10 Movies & Shows Like Face/Off (1997)

Description: 'Lethal Weapon' and 'Face/Off' both center on partnerships between contrasting personalities, with Mel Gibson's reckless Riggs balancing Danny Glover's cautious Murtaugh, much like Travolta and Cage's adversarial yet symbiotic relationship. Both films mix intense action with emotional depth, and feature villains with personal connections to the heroes. The explosive, sometimes humorous tone of 'Lethal Weapon' is echoed in 'Face/Off's' more operatic moments.

Fact: The film was originally much darker, with Riggs attempting suicide in the first scene. Shane Black's script was sold for $250,000, a record at the time for a spec script. The title refers to Riggs being a 'lethal weapon' due to his suicidal tendencies.

Description: Like 'Face/Off', 'Die Hard' is a seminal action film that balances a charismatic villain (Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber) against a resourceful hero (Bruce Willis's John McClane). Both films feature high-stakes scenarios, inventive action sequences, and a focus on personal stakes amidst larger conflicts. The claustrophobic tension of 'Die Hard' mirrors the psychological intensity of 'Face/Off'.

Fact: Bruce Willis was fourth choice for the role, after Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Richard Gere. Alan Rickman's famous fall was filmed using a stuntman and clever camera angles. The film was based on a novel called 'Nothing Lasts Forever', a sequel to 'The Detective', which had been adapted into a Frank Sinatra movie.

Description: 'Point Break' shares 'Face/Off's' themes of duality and undercover identity, as Keanu Reeves' FBI agent infiltrates a group of surfing bank robbers led by Patrick Swayze's charismatic Bodhi. Both films explore the blurred lines between good and evil, and feature breathtaking action sequences (skydiving in 'Point Break', boat chases in 'Face/Off'). The emotional intensity and bromantic tension between the leads also echo the dynamic between Travolta and Cage.

Fact: Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director, though for 'The Hurt Locker', not 'Point Break'. The film's original title was 'Johnny Utah', after Keanu Reeves' character. The skydiving scenes were filmed without CGI, using real skydivers and cameras.

Description: 'The Fugitive' and 'Face/Off' both focus on men wrongfully accused who must clear their names while being pursued by relentless lawmen. Both films feature cat-and-mouse chases, emotional depth, and standout performances (Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones in 'The Fugitive', Travolta and Cage in 'Face/Off'). The films also share a sense of urgency and moral complexity, with heroes who operate outside the law for noble reasons.

Fact: Tommy Lee Jones' Oscar-winning performance was largely improvised. The train crash scene was filmed with a real train and no CGI. The film was based on a 1960s TV series of the same name.

Description: 'Speed' and 'Face/Off' both thrive on relentless pacing and high-concept premises (a bus that can't slow down, a face-swapping spy thriller). Both films feature charismatic villains (Dennis Hopper in 'Speed', Travolta/Cage in 'Face/Off') and heroes who must think on their feet. The films share a propulsive energy and a knack for turning simple ideas into elaborate action set pieces.

Fact: Keanu Reeves turned down 'Speed 2' to do 'The Devil's Advocate', calling the sequel's script 'not good'. The bus jump scene was filmed with a real bus, not a model. Sandra Bullock's performance made her an overnight star.

Description: 'True Lies' and 'Face/Off' both blend action, humor, and spectacle, with James Cameron and John Woo sharing a flair for grandiose set pieces. Both films explore themes of hidden identities (Arnold Schwarzenegger's spy posing as a computer salesman, Travolta and Cage's face-swapping). The films also share a playful tone amidst their violence, and both feature strong female characters who become entangled in the action.

Fact: The film is a loose remake of a French movie called 'La Totale!'. Jamie Lee Curtis did her own stunts, including the famous pole dance scene. The harrier jet sequence cost $3 million to film and remains one of the most expensive scenes in movie history.

Description: 'Bad Boys' and 'Face/Off' both exemplify 90s action cinema at its most stylish and explosive. While 'Bad Boys' is more comedic, it shares 'Face/Off's' emphasis on buddy dynamics, high-energy shootouts, and a glossy visual style. Both films also feature charismatic leads (Will Smith/Martin Lawrence in 'Bad Boys', Travolta/Cage in 'Face/Off') playing off each other amidst chaos.

Fact: The film was originally written for Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz, but was rewritten for Smith and Lawrence. Michael Bay's direction established many of the visual trademarks he'd later use in 'The Rock' and 'Face/Off'. The film's success helped launch Will Smith's movie career.

Description: Like 'Face/Off', 'Mission: Impossible' revolves around deception, disguise, and high-stakes espionage. Both films feature protagonists who must assume false identities to achieve their goals, and both are packed with elaborate set pieces and thrilling action sequences. The tension and paranoia in 'Mission: Impossible' mirror the psychological cat-and-mouse game in 'Face/Off'.

Fact: The famous hanging scene was performed by Tom Cruise himself, despite the studio's insistence on using a stunt double. The film's plot diverges significantly from the original TV series, angering some fans. Brian De Palma's direction gives the film a stylish, Hitchcockian vibe that sets it apart from other action movies of the era.

Description: Similar to 'Face/Off', 'The Rock' is a high-octane action thriller featuring intense face-offs between charismatic leads (Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery) and a villain with a personal vendetta. Both films blend explosive action with emotional stakes, and share a theme of identity—whether it's undercover agents or prisoners taking control. Directed by Michael Bay, the film also shares the same over-the-top visual style and relentless pacing as 'Face/Off'.

Fact: Sean Connery's character was originally written as a British spy, but was changed to a former SAS operative to suit Connery's background. The film was initially offered to Quentin Tarantino, who declined. The famous car chase scene in San Francisco was filmed without permits, leading to real-life chaos on the streets.

Description: 'Con Air' shares 'Face/Off's' obsession with over-the-top action, morally complex characters, and a sense of operatic grandeur in its violence. Both films feature Nicolas Cage in a lead role, and both explore themes of justice and redemption amidst chaos. The film's ensemble cast of eccentric criminals mirrors the duality and identity themes in 'Face/Off', and the action sequences are similarly stylized and adrenaline-fueled.

Fact: Nicolas Cage's long hair in the film was his own, grown out for the role. The plane used in the film, a C-123K, was the same type involved in the Iran-Contra scandal. Jerry Bruckheimer produced both 'Con Air' and 'Face/Off', giving them a similar glossy, high-energy feel.