Netflix has found another surprise hit with Facing El Chapo, a Mexican crime thriller based on the real-life capture of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. The movie debuted strongly on the streaming platform and quickly became one of Netflix’s biggest international films.
Released on August 21, 2026, the movie reached No. 1 on Netflix’s global non-English film chart for the week of August 17 through August 23. It recorded 18 million views, making it the most-watched non-English movie on the platform during that period.
Facing El Chapo Is Netflix’s Latest Breakout Movie
The performance is especially notable because Facing El Chapo was not promoted as a traditional Hollywood blockbuster. Instead, the Mexican production has benefited from strong interest in true crime stories and fast-paced action thrillers.
Netflix’s official Top 10 report confirms that the movie opened at the top of the non-English film chart with 18 million views. It also became one of the most widely watched titles across Netflix’s global audience during its first week.
The movie has also attracted attention in the United States. FlixPatrol reported that Facing El Chapo reached No. 1 on Netflix’s U.S. movie ranking on August 23, placing it ahead of titles including The Last House and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
The Movie Is Inspired by El Chapo’s Real Capture
Facing El Chapo draws from the events surrounding Guzmán’s recapture on January 8, 2016. Netflix Tudum reports that the story follows two officers who unexpectedly came face-to-face with the cartel leader after his escape and subsequent attempt to flee.
The movie takes creative liberties with the real events, so it should be viewed as a dramatized thriller rather than a documentary.
Guzmán’s real-life story remains one of the most notorious chapters in modern organized crime. After his 2016 capture, he was extradited to the United States in 2017 and later convicted on federal charges.
Alfonso Herrera Leads the Netflix Crime Thriller
The film stars Alfonso Herrera as Carmona alongside Noé Hernández as Rosales and Héctor Kotsifakis as El Chapo. The cast also includes Paola Fernández, Gerardo Trejoluna and Fernando Cuautle.
Facing El Chapo is directed by Chava Cartas, who previously worked on the Netflix action thriller Counterattack.
The screenplay comes from Bernardo Esquinca and is based on a chronicle by journalist Héctor de Mauleón.
