100+ Movies like Zodiac
The Zodiac
"The Zodiac" is a fictionalized retelling of the Zodiac killer case depicted in "Zodiac". Both films follow the investigation into a serial killer who taunts police and media with coded letters and ciphers, claiming he will kill more victims unless his identity is revealed. The key events are the same: the initial attacks on couples in Vallejo and Napa, the killer's letters to newspapers demanding publication of his ciphers, the murder of a taxi driver in San Francisco, and the obsessive investigation by a police detective who becomes consumed by the case over many years. While "Zodiac" is a more detailed and factual account, "The Zodiac" captures the core story of the unsolved Zodiac murders and the toll it took on the investigators.
Curse of the Zodiac
The "Curse of the Zodiac" closely parallels the plot of "Zodiac". Both movies depict the Zodiac Killer terrorizing the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 1970s through a series of random murders. The killer uses cryptic symbols and coded messages to taunt the media and police, leaving the public in fear. The key similarity is the portrayal of the Zodiac Killer's modus operandi of committing murders and sending taunting coded messages to create an atmosphere of terror in San Francisco. The movies follow the investigation into the Zodiac Killer's identity and crimes from the perspective of law enforcement and the media.
Mr. Brooks
Both "Zodiac" and "Mr. Brooks" center around serial killers operating in urban areas and the investigations to catch them. The main characters are the serial killers themselves - the Zodiac killer in "Zodiac" and Earl Brooks in "Mr. Brooks" - who meticulously plan and carry out their murders while evading detection. The plots follow the killers' crimes as well as the efforts of dedicated detectives and amateur investigators to unravel the cases and identify the killers through clues and evidence left behind. The movies explore the psychology and motivations of the serial killers, their compulsions to kill, and their cat-and-mouse games with law enforcement. Both films also depict the toll the investigations take on the detectives and others involved, as the obsession with catching the killers consumes their lives. Ultimately, the cases remain unresolved despite the investigators' best efforts, leaving an air of mystery and unease.
Inherent Vice
Both "Zodiac" and "Inherent Vice" are mystery films that follow an amateur investigator's obsessive pursuit of a complex case involving a criminal conspiracy. The protagonists, Robert Graysmith in "Zodiac" and Larry "Doc" Sportello in "Inherent Vice", are drawn into dangerous investigations that put them at odds with law enforcement and powerful criminal organizations. The plots are driven by the protagonists' efforts to unravel coded messages, follow cryptic clues, and identify the perpetrators behind a series of crimes. The films explore themes of paranoia, the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s, and the blurred lines between legitimate authority and criminal enterprises. Both movies feature an ensemble cast of eccentric characters and maintain an atmosphere of uncertainty and ambiguity around the central mysteries.
The Little Things
Both "Zodiac" and "The Little Things" are crime thriller films that follow detectives obsessively investigating serial killers. The plots revolve around the detectives' relentless pursuit of the killers, with the cases consuming their personal lives. Key similarities include: - The detectives become fixated on solving the cases, sacrificing their relationships and mental well-being in the process. - The killers taunt the detectives through letters, phone calls, and other means, fueling their obsession. - The investigations span many years, with the detectives unable to conclusively identify or apprehend the killers. - The films explore the psychological toll the cases take on the detectives, with their obsession leading to unethical and morally questionable actions. - Circumstantial evidence points to potential suspects, but definitive proof remains elusive, leaving the cases unresolved. - The films depict the detectives' descent into darkness as they become consumed by their pursuit of the killers, blurring the lines between justice and vengeance.
Under the Silver Lake
Both "Under the Silver Lake" and "Zodiac" follow an amateur investigator obsessively pursuing a mystery surrounding a series of disappearances and murders. Like Robert Graysmith in "Zodiac", Sam in "Under the Silver Lake" becomes consumed by his investigation into the vanishing of his neighbor Sarah, uncovering a vast conspiracy with cryptic clues and symbols. The movies parallel each other in their depictions of the investigators' descent into obsession, losing their jobs and relationships as they chase the truth. Both films involve coded messages, hidden meanings in popular culture, and encounters with strange characters connected to the central mystery. Ultimately, the investigators uncover disturbing truths about the fates of the missing people, though the full extent of the conspiracies remains ambiguous.
The Lodger
Both "Zodiac" and "The Lodger" are crime thriller films that follow the investigation of a serial killer inspired by infamous real-life cases. The central plot revolves around detectives trying to identify and apprehend the killer, who taunts them with cryptic messages and clues. The killers in both films operate under an alias ("Zodiac" and "Jack the Ripper copycat") and commit murders in a ritualistic, signature style. The investigations span years and become obsessions for key characters like Robert Graysmith in "Zodiac" and Detective Manning in "The Lodger". Both films explore the psychological toll the cases take on the investigators and their personal lives. While the identity of the Zodiac killer remains ambiguous, "The Lodger" reveals a twist where the killer's identity is closer than expected. Overall, the films parallel each other in their depiction of the cat-and-mouse pursuit of elusive, psychopathic serial killers and the dedication of those determined to catch them.
Sin City
Both "Zodiac" and "Sin City" involve gritty crime stories with serial killers at the center. They follow the investigations into the killers' identities and the obsession of certain characters with solving the cases. The movies depict the dark, seedy underbelly of their respective cities and the corruption and moral ambiguity of some characters. There are parallels in the themes of violence, justice, and the psychological toll the cases take on those involved. However, "Sin City" has a more stylized, noir aesthetic and incorporates supernatural elements, while "Zodiac" aims for a realistic portrayal based on the true Zodiac killer case.
Lucky
Both "Zodiac" and "Lucky" follow an older man on a journey of self-reflection and grappling with existential questions about life and death. While "Zodiac" centers around Robert Graysmith's obsessive investigation into the Zodiac killer case, Lucky explores the titular character's contemplation of mortality and finding meaning in life's final years. The movies parallel each other in their portrayal of the protagonists' solitary routines and interactions with a small community of locals. Both films also feature scenes of the main characters reminiscing about their pasts and formative experiences. Ultimately, the movies share an underlying theme of confronting life's mysteries and the inevitability of death with grace and acceptance.
Sleepless
Both "Zodiac" and "Sleepless" are crime thriller movies that follow the investigation of a serial killer. The killers in both movies taunt the investigators and leave cryptic clues, challenging them to unravel the mystery. The plots revolve around detectives and amateur sleuths obsessively pursuing the cases over many years, at great personal cost. The killers' motives are rooted in psychological disturbances, with the "Sleepless" killer driven by a disturbing nursery rhyme. Both movies build suspense through the cat-and-mouse game between the investigators and the elusive killers, culminating in a climactic confrontation where the killer is finally identified and stopped, though not without casualties. The movies explore themes of obsession, the psychological impact of violence, and the relentless pursuit of justice against seemingly unstoppable evil.