100+ Movies like The Departed
Black Mass
Both "Black Mass" and "The Departed" revolve around the central theme of moles and informants within the criminal underworld and law enforcement. In "The Departed", Colin Sullivan is groomed as a mole for the Irish mob boss Frank Costello within the Massachusetts State Police, while Billy Costigan goes undercover as a criminal to infiltrate Costello's gang. Similarly, in "Black Mass", the notorious gangster Whitey Bulger becomes an FBI informant, with agent John Connolly exploiting this relationship to eliminate Bulger's rivals and allow his criminal activities to flourish. Both films explore the moral ambiguity and blurred lines between law and criminality, as well as the personal and professional consequences of such entanglements. The central conflict arises from the moles' efforts to uncover each other's true identities while navigating the dangerous web of deception and betrayal.
Road to Perdition
Both "The Departed" and "Road to Perdition" revolve around the central conflict of a father figure and his surrogate son within the context of organized crime. In both films, the father figure is a powerful mob boss who treats a young man as his protégé, grooming him to be his successor. However, this relationship is strained by betrayal and deception, as the protégé has secretly infiltrated the organization as an undercover agent. The films explore themes of loyalty, morality, and the consequences of leading a life of crime. The protagonists in both movies are torn between their allegiance to the mob and their duty to uphold the law, leading to intense cat-and-mouse games and violent confrontations. Ultimately, the stories culminate in tragic endings where the father figures are killed, and the protégés are left to grapple with the aftermath of their actions and the moral ambiguity of their choices.
Street Kings 2: Motor City
Both "Street Kings 2: Motor City" and "The Departed" revolve around undercover police officers infiltrating criminal organizations, with a mole planted within the police force working for the criminal side. The protagonists, Billy Costigan in The Departed and Dan Sullivan in Street Kings 2, are tasked with uncovering the moles in their respective departments. They face moral dilemmas and psychological strain from living double lives. The criminal leaders, Frank Costello and Marty Kingston, are revealed to be FBI informants, adding layers of deception. Ultimately, the protagonists uncover their partners' betrayals and bring them to justice, though at great personal cost. The movies explore themes of loyalty, corruption, and the blurred lines between law and criminality.
The Heat
Both "The Heat" and "The Departed" involve undercover law enforcement operations to infiltrate criminal organizations. In The Departed, Billy Costigan goes undercover in the Irish mob led by Frank Costello, while in The Heat, Sarah Ashburn and Shannon Mullins investigate a drug lord named Simon Larkin. The protagonists face challenges in maintaining their cover and mental state while embedded in the criminal world. There are moles within the law enforcement agencies working for the criminal organizations, paralleling Colin Sullivan in The Departed and Agent Adam/Larkin in The Heat. The movies climax with intense confrontations between the undercover agents and the criminal leaders, resulting in the downfall of the criminal enterprises. Themes of deception, loyalty, and the blurring of lines between law and crime are central to both films.
We Own the Night
Both "We Own the Night" and "The Departed" revolve around undercover police operations infiltrating criminal organizations. In "The Departed", Billy Costigan goes undercover in the Irish mob led by Frank Costello, while in "We Own the Night", Bobby Grusinsky infiltrates the Russian mob led by Vadim Nezhinski. The protagonists' mental states deteriorate as they become deeply embedded in the criminal world. There is a mole within the police force working for the criminals in both films. Family ties and loyalty are major themes, with the protagonists having strained relationships with their police officer family members. The movies climax with intense confrontations between the undercover officers and the criminal leaders, resulting in the deaths of key characters. Ultimately, the protagonists succeed in taking down the criminal organizations despite great personal sacrifice.
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day
Both "The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day" and "The Departed" revolve around the central theme of undercover operatives infiltrating criminal organizations. In The Departed, Billy Costigan goes undercover in the Irish mob led by Frank Costello, while Colin Sullivan is a mole planted by Costello in the police force. Similarly, in The Boondock Saints II, the MacManus twins Connor and Murphy infiltrate the Yakavetta crime family to take them down from the inside, aided by an undercover FBI agent Eunice Bloom. The movies explore the moral ambiguity of the protagonists' actions, as they engage in criminal activities and violence to achieve their goals of dismantling the criminal organizations. Both films feature intense cat-and-mouse games as the undercover operatives try to uncover the identities of the moles within their respective organizations. The climax of both movies involves a dramatic confrontation between the undercover operatives and the criminal masterminds, leading to a violent showdown and the eventual downfall of the criminal organizations. The movies also touch upon themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the blurring of lines between law enforcement and criminal activities.
The Guard
Both "The Departed" and "The Guard" revolve around police officers working undercover to infiltrate criminal organizations. In "The Departed", Billy Costigan goes undercover in the Irish mob led by Frank Costello, while in "The Guard", Sergeant Gerry Boyle teams up with an FBI agent to take down a drug trafficking ring led by Francis Sheehy-Skeffington. The movies explore themes of deception, moral ambiguity, and the blurring of lines between law enforcement and criminals. Both feature moles within the police force working for the criminal organizations. There are intense confrontations and violent shootouts as the undercover officers attempt to bring down the criminal leaders. The protagonists must navigate complex situations while maintaining their cover, leading to psychological strain. Ultimately, the movies culminate in the downfall of the criminal enterprises through the efforts of the undercover officers, albeit at a personal cost.
Brooklyn's Finest
Both "The Departed" and "Brooklyn's Finest" explore the gritty world of police corruption and undercover operations. The central plot revolves around cops going undercover to infiltrate criminal organizations, with the lines between law enforcement and criminality becoming blurred. Key similarities include: - Cops leading double lives, torn between duty and personal gain/survival - Moles planted within both the police force and criminal organizations - Moral ambiguity and ethical compromises made by characters - Themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the psychological toll of undercover work - Violent confrontations and tragic consequences stemming from the web of deception - Climactic showdowns where true allegiances are revealed and characters' fates are decided The movies parallel each other in their unflinching portrayal of the moral gray areas that undercover officers must navigate, as well as the high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse between law enforcement and the criminal underworld.
Live by Night
Both "Live by Night" and "The Departed" revolve around Irish-American criminals in Boston and their involvement with organized crime. The protagonists, Joe Coughlin in "Live by Night" and Billy Costigan in "The Departed", go undercover to infiltrate criminal organizations. They develop relationships with women connected to the mob bosses, Frank Costello in "The Departed" and Albert White in "Live by Night". The movies explore themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the blurred lines between law enforcement and criminality. Key plot points include the protagonists uncovering that the mob bosses are FBI informants, leading to violent confrontations and the downfall of the criminal enterprises. The movies also depict the protagonists' struggles with their moral compasses and the psychological toll of living double lives.
The Irishman
Both "The Departed" and "The Irishman" are crime dramas centered around the theme of moles and double agents within criminal organizations and law enforcement. The core plot of each film revolves around undercover operatives working on opposite sides - in "The Departed", Billy Costigan infiltrates the Irish mob as a police informant, while Colin Sullivan is a mole for the mob within the police. Similarly in "The Irishman", Frank Sheeran works as a hitman for the Italian-American Mafia while maintaining close ties to Teamsters Union leader Jimmy Hoffa. Both films explore the moral ambiguity and psychological toll of leading a double life, as well as the betrayals and violence that result from conflicting loyalties. The narratives build tension around the moles' efforts to uncover each other's true identities and allegiances. Ultimately, the films climax with the tragic downfall of the central characters due to their entanglement in the criminal underworld.
Proud Mary
Both "Proud Mary" and "The Departed" revolve around undercover operatives working for opposing criminal organizations in Boston. In "The Departed", Billy Costigan infiltrates the Irish mob led by Frank Costello, while Colin Sullivan is a mole planted by Costello in the Massachusetts State Police. Similarly, in "Proud Mary", the assassin Mary Goodwin works for mob boss Benny Spencer but takes an interest in Danny, the son of a man she killed, and eventually turns against Spencer to protect Danny. The movies explore themes of deception, loyalty, and the moral ambiguity of undercover work. Key plot points include the protagonists' struggles to maintain their cover identities, the cat-and-mouse game between the moles and their respective organizations, and the ultimate confrontations that reveal their true allegiances. Both films climax with violent showdowns where the main characters' fates are decided.
The Punisher
Both "The Punisher" and "The Departed" revolve around the central theme of infiltration and moles within criminal organizations and law enforcement. In The Departed, Billy Costigan goes undercover in the Irish mob led by Frank Costello, while Colin Sullivan is a mole planted by Costello in the Massachusetts State Police. Similarly, in The Punisher, Frank Castle is an undercover FBI agent infiltrating an arms dealing operation before his family is killed, leading him to wage a one-man war against the criminal organization led by Howard Saint. Both movies feature intense cat-and-mouse games as the moles try to uncover each other's identities while carrying out their missions. Betrayal, deception, and the blurring of moral lines are central themes, with the protagonists forced to make difficult choices and sacrifices. The movies build towards climactic confrontations where the truth is revealed and the moles are exposed, often through violent means.
The Good Shepherd
Both "The Departed" and "The Good Shepherd" revolve around the central theme of moles and double agents within intelligence agencies. In "The Departed", the main characters Sullivan and Costigan are moles planted by the Irish mob and the police, respectively, to infiltrate each other's organizations. Similarly, in "The Good Shepherd", Edward Wilson's son Edward Jr. is revealed to be an unwitting mole for the Soviets through his relationship with a Soviet operative. Both films explore the moral ambiguity and personal sacrifices involved in the world of espionage, as the protagonists struggle to maintain their cover while navigating complex webs of deception and betrayal. The climactic scenes in both movies involve the unmasking and confrontation of the moles, leading to tragic consequences. Additionally, both films delve into the personal lives and relationships of the main characters, highlighting the toll their clandestine work takes on their personal connections and emotional well-being.
Spenser Confidential
Both "Spenser Confidential" and "The Departed" revolve around uncovering corruption and moles within law enforcement in Boston. The protagonists, Spenser and Costigan, go undercover to infiltrate criminal organizations and uncover the truth about corrupt officials. They face moral dilemmas and risks to their lives as they navigate the dangerous world of organized crime and betrayal within the system. The plots involve complex webs of deception, with characters' true allegiances remaining ambiguous until the climactic reveals. Ultimately, the heroes confront the villains in intense confrontations, exposing the corruption and bringing the criminals to justice, though at a personal cost. The movies explore themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the moral compromises required to fight evil from within.
To Catch a Killer
Both "To Catch a Killer" and "The Departed" revolve around a cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and criminals, with undercover operatives on both sides trying to uncover the mole in the opposing organization. The protagonists, Costigan in "The Departed" and Eleanor in "To Catch a Killer", are tasked with infiltrating the criminal organizations and gathering evidence against them, while facing the constant threat of being exposed. The plots are driven by the tension and suspense of the undercover operations, with the characters' loyalties and identities constantly being questioned. The movies explore themes of deception, moral ambiguity, and the blurring of lines between good and evil. The climactic confrontations involve the unmasking of the moles and the ultimate showdown between the protagonists and the criminal masterminds, with tragic consequences. Both films feature complex character arcs, intricate plot twists, and gritty, realistic portrayals of the criminal underworld and the challenges faced by law enforcement.
Kill the Irishman
Both "Kill the Irishman" and "The Departed" revolve around the conflict between law enforcement and organized crime, with undercover operatives playing a central role. In "The Departed", Billy Costigan goes undercover in the Irish mob led by Frank Costello, while Colin Sullivan is a mole planted by Costello in the police force. Similarly, in "Kill the Irishman", Danny Greene becomes an FBI informant after getting arrested, while also working as an enforcer for the Jewish mob and later the Italian mafia. Both movies depict the gritty underworld of crime syndicates and the dangerous lives of those caught in the crossfire between law and lawlessness. The movies share themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the moral ambiguity of those operating in the criminal underworld. Danny Greene and Billy Costigan both struggle with their mental state and the toll of living a double life. Ultimately, both movies climax with violent confrontations between the undercover operatives and the criminal organizations they infiltrated, resulting in tragic consequences. The parallels in plot structure, character arcs, and thematic exploration of the blurred lines between cops and criminals make these two crime dramas strikingly similar in their storytelling approach.
Mystic River
Both "Mystic River" and "The Departed" are gritty crime dramas set in Boston, exploring themes of deception, betrayal, and the moral ambiguity of seeking justice outside the law. The plots revolve around characters who infiltrate criminal organizations, either as undercover cops or informants, leading to tragic consequences. Friendships and family ties are tested as the lines between good and evil blur. The movies depict the harsh realities of the Boston underworld, where violence and corruption permeate all levels of society. Ultimately, the protagonists resort to extreme measures to uncover the truth and seek vengeance, blurring the line between law enforcement and vigilantism.
Sleepless
Both "The Departed" and "Sleepless" revolve around undercover police officers infiltrating criminal organizations. In "The Departed", Billy Costigan goes undercover in the Irish mob led by Frank Costello, while in "Sleepless", Vincent Downs is an undercover Internal Affairs officer investigating corruption within the police force. Both movies feature moles within law enforcement working for the criminal organizations, with Colin Sullivan being Costello's mole in "The Departed" and Dennison being the corrupt cop on Novak's payroll in "Sleepless". The protagonists in both films struggle with their mental state and identity as they become deeply embedded in the criminal world. There are intense shootouts and confrontations as the undercover officers attempt to bring down the criminal enterprises from the inside. Ultimately, the moles are exposed, leading to violent climactic showdowns where the protagonists must confront and eliminate the corrupt individuals to achieve justice.
Mercy
"Mercy" parallels "The Departed" in its core premise of an undercover operative infiltrating a powerful crime organization. Both films revolve around a mole working within law enforcement who is secretly aligned with the criminal syndicate, mirroring the dynamic between Billy Costigan and Colin Sullivan. The Irish mob families, the Costello crew and the Quinn Gang Brotherhood, serve as the central criminal forces that the protagonists must confront. Key plot points like the tense confrontations between the mole and the undercover agent, the tragic deaths of allies, and the ultimate unmasking of the mole's identity unfold in a strikingly similar manner across both narratives. The themes of deception, moral ambiguity, and the psychological toll of living a double life resonate strongly in both films, underscoring their shared exploration of the blurred lines between law and criminality.
Shadow Dancer
Both "The Departed" and "Shadow Dancer" revolve around the central theme of undercover informants and moles within criminal organizations and law enforcement agencies. The protagonists, Billy Costigan and Collette, are forced to go undercover and infiltrate the criminal groups they are tasked with investigating, putting their lives at risk. They face moral dilemmas and psychological strain due to their double lives. The movies explore the complex relationships between the informants, their handlers, and the criminal masterminds they are trying to take down. Betrayal, trust issues, and the blurring of lines between good and evil are prominent themes. Both films feature intense cat-and-mouse games as the moles try to uncover each other's identities, leading to violent confrontations and tragic consequences. The climactic scenes involve the revelation of the moles' true identities and the ultimate resolution of the conflicts, often through brutal means.