The most prolific practitioners of human sacrifice were the Aztecs (I can't help but think that Mexican gangs' penchants for mutilating the bodies of their victims - including cutting out hearts - is a carry-over of that tradition). The Mayans also performed sacrifices, but not on the scale that popular culture (movies like Mel Gibson's Apocalypto) would suggest.
The Inca also performed human sacrifices, usually of a specially selected child for one of their fertility rites. Brutal and repulsive to be sure, but their archeological ruins are still interesting and magnificent, in much the same way that you need not be a fan of Islam's presence in Europe to admire Alhambra in Granada. And all of the above are more admirable than people who get their kicks out of defecating in public and desecrating archeological or historical sites.
You might enjoy this review of the movie Apocalypto. Spoiler – he’s not a fan.
I love this guy’s (Nick Hodges) reviews of movies based on history.