11 Crime Thrillers Like The Blacklist to Watch While You Wait for Season 10
If you’re a die-hard Blacklist fan, you know the wait between seasons feels like an eternity. Raymond “Red” Reddington’s twists, mind games, and morally grey moves have left a thriller-sized hole in our hearts. But don’t worry—you don’t have to twiddle your thumbs while waiting for Season 10.
Here’s a binge-worthy list of 11 crime thrillers that bring the same high-stakes drama, clever villains, and jaw-dropping plot twists that The Blacklist delivers episode after episode.
1. Mindhunter — Enter the Psychology of Killers
Why You’ll Love It
Want to understand the criminal mind? Mindhunter dives deep into FBI profiling during the early days of behavioral analysis. It’s cerebral, creepy, and full of slow-burning tension.
Similar to The Blacklist How?
Both shows peel back the layers of high-functioning psychopaths and dig into the art of manipulation. Bonus: real-life serial killers show up in Mindhunter.
2. Person of Interest — AI, Crime, and Moral Dilemmas
High-Tech Meets High-Stakes
From the minds of Jonathan Nolan and J.J. Abrams, this show focuses on a supercomputer that predicts crimes before they happen. Think Minority Report meets The Blacklist.
Why It Hooks You
Like Reddington’s “list,” Person of Interest uses data and intel to stop dangerous people—only with AI instead of a criminal mastermind.
3. Breaking Bad — Morally Complex Anti-Heroes
Everyone Has a Breaking Point
Walter White isn’t exactly a spy or a criminal informant—but his descent into darkness mirrors Reddington’s morally murky world.
Same Vibe, Different Game
If you love complex characters and escalating tension, Breaking Bad hits every note that The Blacklist fans crave.
4. Prison Break — High-Intensity Escapes and Conspiracies
Conspiracies Galore
A genius engineer breaks into prison to bust his innocent brother out. But that’s just the beginning. The deeper story? Government secrets, secret societies, and nonstop action.
Why It’s a Match
Like The Blacklist, Prison Break thrives on puzzles, betrayals, and a tangled web of lies.
5. Hannibal — Beautiful and Disturbing Crime Artistry
Eat the Rich—Literally
Dr. Hannibal Lecter is elegant, intelligent, and horrifying. His relationship with FBI profiler Will Graham echoes the strange dynamic between Red and Liz.
Crime Meets Art
Hannibal turns murder into a psychological chess game. It’s visually stunning and psychologically intense—a Blacklist-worthy combo.
6. Sherlock — Deductive Genius at Its Best
The Modern Detective Icon
Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Holmes is eccentric, brilliant, and emotionally detached—but always one step ahead.
Similar Threads
Just like Red, Sherlock manipulates people and events with mind-blowing precision. Each episode is a cinematic masterpiece full of clues and callbacks.
7. Luther — Raw Emotion and Dangerous Minds
Meet Detective John Luther
Played by Idris Elba, Luther is a detective with a violent streak and a haunted past. He’s magnetic, unpredictable, and emotionally driven.
Dark Crime Drama Lovers, This One’s For You
Both Luther and The Blacklist explore the toll that justice takes on good people—especially when they cross moral lines.
8. True Detective — Crime Anthology With Soul
Every Season, A New Mystery
True Detective delivers rich, slow-burning mysteries with A-list actors and gritty realism.
The Connection
If you love The Blacklist’s layered storytelling and moody visuals, True Detective will suck you in.
9. Blindspot — Tattoos, Secrets, and Identity Crises
Inked With Clues
A mysterious woman covered in tattoos is dropped in Times Square with no memory. Each tattoo is a case waiting to be cracked.
Puzzle Solvers Unite
The serialized mystery and layered backstories make this feel like The Blacklist’s cousin. Secrets, betrayals, and long-game twists? Check, check, and check.
10. Mr. Robot — Cyber Thrills and Unreliable Narrators
Hackers and Head Games
Mr. Robot follows Elliot, a mentally unstable hacker caught in a global conspiracy. It’s dark, cerebral, and full of plot grenades.
A Mental Cat-and-Mouse Game
Like Red, Elliot operates in the shadows—blurred morals, blurred lines. If mind games are your jam, this one’s a must.
11. 24 — The Original High-Octane Thriller
Jack Bauer Lives in Real-Time
24 set the stage for fast-paced, suspense-driven storytelling. Each season plays out in a single day, minute-by-minute.
Classic Thriller Energy
If The Blacklist had you glued to your seat, 24 will have you shouting “just one more episode” at 3 a.m.
Bonus Pick — Alias
Spy Intrigue With a Side of Double Lives
Jennifer Garner’s breakout role as a double agent is all about secrets, lies, and identity. Sound familiar?
Stylish and Smart
Alias paved the way for shows like The Blacklist—spies, shifting allegiances, and family drama galore.
Conclusion: Your Binge List Just Got Better
Let’s face it—The Blacklist leaves big shoes to fill. But these 11 crime thrillers bring that same energy: suspense, character complexity, and that addictive “what’s going to happen next?!” feeling.
Whether you’re in the mood for cerebral slow-burns like Mindhunter or pulse-pounding thrillers like 24, this list has something to satisfy your cravings. So grab your popcorn, silence your phone, and prepare to fall into another world of danger, deception, and drama.
5 Unique FAQs About Crime Thrillers Like The Blacklist
Q1: Which of these shows has a lead character as morally complex as Reddington?
Breaking Bad, Luther, and Mr. Robot all feature anti-heroes that keep you guessing and questioning your own sense of justice.
Q2: What should I watch if I love the Red-Liz dynamic in The Blacklist?
Try Hannibal. The Will-Hannibal relationship has that same eerie magnetism and emotional tension.
Q3: Is there a show with the same kind of case-of-the-week structure?
Blindspot and Sherlock both use that formula while feeding a larger plot over time.
Q4: Are any of these based on real FBI work?
Yes—Mindhunter is based on actual FBI behavioral analysis cases from the 1970s.
Q5: What if I like my thrillers with a bit of tech and hacking?
Mr. Robot and Person of Interest both deliver heavy on the tech, AI, and surveillance themes.
