Top 5 Smuggling Series You Can’t Miss; Drugs, Arms, Human Trafficking & More

These are the kinds of quality shows with unforgettable endings that Hollywood falls short of making these days. It seamlessly blends intense drama, brilliant storytelling, and exceptional character development. Vince Gilligan’s creation is a gripping exploration and the transformation of leads. The writing is sharp and intelligent, tackling themes of power, morality, and the consequences of one’s actions with nuance and complexity. One should not miss the chance to watch these amazing scenes. If you haven’t experienced the brilliance of this set.

1. Queen of the South [ 2016] (Drama)

The Storyline

It shows how Teresa goes from being on the run to surviving to becoming queen of the south. Alice Braga as Teresa convincingly plays the role of a small-town Mexican money changer who morphs gradually into a renowned cartel leader capable of assessing and killing within a single heartbeat. 

The Best Part

Nearly every episode has a brutal shootout, but Teresa Mendoza is made to look like someone who has a heart and is compassionate. Still, she’s shooting people and battling to be on top. It’s a strange contradiction. 

The Characters

Camila, Chicho, El Santo, Devon, Brenda, Kelly Ann, King George, Javier, Marcel, Oksana, Lil T and Pote are the best performers.

IMDb Rating – 8/10 

2. El Chapo [2017] (Drama) 

The Storyline

The series sheds light on the political manoeuvring and intrigues that gave rise to some of the biggest cartels in the narco underworld. The gunfights, police chases, and criminal cunning you can get with almost any mini-series these days. El Chapo goes one better.

The Best Part

Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys crime shows and wants a dose of some Mexican violence, because that’s what sells nowadays. But this show depicts the narco lifestyle better than any other I’ve seen. I’ve seen Narcos, Narcos Mexico, Yankee, and more, and most of them have little action and lots of talking and slow scenes. 

The Characters

playing El Chapo and the little guy who played Secretary of State. Playing great roles deserves attention.

IMDb Rating – 7.8/10 

3. Peaky Blinders [2013] (Drama) 

 The Storyline

A family of gypsy gangsters whose initial business centered around horse betting, but as the stakes got higher, it evolved to shipping and making of alcohol, drugs and eventually ventured into politics and straight up personal vendettas. 

The Best Part

This is historical fiction after the end of World War based on the street gang called Peaky Blinders on the streets of Birmingham, and his main character Tommy Shelby hoe sharpness and right decision can take a person to the next level. 

The Characters

Shelby family, namely, Arthur, John, Finn, Polly, Ada and the infamous Tommy Shelby, are the main characters who slay in every episode of the series.

IMDb Rating – 8.7/10 

4. Animal Kingdom [2016] (Drama) 

The Storyline

They’ve based this show on an Aussie movie with the same title. The things that replicate the series and the movie are the names of the characters, the family dynamic. And who is who basically. The writers and production team of this series started with a great foundation, using the movie to set the pace for this series.

The Best Part

What makes this twisted crime family show stand out is making the strong lead female roles as the ruthless and diabolical masterminds. It’s refreshing to see a crime series where the male roles are at the mercy of females who strategically use them for their needs.

The Characters

Ellen Barkin as the manipulative, equally creepy matriarch is also excellent. Jake Weary and Ben Robson, who portray Deran and Craig, are not only delicious eye candy, but their portrayals of lost little boys attempting to find a path are very well delivered.

IMDb Rating – 8.2/10

Also Read…

Top 5 Ram Gopal Varma Movies That Redefined Indian Cinema

5. Gangs of London [2020] (Action) 

The Storyline

This is quite a violent and visceral crime drama, but the violence and gritty themes give out the feeling of being trapped in a never-ending cycle of gangland syndicate life where there are no winners, no rules and no good guys. Relationships between different factions are complicated, political, and the delicate ties are cobweb-thin, and hierarchies easily tumble.

The Best Part

This type of show was a long way coming, and Gangs of London does just that. The pacing was steady and never failed to keep suspense and interest in each and every frame. The show is intense, and Gareth Evans knows how to rack up the tension. Episode 5 alone is a master class in building up tension as a group of mercs storm a house, and the slow but methodical progressions are immaculately handled.

The Characters

Joe Cole (Sean Wallace) and Elliot characters stand out, with decent performances from Asif, Lale, Luan and Shannon, strong character development, beautifully portrayed by an excellent, very strong cast.

IMDb Rating – 8/10 

Written by Nilesh Shiv