Movies like On the Waterfront: 20 to watch next
If you loved On the Waterfront (1954) — a crime, drama and romance film directed by Elia Kazan — these 20 movies are the closest matches.
The first picks are what fans of On the Waterfront most often go on to watch; the rest share its genres and themes like corruption, new jersey and murder. 5 of them are streaming in India right now — each entry shows where.
Where to watch On the Waterfront →·Get picks for your whole taste →
- 1
The Mask of Dimitrios 1944★ 7.1
Shares: Crime, Drama
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
- 2
Prince of the City 1981★ 7.0
Shares: Drama, Crime
New York City detective Daniel Ciello agrees to help the United States Department of Justice eliminate corruption in the police department, as long as he will not have to turn in any close friends. In doing so, Ciello uncovers a conspiracy within the force to smuggle drugs to street informants.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 3
I Walk Alone 1947★ 6.6
Shares: Drama, Crime
Bootleggers on the lam Frankie and Noll split up to evade capture by the police. Frankie is caught and jailed, but Noll manages to escape and open a posh New York City nightclub. 14 years later, Frankie is released from the clink and visits Noll with the intention of collecting his half of the nightclub's profits. But Noll, who has no intention of being so equitable, uses his ex-girlfriend Kay to divert Frankie from his intended goal.
Stream in India on Plex
- 4
The Wrong Man 1956★ 7.1
Shares: Crime, Drama
In 1953, an innocent man named Christopher Emmanuel "Manny" Balestrero is arrested after being mistaken for an armed robber.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 5
Catch Me If You Can 2002★ 8.0
Shares: Drama, Crime
A true story about Frank Abagnale Jr. who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars worth of checks as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor. An FBI agent makes it his mission to put him behind bars. But Frank not only eludes capture, he revels in the pursuit.
Stream in India on JioHotstar
- 6
Cry of the City 1948★ 6.7
Shares: Crime, Drama
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
- 7
Woman of Straw 1964★ 6.2
Shares: Crime, Drama
Anthony Richmond schemes to get the fortune of his tyrannical, wheelchair-using tycoon uncle Charles Richmond by persuading Maria, a nurse he employs, to marry him.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 8
Winged Creatures 2009★ 5.9
Shares: Crime, Drama
A psychotic man opens fire in a diner, murdering numerous people before killing himself. The survivors struggle in different ways following this horrendous event: a doctor doubts his own instincts and elects to use an experimental medical procedure on his wife, while a gambler believes he's on a lucky streak. A waitress begins engaging in promiscuous sex, and a young girl whose father is among the dead gains unexpected fame.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 9
The Night of the Hunter 1955★ 7.8
Shares: Crime, Drama
In Depression-era West Virginia, a serial-killing preacher hunts two young children who know the whereabouts of a stash of money.
Stream in India on MGM Plus Amazon Channel
- 10
Riot in Cell Block 11 1954★ 7.1
Shares: Crime, Drama
A prisoner leads his counterparts in a protest for better living conditions which turns violent and ugly.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 11
Marlowe 1969★ 6.2
Shares: Crime, Drama
Mysterious Orfamay Quest hires Los Angeles private investigator Philip Marlowe to find her missing brother. Though the job seems simple enough, it leads Marlowe into the underbelly of the city, turning up leads who are murdered with ice picks, exotic dancers, blackmailed television stars, and self-preserving gangsters. Soon, Marlowe's life is on the line right along with his case.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 12
Scarlet Street 1945★ 7.6
Shares: Drama, Crime
Cashier and part-time starving artist Christopher Cross is absolutely smitten with the beautiful Kitty March. Kitty plays along, but she's really only interested in Johnny, a two-bit crook. When Kitty and Johnny find out that art dealers are interested in Chris's work, they con him into letting Kitty take credit for the paintings. Cross allows it because he is in love with Kitty, but his love will only let her get away with so much.
Stream in India on Artiflix, Brew, JustWatch TV Beta
- 13
Cassandra's Dream 2007★ 6.3
Shares: Crime, Drama
The tale of two brothers with serious financial woes. When a third party proposes they turn to crime, things go bad and the two become enemies.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 14
Appointment with Death 1988★ 6.1
Shares: Crime, Drama
Emily Boynton, the stepmother to three children, blackmails the family lawyer into destroying a second will of her late husband that would have freed the children from her dominating influence. She takes herself, the children, and her daughter-in-law on holiday to Europe and the Holy Land. At a dig, Emily is found dead and Hercule Poirot investigates.
Stream in India on MGM Plus Amazon Channel
- 15
The Harder They Come 1972★ 6.6
Shares: Crime, Drama
Ivanhoe Martin arrives in Kingston, Jamaica, looking for work and, after some initial struggles, lands a recording contract as a reggae singer. He records his first song, "The Harder They Come," but after a bitter dispute with a manipulative producer named Hilton, soon finds himself resorting to petty crime in order to pay the bills. He deals marijuana, kills some abusive cops and earns local folk hero status. Meanwhile, his record is topping the charts.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 16
Killer's Kiss 1955★ 6.3
Shares: Crime, Drama
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
- 17
The Wild One 1953★ 6.5
Shares: Drama, Crime, Romance
The Black Rebels Motorcycle Club ride into the small California town of Wrightsville, eager to raise hell. Brooding gang leader Johnny Strabler takes a liking to Kathie, the daughter of the local lawman, as another club rolls into town.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 18
The Public Enemy 1931★ 7.3
Shares: Crime, Drama
Two young Chicago hoodlums, Tom Powers and Matt Doyle, rise up from their poverty-stricken slum life to become petty thieves, bootleggers and cold-blooded killers. But with street notoriety and newfound wealth, the duo feels the heat from the cops and rival gangsters both. Despite his ruthless criminal reputation, Tom tries to remain connected to his family, however, gang warfare and the need for revenge eventually pull him away.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 19
Robbery 1967★ 6.6
Shares: Crime, Drama
In this fictionalised account of the Great Train Robbery, career criminal Paul Clifton plans an audacious crime: the robbery of a mail train carrying millions in cash.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 20
Odds Against Tomorrow 1959★ 6.9
Shares: Crime, Drama
An old-time crook plans a heist. When one of his two partners is found out to be a black man tensions flare.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now