10 Best Movies About Mexican Gangs (2023)

If you’re looking for intense, gritty films about Mexican gangs, you’ve come to the right place. This blog post will explore some of the best movies about Mexican gangs released over the years.

From classic gangster films to hard-hitting dramas, this list has something for everyone. So put on your thinking cap and get ready to be taken on a journey through the underworld of Mexican gangs.

What are Some of the Most Popular Movies About Mexican Gangs?

Mexican gangs have been a popular topic in movies for decades, and these five films provide a range of stories that explore the themes of violence and poverty that come with being part of a gang. Here are the best ten picks.

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1.   Stand and Deliver (1988)

Stand and Deliver is a classic 1988 Drama set in an inner-city Los Angeles high school. It stars Edward James Olmos as Jaime Escalante, a dedicated teacher who challenges his students to excel in their studies.

Escalante’s students must overcome the challenges of gang violence, drug abuse, and poverty to reach their goals. The movie follows his students as they strive to pass the Advanced Placement Calculus test, despite the odds.

2.   The Counselor (2013)

Mexican gang movies have become increasingly popular in recent years, and The Counselor is a perfect example of this genre.

This intense and suspenseful thriller is set in the Mexican criminal underworld and follows a lawyer, the Counselor, as he gets involved in a dangerous drug-trafficking business. The Counselor must face several powerful characters, including a ruthless drug lord, a dangerous cartel, and a mysterious intermediary.

3.   End of Watch (2012)

End of Watch (2012) is an intense crime Drama that provides an unflinching look into the dark world of Mexican gangs.

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña as two LAPD officers tasked with taking down a team in South Central Los Angeles, the film follows their story as they embark on a dangerous journey undercover to investigate the gang and ultimately bring it down.

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4. Savages (2012)

Savages (2012) is an intense and thrilling movie about Mexican gangs that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Directed by Oliver Stone, the film stars Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Benicio Del Toro, and Salma Hayek as two young marijuana growers and best friends, Ben and Chon, who are faced with a difficult decision when they are forced to confront a powerful Mexican drug cartel.

5. Triple Frontier (2019)

Mexican gangs have been portrayed in many films over the years, but few have been as intense and gripping as Triple Frontier (2019).

Directed by J.C. Chandor and starring Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund, and Pedro Pascal, Triple Frontier follows a group of former Special Forces operatives as they team up to rob a South American cartel to retire from their violent lifestyles.

The movie is set in the lawless border region between Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil, known as the Triple Frontier.

6. Walk Proud (1979)

Walk Proud (1979) is a powerful action Drama that follows the story of a Mexican gang member trying to make it out of gang life alive.

Starring Robby Benson as Danny, the film is a gritty look at the culture of Mexican gangs in the United States and their struggles.

Danny is a young man from East L.A. who is determined to escape the violence and danger of the gang lifestyle. His journey of self-discovery and redemption takes him through some of the roughest parts of the city and brings him face-to-face with the harsh realities of life in a Mexican gang.

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7. Sicario (2015)

Sicario (2015) is a hard-hitting crime Drama that takes viewers to the lawless border area between the United States and Mexico.

The movie follows an idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) as she is enlisted to help the government in its fight against Mexican drug cartels. She is instructed to join a task force of U.S. and Mexican special forces that is tasked with bringing down the drug lords.

The movie features a stellar cast, with Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin in the lead roles. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Sicario is a tense, thrilling, and often brutal journey into the dark world of the drug cartels and the lengths to which they will go to protect their interests.

8. Rambo: Last Blood

Rambo: Last Blood is the latest installment of the iconic Rambo series and it packs some serious punch! This action-packed thriller follows the story of John Rambo as he travels to Mexico to rescue a friend’s daughter from a dangerous Mexican cartel.

Sylvester Stallone reprises his iconic role as John Rambo and leads an impressive cast, including Paz Vega, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Adriana Barraza, Yvette Monreal, and Joaquín Cosio.

The movie follows Rambo, who uses his skills and knowledge to take on the powerful Mexican gang and its ruthless Leader.

It features intense action sequences, including a thrilling car chase, gunfights, and hand-to-hand combat. Rambo: Last Blood is a roller coaster of emotion, action, and suspense that will leave you on the edge of your seat. This movie will surely please action lovers and fans of the Rambo series!

9. Borderland (2007)

This crime-thriller follows three American college students involved in a Mexican drug cartel after traveling to a Mexican border town for a night of partying.

Starring Rider Strong, Jake Muxworthy, and Brian Presley as the college students and Sean Astin and Freddy Rodríguez as the menacing Mexican gangsters, Borderland is an intense, action-packed movie that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Directed by Zev Berman, Borderland explores the dark side of a lifestyle that is often glamorized in Hollywood. It serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of getting involved with drug cartels and illegal activities.

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The film showcases the harsh realities of life on the border and is a gripping, thrilling journey into a world of violence and despair. It is a cautionary tale that serves as a reminder to stay away from the dark side of life.

10. My Family (1995)

My Family (1995) is an award-winning movie that paints a vivid and heartfelt portrait of the struggles faced by Mexican-American families living in East Los Angeles.

The Sanchez family, played by Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales, and Edward James Olmos, must deal with the daily challenges of poverty and gang violence in their community. Director Gregory Nava sheds light on the effects of gang violence on the Sanchez family and their neighbors.

Conclusion

Mexican gangs have become a popular subject in movies, often depicting their struggles in a harsh world.  Movies about Mexican gangs typically feature themes such as Family, loyalty, and revenge, allowing viewers to understand the gang members’ motivations better.

In conclusion, movies about Mexican gangs can be both entertaining and educational, but it is essential to be aware of the potential for oversimplification and inaccuracy.

By being mindful of these potential issues, viewers can better understand Mexican gangs and the culture surrounding them.