Forget Reacher, Prime Video’s Crime Thriller With Strong Rotten Tomatoes Score Is A Better Bosch Replacement

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While Reacher could easily fill the void left by the popular Bosch series on Prime Video, Cross actually feels like a more fitting successor. Reacher is already a huge hit for the streaming service, and with a large library of source material, it’s poised for continued success.

A key to the success of Reacher is its similarity to the earlier Prime Video series Bosch. Both shows, starring Titus Welliver as detective Harry Bosch, focus on characters who expose corruption within law enforcement while also tracking down criminals. Reacher has effectively captured the same appeal that made Bosch so popular.

Both Bosch and Reacher included plenty of action, strong language, and self-contained season-long stories. However, that doesn’t make Jack Reacher the only show to fill the void left by Bosch. Prime Video’s Cross, based on James Patterson’s work, is actually a more similar series, largely because its main character shares traits with Harry Bosch.

Why Cross Is The Perfect Replacement For Bosch

Aldis Hodge stars as the main character in Cross, playing a brilliant forensic psychologist who doesn’t tolerate foolishness. This show is similar to Bosch in that both feature detectives who investigate homicides and often take matters into their own hands, operating outside the usual rules to catch criminals.

The TV show Bosch was adapted from the popular books written by Michael Connelly, who also created The Lincoln Lawyer. Now, Cross draws inspiration from a series of thrillers by the renowned author James Patterson. Similar to Bosch, each season of Cross centers around a single, complex case, allowing the audience to really get to know the main character.

Cross has always been quick to anger, and the murder of his wife, which happens before the start of the Prime Video series, deeply affects him. Similar to how Bosch struggles with alcohol, Cross is known for being fearless, a trait that often lands him in trouble with both criminals and his coworkers.

I’m a big fan of both Bosch and Cross – they’re really gripping police shows on Prime! What I love is that they both follow these incredibly smart, but flawed, detectives who are fighting crime and dealing with corruption within the police force itself. Plus, they’re both based on hugely popular books, so you know they have a solid story to tell. It’s easy to see why they’re both so successful!

Cross And Reacher Both Had Movie Adaptations Before Hitting TV

Alan Ritchson’s popular show Reacher stands out from typical police dramas. Unlike many leads, Reacher isn’t a police officer; he’s a former military man who travels from place to place. Because he’s not part of the police system, he frequently clashes with dishonest cops throughout the series.

While Reacher certainly faces his own challenges, his past isn’t as defining as the complicated histories of characters like Cross and Bosch. Those detectives are brilliant but deeply troubled, while Reacher is more of a traditional action hero – physically imposing and incredibly resourceful, always managing to survive even the most dangerous situations.

Despite their differences, Cross and Reacher have one significant thing in common: they’ve both been adapted for the screen twice. While the Prime Video series are the first TV shows based on these characters, both stories were previously made into movies years ago.

Morgan Freeman starred as Alex Cross in the films Kiss the Girls (1997) and Along Came a Spider (2001). Tom Cruise played Jack Reacher in the 2012 movie Jack Reacher and its 2016 sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. This indicates that both the Alex Cross and Jack Reacher book series have had some of their stories adapted for the big screen.

Bosch’s Conclusion Is Good For Both Cross And Reacher

Even though Cross and Reacher share some similarities, Bosch is actually more comparable to Cross. This is good news for fans of both Prime Video series! Cross and Reacher can exist as separate characters because they’re different enough, and the Bosch story—including Bosch: Legacy—is already complete.

As a big fan of these kinds of shows, I think Cross and Reacher can both really hit the spot for the same viewers – we’re talking about a strong, take-no-prisoners lead character and a complicated mystery to unravel. They feel similar enough to appeal to the same audience, but different enough that they don’t feel like they’re competing. What’s really interesting, though, is that Bosch is coming back with Start of Watch as a prequel, showing us a much younger version of the hero. That’s going to give it a totally different vibe, which I’m excited about!

If Bosch was still being made, its resemblance to Cross could have made one of the shows feel unnecessary. But since Bosch finished its run and its spin-off Bosch: Legacy also ended before Cross started, the timing for this new adaptation of Cross is ideal.

The series Cross successfully blends the compelling storytelling of Bosch with the intense action of Reacher, making it a standout hit for fans of crime thrillers and police dramas. With Bosch recently concluding, Cross feels like a fresh and welcome addition, rather than simply repeating what Reacher already offers.

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2026-04-16 15:39