Best movies like The Tough Ones
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A tough, violent cop who doesn't mind bending the law goes after a machine-gun-carrying, hunchbacked psychotic killer.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Italy
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, cult classic, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, surprise ending, tragic ending, cult film
Best tv shows and movies like The Tough Ones (1976):
Similar in 82%
A Special Cop in Action (1976)
Plot Summary:
A school bus with young children being kidnapped. Commissario Betti will solve the case. High action is promised, including hostage, bank robberies, car chases, prison scenes and mafia bosses!.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 577
Genere: Thriller, Action, Crime
Country: Italy
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, surprise ending
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Similar in 90%
Violent City (1975)
Plot Summary:
A detective sick and tired of the rampant crime and violence in his city, and constantly at odds with his superiors, is finally kicked out of the department for a "questionable" shooting of a vicious criminal. However, he is soon approached by a representative for a group of citizens who themselves are fed up with what they see as criminals going unpunished, and they make him an offer he may very well not refuse.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 682
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Italy
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, neo noir
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Similar in 90%
Street Law (1974)
Plot Summary:
Carlo Antonelli, an engineer from Genoa, gets mugged and decides to take justice into his own hands. At first the muggers seem to get the upper hand, but then he's helped by Tommy, a young robber who takes his side.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Thriller
Country: Italy
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, grindhouse, cult classic, action thriller, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, psychotronic
Similar in 79%
The Heroin Busters (1977)
Plot Summary:
Drug use in the city of Rome is at an all-time high. Children score from dealers in front of their schools, mules waltz straight through airport security, and Interpol's main man, Mike Hamilton (David Hemmings), is at his wits' end. Fed up to the back teeth with the local police force's incompetence, his only hope is to rely on one of his own men, Fabio (Fabio Testi), an officer so deep undercover that no-one but Hamilton knows who he really is. Even as Fabio gains the trust of cartel leader Gianni (John Loffredo), however, the dealers are edging ever closer to the truth, and when his cover is blown, the hunter becomes the hunted as Fabio finds himself alone in a desperate fight to survive.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 910
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Italy
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast, neo noir, psychotronic, cult film
Similar in 78%
The Knock Out Cop (1973)
Plot Summary:
This cop doesn't carry a gun - his fist is loaded!.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama
Country: Italy, France
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: slapstick, exciting, rough, humorous, realistic, witty, not serious, fast, poliziottesco, slapstick comedy
Similar in 85%
Street People (1976)
Plot Summary:
A Mafia boss is enraged when he is suspected of smuggling a heroin shipment into San Francisco. He dispatches his nephew, a hotshot Anglo-Sicilian lawyer, to identify the real culprit. The lawyer also enlists the aid of his best friend, a grand prix driver with an adventurous streak.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 930
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama
Country: Italy
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, neo noir, independent film, poliziottesco
Similar in 82%
The Big Racket (1976)
Plot Summary:
Nico Palmieri is a police inspector who battles against hoodlums terrorising a sleepy Italian village, extorting cash from the locals.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Italy
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, cult classic, grindhouse, cult film
Similar in 75%
The Cynic, the Rat and the Fist (1977)
Plot Summary:
This is probably the best example of a 70's Italian crime movie, though not the "best" movie of the genre (does that make sense?). It has, besides Saxon, an entirely Italian cast but most of them are pretty recognizable regulars in very amusing roles. Maurizio Merli is best as the role he was born to play, that of yet another ticked off Police commissioner. His very charismatic, yet level-headed performance is the one thing that keeps this movie moving along so well, and it is notable that of Lenzi's crime movies, this is probably the one that entrusts Merli with the most screentime.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Italy
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, cult classic, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, cult film
Similar in 85%
High Crime (1973)
Plot Summary:
An Italian police inspector matches wits with a powerful European drug ring. As he comes closer to the top of the underworld organization, his odds of survival decrease.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Italy, Spain, France
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, cult film
Similar in 85%
Syndicate Sadists (1975)
Plot Summary:
A biker's brother is killed while investigating the kidnapping of a young boy, the byproduct of a war between two crime families. The biker vows to get revenge by finding the kidnapped boy and destroying the two families.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 937
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Italy
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast, cult film
Similar in 82%
The Violent Professionals (1973)
Plot Summary:
With or without help from law enforcement officers, a lone individual decides to crack down on the syndicate.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 967
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Italy
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, grindhouse, noir, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, cult film
Similar in 83%
The Mad Dog Killer (1977)
Plot Summary:
Sadistic no-count killer Nanni Vitali and three other equally brutish hoodlums escape from prison. The foul foursome embark on a savage rape, murder, and robbery spree. Vitali even abducts and defiles frightened hapless lass Giuliana Caroli. Meanwhile, rugged police inspector Giulio Santini is determined to bag the despicable Vitali.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Italy
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, grindhouse, slasher, cult classic, exciting, rough, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 83%
Violent Naples (1976)
Plot Summary:
Inspector Betti (Maurizio Merli) is transferred to Naples and immediately after his arrival receives a warm welcome from The Commandante (Barry Sullivan), the city's crime lord. Betti then goes on a personal mission against corruption and organized crime, and tries to force the syndicate out of town with any means necessary.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Italy, France
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, cult classic, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, psychotronic, cult film
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Similar in 87%
The Italian Connection (1972)
Plot Summary:
When a shipment of heroin disappears between Italy and New York, a small-time pimp in Milan is framed for the theft. Two professional hitmen are dispatched from New York to find him, but the real thieves want to get rid of him before the New York killers get to him to eliminate any chance of them finding out he's the wrong man. When the pimp's wife and daughter are murdered in the course of the "manhunt", he swears revenge on everyone who had anything to do with it.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Italy, West Germany
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, grindhouse, erotic, cult classic, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, neo noir, black comedy
Similar in 78%
Contraband (1980)
Plot Summary:
Cigarette smugglers in Naples run into problems with cocaine operations being set up by a rival smuggler. Full of violence, including a women's face being burned off with a blow torch and a graphic rape scene.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Italy
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, realistic, suspenseful, rough, serious, cult classic, bloody, disturbing, controversial, action thriller
Similar in 82%
Hong Kong 97 (1994)
Plot Summary:
Hong Kong 97 takes place in Hong Kong right before the transfer of power from Britain to China. Reginald Cameron, an assassin affiliated with a large corporation with interests in the colony, guns down key members of the Chinese envoy which will take charge of Hong Kong the next day. Suddenly, he becomes a target for every two-bit mercenary in the city. With the help of his company mentor, a clueless friend, and his ex-girlfriend, Cameron must unravel the motives behind his sudden target status and escape Hong Kong alive.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: cult classic, independent film, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, cult film
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Similar in 77%
The Boss (1973)
Plot Summary:
A bomb attack in a cinema in Palermo kills all the fellows of Attardi's clan a part from Cocchi. He immediately understands that the author of the bomb attack is Daniello from Don Corrasco's clan. Cocchi is determined to revenge. His actions, including the Corrasco's daughter kidnap, in a Palermo in which also the police is corrupted, will soon destroy the old equilibrium giving the way to an escalation of violence that won't save anyone. If Cocchi will survive to the mafia war he will be the new boss for sure.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: Italy
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, poliziottesco, noir, perverse, cult classic, action thriller, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 75%
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off (1973)
Plot Summary:
Vigilante Slaughter comes under attack from Duncan, a local money launderer whose hit-man traps Slaughter in a car at a cliff, but Slaughter escapes, arms himself, and goes after Duncan's hideout.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 586
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: independent film, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, black cinema
Similar in 89%
S.W.A.T.: Firefight (2011)
Plot Summary:
Los Angeles S.W.A.T. officer, Lt. Paul Cutler, is sent to train the Detroit S.W.A.T. team on new anti-terrorism and homeland security techniques. Cutler has a hard time settling into his assignment as he locks horns with his new captain and encounters resistance from the team he must lead. Cutler begins to adjust to his new assignment, starting a budding romance with police psychologist Kim Byers along the way. Unexpectedly, a routine hostage call turns deadly, and a relentless ex-government agent named Walter Hatch vows revenge on Cutler and the entire S.W.A.T. team for killing the woman he loves. Cutler must use his considerable S.W.A.T. training and knowledge to save his teammates and defeat a trained killer.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, suspenseful, action thriller, realistic, saga
Similar in 84%
Family of Cops III: Under Suspicion (1999)
Plot Summary:
Police Inspector Paul Fein (Bronson) copes with family troubles while also dealing with the possibility of advancement to police chief. Meanwhile, his son (Joe Penny)) is investigating the murder of a banker.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 705
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast, neo noir, suspense
Similar in 80%
My Father is a Hero (1995)
Plot Summary:
An undercover cop struggling to provide for his son and ailing wife, must infiltrate a ruthless gang. But things turn sour when another cop blows his cover and he quickly finds himself battling for his life and the lives of his family.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: scenic, cult classic, exciting, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast
Similar in 87%
Kill Switch (2008)
Plot Summary:
A troubled detective travels to Memphis in order to track down a pair of serial killers.
IMDB Rating: 3.8
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: serious, rough, suspenseful, realistic, fast, suspense, neo noir, detective
Similar in 82%
Shaft's Big Score! (1972)
Plot Summary:
John Shaft is back as the lady-loved black detective cop on the search for the murderer of a client.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: epic, neo noir, hood, grim, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast, poliziottesco
Similar in 78%
Blood in the Streets (1973)
Plot Summary:
An Italian prison official's wife is kidnapped, and the kidnappers demand that a notorious prisoner be released in order for the man to get his wife back. He gets the man released - but then kidnaps him himself, in order to ensure that the man's colleagues don't kill his wife. Enraged, the gang sets out to free their compatriot and kill the man who took him.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Italy, France, West Germany
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, retro, cult classic, action thriller, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, cult film
Similar in 86%
Moving Target (1996)
Plot Summary:
A bounty hunter with a pregnant wife who is urging him to get a regular job gets framed for murder and trapped in a war between Russian gangsters.
IMDB Rating: 4.2
IMDB Votes: 468
Genere: Action, Drama, Thriller
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, serious, intense, independent film, realistic, exciting
Similar in 76%
Walking Tall Part II (1975)
Plot Summary:
Sheriff Buford Pusser continues his one-man war against moonshiners and a ruthless crime syndicate after the murder of his wife in late 1960's Tennessee.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Biography, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, hood, independent film, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, southern gothic
Similar in 84%
Tiger Cage (1988)
Plot Summary:
Something fishy is going on in the anti-Drug Trafficking Unit of the HK Police, and only a few honest cops know that the corruption goes all the way to the top. However, they must prove their case quickly, and by unconventional means, after they are framed for murder and drug-trafficking themselves. Dodging bullets from cops and criminals alike, the race is on to clear their names, protect their loved ones, and bring their corrupt colleagues to justice.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: bloody, heroic, cult classic, exciting, rough, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast
Similar in 90%
The Night Caller (1975)
Plot Summary:
A serial-killer frightens Paris by phoning young ladies at night, telling them insults about their lives. Minos, as he calls himself, wants to prevent the world from free women and he targets at first these ones. Commissaire Letellier is given the investigation and he has hard work with the maniac.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: France, Italy
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: neo noir, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, psychological thriller, cult classic, poliziottesco, exciting, slasher
Similar in 76%
Almost Human (1974)
Plot Summary:
A psychotic small-time criminal realizes that the everyday robberies, rapes and murders he commits aren't profitable enough, so he figures to hit the big time by kidnapping the daughter of a rich man.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Italy
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: poliziottesco, tense, rough, serious, suspenseful, slasher, grindhouse, action thriller, terrifying, realistic
Similar in 81%
Out for Justice (1991)
Plot Summary:
Gino Felino (Steven Seagal) is an NYPD detective from Brooklyn who knows everyone and everything in his neighborhood. Killing his Partner was someone's mistake, because he's now Out For Justice.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 25000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: suspense, bloody, detective, cult classic, suspenseful, grindhouse, hood, perverse, action thriller, exciting