9 Best Crime Drama Movies Like Catch Me If You Can

“Catch Me If You Can” is a crime drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 2002. The movie is based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a con artist who successfully impersonated various professionals and cashed fraudulent checks worth millions of dollars before he turned 21. The primary themes of the movie include deception, identity, and the pursuit of the American dream.

One reason people love “Catch Me If You Can” is because of its engaging and complex storyline. The movie follows Frank Abagnale Jr. as he uses his wit and charm to evade the FBI and live a luxurious life of deception. The film also explores the psychological toll of Frank’s lifestyle, as he struggles to maintain his fake identities and relationships while constantly looking over his shoulder.

Another reason for the movie’s popularity is its star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale Jr. and Tom Hanks as Carl Hanratty, the FBI agent tasked with catching him. The movie’s soundtrack, composed by John Williams, is also highly regarded for its jazzy and upbeat tone.

In addition to its critical and commercial success, “Catch Me If You Can” has spawned several adaptations, including a Broadway musical and a book written by Frank Abagnale Jr. himself. The movie is also notable for its depiction of check fraud, which led to increased awareness and security measures in the banking industry.

Overall, “Catch Me If You Can” is a captivating and entertaining movie that explores themes of deception, identity, and the pursuit of the American dream. Its intricate storyline, star-studded cast, and memorable soundtrack have made it a beloved classic that continues to captivate audiences today.

1. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) – Another film based on a true story of a charismatic fraudster, Jordan Belfort, who swindled investors out of millions of dollars and lived a life of excess.
2. The Sting (1973) – This classic film follows two con men as they plan an elaborate con to get revenge on a powerful gangster.
3. Ocean’s Eleven (2001) – A remake of the 1960s film, this movie follows Danny Ocean and his team of criminals as they plan a heist of three casinos in Las Vegas.
4. American Hustle (2013) – Set in the 1970s, this film follows a con artist couple who become involved in a sting operation run by the FBI.
5. The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) – A remake of the 1968 film, this movie follows a wealthy businessman who becomes involved in a game of cat and mouse with an insurance investigator.
6. The Great Gatsby (2013) – Based on the classic novel, this film follows a millionaire who throws extravagant parties while hiding a dark secret from his past.
7. Now You See Me (2013) – This movie follows a group of illusionists who use their skills to pull off a series of heists and evade the FBI.
8. Matchstick Men (2003) – This film follows a con artist with obsessive-compulsive disorder who becomes involved in a complicated scam.
9. The Catcher Was a Spy (2018) – Based on the true story of Moe Berg, a professional baseball player who becomes a spy during World War II.

1. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) is a biographical crime movie directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who becomes involved in a massive securities fraud and corruption scheme on Wall Street in the 1990s. Similar to Catch Me If You Can, the movie explores themes of deception, greed, and excess, as Belfort lives a life of luxury while defrauding investors out of millions of dollars.

The film portrays Belfort’s rise and fall, from a young and ambitious stockbroker to a corrupt and drug-addicted criminal, who is eventually brought to justice by the FBI. The Wolf of Wall Street is a high-energy movie that features plenty of debauchery, humor, and satire, while also exposing the darker side of the financial industry.

2. The Sting (1973)

The Sting (1973) is a classic caper movie directed by George Roy Hill, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as two con men who plan an elaborate scam to take revenge on a powerful gangster. The movie is set in 1936 Chicago and features a memorable ragtime soundtrack.

Similar to Catch Me If You Can, The Sting is a movie about deception and the art of the con. The film is notable for its intricate plot twists, memorable characters, and stylish visuals. The Sting won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.

3. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

Ocean’s Eleven (2001) is a heist movie directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon as a team of criminals who plan a sophisticated robbery of three Las Vegas casinos. Similar to Catch Me If You Can, the movie features a cast of charismatic characters who use their wit, charm, and skill to pull off a high-stakes crime.

Ocean’s Eleven is a stylish and entertaining movie that features clever dialogue, clever heist sequences, and a memorable soundtrack. The movie was successful enough to spawn two sequels and a spin-off, and has become a modern classic of the heist genre.

In summary, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Sting, and Ocean’s Eleven are three movies that share similarities with Catch Me If You Can in terms of their themes of deception, crime, and the pursuit of wealth and power. Each film features memorable characters, intricate plots, and stylish visuals, making them engaging and entertaining movies that are sure to captivate audiences.

4. American Hustle (2013)

American Hustle (2013) is a crime movie directed by David O. Russell, starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Bradley Cooper. Similar to Catch Me If You Can, the movie is inspired by real-life events and explores themes of deception, fraud, and the corruption of power.

Set in the 1970s, American Hustle follows a con artist couple, Irving Rosenfeld (Bale) and Sydney Prosser (Adams), who become involved in a sting operation run by FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Cooper). The film is a stylish and entertaining exploration of the intersection between the criminal underworld and government law enforcement, featuring memorable characters and intricate plot twists.

5. The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) is a heist movie directed by John McTiernan, starring Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. Similar to Catch Me If You Can, the movie features a charismatic protagonist who is involved in a high-stakes crime that challenges the limits of the law.

Brosnan plays Thomas Crown, a wealthy businessman who steals a valuable painting from a museum and engages in a game of cat and mouse with Catherine Banning (Russo), an insurance investigator. The film features stylish cinematography and a memorable soundtrack, as well as a complex and entertaining plot that keeps audiences guessing until the end.

6. The Great Gatsby (2013)

The Great Gatsby (2013) is a period drama directed by Baz Luhrmann, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, and Carey Mulligan. Similar to Catch Me If You Can, the movie is an exploration of the American Dream and the pursuit of wealth and power.

Based on the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby follows the wealthy and enigmatic Jay Gatsby (DiCaprio) as he throws extravagant parties and pursues his unrequited love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan (Mulligan). The film features stunning visuals, an excellent soundtrack, and strong performances from the cast, as well as a poignant exploration of the emptiness of wealth and privilege.

In summary, American Hustle, The Thomas Crown Affair, and The Great Gatsby are three movies that share similarities with Catch Me If You Can in terms of their exploration of deception, crime, and the pursuit of power and wealth. Each film features memorable characters, intricate plots, and stylish visuals, making them engaging and entertaining movies that are sure to captivate audiences.

7. Now You See Me (2013)

Now You See Me (2013) is a heist thriller directed by Louis Leterrier, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, and Woody Harrelson. Similar to Catch Me If You Can, the movie features a group of charismatic and talented individuals who use their skills to commit a series of daring crimes.

In the movie, four magicians, known as the Four Horsemen, are recruited by a mysterious figure to pull off a series of heists, each one more complex than the last. The film features an intricate plot with numerous twists and turns, as well as impressive magic tricks and clever misdirection. As the story unfolds, the audience is kept guessing about the true identity of the mastermind behind the crimes.

8. Matchstick Men (2003)

Matchstick Men (2003) is a crime comedy-drama directed by Ridley Scott, starring Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell. Similar to Catch Me If You Can, the movie features a protagonist who is a master of deception and fraud, and who is forced to confront the consequences of his actions.

Cage plays Roy Waller, a con artist with obsessive-compulsive disorder who becomes involved in a scam with his partner Frank (Rockwell). As the scheme unfolds, Roy’s life becomes increasingly complicated, as he struggles to balance his fraudulent activities with his relationship with his estranged daughter. The movie features strong performances from the cast, as well as a complex and engaging storyline that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

9. The Catcher Was a Spy (2018)

The Catcher Was a Spy (2018) is a biographical war drama directed by Ben Lewin, starring Paul Rudd and Jeff Daniels. Similar to Catch Me If You Can, the movie is based on real-life events and explores themes of deception and espionage.

The movie tells the story of Moe Berg (Rudd), a former baseball player who becomes involved in the OSS during World War II. Berg is tasked with assassinating a German physicist who is working on a nuclear bomb, and the movie follows his dangerous and often perilous journey as he infiltrates the enemy’s inner circle. The film features strong performances from the cast, as well as a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of the morality of espionage and the cost of war.

In summary, Now You See Me, Matchstick Men, and The Catcher Was a Spy are three movies that share similarities with Catch Me If You Can in terms of their exploration of deception and fraud, as well as their focus on charismatic and skilled protagonists who use their talents to commit daring crimes. Each film features intricate plots, engaging characters, and strong performances from the cast, making them entertaining and thought-provoking movies that are sure to captivate audiences.

Here are the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomatoes scores for the movies you listed:

Note that the IMDb ratings are out of 10 and the Rotten Tomatoes scores are percentages based on critic and audience reviews.