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10 Movies Like Drive(2011) To Watch If You Enjoy Intense Thrillers

November 29, 2022
movies like Drive

Drive, starring famed actor Ryan Gosling gave the audience a wildly different character to look forward to. Gosling was reportedly allowed to choose the director and he chose the Danish director Nicholas Winding Refn. The movie is an adaptation of a 2005 novel of the same name by James Sallis. This action thriller centres around Driver (Gosling) who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals. Soon, he gets involved with Irene, played by Carey Mulligan who drags him into a heist which goes wrong forcing him to risk his life to protect Irene and her young son Benicio. What really sold the film is the fact that despite being an action thriller, it overcomes the fences that come with the genre and carves its own place instead. If you are looking for more movies like Drive to watch, check out our list of recommendations below:

List Of Movies Like Drive (2011)

  1. Baby Driver
  2. Taxi Driver
  3. Thief
  4. Le Samourai
  5. The Place Beyond the Pines
  6. Nightcrawler
  7. Collateral
  8. Fast and Furious
  9. The Italian Job
  10. Transporter

1. Baby Driver (2017)

Baby Driver is about as close to Drive as you can get. An action film about a getaway driver, Baby who takes part in the last heist deal, in a chance to get away from the criminal world but falls in a trap when one of the arms dealers turns out to be an undercover officer. This film gives us Ansel Elgort, previously known for his role in Fault in Our Stars, but in a completely different light- fierce and tactical.

Both Baby Driver and Drive fall in the same getaway action film genre, besides being stories of a guy who gets involved in heists, falls in love with a girl and risks his life trying to escape. If you are looking for high-tension and great chase in movies like Drive, then Baby Driver is a great fit.

2. Taxi Driver (1976)

A psychological masterpiece by Scorsese, Taxi Driver follows the story of an ex-marine and Vietnam veteran, Travis Bickle who works as a taxi driver in New York as a way to cope with his PTSD. This storyline peaks as he sets on a mission to clean up the filthy city to save the world, directing his efforts towards saving a young prostitute.

This Robert de Niro film had people glued to the edge of their seats with his amazing performance. It rightfully etched its place in cinematic history and if the Godfather star himself does not entice you to watch this film, then I don’t know what will. At its core, there is isolation, hypocrisy, corruption and of course, vengeance. And much like movies similar to Drive, this will have you enthralled!

3. Thief (1975)

Thief, directed by Micheal Mann is another neo-noir thriller based on the 1975 novel The Home Invaders: Confessions of a Cat Burglar by Frank Hohimer. This heist action movie follows the story of a thief, Frank, with seemingly successful businesses as fronts for his criminal business. He then tries to straighten up his records and escape his life of crime as he falls in love with a cashier.

This movie follows the same genre as Drive, with James Caan’s brilliant performance and charisma on the big screen. The musical score of the film by Tangerine Dream is definitely noteworthy and the cinematography will have you entirely captivated. This old-school heist action will totally keep you hooked if you are looking for heist films like Drive.

4. Le Samourai (1967)

This French crime thriller follows the story of a professional hitman, Jef Costello who gets caught by a witness while doing his job of killing a nightclub owner. Soon after being released, Costello goes from hitting the target to becoming the target. This story is nothing less of a crazy world of the underworld and how our hero tries to save himself from it.

It is beyond doubt that Alain Delon’s performance is incredible-  cool, collected and intentional. Similar to Drive, the aesthetic is stylish, focused and darkly romantic. Costello and Driver are both similar characters so this movie makes for a great recommendation for similar movies like Drive.

5. The Places beyond the Pines (2012)

Another Ryan Gosling pick, this movie is an incredible thriller action-packed drama about a motorbike stuntman supporting his family through life in the crime world. Gosling plays a family man who does everything possible to sustain his family. Cianfrance does extremely well at telling a story of life, death, family and honour in this film. And the cinematography is beyond compelling.

Ryan Gosling as both Driver and Luke delivers such sincere performances. If Driver was cool but emotionless, Luke is gripping and excellent throughout. So, The Place Beyond the Pines is surely the best pick for films like Drive.

6. Nightcrawler (2014)

This movie dives into the horror-thriller genre where Louis Bloom, a petty thief, desperate for work finds out that he can make money by capturing photos of crime scenes and decides to take situations into his own hands. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a very convincing role and leaves the audience increasingly stunned at how far he could go. 

This is the story of an anti-hero trying to make it on his own in a capitalistic world. Nightcrawler is a piece of art from all points – writing, direction, acting… everything. This movie will keep your heart thumping as you get sucked into the deep dark world. So if you are looking for thriller films like Drive, Nightcrawler is one of your best choices. 

Also Read: Spy Movies on Netflix

7. Collateral (2004)

What better than Tom Cruise when looking for action thrillers? This movie is about a certain Max Durocher who drives people around in a limousine. Caught up in a wrong situation he has to team up with a hitman, Vincent, resulting in an adrenaline-fueled police chase. 

There’s action, there’s humour, and there’s Tom Cruise. What’s not to love? This film is lighter than Drive, but the storyline is very compelling. This BAFTA-winning movie is your best pick for the evening if you are looking for movies like Drive.

8. The Fast and The Furious (2001)

You didn’t really think that in a list of movies about cars, chases and action we wouldn’t have The Fast and the Furious in it? In this movie, we have the LAPD looking into street racer Dominic Toretto and his team after a string of fast-paced thefts throughout the city. To look into the situation, FBI agent Brian goes undercover and befriends Toretto.

This movie is all about drive and power.  A fast-paced movie like Drive, this film showcases the world of speed racing and surprises us with amazing relationships too. The Fast and the Furious will give you just the right vibes, similar to movies like Drive.

9. The Italian Job (2003)

A heist thriller like Drive, The Italian Job is about revenge and betrayals. John Bridger brings together a team of criminals to break a safe of gold worth millions only to get robbed himself. Followed by a string of jaw-breaking events, this movie is sure to keep you rooted.

This one will keep you on the edge of your seat while you watch the drama unfold. The story is sure to give you whiplash while you cannot help but want to be on the wrong side of justice. A movie similar to Drive, The Italian Job will keep your heart racing and your mind reeling.

10. The Transporter (2002)

The Transporter is all about the thrill and the chase, quite like Drive. Our delivery guy follows three rules and is ready to deliver anything without any questions. But it soon becomes a problem when he is betrayed and resulting in having to follow a different set of rules this time.

Jason Statham does a brilliant job of playing the stoic but deadly transporter. He not only captures the audience with his actions but also carries the film with all his charisma. If you are looking for movies like Drive, this is a great pick.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few movies like Drive that didn’t make the list, but you should definitely give these a watch:

  1. The Warriors
  2. Bullitt
  3. The Guest 
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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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