7 Thrilling Shows to Binge If You Can't Get Enough of Reacher!

The main character Jack Reacher, from Amazon Prime’s show bearing his name, is both physically and metaphorically large. Standing at 6’5″ in the books by Lee Child, but portrayed as 6’3″ by actor Alan Ritchson, he towers over others. Interestingly, the series itself has also gained significant size, securing a Season 4 renewal before even Season 3 premiered.

Reacher is an exceptional character who combines intelligence with strength, unlike many characters who must choose one or the other. The show is packed with intense action, dark humor, and frequent violence. It exudes an incredible sense of ‘cool’ with a simmering anger beneath. This series, despite being a thriller which can be challenging on television, has managed to captivate audiences. Thrillers don’t always succeed on TV due to the medium’s nature, and when they do, they often run for a limited time. However, Reacher has a vast amount of source material in the books, ensuring a steady flow of content.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’ve just finished bingeing on Reacher Season 3, and now I find myself eagerly waiting for Season 4. In the meantime, here are seven shows that will satiate your craving for gripping stories in the vein of Reacher: some of them paved the way, while others share the thrill ride.

1. Jack Reacher (2012) – The film that kick-started the craze for Lee Child’s iconic character.
2. The Equalizer (2014-2018) – A series following a retired intelligence officer who uses his skills to help those in dire need.
3. The Expanse (2015-2022) – An epic space opera filled with political intrigue, moral dilemmas, and edge-of-your-seat action.
4. Suits (2011-2019) – A legal drama about a brilliant but unqualified college dropout who poses as a lawyer at a top New York City law firm.
5. Fringe (2008-2013) – A science fiction series exploring the border between science as we know it and the unexplained, with a focus on fringe science.
6. The Night Manager (2016) – A six-part miniseries about a hotel night manager who is recruited by British Intelligence to infiltrate the inner circle of a powerful arms dealer.
7. Bosch (2014-2021) – An LA detective series based on Michael Connelly’s bestselling Harry Bosch books, following the titular character as he navigates complex cases and personal demons.

The Fugitive

The popular film “The Fugitive” has roots that trace back to the television series of the same name, which aired from 1963-1967. This classic show shared many similarities with the 1993 movie, captivating audiences during the ’60s so much that even though the last two seasons weren’t as highly rated, the series finale remains one of the most-watched TV episodes ever. The main character, Dr. Richard Kimble, was portrayed by David Janssen in each episode, and the character of Sam Gerard also made appearances (and was credited even when he wasn’t on screen). Instead of just pursuing Kimble through the Chicago metropolitan area, the show followed his trail across the entire country.

While it may lack the speed and style of Reacher, it’s a historical gem on TV that paved the way for the path Reacher now follows.

The Fugitive can be streamed on Pluto TV.

24

24’s impact on modern television is evident everywhere today: The Pitt has adopted its continuous hour-by-hour structure, Jack Ryan on Prime has adopted a more action-oriented style for the originally intellectual analyst, and all subsequent TV shows have been influenced by how 24 revolutionized serialized storytelling on network TV. However, 24 may seem like a significant departure from Reacher; Jack Bauer is not initially as intimidating compared to Jack Reacher, and Reacher is likely one of the more intelligent characters in the ‘semi-retired badass’ genre.

24 still evokes Reacher for me in several ways: both feature a captivating ensemble of character actors, and they both aren’t shy about including action-packed violent scenes. Each season of 24 also tells a distinct story, much like how each season of Reacher adapts a different book. If you haven’t watched 24 yet, I highly recommend it; one season can give you a feel for its style, but two seasons provide a richer experience. However, I would advise against watching Season 6 if you make it that far.

24 is streaming in its entirety on Hulu.

Patriot

Patriot” was a short-lived spy thriller dark comedy that debuted on Prime Video in the early days of the platform. The pilot was released in 2015, and Amazon decided to give it a chance to gain an audience by greenlighting the rest of the first season, which didn’t air until February 2017. Somehow, it managed to get a second season, but that came out over a year later, after which it was cancelled.

Amazon’s previous release approach appeared to be a challenging course, but “Patriot” seemed almost surreal and unsettling: a troubled intelligence officer (Michael Dorman) is given unofficial assignments, largely due to the requests of his Intelligence director father (Terry O’Quinn). The opening scene of the show could quickly captivate you or, at the very least, pique your curiosity about what John Tavner might do next.

Patriot‘s two seasons are streaming on Prime Video.

Turn: Washington’s Spies

Back then, I found myself in a fascinating time when AMC was grappling with its two potential paths: on one side, captivating historical dramas with an edge (such as Mad Men), and gritty, morally ambiguous contemporary thrillers (like Breaking Bad). It wasn’t until about Season 2 that Turn: Washington’s Spies managed to fill the gap between these genres, offering a thrilling journey through the Revolutionary War era. What an exhilarating ride it was!

The show stands out by featuring its main characters as non-intelligence personnel such as soldiers, innkeepers, farmers, students, and maids, which gives it a unique feel different from modern series like Homeland that often revolve around intelligence work. Reacher shares more similarities with George Washington’s Culper Ring misfits than typical TV characters who used to work for the government. Turn can be both humorous and heart-wrenching; it aims to portray the Revolutionary War not as a glorified event, but as a brutal, terrifying experience for both the good and bad sides.

Turn: Washington’s Spies can be streamed on Philo and The Roku Channel.

Alex Rider

Let me explain! Indeed, Alex Rider is a popular young adult (YA) book series penned by the acclaimed British author Anthony Horowitz. However, despite being categorized as YA literature due to its adolescent protagonist, it was far from typical YA reading matter. Initially written for a younger audience, the complexity and maturity of the content grew alongside the readers, making it suitable for a broader age range.

The books were always an exhilarating rollercoaster, and reading them as a pre-teen gave me a bit of an edge. Unfortunately, they were turned into a rather mediocre movie in 2006 which flopped, leading to the series being overlooked for over a decade. However, it has managed to regain popularity through a lengthy development process and was eventually picked up by Amazon for the first season, based on the second book. They are definitely not a children’s show; instead, they offer an exciting adventure that anyone can enjoy. Alex Rider might be younger than Reacher, but he seems to be following a similar career path (what kind of job would you have if you were a spy at the age of fourteen?).

Alex Rider can be streamed on Prime Video.

Tokyo Vice

Many popular TV series establish their visual style through the director of their pilot episode, often a well-known movie director. For instance, “Tokyo Vice” had Michael Mann in this role, a director who also helmed the pilot for the short-lived drama “Luck,” and who actually began his career in television as a writer-director. On the other hand, “Reacher” did not have such a director, but its polished aesthetic and unusual hero evoke the feel of many Michael Mann films.

Tokyo Vice” is based largely on the fictionalized account of journalist Jake Adelstein’s experiences working at a Japanese newspaper, portrayed by Ansel Elgort. Ken Watanabe plays a seasoned organized crime detective in this series. Spanning over two seasons before its cancellation, life on Max (the streaming platform) could be tough to survive. Despite being cancelled, it garnered positive reviews and is worth checking out.

Tokyo Vice is streaming on Max.

FUBAR

Nick Santora, the showrunner for Reacher, spends his downtime between seasons by persuading Arnold Schwarzenegger to star in a TV series. The debut season of FUBAR didn’t receive fantastic critical acclaim, but it did attract substantial viewership, earning it a second season from Netflix. This new season is set to air in June, and while it may not match the intellectual depth of Reacher, let’s be honest, we never went to Arnold’s films for brainpower, right? Instead, it offers heart, a rising star named Monica Barbaro, and Season 2 will reportedly feature Carrie-Anne Moss (from The Matrix)! FUBAR definitely has the action credentials of an old-school series.

FUBAR streams on Netflix, with its second season debuting on June 12th.

2025-04-05 07:43

7 Thrilling Shows to Binge If You Can’t Get Enough of Reacher!