Best movies like Death Wish
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
After his wife is murdered by street punks, a pacifistic New York City architect becomes a one-man vigilante squad, prowling the streets for would-be muggers after dark.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 43000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, UK, Italy
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: controversial, disturbing, tense, grindhouse, intense, cult classic, rough, serious, suspenseful, neo noir
Best tv shows and movies like Death Wish (1974):
Similar in 84%
Mr. Majestyk (1974)
Plot Summary:
Watermelon farmer Vince Majestyk (Charles Bronson) goes after the Mob, when they try to strong arm him to use their melon picking crew.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: neo noir, suspense, talky, suspenseful, grindhouse, cult classic, disturbing, retro, serious, realistic
Similar in 77%
The Stone Killer (1973)
Plot Summary:
A Los Angeles detective is sent to New York where he must solve a case involving an old Sicilian Mafia family feud.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Italy, USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: retro, detective, grindhouse, hood, neo noir, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 78%
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987)
Plot Summary:
After the death of his girlfriend's daughter from a drug overdose, Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) takes on the local drug cartel.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: cult classic, detective, neo noir, grindhouse, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast
Similar in 84%
Five Corners (1987)
Plot Summary:
A psychotic young man returns to his old neighborhood after release from prison. He seeks out the woman he previously tried to rape and the man who protected her, with twisted ideas of love for her and hate for him.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: disturbing, talky, serious, realistic, suspenseful, tense, grindhouse, independent film, clever, psychological thriller
Similar in 75%
Boy Wonder (2010)
Plot Summary:
A young Brooklyn boy witnesses the brutal murder of his mother and grows up obsessed with finding her killer. Thus begins his life as a quiet, straight-A student by day and a self-appointed hero at night. But what is a real hero? And who decides what is right or wrong? As the boundaries blur, Sean's dual life wears on his psyche and his two worlds careen dangerously close to colliding. Like a graphic novel you can't put down, Boy Wonder challenges morality, distorting perceptions of what is right and what is justified, as it races to its shocking conclusion.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: psychological, rough, serious, suspenseful, tense, detective, twisted, neo noir, mindfuck, atmospheric
Similar in 88%
Death Wish V: The Face of Death (1994)
Plot Summary:
Paul Kersey is back at working vigilante justice when when his fiancée, Olivia, has her business threatened by mobsters.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: suspense, neo noir, slasher, cult classic, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast, detective
Similar in 86%
Sudden Impact (1983)
Plot Summary:
When a young rape victim takes justice into her own hands and becomes a serial killer, it's up to Dirty Harry Callahan, on suspension from the SFPD, to bring her to justice.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 48000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: neo noir, exciting, intense, tense, serious, suspenseful, cult classic, detective, retro, crime drama
Similar in 77%
The Evil That Men Do (1984)
Plot Summary:
Professional killer Holland is forced out of retirement to break a Central American government's political torture ring when one of his friends, a Latin American journalist, is killed. The murderer, Doctor Clement Molloch, is the master sadist behind the political torture of innocent victims. Posing as a journalist, Holland lures Molloch out of his fortress-like headquarters by using his murdered friend's wife and daughter as bait. When Holland kidnaps Molloch's sister, the doctor is led on a wild chase that takes him to an abandoned opal mine where he finally comes face to face with Holland.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Action, Drama, Thriller
Country: Mexico, USA, UK
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: cult classic, action adventure, independent film, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing, cult film
Similar in 83%
Savage Streets (1984)
Plot Summary:
A teenage vigilante seeks revenge on a group of violent thugs who raped her handicapped sister and murdered her best friend.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: slasher, cult classic, psychotronic, sexy, disturbing, controversial, action thriller, rough, serious, realistic
Similar in 84%
Death Wish II (1982)
Plot Summary:
Paul Kersey is again a vigilante trying to find five punks who murdered his housekeeper and daughter in Los Angeles.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: detective, cult classic, neo noir, grindhouse, spooky, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, surprise ending
Similar in 76%
Shaft (1971)
Plot Summary:
Cool black private eye John Shaft is hired by a crime lord to find and retrieve his kidnapped daughter.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, stylized, tense, harsh, neo noir, serious, suspenseful, hood, realistic, cult classic
Similar in 81%
The Warriors (1979)
Plot Summary:
Prominent gang leader Cyrus calls a meeting of New York's gangs to set aside their turf wars and take over the city. At the meeting, a rival leader kills Cyrus, but a Coney Island gang called the Warriors is wrongly blamed for Cyrus' death. Before you know it, the cops and every gangbanger in town is hot on the Warriors' trail.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 109000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: neo noir, grindhouse, futuristic, stylized, suspense, hood, tense, intense, controversial, rough
Similar in 79%
10 to Midnight (1983)
Plot Summary:
Based on the real-life Richard Speck murders, amoral, nearly psychotic killer Warren Stacey (Gene Davis) is a serial killer who has murdered a number of women; he stabs them while they are naked to minimize leaving any physical evidence. Police detective Leo Kessler (Charles Bronson) is convinced of Stacey’s guilt and, over the objections of his partner, plants evidence to get him behind bars. When Stacey is released on a technicality, he threatens to go after Kessler and his family, leaving Kessler to defend himself against a killer with little help from the police.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: cult classic, grindhouse, slasher, detective, suspenseful, neo noir, suspense, scary, psychological, retro
Similar in 89%
Dirty Harry (1971)
Plot Summary:
When a madman dubbed 'Scorpio' terrorizes San Francisco, hard-nosed cop, Harry Callahan – famous for his take-no-prisoners approach to law enforcement – is tasked with hunting down the psychopath. Harry eventually collars Scorpio in the process of rescuing a kidnap victim, only to see him walk on technicalities. Now, the maverick detective is determined to nail the maniac himself.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 166000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, suspense, tense, bleak, suspenseful, cult classic, neo noir, grindhouse, harsh
Similar in 85%
Death Sentence (2007)
Plot Summary:
Nick Hume is a mild-mannered executive with a perfect life, until one gruesome night he witnesses something that changes him forever. Transformed by grief, Hume eventually comes to the disturbing conclusion that no length is too great when protecting his family.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 74000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, psychological, tense, suspense, harsh, rough, neo noir, grindhouse, action packed, stylized
Similar in 81%
Falling Down (1993)
Plot Summary:
On the day of his daughter's birthday, William "D-Fens" Foster is trying to get to the home of his estranged ex-wife to see his daughter. His car breaks down, so he leaves his car in a traffic jam in Los Angeles and decides to walk. He goes to a convenience store and tries to get some change for a phone call, but the Korean owner does not oblige, tipping Foster over the edge. The unstable Foster, so frustrated with the various flaws he sees in society, begins to psychotically and violently lash out against them.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 203000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, France, UK
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: psychological, rough, suspense, disturbing, black comedy, bleak, cult classic, bad ending, cerebral, philosophical
Similar in 88%
Exterminator 2 (1984)
Plot Summary:
The flamethrower-wielding vigilante John Eastland returns to rid New York of a drug lord and his gang.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: slasher, cult classic, grim, independent film, rough, serious, realistic, fast, surprise ending, neo noir
Similar in 87%
Death Wish 3 (1985)
Plot Summary:
Paul Kersey returns to New York to visit his friend Charley, who lives in one of the worst parts of New York City. But when Paul arrives at Charley's apartment, he finds Charley dying after a vicious beating by a gang led by Manny Fraker, and the police enter the apartment and find Paul standing over Charley's body. Paul is arrested for the murder, but police chief Richard S. Shriker is like Paul.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, cult classic, neo noir, hood, perverse, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, psychotronic
Similar in 89%
The Exterminator (1980)
Plot Summary:
A man's best friend is killed on the streets of New York. The man (Robert Ginty) then transforms into a violent killer, turning New York into a great war zone and Christopher George is the only one to stop him.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: disturbing, suspense, brutal, stylized, rough, serious, suspenseful, cult classic, slasher, retro
Similar in 85%
Harry Brown (2009)
Plot Summary:
An elderly ex-serviceman and widower looks to avenge his best friend's murder by doling out his own form of justice.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 90000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: tense, suspense, bleak, realistic, rough, serious, suspenseful, grindhouse, neo noir, depressing
Similar in 75%
Street Fighters (1982)
Plot Summary:
New York City factory worker Eddie Marino (Robert Forster, Oscar nominee for JACKIE BROWN) is a solid citizen and regular guy, until the day a sadistic street gang brutally assaults his wife and murders his child. But when a corrupt judge sets the thugs free, Eddie goes berserk and vows revenge.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: cult classic, grindhouse, psychotronic, hood, grim, action adventure, independent film, rough, bleak, serious
Similar in 84%
Year of the Dragon (1985)
Plot Summary:
In New York, racist Capt. Stanley White becomes obsessed with destroying a Chinese-American drug ring run by Joey Tai, an up-and-coming young gangster as ambitious as he is ruthless. While pursuing an unauthorized investigation, White grows increasingly willing to violate police protocol, resorting to progressively violent measures -- even as his concerned wife, Connie, and his superiors beg him to consider the consequences of his actions.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: neo noir, controversial, brutal, suspense, intense, serious, realistic, suspenseful, exciting, detective
Similar in 82%
Punisher: War Zone (2008)
Plot Summary:
Waging his one-man war on the world of organized crime, ruthless vigilante-hero Frank Castle sets his sights on overeager mob boss Billy Russoti. After Russoti is left horribly disfigured by Castle, he sets out for vengeance under his new alias: Jigsaw. With the "Punisher Task Force" hot on his trail and the FBI unable to take Jigsaw in, Frank must stand up to the formidable army that Jigsaw has recruited before more of his evil deeds go unpunished.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 66000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada, Germany
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: brutal, stylized, exciting, rough, suspenseful, action packed, bloody, splatter, intense, grindhouse
Similar in 82%
Faster (2010)
Plot Summary:
Driver (Dwayne Johnson) has spent the last 10 years in prison planning revenge for the murder of his brother. Now that Driver is free to carry out his deadly plan only two men stand in his way- Billy Bob Thornton plays a veteran cop and Oliver Jackson-Cohen, a crazy hitman. With those two close on his trail, Driver races to carry out his mission as the mystery surrounding his brothers murder deepens.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 111000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: stylized, brutal, intense, talky, rough, realistic, serious, suspenseful, bloody, action packed
Similar in 80%
The Brave One (2007)
Plot Summary:
A woman struggles to recover from a brutal attack by setting out on a mission for revenge.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 63000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Australia
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: suspense, detective, psychological thriller, realistic, serious, melancholic, atmospheric, suspenseful, erotic, sincere
Similar in 85%
Straw Dogs (1971)
Plot Summary:
David Sumner, a mild-mannered academic from the United States, marries Amy, an Englishwoman. In order to escape a hectic stateside lifestyle, David and his wife relocate to the small town in rural Cornwall where Amy was raised. There, David is ostracized by the brutish men of the village, including Amy's old flame, Charlie. Eventually the taunts escalate, and two of the locals rape Amy. This sexual assault awakes a shockingly violent side of David.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 64000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: controversial, bleak, psychological, psychological thriller, tense, disturbing, suspense, grindhouse, bloody, dark
Similar in 85%
Death Wish (2018)
Plot Summary:
A mild-mannered father is transformed into a killing machine after his family is torn apart by a violent act.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 75000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: suspense, detective, exciting, suspenseful, controversial, bloody, entertaining, sad, hood, meta
Similar in 77%
Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
Plot Summary:
A frustrated man decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets one of his family's killers free. He targets not only the killer but also the district attorney and others involved in the deal.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 314000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: twist ending, suspense, psychological, surprise ending, clever, tense, serious, exciting, brutal, rough
Similar in 75%
Taxi Driver (1976)
Plot Summary:
A mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran works as a night-time taxi driver in New York City where the perceived decadence and sleaze feeds his urge for violent action, attempting to save a preadolescent prostitute in the process.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 898000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: psychological, neo noir, bleak, cult classic, disturbing, controversial, psychological thriller, depressing, rough, atmospheric
Similar in 86%
A History of Violence (2005)
Plot Summary:
An average family is thrust into the spotlight after the father commits a seemingly self-defense murder at his diner.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 250000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada, UK, Germany
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: neo noir, harsh, disturbing, tense, psychological, realistic, serious, suspense, sexy, intense