If you enjoyed the gripping conspiracy thriller 'The Domino Principle' (1977), you're likely craving more films that blend suspense, intrigue, and high-stakes action. This article explores 10 movies and shows with similar themes of shadowy organizations, political machinations, and protagonists caught in a web of deception. Whether you're a fan of 70s thrillers or modern-day espionage, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Description: A Cold War-era thriller about brainwashing and political manipulation, where the line between reality and control is terrifyingly blurred.
Fact: The movie was pulled from circulation after JFK's assassination due to its controversial themes, only to be re-released decades later.


The Conversation (1974)
Description: Explores themes of surveillance, privacy, and the moral dilemmas faced by those who eavesdrop on others, leading to a profound sense of paranoia.
Fact: The film's sound design was so meticulous that it won the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or and was nominated for three Academy Awards.


The Parallax View (1974)
Description: A gripping political thriller that delves into conspiracy theories and the paranoia of being watched, featuring a protagonist uncovering dark truths.
Fact: The film's famous 'Parallax Test' sequence is a masterclass in psychological manipulation through imagery.


Three Days of the Condor (1975)
Description: Centers on an ordinary man caught in a web of espionage and betrayal, forced to rely on his wits to survive against powerful, shadowy forces.
Fact: The movie was partially inspired by real-life CIA operations and the growing public distrust in government during the 1970s.


Marathon Man (1976)
Description: A tense thriller involving conspiracy, secret identities, and a protagonist unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
Fact: The infamous 'Is it safe?' dental scene has become one of the most memorable and chilling moments in thriller cinema.


The Osterman Weekend (1983)
Description: A story of deception and surveillance, where characters are manipulated into distrusting each other, leading to explosive confrontations.
Fact: Based on a novel by Robert Ludlum, the film's themes of media manipulation were ahead of their time.


No Way Out (1987)
Description: A high-stakes espionage tale filled with twists, betrayals, and a protagonist racing against time to clear his name.
Fact: The film's plot twist was so well-executed that it became a benchmark for political thrillers in the 1980s.


The Package (1989)
Description: A military thriller involving a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of government, with an everyman protagonist caught in the crossfire.
Fact: The film's plot was inspired by real-life Cold War tensions and the fear of nuclear escalation.


The Pelican Brief (1993)
Description: A legal thriller that morphs into a conspiracy story, where a lone investigator uncovers corruption at the highest levels of power.
Fact: The movie was based on John Grisham's novel and became one of the highest-grossing legal thrillers of the 1990s.


Enemy of the State (1998)
Description: A fast-paced thriller about surveillance technology and government overreach, where an innocent man is relentlessly pursued by shadowy operatives.
Fact: The film's depiction of surveillance tech was considered futuristic at the time but has since become eerily relevant.
