Love Breaking Bad? You'll Love These 8 Crime-Drama Shows Too

You’ve probably heard of Pablo Escobar, the Colombian drug lord and narcoterrorist, but his rise and fall? That’s exactly what Narcos dives into. The show doesn’t just stop at Escobar’s empire; it follows the DEA agents on his trail as they uncover the broader context of Colombia’s cocaine trade, getting to know the emergence of other powerful cartels along the way. It’s a gritty, gripping gangster drama that’ll keep you hooked till the very end.

Cast: Wagner Moura, Pedro Pascal, Boyd Holbrook

Release Year: 2015

No. Of Seasons: 3 

IMDb Rating: 8.7

Streaming On: Netflix

There’s no way this one can miss the list. Better Call Saul is the prequel to Breaking Bad, following the life of small-time attorney Jimmy McGill and his slow transformation into the morally flexible Saul Goodman, whom Walter and Jesse eventually turn to in Breaking Bad. While many familiar faces return, the series also introduces key characters who shape the story to perfection. It unpacks how the cartels really began and how they eventually crumbled with Walter White playing a surprisingly minor role here. The final episodes will give you goosebumps, promise.

 Cast: Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks

Release Year: 2015

No. Of Seasons: 6

IMDb Rating: 9

Streaming On: Netflix

Ozark is yet another critically acclaimed drama with detailed character studies. While it leans towards slow-burn storytelling, the tension and complex family dynamics make it a truly compelling watch. It follows financial planner Marty Byrde, who scrambles to make amends after a money laundering scheme for a Mexican drug cartel goes south. In a desperate bid to stay alive, he proposes setting up an even bigger operation, this time in the Lake of the Ozarks region.

Cast: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz

Release Year: 2017

No. Of Seasons: 4

IMDb Rating: 8.5

Streaming On: Netflix

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This one holds a whopping IMDb rating of 9.2 — and rightly so. It follows an Italian-American mafia boss who starts experiencing panic attacks and decides to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Melfi. Through their sessions, he begins to open up about his struggles, trying to balance his criminal empire and his personal life. While the pace may slow down a bit in the middle seasons, the series as a whole is absolutely worth watching.

Cast: James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli

Release Year: 1999

No. Of Seasons: 6

IMDb Rating: 9.2

Streaming On: JioHotstar, Prime Video

This show is definitely binge-worthy, with just four seasons and six episodes each. It’s fast-paced, emotionally engaging, and filled with characters you might even relate to on a deeper level. The story follows a nerdy teen who starts selling ecstasy out of his bedroom to win back his ex-girlfriend, only to end up becoming one of Europe’s biggest drug dealers. It’s wildly intriguing and surprisingly fun to watch.

Cast: Maximilian Mundt, Danilo Kamperidis, Lena Klenke

Release Year: 2019

No. Of Seasons: 4

IMDb Rating: 7.8

Streaming On: Netflix

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While most drug-related crime shows revolve around men, Griselda breaks the mould. It follows a savvy, ambitious, and ruthless businesswoman who killed all her husbands, but that’s barely scratching the surface of how wild things get. Rising from a humble background, she becomes a dominant force in Miami’s drug scene. Based on the true story of Colombian drug trafficker Griselda Blanco, the series explores how she built one of the most profitable cartels in history.

Cast: Sofía Vergara, Alberto Guerra, Christian Tappan

Release Year: 2024

No. Of Seasons: 1 (6 episodes)

IMDb Rating: 7.2

Streaming On: Netflix

Turn of the Tide is loosely based on a true story. It kicks off with a boat found sunk off the coast of a quiet homeland, loaded with cocaine. The one who discovers it, Eduardo (the dreamiest guy I have ever seen), sees it as a risky but thrilling shot at making big money and fulfilling his dreams. But as the story unfolds, he’s pulled into danger, greed, and high-stakes consequences.

Cast: José Condessa, Helena Caldeira, André Leitão

Release Year: 2023

No. Of Seasons: 1

IMDb Rating: 7.4

Streaming On: Netflix

El Chapo is a biographical crime-thriller series based entirely on the life of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. Known for his powerful grip on the Mexican criminal underworld, he played a major role in the global drug trade. The series is brimming with thrilling manhunts and close-call escapes. If you loved Narcos, this one’s a must-watch, as the two stories are closely interlinked.

Cast: Marco de la O, Humberto Busto, and Alejandro Aguilar

Release Year: 2017

No. Of Seasons: 3

IMDb Rating: 7.8

Streaming On: Netflix