10 Shows and Movies Like Sons of Anarchy (2008)

Description: As one of the seminal antihero dramas, The Sopranos paved the way for shows like Sons of Anarchy. Both explore criminal organizations as twisted family units, with leaders struggling with mental health issues and the pressures of leadership. The blend of brutal violence, dark comedy, and psychological depth makes them spiritually similar.

Fact: James Gandolfini would often deliberately flub lines to make scenes feel more authentic. The famous opening sequence was shot by driving around New Jersey for hours to get the perfect shots. Many consider The Sopranos the show that launched the golden age of television drama.

Description: Like Sons of Anarchy, The Shield is a gritty crime drama that explores themes of loyalty, corruption, and moral ambiguity. Both shows feature complex antiheroes who operate outside the law but have their own codes of honor. The Shield's raw, intense storytelling and focus on a tight-knit group navigating dangerous situations mirror the dynamics of SAMCRO.

Fact: The Shield was created by Shawn Ryan, who also worked on Sons of Anarchy as a writer and producer. The show was groundbreaking for its use of handheld cameras and documentary-style cinematography. Walton Goggins, who played Shane Vendrell, later appeared in Sons of Anarchy as Venus Van Dam.

Description: Breaking Bad shares Sons of Anarchy's exploration of a protagonist's moral descent. Both Walter White and Jax Teller start with noble intentions but become increasingly ruthless. The shows similarly examine how criminal lifestyles affect families and feature intense, high-stakes storytelling with moments of dark humor.

Fact: Bryan Cranston originally auditioned for the role of Hal in Malcolm in the Middle with a Breaking Bad-style monologue. The show's iconic RV was nicknamed 'The Crystal Ship' by the crew. Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy aired during the same golden age of antihero television dramas.

Description: Boardwalk Empire shares Sons of Anarchy's period crime drama elements, though set in Prohibition-era Atlantic City rather than modern-day California. Both shows explore criminal organizations, political corruption, and the personal costs of power. The meticulous production design and complex character arcs make them similarly immersive.

Fact: The show's elaborate sets included a 300-foot long boardwalk reconstruction. Steve Buscemi studied old footage of politicians to perfect his character's mannerisms. Many characters are based on real historical figures from the Prohibition era.

Description: Justified shares Sons of Anarchy's blend of crime drama and neo-western elements. Both shows feature charismatic antiheroes (Raylan Givens and Jax Teller) who operate by their own moral codes. The rural settings, criminal underworld focus, and themes of legacy and family make them tonally similar.

Fact: The character of Raylan Givens first appeared in Elmore Leonard's short story 'Fire in the Hole.' Walton Goggins' Boyd Crowder was meant to die in the first episode but was kept due to his performance. The show's authentic dialogue came from closely following Elmore Leonard's writing style.

Description: Banshee matches Sons of Anarchy's intense action and criminal underworld setting. Both feature protagonists with hidden pasts trying to navigate dangerous environments while protecting their makeshift families. The shows share a hyper-stylized visual approach and unflinching violence.

Fact: The show's fight scenes were choreographed by former MMA fighter and stunt coordinator Chris Brewster. Antony Starr (Homelander in The Boys) starred as the unnamed protagonist. The fictional town of Banshee was filmed in various locations around Pennsylvania.

Description: Ray Donovan shares Sons of Anarchy's exploration of family dysfunction and criminal activity. Both protagonists (Ray and Jax) are fixers who clean up messes while dealing with their own personal demons. The shows blend crime drama with family saga elements and feature morally ambiguous characters.

Fact: Liev Schreiber based Ray's distinctive voice on a combination of Boston and New York accents. Jon Voight won a Golden Globe for his role as Mickey Donovan. The show was originally developed as a feature film before becoming a series.

Description: Peaky Blinders shares Sons of Anarchy's focus on a criminal family organization with its own code of honor. Both shows explore themes of power, loyalty, and the consequences of violence. The stylish, atmospheric presentation and morally complex characters make them similarly compelling. Like Jax Teller, Tommy Shelby struggles with leadership and maintaining his organization while dealing with personal demons.

Fact: The show's title refers to the gang's practice of sewing razor blades into their caps. Cillian Murphy initially turned down the role of Tommy Shelby before being convinced to take it. The series features an anachronistic rock soundtrack, similar to Sons of Anarchy's distinctive music choices.

Description: Animal Kingdom explores criminal family dynamics similar to Sons of Anarchy, focusing on a tight-knit, dysfunctional clan engaged in illegal activities. Both shows examine the tensions between family loyalty and personal ambition, featuring charismatic but dangerous leaders. The Southern California setting and sun-drenched cinematography create a similar atmosphere.

Fact: The series is based on the 2010 Australian film of the same name. Ellen Barkin's character Smurf was originally written as a male role. The show features elaborate heist sequences inspired by classic crime films.

Description: As a direct spin-off of Sons of Anarchy, Mayans M.C. shares the same universe and many thematic elements. It continues exploring motorcycle club culture, criminal enterprises, and the struggle between family loyalty and personal ambition. The show maintains the same dark, violent tone and complex character relationships that defined Sons of Anarchy.

Fact: Kurt Sutter, creator of Sons of Anarchy, co-created Mayans M.C. before being fired from the show. Several Sons of Anarchy characters make appearances throughout the series. The show focuses on the Mayans M.C., who were frequent rivals of SAMCRO in the original series.