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
Escape Plan
An action trilogy following security expert Ray Breslin as he infiltrates and escapes from increasingly dangerous high-tech prisons.
Millennium
Film adaptations of Stieg Larsson's bestselling novels featuring journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander, spanning Swedish and Hollywood productions with different casts and continuities.
Renny Harlin
Finnish director known for high-octane action blockbusters and horror films spanning from the late 1980s to today.
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.
The Transporter
A professional driver with strict rules repeatedly finds himself in dangerous situations across high-octane adventures.
xXx
An action franchise about extreme sports athlete Xander Cage who becomes an unconventional government agent for high-stakes espionage missions.