Best tv shows like Sleeper Cell
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A chilling and unflinching look at all sides of a complicated issue, focusing on an African-American Muslim who joins an Islamic sleeper terrorist cell in the United States while working undercover for the FBI.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: tense, rough, captivating, suspenseful, erotic, detective, bleak, serious, realistic
Best tv shows and movies like Sleeper Cell (2005):
Similar in 79%
The Handler (2003)
Plot Summary:
The Handler is a crime series created by Canadian writer-producer Chris Haddock, airing in the United States on CBS in the 2003-04 season. The show starred Joe Pantoliano as Joe Renato, an FBI agent assigned to train and handle young undercover officers in the FBI. Other cast members included Hill Harper, Anna Belknap, Lola Glaudini, and Tanya Wright. Belknap and Harper would reunite as costars on the drama CSI: New York beginning in 2005.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 200
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 83%
Kidnap and Ransom (2011)
Plot Summary:
Kidnap and Ransom is a British television three-part miniseries, originally shown on ITV in January 2011 with a second series following in February 2012. The series follows the work of a British hostage negotiator Dominic King, played by Trevor Eve, who is also executive producer of the series.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 815
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 47 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, realistic, suspenseful, suspense, dark, detective, exciting, serious, fast
Similar in 79%
Touching Evil (2004)
Plot Summary:
Returning from a year-long psychological leave of absence after surviving an almost-fatal gunshot wound to the head, Detective David Creegan is assigned to the FBI's Organized and Serial Crime Unit – a rapid-response, elite crime investigation squad – where he and his new partner, Detective Susan Branca, find themselves committed to saving lives and solving cases. In spite of his inability to abide by common sense and the laws he's sworn to uphold, Creegan, with the help of Branca, works on hunting down the most vicious criminals on the streets.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, serious, realistic, suspenseful, detective, crime drama
Similar in 81%
The Grid (2004)
Plot Summary:
A team of American and British counter-terrorists are tasked with stopping a terrorist cell who's operating on a global level.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 817
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK, USA, Canada
Duration: 266 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, detective
Similar in 81%
Caliphate (2020)
Plot Summary:
National Security agent Fatima receives a tip that a terrorist attack against Sweden is in the planning stage. Meanwhile Sulle, a teenage girl in Stockholm, gets interested in her student assistent who opens doors to a new and fascinating world - the true path. Kalifat is a thriller about the intermingled fates of five young women who get caught up in the seducing and destroying force of religious fundamentalism.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Sweden
Duration: 46 min
Plot tags: suspense, exciting, disturbing, tense, slasher, dramatic, masterpiece
Similar in 81%
Dirty War (2004)
Plot Summary:
After years of meticulous planning, a terrorist operation is reaching its final stages. The authorities have received no intelligence; they are in a race against time but don't yet know it. As the operation unfolds, we see the working lives of men and women directly affected by terrorism. Among them: a firemen worried about the increasingly dangerous conditions he and his men are expected to work under; the head of the anti-terrorist branch whose responsibility it is to protect London and a female Muslim detective brought into Scotland Yard to investigate another suspected terrorist cell. But it is too late to stop the attack.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Thriller, Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, suspenseful, tense, captivating, detective, bleak, realistic
Similar in 88%
The State Within (2006)
Plot Summary:
Ambassador to Washington is the pinnacle of success in the Foreign Office and the position is offered to only the brightest and the best. But Ambassador Mark Brydon finds his skills tested to the limits when, following a major diplomatic incident, he is thrust into a web of tangled relationships and conflicting interests. In a world of high stakes, where manipulation of information means ultimate power, the question is: who can he trust?.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller, War
Country: UK
Duration: 360 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, suspenseful, political, tense, political thriller
Similar in 90%
Spooks (2002)
Plot Summary:
Tense drama series about the different challenges faced by the British Security Service as they work against the clock to safeguard the nation. The title is a popular colloquialism for spies, and the series follows the work of a group of MI5 officers based at the service's Thames House headquarters, in a highly secure suite of offices known as The Grid.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, exciting, tense, rough, suspenseful, crime drama, political, bleak, fast
Similar in 84%
The East (2013)
Plot Summary:
An operative for an elite private intelligence firm finds her priorities irrevocably changed after she is tasked with infiltrating an anarchist group known for executing covert attacks upon major corporations.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 52000
Genere: Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: tense, suspense, suspenseful, political, intense, tricky, serious, psychological, exciting, cerebral
Similar in 75%
24: The Movie (2014)
Plot Summary:
Jack Bauer comes out of hiding in London to head off a massive terrorist attack while being hunted down by American forces dispatched by President James Heller.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 46 min
Plot tags: serious, suspenseful, exciting, rough, bleak, political, detective, anime, clever, realistic
Similar in 87%
The Terrorists (1974)
Plot Summary:
Following a series of bomb attacks in London, a group of terrorists seize Britain's ambassador to Scandinavia. With the ambassador now a hostage in his residence, another group hijacks an airliner at the capital's airport, announcing that the passengers will not be freed until their demands are met. Colonel Nils Tahlvik, Scandinavia's resourceful and ruthless head of security, seeks to take an uncompromising stance against the terrorists yet his attempts meet resistance from unknown forces at every turn.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: surprise ending, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast
Similar in 76%
Black & White (2008)
Plot Summary:
Rajan Mathur (Anil Kapoor) is a Professor in Urdu literature in Dr. Zakir Hussain's College. He resides in Chandni Chowk with his activist wife, Roma Mathur (Shefali Shah). Professor Mathur comes across a young boy called Numair Qazi (Anurag Sinha) who introduces himself as a victim of communal riots in Gujarat.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 631
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: India
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: captivating, realistic, tense, psychological, suspense, rough, serious, suspenseful
Similar in 88%
The Looming Tower (2018)
Plot Summary:
Tracing the rising threat of Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda, it takes a controversial look at how the rivalry between the CIA and FBI inadvertently might have set the stage for the tragedy of 9/11 and the war in Iraq.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 492 min
Plot tags: rough, suspense, political, disturbing, tense, thought provoking, interesting
Similar in 88%
Carlos the Jackal (2010)
Plot Summary:
The story of Venezuelan revolutionary, Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, who founded a worldwide terrorist organization and raided the OPEC headquarters in 1975 before being caught by the French police.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Biography, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: France, Germany
Duration: 334 min
Plot tags: tense, suspenseful, political, atmospheric, captivating, epic, thought provoking, visually appealing, period piece, mesmerizing
Similar in 75%
Mission: Impossible (1966)
Plot Summary:
Mission: Impossible is an American television series that was created and initially produced by Bruce Geller. It chronicles the missions of a team of secret government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force. In the first season, the team is led by Dan Briggs, played by Steven Hill; Jim Phelps, played by Peter Graves, takes charge for the remaining seasons. A hallmark of the series shows Briggs or Phelps receiving his instructions on a recording that then self-destructs, followed by the theme music composed by Lalo Schifrin. The series aired on the CBS network from September 1966 to March 1973, then returned to television for two seasons on ABC, from 1988 to 1990, retaining only Graves in the cast. It later inspired a popular series of theatrical motion pictures starring Tom Cruise, beginning in 1996.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: realistic, suspenseful, exciting, serious, stylized, suspense, retro, action adventure, fast, cult classic
Similar in 83%
Legends (2014)
Plot Summary:
Working for the FBI's Deep Cover Operations division, Martin Odum can transform himself into a different person -- whether it's an assignment as a Serbian extremist, a corrupt Chicago police officer, a British special forces colonel, or a legendary computer hacker. But when he learns that his life, itself, may be a lie, he faces the demands of his job and a desire to solve the mystery of his identity. And given the choice between the two, Odum doesn't always make the right decision. From the producers of "Homeland," "Legends" is based on Robert Littell's award-winning book.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, suspenseful, realistic, detective, action adventure, gloomy
Similar in 79%
The Honourable Woman (2014)
Plot Summary:
Nessa Stein, the daughter of a Zionist arms procurer who as a child witnessed his assassination. Now an adult, Nessa inherits her father's company and changes course from supplying arms to laying data cabling networks between Israel and the West Bank. Her efforts to reconcile the Israelis and Palestinians lands her an appointment to the House of Lords and creates an international political maelstrom.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, tense, suspenseful, realistic, political, entertaining, dramatic, stylized, masterpiece
Similar in 75%
The Fixer (2008)
Plot Summary:
The Fixer is a British drama television series, produced by Kudos for ITV. Set in modern Britain, it follows the life of John Mercer, an ex-British Special Forces soldier, arrested by police for killing his aunt and uncle following his discovery of their abuse of his sister, Jess Mercer. John Mercer is released early from prison to serve in a covert state security squad as a government-backed assassin responsible for eliminating criminals and renegade police officers that the law cannot apprehend.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Country: UK
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, atmospheric, rough, suspenseful, dark, detective, crime drama, sensitive, exciting, bleak
Similar in 88%
Stalker (2014)
Plot Summary:
A pair of detectives investigate stalkers in Los Angeles. Strong and focused, Lt. Beth Davis is an expert in the field of repeated harassment, driven by personal experience of being a victim. She heads the LAPD's Threat Assessment Unit, which investigates cases of stalking -- including voyeurism, cyberharassment and romantic fixation. The history of recent transfer Jack Larsen -- whose personality and questionable behavior have been an issue in the past -- may help him in his assignment to her team. Her other detectives are young but eager Ben Caldwell and deceptively intelligent Janice Lawrence. Together they try to stop situations from spinning out of control -- and to keep their personal obsessions at bay.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: psychological, suspenseful, serious, tense, detective, realistic, thrilling, psychological thriller
Similar in 84%
Rogue (2013)
Plot Summary:
"Rogue" revolves around Grace, a morally and emotionally-conflicted undercover detective who is tormented by the possibility that her own actions contributed to her son’s death. Grace’s search for the truth is further complicated by her forbidden relationship with Jimmy, the crime boss who may have played a hand in the crime. A smart, complex, character-led thriller, "Rogue" explores loss, grief, identity, family bonds, second chances and redemption. Both Grace and Jimmy not only struggle with who they are, they struggle with who they want to be. Both cross the line – morally, emotionally, sexually – with devastating consequences for their own lives and those around them.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: tense, serious, rough, suspenseful, realistic, erotic, detective, sensual, independent film, hardboiled detective
Similar in 83%
The Beast (2009)
Plot Summary:
FBI agent Charles Barker applies controversial techniques in his attempts to bring criminals to justice, which often border on illegal and unsettle his uninitiated partner, Ellis Dove. Over the course of the first season, Barker is investigated by fellow FBI agents for alleged misconduct. Dove's loyalty to his partner is challenged when internal affairs agent Ray Beaumont (Larry Gilliard) approaches him to gain information. Shortly thereafter, Dove learns of darker secrets in Barker's past.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, rough, suspenseful, detective, anime
Similar in 88%
Dark Blue (2009)
Plot Summary:
Dark Blue was an action/drama television series which premiered on TNT on July 15, 2009, at 10 pm. It ended its run on September 15, 2010. The series is set in Los Angeles, California. It revolves around Carter Shaw, the leader of an undercover unit. He is an officer who has dedicated his life to taking down the worst criminals in L.A., and this dedication has cost him his marriage. His team includes Ty Curtis, a newlywed who struggles between his job and his new life; Dean Bendis, an officer who is so deep in his undercover role that his team is no longer sure which side he is on; and Jaimie Allen, a green patrol cop recruited into the undercover unit because of her dark past and criminal skills.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: tense, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, detective, crime drama, exciting
Similar in 85%
Without a Trace (2002)
Plot Summary:
Without a Trace was an American police procedural television drama series that originally ran on CBS from September 26, 2002 to May 19, 2009. The series follows the ventures of a Missing Persons Unit of the FBI in New York City.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, serious, suspenseful, captivating, realistic, detective, bleak, rough, crime drama, thrilling
Similar in 86%
24 (2001)
Plot Summary:
24 is an American television series produced for the Fox network and syndicated worldwide, starring Kiefer Sutherland as Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer. Each 24-episode season covers 24 hours in the life of Bauer, using the real time method of narration.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 195000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 44 min
Plot tags: exciting, cliffhanger, serious, stylized, realistic, suspenseful, rough, suspense, dramatic, crime drama
Similar in 89%
Homeland (2011)
Plot Summary:
CIA officer Carrie Mathison is tops in her field despite being bipolar, which makes her volatile and unpredictable. With the help of her long-time mentor Saul Berenson, Carrie fearlessly risks everything, including her personal well-being and even sanity, at every turn.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 357000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 55 min
Plot tags: serious, suspenseful, tense, captivating, political, detective, psychological thriller, political thriller, dramatic, thrilling
Similar in 87%
The Blacklist (2013)
Plot Summary:
Raymond "Red" Reddington, one of the FBI's most wanted fugitives, surrenders in person at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He claims that he and the FBI have the same interests: bringing down dangerous criminals and terrorists. In the last two decades, he's made a list of criminals and terrorists that matter the most but the FBI cannot find because it does not know they exist. Reddington calls this "The Blacklist". Reddington will co-operate, but insists that he will speak only to Elizabeth Keen, a rookie FBI profiler.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 274000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 43 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, serious, captivating, clever, detective, disturbing, realistic, intellectual, political
Similar in 75%
Traitor (2008)
Plot Summary:
When straight arrow FBI agent Roy Clayton heads up the investigation into a dangerous international conspiracy, all clues seem to lead back to former U.S. Special Operations officer, Samir Horn.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 59000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: suspense, exciting, suspenseful, tense, entertaining, intense, political, realistic, twisted, psychological thriller
Similar in 85%
United 93 (2006)
Plot Summary:
A real time account of the events on United Flight 93, one of the planes hijacked on 9/11 that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania when passengers foiled the terrorist plot.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 110000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: USA, UK, France
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, realistic, emotional, controversial, tense, political, rough, serious, disturbing, bleak
Similar in 76%
A Most Wanted Man (2014)
Plot Summary:
A Chechen Muslim illegally immigrates to Hamburg and becomes a person of interest for a covert government team which tracks the movements of potential terrorists.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 79000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK, USA, Germany
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: clever, bleak, tense, political, suspense, melancholic, thought provoking, psychological, cerebral, independent film
Similar in 85%
The Americans (2013)
Plot Summary:
Set during the Cold War period in the 1980s, The Americans is the story of Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, two Soviet KGB officers posing as an American married couple in the suburbs of Washington D.C. and their neighbor, Stan Beeman, an FBI Counterintelligence agent.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 109000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 44 min
Plot tags: exciting, realistic, captivating, atmospheric, suspenseful, dramatic, sexy, neo noir, political, dark