated R

From Phillip Noyce, starring Harrison Ford, Willem Dafoe, Anne Archer, Joaquim de Almeida
Rated PG-13

From Baltasar Kormákur, starring Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton, Bill Paxton
Rated R

From Gerardo Naranjo, starring Stephanie Sigman, Noé Hernández, Irene Azuela, J.R. Yenque
Rated R

From Oliver Stone, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Benicio Del Toro
Rated R

From Ric Roman Waugh, starring Dwayne Johnson, Susan Sarandon, Jon Bernthal, Rafi Gavron
Rated PG-13

From Robert Rodriguez, starring Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp, Willem Dafoe
Rated R

From Jee-woon Kim, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Knoxville, Rodrigo Santoro
Rated R

From F. Gary Gray, starring Vin Diesel, Timothy Olyphant, Larenz Tate, Geno Silva
Rated R

From Michael Mann, starring Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Gong Li, Naomie Harris
Rated R

From David Ayer, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sam Worthington, Terrence Howard, Olivia Williams
Rated R

From Ridley Scott, starring Michael Fassbender, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem
Rated R