20 Best Drug Lord Shows Like Narcos

Summary

• Narcos inspired a wave of TV series about the dark and criminal world of drug lords, like Weeds and Breaking Bad.
• Shows like Narco-Saints, La Reina Del Sur, and Boardwalk Empire offer similar thematic elements and engrossing storytelling.
• Crime dramas like Gomorrah, El Chapo, and Ozark provide a gritty and realistic look at the drug trade with complex characters.

Thanks to shows like Narcos, audiences have fallen in love with TV series about the dark and criminal world associated with drug lords. Shows with criminals and bad guys as the main characters are nothing new, as The Sopranos was the hottest show on HBO at one time and The Shield brought crooked cops to network TV. However, in the case of Narcos, it was a little different. The bad guys leading the way in this show were all based on real people — mafia bosses and drug lords who got rich by making the world a very dangerous place.

Narcos continued to impress viewers years after its finale with its tense storylines, heavy subject matter, and incredible performances. If fans of the show are looking for more content that includes some similar elements, there are plenty of shows like Narcos to enjoy. A highly regarded spin-off show, Narcos: Mexico, took up where the original left off, and its popularity shows that series with similar themes connect heavily with audiences. The best shows like Narcos offer engrossing stories that should entertain audiences for years to come.

20 Narco-Saints (2022)

A Korean Mechanic Moves To South America And Starts Dealing

K-dramas have a reputation for being serial rom-coms, but shows produced in South Korea include all of the major TV genres, including crime dramas. There are not a ton of K-dramas that involve the drug trade as investigative crime procedurals are a little more common, so that helps Narco-Saints to stand out already.

In Narco-Saints, a Korean businessman moves to a small country in South America with the intention of working in the fishing industry. What happens is that he gets roped into dealing drugs with a pastor. While this sounds like an outlandish premise for the series, it’s actually inspired by a true story.

The series is only six episodes long, but those six episodes make a big impression. The series won several awards at the Asian Academy Creative Awards, the Baeksang Arts Awards, and the Korea Drama Awards.

19 La Reina Del Sur (2011-)

A Telenovela With An Eight-Year Break

La Reina Del Sur has an interesting trajectory for a telenovela. Each season of the series has at least 60 episodes because telenovelas in Latin American countries, like soap operas in the United States, air almost daily. The first season of the show ran in 2011, but the second season didn’t premiere for another eight years. That’s a huge break, but part of that involves the networks/studios financing the series changing.

The series follows the rise of the most powerful drug trafficker in Southern Spain, a woman named Teresa Mendoza, and is inspired by the book of the same name. Teresa flees to Spain after her boyfriend, a pilot for a Mexican cartel, is executed. She finds herself wrapped up in the life of someone else involved in narcotics and decides to take matters into her own hands.

In 2020, the show won the Best Non-English Language US Primetime Program at the International Emmy Awards and was nominated for other awards throughout its run so far.

The 2016 series
Queen of the South
is an English-language remake of the same story.

18 Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014)

Corruption Thrives In The Prohibition Era

In the 1920s, alcohol was outlawed in the United States. During Prohibition, illegal businesses like bootlegging and speakeasies were thriving. Building an empire based on rum-running could easily lead to business expansion into more unsavory dealings, not unlike the drug operations built in shows like Narcos. That’s what happens in Boardwalk Empire.

The series follows a politician who lives a lavish life during Prohibition as he controls the bulk of the rum-running in Atlantic City and maintains connections to mafia members and mob bosses. The show features lavish sets and costumes and completely immerses viewers into this world with the lead of Martin Scorsese, who directed the pilot episode of the series.

Boardwalk Empire won three Primetime Emmy Awards, 17 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, and two Golden Globes during its run.

17 Surviving Escobar: Alias JJ (2017)

The Story Of A Cartel Leader’s Right-Hand

A lot of crime dramas centering on the drug trade opt to tell the story of the person in charge or the person who wants to take them down. Surviving Escobar: Alias JJ takes a look at the drug trade through the eyes of the right-hand man of Pablo Escobar instead.

The series begins as Escobar’s downfall is enacted. Inspired by the memoir of JJ Velázquez, the series sees the titular JJ end up in prison and try to remain relevant in the drug world and powerful from the inside. Just how much of the story (and there is a lot of story with 69 episodes of JJ’s power struggle) is true has been debated, but it still makes for a compelling and unique point of view.

Originally produced and aired in Colombia, the show became one of the top 3 highest-rated shows in the country.

16 Griselda (2024)

A Woman Becomes Miami’s Most Powerful Crime Boss

The six-episode miniseries stars Sofia Vergara as the title character. Griselda grasped power in the Miami drug scene in the 1980s and tried to hold onto it by any means necessary. When her own life was in danger, she turned herself in, but her struggle only continued. In real life, the powerful woman was assassinated in 2012, but on Netflix, Vergara’s portrayal of her will live on.

Though family members of Griselda Blanco attempted to sue Netflix and put a stop to the series, the suit was dismissed. Following the show’s debut on Netflix, it climbed to the top of the streaming chart, becoming the number one show for the platform in 90 countries for the first week of its release. Vergara earned praise from critics for the dramatic role, since most have been familiar with the actor’s comedic work instead.

Vergara has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her role.

15 The Wire (2002-2008)

The Different Facets Surrounding Baltimore’s War On Drugs

The Wire
took place in Baltimore and each season represented a different aspect of society there.

Easily, one of the best shows about the illegal drug trade was HBO’s The Wire. However, there was so much more to this show than just a look at drug lords. The Wire took place in Baltimore and each season represented a different aspect of society there.

The other seasons focus on the port system, the government, the schools, and the media. However, the first season is where this compares well to shows like Narcos, as it focuses on the illegal drug trade run by drug kingpin Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris).

What makes The Wire such a compelling show is how it gives a realistic look at the war on drugs in which the lines between good guys and bad guys are blurred and victories are short-lived. The police investigation into Barksdale is refreshingly honest as well with tedium and red tape being more common than shootouts and raids. All in all, The Wire as a complete series is considered one of the best dramas that HBO ever produced.

14 Gomorrah (2014-2021)

An Internal Struggle For Power Within A Drug Empire

The Italian crime drama Gomorrah is based on the non-fiction book by Roberto Saviano about the Camorra criminal organization. An award-winning movie was released in 2008 based on the book (with a Criterion Collection release) and the TV show hit in 2014.

While both are based on the book, neither the movie nor the show is connected in any other way. The series takes place in Naples and focuses on the Camorra clan, specifically after its leader Pietro Savastano is arrested, and a power struggle breaks out between rival clans, and within his own crime family as well.

The series feels Shakespearean in certain ways and like a drug trade version of Succession in others. Like The Wire, it stands out in the genre for being realistic and gritty in its portrayal of this world with atmospheric storytelling add incredible tension throughout the story.

13 The Deuce (2017-2019)

The Drugs, Sex, And Organized Crime Surrounding Time Square In The 1970s

The Deuce
takes place in New York City during the 1970s and 80s and follows twin brothers who work for the mafia while operating out of Times Square.

The Deuce is another Max crime drama, and it had The Wire creator David Simon behind it. This show takes place in New York City during the 1970s and 80s and follows twin brothers who work for the mafia while operating out of Times Square.

The cast was impressive for television, with James Franco starring as the twin brothers Vincent and Frankie, and Maggie Gyllenhaal stars as Candy Renee, a sex worker who wants to get in on the ground floor of the growing porn industry in New York City.

With government and police corruption and the violence surrounding the NYC drug trade, this is a show that fans of Narcos should love. The period setting is brought to life with exciting detail as the series three-season run jumps through decades, showing the changes to this area over time and the end of a certain era in the New York City drug trade.

12 Gangs Of London (2020- )

A Gang War Erupts In The Wake Of A Mob Boss’s Death

Gangs of London is a British crime drama series co-created by Gareth Evans (The Raid) and based on a video game franchise called The Getaway. Despite the video game connection, this is a gritty and brutal series about rival gangs and criminal organizations in London and the fight for power when the most powerful crime boss is assassinated.

When one crime family decides to take power, it creates an all-out war between different crime families, which erupts in the streets of London, both from within and from outsiders wanting to move in and take over.

The look at modern organized crime is also fascinating with undercover officers, dark family secrets, and those attempting to escape the world building a complex story.

There are two seasons and the show has received universal acclaim with the brutal fight sequences being highlighted as offering some of the best action sequences on television. However, the look at modern organized crime is also fascinating with undercover officers, dark family secrets, and those attempting to escape the world building a complex story.

11 Snowfall (2017-2023)

The Early Days Of The Crack Epidemic In Los Angeles

Snowfall was an addition to the crime drama genre from FX, with the first season premiering in 2017. The show is set in Los Angeles in the 1980s and focuses on the crack epidemic at the time and how it affected the city.

After the first season focused on the epidemic on a wide scale, the second season became more like shows like Narcos because it narrowed the focus to one drug dealer on the rise in L.A. Snowfall received an impressive six seasons and 60 episodes, and it might have also received a spinoff series focusing on Gail Bean’s character of Wanda Simmons.

It is a powerful drama that examines a real-world issue that still has lasting implications on communities decades later. The rise of Franklin Saint (played by Damson Idris) through the drug trade is a heartbreaking and thrilling journey.

10 Power (2014–2020)

A Power Kingpin Seeks To Get Out Of The Drug World

Power has quickly become a very popular series that has proven that drug-related shows are what people are looking for right now with the extended universe of stories it has spawned. It is a gripping series that brings two worlds colliding into one and showcases the lies and deceit many drug lords push in order to hide their identities.

Focusing on James St. Patrick, a feared major drug lord, the series follows him as he tries to get out of that life. Despite his successes in the criminal world, he pushes for a legitimate life as a nightclub owner, but things do not work out quite that simply.

Such stories are not uncommon in this subgenre, but Power’s focus on the family at the center of the story is what really elevates it. Though the original show ended in 2020, the Power universe continues with three spinoffs and more on the way.

9 Narcos: Mexico (2018–2021)

A Spinoff Series Focusing On Brutal Mexican Cartels

With the immense popularity of Narcos, it is not surprising that the show earned a spinoff with Narcos: Mexico. The show is similar to the original in many ways, with some of the most powerful main characters of Narcos: Mexico being equally terrifying as those in Narcos.

Concentrating on the growth of the drug empire in Mexico, there is just as much drama, politics, and heated moments within this as there is in the original. Because of its familiar tone and style, it is easy to assume fans of Narcos will be equally impressed with Narcos: Mexico.

Thankfully, there are enough differences to make this show unique in itself, and there may be more spinoffs in the future after Narcos: Mexico. While fans of Narcos may miss the performances of the likes of Pedro Pascal and Wagner Moura, Narcos: Mexico is bolstered by the likes of Michael Peña and Diego Luna.

8 Drug Lords (2018)

A Docuseries Highlighting Various Infamous Figures Of The Drug World

While Narcos and other shows about the drug trade can be fun dramatizations of this world, sometimes it is just as interesting to explore the historical facts. Drug Lords is a documentary series based on reality and facts and is not about over-dramatization.

However, because the drug world is jam-packed with heightened drama, there is plenty here to entertain, while also educating viewers. Each episode touches on a different famous drug kingpin, and fans of series like Narcos will particularly enjoy this one because the very first episode is all about the life of Pablo Escobar.

With interviews, documented instances, and a look at the larger story in its entirety, Drug Lords can be an eye-opening look into some of the most notorious criminals in the world. While Narcos may cover some similar aspects of the story, they offer two very different looks at the stories that still grip the public’s attention.

7 El Chapo (2017–2018)

A Look At The Infamous Modern Drug Lord

Narcos makes for an interesting period piece that explores a time when Pablo Escobar was perhaps the most influential drug lord in the world. However, there is another series for fans to check out about a more modern example of a similarly notorious figure.

El Chapo follows the story of Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán, whose life is chronicled by this Netflix series. It is another gripping show and because it is based on a real-life person, it is even easier to connect with and become attached to.

The series focuses on how he grows his status within the criminal world, which leads him to become a true drug lord himself. Being in charge of a major cartel, the series showcases how he deals with those who defy him and how he becomes as powerful as he was.

6 Peaky Blinders (2013–2022)

An Irish Gangster Rises To Power In Post-WWI England

Another show that is loosely based on real life, Peaky Blinders is an intense crime drama starring Cillian Murphy in one of his greatest roles. The series follows the Shelby family as they build their empire through various means, whether that be drugs, alcohol, or gambling.

The show is incredibly gripping as Tommy Shelby tries to lead the family into prosperity, but they must overcome plenty of hurdles to get there. Whether that be other gangs or even those in the political world, both of which provide some of the most vicious antagonists in Peaky Blinders, the family is forced to get violent at various points, adding real excitement to the show.

Murphy’s Tommy makes for a complicated protagonist, a broken man filled with darkness who is trying desperately to climb out. It makes for a fascinating story which will continue in the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie.

5 Top Boy (2011– 2023)

Two Young Drug Dealers Make An Ambitious Grab For Power

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This show is not about glitz and glamour like others in the genre.

Initially running for two seasons and then getting revived in 2019, Top Boy is all about rival drug gangs competing against each other in London. This show is not about glitz and glamour like others in the genre. Instead, it is gritty and honest, offering a sense of realism to the gripping series.

It also focuses on how the younger people in this world get caught up with the violence leading to tragedy. The first two seasons are listed as Top Boy: Summerhouse, with the third listed as Top Boy.

There is violence, emotion, and plenty of drama that highlights just how important power and being the top dog is within the world of drugs. However, it is the characters that stand out as the best aspect of the series with them feeling like real creations rather than just typical genre caricatures.

4 Weeds (2005–2012)

A Widower Begins A Weed Empire

Before Breaking Bad became one of the most acclaimed shows on television, Weeds told the story of an ordinary suburban person who turns to the drug trade to make money. It takes a widow who seems like a normal citizen and throws her into the drug world when she begins selling marijuana to provide for her family.

The series is a dark comedy and has a lot of funny moments within it, adding to its charm and further differentiating itself from other shows about criminal activities. That does not mean that things do not get serious as well, though.

After all, this is a show about someone building their drug empire, so things are always going to take a dark turn. Its excellent blend of these genres helps contribute to its longstanding reputation as a stellar show.

3 Ozark (2017–2022)

A Money Launder Relocates With His Family On The Line

Ozark has proven to be incredibly popular since it first aired, and a big part of that is the family dynamic that runs throughout it. The series takes a different approach to the drug world here, as it focuses on the financial side, with money laundering to keep the crime undercover. Of course, the Byrde family ends up being wrapped up in that world.

Jason Bateman stars as the head of the family who finds his whole family put in danger when he is tasked with cleaning money for a drug lord. The show highlights the position a drug cartel can take and just how many underlings they will create to get their jobs done.

It was a brutal and gripping show that kept adding tension as the family continued to find themselves in over their heads. Julia Garner also deserves recognition for her star-making role while Bateman’s behind-the-scenes world on the show proved his own cinematic talents.

2 Queen Of The South (2016–2021)

A Woman Joins The Drug Trade To Avenge Her Boyfriend

After their romantic partner is killed by a cartel leader, most people would run away and never wish to be involved in that life. However, that is not the case for Teresa in Queen Of The South as she decides to do the total opposite and heads to the United States, aiming to become a drug lord herself.

She wants to take over the scene and avenge his death by becoming powerful enough to do so. It is a great twist on shows like Narcos, and seeing her attempt to rise within the world helps create a very compelling and intriguing series.

Ths is a story that reflects the rise to power that is so exciting in movies like Scarface while also mirroring that movie’s depiction of this world of violence and the seductive nature of power.

1 Breaking Bad (2008–2013)

A Chemistry Teacher Begins Cooking Meth

When it comes to shows like Narcos, they do not get much better than Breaking Bad. This series is the true elite when it comes to exploring this world, creating antiheroes, and having compelling characters even though they are doing dastardly things.

The series primarily focused on Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, who were mainly used as cooks, creating meth to sell. However, as they grew in the world, the duo quickly began to run into several problems with other drug lords, which is when the stakes began to rise.

Breaking Bad is often considered one of the best TV shows of all time, and this is with good reason. Bryan Cranston gives an amazing performance, charting the incredible arc Walt takes over the course of the series. It is also filled with equally fascinating supporting characters, from Walt’s family to his allies to his enemies. Its storytelling is filled with brilliant twists and clever set-ups that result in shocking and satisfying developments.