12 Movies Like The Blacklist You Need to Watch
Craving tense crime thrillers and sharp mystery-drama picks? Explore 12 gripping titles similar to The Blacklist, from The Following to FBI.
If you’re searching for movies like The Blacklist, you’re probably after sharp criminals, double-crosses, and the kind of high-stakes storytelling that keeps every episode tense. This list brings together shows and films with the same mix of crime, drama, mystery, and thriller energy, from The Following and Criminal Minds to Graceland and FBI. You’ll also find darker, rougher picks like Banshee, plus procedurals and conspiratorial stories such as The Truth Will Out and The Equalizer. Whether you want a genius mastermind, an elite task force, or a secret past that keeps detonating in the present, these picks deliver that same fast-moving tension. With 12 titles on the page, there’s plenty here to match your mood.
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01
The Following
crime · drama · horror · mystery · thriller
A brilliant, charismatic, and psychotic serial killer communicates with other active serial killers and activates a cult of believers who follow his every command.
Directed by Marcos Siega, Nicole Kassell, Joshua Butler, Liz Friedlander, Rob SeidenglanzCast Kevin Bacon, Shawn Ashmore, James Purefoy, Sam Underwood, Jessica StroupNetflix -
02
Criminal Minds
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
An elite team of FBI profilers analyze the country's most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again. The Behavioral Analysis Unit's most experienced agent is David Rossi, a founding member of the BAU who returns to help the team solve new cases.
Directed by Glenn Kershaw, Félix Enríquez Alcalá, Rob Bailey, Edward Allen Bernero, Matthew Gray GublerCast Kirsten Vangsness, A.J. Cook, Matthew Gray Gubler, Joe Mantegna, Thomas GibsonAmazon Prime VideoHuluParamount Plus -
03
Graceland
action · crime · drama
In Southern California, a beachfront property was seized and turned into a residence for undercover cops. They are all top agents of the DEA, FBI, and Customs and they are living in this house unofficially known as "Graceland". Coming of a new graduating at the top of his class, FBI rookie, Mike Warren, could make the life of a legendary FBI agent Paul Briggs and the others, more complicated or it could reveal the truth. It is based upon actual events.
Directed by Russell Lee Fine, Larry Teng, Sanford Bookstaver, Renny Harlin, Duane ClarkCast Daniel Sunjata, Aaron Tveit, Vanessa Ferlito, Manny Montana, Serinda SwanHulu -
04
The Equalizer
action · crime · thriller
McCall believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets Teri, a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by – he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.
Directed by Antoine FuquaCast Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Haley BennettMax -
05
FBI
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
The New York office of the FBI brings to bear all their talents, intellect and technical expertise on major cases in order to keep their city and the country safe.
Directed by Alex Chapple, Jean de Segonzac, Carlos Bernard, Milena Govich, Jon CassarCast Missy Peregrym, Zeeko Zaki, Jeremy Sisto, Alana De La Garza, John BoydParamount Plus -
06
Banshee
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Banshee is an American drama television series set in a small town in Pennsylvania Amish country and features an enigmatic ex-con posing as a murdered sheriff who imposes his own brand of justice while also cooking up plans that serve his own interests.
Directed by Ole Christian Madsen, Greg Yaitanes, Loni Peristere, S.J. Clarkson, Miguel SapochnikCast Antony Starr, Ivana Milicevic, Ulrich Thomsen, Frankie Faison, Matt ServittoMax -
07
The Truth Will Out
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Could Sweden’s most notorious killer be innocent? Detective Peter Wendel struggles to hold together his fractured psyche – and mismatched cold case team – while uncovering the truth of a cryptic message.
Directed by Kjell-Åke Andersson, Lisa Farzaneh, Kristian Petri, Camilla Strøm HenriksenCast Robert Gustafsson, Louise Peterhoff, Ia Langhammer, Christopher Wagelin, Ingela OlssonAmazon Prime Video -
08
Redemption
action · crime · drama · thriller
A damaged ex-special forces soldier navigating London's criminal underworld seizes an opportunity to assume another man's identity.
Directed by Steven KnightCast Jason Statham, Agata Buzek, Vicky McClure, Benedict Wong, Ger RyanAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
09
Olympus Has Fallen
action · thriller
When the White House (Secret Service Code: "Olympus") is captured by a terrorist mastermind and the President is kidnapped, disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning finds himself trapped within the building. As the national security team scrambles to respond, they are forced to rely on Banning's inside knowledge to help retake the White House, save the President and avert an even bigger disaster.
Directed by Antoine FuquaCast Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Finley Jacobsen, Dylan McDermott, Rick YuneAmazon Prime VideoAMC+Freevee -
10
Quantico
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
A diverse group of recruits has arrived at the FBI Quantico Base for training. They are the best, the brightest and the most vetted, so it seems impossible that one of them is suspected of masterminding the biggest attack on New York City since 9/11.
Directed by David McWhirter, Jennifer Lynch, Patrick R. Norris, Steve Robin, Russell Lee FineCast Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Jake McLaughlin, Johanna Braddy, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Yasmine Al MassriHulu -
11
Eagle Eye
action · mystery · thriller
Jerry Shaw and Rachel Holloman are two strangers whose lives are suddenly thrown into turmoil by a mysterious woman they have never met. Threatening their lives and family, the unseen caller uses everyday technology to control their actions and push them into increasing danger. As events escalate, Jerry and Rachel become the country's most-wanted fugitives and must figure out what is happening to them.
Directed by D.J. CarusoCast Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Anthony MackieAmazon Prime Video -
12
FBI: Most Wanted
action · adventure · crime · drama · mystery · romance · thriller
The Fugitive Task Force relentlessly tracks and captures the notorious criminals on the Bureau's Most Wanted list. Seasoned agents oversee the highly skilled team that functions as a mobile undercover unit that is always out in the field, pursuing those who are most desperate to elude justice.
Directed by Ken Girotti, Milena Govich, Jean de Segonzac, Peter Stebbings, Cory BowlesCast Roxy Sternberg, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Dylan McDermott, Edwin Hodge, Alexa DavalosPeacock Premium
Wrapping Up
These picks work because they capture what makes this kind of story so addictive: dangerous alliances, hidden motives, and pressure that keeps building scene after scene. From the cat-and-mouse intensity of The Following to the team dynamics in Criminal Minds and FBI, there’s a strong mix of styles for crime and suspense fans. If you enjoyed the mix of mystery, drama, and threat, this list should give you several new favorites to try next. Bookmark this page and come back whenever you want another round of recommendations, since it’s updated regularly with fresh titles and current picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these movies similar to The Blacklist?
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 10, 2026