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10 Shows Like The Sopranos For Fans of Engaging Crime Dramas

shows like the sopranos

There is no denying the edge-of-your-seat suspense of crime dramas and the moral dilemmas posed to audiences who watch them and HBO’s The Sopranos is one of the greatest shows in that genre. , If you miss watching this excellent series, we have created a list of shows like The Sopranos that you might enjoy. The Sopranos follows the life of Mafia Capo Tony Soprano, played by James Gandolfini.

Our protagonist is a bonafide family man, and one who is stuck reliving the glory days of the mafia. Tony Soprano lives in New Jersey and is a member of the Italian-American mob. It all gets a little too much for him and he suffers nervous breakdowns which leads him to seek therapeutic help. With its in-depth look into the world of crime and the effects it has on Tony and his family, it adds a human flair to what is otherwise usually a cold and heartless setting. Although the show has long since reached its conclusion, here are 10 TV shows like The Sopranos that you will definitely enjoy watching.

 List of TV Shows Like The Sopranos

1. Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

Just as creator Vince Gilligan put it, “There would be no Walter White without Tony Soprano.” Crime shows, especially shows like The Sopranos paved the way for Breaking Bad. Breaking Bad is an American television series about Walter White. White is a high school chemistry teacher who is disillusioned with his life, and it all gets worse when he is diagnosed with lung cancer. This sparks a fire under him that sees him suddenly take to a life of crime. By delving into the mass production and sale of meth, he seemingly hopes to be able to provide for his family when he is gone.

His partner-in-crime is Jesse Pinkman, a former student of his, and together they start to make the ascent up the crime ladder. By their side to help them along the way is Saul Goodman, a crooked lawyer, and Gus Fring, a restaurant chain owner who sets them up with a huge structure to pump out as much meth as possible. You are definitely going to enjoy this show for its great storytelling, and sublime pacing as Walter begins his descent into the murky waters of the crime world.

2. Mad Men (2007-2015)

Similar to shows like The Sopranos, Mad Men is a drama series that offers a unique look at American culture from another period. The show, created by Matthew Weiner, is set in the 1960s and early 1970s. The plot is focused on Don Draper, a suave and sophisticated man who works at the Sterling Cooper advertising agency as a creative director.

The series subtly showcases the social changes which sprung up during that era and the evolving American zeitgeist. If you’re a fan of shows like Breaking Bad, you would definitely also enjoy the acting and writing on display here. The show is quite stylish also, and you might find yourself growing in appreciation of the dapper style of the 60s and 70s, as well as some insight into the state of American society at the time.

3. Better Call Saul (2015-2022)

Better Call Saul is an American television series, which acts as a spin-off to one previously discussed show on this list, Breaking Bad. It is a prequel and focuses on Walter’s legal mastermind, Jimmy McGill, and how he evolved to become who ended up being by the time Walter waltzed into the scene and how he became Saul Goodman.

This series explores Jimmy’s moral struggles and his slowly deteriorating personal relationships, as well as his descent into the criminal underworld. Especially what led to him working for a man such as Gus Fring, a theme we have seen in shows like The Sopranos. Better Call Saul is definitely one of the best spin-off series of all-time, and I suggest you watch Breaking Bad first to get the proper experience.

4. Ozark (2017-2022)

Ozark is one of the better crime drama TV shows like The Sopranos, in recent years. But it differs in the aspect that the main character was not born into a life of organized crime. Ozark’s main protagonist in this story is Marty Byrde, who works as a financial advisor to a shady business involved with a cartel. To save his and his family’s life, he is forced even deeper into a life of crime and has to launder money for the cartel directly.

This show is an exposé on the lengths a man can go to when desperate. Ozark tells the story of a man who is pushed into doing unthinkable acts all in order to protect and provide for his family, quite similar to shows like The Sopranos you might say. This struggle with his inner demons and his morals will keep you entertained, and have you questioning the legitimacy of big business in America or wherever you might be.

5. The Wire (2002-2008)

The Wire is an American crime drama television series created by David Simon. The show is set in Baltimore, Maryland, and each season focuses on a different aspect of the city. The first season is mainly about the drug trade, especially with regard to the Barksdale organization, and Jimmy NcNulty’s desire to see them brought down to their knees by all means. The show has spawned the careers of many contemporary stars including Idris Elba, Dominic West, and Michael B. Jordan, among others. If you’ve already seen it, check our list of shows like The Wire.

The series shows a stark depiction of poverty, crime, corruption and the decaying education system among others. The Wire, similar to shows like The Sopranos, is widely considered among the greatest crime/political dramas of all time, and will impress you with its realistic portrayal of the kind of life that those in areas like Baltimore live.  It is especially unique for its unwillingness to make everything black and white. You might even find yourself rooting for the ‘bad guys’.

6. Gomorrah (2014-2021)

Gomorrah is an Italian crime drama television series based on the novel of the same name, authored by Roberto Saviano. The show is set in the suburbs of Naples and similar to The Sopranos, it follows a criminal organization, known as the Camorra. This is one of the series similar to The Sopranos as it closely follows one of the most powerful and ruthless criminal organizations in the world.

The series also shows how a life of crime affects humans to their core, with its effects rubbing off on their families, friends and even communities. It follows the lives of various characters, including the mob boss, his lieutenants, and his enemies. Gomorrah does not romanticize crime and will bring the hard reality of crime and its consequences straight to your face.

7. Peaky Blinders (2013-2022)

If you enjoyed watching the interactions between a gangster and his family in shows like The Sopranos, then you will enjoy watching Thomas Shelby, who also portrays the role of a patriarch. Peaky Blinders is a British crime drama created by Steven Knight. The show is set in Birmingham, England, a little after World War I, and shows the effects that such an experience had upon the man who survived it. One such man is Thomas Shelby, leader of the Peaky Blinders gang. Through backdoor dealings, crime and connivances, Shelby is able to take his gang to the top of the food chain.

The Peaky Blinders who are named so because of the way they keep razors hidden in their caps at the ready in case of a fight are made up of a group of well-written and acted characters. The TV series has become highly celebrated in the UK and abroad, with Thomas Shelby gathering something of a following from young men around the world, more for his personality and less for his criminal activities. If you’re already a fan of this show, check this list of recommendations of shows like Peaky Blinders.

8. Magic City (2012-2013)

Various crime dramas are period pieces, showing us the differing states of society in previous eras, similar to series like The Sopranos. Magic City is another such TV show. Magic City is centered on Ike Evans, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who is the majority shareholder of the Miramar Playa, a luxurious hotel, as he strives to build the greatest hotel that has ever stood on the beach sands of Miami.

Magic City is set in a time where society is rapidly changing culturally. In the midst of all these Evans has to navigate a world of crime, and do all that is possible to wrest political power from those who hold it. This will all be necessary if he is to attain his goal of making his hotel the greatest in the city.

9. Queen of the South (2016-2021)

Just as characters in TV shows like The Sopranos try to juggle family and criminal enterprises at the same time. The same can be said of Teresa in Queen of the South. The show’s plot is centered on Teresa Mendoza. Once a dirt poor lady, Teresa marries a drug lord, transforming her life totally. And when her husband dies she suddenly finds herself at the helm of one of the most powerful drug cartels in the world. 

Teresa has to be brave and bold in the face of dangers and fend off threats from people who would have her lose everything she fought for. This leads her to be as ruthless as it possible. This show is as wild and fast-paced as it gets, and just one episode will have your head turning with excitement, and missing just one episode might throw you into a tailspin. But thank goodness, streaming exists

10. Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014)

This is a crime drama similar to TV Shows like The Sopranos, with its backdrop of gangster drama and politics. Boardwalk Empire is an American television series created by Terence Winter. The show is set in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Also a period piece like many of the shows on this list, Boardwalk Empire is set during the Prohibition era when alcohol had been banned from being sold commercially. and follows Enoch ‘Nucky’ Thompson, the city’s corrupt treasurer who uses his political power to control the city’s illegal alcohol trade.

The series is centered on a crooked and corrupt character, similar to shows like The Sopranos. In this case, that crooked character is Enoch ‘Nucky’ Thompson, who uses all his political power to try to wrest control of the illegal alcohol trade from those who hold it, into his own hands. Boardwalk Empire has no dull moments and will entertain you even with its B and C plots due to its diverse cast of well-written characters.

Honourable Mentions:

Here are a few TV shows like The Sopranos that didn’t make the list that you can also check out:

1.  Billions

2. The Americans

3. Top Boy

4. Burn Notice

5. The Shield

When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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