40 Best Movies like Sicario (2015)

Sicario: Day of the Soldado continues the story world introduced in Sicario, exploring the volatile dynamics of drug-related conflicts at the US-Mexico border. As a rewarding follow-up, it delves deeper into the moral complexities and escalates the tension, offering a gripping narrative for audiences invested in intense crime thrillers.

Agent Matt Graver teams up with operative Alejandro Gillick to prevent Mexican drug cartels from smuggling terrorists across the United States border. Sicario: Day of the Soldado is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 2m runtime, released in 2018 with an average rating of 6.9 by 4,125 people. The movie made an estimated total of $75,836,683 in the box office.

Traffic appears due to its intricate look at the war on drugs, offering a sweeping perspective through interwoven storylines. The film stands out for its multifaceted approach to crime and enforcement, engaging viewers with intersecting narratives that paint a broad portrait of the societal impact of narcotics.

An exploration of the United States of America's war on drugs from multiple perspectives. For the new head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the war becomes personal when he discovers his well-educated daughter is abusing cocaine within their comfortable suburban home. In Mexico, a flawed, but noble policeman agrees to testify against a powerful general in league with a cartel, and in San Diego, a drug kingpin's sheltered trophy wife must learn her husband's ruthless business after he is arrested, endangering her luxurious lifestyle. Traffic is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 27m runtime, released in 2000 with an average rating of 7.1 by 2,461 people. The movie made an estimated total of $207,500,000 in the box office.

With its suspenseful atmosphere and borderland setting, No Country for Old Men crafts a relentless narrative of crime and morality. The film’s quiet intensity and stark portrayal of violence create a haunting cinematic experience, leaving a lasting impression through its unique tone and distinctive characters.

Llewelyn Moss stumbles upon dead bodies, $2 million and a hoard of heroin in a Texas desert, but methodical killer Anton Chigurh comes looking for it, with local sheriff Ed Tom Bell hot on his trail. The roles of prey and predator blur as the violent pursuit of money and justice collide. No Country for Old Men is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 2m runtime, released in 2007 with an average rating of 7.9 by 13,561 people. The movie made an estimated total of $171,627,166 in the box office.

Miss Bala is included for its exploration of an idealistic protagonist caught amid criminal forces along the US-Mexico border. The film captivates by highlighting personal survival and the raw realities faced by individuals thrust into dangerous situations, distinguishing itself with a personal and tense journey.

The story of a young woman clinging on to her dream to become a beauty contest queen in a Mexico dominated by organized crime. Miss Bala is a movie from Mexico in Spanish, with a total 1h 53m runtime, released in 2011 with an average rating of 6.7 by 208 people.

Zero Dark Thirty is selected for its focus on government agents immersed in covert operations involving high-stakes dangers. The film is memorable for its methodical pacing, procedural storytelling, and an unwavering depiction of the pursuit of elusive targets under extreme circumstances.

A chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L. Team 6 in May, 2011. Zero Dark Thirty is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 37m runtime, released in 2012 with an average rating of 7.0 by 4,947 people. The movie made an estimated total of $132,800,000 in the box office.

Cartel Land belongs here because of its urgent real-life examination of the escalating conflict between vigilantes and drug cartels at the border. Offering a documentary perspective, it provides a gripping and authentic window into the ongoing struggle, leaving viewers with powerful, thought-provoking images.

In the Mexican state of Michoacán, Dr. Jose Mireles, a small-town physician known as "El Doctor," shepherds a citizen uprising against the Knights Templar, the violent drug cartel that has wreaked havoc on the region for years. Meanwhile, in Arizona's Altar Valley—a narrow, 52-mile-long desert corridor known as Cocaine Alley—Tim "Nailer" Foley, an American veteran, heads a small paramilitary group called Arizona Border Recon, whose goal is to halt Mexico’s drug wars from seeping across our border. Cartel Land is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 41m runtime, released in 2015 with an average rating of 7.2 by 374 people. The movie made an estimated total of $1,145,923 in the box office.

Drug War earns its place due to its tense narrative revolving around law enforcement agencies confronting criminal empires. As a compelling standalone experience, it draws viewers into high-stakes investigations, using taut storytelling that builds suspense and keeps audiences invested in every twist.

A drug cartel boss is arrested in a raid and coerced into betraying his former accomplices as part of an undercover operation. Drug War is a movie from China in Cantonese, with a total 1h 47m runtime, released in 2012 with an average rating of 6.9 by 309 people. The movie made an estimated total of $24,676,341 in the box office.

Savages is recommended for its tense atmosphere and crime-thriller pacing that propels viewers through a world of danger and shifting alliances. The film distinguishes itself through its kinetic energy and stylish depiction of power struggles within the underworld.

Pot growers Ben and Chon face off against the Mexican drug cartel that kidnapped their shared girlfriend. Savages is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 11m runtime, released in 2012 with an average rating of 6.4 by 2,312 people. The movie made an estimated total of $82,966,152 in the box office.

The Counselor secures its spot with a narrative built on high-risk decisions and the consequences of entering complex criminal enterprises. It's notable for its bleak tone and exploration of moral ambiguity, offering an engrossing portrayal of ambition and downfall.

A lawyer finds himself in far over his head when he attempts to get involved in drug trafficking. The Counselor is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 57m runtime, released in 2013 with an average rating of 5.3 by 2,011 people. The movie made an estimated total of $71,009,334 in the box office.

Narco Cultura features for its striking exploration of the cultural influence of the drug trade, presenting a rare glimpse into its impact on society and identity. The film stands out with its documentary approach, providing a resonant look at the broader implications of cartel violence.

To a growing number of Mexicans and Latinos in the Americas, narco-traffickers have become iconic outlaws and the new models of fame and success. They represent a pathway out of the ghetto, nurturing a new American dream fueled by the war on drugs. Narco Cultura looks at this explosive phenomenon from within, exposing cycles of addiction to money, drugs, and violence that are rapidly gaining strength on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border Narco Cultura is a movie from Mexico in English, with a total 1h 43m runtime, released in 2013 with an average rating of 7.0 by 57 people. The movie made an estimated total of $163,690 in the box office.

End of Watch is included due to its immersive depiction of the dangerous realities faced by law enforcement officers on the streets. The film engages with a unique sense of camaraderie and immediacy, drawing audiences into its intense, character-driven drama.

Two young officers are marked for death after confiscating a small cache of money and firearms from the members of a notorious cartel during a routine traffic stop. End of Watch is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 49m runtime, released in 2012 with an average rating of 7.4 by 3,701 people. The movie made an estimated total of $55,078,146 in the box office.

Maria Full of Grace appears for its powerful story told through the experience of an individual navigating high-risk criminal undertakings. The emotional depth and intimate character study offer a different perspective on risk, vulnerability, and perseverance.

A pregnant Colombian teenager becomes a drug mule to make some desperately needed money for her family. Maria Full of Grace is a movie from Colombia in Spanish, with a total 1h 41m runtime, released in 2004 with an average rating of 7.2 by 435 people. The movie made an estimated total of $12,450,821 in the box office.

Clear and Present Danger takes a place on this page for its storyline involving government efforts against sprawling criminal organizations. It remains engaging through its combination of political intrigue, moral uncertainty, and high-tension action sequences.

Agent Jack Ryan becomes acting Deputy Director of Intelligence for the CIA when Admiral Greer is diagnosed with cancer. When an American businessman, and friend of the president, is murdered on his yacht, Ryan starts discovering links between the man and drug dealers. As former CIA agent John Clark is sent to Colombia to kill drug cartel kingpins in retaliation, Ryan must fight through multiple cover-ups to figure out what happened and who's responsible. Clear and Present Danger is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 21m runtime, released in 1994 with an average rating of 6.7 by 1,715 people. The movie made an estimated total of $215,887,717 in the box office.

Man on Fire is relevant for its unflinching portrayal of personal determination set against a backdrop of crime and violence. Its strength comes from raw emotional stakes and an atmospheric intensity that deepens the narrative impact.

Jaded ex-CIA operative John Creasy reluctantly accepts a job as the bodyguard for a 10-year-old girl in Mexico City. They clash at first, but eventually bond, and when she's kidnapped he's consumed by fury and will stop at nothing to save her life. Man on Fire is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 26m runtime, released in 2004 with an average rating of 7.5 by 5,795 people. The movie made an estimated total of $130,300,000 in the box office.

Blood Father is relevant for its thematic exploration of personal redemption in the midst of criminal turmoil. The film keeps viewers riveted with its gritty tone and the central character’s desperate efforts to protect what matters most.

An ex-con reconnects with his estranged teenage daughter while fighting to keep her alive after she becomes a target of violent drug dealers. Blood Father is a movie from France in French, with a total 1h 28m runtime, released in 2016 with an average rating of 6.2 by 1,688 people. The movie made an estimated total of $6,903,033 in the box office.

Prisoners lands on this list for its relentless pursuit of justice, immersing viewers in a morally complex environment. The film distinguishes itself through methodical pacing and a palpable sense of dread as characters confront impossible choices.

After his six-year-old daughter is abducted, a desperate father takes justice into his own hands when he loses faith in the detective leading the investigation, setting both men on a collision course as the search descends into obsession and moral compromise. Prisoners is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 33m runtime, released in 2013 with an average rating of 8.1 by 13,302 people. The movie made an estimated total of $122,127,446 in the box office.

A Most Violent Year is included for its exploration of ambition and survival under pressure in a world rife with crime and uncertainty. Its slowly building tension and strong character work provide a thoughtful look at perseverance in morally ambiguous times.

A thriller set in New York City during the winter of 1981, statistically one of the most violent years in the city's history, and centered on the lives of an immigrant and his family trying to expand their business and capitalize on opportunities as the rampant violence, decay, and corruption of the day drag them in and threaten to destroy all they have built. A Most Violent Year is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 5m runtime, released in 2014 with an average rating of 6.6 by 1,562 people. The movie made an estimated total of $12,007,070 in the box office.

Elite Squad is represented for depicting the internal challenges faced by specialized law enforcement units. The film immerses viewers in an uncompromising world, balancing intense action with commentary on the ethical dilemmas facing officers.

In 1997, before the visit of the pope to Rio de Janeiro, Captain Nascimento from BOPE (Special Police Operations Battalion) is assigned to eliminate the risks of the drug dealers in a dangerous slum nearby where the pope intends to be lodged. Elite Squad is a movie from Brazil in Portuguese, with a total 1h 55m runtime, released in 2007 with an average rating of 8.1 by 2,764 people. The movie made an estimated total of $14,759,148 in the box office.

El Infierno shows the personal cost and chaos unleashed by organized crime, employing dark humor and dramatic moments. Its distinctive narrative style and satirical edge make it a memorable exploration of criminal realities.

After being deported back to Mexico, a man has no choice but to join the vicious drug cartel that has corrupted his hometown in order to survive. El Infierno is a movie from Mexico in Spanish, with a total 2h 28m runtime, released in 2010 with an average rating of 7.9 by 801 people. The movie made an estimated total of $6,703,873 in the box office.

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi earns its spot thanks to its intense, real-time portrayal of a high-stress government operation. The visceral, action-packed sequences and focus on survival under fire offer a compelling, immersive viewing experience.

An American Ambassador is killed during an attack at a U.S. compound in Libya as a security team struggles to make sense out of the chaos. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 24m runtime, released in 2016 with an average rating of 7.3 by 4,010 people. The movie made an estimated total of $69,411,370 in the box office.

Running Scared gains inclusion for its relentless pacing and perilous urban journey through criminal underworlds. The movie’s breathless momentum and unpredictability keep viewers gripped from start to finish.

A low-ranking thug is entrusted by his boss to dispose of a gun that killed corrupt cops, but things spiral out of control when the gun ends up in wrong hands. Running Scared is a movie from Germany in English, with a total 2h 2m runtime, released in 2006 with an average rating of 7.0 by 1,183 people. The movie made an estimated total of $9,500,000 in the box office.

The Mule belongs here for its personal look at someone drawn unwittingly into the dangerous world of drug trafficking. The film’s appeal lies in its nuanced character study and exploration of risk, regret, and unexpected choices.

Earl Stone, a man in his eighties, is broke, alone, and facing foreclosure of his business when he is offered a job that simply requires him to drive. Easy enough, but, unbeknownst to Earl, he's just signed on as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel. He does so well that his cargo increases exponentially, and Earl hit the radar of hard-charging DEA agent Colin Bates. The Mule is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 56m runtime, released in 2018 with an average rating of 6.9 by 5,417 people. The movie made an estimated total of $174,800,000 in the box office.

Infernal Affairs earns a place by examining the psychological toll and moral complexity of undercover work in criminal organizations. The film stands out with its intricate plot and tense, double-edged cat-and-mouse dynamics.

Chan Wing Yan, a young police officer, has been sent undercover as a mole in the local mafia. Lau Kin Ming, a young mafia member, infiltrates the police force. Years later, their older counterparts, Chen Wing Yan and Inspector Lau Kin Ming, respectively, race against time to expose the mole within their midst. Infernal Affairs is a movie from Hong Kong in Cantonese, with a total 1h 41m runtime, released in 2002 with an average rating of 7.8 by 1,893 people. The movie made an estimated total of $8,836,958 in the box office.

Triple Frontier appears for its action-driven story about a team confronting high stakes in a treacherous environment. The film’s blend of personal loyalty, shifting alliances, and kinetic action sequences creates a suspenseful and rewarding viewing experience.

Struggling to make ends meet, former special ops soldiers reunite for a high-stakes heist: stealing $75 million from a South American drug lord. Triple Frontier is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 5m runtime, released in 2019 with an average rating of 6.3 by 3,590 people.

City of God is recognized for its sweeping, authentic depiction of crime’s impact on daily life within a tightly knit community. With energetic pacing and immersive storytelling, the film vividly captures the rise and consequences of criminal involvement.

In the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two young men choose different paths. Rocket is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood, while José “Zé” Pequeno is an ambitious drug dealer diving into a dangerous life of crime. City of God is a movie from Brazil in Portuguese, with a total 2h 9m runtime, released in 2002 with an average rating of 8.4 by 8,317 people. The movie made an estimated total of $30,641,770 in the box office.

Wind River deserves inclusion for its chilling atmosphere and exploration of violent crime in remote, unforgiving terrain. The film draws viewers in with compelling investigative work and resonates through its haunting tone.

An FBI agent teams with the town's veteran game tracker to investigate a murder that occurred on a Native American reservation. Wind River is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 47m runtime, released in 2017 with an average rating of 7.4 by 5,866 people. The movie made an estimated total of $44,998,252 in the box office.

Den of Thieves is selected for its intense and strategic standoffs between law enforcement and professional criminals. The film keeps the tension high through well-staged action and unexpected narrative developments.

A gritty crime saga which follows the lives of an elite unit of the LA County Sheriff's Dept. and the state's most successful bank robbery crew as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank. Den of Thieves is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 20m runtime, released in 2018 with an average rating of 6.9 by 3,463 people. The movie made an estimated total of $80,509,622 in the box office.

Body of Lies is listed for its intricate depiction of government operations confronting dangers that require morally ambiguous decisions. Its appeal comes from its carefully woven intrigue and suspenseful, globe-trotting storyline.

The CIA’s hunt is on for the mastermind of a wave of terrorist attacks. Roger Ferris is the agency’s man on the ground, moving from place to place, scrambling to stay ahead of ever-shifting events. An eye in the sky – a satellite link – watches Ferris. At the other end of that real-time link is the CIA’s Ed Hoffman, strategizing events from thousands of miles away. And as Ferris nears the target, he discovers trust can be just as dangerous as it is necessary for survival. Body of Lies is a movie from United Kingdom in English, with a total 2h 8m runtime, released in 2008 with an average rating of 6.6 by 3,384 people. The movie made an estimated total of $113,280,098 in the box office.

The Line is noteworthy for depicting dangerous games of deception and survival within organized crime circles. The film draws audiences in with its tense, unpredictable plotting and a richly drawn criminal world.

The story centers around veteran assassin Mark Shields as he tracks down, Pelon, the elusive head of the Salazar Crime Cartel. Through twists of fate, Shields ends up with a local woman, Olivia who is also fighting her own demons for the sake of her daughter. Set in the rich and atmospheric backdrop of Tijuana, Mexico, La Linea (The Line) is full of action and drama. The Line is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 35m runtime, released in 2009 with an average rating of 4.8 by 84 people.

A Walk Among the Tombstones is highlighted for its dark, methodical investigation into lethal criminal activities. The film’s haunting pace and somber tone offer an absorbing, character-driven take on crime and justice.

Private investigator Matthew Scudder is hired by a drug kingpin to find out who kidnapped and murdered his wife. A Walk Among the Tombstones is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 54m runtime, released in 2014 with an average rating of 6.3 by 3,055 people. The movie made an estimated total of $58,834,384 in the box office.

State of Grace earns its place for its complex look at loyalty and betrayal amidst gritty urban crime. The film stands out for strong character relationships and an evocative atmosphere that pulls viewers deep into its world.

Hell's Kitchen, New York. Terry Noonan returns home after a ten-year absence. He soon reconnects with Jackie, a childhood friend and member of the Irish mob, and rekindles his love affair with Jackie's sister Kathleen. State of Grace is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 15m runtime, released in 1990 with an average rating of 7.0 by 429 people. The movie made an estimated total of $1,911,542 in the box office.

Animal Kingdom is recommended for its intense family dynamics set against the constant threat of crime and violence. The film’s gripping storytelling and psychological depth make it a memorable exploration of corrupting influence and survival.

Joshua “J” is taken in by his extended family after his mother dies of an overdose. The clan, ruled by J’s scheming grandmother, is heavily involved in criminal activities, and J is soon indoctrinated into their way of life. But J is given a chance to take another path when a cop seeks to help him. Animal Kingdom is a movie from Australia in English, with a total 1h 53m runtime, released in 2010 with an average rating of 6.8 by 926 people. The movie made an estimated total of $1,000,000 in the box office.

The Departed appears here for its multi-layered narrative involving corruption, undercover operations, and shifting identities. The film captivates with its intricate plotting, sharp dialogue, and masterful construction of suspenseful confrontations.

To take down South Boston's Irish Mafia, the police send in one of their own to infiltrate the underworld, not realizing the syndicate has done likewise. While an undercover cop curries favor with the mob kingpin, a career criminal rises through the police ranks. But both sides soon discover there's a mole among them. The Departed is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 31m runtime, released in 2006 with an average rating of 8.2 by 16,437 people. The movie made an estimated total of $291,465,000 in the box office.

The Man from Nowhere stands out for its raw emotional journey amid high-stakes criminal conflict. Its wide-ranging action and intimate portrayal of a determined central character deliver a gripping martial thriller experience.

A reclusive pawnshop owner goes on a brutal rampage to rescue a young girl kidnapped by a criminal organization. The Man from Nowhere is a movie from South Korea in Korean, with a total 1h 59m runtime, released in 2010 with an average rating of 7.7 by 1,519 people. The movie made an estimated total of $43,059,790 in the box office.

Blow is relevant for chronicling the meteoric rise and fall of an individual entangled in the drug trade. The film’s engaging narrative and character focus immerse viewers in the high-stakes allure and inevitable consequences of a criminal life.

The story of how George Jung, together with the Medellín Cartel led by Pablo Escobar, established the billion-dollar cocaine empire in the United States in the 1970s. Blow is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 4m runtime, released in 2001 with an average rating of 7.4 by 4,652 people. The movie made an estimated total of $83,300,000 in the box office.

Traffic Department is chosen for its portrayal of internal investigations and law enforcement navigating ethical dilemmas. The film’s realistic approach to police procedures and institutional challenges creates a compellingly grounded drama.

Seven policemen, seven deadly sins, a murder case, secrets and the filth of everyday police work: Traffic Department transports the viewer into the darkest Warsaw streets. Traffic Department is a movie from Poland in Polish, with a total 1h 58m runtime, released in 2013 with an average rating of 6.6 by 97 people.

The Yards makes this list due to its exploration of trust, betrayal, and survival within criminally influenced power structures. The atmospheric and character-driven story immerses viewers in conflicts at the intersection of family and organized crime.

In the rail yards of Queens, contractors repair and rebuild the city's subway cars. These contracts are lucrative, so graft and corruption are rife. When Leo Handler gets out of prison, he finds his aunt married to Frank Olchin, one of the big contractors; he's battling with a minority-owned firm for contracts. The Yards is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 55m runtime, released in 2000 with an average rating of 6.2 by 531 people. The movie made an estimated total of $889,352 in the box office.

Infernal Affairs II is recommended for delving into the foundations of criminal and police entanglements, offering a backstory that adds emotional and narrative complexity. The film’s storytelling depth and escalating tension amplify its impact.

In this prequel to the original, a bloody power struggle among the Triads coincides with the 1997 handover of Hong Kong, setting up the events of the first film. Infernal Affairs II is a movie from Hong Kong in Cantonese, with a total 1h 59m runtime, released in 2003 with an average rating of 7.3 by 481 people. The movie made an estimated total of $3,208,262 in the box office.

The Drop earns its place for its claustrophobic setting and focus on everyday individuals caught in the web of criminal activity. The movie’s tightly wound narrative and rich characterization make it a suspenseful, character-centric crime drama.

Bob Saginowski finds himself at the center of a robbery gone awry and entwined in an investigation that digs deep into the neighborhood's past where friends, families, and foes all work together to make a living - no matter the cost. The Drop is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 46m runtime, released in 2014 with an average rating of 6.8 by 2,465 people. The movie made an estimated total of $19,054,534 in the box office.

Line of Duty qualifies for its portrayal of urgent, adrenaline-fueled law enforcement scenarios. The film keeps audiences hooked with its relentless pace and continual escalation of stakes in chaotic, unpredictable circumstances.

Frank Penny is a disgraced cop looking for a shot at redemption. When the police chief's 11-year-old daughter is abducted, Frank goes rogue to try and save her. But to find the girl, Frank will need the help of Ava Brooks, whose live-streaming news channel is broadcasting Frank's every move. Line of Duty is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 38m runtime, released in 2019 with an average rating of 5.9 by 367 people. The movie made an estimated total of $646,389 in the box office.