Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord (2012)

Kernel Score: 86% · 3,675 ratings

Genres: Crime, Drama

First aired: 2012-05-28

Seasons: 1 · 113 episodes

Is Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord worth watching?

Worth watching. A Colombian series that follows Pablo Escobar from small-time thief to drug lord. It's long and soapy in places, but the detail is rich and Andrés Parra is compelling in the lead.

Watch it if you

  • like long crime sagas
  • enjoy Spanish-language drama with subtitles
  • want a Colombian view of the Escobar story

Skip it if you

  • dislike subtitles
  • want a tight, short series

Best for: Long binge weekend

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

Pablo is a man with a natural ability for business. Early in his life, Pablo is introduced to the business of cocaine and the power it yields. A young life of crime lands Pablo in and out of jail as he builds his criminal empire. Pablo expands his power through politics but it is not long before his conflicts as a Congressman and a drug lord collide. Pablo has his enemies executed, but not before the United States activates its own war on the Medellin cartel.

Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord is a TV-MA crime drama chronicling the rise of a cocaine trafficking empire.

  • Violence & scariness: Strong — Depicts organized crime including executions and a violent drug war between cartels and law enforcement.
  • Drinking, drugs & smoking: Strong — Central plot follows the cocaine trade and drug lord's criminal empire.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official TV-MA rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Shows like Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord

If you liked Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord, these are the shows we'd watch next.

  • Narcos (2015) — 89%: The English-language retelling of the same story, with more polish.
  • Narcos: Mexico (2018) — 88%: The Mexico story of the next generation of cartels.
  • Surviving Escobar - Alias JJ (2017) — 87%: Escobar's story from his associate's point of view.
  • La Reina del Sur (2011) — 89%: Crime saga told over many episodes, with a strong female lead.
  • El Señor de los Cielos (2013) — 89%: A long-running Spanish-language saga about a drug lord.
  • The Sopranos (1999) — 98%: The benchmark for crime families told over many seasons.

Cast

  • Andrés Parra as Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria
  • Christian Tappán as Gonzalo Gaviria
  • Vicky Hernández as Doña Enelia de Escobar
  • Cecilia Navia as Paty de Escobar
  • Angie Cepeda as Regina Parejo
  • Rodolfo Silva as Alberto 'Peluche' Escobar Gaviria
  • Tommy Vásquez as Fabio Urrea
  • Toto Vega as Alonso Santorini
  • Nicolás Montero as Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento
  • Marcela Gallego as Gloria Pachón de Galán

Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord FAQ

Is Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord worth watching?

Worth watching. A Colombian series that follows Pablo Escobar from small-time thief to drug lord. It's long and soapy in places, but the detail is rich and Andrés Parra is compelling in the lead.

Where can I watch Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord?

In the US you can stream Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord on Netflix and buy it from Apple TV.

Is Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord OK for kids?

Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord is rated TV-MA. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord is a TV-MA crime drama chronicling the rise of a cocaine trafficking empire.

What shows are like Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord?

If you liked Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord, try Narcos, Narcos: Mexico, Surviving Escobar - Alias JJ and La Reina del Sur.