20 Best Mexican Mafia Movies: Drug Cartel Gangster Wars
As the interest in organized crime and the inner workings of criminal organizations continues to grow, the Mexican Mafia has emerged as a popular subject in media and entertainment. From gritty crime dramas to documentaries, there is no shortage of content that explores the world of La Eme and the various facets of its criminal empire. When it comes to the best Mexican mafia movies, there are a few that stand out as particularly noteworthy for their authentic portrayal of the gang’s history, its involvement in the drug trade, and its ongoing wars with other criminal groups.
While there are many films that touch on the subject of the Mexican Mafia, only a select few truly capture the complexity and brutality of life within the gang. From the high-stakes world of drug trafficking to the cutthroat world of gangster wars, these movies offer a glimpse into the dangerous and volatile world of the Mexican Mafia. In the following article, we will take a closer look at some of the best Mexican mafia movies that have been released in recent years.
Miss Bala (2019)
Gina Rodriguez plays Gloria, a young woman who discovers a strength she never knew she had when her closest friend is kidnapped. As she delves into the dangerous world of cross-border crime, Gloria begins a journey of empowerment that tests her in the most extreme circumstances and forces her to undergo an amazing transformation into an extraordinary hero that we can all identify with.
Sicario (2015)
A young FBI agent (Emily Blunt) joins a secret CIA operation to take down the leader of a Mexican cartel. It will be a job that pushes her ethical and moral values to the limit and forces her to reevaluate everything she has previously believed in.
Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018)
The drug war on the US-Mexico border escalates as the cartels have begun trafficking terrorists across the US border. In order to win the war, federal agent Matt Graver will have to join forces with the volatile Alejandro.
Cartel Land (2015)
In the Mexican state of Michoacán, José Mireles, known as El Doctor, leads groups of Autodefensas, a civilian uprising against the Knights Templar cartel that has terrorized the region for years. Meanwhile, in the Arizonan border town of Agua Prieta, a narrow desert corridor known as Cocaine Alley, American veteran Tim Foley, known as Nailer, leads a small paramilitary group called Arizona Border Recon, whose goal is to stop the flow of Mexican cartel smuggling across the US border.
Director Matthew Heineman immerses himself in the heart of darkness as Nailer, El Doctor, and the cartels vie to establish their own brands of justice in a society where institutions have failed.
Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017)
When her mother suddenly disappears, leaving her alone on the streets, young Estrella joins a group of street children, setting off dangerous and tragic events in Mexican filmmaker Issa Lopez’s third film. This is a story that finally gives voice to a whole generation of children who have been abandoned and forgotten by society.
Get the Gringo (2012)
A career criminal (Mel Gibson) races in his car towards the Mexican border to escape the police and enjoy a long vacation thanks to a successful job, but nothing goes as planned…
He ends up in the notorious prison “El Pueblito”. It is called the worst prison in Mexico, “La Universidad del Crimen” – the University of Crime. It is a nightmare that symbolizes violence, corruption, and a lack of living space.
“El Pueblito” is a society behind bars that is controlled by prisoners. Drugs are sold openly, visits are allowed constantly – if the guards are paid off. He is helped by someone who knows that world – a nine-year-old.
Across the Line: The Exodus of Charlie Wright (2010)
Charlie Wright (Aidan Quinn) is a millionaire and financial genius, but actually a fraudster. His financial empire collapses like a house of cards, and he escapes to Tijuana, Mexico. FBI agent Hobbs (Mario Van Peebles) follows him. In search of a woman he left behind 20 years ago, Charlie learns that she has passed away, but that their relationship produced a daughter, Mary (Claudia Ferri).
Charlie’s partner Jimmy (Jordan Beldfi) is also on vacation in Tijuana and is surprised to see him. Russian mobsters Letvinko (Elya Baskin) and Borlec (Raymond J. Barry) hire a mercenary (Luke Goss) and his team to find Charlie and the money he stole from them. Meanwhile, Mexican boss Jorge Garza (Andy Garzia) offers Charlie protection for a certain amount of money.
El Mariachi (1992)
A young Mexican man (C. Gallardo) has a great ambition in life to become a mariachi musician and continue his family tradition. Traveling through the Mexican provinces, he comes across a town near the US border and decides to stay there.
However, a gang appears that intends to kill him, as they apparently mistook him for someone similar to him. The young musician now has no choice but to hide and possibly seek help from a potential ally, such as the seductive owner (C. Gómez) of a café…
Nicotina (2003)
Young Lolo (D. Luna) is a clever computer hacker who uses his skills to also pursue his attractive neighbor Andrea (M. Belaustegui), who he is literally obsessed with. When petty criminals Tomson (J. Ochoa) and Nene (L. Crespi) ask for his help, Lolo agrees in exchange for diamonds to allow the dangerous Russian mafia member Svóbodi (N. Sotolongo) access to accounts in Swiss banks.
He doesn’t realize that he will get into serious trouble, as circumstances will soon disrupt their plans for everyone. The opportunity to get out of the situation is first noticed by the neighbor pharmacist Beto (D. Giménez Cacho), who lies to his wife Clari (C. Madrid) that he has stopped enjoying nicotine, and then by the greedy hairdresser Carmen (R. M. Bianchi) and her timid and modest husband Goyo (R. Inclán). And when a whirlwind of unpredictable events with violence and gunfire starts, Lolo, Tomson and Nene will realize that their lives are also at stake…
Touch of Evil (1958)
Mexican government officer Ramon Miguel Vargas (C. Vargas) is enjoying his honeymoon with his American wife Susan (J. Leigh). Their kiss in a town on the US-Mexico border is interrupted by the explosion of a car containing a local powerful man. It is a carefully planned murder, and the local police chief Hank Quinlan (O. Welles) takes over the investigation. Since the crime took place at the border crossing itself, Quinlan is joined in the investigation by Vargas, who is involved in uncovering drug traffickers…
2 Guns (2013)
Two American agents from two different government agencies are on secret missions and accidentally investigate each other, which leads them to steal money from the mafia. However, only after that do they realize that the mafia actually tricked them into stealing $50 million from the CIA.
Hell (2010)
Having been deported to Mexico, a man is forced to turn to the ruthless drug cartel that has taken over his hometown in order to survive.
Act of Valor (2012)
With each completed mission, an American military unit known as the Bandito uncovers another piece of the puzzle that leads them to their ultimate goal: preventing a terrorist act of unimaginable consequences.
Along the border with Mexico, a showdown takes place and, although it seems that the forces of evil will prevail, a team of brave marines does not consider retreat or surrender.
Nameless (2009)
She was the most isolated girl in the world, but she didn’t realize it. Stranded in a vast and untamed wilderness, she has somehow managed to survive. With no recollection of interacting with other humans, she has no understanding of language, society, or communication. She doesn’t even have a name, but since she has no one to address her, she doesn’t realize she needs one. She is simply: NAMELESS.
El Más Buscado (2014)
Mexican Mafia tells the story of Alfredo Rios Galeana, one of the most infamous and flamboyant criminals in Mexican history. By night, he performed on stage for his fans in large venues. During the day, he robbed over eighty banks.
The movie explores his strange dual life, how he became Mexico’s most wanted criminal, how he managed to escape prison three times, and how a determined police officer eventually apprehended him.
Savages (2012)
The movie revolves around Ben and Chon (played by Johnson and Kitsch), who are successful marijuana growers. However, things become even more complicated when big players in the drug smuggling world approach them with a business proposal and want a cut of their profits.
Bad Cop (2009)
Officer Angel Almaraz saves the life of a local criminal leader, who then offers him a position in his security team as a sign of gratitude. Almaraz agrees, but soon begins to have doubts.
Mexican Gangster (2008)
Johnny Sun is a Mexican American with a mother who is white and a Mexican father. He witnesses the murder of his parents and seeks revenge years later, leading him down a difficult path as a gangster involved in drug trafficking and smuggling. He tries to keep his brother out of this lifestyle and ends up fighting to protect his own life.
Close Range (2015)
After rescuing his kidnapped niece, former soldier Colton MacReady embarks on a ruthless mission to save his loved ones. Colton finds himself fighting against a corrupt boss, his deputy, and a dangerous drug cartel. To protect those he cares about and save his own life, Colton must endure constant attacks and a survival marathon.
‎Boogie (2009)
Boogie meets Marcia at a bar, where she is the girlfriend of mafia boss Sonny Calabria. Boogie insults Marcia for being overweight and leaves. Calabria goes on trial due to a witness who could incriminate him, so his associates try to hire Boogie to kill the witness, but when he asks for too much money, they hire Blackburn instead. Boogie kidnaps the witness and forces Calabria to pay him.
The witness turns out to be Marcia, who has lost weight and been abandoned by Calabria. Marcia falls in love with Boogie, but when she finds out about his true intentions, she tries to escape and is recaptured by Boogie and traded to Calabria. Boogie feels guilty and rescues Marcia, bringing her to trial.
During the trial, Calabria’s lawyer tries to kill Marcia but is shot by Boogie. Calabria summons hitmen who are all killed by Boogie and Marcia, who then kills Calabria. Boogie falls in love with Marcia and the film ends with him holding an M16 rifle in a battlefield.
