Movies like The Petrified Forest: 20 to watch next
If you loved The Petrified Forest (1936) — a crime, drama and romance film directed by Archie Mayo — these 20 movies are the closest matches.
The first picks are what fans of The Petrified Forest most often go on to watch; the rest share its genres and themes like gangster, arizona and diner. 9 of them are streaming in India right now — each entry shows where.
Where to watch The Petrified Forest →·Get picks for your whole taste →
- 1
Fallen Angel 1945★ 6.6
Shares: Crime, Drama, Romance
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
- 2
3:10 to Yuma 1957★ 7.3
Shares: Drama, Thriller
Dan Evans, a small time farmer, is hired to escort Ben Wade, a dangerous outlaw, to Yuma. As Evans and Wade wait for the 3:10 train to Yuma, Wade's gang is racing to free him.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 3
Brute Force 1947★ 7.3
Shares: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Timeworn Joe Collins and his fellow inmates live under the heavy thumb of the sadistic, power-tripping guard Captain Munsey. Only Collins' dreams of escape keep him going, but how can he possibly bust out of Munsey's chains?
Stream in India on Artiflix, Plex
- 4
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore 1974★ 7.0
Shares: Romance, Drama
After her husband dies, Alice and her son, Tommy, leave their small New Mexico town for California, where Alice hopes to make a new life for herself as a singer. Money problems force them to settle in Arizona instead, where Alice takes a job as waitress in a small diner.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 5
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
- 6
Odds Against Tomorrow 1959★ 6.9
Shares: Crime, Drama, Thriller
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
- 7
Union Station 1950★ 6.5
Shares: Thriller, Crime
Police catch a break when suspected kidnappers are spotted on a train heading towards Union Station. Police, train station security and a witness try to piece together the crime and get back the blind daughter of a rich business man.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 8
The Parts You Lose 2019★ 6.6
Shares: Drama, Crime, Thriller
An unlikely friendship unfolds between a young deaf boy, Wesley, and a fugitive criminal who takes refuge in an abandoned barn on the family’s rural North Dakota farm.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 9
Insomnia 2002★ 7.0
Shares: Thriller, Crime, Drama
Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the methodical murder of a local teen.
Stream in India on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Movie Sphere+
- 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
Thieves' Highway 1949★ 7.3
Shares: Drama, Crime, Thriller
Nick Garcos comes back from his tour of duty in World War II planning to settle down with his girlfriend, Polly Faber. He learns, however, that his father was recently beaten and burglarized by mob-connected trucker Mike Figlia, and Nick resolves to get even. He partners with prostitute Rica, and together they go after Mike, all the while getting pulled further into the local crime underworld.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 12
Detour 1945★ 7.2
Shares: Drama, Thriller
The life of Al Roberts, a pianist in a New York nightclub, turns into a nightmare when he decides to hitchhike to Los Angeles to visit his girlfriend.
Stream in India on Brew, JustWatch TV Beta, Artiflix
- 13
The Night of the Hunter 1955★ 7.8
Shares: Crime, Drama, Thriller
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
- 14
Winter's Tale 2014★ 6.3
Shares: Drama, Romance
A burglar falls for an heiress as she dies in his arms. When he learns that he has the gift of reincarnation, he sets out to save her.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 15
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey 2025★ 6.1
Shares: Romance, Drama
Sarah and David are single strangers who meet at a mutual friend’s wedding and soon, through a surprising twist of fate, find themselves on a funny, fantastical, sweeping adventure together where they get to re-live important moments from their respective pasts, illuminating how they got to where they are in the present... and possibly getting a chance to alter their futures.
Stream in India on Netflix
- 16
The Naked City 1948★ 7.2
Shares: Crime, Drama, 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
- 17
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
- 18
The Baron of Arizona 1950★ 6.7
Shares: Romance, Drama
The U.S. government recognizes land grants made when the West was under Spanish rule. This inspires James Reavis to forge a chain of historical evidence that makes a foundling girl the Baroness of Arizona. Reavis marries the girl and presses his claim to the entire Arizona territory.
Stream in India on JustWatch TV Beta
- 19
Limbo 2023★ 6.1
Shares: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Travis, a jaded detective, arrives in the remote outback town of Limbo to investigate the cold case murder of local Indigenous girl Charlotte Hayes 20 years ago. As truths about the murder begin to unfold, the detective gains a new insight into the unsolved case.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 20
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