Summary
- The success of Reacher lies in its blend of intense action, detective work, and a strong lead.
- Fans of Reacher can find similar content in Tracker and The Old Man, featuring nomadic vigilantes.
- Shows like The Terminal List and The Punisher also feature brutal main heroes.
With its third season now on Amazon Prime, Reacher continues to be a hit. The show's blend of raw intensity, clever detective work, and Alan Ritchson's commanding presence as Jack Reacher has left many viewers hungry for similar content.
7 Best Crime Dramas To Binge-Watch, Ranked
Crime dramas deal with heavy subject matter and social issues, but these series strike a perfect balance that makes them all great binge-watch options
Those looking for other shows of a similar style to Reacher are fortunate, because many series provide intricate plot-weaving, satisfying vigilante justice, and those moments of sharp wit that break through the tension. Some are gritty crime dramas and others are espionage thrillers that take a hero through a gauntlet of deception and intrigue.
9 Banshee
Small Cases Often Lead To Something Bigger And Bolder
Banshee
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2013 - 2016-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Antony Starr, Lili Simmons, Frankie Faison, Ryann Shane, Ulrich Thomsen, Matt Servitto, Ivana Miličević, Hoon Lee
- Showrunner
- Jonathan Tropper
- Seasons
- 4
The small-town-set stories of Reacher are reminiscent of Banshee, starting with simple crimes that become something bigger as the series progresses. However, instead of an altruistic hero like Reacher, Lucas Hood is an escaped convict who has assumed the identity of a dead sheriff, making for more of an anti-hero.
Lucas Hood is played by Antony Starr, who many might know as Homelander in The Boys, so fans of his can see him portray a radically different character in Banshee. Add in other standout characters and plenty of wild events that happen throughout the series, and Banshee becomes a healthy blend of gritty crime drama and action that lasts for four seasons.
8 The Night Agent
Takes The Viewer Down A Conspiracy Rabbit Hole
The Night Agent
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- March 23, 2023
WHERE TO WATCH
- Network
- Netflix
- Cast
- Gabriel Basso, Luciane Buchanan, Fola Evans-Akingbola, Sarah Desjardins, Eve Harlow, Phoenix Raei, Enrique Murciano, D.B. Woodside, Hong Chau, Hiro Kanagawa, Rebecca Staab, Curtis Lum, Nick Andrews, Ronald Patrick Thompson, Lorna Rose Harris, Ava Sleeth, Todd Matthews, Micah Steinke, Jamall Johnson, Kelly Richard Nelson, Stephen Adekolu, Joshua Mazerolle, Tyler Gibson, Jennifer Lines, Caleb Di Pomponio, Elliot Gosh, Daniele Parenti, Elliot O'Connor
- Showrunner
- Shawn Ryan
- Seasons
- 3
The Night Agent provides a rather unique concept of an FBI agent who monitors an emergency hotline inside the White House. The phone rarely rings, but one surprise phone call results in Agent Peter Sutherland getting wrapped up in a thrilling conspiracy that goes all the way up to the Oval Office.
With a successful second season and a third season on the way , The Night Agent has become a big hit. Amazon Prime has seen success with investigative conspiracy thrillers based on novels, such as Jack Ryan and Reacher; The Night Agent is Netflix’s successful attempt at this subgenre.
7 The Old Man
A Character Whose Mysterious Past Catches Up To Him
The Old Man
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2024 - 2024-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Jeff Bridges, John Lithgow, Bill Heck, Alia Shawkat, E.J. Bonilla, Leem Lubany, Pej Vahdat, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Amy Brenneman, Hiam Abbass, Echo Kellum, Moneer Yaqubi, Navid Negahban, Jessica Harper, Artur Zai Barrera, Michael Sifain, Jacqueline Antaramian, Kenneth Mitchell, Joel Grey, Noor Razooky, Milo Stein, Andrew Perez, Sara Seyed, Rowena King
- Showrunner
- Greg Yaitanes
- Seasons
- 2
The Old Man stars Jeff Bridges as an ex-CIA operative living like a hermit who gets wrapped up in a mysterious conspiracy when someone tries to assassinate him, not unlike Reacher. The assassination ties to his past along with that of John Lithgow’s character, resulting in an engaging FX series that mixes drama, mystery, action, and suspense.
Jeff Bridges carries the series on his back as Dan Chase, who has the same calm aura as Reacher, which has resulted in the collection of many fans. However, his emphasis on hand-to-hand combat mixed with firearm expertise gives him John Wick vibes, especially when it comes to the character's love and affection for his dogs.
6 Tracker
Colter Shaw Is Another Lone Wolf Going Town To Town
Tracker
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- February 11, 2024
WHERE TO WATCH
- Network
- CBS
- Cast
- Justin Hartley, Abby McEnany, Eric Graise, Fiona Rene, Robin Weigert, Wendy Crewson, Sofia Pernas, Jensen Ackles, Lee Tergesen, Prestyn Bates, Matthew Nelson-Mahood, Alison Araya, Link Baker, Mattia Castrillo, Paniz Zade, Ashley Roxburgh, Jeremy Jones, Aggie Bell, Oscar Chark, Dalias Blake, Colm Hill, Nicole Anthony, Sean Owen Roberts, Garfield Wilson, Zia Newton, Arianna McGregor
- Showrunner
- Elwood Reid
- Seasons
- 3
Colter Shaw is a specialist who uses his skills to find missing people, hence the title: Tracker. There is a very similar vibe to Reacher here, with a rugged stranger who lives off the grid but comes in to help those who need him. Only where Reacher is more awkward with people, Shaw is more charismatic in his approach to things.
Tracker is more of an episodic detective thriller, with a new case in each episode. That doesn't keep it from being just as engaging as Reacher, and much of that is due to Justin Hartley's performance as Shaw. Additionally, Jensen Ackles of Supernatural fame steals the spotlight as a guest star, playing Colter's older brother Russell.
5 Sherlock
Sherlock Holmes Inspired Many Detective Characters Like Reacher
Sherlock
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2010 - 2017-00-00
- Network
- BBC
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Martin Freeman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Graves
- Showrunner
- Steven Moffat
- Seasons
- 4
As impressive as Reacher is physically, his greatest trait is his mind as a detective; to be able to find the details that most people miss and deduce an entire person's history by looking at them. However, Reacher is also not great at understanding people, which is similar to the titular character in the BBC's Sherlock series that helped put Benedict Cumberbatch on the map.
Sherlock adapts the iconic investigator into the modern day, with each episode being over ninety minutes long to make each season feel like multiple movies. In the series, Sherlock can sometimes come off as heartless to others, hinting that the character is on the autism spectrum, but that's where his friendship with John Watson comes in handy, as he's patient enough to work with him and help when it comes to working with people.
4 The Terminal List
Chris Pratt Gives One Of His Best Performances
The Terminal List
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- Release Date
- July 1, 2022
- Network
- Amazon Prime Video
- Cast
- Jared Shaw, Arlo Mertz, JD Pardo, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Chris Pratt2, Tyner Rushing, Constance Wu, Christina Vidal, Matthew Rauch, Alexis Louder, Jai Courtney, Stephen Bishop, Taylor Kitsch, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Warren Kole, Nick Chinlund, Riley Keough, LaMonica Garrett, Sean Gunn
- Showrunner
- David DiGilio
- Seasons
- 1
Chris Pratt stars as James Reece, a Navy SEAL who goes rogue to uncover why his team was ambushed during a mission. While the series is based on a book by Jack Carr, The Terminal List has earned praise for feeling like something out of Tom Clancy’s universe, down to having more emphasis on grit and realism.
Most audiences know Chris Pratt for his charm and often comedic performances, even in his action films. However, The Terminal List is where he delivers his darkest and most serious performance yet, with his character constantly blurring the line between seeking justice and getting revenge as the plot thickens.
3 Cross
Cross And Reacher Are Both Relentless In Their Missions
Cross
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- November 14, 2024
- Directors
- Craig Siebels, Nzingha Stewart
- Writers
- Ben Watkins
- Cast
- Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa, Juanita Jennings, Alona Tal, Samantha Walkes, Caleb Elijah, Melody Hurd, Jennifer Wigmore, Eloise Mumford, Ryan Eggold, Johnny Ray Gill, Stacie Greenwell, Mercedes de la Zerda, Sharon Taylor, Dwain Murphy, Karen Robinson, Matt Baram, Siobhan Murphy, Jason Rogel, Chaunteé Schuler Irving, Ann Hamilton, Ashley Rios, Richard Waugh
- Seasons
- 2
Alex Cross is arguably most famous for being played by Morgan Freeman in a duology of films, but the Cross series on Amazon Prime is an effective reboot. Aldis Hodge makes the character his own, showcasing a tortured detective trying to solve the case of a twisted serial killer while also uncovering the truth of his own tragic past.
Rather than a different case every week like most police procedural shows, Cross takes a single case and makes it the plot of the entire season, similar to what is seen in Reacher. Audiences loved this show's take on the classic character, which has led to it being renewed for a second season scheduled for later in 2025.
2 The Punisher
A Dark Past Creates A Brutal Vigilante
The Punisher
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2017 - 2019-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Deborah Ann Woll, Jon Bernthal
- Showrunner
- John Romita Sr.
- Seasons
- 2
There are many similarities between Jack Reacher and Frank Castle in The Punisher. Both are ex-military living nomadically, they have traumatic histories, and they are brutal in their methods. However, where Reacher is a calm and collected individual with more emphasis on detective work, The Punisher is an unhinged vigilante who shoots first and asks questions later.
The Punisher is similar to Reacher, where the Marvel anti-hero finds himself in a situation where he helps those in need while also uncovering a wider conspiracy that connects to his past. Jon Bernthal earned high praise for his performance as Frank Castle and the series effectively portrayed the dark hero with style combined with bloody gore that accurately represents the character.
1 Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan
Conspiracies And Action Going Hand-In-Hand
Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2018 - 2023-00-00
- Network
- Prime Video
- Showrunner
- Carlton Cuse
- Cast
- John Krasinski, Wendell Pierce, Michael Kelly, Abbie Cornish, Betty Gabriel, John Hoogenakker, Adam Bernett, Ali Suliman, Noomi Rapace, Dina Shihabi, Nina Hoss, Jordi Molla, Peter Guinness, Francisco Denis, Alexej Manvelov, Cristina Umaña, James Cosmo, Jovan Adepo, Michael Pena, Arnold Vosloo, Michael Gaston, Richard Short, Okieriete Onaodowan, Louis Ozawa, Zuleikha Robinson, Victor Slezak
- Seasons
- 4
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan reboots the prolific character in series form after already being played by Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, Alec Baldwin, and Chris Pine. This time, John Krasinski fills the shoes of the CIA analyst forced to get his hands dirty to survive, and it was his first big dramatic role after leaving The Office, to the surprise of many.
For four seasons, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan series mixed suspense and action that kept audiences engaged. John Krasinski's performance was praised, and the story maintained what most people expect from the character: action and espionage that rivals some of the best spy films, but stars an everyday man who just wants to work his desk job, which makes him more relatable.
- Release Date
- February 3, 2022
- Network
- Prime Video
- Showrunner
- Nick Santora
- Directors
- Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent
- Writers
- Cait Duffy
- Franchise(s)
- Jack Reacher
Cast
-
Alan RitchsonJack Reacher -
Maria StenFrances Neagley
- Creator(s)
- Nick Santora