Movies like Desperate: 20 to watch next

If you loved Desperate (1947) — a thriller and crime film directed by Anthony Mann — these 20 movies are the closest matches.

The first picks are what fans of Desperate most often go on to watch; the rest share its genres and themes like gangster, marriage and film noir. 5 of them are streaming in India right now — each entry shows where.

Where to watch Desperate →·Get picks for your whole taste →

1
They Made Me a Fugitive 1947★ 6.6
Shares: Thriller, Crime
After being framed for a policeman's murder, a criminal escapes prison and sets out for revenge.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
2
Cry of the City 1948★ 6.7
Shares: Crime
Petty crook and cop-killer Martin Rome, in bad shape from wounds in the hospital prison ward, still refuses to help slimy lawyer Niles clear his client by confessing to another crime. Police Lt. Candella must check Niles' allegation; a friend of the Rome family, he walks a tightrope between sentiment and cynicism. When Martin fears Candella will implicate his girlfriend Teena, he'll do anything to protect her. How many others will he drag down to disaster with him?
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
3
Killer's Kiss 1955★ 6.3
Shares: Thriller, Crime
Davey Gordon, a New York City boxer at the end of his career, falls for dancer Gloria Price. However, their budding relationship is interrupted by Gloria's violent boss, Vincent Rapallo, who has eyes for Gloria. The two decide to skip town, but before they can, Vincent and his thugs abduct Gloria, and Davey is forced to search for her among the most squalid corners of the city, with his enemy hiding in the shadows.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
4
Nightfall 1956★ 6.9
Shares: Crime, Thriller
An innocent man turns fugitive as he reconstructs events that implicate him for a murder and robbery he did not commit.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
5
Woman on the Run 1950★ 6.8
Shares: Thriller, Crime
Frank Johnson, a sole witness to a gangland murder, goes into hiding and is trailed by Police Inspector Ferris, on the theory that Frank is trying to escape from possible retaliation. Frank's wife, Eleanor, suspects he is actually running away from their unsuccessful marriage. Aided by a newspaperman, Danny Leggett, Eleanor sets out to locate her husband. The killer is also looking for him, and keeps close tabs on Eleanor.
Stream in India on Artiflix, Brew, Plex
6
Fallen Angel 1945★ 6.6
Shares: Crime
An unemployed drifter, Eric Stanton wanders into a small California town and begins hanging around the local diner. While Eric falls for the lovely waitress Stella, he also begins romancing a quiet and well-to-do woman named June Mills. Since Stella isn't interested in Eric unless he has money, the lovelorn guy comes up with a scheme to win her over, and it involves June. Before long, murder works its way into this passionate love triangle.
Stream in India on Plex
7
Excess Baggage 1997★ 6.1
Shares: Crime
A rich brat fakes her own kidnapping, but in the process ends up locked in the trunk of a car that gets stolen.
Stream in India on Sony Pictures Amazon Channel
8
The Glass Key 1942★ 6.7
Shares: Crime, Thriller
A crooked politician finds himself being accused of murder by a gangster from whom he refused help during a re-election campaign.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
9
The Street with No Name 1948★ 6.4
Shares: Crime, Thriller
After two gang-related killings in "Center City," a suspect (who was framed) is arrested, released on bail...and murdered. Inspector Briggs of the FBI recruits a young agent, Gene Cordell, to go undercover in the shadowy Skid Row area (alias George Manly) as a potential victim of the same racket. Soon, Gene meets Alec Stiles, neurotic mastermind who's "building an organization along scientific lines." Stiles recruits Cordell, whose job becomes a lot more dangerous.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
10
Family Plot 1976★ 6.8
Shares: Crime, Thriller
Spiritualist Blanche Tyler and her cab-driving boyfriend encounter a pair of serial kidnappers while trailing a missing heir in California.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
11
The Asphalt Jungle 1950★ 7.5
Shares: Crime
Recently paroled from prison, legendary burglar "Doc" Riedenschneider, with funding from Alonzo Emmerich, a crooked lawyer, gathers a small group of veteran criminals together in the Midwest for a big jewel heist.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
12
The Enforcer 1951★ 7.1
Shares: Thriller
After years of investigation, Assistant District Attorney Martin Ferguson has managed to build a solid case against an elusive gangster whose top lieutenant is about to testify.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
13
The Big Steal 1949★ 6.6
Shares: Crime, Thriller
Army Lieutenant Halliday, accused of stealing the Army payroll, pursues the real thief on a frantic chase through Mexico aided by the thief's ex-girlfriend and is in turn being chased by his accuser, Capt. Blake.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
14
The Naked City 1948★ 7.2
Shares: Crime, Thriller
After a former model is drowned in her bathtub, Detective James Halloran and Lieutenant Dan Muldoon attempt to piece together her murder.
Stream in India on Artiflix, Plex
15
The Mask of Dimitrios 1944★ 7.1
Shares: Crime
A mystery writer is intrigued by the tale of notorious criminal Dimitrios Makropolous, whose dead body was found washed up on the shore in Istanbul. He decides to follow the career of Dimitrios around Europe, in order to learn more about the man. Along the way he is joined by the mysterious Mr. Peters, who has his own motivation.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
16
How to Rob a Bank 2007★ 5.8
Shares: Crime
Caught in the middle of a bank robbery, a slacker and a bank employee become the ones who arbitrate the intense situation.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
17
Take the Money and Run 1969★ 7.1
Shares: Crime
Virgil Starkwell is intent on becoming a notorious bank robber. Unfortunately for Virgil and his not-so-budding career, he is completely incompetent.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
18
While the City Sleeps 1956★ 6.9
Shares: Thriller
Newspaper men compete against each other to find a serial killer dubbed "The Lipstick Killer".
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
19
Long Shot 2017★ 7.2
Shares: Crime
When Juan Catalan is arrested for a murder he insists he didn't commit, he builds his case for innocence around unexpected raw footage.
Stream in India on Netflix
20
Johnny Dangerously 1984★ 6.3
Shares: Crime
An honest, goodhearted man is forced to turn to a life of crime to finance his neurotic mother's skyrocketing medical bills.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now