12 Movies Like Major Crimes You Need to Watch
Find tense crime dramas and action thrillers like Major Crimes, with picks such as Contraband, Falcón, Hijacked, The Firm, and more.
If you liked the mix of undercover pressure, street-level danger, and procedural grit in Major Crimes, this list points you toward similar thrillers with the same hard-edged energy. You’ll find tense crime stories like Contraband, The Firm, and Public Enemies, plus character-driven picks such as Falcón and The Samaritan that lean into moral conflict and uneasy alliances. For viewers who want more pursuit, ambush, and split-second decision-making, Hijacked and End of Watch deliver fast-moving suspense. These titles span action, adventure, crime, and drama, so it’s easy to match the tone you’re after, whether you want a slow-burn investigation or a bigger burst of adrenaline.
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01
Contraband
action · adventure · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
When his brother-in-law runs afoul of a drug lord, family man Chris Farraday turns to a skill he abandoned long ago—smuggling—to repay the debt. But the job goes wrong, and Farraday finds himself wanted by cops, crooks and killers alike.
Directed by Baltasar KormákurCast Robert Wahlberg, Caleb Landry Jones, Jason Mitchell, Paul LeBlanc, Mark WahlbergStarz -
02
Falcón
crime · drama
Falcón is a brilliant detective whose personal and professional life is compromised by dark secrets from the past.
Directed by Gabriel Range, Pete TravisCast Carla Sánchez, Hayley Atwell, Marton Csokas, Emilia Fox, Natalia TenaFreevee -
03
Hijacked
action & adventure · crime · mystery & thriller
A special agent's plans to reconcile with his ex-fiancé are ruined when she boards a private jet that is targeted by hijackers working for the same crime lord that he is chasing.
Directed by Brandon NuttCast Vinnie Jones, Rob Steinberg, Craig Fairbrass, Gina Philips, Tiffany DupontStarz -
04
The Firm
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
As a young associate, Mitchell McDeere brought down the prestigious Memphis law firm of Bendini, Lambert & Locke, which operated as a front for the Chicago mob—and his life was never the same. After a difficult decade, which included a stay in the Federal Witness Protection program, Mitch and his family now emerge from isolation to reclaim their lives and their future—only to find that past dangers are still lurking and new threats are everywhere.
Directed by Holly Dale, Helen Shaver, David Straiton, Lynne Stopkewich, David FrazeeCast Josh Lucas, Callum Keith Rennie, Molly Parker, Juliette Lewis, Natasha CalisAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
05
Public Enemies
crime · drama
Public Enemies explores the relationship between 28-year-old Eddie, recently released on life licence from prison after serving 10 years, and his probation officer, Paula, returning from suspension following a shocking crime committed by an offender under her supervision.
Directed by Dearbhla WalshCast Anna Friel, Daniel Mays, Lorraine Ashbourne, Peter Wight, Barbara MartenFreevee -
06
End of Watch
action · crime · drama · thriller
Two young officers are marked for death after confiscating a small cache of money and firearms from the members of a notorious cartel during a routine traffic stop.
Directed by David AyerCast Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Natalie Martinez, Anna Kendrick, David HarbourAMC+ -
07
The Samaritan
crime · drama · thriller
After twenty years in prison, Foley is finished with the grifter's life. When he meets an elusive young woman named Iris, the possibility of a new start looks real. But his past is proving to be a stubborn companion.
Directed by David WeaverCast Samuel L. Jackson, Luke Kirby, Ruth Negga, Tom Wilkinson, Gil BellowsAMC+ -
08
Elementary
crime · drama · mystery
A modern-day drama about a crime-solving duo that cracks the NYPD's most impossible cases. Following his fall from grace in London and a stint in rehab, eccentric Sherlock escapes to Manhattan where his wealthy father forces him to live with his worst nightmare - a sober companion, Dr. Watson.
Directed by Guy Ferland, Christine Moore, John Polson, Ron Fortunato, Seith MannCast Jonny Lee Miller, Lucy Liu, Aidan Quinn, Jon Michael Hill, Jordan GelberAmazon Prime VideoHulu -
09
Safe
action · crime · thriller
After a former elite agent rescues a 12-year-old Chinese girl who's been abducted, they find themselves in the middle of a standoff between Triads, the Russian Mafia and high-level corrupt New York City politicians and police.
Directed by Boaz YakinCast Jason Statham, Catherine Chan, Robert John Burke, James Hong, Anson MountAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
10
No One Lives
action · crime · drama · horror · mystery · thriller
A gang of ruthless highway killers kidnap a wealthy couple traveling cross country only to shockingly discover that things are not what they seem.
Directed by Ryūhei KitamuraCast Luke Evans, Adelaide Clemens, Lee Tergesen, Derek Magyar, America OlivoFreevee -
11
True Justice
action · crime · drama · thriller
Elijah Kane leads a hardcore undercover team of Seattle based cops who take on the local criminal element with a high-octane style of enforcement.
Directed by Wayne Rose, Keoni Waxman, Lauro David Chartrand-Del ValleCast Steven Seagal, Sarah Lind, William 'Big Sleeps' Stewart, Meghan Ory, Warren ChristieFreevee -
12
Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden
action & adventure · crime · drama · mystery & thriller
When the rumored whereabouts of Osama bin Laden are revealed, the CIA readies a team of seasoned U.S. Navy SEALs for the mission of a lifetime. Despite inconclusive evidence that bin Laden is inside the compound, and ignoring the possible ramifications of an unannounced attack on Pakistani soil, the Pentagon orders the attack. The SEAL Team bands together to complete their mission of justice in a riveting final showdown.
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Wrapping Up
This selection gives you a strong mix of suspense, action, and crime drama, with each title bringing a slightly different angle to the same tense, high-stakes appeal. Whether you want undercover work, police pressure, or a sharp criminal underworld story, there’s plenty here to keep your queue moving. Bookmark this page and come back when you want more recommendations in this lane, since it’s updated regularly to keep the list fresh. If you’re narrowing down what to watch next, these picks make it easy to find a good follow-up without wasting time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these movies similar to Major Crimes?
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 7, 2026