Danny Trejo movies are back in the headlines this October, as the 82-year-old actor responds to backlash over his role in the upcoming thriller Pawn Shop. The controversy arrives months after his horror release Accursed hit digital platforms. It also follows his voice work in Disney’s blockbuster sequel Zootopia 2. Here is where his film career stands today, and which roles built it.
Latest News: Pawn Shop Draws Backlash and Attention
Pawn Shop is a thriller from The Daily Wire and Bonfire Legend. Trejo stars alongside Harvey Keitel and Henry Thomas. Filming began in late September in Livingston, Montana.
Local residents raised concerns about road closures, gunfire effects, and disruptions to businesses. On October 3, 2026, the Livingston City Commission voted to suspend the film’s permit temporarily. The pause lifted on October 5, and production resumed under a revised permit.
The story unfolds in Minneapolis during a night of unrest over immigration enforcement. Trejo reportedly plays the owner of a family pawn shop and a military veteran. An ICE agent takes shelter inside his store.
Trejo addressed the criticism on October 9, 2026, in an Instagram statement. He called himself a proud Mexican and said he is pro-immigrant and not pro-ICE. He added, “I am an actor. My job is to tell a story.”
His son Gilbert Trejo also posted a statement. He said the family learned about producer Ben Shapiro’s involvement roughly two weeks into shooting. He added that his father cannot criticize the project under his contract.
The studio has not announced a release date for Pawn Shop.
Newest Danny Trejo Releases From 2025 and 2026
Trejo stays busy every year. His most recent credits span horror, animation, and independent action.
Accursed (2026)
Accursed is a supernatural horror film from directors Humberto Rosa and Frank Visciglia. Buffalo 8 released it digitally on July 24, 2026. The runtime is a lean 79 minutes, and the film carries an R rating.
The plot follows a nun who gives up a child she considers blasphemous. Twenty-one years later, a masked cult and a dark prophecy descend on a group of friends during a lake-house reunion for Emma’s 21st birthday. You can rent or buy it on Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, and Fandango at Home.
Zootopia 2 (2025)
Disney’s sequel reached U.S. theaters on November 26, 2025. Trejo made his franchise debut as Jesús, a plumed basilisk who works the city’s underworld. The role is brief, but fans praised the casting.
The Wrecker and Hubbard Street (2025)
Trejo played Eduardo in The Wrecker. He also appeared in the horror comedy Hubbard Street. Both titles show his steady output in independent cinema.
Wages of Sin and Seven Cemeteries (2024)
Wages of Sin gave Trejo a crime-thriller role as Jimmy. Seven Cemeteries, directed by John Gulager, opened in select theaters and on VOD on October 11, 2024. Trejo plays a parolee who raises his old crew from the dead.
Upcoming Danny Trejo Projects to Watch
Several titles remain on the horizon. Release plans vary, so watch for official announcements.
- Armadillo United: Variety reported on January 15, 2026, that Trejo joined this fantasy sports comedy. He plays Coach Koko, who leads the rival team. Antonio Banderas plays an eccentric ice cream vendor, and Rubén Blades plays Coach Yepez. The film follows a 12-year-old and his soccer team on the road to a youth World Cup in Rio de Janeiro.
- RZR: Cyber Protocol: This sci-fi thriller is set in a dystopian Los Angeles shaped by cryptocurrency crime. Trejo plays Manolo. Mena Suvari and Richard Cabral also appear. A U.S. release date has not been confirmed.
- Pawn Shop: As covered above, the film is still in production with no release date.
Danny Trejo’s Most Iconic Movies
Trejo’s filmography includes hundreds of credits. His breakthrough came in 1985 with Runaway Train, where he played a boxer. The roles below shaped his reputation as Hollywood’s most recognizable tough guy.
| Movie | Year | Trejo’s Role |
|---|---|---|
| Desperado | 1995 | Navajas |
| Heat | 1995 | Trejo |
| From Dusk Till Dawn | 1996 | Razor Charlie |
| Con Air | 1997 | Johnny 23 |
| Spy Kids | 2001 | Isador “Machete” Cortez |
| The Devil’s Rejects | 2005 | Rondo |
| Halloween | 2007 | Ismael Cruz |
| Machete | 2010 | Machete |
| Machete Kills | 2013 | Machete |
Each film offered a different side of his screen persona. Some leaned on menace, while others used his dry humor.
Desperado and Heat: The Breakthrough Years
Two 1995 releases changed everything. In Desperado, Robert Rodriguez cast him as the knife-throwing assassin Navajas opposite Antonio Banderas. The role became a calling card for the rest of his career.
That same year, Heat put him in a Michael Mann crime epic alongside heavyweight co-stars. Audiences noticed the face immediately. Casting directors noticed too.
Machete: The Role That Made Him a Leading Man
Trejo first played Machete as Uncle Isador Cortez in the Spy Kids series. Rodriguez then turned the character into a fake trailer for the 2007 double feature Grindhouse. Fans loved it, so the trailer became a full movie.
Machete arrived in 2010 with Trejo in the title role. Machete Kills followed in 2013. Both films gave a veteran character actor the lead billing he had earned over decades.
Trejo in Horror and Genre Films
Horror fans know Trejo well. He played Rondo in Rob Zombie’s The Devil’s Rejects and returned to Zombie’s world in later films. He also appeared in Zombie’s 2007 Halloween remake as Ismael Cruz.
His recent genre work keeps that tradition alive. The Curse of Wolf Mountain, an action-horror film with Tobin Bell, reached digital and DVD on May 9, 2023. Seven Cemeteries and Accursed followed. Few actors have stayed this reliable in low-budget horror.
Best Danny Trejo Movies to Watch First
New viewers often ask where to begin. This short list covers different moods and eras:
- Desperado for the original Trejo breakout.
- Heat for a crime classic with a small but memorable role.
- From Dusk Till Dawn for horror-action chaos.
- Machete for the full Trejo experience.
- Spy Kids for a family-friendly take on Machete.
- Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo for his life story in documentary form.
That documentary is worth a look. Trejo spent time in prison before turning his life around, and the film explores that path from inmate to drug counselor to movie star.
Why Danny Trejo Movies Keep Finding Audiences
Trejo’s appeal goes beyond his look. He brings warmth to roles that seem intimidating on paper. Directors trust him to elevate small parts, which explains his enormous output.
He also moves easily between formats. One year he plays a villain in a horror film. The next, he lends his voice to a Disney animal comedy. That range keeps his name attached to projects of every size.
Trejo was born on May 16, 1944, and shows no sign of slowing down. His 2026 slate proves it. Whether fans love the controversy or hate it, the conversation around Pawn Shop shows his name still moves audiences.
What to Expect Next
Keep an eye on three things over the coming months. First, watch for a Pawn Shop release date and any further comments from Trejo. Second, look for Armadillo United casting and production updates. Third, check for a firm release plan for RZR: Cyber Protocol.
Trejo’s pace suggests more announcements will follow. His filmography keeps growing, and few actors match that consistency.
Which Danny Trejo movie is your all-time favorite, and what role would you like to see him play next? Share your thoughts in the comments and check back for the latest updates.