Best movies like The Place Beyond the Pines
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A motorcycle stunt rider considers committing a crime in order to provide for his wife and child, an act that puts him on a collision course with a cop-turned-politician.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 286000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 140 min
Plot tags: harsh, captivating, psychological, stylized, neo noir, suspense, gloomy, melancholic, atmospheric, crime thriller
Best tv shows and movies like The Place Beyond the Pines (2012):
Similar in 83%
Joe (2013)
Plot Summary:
The rough-hewn boss of a lumber crew courts trouble when he steps in to protect the youngest member of his team from an abusive father.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 51000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: touching, captivating, dark, atmospheric, depressing, southern gothic, harsh, rough, suspense, cult classic
Similar in 86%
The Company You Keep (2012)
Plot Summary:
A former Weather Underground activist goes on the run from a journalist who discovers his identity.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 35000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: suspense, sexy, captivating, light, serious, suspenseful, tricky, social, political thriller, detective
Similar in 83%
Good Time (2017)
Plot Summary:
After a botched bank robbery lands his younger brother in prison, Connie Nikas embarks on a twisted odyssey through the city's underworld in an increasingly desperate—and dangerous—attempt to get his brother Nick out of jail.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 136000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: neo noir, suspense, independent film, brutal, captivating, retro, suspenseful, hood, crime thriller, psychological
Similar in 77%
The Iceman (2012)
Plot Summary:
The true story of Richard Kuklinski, the notorious contract killer and family man.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 78000
Genere: Biography, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: tense, suspenseful, brutal, stylized, suspense, intense, realistic, rough, serious, factual
Similar in 87%
Thief (1981)
Plot Summary:
Frank is an expert professional safecracker, specialized in high-profile diamond heists. He plans to use his ill-gotten income to retire from crime and build a nice life for himself complete with a home, wife and kids. To accelerate the process, he signs on with a top gangster for a big score.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 37000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: neo noir, atmospheric, cerebral, cult classic, retro, tense, realistic, stylized, crime drama, suspense
Similar in 80%
Traffic (2000)
Plot Summary:
An exploration of the United States of America's war on drugs from multiple perspectives. For the new head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the war becomes personal when he discovers his well-educated daughter is abusing cocaine within their comfortable suburban home. In Mexico, a flawed, but noble policeman agrees to testify against a powerful general in league with a cartel, and in San Diego, a drug kingpin's sheltered trophy wife must learn her husband's ruthless business after he is arrested, endangering her luxurious lifestyle.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 217000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 147 min
Plot tags: suspense, bleak, political, realistic, dramatic, anthology, neo noir, tense, thought provoking, clever
Similar in 89%
Killing Them Softly (2012)
Plot Summary:
Jackie Cogan is an enforcer hired to restore order after three dumb guys rob a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 151000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: neo noir, suspenseful, tense, intense, bleak, independent film, dark comedy, rough, bloody, political
Similar in 90%
The Town (2010)
Plot Summary:
Doug MacRay is a longtime thief, who, smarter than the rest of his crew, is looking for his chance to exit the game. When a bank job leads to the group kidnapping an attractive branch manager, he takes on the role of monitoring her – but their burgeoning relationship threatens to unveil the identities of Doug and his crew to the FBI Agent who is on their case.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 410000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: suspense, exciting, captivating, serious, crime thriller, clever, neo noir, rough, stylized, action packed
Similar in 77%
Drive (2011)
Plot Summary:
A Hollywood stunt performer who moonlights as a wheelman for criminals discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 690000
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: neo noir, atmospheric, suspense, tense, serious, captivating, intense, stylized, art house, ambiguous ending
Similar in 78%
Out of the Furnace (2013)
Plot Summary:
Two brothers live in the economically-depressed Rust Belt, when a cruel twist of fate lands one in prison. His brother is then lured into one of the most violent crime rings in the Northeast.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 123000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, bleak, tense, realistic, neo noir, atmospheric, harsh, serious, rough, dark
Similar in 78%
The Drop (2014)
Plot Summary:
Bob Saginowski finds himself at the center of a robbery gone awry and entwined in an investigation that digs deep into the neighborhood's past where friends, families, and foes all work together to make a living - no matter the cost.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 160000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, tense, realistic, suspense, cerebral, clever, atmospheric, tricky, crime thriller
Similar in 86%
Hell or High Water (2016)
Plot Summary:
A divorced dad and his ex-con brother resort to a desperate scheme in order to save their family's farm in West Texas.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 247000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Western
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: neo western, realistic, neo noir, suspense, atmospheric, harsh, suspenseful, tense, independent film, crime drama
Similar in 79%
Elephant (2003)
Plot Summary:
Several ordinary high school students go through their daily routine as two others prepare for something more malevolent. The film chronicles the events surrounding a school shooting.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 96000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 81 min
Plot tags: disturbing, bleak, psychological, realistic, controversial, non-linear, independent film, teen, meditative, enigmatic
Similar in 86%
Blue Ruin (2013)
Plot Summary:
The quiet life of a beach bum is upended by dreadful news. He sets off for his childhood home to carry out an act of vengeance but proves an inept assassin and finds himself in a brutal fight to protect his estranged family.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 78000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, France
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: neo noir, independent film, atmospheric, tense, bleak, suspenseful, suspense, psychological, brutal, melancholic
Similar in 82%
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)
Plot Summary:
When two brothers organize the robbery of their parents' jewelry store, the job goes horribly wrong, triggering a series of events that send them and their family hurtling towards a shattering climax.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 110000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: neo noir, suspense, realistic, disturbing, psychological, depressing, bleak, non-linear, emotional, serious
Similar in 89%
Crash (2004)
Plot Summary:
Los Angeles citizens with vastly separate lives collide in interweaving stories of race, loss and redemption.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 446000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Germany, Australia
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: bleak, touching, thought provoking, sincere, emotional, gloomy, sad, political, intense, disturbing
Similar in 80%
All Good Things (2010)
Plot Summary:
Newly-discovered facts, court records and speculation are used to elaborate the true love story and murder mystery of the most notorious unsolved murder case in New York history.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 59000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: disturbing, tense, enigmatic, suspense, suspenseful, intense, serious, realistic, psychological, psychological thriller
Similar in 81%
Road to Perdition (2002)
Plot Summary:
Mike Sullivan works as a hit man for crime boss John Rooney. Sullivan views Rooney as a father figure, however after his son is witness to a killing, Mike Sullivan finds himself on the run in attempt to save the life of his son and at the same time looking for revenge on those who wronged him.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 281000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, harsh, visually stunning, bleak, tense, emotional, suspense, road movie, melancholic, visual
Similar in 78%
Training Day (2001)
Plot Summary:
On his first day on the job as a narcotics officer, a rookie cop works with a rogue detective who isn't what he appears.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 463000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: neo noir, tense, realistic, harsh, suspense, hood, detective, crime thriller, psychological, clever
Similar in 85%
Nightcrawler (2014)
Plot Summary:
When Lou Bloom, desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. Aiding him in his effort is Nina, a TV-news veteran.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 590000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: neo noir, psychological, disturbing, suspense, suspenseful, atmospheric, psychological thriller, realistic, biting, cynical
Similar in 75%
Carlito's Way (1993)
Plot Summary:
A Puerto-Rican ex-con, just released from prison, pledges to stay away from drugs and violence despite the pressure around him and lead on to a better life outside of NYC.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 229000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 144 min
Plot tags: neo noir, suspense, atmospheric, suspenseful, tense, melancholic, intense, rough, bleak, serious
Similar in 90%
Fracture (2007)
Plot Summary:
A husband is on trial for the attempted murder of his wife, in what is seemingly an open/shut case for the ambitious district attorney trying to put him away. However, there are surprises for both around every corner, and, as a suspenseful game of cat-and-mouse is played out, each must manipulate and outwit the other.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 215000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: suspense, psychological, intellectual, twist ending, psychological thriller, clever, serious, enigmatic, suspenseful, surprise ending
Similar in 86%
Heat (1995)
Plot Summary:
Obsessive master thief, Neil McCauley leads a top-notch crew on various daring heists throughout Los Angeles while determined detective, Vincent Hanna pursues him without rest. Each man recognizes and respects the ability and the dedication of the other even though they are aware their cat-and-mouse game may end in violence.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 702000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 170 min
Plot tags: neo noir, tense, detective, suspense, suspenseful, intense, exciting, bleak, atmospheric, clever
Similar in 78%
Prisoners (2013)
Plot Summary:
When Keller Dover's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts. But just how far will this desperate father go to protect his family?.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 784000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 153 min
Plot tags: psychological, twist ending, suspenseful, bleak, atmospheric, neo noir, detective, surprise ending, psychological thriller, tense
Similar in 80%
21 Grams (2003)
Plot Summary:
This is the story of three gentle persons: Paul Rivers an ailing mathematician lovelessly married to an English émigré, Christina Peck, an upper-middle-class suburban housewife, happily married and mother of two little girls, and Jack Jordan, an ex-convict who has found in his Christian faith the strength to raise a family. They will be brought together by a terrible accident that will change their lives. By the final frame, none of them will be the same as they will learn harsh truths about love, faith, courage, desire and guilt, and how chance can change our worlds irretrievably, forever.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 244000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: mind bending, psychological, emotional, bleak, non-linear, gloomy, depressing, suspense, sincere, sad
Similar in 77%
Gone Baby Gone (2007)
Plot Summary:
When 4 year old Amanda McCready disappears from her home and the police make little headway in solving the case, the girl's aunt, Beatrice McCready hires two private detectives, Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro. The detectives freely admit that they have little experience with this type of case, but the family wants them for two reasons - they're not cops and they know the tough neighborhood in which they all live. As the case progresses, Kenzie and Gennaro face drug dealers, gangs and pedophiles. When they are about to solve the case, they are faced with a moral dilemma that tears them apart.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 285000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: twist ending, detective, thought provoking, neo noir, surprise ending, suspense, disturbing, psychological, suspenseful, tense
Similar in 89%
American History X (1998)
Plot Summary:
Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for killing two thugs who tried to break into/steal his truck. Through his brother, Danny Vineyard's narration, we learn that before going to prison, Derek was a skinhead and the leader of a violent white supremacist gang that committed acts of racial crime throughout L.A. and his actions greatly influenced Danny. Reformed and fresh out of prison, Derek severs contact with the gang and becomes determined to keep Danny from going down the same violent path as he did.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 12000000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: emotional, dramatic, serious, rough, cerebral, psychological, tense, disturbing, black and white, political
Similar in 90%
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
Similar in 87%
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Plot Summary:
Llewelyn Moss stumbles upon dead bodies, $2 million and a hoard of heroin in a Texas desert, but methodical killer Anton Chigurh comes looking for it, with local sheriff Ed Tom Bell hot on his trail. The roles of prey and predator blur as the violent pursuit of money and justice collide.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 10000000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: neo noir, tense, serious, atmospheric, suspense, bleak, suspenseful, neo western, gloomy, rough
Similar in 81%
The Departed (2006)
Plot Summary:
To take down South Boston's Irish Mafia, the police send in one of their own to infiltrate the underworld, not realizing the syndicate has done likewise. While an undercover cop curries favor with the mob kingpin, a career criminal rises through the police ranks. But both sides soon discover there's a mole among them.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 14000000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Hong Kong
Duration: 151 min
Plot tags: twist ending, suspense, surprise ending, clever, tense, captivating, serious, neo noir, psychological, mind bending