10 Movies and Shows Similar to Taxi Driver (1976)

10 Movies and Shows Similar to Taxi Driver (1976) Similar movies

If you're a fan of the gritty, psychological intensity of 'Taxi Driver' (1976), you're likely craving more films that delve into urban alienation, moral ambiguity, and raw character studies. This article explores 10 movies and shows that capture the same dark, atmospheric vibe and complex protagonists as Martin Scorsese's iconic masterpiece. Whether you're drawn to Travis Bickle's descent into madness or the film's unflinching portrayal of 1970s New York, these recommendations will satisfy your appetite for similarly gripping stories.

Le Samouraï (1967)
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Le Samouraï (1967)

Description: This French film influenced 'Taxi Driver' with its portrayal of a solitary, morally ambiguous protagonist. Both films feature protagonists who live by their own strict codes in urban environments. The films share a similar minimalist approach to storytelling and character development.

Fact: Alain Delon's iconic trench coat became a fashion trend after the film's release. The film was shot without a completed script. Director Jean-Pierre Melville was a Resistance fighter in WWII.

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American Gigolo (1980)
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American Gigolo (1980)

Description: Like 'Taxi Driver', this film explores themes of urban alienation through a protagonist who exists on society's margins. Both films feature protagonists who are simultaneously repelled by and dependent on the city's corrupt systems. The films share a similar moody, atmospheric approach to depicting nighttime urban life.

Fact: Richard Gere took ballroom dancing lessons to prepare for the role. The film was originally offered to John Travolta. Director Paul Schrader considered making this as a sequel to 'Taxi Driver' at one point.

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Thief (1981)
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Thief (1981)

Description: Like 'Taxi Driver', this film features a professional loner who becomes increasingly disillusioned with his life. Both protagonists struggle with relationships and societal expectations. The films share a similar neon-lit urban aesthetic and moody, atmospheric tone.

Fact: Real-life thieves were consulted for the heist scenes. James Caan did all his own driving stunts. The film was director Michael Mann's feature debut.

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Falling Down (1993)
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Falling Down (1993)

Description: This film shares 'Taxi Driver's' theme of a mentally unstable protagonist's violent breakdown in an urban environment. Both films critique modern society through the eyes of their alienated protagonists. The films similarly build tension through the protagonist's gradual unraveling.

Fact: Michael Douglas based his character's look on his father Kirk Douglas's appearance in 'Champion'. The film was originally titled 'A Nice Day for a Necktie Party'. The famous fast food scene was inspired by director Joel Schumacher's real frustration with McDonald's.

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Bringing Out the Dead (1999)
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Bringing Out the Dead (1999)

Description: This Martin Scorsese film shares 'Taxi Driver's' nocturnal New York setting and themes of urban decay. Both films follow burned-out professionals who descend into psychological turmoil while working night shifts. The films use similar subjective filmmaking techniques to portray their protagonists' mental states.

Fact: Nicolas Cage based his performance on paramedics he shadowed in New York. The film was shot in the same neighborhood as 'Taxi Driver'. Screenwriter Paul Schrader wrote both this and 'Taxi Driver'.

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The Machinist (2004)
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The Machinist (2004)

Description: Like 'Taxi Driver', this film features a protagonist suffering from severe insomnia and psychological distress. Both films use visual style to reflect the protagonist's deteriorating mental state. The themes of guilt and redemption are similarly explored through the protagonist's journey.

Fact: Christian Bale lost 63 pounds for the role. The film was shot in just 35 days. Director Brad Anderson was inspired by Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment'.

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Collateral (2004)
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Collateral (2004)

Description: Like 'Taxi Driver', this is a nocturnal urban thriller set largely in a taxi cab. Both films explore themes of chance encounters that spiral into violence, and feature protagonists who serve as witnesses to the city's dark underbelly. The digital cinematography captures Los Angeles similarly to how 'Taxi Driver' portrayed New York.

Fact: Tom Cruise's hair was dyed gray to make him look more ordinary. Jamie Foxx drove actual taxis in preparation for his role. The film was originally written in the 1980s as a more straightforward action movie.

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Drive (2011)
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Drive (2011)

Description: Similar to 'Taxi Driver' in its portrayal of a loner protagonist with a violent streak, operating in the underbelly of a city. Both films explore themes of isolation, moral ambiguity, and redemption. The neon-lit urban setting and synth-heavy soundtrack create a similarly atmospheric and moody tone.

Fact: Ryan Gosling performed most of his own stunts. The film's iconic scorpion jacket was inspired by a jacket director Nicolas Winding Refn owned as a teenager. The movie was shot in just 27 days.

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Nightcrawler (2014)
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Nightcrawler (2014)

Description: Like 'Taxi Driver', this film features a socially alienated protagonist who becomes increasingly unhinged while navigating the dark side of urban life. Both protagonists use their jobs (taxi driver/crime journalist) as windows into society's decay. The films share themes of media exploitation and moral corruption.

Fact: Jake Gyllenhaal lost 20 pounds for the role to appear more 'hungry' and desperate. The character was partially inspired by Internet commenters and trolls. Director Dan Gilroy wrote the script specifically for Gyllenhaal.

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You Were Never Really Here (2017)
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You Were Never Really Here (2017)

Description: This film shares 'Taxi Driver's' exploration of a traumatized veteran's violent redemption arc. Both protagonists are haunted by their pasts and channel their pain into violent vigilantism. The films use similar subjective filmmaking techniques to immerse viewers in the protagonist's psychological state.

Fact: The entire film was shot in just 30 days. Joaquin Phoenix didn't speak to director Lynne Ramsay for the first two weeks of filming. The novel it's based on is only 90 pages long.

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