10 Best Crime Thrillers Like 'Reacher'

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Published Feb 26, 2026, 6:53 AM EST

Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts!
On Block Talk, he interviews nightlife personalities, covers the wide world of entertainment through features, ranking episodes, and recaps ALL of Drag Race, as well as Dragula and Survivor. He has interviewed hundreds of RuGirls that span the globe at DragCon NYC, DragCon LA, and DragCon UK.
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For three seasons, audiences have been completely enamored with the hit Prime Video series Reacher. Starring Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher, the series is based on the novel series by Lee Child. The high-octane crime show follows the titular character, a self-proclaimed hobo and former U.S. Army military police officer, as he crosses paths with dangerous criminals. Using his formidable strength, intellect, and abilities, each season’s story finds Reacher in full action.

If you’ve already blown through the first three seasons of the series and are eager for another action series to scratch that itch, we’ve got a list of incredible options. From agents on a mission to civilians tracking down a crime, these series bring the same energy that you love about Reacher through their own lens.

10 'Bosch' (2014–2021)

One of the biggest original series in Prime Video history is Bosch. The series follows LAPD Detective Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) as he investigates a series of cases spanning seven seasons. Inspired by the Michael Connelly book series, Bosch began as an underdog show amidst the streamer's heavy hitters. With a gritty atmosphere and solid, suspenseful turns, Bosch is a film noir-style crime thriller that makes the slow burn worthwhile. Led by a worthy leading man in Welliver, the honest adaptation captures the sun-drenched streets and shadowy corners that make Los Angeles a perfect locale.

Suspenseful and intellectually thrilling, Bosch is a series unafraid to explore the complex, corrupt institutions that pervade the streets. The gripping series has a page-to-screen aura while maintaining the old-fashioned detective formula. The good thing is that if you breeze through the flagship series, there are additional spin-offs that can be enjoyed. First, Bosch is back in Bosch: Legacy. Then, Maggie Q takes on Renée Ballard in Ballard, which continues the universe while giving a new lead the chance to shine. If you’ve already got Prime Video, the Reacher to Bosch pipeline is inevitable.

9 'Justified' (2010–2015)

Timothy Olyphant's Raylan Givens and Walton Goggins' Boyd Crowder in Justified on a leafy ground.

There is simply no character quite like Raylan Givens, the main protagonist of FX’s Justified. Lifting the characters from Elmore Leonard's stories, primarily Fire in the Hole, the series follows Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, portrayed at his best by Timothy Olyphant, as he returns home to Harlan County to enforce his own brand of justice. Through six seasons and a revival series, Justified: City Primeval, the series is a peak neo-Western with an affable lead and plenty of action. The gritty crime thriller with a Southern twang is a whip-smart, character-driven drama that was unlike anything on screen before.

Olyphant, whose panache is playing lawmen, carries the series with his slow drawl and quick trigger. As an utterly lovable character, you forgive him for his flawed decisions. Next to Olyphant, the ensemble helps to establish the unique atmosphere of Harlan County. Whether part of the good guys or the denizens trying to survive through the drug trade, the characters enrich the series exponentially. Of course, a hero needs his foil. That man is Walton Goggins as Boyd Crowder. The duo has an impressive dynamic that carries the series throughout. A satisfying series, Justified may end up becoming your sleeper series favorite.

8 'The Lowdown' (2025–Present)

Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon smiling while holding his right hand up in the shape of a gun in The Lowdown

With a very busy second half on TV and streaming, perhaps 2025’s most underappreciated series was The Lowdown. A quippy neo-Western with a comedic flair, the crime thriller follows Ethan Hawke as Lee Rayburn, a self-proclaimed "truthstorian" who spends most of his time investigating local corruption while running a rare bookstore in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In the first season, Lee digs up a mystery following the suspicious death of Dale Washberg (Tim Blake Nelson), falling down a rabbit hole of a conspiracy involving the Washberg family. From strained family bonds to skinheads and a dive into Tulsa’s past, The Lowdown achieves everything audiences love about the genre while infusing the rise of the neo-Western into the series' soul.

A brilliantly acted series from Sterlin Harjo, the creator of Reservation Dogs, The Lowdown’s dusty atmosphere is brought to life with immersive storytelling. Even if the landscape might be a bit brighter than in other mystery thrillers, The Lowdown infuses Western elements to revitalize the genre and meld it with a gripping crime story. Alongside Hawke, The Lowdown features a stellar ensemble including Keith David, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Kyle MacLachlan. Oh, and we can’t forget about the guest appearance by Peter Dinklage. The Lowdown, which will return for Season 2, is a brilliant series you won’t regret binging.

7 'The Night Agent' (2023–Present)

Gabriel Basso as Peter Sutherland holding out his gun with both hands in The Night Agent Season 3

Set in the world of espionage and the military, The Night Agent is a three-season hit thriller. The Netflix hit follows FBI agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) as he’s thrown into a world of scandal and uncovers a vast conspiracy involving a mole at the highest levels of the United States government. A non-stop action-packed thriller, The Night Agent is an easy watch thanks to its gripping storytelling and compelling characters. The streaming equivalent of popcorn entertainment, The Night Agent pushes the bounds of government cover-up, where you’re eager to see those involved brought down in glorious fashion.

The first two seasons see Peter alongside former tech CEO Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan), whom he’s tasked to protect. In the brand-new season, Peter has a new posse of pals joining him in a shocking conspiracy involving arms trafficking and the Leader of the Free World. Basso is an explosive lead, though his Peter isn’t as robust as Ritchson’s Reacher. With explosive, highly choreographed fight sequences, The Night Agent isn’t an overtly complicated series — it’s pure entertainment with dark, high-stakes themes.

6 'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan' (2018–2023)

John Krasinski as Jack Ryan, aiming a rifle, in Tom Clancy's 'Jack Ryan.'

Alan Ritchson has the appearance of a massive action hero. John Krasinski? Maybe not so much. Yet, the former The Office star shines in the Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland-created Jack Ryan. The action thriller, based on the Tom Clancy character, follows the CIA analyst who is thrust from his desk job into dangerous field assignments. Across four seasons, Ryan investigates global threats, including Islamic extremism, political corruption in Venezuela, nuclear threats in Russia, and international drug cartels. The intense action-oriented thriller features high-stakes scenarios with frequent gunfights, bombings, and espionage. Oh, my!

For those who love action on a global scale, Jack Ryan fulfills the brief. With globetrotting missions, the series gives viewers a wide-ranging vantage point on how vast yet tight these narratives reach. Further, if you’re enthralled by shows like 24 and Homeland, this series takes the ball and sprints. The ensemble is quite strong, especially Wendell Pierce as Ryan's boss in T-FAD, James Greer. Each season serves a great binge-watch, so strap in and be amazed by Krasinski in a massive departure from his comedic run.

5 'The Punisher' (2017–2019)

Jon Bernthal stares into the camera with a beaten face and a skull t-shirt for The Punisher.

Technically canonically in the Marvel Cinematic universe lives Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, better known as The Punisher. Based on the Marvel Comics character, the series is a dark thriller that follows the ex-Marine turned lethal vigilante seeking vengeance for his murdered family. After uncovering a deep military conspiracy, Castle navigates trauma and intense violence, operating outside the law to "punish" criminals while battling his own past. An underrated series that came to fruition prior to the Disney+ series boom, The Punisher is required viewing for any Marvel fan.

Originally appearing in Season 1 of Daredevil, Bernthal continued on with Castle’s newfound cinematic origin story. From there, the series ran for two dynamic seasons. Bringing a raw and emotional approach to the psychology of a classic character, The Punisher is a deconstruction of a unique protagonist. The psychological damage forces Castle to question whether his violent actions are warranted. Addressing real topics, including the abandonment of veterans, PTSD, and the military-industrial complex, The Punisher is a brilliantly brutal series that allows Marvel to highlight genuine conversations. Though the series may have ended, Bernthal’s Castle is set to return in this summer’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

4 'The Terminal List' (2022–Present)

Chris Pratt as James Reece walking forward and looking determined in The Terminal List

Keeping it in the Prime Video family comes the enthralling The Terminal List. Based on the novel of the same name by Jack Carr, the series tells the story of Navy SEAL James Reece (Chris Pratt) as he uncovers a conspiracy behind his platoon's ambush, resulting in the death of his team and family. Reece, now traumatized and vengeance-driven, creates a list to systematically hunt down those responsible. Tackling themes of PTSD and corruption, The Terminal List serves as an enigmatic cohort to Reacher.

If you’re looking for a series with star power, look no further than The Terminal List. Next to Pratt, the cast features Constance Wu, Riley Keough, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Taylor Kitsch, who earned his own prequel spin-off, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf. Topping the list of “shows for dad,” The Terminal List’s authenticity and intensity lead to a strong performance from Pratt. It’s also far removed from his other, more jovial action hero parts. Though no official release date has been announced, The Terminal List will return for a second season.

3 'Tracker' (2024–Present)

Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw standing outside and looking off to the left in Season 3 of Tracker

Who says major action thrillers can only be done on streaming? Tracker defies the trend as one of CBS's biggest hits of the last decade. Led by Justin Hartley, the series explores the story of Colton Shaw, a skilled survivalist and “rewardist” who travels the country in an RV to help law enforcement and private citizens solve mysteries and locate missing persons. Taking inspiration from Jeffery Deaver’s novels, The Never Game, Tracker is a big hit by keeping things simple.

Through three seasons thus far, Tracker has balanced serialized stories with an overarching narrative that builds on Shaw’s backstory, including the mystery behind his family. The efficiency of the case-of-week mechanic allows viewers to drop in as they please. Then, for devoted fans, the larger narrative serves as an added bonus. Hartley is an easy-to-love hero who is smart, capable, and passionate. Even though it’s a network series, Tracker maintains its own action in a less pervasive way. Tracker is the perfect show for those who love a classic style approach to television.

2 'Banshee' (2013–2016)

Ivana Milicevic as Carrie Hopewell and Antony Starr as Lucas Hood standing back-to-back with their hands raised in the series Banshee.

Perhaps lost to time comes the Cinemax series Banshee. Set in a fictional titular town in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish country, Antony Starr plays an enigmatic ex-con who, after 15 years in prison, assumes the identity of Lucas Hood, the town's murdered sheriff, to hide from powerful crime lord Rabbit (Ben Cross). Imposing his own brand of justice, Hood attempts to reconcile with his former lover, Rabbit's daughter Anastasia (Ivana Miličević), who has herself adopted an assumed identity, married, and raised a family during Hood's incarceration. Hood struggles to maintain his new identity while still embracing crime alongside his partners Job (Hoon Lee) and Sugar (Frankie Faison), and coming into conflict with local kingpin Kai Proctor (Ulrich Thomsen).

Never short of graphic violence and sexual content, Banshee is an unrelenting thriller that earned cult classic status. With a pulpy cinematic approach, this is not a series for the faint of heart. Though ruthless in his own way, Starr’s character is a far departure from his character on The Boys. Banshee is a punishing thriller that deserves to be back in the conversation about action series.

1 'The Old Man' (2022–2024)

Jeff Bridges as Dan Chase shoulder to shoulder with John Lithgow as Harold Harper in Season 2 of The Old Man.

Through two seasons, Thomas Perry’s novel was brought to life in the FX series The Old Man. Jeff Bridges stars as Dan Chase, a former CIA operative who has lived off the grid for decades after absconding from the agency. When an assassin attempts to kill him, Chase is forced out of hiding, reconciling his violent past while being pursued by the FBI. A sophisticated throwback-style action series, The Old Man utilizes nuanced, mature performances and strong chemistry to explore a character-driven relationship thriller.

The spy thriller is filled with engaging plots and extraordinary performances, especially from John Lithgow as Harold Harper and Amy Brenneman as Zoe McDonald. By tackling themes of aging, mortality, regret, and the long-term effects of a life spent in the shadows, The Old Man pushes the slow-burn, high-quality storytelling to the edge. Who says action thrillers have to be led by young men? Sadly, The Old Man was canceled after two seasons — far too early.

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