10 Movies & Shows Like Mulholland Falls

Description: A quintessential film noir with a convoluted plot involving private detectives, femme fatales, and criminal underworlds in 1940s Los Angeles.

Fact: The film's plot is famously confusing, even to its stars. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall's chemistry led to significant rewrites to highlight their relationship.

Description: A classic neo-noir mystery that explores themes of corruption, power, and betrayal in 1930s Los Angeles, with a complex narrative and a morally ambiguous protagonist.

Fact: The film's screenplay by Robert Towne is often cited as one of the greatest in cinema history. The famous line 'Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown' has become iconic.

Description: A crime drama about law enforcement battling organized crime in 1930s Chicago, featuring moral dilemmas, intense action, and a period-accurate visual style.

Fact: The film's famous train station shootout scene was inspired by the Odessa Steps sequence in 'Battleship Potemkin.' It won Sean Connery an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Description: A neo-noir mystery set in 1940s Los Angeles, following a black private investigator navigating racial tensions and corruption while solving a complex case.

Fact: The film is based on Walter Mosley's first Easy Rawlins novel. Denzel Washington was initially hesitant to take the role but was convinced by the script's depth.

Description: A neo-noir crime film set in 1950s Los Angeles, featuring corrupt cops, intricate plotting, and a dark, moody atmosphere that delves into the seedy underbelly of the city.

Fact: The film is based on James Ellroy's novel of the same name, which is part of his L.A. Quartet series. It won two Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Kim Basinger.

Description: A dark crime drama exploring themes of trauma, revenge, and community, with a strong focus on character psychology and moral ambiguity.

Fact: The film is based on Dennis Lehane's novel of the same name. Clint Eastwood directed it, marking a departure from his usual Western and action genres.

Description: A gritty crime drama based on the infamous unsolved murder case, set in post-war Los Angeles, featuring police corruption, obsession, and a dark, stylized visual approach.

Fact: The film is adapted from James Ellroy's novel, which fictionalizes the real-life Black Dahlia murder. It was shot in Bulgaria and Los Angeles to recreate 1940s L.A.

Description: A stylized crime film about a secret police unit fighting organized crime in 1940s Los Angeles, with a focus on action, corruption, and period detail.

Fact: The film's release was delayed due to the Aurora theater shooting, as it originally contained a scene of mobsters shooting into a movie theater.

Description: An anthology crime series with a strong neo-noir influence, focusing on detectives investigating complex cases, often with deep psychological and philosophical undertones.

Fact: The first season features a single continuous storyline across eight episodes, a rarity for TV at the time. It was praised for its long-take tracking shot in episode four.

Description: A blend of crime thriller and dark comedy set in 1970s Los Angeles, featuring mismatched private investigators uncovering a conspiracy, with a stylish retro aesthetic.

Fact: The film was inspired by 1970s detective shows and films, aiming to capture their tone and visual style. It was a box office disappointment but gained a cult following.