If you are a fan of crime thrillers, movies like The Departed will make a perfect and equally exciting watch for you.
The Departed (2006) is a crime drama thriller that tells the story of two people who are working for opposite sides. The movie presents an undercover cop trying to find the snitch in the police department as the other man also tries to do the same. The movie is quite thrilling and was loved by viewers for its suspenseful plot.
Let’s look at these nail-biting movies like The Departed that should make for an extremely exciting watching experience.
15 Gripping Movies Like The Departed That Will Keep You On The Edge Of Your Seats
There are a variety of thriller movies that the audiences have highly appreciated. We have enlisted below 15 riveting movies like The Departed that will make for an adrenaline-filled ride.
Without further ado, let’s dive into these 15 amazing movies like The Departed that must not be missed.
#1 Inception (2010)
Inception (2010) is a science fiction thriller movie that presents a former criminal with a chance to redeem himself by doing the exact opposite of what he masters in doing.
Inception portrays the journey of a man who excels in stealing people’s dreams by invading their minds while they are sleeping. This ability of the man provides him with secret intel to earn money. However, the man is captured and given a chance at redemption by the authorities if he succeeds in planting an idea in someone’s mind rather than stealing it.
Inception is one of the best science-fiction movies of all time. The movie is downright mysterious and thrilling with its complex and confusing plot. The movie makes for a thrilling viewing experience and should not be missed.
| IMDb Rating | 8.8 |
| Runtime | 2 hours 28 minutes |
| Director(s) | Christopher Nolan |
| Writer(s) | Christopher Nolan |
| Cast | Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Lewitt, Elliot Page |
| Streaming Service(s) | Amazon Prime Video |
| Release Date | July 26, 2010 |
| Filming Location(s) | Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada |
| Production(s) | Warner Bros., Legendary Entertainment, Syncopy |
#2 Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas (1990) is a biographical crime drama that investigates the life of Henry Hill, who works in an American syndicate, and his interactions with his wife and mob partners.
Goodfellas features the dilemma of a man named Henry Hill, who has been a part of the mob culture but has no intentions to rise the ranks. The man feels confused about his partner’s rise to success in the mob and how they gradually gain power. The plot unravels to present the man questioning his loyalty to his friends as he tries to determine whether he should cause their downfall or not.
Goodfellas is a thrilling crime drama that presents Henry’s initial unwillingness to kill off people in an attempt to become a more powerful member of the mob. As the plot unfolds, viewers are presented with the confusing and complex thought process of the man. The movie is a definite watch for people who like to watch crime-related plotlines.
| IMDb Rating | 8.7 |
| Runtime | 2 hours 25 minutes |
| Director(s) | Martin Scorsese |
| Writer(s) | Nicholas Pileggi, Martin Scorsese |
| Cast | Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci |
| Streaming Service(s) | Netflix |
| Release Date | September 21, 1990 |
| Filming Location(s) | New York City, USA |
| Production(s) | Warner Bros. |
#3 Se7en (1995)
Se7en (1995) is a crime thriller that portrays the quest of two detectives who try to catch a serial killer that uses the seven deadly sins as the inspiration for his crimes.
Se7en presents the cat-and-mouse game between two detectives and a serial killer, who justifies his action by claiming that he punishes the seven sins. The movie unravels a gory and violent crime scene that pushes one of the detectives to read the seven deadly sins. The movie features the duo’s journey to capture the killer somehow as they try to understand the workings of his mind.
Se7en is shocking and extremely compelling in its portrayal of the seven deadly sins. The movie is filled with suspense and thrill and makes a perfect watch for people who like to watch compelling movies.
| IMDb Rating | 8.6 |
| Runtime | 2 hour 7 minutes |
| Director(s) | David Fincher |
| Writer(s) | Andrew Kevin Walker |
| Cast | Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey |
| Streaming Service(s) | Netflix |
| Release Date | September 22, 1995 |
| Filming Location(s) | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Production(s) | Cecchi Gori Pictures, Juno Pix, New Line Cinema |
#4 City Of God (2002)
City Of God (2002) is a crime drama that features the contrasting lives of two young children living in slums as they both decide to pursue their dreams.
City Of God features the lives of a trio of youngsters who grow up to walk on different career paths. The movie features Li’l Ze’, a kingpin who the city’s people fear; the man is accompanied by his friend Bene. Bene can be considered the only person to talk sense into the otherwise violent man. Their third friend, Rocket, is a photographer and does not wish to live a life of violence and fear. As the trio manages their tumultuous lives over the years, the movie presents the conflict between the two powerful gangs in the city.
City Of God focuses on the life of gangs and how they destroy the humanity residing in young minds. The movie also showcases the greed for power that eventually leads to people being okay with violence and aggression. The movie is a must-watch for lovers of intense criminal dramas.
| IMDb Rating | 8.6 |
| Runtime | 2 hours 10 minutes |
| Director(s) | Fernando Meirelles, Katia Lund |
| Writer(s) | Paulo Lins, Braulio Mantovani |
| Cast | Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Matheus Nachtergaele |
| Streaming Service(s) | Amazon Prime Video |
| Release Date | May 18, 2002 |
| Filming Location(s) | Rio De Janerio, Brazil |
| Production(s) | O2 Films, VideoFilms, Globo Films |
#5 The Prestige (2006)
The Prestige (2006) is a mystery thriller that features the rivalry between two magicians as both of them try to outdo the other by performing new and exciting magic tricks.
The Prestige features the animosity between two magicians after magician Robert’s wife is heavily injured during one of Alfred’s shows. As the magician tries to take revenge on Alfred for harming his wife, he comes to know of Nikola Tesla, who has been creating a teleporter. What ensues is a thrilling and suspenseful story as Robert succeeds in performing an amazing trick.
The Prestige is a story of deceit and desperation. The movie explores the measures a man can take to take revenge. Presenting the hate-driven journey, the movie is a must-watch for people who like to watch suspense thrillers.
| IMDb Rating | 8.5 |
| Runtime | 2 hours 10 minutes |
| Director(s) | Christopher Nolan |
| Writer(s) | Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Priest |
| Cast | Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson |
| Streaming Service(s) | Amazon Prime Video |
| Release Date | October 20, 2006 |
| Filming Location(s) | Colorado, USA |
| Production(s) | Touchstone Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, Newmarket Films |
#5 Gone Girl (2006)
Gone Girl is a psychological thriller centered around Nick and Amy Dunne’s marriage-going cod and a psychopath that is after revenge. Nick and his glamorous wife portray a hay and blissful marriage life to the public. But, on their fifth Anniversary, Amy disappears. The police interrogation starts and centers around her husband, Nick. This causes Dunne’s reputation to crumble, leading the police and family to question whether Nick and Amy are truly married.
In a series of twists, the story is told from the point of view of Amy’s diary and Nick’s reminiscences. The viewers try to determine who is the good guy and the bad guy in the story. The ending of the movie is brutal and unsettling, which leaves the audience with unease even after the film ends.
| IMDb Rating | 8.1 |
| Runtime | 2h 29m |
| Director(s) | David Fincher |
| Writer(s) | Gillian Flynn |
| Cast | Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, and Carrie Coon. |
| Streaming Service(s) | Amazon Prime Video, Hulu |
| Release Date | October 3, 2014 |
| Filming Location(s) | Cape Girardeau, Missouri |
| Production(s) | Regency Enterprises TSG Entertainment |
#7 Django Unchained (2012)
Django Unchained (2012) is a crime drama that explores the quest of a free slave who partners with a bounty hunter to free his wife from a plantation owner.
Django Unchained is a story of racial violence rampant in the 1850s. The movie features the partnership between a bounty hunter and an enslaved person as they try to find some men. Eventually, the duo sets on a quest to find and rescue Django’s wife under the condition that he will remain as a partner with the bounty hunter.
Django Unchained presents the revolution against slavery in the late 1800s and their lives. The movie portrays the lack of freedom and choice in the life of an enslaved person, as well as the cruelty they faced all their lives. The movie is an enjoyable experience as it explores racial and controversial topics through a well-structured storyline.
| IMDb Rating | 8.4 |
| Runtime | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Director(s) | Quentin Tarantino |
| Writer(s) | Quentin Tarantino |
| Cast | Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo Di Caprio |
| Streaming Service(s) | Netflix |
| Release Date | December 25, 2012 |
| Filming Location(s) | Louisiana, USA |
| Production(s) | The Weinstein Company, Columbia Pictures |
#8 Inglorious Basterds (2009)
Inglorious Basterds (2009) is a war drama that features the quest of two unrelated groups as they coincidentally decide to murder powerful Nazi leaders during the times of World War II.
Inglorious Basterds is set in France and presents the quotes of a group of Jewish soldiers hired by the American army and given the task of assassinating prominent Nazi leaders. Around the same time, a female theatre owner also plans to eliminate Nazi leaders due to a personal vendetta. The movie features the girl planning a play to ensure the presence of said leaders in her theater as she tries to bring them down.
Inglorious Basterds features the happenings of the night that feature the group and the woman trying to assassinate Nazi leaders. Despite its gloomy and dark premise, the movie is a downright masterpiece. The plot aptly incorporates various aspects of wartime amazingly and should not be missed.
| IMDb Rating | 8.3 |
| Runtime | 2 hours 33 minutes |
| Director(s) | Quentin Tarantino |
| Writer(s) | Quentin Tarantino |
| Cast | Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth |
| Streaming Service(s) | Amazon Prime Video |
| Release Date | August 21, 2009 |
| Filming Location(s) | Paris, France |
| Production(s) | Universal Pictures, The Weinstein Company, A Band Apart |
#9 Scarface (1983)
Scarface (1983) is a crime drama that features an immigrant’s rise as he succeeds in taking over a mafia and gradually gives in to greed.
Scarface is set in the 1980s and presents the violent life of cartels and the mafia during that period. The movie features the life of a man named Tony Montana, who starts working as a henchman for the mafia. However, as the man gradually gets higher up in the ranks, he starts to wish for a mafia leader’s power. The movie features the rise and fall of the extremely violent man as he paints targets on himself because of his reckless and aggressive behavior.
Scarface is a dramatic and thrilling movie that presents the pure evil in the human mind. The movies do not stop to ponder the conflicting emotions present in a criminal mind. The movie succeeded in heavily influencing the movie culture, and the character Tony Montana influenced the music industry as well.
| IMDb Rating | 8.3 |
| Runtime | 2 hours 50 minutes |
| Director(s) | Brian De Palma |
| Writer(s) | Oliver Stone, Howard Hawks, Ben Hecht |
| Cast | Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer |
| Streaming Service(s) | Amazon Prime Video |
| Release Date | December 9, 1983 |
| Filming Location(s) | Santa Barbara, California, USA |
| Production(s) | Universal Pictures |
#10 Shutter Island (2010)
Shutter Island (2010) is a mystery and thriller that presents the quest of an Army officer as he tries to reveal the secret behind the sudden disappearance of a murderer who was imprisoned in a facility for mentally insane people.
Shutter Island presents the life of Teddy, who is tasked with the mission to investigate the disappearance of a person with a mental health condition from a prison facility. The man goes to the island and tries to find the reason behind the prisoner’s disappearance and unravels confusing things. The deeper Teddy gets into the case, the more confusing things seem to him. Gradually we see him struggling not to question himself and his actions while living on the dark and bleak island.
Shutter Island is a mind-bending thriller that makes the viewers question their sanity. The movie is dark, intense, and at times extremely bleak. The movie was globally loved for its portrayal of mental health issues and the illegal acts with prisoners in such facilities. The movie is a must-watch for people who like to watch psychological mysteries.
| IMDb Rating | 8.2 |
| Runtime | 2 hours 18 minutes |
| Director(s) | Martin Scorsese |
| Writer(s) | Laeta Kalogridis, Dennis Lehane |
| Cast | Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer, Mark Ruffalo |
| Streaming Service(s) | Amazon Prime Video |
| Release Date | February 19, 2010 |
| Filming Location(s) | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| Production(s) | Paramount Pictures, Phoenix Pictures, Sikelia Pictures |
#11 No Country For Old Men (2007)
No Country For Old Men (2007) is a drama and thriller movie that presents the journey of a hunter as he happens upon a failed drug deal. The man also finds cash in millions and the dangers it brings to his life.
No Country For Old Men presents the aftermath of a violent drug exchange that resulted in all the people dying. Moss, a hunter, happens upon the scene; he takes the money left there and leaves. However, he is soon being hunted by a psychotic man who starts to kill people to get information regarding his lost money. Soon it becomes a mental game as Moss tries to outrun the man.
No Country For Old Men is an intense plot that presents the lack of justice in the real world. The movie aptly portrays the lack of fairness that is a normal part of human life. The movie is a must-watch for people who like precise and well-written movies and do not mind some violence.
| IMDb Rating | 8.2 |
| Runtime | 2 hours 2 minutes |
| Director(s) | Ethan Coen, Joel Coen |
| Writer(s) | Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Cormac McCarthy |
| Cast | Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin |
| Streaming Service(s) | Amazon Prime Video |
| Release Date | November 21, 2007 |
| Filming Location(s) | Marfa, Texas, USA |
| Production(s) | Paramount Vantage, Miramax, Scott Rudin Productions |
#12 Casino (1995)
Casino (1995) is a crime drama that features the tussle between a mafia and a casino executive trying to get their hold on the gambling empire while simultaneously fighting for a charming and well-known woman.
Casino presents the journey of two people, Ace and Nicky, as the contrasting duo come to Vegas and try to rise in the ranks. We see the duo become rivals as they both try to gain the upper hand. The movie follows the journey of both men as they gradually get their hold on the people around them and gain power over time.
Casino is a compelling and dramatic movie that presents the culture of Vegas in the 1970s and 80s. The movie also explores the involvement and influence of the mafia in the gambling circle during those times. The movie features an amazing plotline as it presents the rise of two rivals.
| IMDb Rating | 8.2 |
| Runtime | 2 hours 58 minutes |
| Director(s) | Martin Scorsese |
| Writer(s) | Nicholas Pileggi, Martin Scorsese |
| Cast | Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci |
| Streaming Service(s) | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix |
| Release Date | November 22, 1995 |
| Filming Location(s) | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| Production(s) | Universal Pictures, Cialis DA, Legende Entreprises |
#13 Taxi Driver (1976)
Taxi Driver (1976) encompasses the troublesome life of a war veteran who works as a Taxi driver at night while suffering from mental problems.
Taxi Driver features the life of a former marine who suffers from insomnia and has become a loner over the years after returning from the war. The man feels the world is filled with darkness and seeks normalcy in a woman named Betsy. The veteran gradually becomes obsessed and decides to seek justice for people after an incident with Betsy.
Taxi Driver presents the mental trauma that war leaves on professionals and how they cannot cope with it. The movie is well-written and presents an exciting premise as the taxi driver tries to help a young teen from getting out of prostitution. The movie presents the decaying and dark things in the world in a very compelling manner.
| IMDb Rating | 8.3 |
| Runtime | 1 hour 54 minutes |
| Director(s) | Martin Scorsese |
| Writer(s) | Paul Schrader |
| Cast | Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd |
| Streaming Service(s) | Amazon Prime Video |
| Release Date | February 9, 1976 |
| Filming Location(s) | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Production(s) | Columbia Pictures, Bill/Phillips |
#14 The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather is a story of a powerful Italian American family whose head is Don Vito Corleone. When his youngest son Michael returns home, he reluctantly joins the mafia and the family business. He slowly becomes involved in the life of crime and a part of the inevitable betrayal and violence cycle. Don Vito’s fading old values and the mafia’s new ways make Micheal do the things that he was most reluctant about, which is to wage war against all the mafia families, making him indulge deeply in the family business.
The Godfather won three academy awards which included Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. It is one of the most revered films in the history of Hollywood. Based on Mario Puzo’s Novel of the same name, the movie brilliantly shows the world of organized crime, and the performance of the actors is astounding. There is no doubt why this movie became the highest-grossing movie of the year 1972.
| IMDb Rating | 9.2 |
| Runtime | 2h 55m |
| Director(s) | Francis Ford Coppola |
| Writer(s) | Mario Puzo |
| Cast | Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte, and Diane Keaton. |
| Streaming Service(s) | Netflix |
| Release Date | 24 March 1972 |
| Filming Location(s) | New York, USA |
| Production(s) | Paramount Pictures Alfran Productions |
#15 There Will Be Blood (2007)
There Will Be Blood (2007) is an intense drama that features the rise of a businessman and his life as he gradually becomes more involved with the oil business.
There Will Be Blood presents the life of Daniel, who used to work as a miner. However, the hard-working man is extremely manipulative and uses his fellow workers to gain profits. The movie presents his interactions with Eli, with whom he bought a piece of land. The movie focuses on the duo’s altercation over the years as they both try to grow in their respective fields.
There Will Be Blood presents the journey of an angry man who will go to any lengths to achieve what he wants. The movie is very well structured and features the manipulative and violent journey of the man. The movie will make for a dramatic watch for lovers of intense movies.
| IMDb Rating | 8.2 |
| Runtime | 2 hours 38 minutes |
| Director(s) | Paul Thomas Anderson |
| Writer(s) | Paul Thomas Anderson, Upton Sinclair |
| Cast | Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Ciaran Hinds |
| Streaming Service(s) | Amazon Prime Video |
| Release Date | September 27, 2007 |
| Filming Location(s) | Lompoc, California, USA |
| Production(s) | Paramount Vantage, Miramax, Ghoulardi Film Company |
Other Nail-Biting Movies Like The Departed For An Adrenaline Filled Adventure
Since there is a huge variety of thriller and crime movies over the years, let’s take a look at more movies like The Departed. If you enjoyed the movies mentioned above, we hope you will like these 25 movies like The Departed, which are definitely engaging to watch.
| Title | IMDb Rating | Year | Runtime | Director | Streaming Service |
| Catch Me If You Can | 8.1 | 2002 | 2h 21m | Steven Spielberg | Amazon Prime Video |
| Spotlight | 8.1 | 2015 | 2h 9m | Tom McCarthy | Amazon Prime Video |
| The Revenant | 8.0 | 2015 | 2h 36m | Alejandro G. Inarritu | Amazon Prime Video |
| Blood Diamond | 8.0 | 2006 | 2h 23m | Edward Zwick | Amazon Prime Video |
| Internal Affairs | 8.0 | 2002 | 1h 41m | Andrew Lau, Alan Mak | Netflix |
| The Untouchables | 7.9 | 1987 | 1h 59m | Brian De Palma | Amazon Prime Video |
| Mystic River | 7.9 | 2003 | 2h 18m | Clint Eastwood | Netflix |
| The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo | 7.8 | 2011 | 2h 38m | David Fincher | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix |
| American Gangster | 7.8 | 2007 | 2h 37m | Ridley Scott | Netflix |
| Nightcrawler | 7.8 | 2014 | 1h 57m | Dan Gilroy | Netflix |
| The Irishman | 7.7 | 2019 | 3h 29m | Martin Scorsese | Netflix |
| Training Day | 7.7 | 2001 | 2h 2m | Antoine Fuqua | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix |
| Ocean’s Eleven | 7.7 | 2001 | 1h 56m | Steven Soderbergh | Amazon Prime Video |
| Argo | 7.7 | 2012 | 2h | Ben Affleck | Amazon Prime Video |
| Donnie Brasco | 7.7 | 1997 | 2h 7m | Mike Newell | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix |
| Inside Man | 7.6 | 2006 | 2h 9m | Spike Lee | Netflix |
| Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood | 7.6 | 2019 | 2h 41m | Quentin Tarantino | Netflix |
| Gone Baby Gone | 7.6 | 2007 | 1h 54m | Ben Affleck | Netflix |
| Gangs Of New York | 7.5 | 2002 | 2h 47m | Martin Scorsese | Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix |
| Collateral | 7.5 | 2004 | 2h | Michael Mann | Amazon Prime Video |
| Jackie Brown | 7.5 | 1997 | 2h 34m | Quentin Tarantino | Amazon Prime Video, Hulu |
| The Aviator | 7.5 | 2004 | 2h 50m | Martin Scorsese | Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix |
| Layer Cake | 7.3 | 2004 | 1h 45m | Matthew Vaugh | Netflix |
| Good Time | 7.3 | 2017 | 1h 42m | Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix |
| RocknRolla | 7.3 | 2008 | 1h 54m | Guy Ritchie | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix |
Final Words
These were some exciting and gripping movies like The Departed that should not be missed by the fans of the genre.
We hope you liked our collection of these 40 thrilling movies like The Departed, which will make for a nail-biting experience. Do let us know which of these movies, like The Departed, you liked the best.
Stay tuned with us for more such entertaining reads.
