10 Movies & Shows Similar to Collateral (2004)

Description: Like 'Collateral', it's a masterclass in crime drama with complex characters and meticulously staged action. Both films feature intense cat-and-mouse dynamics between criminals and law enforcement, with a focus on professionalism in crime.

Fact: Al Pacino and Robert De Niro's first on-screen scene together. The shootout scene influenced real-life bank robberies. Directed by Michael Mann, who also directed 'Collateral'.

Description: Like 'Collateral', it features a chillingly methodical antagonist and explores themes of fate and violence. Both films have a minimalist dialogue style and rely heavily on visual storytelling. The tension is palpable throughout.

Fact: Won four Academy Awards. Based on Cormac McCarthy's novel. Javier Bardem's haircut was inspired by a 1979 photo of a Texas inmate.

Description: Shares 'Collateral's' neon-lit, atmospheric portrayal of Los Angeles at night. Both feature stoic protagonists with criminal ties, and both blend sudden violence with moments of quiet tension. The synth-heavy scores are also similar in tone.

Fact: Ryan Gosling did most of his own driving stunts. The iconic scorpion jacket was inspired by a jacket from 'The Driver' (1978). Nicolas Winding Refn won Best Director at Cannes.

Description: Similar to 'Collateral' in its portrayal of professional criminals and the gritty realism of heist sequences. Both films explore themes of loyalty and redemption, with intense action set pieces and strong character dynamics.

Fact: Ben Affleck directed and starred. Real Boston criminals were consulted for authenticity. The Fenway Park scene used real game footage.

Description: Similar to 'Collateral' in its dark, moody atmosphere and exploration of moral dilemmas. Both films feature protagonists pushed to their limits and blur the line between right and wrong. The cinematography is similarly atmospheric and tense.

Fact: Directed by Denis Villeneuve. Hugh Jackman's character was originally written older. Filmed during an unusually cold winter in Georgia.

Description: Like 'Collateral', it's a crime thriller with a slow-burning tension that erupts into violence. Both films feature protagonists who are more than they seem, and both explore the underbelly of urban crime with a focus on character over spectacle.

Fact: James Gandolfini's final film role. Based on Dennis Lehane's short story. The dog in the film was a rescue.

Description: Like 'Collateral', it's a crime thriller with deep character development and social commentary. Both films feature protagonists on a collision course with the law, and both use their settings (urban LA vs. rural Texas) as integral to the story.

Fact: Nominated for four Academy Awards. Chris Pine learned to drive stick shift for the role. The title comes from an old phrase meaning 'no matter what obstacles'.

Description: Shares 'Collateral's' gritty realism and exploration of morality within the criminal underworld. Both films use suspenseful pacing and intense action sequences. The cinematography captures the stark beauty of urban and desert environments.

Fact: Directed by Denis Villeneuve. 'Sicario' means 'hitman' in Mexican Spanish. Emily Blunt performed many of her own stunts.

Description: Shares 'Collateral's' blend of crime thriller and character study, set against a harsh, unforgiving landscape. Both films deal with themes of justice and survival, with a slow-burning tension that erupts into violence.

Fact: Written by Taylor Sheridan. Based on real-life unsolved cases on Native American reservations. Jeremy Renner did his own stunts in the snow.

Description: Similar to 'Collateral' in its tense, high-stakes narrative involving crime and moral ambiguity. Both feature protagonists caught in dangerous situations with charismatic antagonists. The visual style is sleek and atmospheric, emphasizing nighttime settings and urban landscapes.

Fact: Based on John le Carré's novel. Tom Hiddleston trained with the British Special Forces for his role. Won two Golden Globes.