10 Movies & Shows Like The Big Ugly (2020)

Description: A crime drama about bank robbers in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood, exploring loyalty and the possibility of redemption. The film's mix of heist action and character drama creates a similar balance.

Fact: Many actual Charlestown residents appear as extras in the film. The famous Fenway Park scene was shot during a real Red Sox game.

Description: A blue-collar revenge story set in Rust Belt America, where economic desperation leads to violent choices. The film shares themes of brotherhood, justice, and the consequences of violence.

Fact: Christian Bale learned to operate a steel furnace for his role. The film was shot in the actual locations where the story takes place in Pennsylvania.

Description: Based on the true story of notorious hitman Richard Kuklinski, this crime biopic explores the duality of a family man who's also a ruthless killer. The film's exploration of criminal psychology is similarly intense.

Fact: The real Richard Kuklinski claimed to have killed over 100 people. The film uses actual interrogation footage of Kuklinski during the end credits.

Description: A gritty crime drama set in the underbelly of Brooklyn, focusing on a bartender caught between criminals and his own troubled past. The film's tense atmosphere and morally ambiguous characters create a similar mood.

Fact: This was James Gandolfini's final film role before his death. The story is based on a short story by Dennis Lehane, who also wrote the screenplay.

Description: A brutal crime thriller that explores the consequences of a botched robbery, featuring cynical characters and violent retribution. The film's unflinching portrayal of criminal underworld dynamics mirrors the tone.

Fact: The movie's release was delayed due to Hurricane Sandy. It features an unusual soundtrack that includes 1970s pop songs juxtaposed with violent scenes.

Description: A modern Western about brothers robbing banks to save their family ranch, blending crime drama with social commentary. The film's exploration of economic desperation leading to crime creates parallel themes.

Fact: The film was shot in just 34 days. Many of the small-town locations were facing economic hardship similar to what's depicted in the story.

Description: A period crime drama about an immigrant businessman trying to stay legitimate in a corrupt industry. The film's tension between ambition and morality creates a similar ethical quandary.

Fact: The title refers to 1981, statistically New York City's most violent year. The film was shot in many of the actual locations where the events took place.

Description: A tense thriller about the drug war on the U.S.-Mexico border, featuring morally ambiguous characters and brutal violence. The film's exploration of the blurred lines between law and crime shares thematic elements.

Fact: The title 'Sicario' means hitman in Mexican Spanish. The film's border scenes were shot in New Mexico standing in for Ciudad Juárez.

Description: A white-collar criminal's transformation into a prison gang leader, exploring the brutal hierarchy of the penal system. The film's unflinching look at criminal transformation shares thematic similarities.

Fact: The director spent months interviewing former inmates for authenticity. Many scenes were shot in an actual decommissioned prison.

Description: A crime thriller set on a Native American reservation, blending mystery with social issues. The film's bleak winter setting and themes of justice in lawless territory create a similar atmosphere.

Fact: The story was inspired by real unsolved cases on Native American reservations. The director spent time with tribal police to research the film.