Best movies like The Defiant Ones
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Monroe and 'Joker' Johnson are two prisoners who despise each other. But after their prison transport crashes, they manage to escapechained to each other.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 420
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Best tv shows and movies like The Defiant Ones (1986):
Similar in 83%
Murder 1, Dancer 0 (1983)
Plot Summary:
Private eye Joe Dancer finds himself framed for manslaughter while trying to uncover a Hollywood scandal that could ruin a studio and destroy a top star's career.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 61
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, detective
Similar in 77%
The Manhunt (1984)
Plot Summary:
A young man buys two horses at an Arizona race track but fails to get a receipt. Later, when riding across the land of a rancher named Robeson, he's accused of stealing the two horses. Unable to prove ownership, the young man is then sentenced to prison where he's forced to do chain-gang type work. He escapes, is recaptured, and escapes again as he tries to locate the man who sold him the horses.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 203
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Italy, USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: spaghetti western, serious, realistic, suspenseful, poliziottesco
Similar in 79%
Payback (2007)
Plot Summary:
An escaped convict tracks down the cop who put him away.
IMDB Rating: 3.4
IMDB Votes: 250
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, captivating, suspense, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 86%
The Ceremony (1963)
Plot Summary:
A man (Robert Walker) has an affair with his condemned brother's (Laurence Harvey) girlfriend (Sarah Miles) while plotting his escape in Tangier.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 241
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Spain, USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: noir, rough, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing, gloomy
Similar in 90%
Live! (2010)
Plot Summary:
Early autumn, godforsaken Russian countryside. A local hunter Michail witnesses a skirmish in the middle of the forest - three men want to kill the forth, Andrey. Kind-hearted Michail helps Andrey escape and together they run from the villains who chase them. Thus, two totally different men start a long and dangerous journey together, constantly arguing with each other regarding their ideology, morals and opinions about life. But life will put everything on its place and make the men understand who they really are.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama
Country: Russia
Duration: 74 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, rough, serious, realistic, exciting, clever, contemplative, stylized
Similar in 84%
Cagney & Lacey: The Return (1994)
Plot Summary:
1994. Cagney, now a Lieutenant, re-teams with Lacey, who has left the force, to search for a cache of missing firearms.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 247
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, detective
Similar in 81%
Inside Out (2011)
Plot Summary:
For the last thirteen years AJ (Triple H) has been behind bars, convicted of manslaughter for killing a man who intended to kill his best friend, Jack (Michael Rapaport). Now released, AJ wants nothing more than to start a small business and live a crime-free life. Unfortunately, within hours of leaving prison, his oldest and best friend, Jack (Michael Rapaport) involves AJ in an accidental shooting in which a man is killed, forcing Jack to skip town.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: tense, rough, suspenseful, suspense, exciting, serious, realistic
Similar in 75%
Choice of Arms (1981)
Plot Summary:
Two men break out of prison; a rival gang ambushes them. One is mortally wounded and tells the other, Mickey, to take him to the estate of a retired robber, Noel, who lives in comfort with his lovely and beloved wife, Nicole. The man dies, and Mickey, a menacing hothead, demands money of Noel. A few days later, Mickey returns to the estate, shoots up a dinner party and threatens them again. Noel sends Nicole to an hotel and goes to his old gang to help him hunt down the dangerous Mickey. Mickey has other problems, too, including heartache for a daughter he hardly knows. Young, eager cops tail Nicole, and all are on a complicated collision course.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: France
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: neo noir, tense, rough, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful, crying
Similar in 77%
Fled (1996)
Plot Summary:
During a routine prison work detail, convict Piper is chained to Dodge, a cyberhacker, when gunfire breaks out. Apparently, the attack is related to stolen money that the Mafia is after, and some computer files that somebody wants desperately to bury. The pair, who don't exactly enjoy each other's company, escape and must work together if they are to reach Atlanta alive. Luckily, they meet a woman who may be willing to help them.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: exciting, intense, suspenseful, rough, suspense, black comedy, serious, realistic, fast, buddy comedy
Similar in 85%
La Fuga (2001)
Plot Summary:
In the summer of 1928, several inmates from the National Penitentiary in Buenos Aires managed to escape. The film narrates the fate of each of these runaways in search of their destiny - tough men with their own ethical codes and ready to do anything not to return to prison. Some of them will suffer violent deaths, while others manage de disappear. Sordid and moving stories, not excluding tenderness and love, mercy or horror sealed with a pact of prison love that will remain in the heart of Buenos Aires, as witness of the yearned-for freedom.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 834
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Spain, Argentina
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, captivating, suspenseful, realistic, adaptation directed by original author
Similar in 84%
Breakout Kings (2011)
Plot Summary:
Driven by the fact that there are few things more dangerous than a prisoner who has just escaped, and tired of following protocol and resorting to outdated methods of law enforcement, veteran U.S. Marshals Charlie Duchamp and Ray Zancanelli are taking an unorthodox approach to their work: using former fugitives to catch fugitives.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 43 min
Plot tags: realistic, exciting, suspenseful, serious, dramatic, detective, thrilling
Similar in 77%
Ready 2 Die (2014)
Plot Summary:
After a violent bank robbery, the trio of hoods make their way across East L.A. carrying a blood-soaked bag of money. When word gets out, they must fend off gangs and crooked cops alike as they strive to keep the loot and stay alive.
IMDB Rating: 4.1
IMDB Votes: 851
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, suspenseful, exciting, realistic, crime drama, independent film
Similar in 87%
Prison on Fire II (1991)
Plot Summary:
Ching is a prisoner in a Honk Kong jail that has a large population of Mainland Chinese prisoners. Ching escapes to see his young son, who he has been put in an orphanage. He surrenders himself to authorities, but the vengeful chief of security, Zau, arranges for Ching to be set up in the eyes of the Mainland gang, led by the affable Dragon. Dragon and Ching both then escape separately, and while fugitives, hook up together and bond. Ching is recaptured and instigates a riot to save his own hide from the Mainlanders. In the chaos Ching gets revenge on Skull (who, working with Zau, set him up) and Zau.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 83%
13 Dead Men (2003)
Plot Summary:
Set in a prison, a death row inmate has a secret and the warden will go to any lengths to get it. Things dont go as planned as you would expect. A good action film with alot of good fight scenes and an interesting twist at the end.What we have learned to expect from Art Camacho.
IMDB Rating: 2.3
IMDB Votes: 546
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, suspenseful, exciting, sexual, crying, sexy
Similar in 79%
The Chase (1966)
Plot Summary:
Most everyone in town thinks that Sheriff Calder is merely a puppet of rich oil-man Val Rogers. When it is learned that local baddie Bubber Reeves has escaped prison, Rogers' son is concerned because he is having an affair with Reeves' wife. It seems many others in town feel they may have reasons to fear Reeves. Calder's aim is to bring Reeves in alive, unharmed. Calder will have to oppose the powerful Rogers on one hand and mob violence on the other, in his quest for justice.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: surprise ending, suspense, retro, neo noir, technicolor, crime drama, southern gothic, tense, thought provoking, serious
Similar in 76%
The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)
Plot Summary:
William Popper is the son of a stockbroker and is thoroughly disenchanted with "the system." So much so that even though he can prove that he ran over a woman in his car entirely by accident, he accepts a sentence for manslaughter.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 430
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: psychological, thought provoking, bleak, serious, realistic
Similar in 75%
Hard Choices (1984)
Plot Summary:
A teenaged boy goes for a ride with his brother and the brother's friends, who proceed to rob a store and murder the clerk. They are caught and, despite the young boy's protestations, he is convicted of murder and sent to prison. A female social worker assigned to the boy's case not only believes him, but begins to fall in love with him, and determines to either help him prove his innocence or escape.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 142
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: independent film, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 82%
Morgan's Ferry (2001)
Plot Summary:
Three escaped convicts hide out in the home a reclusive woman as they wait to catch a ferry.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 686
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, suspenseful, tense, independent film
Similar in 75%
Red Letters (2000)
Plot Summary:
A college professor reluctantly hides an escaped female convict who tries to get him to help prove her innocent of a murder.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 642
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: rough, realistic, suspenseful, tense, serious, independent film, psychological, detective
Similar in 90%
Wisdom (1986)
Plot Summary:
Unable to find work after a past felony, graduate John Wisdom and his girlfriend embark on a cross-country bank-robbing spree in order to aid American farmers.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: political, independent film, exciting, serious, realistic, suspenseful, surprise ending, road movie, thought provoking, feel good
Similar in 83%
Bonnie & Clyde: The Real Story (1992)
Plot Summary:
Bonnie Parker is estranged from her husband while still only just barely eighteen. Clyde Barrow, a handsome charmer who is in love with Bonnie, is a small-time thief, 'borrowing' cars to teach Bonnie to drive. He falls in with WD Jones, and their crime levels quickly rise. Soon Bonnie is dragged in with them, due to her love for Clyde, and within a short space of time, everyone is baying for the blood of Bonnie and Clyde.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 340
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: rough, sincere, touching, serious, realistic, disturbing, saga, contemplative
Similar in 81%
The Sugarland Express (1974)
Plot Summary:
Married small-time crooks Lou-Jean and Clovis Poplin lose their baby to the state of Texas and resolve to do whatever it takes to get him back. Lou-Jean gets Clovis out of jail, and the two steal their son from his foster home, in addition to taking a highway patrolman hostage. As a massive dragnet starts to pursue them across Texas, the couple become unlikely folk heroes and even start to bond with the captive policeman.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: road movie, black comedy, cult classic, suspenseful, retro, sexy, offbeat, southern gothic, anamorphic, serious
Similar in 82%
The Longest Yard (1974)
Plot Summary:
In this rough-and-tumble yarn, actually filmed on-location at the Georgia State Prision, the cons are the heroes and the guards are the heavies. Eddie Albert is the sadistic warden who'll gladly make any sacrifice to push his guards' semi-pro football team to a national championship.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: inspirational, intense, suspense, witty, talky, rough, humorous, captivating, semi serious, funny
Similar in 83%
Riot (1969)
Plot Summary:
A riot in a state prison is staged to cover up an escape attempt, during which many inmates and guards are killed. Shot on location at Arizona State Prison.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 636
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, psychotronic
Similar in 82%
Straight Time (1978)
Plot Summary:
After being released on parole, a burglar attempts to go straight, get a regular job, and just go by the rules. He soon finds himself back in jail at the hands of a power-hungry parole officer.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: neo noir, serious, realistic, psychological, thought provoking, cynical, crime drama, contemplative, independent film, tension
Similar in 76%
Animal Factory (2000)
Plot Summary:
A young man goes to prison and a tough, older convict takes him under his wing as a mentor.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: tense, realistic, bleak, atmospheric, harsh, disturbing, intense, serious, rough, cult classic
Similar in 80%
Turn of Faith (2002)
Plot Summary:
Mob drama starring Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini, Mia Sara and Costas Mandylor.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 115
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, independent film, bleak, contemplative
Similar in 76%
This Thing of Ours (2002)
Plot Summary:
Using the Internet and global satellites, a group of gangsters pull off the biggest bank heist in the Mafia's history.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 817
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, suspenseful, exciting, realistic, independent film
Similar in 83%
Outlaw Country (2012)
Plot Summary:
A crime thriller/family drama set against the backdrop of southern organized crime and Nashville royalty where music, love, hope and tragedy collide. Created as a pilot for a TV Series which was not taken up, this has now been aired as a TV Movie.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 715
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, suspenseful, captivating, tense, independent film, rough
Similar in 80%
Lock Up (1989)
Plot Summary:
Frank Leone is nearing the end of his prison term for a relatively minor crime. Just before he is paroled, however, Warden Drumgoole takes charge. Drumgoole was assigned to a hell-hole prison after his administration was publicly humiliated by Leone, and has now arrived on the scene to ensure that Leone never sees the light of day.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: suspense, intense, realistic, rough, serious, suspenseful, exciting, brutal, clever, cult classic