12 Movies Like Dept. Q You Need to Watch
Find 12 gripping picks with crime, mystery, drama, thriller, and action energy, including Ballard, Secrets We Keep, Countdown, Ellis, and more.
If you’re after movies like Dept. Q, the best picks usually blend sharp investigations with tense character drama and a constant sense that something is being hidden. This list brings together 12 titles that lean into crime, mystery, thriller, drama, and even a little action, so there’s a strong range no matter what part of the genre mix you enjoy most. You’ll find recent standouts such as Ballard, Secrets We Keep, Countdown, and Ellis, plus gripping series like On Call and Grotesquerie that keep the pressure high. Dept. Q itself also fits alongside this group, making it a useful starting point if you want more cases, more secrets, and more slow-burn suspense. From the bleak edge of Harina to the procedural energy of Ballard, these picks are all about tight leads, tricky clues, and storylines that keep pulling you in.
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01
Ballard
crime · drama
Detective Renée Ballard plunges into a web of murder and corruption as she hunts a ruthless serial killer and uncovers a sinister police conspiracy that threatens everything she stands for. With her own demons nipping at her heels, Ballard must outwit both criminals and colleagues to bring long-overdue justice to the victims and their families.
Directed by Sarah Boyd, Patrick Cady, Logan Kibens, Jet Wilkinson, Tori GarrettCast Maggie Q, Rebecca Field, Michael Mosley, Victoria Moroles, Amy HillAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
02
Secrets We Keep
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
When a neighbor's au pair vanishes from her wealthy suburb, Cecilie seeks answers — and unravels secrets that shatter her seemingly perfect world.
Directed by Per FlyCast Marie Bach Hansen, Excel Busano, Danica Curcic, Sara Fanta Traore, Simon SearsNetflix -
03
Countdown
crime · drama · thriller
When an officer with the Department of Homeland Security is murdered in broad daylight, LAPD detective Mark Meachum is recruited to a secret task force, alongside undercover agents from all branches of law enforcement, to investigate. But the hunt for the killer soon uncovers a plot far more sinister than anyone could have imagined, kicking off a race against time to save a city of millions.
Directed by Jonathan Brown, Lisa Robinson, Avi Youabian, Chris Grismer, Rashidi Natara HarperCast Jensen Ackles, Jessica Camacho, Violett Beane, Elliot Knight, Uli LatukefuAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
04
Ellis
crime · drama
DCI Ellis, a tenacious cop, is parachuted into failing investigations alongside her partner DS Harper. Each case will bring her to a different police station where she'll have to not only immerse herself in the case, but also win over the local police.
Directed by Nick Hurran, Andy Tohill, Ryan TohillCast Sharon D. Clarke, Andrew Gower, Allison Harding, Josh Bolt, Wayne FoskettAmazon Prime Video -
05
On Call
action · crime · drama
Traci Harmon, a veteran female training officer, and her rookie male ride-along, Alex Diaz, navigate the loss of a fellow officer and politics of modern day policing — in the department and on the streets of Long Beach.
Directed by Eriq La Salle, Brenna MalloyCast Troian Bellisario, Brandon Larracuente, Eriq La Salle, Mac Brandt, Rich TingAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
06
Grotesquerie
crime · drama · horror · thriller
A series of heinous crimes have unsettled a small community, and Detective Lois Tryon feels they are eerily personal, as if someone—or something—is taunting her.
Directed by Max Winkler, Alexis Martin Woodall, Elegance Bratton, Ryan MurphyCast Niecy Nash, Courtney B. Vance, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Micaela Diamond, Raven GoodwinHulu -
07
Harina
action · comedy · crime · mystery
The misadventures of Lieutenant Harina and his partner, Officer Ramírez, a very special police couple, who find themselves with the opportunity of a lifetime
Directed by Salvador EspinosaCast Memo Villegas, Verónica Bravo, Luis Fernando Peña, Dagoberto Gama, Luz AldánAmazon Prime Video -
08
Bodies
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
One victim, found dead on a London street. Four detectives, in four different time periods, must solve the mystery to protect Britain's future.
Directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner, Haolu WangCast Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Shira Haas, Amaka Okafor, Kyle Soller, Greta ScacchiNetflix -
09
Bent
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
On his latest private investigation, a shamed former cop connects a murder case to a government conspiracy involving rogue agents from a top spy agency.
Directed by Bobby MorescoCast Karl Urban, Sofía Vergara, Andy Garcia, Joe Pacheco, Grace ByersFreevee -
10
Wayward
drama · mystery · thriller
A small-town cop suspects that the local school for troubled teens — and its dangerously charismatic founder — may not be all it seems.
Directed by Euros Lyn, John Fawcett, Renuka JeyapalanCast Mae Martin, Sarah Gadon, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Sydney Topliffe, Toni ColletteNetflix -
11
Graveyard
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Police Commissioner Önem leads a special investigations unit that solves tough cases involving violence against women.
Directed by Abdullah Oguz, Ömer BaykulCast Birce Akalay, Olgun Toker, Şehsuvar Aktaş, Hakan Meriçliler, Sezgin UzunbekiroğluNetflix -
12
Bosch: Legacy
crime · drama
Bosch is now making a living as a private investigator two years after he quit the LAPD and finds himself working with one time enemy and top-notch attorney Honey “Money” Chandler. Meanwhile, Bosch's daughter Maddie is venturing into the world of the LAPD.
Directed by Patrick Cady, Sharat Raju, Alex Zakrzewski, Adam Davidson, Ernest DickersonCast Titus Welliver, Mimi Rogers, Madison Lintz, Stephen A. Chang, Denise G. SanchezAmazon Prime VideoFreevee
Wrapping Up
Whether you came for cold-case tension, procedural momentum, or a darker mystery with real emotional weight, this roundup gives you plenty of strong follow-up viewing. Each title offers a different angle on crime and suspense, so you can match your next watch to the mood you’re in. Bookmark this page and come back whenever you want another smart, updated place to start your search. We refresh this list regularly, so the recommendations stay current as new releases arrive and old favorites earn their spot again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these movies similar to Dept. Q?
These picks were matched by tone, themes, and story style using a similarity model trained on plot synopses, genres, and cast — not just shared genre tags — so the connection runs deeper than a simple category match.
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Last updated: September 12, 2026