10 Best Crime Shows Similar to The Sopranos

When The Sopranos first aired on HBO in 1999, it completely changed the landscape of television. Created by David Chase, this groundbreaking crime drama combined intense violence with a deep look into the minds of its characters. The show offered a fresh and impactful exploration of themes like loyalty and the breakdown of morals.

James Gandolfini’s incredible performance as Tony Soprano, combined with the show’s impressive 21 Primetime Emmy wins, established The Sopranos as HBO’s greatest series ever.

The impact of The Sopranos is still visible in many of today’s dramas. If you enjoyed its blend of intricate characters and criminal storylines, there are plenty of other shows you might like. Some are even considered to be as good as, or even better than, The Sopranos. Regardless, several series share similar qualities with HBO’s acclaimed show.

10. Boardwalk Empire — HBO

The HBO series Boardwalk Empire first aired in 2010. Created by Terence Winter, a writer previously known for The Sopranos, it stars Steve Buscemi as Nucky Thompson. Winter applied the complex characters and detailed storytelling he developed on The Sopranos to a historical backdrop.

This series, set during the time of Prohibition, centers on a powerful political figure (played by Steve Buscemi) and his involvement in the illegal alcohol trade in Atlantic City. Known for its detailed sets and featuring actors like Michael Shannon and Kelly Macdonald, the show received several Emmy Awards. It strongly resembles The Sopranos, especially in how it depicts the connection between organized crime and politics.

9. Ozark — Netflix

The Netflix series Ozark shares similarities with The Sopranos in how it depicts an ordinary family caught up in criminal activity. Starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney as Marty and Wendy Byrd, the show is set in the Missouri Ozarks and follows the couple as they are forced to wash money for a Mexican drug cartel. Ozark premiered in 2017, ran for four seasons, and won several Emmy Awards.

Viewers quickly compared the show’s dark atmosphere and unexpected plot twists to crime dramas like The Sopranos. Like that series, Ozark explores the intense pressure that comes from pursuing ambition at any cost, and the difficult moral choices people make along the way. The challenges faced by the main characters, Marty and Wendy, echo the complicated and often fraught relationship between Tony and Carmela Soprano.

8. Peaky Blinders — BBC

While visually different from The Sopranos, Peaky Blinders explores similar ideas about family bonds and conflicts within a criminal organization. The show follows the Shelby family’s ascent to power in Birmingham after World War I, with internal struggles that often echo the power dynamics seen in The Sopranos.

As a huge movie and TV fan, I have to say Cillian Murphy was Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders – it’s an absolutely iconic performance. The show itself was a massive hit, running for six seasons and gaining fans all over the world. It won a bunch of BAFTA awards and everyone raved about how beautifully it was filmed and the amazing acting. And get this – they’re making a sequel movie, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, coming out in March 2026! I’m already counting down the days.

7. Orange Is The New Black — Netflix

Orange Is the New Black, created by Jenji Kohan, premiered on Netflix in 2013 and continued for seven seasons. The show centers on the lives of women in a federal prison and is well-known for its diverse cast and insightful look at social issues. It received numerous Emmy Awards for its quality.

Despite having a different feel, Orange Is the New Black shares a lot with The Sopranos, combining dark humor with intense violence. Both shows delve into what it means to be a criminal and how power operates within systems, and both focus on the humanity of people caught up in the justice system. Orange Is the New Black explores how a person’s surroundings influence their actions, a theme often explored in Tony’s therapy sessions on The Sopranos.

6. The Wire — HBO

Fans frequently argue over whether The Wire or The Sopranos is HBO’s best drama. Created by David Simon, The Wire originally aired on HBO from 2002 to 2008. The show is set in Baltimore and offers a detailed look at how law enforcement, politics, schools, and the drug trade all connect and influence each other. Although it didn’t win many Emmys, The Wire was almost universally praised by critics.

Both shows are known for their realistic portrayal of life and characters with complex morals. However, Simon’s series goes further, exploring how entire systems can become broken down. While The Sopranos centered on one mafia family, The Wire suggests that issues like corruption, red tape, and a struggling economy are all linked together.

5. The Penguin — HBO

HBO’s The Penguin takes place in the world of Matt Reeves’ The Batman and stars Colin Farrell returning as Oswald “Oz” Cobb. The show portrays Oz as a traditional crime boss, similar to the focus in The Sopranos – it’s less about big action sequences and more about the mindset and tactics he uses to gain power in the criminal underworld.

Oz isn’t just a criminal mastermind; he’s constantly dealing with shifting loyalties, power struggles, and his own self-doubt, much like Tony Soprano. The Penguin focuses on realistic, character-focused crime stories. Colin Farrell portrays Oz as unstable and insecure, hiding behind a tough exterior – a quality that made Tony Soprano such a captivating and disturbing character.

4. Better Call Saul — AMC

From 2015 to 2022, Better Call Saul told the story leading up to the events of Breaking Bad. The show starred Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill, a lawyer with questionable ethics who eventually becomes Saul Goodman. It received many Emmy nominations and widespread critical acclaim, particularly for the performances of Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, and Giancarlo Esposito, who reprised his role as Gus Fring.

Both Better Call Saul and The Sopranos delve deep into the minds of their main characters, but they do so in different ways. The Sopranos uses therapy sessions to explore Tony’s inner life, while Better Call Saul offers a detailed look at how a man slowly compromises his values and loses sight of who he is. While Better Call Saul isn’t as dramatic as The Sopranos, it’s just as powerful in showing a character’s moral decline, and fans who appreciated the character-driven moments in The Sopranos will likely enjoy it.

3. Narcos — Netflix

Narcos tells the story of Pablo Escobar, a powerful Colombian drug lord, and the attempts to bring him down. This thrilling crime series, which first aired on Netflix in 2015, remains popular today. Its success led to a spin-off called Narcos: Mexico, and the show has been critically acclaimed, particularly for Wagner Moura’s portrayal of Escobar, earning him Golden Globe nominations.

Similar to The Sopranos, Narcos shows both the viewpoints of the police and the criminals, avoiding easy judgments. It realistically portrays both the drive for success and the violence that comes with it. Narcos offers a broad look at how people seek power, what they want to be remembered for, and the dangerous consequences of trying to build a lasting empire.

2. Gomorrah — Sky Atlantic

The Italian TV series Gomorrah, based on Roberto Saviano’s book, depicted the inner workings of the Camorra crime syndicate in Naples over five seasons. It’s often compared to The Sopranos because of its gritty realism and focus on complex characters, and many consider it one of the best crime dramas since HBO’s groundbreaking series.

Similar to The Sopranos, Gomorrah presents a gritty and realistic depiction of organized crime, avoiding any sense of romance or glamour. It’s a stark look at crime families torn apart by personal conflicts and the struggle to survive. Instead of traditional mob theatrics, the show focuses on the constant fear, backstabbing, and unexpected bursts of violence that define this world. Like Tony Soprano’s world, Gomorrah shows how easily trust can be broken and how dangerous ambition can be.

1. Breaking Bad — AMC

Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad was a critical and commercial success, winning 16 Primetime Emmy Awards. The show, which ran from 2008 to 2013, centers on Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a high school chemistry teacher who turns to making methamphetamine and rises to become a powerful drug lord. Throughout the series, Walter’s motivations change, shifting from providing for his family to pursuing personal gain and control.

Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman, gave performances that truly defined their careers, similar to James Gandolfini’s iconic work in a classic crime drama. If you were a fan of The Sopranos and its dark, psychological journey, you’ll be equally engrossed in Walter White’s descent into becoming Heisenberg. Even though Breaking Bad finished over ten years ago, it remains a widely acclaimed and essential piece of television.

2026-02-17 18:34