Taylor Sheridan’s Crime Thriller With 92% on Rotten Tomatoes Gets a Sequel Now Streaming on Netflix

Following a resurgence in interest for Taylor Sheridan’s and Denis Villeneuve’s acclaimed film Sicario, Netflix has also added its sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, to its library. The films examine the volatile conditions along the Mexico-United States border, delivering a raw and unflinching portrayal of the ongoing crisis. Under the direction of Villeneuve and with Sheridan’s sharp writing, the original movie garnered widespread acclaim, standing as a favorite among audiences and critics alike. Fast forward seven years, and Sicario: Day of the Soldado is now reentering the spotlight as it captivates a new wave of viewers on streaming platforms.

The collaboration between Denis Villeneuve and Taylor Sheridan in 2015 for Sicario marked a high point for both creatives. Since then, they’ve each excelled in their respective careers, with Villeneuve earning accolades for Dune: Part Two and Sheridan achieving significant success through his flagship series Yellowstone and its spin-offs. Although their partnership only lasted for the first film, Sheridan once again took the helm as writer for Sicario: Day of the Soldado in 2018, while Villeneuve embarked on his next project, Blade Runner: 2049. Sheridan’s continued talent has allowed Day of the Soldado to shine as one of Netflix’s hottest titles today.

Watch Sicario: Day of the Soldado Now on Netflix

Both Sicario Films Available on Netflix

On April 1, Netflix included Sicario: Day of the Soldado in its offerings, swiftly propelling it into the platform’s top ten list. As of April 2, it secured the position as the third-most popular movie on Netflix. Although Villeneuve did not return to direct this sequel, Sheridan’s script echoes the original’s intensity, with familiar faces such as Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro reprising their roles as Graver and Alejandro respectively. The sequel continues the harrowing narrative of military operations along the US-Mexico border.

2015’s Sicario Trending on Netflix in Recent Months

A Decade Later: Sicario Joins Netflix’s Top Ten

The resurgence of Sicario: Day of the Soldado on Netflix parallels the original film’s recent success, as both titles have made their way into the top ten following their additions. In early March 2025, the first Sicario film celebrated a decade since its theatrical release by gaining a similar top position. This trend suggests that the Sicario franchise continues to resonate with audiences over time. However, it remains to be seen if the anticipated Sicario 3 will break free from development delays. The popularity of Day of the Soldado reinforces the enduring appeal of Sheridan’s writing, even after several years.

For fans of the original Sicario, the sequel provides an opportunity to delve deeper into Taylor Sheridan’s captivating narrative. In an era where viewers often need multiple streaming subscriptions to follow a single franchise—especially with sequels produced by different studios—it is noteworthy that Netflix is currently the sole platform hosting both Sicario films, allowing fans to access the entire story under one subscription.

Comparing Box Office Performance & Reviews: Sicario vs. Day of the Soldado

Despite the renewed interest in Sicario: Day of the Soldado, its initial release was met with mixed success relative to the original film. The sequel faced challenges, from its box office numbers to review ratings, all trailing behind the impact of Sicario. The original film grossed nearly $85 million on a $30 million budget, while Day of the Soldado managed to earn around $10 million less despite a $35 million budget (source: Box Office Mojo). Critical reception also varied, with the original boasting a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to Day of the Soldado’s scores in the mid-60s.

In summary, reviews of Sicario: Day of the Soldado mostly highlight that while director Stefano Sollima delivered a competent sequel, he could not quite measure up to Villeneuve’s distinct direction. As noted by film analyst Cameron Frew, the film is “an often shocking, uncompromising, and thrilling sequel” that builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor. However, some critiques indicated a lack of narrative depth compared to the original film, with Screen Rant expressing that the sequel did not justify the move to franchise status from a storytelling perspective.

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