12 Movies Like Legends You Need to Watch
Find tense crime, drama, and thriller picks with the same edge as Legends, including Dirty Hands, M.I.A., The Rip, The Asset, and more.
If you’re searching for movies like Legends, you probably want tense crime stories with sharp dialogue, messy loyalties, and a little action to keep the pressure on. This roundup pulls together a mix of recent and upcoming picks that hit those same notes, from Legends (2026) and Dirty Hands (2026) to the undercover intrigue of M.I.A. (2026) and the high-stakes momentum of The Rip (2026). You’ll also find darker, character-driven choices such as The Asset (2025), Bandi (2026), and This City Is Ours (2025), plus the investigative edge of NCIS: Origins (2024). Whether you lean toward mystery, drama, or full-on thriller energy, these titles should give you plenty to queue up next.
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01
NCIS: Origins
crime · drama
In 1991, years prior to the events of NCIS, Leroy Jethro Gibbs starts his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office, where he forges his place on a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks.
Directed by Niels Arden Oplev, Jessica Lowrey, Hanelle M. Culpepper, Lionel Coleman, Loren YaconelliCast Austin Stowell, Kyle Schmid, Mariel Molino, Tyla Abercrumbie, Caleb FooteParamount Plus -
02
Dirty Hands
crime · thriller
In the underbelly of Chicago, a routine drug deal goes bad for the Denton brothers, Richie and Danny. With a kingpin’s son murdered, a rival gang out for blood, and their own boss trying to clean up their mess, the brothers must fight for their lives if they’re going to survive until morning.
Directed by Kevin InterdonatoCast Patrick Muldoon, Kevin Interdonato, Denise Richards, Michael Beach, Guy NardulliAmazon Prime Video -
03
Bandi
crime · drama
After their mother's death, a group of orphaned siblings in Martinique struggles to get by, driving some of them toward crime as a way to stay together.
Directed by Eric Rochant, Mathilde Vallet, Jimmy Laporal-TrésorCast Djody Grimeau, Rodney Dijon, Jonathan Zaccaï, Ambre Bozza, Souane RosamontNetflix -
04
M.I.A.
crime · drama · thriller
Etta Tiger Jonze seeks to avenge her family's murder and become the most powerful crime queenpin in South Florida.
Directed by Mairzee Almas, John Dahl, Alethea Jones, Ben Semanoff, Gwyneth Horder-PaytonCast Shannon Gisela, Brittany Adebumola, Dylan T Jackson, Alberto Guerra, Cary ElwesPeacock Premium -
05
The Rip
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
After a team of Miami cops discovers millions in cash inside a derelict stash house, trust frays as everything — and everyone — is called into question.
Directed by Joe CarnahanCast Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino MorenoNetflix -
06
The Asset
crime · drama · thriller
A young agent goes undercover to befriend a drug smuggler's wife. But the closer she gets to her target, the more complicated her mission becomes.
Directed by Samanou Acheche Sahlstrøm, Kasper BarfoedCast Clara Dessau, Maria Cordsen, Afshin Firouzi, Nicolas Bro, Soheil BaviNetflix -
07
This City Is Ours
crime · drama
Michael, a longtime member of organized crime, falls in love with Diana, prompting him to reevaluate his life and contemplate a future beyond his criminal activities. His newfound love becomes both a motivation and a potential liability.
Directed by Saul Dibb, John Hayes, Eshref ReybrouckCast James Nelson-Joyce, Hannah Onslow, Jack McMullen, Mike Noble, Julie GrahamAMC+ -
08
Dope Thief
crime · drama
Two lifelong friends in Philadelphia pose as DEA agents to rob small-time drug dealers. It's a perfect grift—until they choose the wrong mark and become targets of a massive narcotics enterprise.
Directed by Marcela Said, Jonathan van Tulleken, Peter Craig, Tanya Hamilton, Ridley ScottCast Brian Tyree Henry, Wagner Moura, Marin Ireland, Amir Arison, Nesta CooperApple TV Plus -
09
Nemesis
action · crime · drama · thriller
LA crime drama pits master thief Coltrane Wilder against detective Isaiah Stiles, challenging heist genre norms while examining what drives, sustains, and destroys people.
Directed by Ruben Garcia, Rob Hardy, Millicent Shelton, Mario Van PeeblesCast Matthew Law, Y'lan Noel, Gabrielle Dennis, Cleopatra Coleman, Sophina BrownNetflix -
10
The Witness
crime · drama
With their 2-year-old as the sole witness to her murder, Rachel Nickell's partner fights to protect him amid a flawed investigation.
Directed by Alex WincklerCast Jordan Bolger, Mark Stanley, Max Fincham, Sean Gilder, Neil MaskellNetflix -
11
Task
crime · drama
In the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia, an FBI agent heads a task force assembled to put an end to a string of violent robberies led by an unsuspecting family man.
Directed by Jeremiah Zagar, Salli Richardson-WhitfieldCast Mark Ruffalo, Silvia Dionicio, Emilia Jones, Fabien Frankel, Thuso MbeduMax -
12
Havoc
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
When a drug heist swerves lethally out of control, a jaded cop fights his way through a corrupt city's criminal underworld to save a politician's son.
Directed by Gareth EvansCast Tom Hardy, Lockhart Ogilvie, Quelin Sepulveda, Justin Cornwell, Jim CaesarNetflix
Wrapping Up
This list is built for viewers who want crime stories with grit, suspense, and strong characters at the center. From police work and covert operations to street-level tension and personal betrayals, each title brings a different angle on the same appeal. If you want more recommendations like these, bookmark this page and come back whenever you need something new to watch. We update it regularly so the selection stays fresh as new releases arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these movies similar to Legends?
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 4, 2026