If you're a fan of the tense, gritty thriller 'Cold Sweat' (1970), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 similar movies and shows that deliver the same gripping suspense, high-stakes action, and psychological depth. Whether you're looking for more edge-of-your-seat drama or classic crime stories, these picks will keep you hooked.

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Description: A chilling Cold War-era thriller about brainwashing and political manipulation, featuring a protagonist caught in a web of deceit. The film's psychological depth and themes of control are strikingly similar.
Fact: The movie was pulled from circulation for over a decade due to its controversial subject matter, only to be re-released after the assassination of JFK.


The French Connection (1971)
Description: A gritty crime thriller with relentless pacing and a focus on the moral ambiguity of its protagonists. The film's raw energy and themes of obsession create a gripping narrative.
Fact: The iconic car chase scene was filmed without permits, using real New York City traffic, making it one of the most dangerous stunts in cinema history.


Klute (1971)
Description: A neo-noir thriller that blends psychological drama with crime investigation, focusing on a detective and a call girl entangled in a dangerous case. The film's moody atmosphere and themes of vulnerability resonate deeply.
Fact: Jane Fonda's performance was so transformative that it earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.


The Day of the Jackal (1973)
Description: A meticulously plotted thriller about an assassin's cold-blooded mission, filled with tension and procedural detail. The film's clinical approach to suspense and its focus on a lone operative align well.
Fact: Despite its fictional premise, the movie was praised for its realistic depiction of assassination techniques and political intrigue.


The Conversation (1974)
Description: A masterful exploration of surveillance and paranoia, focusing on a sound engineer who becomes obsessed with a recording. The film's meticulous pacing and themes of isolation create a haunting experience.
Fact: The movie's sound design was so precise that it won the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or and was nominated for three Academy Awards.


The Odessa File (1974)
Description: A tense post-WWII thriller about a journalist uncovering a secret Nazi organization. The film's historical intrigue and themes of hidden evil align closely.
Fact: The movie was based on a bestselling novel by Frederick Forsyth, who drew inspiration from real-life Nazi hunters.


The Parallax View (1974)
Description: A gripping political thriller that delves into conspiracy theories and paranoia, featuring a protagonist uncovering a sinister organization. The film's tense atmosphere and themes of distrust align closely with the reference.
Fact: The movie's iconic psychological test sequence was created by graphic designer Paul Sylbert, who used subliminal imagery to unsettle viewers.


Three Days of the Condor (1975)
Description: A suspenseful tale of espionage and betrayal, where an ordinary man becomes entangled in a deadly conspiracy. The film's relentless tension and themes of surveillance resonate strongly.
Fact: The movie was partially shot in the World Trade Center, years before its tragic destruction, adding an eerie historical layer.


Marathon Man (1976)
Description: A psychological thriller that blends personal trauma with international intrigue, featuring intense sequences of pursuit and deception. The film's dark tone and themes of hidden agendas make it a compelling match.
Fact: The infamous dental torture scene was so realistic that it led to a spike in dental anxiety among viewers.


The Boys from Brazil (1978)
Description: A chilling sci-fi thriller about a Nazi plot to clone Hitler, blending historical horror with futuristic dread. The film's unsettling premise and themes of genetic manipulation make it a unique match.
Fact: The movie's climax features a dramatic confrontation between Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier, two legendary actors in rare villainous roles.
