10 Movies & Shows Like Sicario (2015)

Description: Similar to Sicario, Traffic explores the complexities of the drug trade, focusing on multiple perspectives including law enforcement, traffickers, and users. Both films share a gritty, realistic tone and delve into the moral ambiguities of the war on drugs. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, Traffic employs a similar visual style with desaturated colors to emphasize the bleakness of the subject matter.

Fact: Traffic won four Academy Awards, including Best Director for Steven Soderbergh. The film is based on a British miniseries of the same name. Benicio del Toro, who also stars in Sicario, won an Oscar for his role in Traffic.

Description: No Country for Old Men shares Sicario's tense, atmospheric storytelling and exploration of violence along the U.S.-Mexico border. Both films feature morally ambiguous characters and a sense of inevitable doom. The Coen Brothers' direction, like Denis Villeneuve's in Sicario, is meticulous and visually striking, with a focus on silence and tension.

Fact: The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Javier Bardem's character, Anton Chigurh, is one of the most iconic villains in cinema history. The movie is based on Cormac McCarthy's novel of the same name.

Description: Breaking Bad shares Sicario's exploration of the drug trade's moral decay and violence. Both feature meticulous storytelling and complex characters who descend into darkness. The show's tension-filled sequences and moral dilemmas are reminiscent of Sicario's high-stakes narrative.

Fact: Breaking Bad is often cited as one of the greatest TV shows of all time. The series won 16 Primetime Emmy Awards. Bryan Cranston's performance as Walter White is legendary.

Description: The Infiltrator shares Sicario's focus on undercover operations within the drug trade. Both films highlight the dangers and moral compromises faced by law enforcement. Bryan Cranston's performance as an undercover agent mirrors the tension and paranoia seen in Sicario, with a similar emphasis on the psychological toll of the work.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of federal agent Robert Mazur. Bryan Cranston prepared for the role by meeting with the real Robert Mazur. The movie features a cameo by Mazur himself.

Description: Prisoners, like Sicario, is a tense thriller that explores moral ambiguity and the lengths people will go to for justice. Both films feature Denis Villeneuve's direction, with a focus on atmospheric tension and complex characters. The films' dark, moody visuals and psychological depth are strikingly similar.

Fact: Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal deliver powerhouse performances. The film was a critical and commercial success. Roger Deakins' cinematography received widespread acclaim.

Description: The Counselor, written by Cormac McCarthy, shares Sicario's bleak outlook on the drug trade and its consequences. Both films feature high-stakes deals gone wrong and explore themes of greed, betrayal, and violence. The Counselor's unflinching portrayal of the cartel world mirrors the brutal realism of Sicario.

Fact: This was Cormac McCarthy's first original screenplay. The film features an all-star cast including Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, and Javier Bardem. Despite its star power, the film received mixed reviews upon release.

Description: The Night Of, like Sicario, delves into the gritty underbelly of crime and justice. Both explore systemic corruption and the psychological toll on those involved. The miniseries' tense, atmospheric storytelling and moral complexity align with Sicario's themes.

Fact: The series is a remake of the British show Criminal Justice. Riz Ahmed won an Emmy for his performance. The show was praised for its realistic portrayal of the criminal justice system.

Description: The Bridge, like Sicario, is set on the U.S.-Mexico border and deals with the intersection of crime, law enforcement, and politics. Both explore the complexities and moral ambiguities of border issues, with a focus on the human cost. The series' dark tone and procedural elements mirror Sicario's narrative style.

Fact: The series is based on the Scandinavian show Bron/Broen. It features Diane Kruger in her first major English-language role. The show was praised for its portrayal of border issues but was canceled after two seasons.

Description: Cartel Land is a documentary that, like Sicario, examines the violent realities of the drug war on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Both works present a raw, unfiltered look at the chaos and corruption fueled by the cartels. The documentary's gritty, immersive style aligns with Sicario's cinematic realism.

Fact: The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Director Matthew Heineman embedded himself with vigilante groups to capture the footage. The documentary was shot in a vérité style, adding to its intensity.

Description: ZeroZeroZero, like Sicario, provides a global perspective on the drug trade, showing its impact on suppliers, traffickers, and buyers. Both emphasize the ruthless efficiency and violence of cartels. The series' cinematography and pacing create a similar sense of tension and dread, with a focus on the logistical and human costs of the trade.

Fact: The series is based on Roberto Saviano's book of the same name. Saviano also wrote Gomorrah, another gritty exploration of organized crime. The show was filmed in multiple countries, including Mexico, Italy, and the U.S.