10 Movies and Shows Like Battle of Culiacán: Heirs of the Cartel (2025)

Description: While 'The Sopranos' focuses on the Italian-American mafia, its exploration of family, loyalty, and power dynamics within organized crime parallels themes in 'Battle of Culiacán: Heirs of the Cartel'. Both works blend personal drama with high-stakes criminal activity, offering a nuanced look at their respective worlds.

Fact: 'The Sopranos' is often credited with ushering in the era of prestige television. James Gandolfini, who played Tony Soprano, was relatively unknown before the show. The series finale's ambiguous ending is still debated by fans today.

Description: Both 'The Shield' and 'Battle of Culiacán: Heirs of the Cartel' explore the thin line between law enforcement and criminality. The morally ambiguous characters and high-octane action sequences are central to both. The themes of corruption, power, and justice are treated with a similar gritty realism.

Fact: 'The Shield' was one of the first shows to feature an antihero as its protagonist, paving the way for series like 'Breaking Bad'. Michael Chiklis, who played Vic Mackey, gained 30 pounds and shaved his head to distance himself from his previous comedic roles. The show's handheld camera work and documentary-style filming were innovative at the time.

Description: While 'The Wire' focuses more on urban crime in Baltimore, its in-depth exploration of systemic issues, corruption, and the drug trade mirrors the societal critiques likely present in 'Battle of Culiacán: Heirs of the Cartel'. Both works use a multi-perspective narrative to show how different sectors of society are interconnected and affected by crime.

Fact: 'The Wire' was created by former police reporter David Simon, lending it a high degree of authenticity. The series is often praised for its realistic portrayal of urban life and its unflinching look at institutional failure. Many actors in the show were non-professionals or had real-life experiences similar to their characters.

Description: Both 'Breaking Bad' and 'Battle of Culiacán: Heirs of the Cartel' explore the transformation of ordinary individuals into key players in the drug trade. The themes of power, morality, and the consequences of one's actions are central to both. The intense, character-driven storytelling and high-stakes drama are hallmarks of both productions.

Fact: 'Breaking Bad' was initially rejected by several networks before being picked up by AMC. Bryan Cranston, who played Walter White, won four Emmy Awards for his performance. The show's iconic RV meth lab was actually a real RV purchased by the production team.

Description: This series shares the theme of cartel power struggles and the rise of a formidable leader within the drug trade, similar to 'Battle of Culiacán: Heirs of the Cartel'. Both narratives explore the personal and societal impacts of cartel violence, with strong female leads navigating a male-dominated world. The action-packed sequences and moral dilemmas faced by characters are central to both stories.

Fact: 'Queen of the South' is based on the novel 'La Reina del Sur' by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. The protagonist, Teresa Mendoza, is inspired by real-life female drug lords. The show was filmed in locations such as Dallas, Malta, and Colombia to depict various aspects of the drug trade.

Description: Like 'Battle of Culiacán: Heirs of the Cartel', 'Gomorrah' offers a raw and unflinching look at organized crime, focusing on the Camorra in Naples. Both works are praised for their authenticity, complex characters, and the portrayal of the brutal realities of cartel life.

Fact: 'Gomorrah' is based on Roberto Saviano's bestselling book, which led to him living under police protection due to death threats. The series is shot in a documentary-style to enhance its realism. Many of the actors were locals with no prior acting experience, adding to the show's authenticity.

Description: 'Peaky Blinders' and 'Battle of Culiacán: Heirs of the Cartel' both depict the rise of criminal organizations and their impact on society. The stylish yet brutal portrayal of gang life, combined with strong family dynamics, makes both series compelling. The historical and cultural contexts add depth to their narratives.

Fact: 'Peaky Blinders' is loosely based on a real 19th-century urban gang in Birmingham, England. The show's distinctive soundtrack features modern rock and post-punk music, despite its early 20th-century setting. Cillian Murphy, who plays Tommy Shelby, was not the first choice for the role but impressed the creators with his audition.

Description: As a prequel to 'Breaking Bad', 'Better Call Saul' shares the same gritty, morally complex world that 'Battle of Culiacán: Heirs of the Cartel' likely inhabits. Both series delve into the legal and illegal sides of their respective worlds, showing how characters navigate and manipulate systems for survival and power.

Fact: 'Better Call Saul' was originally conceived as a half-hour comedy but evolved into a dramatic series. Bob Odenkirk, who plays Saul Goodman, had no prior dramatic acting experience before 'Breaking Bad'. The show has been praised for its meticulous attention to detail and continuity with 'Breaking Bad'.

Description: 'Snowfall' provides a fictionalized account of the crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles, similar to how 'Battle of Culiacán: Heirs of the Cartel' might document real events in Mexico. Both highlight the socio-economic factors that drive individuals into the drug trade and the devastating effects on communities.

Fact: 'Snowfall' was co-created by John Singleton, the director of 'Boyz n the Hood'. The character Franklin Saint is loosely based on several real-life figures from the 1980s crack epidemic. The show's soundtrack features a mix of 1980s hip-hop and original score to enhance the period setting.

Description: Similar to 'Battle of Culiacán: Heirs of the Cartel', 'ZeroZeroZero' delves deep into the global drug trade, showcasing the brutal realities and power struggles within cartels. Both productions emphasize the intricate and often violent dynamics between law enforcement, cartels, and the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. The visual storytelling in 'ZeroZeroZero' is gritty and realistic, much like the documentary-style approach expected in 'Battle of Culiacán'.

Fact: 'ZeroZeroZero' is based on the book of the same name by Roberto Saviano, who also wrote 'Gomorrah'. The series was filmed in multiple countries, including Mexico, Italy, and Senegal, to authentically portray the global drug trade. It features an international cast, including Andrea Riseborough and Gabriel Byrne.