El Mariachi Movies: Release Order
The El Mariachi trilogy tells the story of a musician's evolution into a mythic gunslinger across three directly connected films. Robert Rodriguez crafted this series as one continuous narrative, with each film building directly on the events of its predecessor to chronicle the Mariachi's journey from innocent bystander to legendary figure.
The trilogy showcases a remarkable progression in production values, beginning with Rodriguez's micro-budget indie debut and culminating in a sprawling Hollywood conclusion. While Antonio Banderas replaces Carlos Gallardo as the Mariachi starting with Desperado, the story continuity remains unbroken, making this watch order essential for experiencing the character's complete arc as intended.
Linear Timeline: Release Order = Story Order
El Mariachi
A wandering mariachi musician is mistaken for a deadly assassin when he arrives in a small Mexican town carrying a guitar case, leading to a dangerous case of mistaken identity with local drug dealers.
Desperado
A mysterious guitar-playing gunman seeks revenge against a powerful Mexican drug lord in this action-packed thriller. El Mariachi must navigate the dangerous border underworld with help from allies as he pursues his target through bullet-riddled confrontations.
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
A corrupt CIA agent recruits the legendary gunslinger El Mariachi to stop a drug lord's plot to overthrow the Mexican government.
Other Film Series
Alex Cross
Film adaptations of James Patterson's detective novels featuring forensic psychologist Alex Cross, spanning two connected films and a standalone reboot.
Infernal Affairs
A tightly connected Hong Kong crime trilogy exploring dual identities and betrayal through the parallel stories of two moles infiltrating opposite sides of the law.
Michael Mann
A collection of standalone crime thrillers and character studies from the acclaimed director known for his distinctive visual style and procedural authenticity.
Quentin Tarantino
Influential American filmmaker known for nonlinear storytelling, stylized violence, pop culture references, and memorable dialogue across ten acclaimed directorial works.
Shaft
A multi-generational action franchise following the Shaft family of private detectives across five decades, from the original blaxploitation classic to modern action films.
Sicario
A gritty crime thriller series exploring the brutal realities of the U.S.-Mexico drug war through interconnected stories of government agents and covert operations.