How Many Sicario Movies Are There in 2026?

The Sicario franchise stands as one of the most uncompromising and visceral explorations of the modern drug war, capturing the bleak reality of the U.S.-Mexico border through a lens of moral ambiguity. As of mid-2026, there are two released films in the main series, with a third installment currently in an advanced stage of development.

Understanding the Sicario saga requires more than a simple count. It involves navigating the creative shift from the original vision to the gritty expansion of its sequels. The series began as a standalone masterpiece but evolved into a broader narrative focused on the shadowy figures who operate within the "grey zones" of international law enforcement.

The Evolution of the Sicario Series

The franchise currently consists of the following cinematic entries:

1. Sicario (2015) – Directed by Denis Villeneuve.
2. Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018) – Directed by Stefano Sollima.
3. Sicario: Capos (In Production/Development) – The highly anticipated third chapter.

Beyond these American-produced thrillers, the term "Sicario" (Spanish for hitman) has been used in various international films, such as the 1994 Venezuelan drama Sicario. However, when audiences ask about the franchise involving Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin, they are referring to the specific universe penned by Taylor Sheridan.

1. Sicario (2015): The Genesis of the Moral Grey Area

Released in 2015, the first Sicario was a critical juggernaut that redefined the border thriller. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the film introduced FBI Special Agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt), an idealistic officer who is recruited into a mysterious government task force. Alongside CIA operative Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and the enigmatic Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro), Kate is thrust into a world where the rules of engagement are rewritten daily.

The Impact of Visual and Auditory Language

The first film's success was largely attributed to its technical precision. The cinematography, handled by Roger Deakins, used wide, sweeping shots of the desert to create a sense of scale and dread. The "Juárez bridge sequence," in which the task force navigates a high-tension traffic jam while surrounded by potential threats, is often cited as a masterclass in suspense.

Furthermore, the late Jóhann Jóhannsson’s score—dominated by a heavy, percussive thrum—created an atmospheric weight that suggested something monstrous lurking just beneath the surface. This film didn't just tell a story about drugs; it portrayed a systemic failure where the protagonists were often as dangerous as the antagonists.

Character Dynamics and Deception

The brilliance of the first movie lies in its perspective. By keeping the audience aligned with Kate Macer, the film forces the viewer to experience her confusion and horror as she realizes the true nature of Alejandro. He is not just an asset; he is a weapon of vengeance. The film concludes with a chilling reminder that the world of the "Sicario" has no place for the principled—it belongs to the ruthless.

2. Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018): Escalation of Conflict

Three years after the original, Sicario: Day of the Soldado expanded the universe. This time, the narrative focus shifted entirely to the perspective of Matt Graver and Alejandro. The story centers on a plan to incite a war between rival Mexican cartels by kidnapping the daughter of a prominent drug lord.

A Shift in Tone and Direction

With Stefano Sollima taking the director's chair, the sequel adopted a more visceral, action-oriented tone compared to Villeneuve’s psychological approach. The absence of Emily Blunt’s character was a deliberate creative choice. Without a moral compass like Macer to ground the story, the film leaned into the brutality of its lead men.

Day of the Soldado delved deeper into the personal history of Alejandro, showing glimpses of a man who, despite his profession, could still feel a sense of protective instinct for a young girl caught in the crossfire. However, the film maintained the series' trademark nihilism, ending on a cliffhanger that suggested a new generation of assassins was being forged in the fires of the border war.

Critical Reception and Expansion

While some critics missed the nuanced restraint of the first film, audiences praised the sequel for its relentless pacing and the continued chemistry between Brolin and del Toro. It solidified Sicario as a brand that wasn't afraid to be ugly, focusing on the tactical realities of drone strikes, black ops, and the cyclical nature of violence.

3. The Future: Sicario 3 (Sicario: Capos)

As of 2026, the status of a third film has moved from rumor to active production. For years, the project faced delays due to the busy schedules of the core cast and the meticulous development of the script. However, recent updates have confirmed that the project, often titled Sicario: Capos, is intended to be the final act of a trilogy.

What to Expect from the Third Chapter

The third installment is expected to bridge the gap between the first two films. Reports suggest a return to the broader geopolitical themes of the original while continuing the evolution of Alejandro as he faces the "Capos" (the heads) of the organizations that destroyed his life. Producers have hinted at the possibility of bringing back legacy characters, though the focus remains on providing a definitive conclusion to the arc of Matt Graver and his colombian asset.

The development phase has emphasized a return to the "prestige thriller" roots of the franchise. With Taylor Sheridan’s involvement in the story architecture, fans are hopeful that the third movie will recapture the haunting atmosphere that made the 2015 original a modern classic.

Why the Number of Movies Matters: The Taylor Sheridan Connection

To understand the Sicario movies, one must recognize their place in Taylor Sheridan’s "Frontier Trilogy." While Sicario was his debut as a screenwriter, it was followed by Hell or High Water and Wind River. These three films are thematic siblings, exploring the death of the American frontier and the failure of traditional law and order in isolated landscapes.

Because of this high pedigree, the Sicario series is held to a higher standard than typical action sequels. Each entry is viewed as a piece of sociopolitical commentary. The question of "how many movies there are" is often asked by viewers who recognize that this is not a series designed for infinite sequels, but a targeted look at a specific, ongoing conflict.

Essential Facts for New Viewers

If you are planning a marathon or catching up before the release of the third film, here are the essential details regarding the franchise structure:

• Chronological Order: The movies follow a linear timeline. You should watch the 2015 film first to understand Alejandro’s background before moving to the 2018 sequel.
• The Meaning of "Sicario": As explained in the opening text of the first movie, in Mexico, Sicario means a hitman. In the context of the films, it refers to the specialized assassins used by cartels and, occasionally, hired by the U.S. government to do the work that legal agencies cannot.
• Directorial Variety: One of the unique aspects of the series is how different directors have interpreted Sheridan’s scripts. Villeneuve provided a meditative, haunting experience, while Sollima provided a gritty, tactical one. The third director will likely bring yet another perspective to the border conflict.

Comparison of the Existing Films

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sicario Franchise

Is there a Sicario 3 coming out?

Yes. While release windows have shifted, production reports from late 2025 and early 2026 indicate that the third film is a priority for the studio. The project aims to reunite Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin to settle the lingering tensions from the second film’s finale.

Why isn't Emily Blunt in the second movie?

According to the screenwriter, Kate Macer’s arc was considered complete at the end of the first film. Her character represented the audience's entry point and eventual disillusionment. Including her in the sequel would have required her to either become corrupt or remain perpetually confused, neither of which served the story's evolution toward the darker, more ruthless CIA operations.

Are the Sicario movies based on true stories?

They are fictional, but they are "hyper-realistic." Taylor Sheridan famously spent time in the border regions, interviewing people on both sides of the conflict. While the specific characters of Alejandro and Matt Graver are inventions, the methods of operation—such as the use of tunnels, the corruption of local police, and the shifting alliances between cartels—are all based on documented realities of the drug war.

Do I need to see the first one to understand the second?

While Day of the Soldado functions as a standalone tactical thriller, much of the emotional weight regarding Alejandro’s quest for vengeance is lost without the context of the first film. The relationship between Matt and Alejandro also evolves significantly based on the events in Juárez during the first movie.

The Cultural Legacy of the Series

The Sicario movies have had a profound impact on how the drug war is depicted in cinema. Moving away from the "heroic cop" tropes of the 1990s and early 2000s, these films present a world where there is no clear victory, only different levels of loss. They suggest that the war on drugs is not a war that can be won, but a situation that can only be managed—often through means that are as illegal as the crimes they seek to stop.

This cynicism is what makes the franchise so compelling in 2026. In an era of complex geopolitical shifts, the Sicario films offer a window into the cold, calculated decisions made in the shadows. Whether there are two, three, or eventually more movies, the series has already secured its place in the pantheon of great crime cinema.

Conclusion

To recap, there are currently two released Sicario movies: the 2015 original and the 2018 sequel. A third film is in development to complete the trilogy. Each entry offers a distinct but interconnected look at the violence and moral compromises of the border war. For those looking for a thriller that respects the audience's intelligence and refuses to provide easy answers, the Sicario series remains essential viewing. As we move further into 2026, the anticipation for the final chapter continues to grow, promising a conclusion to one of the most intense sagas in modern film history.