SimilarScreen
Bound by Honor

Bound by Honor

An epic story of three brothers. Bound by blood. Divided by fate. Driven by destiny.

19938.13h 0m

Overview

Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on half-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo. It opens in 1972, as the three are members of an East L.A. gang known as the "Vatos Locos", and the story focuses on how a violent crime and the influence of narcotics alter their lives. Miklo is incarcerated and sent to San Quentin, where he makes a "home" for himself. Cruz becomes an exceptional artist, but a heroin addiction overcomes him with tragic results. Paco becomes a cop and an enemy to his "carnal", Miklo.

Directed by Taylor Hackford
Written by Ross Thomas, Jimmy Santiago Baca, Jeremy Iacone
Produced by Jerry Gershwin, Taylor Hackford
Box OfficeBudget: $35.0MRevenue: $4.5M

Top Cast

Damian Chapa

Damian Chapa

Miklo

Jesse Borrego

Jesse Borrego

Cruz

Benjamin Bratt

Benjamin Bratt

Paco

Enrique Castillo

Enrique Castillo

Montana

Victor Rivers

Victor Rivers

Magic Mike

Delroy Lindo

Delroy Lindo

Bonafide

Tom Towles

Tom Towles

Red Ryder

Carlos Carrasco

Carlos Carrasco

Popeye

Teddy Wilson

Teddy Wilson

Wallace

Raymond Cruz

Raymond Cruz

Chuey

Themes & Keywords

street gangghettojuvenile prisonartistjaileast los angelesyouth ganghoodgangracismdrugsmexican americanpolice shootoutchololowrider

About Bound by Honor

Bound by Honor is a crime, action, drama, thriller film released in 1993 exploring themes of street gang, ghetto, juvenile prison, artist, jail, east los angeles. Directed by Taylor Hackford, it stars Damian Chapa, Jesse Borrego, Benjamin Bratt. Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on half-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo. It opens in 1972, as the three are members of an East L.A. gang known as the "Vatos Locos", and the story focuses on how a violent crime and the influence of narcotics alter their lives. Miklo is incarcerated and sent to San Quentin, where he makes a "home" for himself. Cruz becomes an exceptional artist, but a heroin addiction overcomes him with tragic results. Paco becomes a cop and an enemy to his "carnal", Miklo.

Movies Similar to Bound by Honor

Discover titles like Bound by Honor — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to Bound by Honor

If you enjoyed Bound by Honor, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of Bound by Honor.

American Me
38% Match

During his 18 years in Folsom Prison, street-gang leader Santana rules over all the drug-and-murder activities behind bars. Upon his release, Santana goes back to his old neighborhood, intending to lead a peaceful, crime-free life. But his old gang buddies force him back into his old habits.

Colors
34% Match

Colors(1988)

Movie6.5/10

A confident young cop is shown the ropes by a veteran partner in the dangerous gang-controlled barrios of Los Angeles, where the gang culture is enforced by the colors the members wear.

Mi Vida Loca
28% Match

Mousie and Sad Girl are childhood best friends in a contemporary Los Angeles poor Hispanic neighborhood. But when Sad Girl becomes pregnant by Mousie's boyfriend, a drug dealer named Ernesto, the two become bitter enemies. While their dispute escalates towards violence, the violence of the world around them soon also impacts their lives.

New Jack City
26% Match

A gangster, Nino, is in the Cash Money Brothers, making a million dollars every week selling crack. A cop, Scotty, discovers that the only way to infiltrate the gang is to become a dealer himself.

Shot Caller
26% Match

A newly-released prison gangster is forced by the leaders of his gang to orchestrate a major crime with a brutal rival gang on the streets of Southern California.

Trespass
25% Match

Trespass(1992)

Movie6.3/10

Two Arkansas firemen, Vince and Don, get hold of a map that leads to a cache of stolen gold in an abandoned factory in East St. Louis. What they don't know is that the factory is on the turf of a local gang, who come by to execute one of their enemies. Vince sees the shooting, the gang spots Vince, and extended mayhem ensues. As Vince and Don try to escape, gang leader King James argues with his subordinate Savon about how to get rid of the trespassers.

Heat
24% Match

Heat(1995)

Movie7.9/10

Obsessive master thief Neil McCauley leads a top-notch crew on various daring heists throughout Los Angeles while determined detective Vincent Hanna pursues him without rest. Each man recognizes and respects the ability and the dedication of the other even though they are aware their cat-and-mouse game may end in violence.

Where the Day Takes You
24% Match

King is a young man, but he's already a veteran of life on the streets of Los Angeles. The de facto leader of a group of teenage runaways, King acts as a mentor to troubled kids such as gay hustler Little J and junkie Greg. When Heather, a beautiful girl from Chicago, starts hanging out with King and his crew, it changes the dynamic of the gang. However, it seems as though nothing will alter their dangerous lifestyle.

Havoc
23% Match

Havoc(2005)

Movie5.3/10

A wealthy Los Angeles teen and her superficial friends wants to break out of suburbia and experience Southern California's "gangsta" lifestyle. But problems arise when the preppies get in over their heads and provoke the wrath of a violent Latino gang. Suddenly, their role-playing seems a little too real.

Juice
23% Match

Juice(1992)

Movie7.2/10

Four Harlem friends -- Bishop, Q, Steel and Raheem -- dabble in petty crime, but they decide to go big by knocking off a convenience store. Bishop, the magnetic leader of the group, has the gun. But Q has different aspirations. He wants to be a DJ and happens to have a gig the night of the robbery. Unfortunately for him, Bishop isn't willing to take no for answer in a game where everything's for keeps.

Brotherhood
23% Match

First there was Kidulthood then Adulthood now comes Noel Clarkes last installment brotherhood With Sam facing up to the new world he realizes it also comes with new problems and new challenges that he must face that he knows will require old friends to help him survive new dangers.