15 Best Crime-Drama Shows Like ‘Breaking Bad’

While it has been a decade since Breaking Bad finished its run, it remains in constant discussion thanks to its brilliant storytelling and fantastic characters. Breaking Bad has proven to be one of the most popular TV series of the 21st century, with its story of a simple family man becoming a drug lord capturing the attention of TV viewers worldwide. While viewers were glued to their screens watching Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) navigate the drug syndicate world as its five seasons aired, the show remains just as popular as new fans are discovering it every day on streaming websites.

The problem with every great show is that eventually it has to end, and fans have to let go of the characters and worlds they have become attached to. While restarting Breaking Bad from the beginning is an option, as is watching the sequel movie El Camino, viewers looking for a new crime-drama obsession have plenty of options. Some possess stories that mirror Mr. White’s, while others explore different areas of the criminal underworld.

15 ‘Griselda’ (2024)

Created by Eric Newman

Based on the life of Griselda Blanco, a Colombian drug lord known as “the Godmother,” Griselda offers audiences a look into the harrowing events that transpired in Griselda’s life. The show follows Griselda’s journey climbing up the ranks in the Miami drug scene, her success and triumphs, as well as the unfortunate consequences of her actions. Griselda is portrayed by beloved actress Sofia Vergara, who unflinchingly plays the drug lord with such intensity and spirit that captivates the audience.

Similar to Breaking Bad, Griselda explores the transformation of its protagonist into a criminal mastermind. Both shows make sure to feature the nuances and complexities of their main characters, which allows audiences to empathize with their struggles, portraying them as more than just villains but as individuals with motivations and struggles. For fans of Breaking Bad who want a gritty thrilling TV show full of drug syndicates to sink their teeth into, Griselda is the perfect show to watch.

Watch on Netflix

14 ‘Weeds’ (2005 – 2012)

Created by Vince Gilligan

After losing her husband to a heart attack, Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) begins selling marijuana as a way to support her two sons. While her drug operation starts as a small business to merely keep their current lifestyle, it ultimately snowballs into something bigger which puts the lives of Nancy and her family in danger.

Weeds is one of the shows similar to Breaking Bad, as they both feature a normal parent in the suburbs who turns to selling drugs to make money. Where Weeds differs is that it aligns more with the comedy genre, as it tends to take itself less seriously than Breaking Bad despite the dark subjects it often explores. For those who miss the show, a revival of the show is currently in the works on Showtime, so they might see more of Nancy’s successes and misadventures in the world of drugs.

Watch on Hulu

13 ‘Prison Break’ (2005 – 2017)

Created by Paul Scheuring

When his brother is falsely accused of murder and placed on death row, Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) devises a plan to break him out. A skilled engineer, Michael has blueprints of the prison tattooed on his body and is purposely incarcerated in the same prison as his brother, so he can execute their escape from the inside.

Prison Break was a big hit on release and swiftly caught people’s attention as it became one of the most talked about shows of its era. While the series loses steam in later seasons (how many times can one man break out of prison), its first two seasons remain quality viewing and are an essential watch for anyone who likes twisty crime dramas like Breaking Bad.

12 ‘Barry’ (2018 – 2023)

Created by Bill Hader and Alec Berg

When experienced hitman Barry Berkman (Bill Hader) becomes disillusioned by his life as a professional killer, he discovers a love for acting. As he enrolls in an acting class and tries to put his troubled past behind him, Barry finds his criminal associates won’t let him leave and frequently try to bring him back to the dark side.

Despite being a comedy, Barry often treads into dark territory as Barry juggles both sides of his working life. Hader is fantastic in the leading role, showcasing both his knack for comedy and drama. There are also plenty of tragic deaths in Barry, akin to the unfortunate death in Breaking Bad that have struck a chord with audiences such as Jane Margolis’ (Krysten Ritter) overdose. In a way, Barry’s character arc is the opposite of Walter White’s, as Barry is a criminal searching for a normal life, whereas White is attempting the reverse.

11 ‘Ozark’ (2017 – 2022)

Created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams

Financial advisor Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) is forced to move his family to the Ozarks region in Missouri after a money laundering scheme goes wrong. In major debt to a Mexican cartel, Marty concocts another scheme that will pay an even larger reward as he works to pay back the money he owes, while his family also becomes involved with local criminals.

Ozark proved to be a major success for Netflix, as it received critical acclaim throughout its four-season run. Fans found it to be one of the best shows like Breaking Bad as it also examines the impact of crime on a seemingly normal family, while the criminals they associate with are also given a focus. With its suspenseful plot twists, Ozark will keep viewers on their toes and constantly guessing about the fate of the Byrde family.

Watch on Netflix

10 ‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010 – 2014)

Created by Terence Winter

Leaving the world of drugs behind to instead focus on the illegal sale of alcohol, Boardwalk Empire is set in America during the Prohibition era. Focused on the criminals, politicians, and police officers that operated during that time, the series is anchored by Steve Buscemi, who plays corrupt city treasurer Nucky Thompson.

While it did not achieve the same mainstream success as Breaking Bad, Boardwalk Empire enjoyed a beloved tenure across its five seasons. Its Prohibition setting makes it unique among other crime dramas, but its focus on a strong cast of shady characters and quality storytelling — just like how the characters and writing were in Breaking Bad — makes it a good choice for anyone searching for their next binge-worthy show, although many fans think that Boardwalk Empire’s final season was a dud.

9 ‘Sons of Anarchy’ (2008 – 2014)

Created by Kurt Sutter

Another crime series that quickly became a cultural phenomenon, Sons of Anarchy follows the exploits of an outlaw biker gang and those close to them. Central to the story is Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), a young member of the group whose father used to lead the gang, and the moral dilemmas he faces throughout his life of crime.

While Jax is the focus of the series, what makes Sons of Anarchy work is the colorful cast of characters around him, such as Clay Morrow (Ron Perlman) and Gemma Teller (Katey Sagal). Much like Breaking Bad, some of the best moments of the show come from supporting characters, which helps to flesh out the world and provide a unique cast where everyone has their favorite.

8 ‘Justified’ (2010 – 2015)

Created by Graham Yost

When U.S. Marshall Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) returns to his hometown in Kentucky, his brand of justice quickly puts him at odds with the local criminals. As he struggles to keep the locals safe and makes plenty of enemies, Givens forms an uneasy alliance with reformed criminal Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins).

Justified is a throwback to the Westerns of the past, with Givens feeling like a righteous cowboy who has been transported to the modern era. Like Walter White, Givens is one of the best television characters of the 21st century, and Olyphant is perfect in the role while aided by a great supporting cast. While the show ran strongly for six seasons, Olyphant came back to reprise his role in the show’s 2023 revival Justified: City Primeval.

7 ‘The Shield’ (2002 – 2008)

Created by Shawn Ryan

Swapping criminals for the police, The Shield shows that sometimes those on the side of the law are just as wicked. The series stars Michael Chiklis as Detective Vic Mackey, the leader of an infamous police unit known as the Strike Team, who are not above committing torture and planting evidence to achieve the arrests they want.

While The Shield focuses on those who enforce the law, it draws similarities to Breaking Bad through its protagonist. Like Walter White, Vic Mackey is a bad man who has committed evil deeds, yet the writing for both shows and the performances of Cranston and Chiklis makes it hard not to ultimately root for both characters. It also unflinchingly tackles provocative narratives such as racial tensions and police corruption, which makes it all the more worth watching for fans of police procedural dramas.

6 ‘Narcos’ (2015 – 2017)

Created by Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro, and Eric Newman

Set in Colombia during the 1980s, Narcos revolves around real-life drug kingpin Pablo Escobar (played by Wagner Moura). Becoming a billionaire thanks to his grip on the cocaine trade, the series follows his rise and eventual downfall as several DEA agents work tirelessly to bring him down.

Narcos differentiates itself by being based in reality, following a villain whose reign of terror was real. While Walter White ended up being a wicked character, in the end, at least he was fictional. Narcos charts the impact such an evil character has on the real world, including those they come into close contact with. Both Pablo and Walter are powerful TV kingpins, although it’s safe to say that Pablo beats Walter when it comes to brutality, reach, and influence.

Watch on Netflix

5 ‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013 – 2022)

Created by Steven Knight

Set in Birmingham in the aftermath of the First World War, Peaky Blinders follows Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), the leader of a dangerous street gang. The series charts the exploits of Shelby and his followers as they battle with rival gangs and the police over the years. One key trait that makes the show memorable is its incorporation of real-life historical figures into its story, including powerful men like Oswald Mosley and Winston Churchill.

Even if you have not watched Peaky Blinders, you have surely seen a picture of Shelby with an “inspirational” quote he did not say shared across social media. Such was the popularity of Peaky Blinders across its six-season run, with many people finding its British take on the world of crime a nice alternative to the likes of Breaking Bad.

4 ‘Fargo’ (2014 – )

Created by Noah Hawley

Based on the Academy Award-winning film, Fargo takes the movie’s core themes and uses them to tell its original stories. Each season follows a new storyline with a different cast, all of them revolving around crimes that have taken place in small towns, and those who are drawn into the shadows it casts.

Like Breaking Bad, Fargo tends to focus on seemingly ordinary people who turn to a life of crime, showcasing the extent they will go to avoid imprisonment. That said, the show also has plenty of terrifying villains including V.M. Varga (David Thewlis) and Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton), just like the villains in Breaking Bad. The show’s anthology format helps to keep things fresh as each storyline is wrapped up within one season, as a talented cast of actors has lent their talents to the series.

3 ‘Better Call Saul’ (2015 – 2022)

Created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould

Better Call Saul is the obvious choice for Breaking Bad fans not yet ready to let go of that show’s world. The series follows the exploits of criminal lawyer Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) before his run-ins with Walter White and showcases the events that shaped him into the character he is in Breaking Bad. Just like Walter’s character development, Jimmy’s journey is marked by moral dilemmas and personal tragedies that eventually make him a well-rounded lawyer.

Helmed by the same creative team as Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul is the next best thing to that classic series. Some will even argue that it surpasses its predecessor, as it digs deeper into the backstories of some of that show’s best characters, such as Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) and Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito).

2 ‘The Sopranos’ (1999 – 2007)

Created by David Chase

Another contender for the crown of greatest television series of all time, The Sopranos follows mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini). The show follows his exploits as the head of his crime family, while he also tries to manage his home life with his wife and two children. Tony’s struggle to balance both of these lives forms the basis for the series.

The Sopranos, The Wire, and Breaking Bad are often referred to as the holy trinity of television. Each is a perfect marriage of cast and crew performing at the highest level, and the series in particular effortlessly submerges viewers into its complex world with its moving and shocking Sopranos episodes. The end result is a leading man who is iconic like Walter White.

1 ‘The Wire’ (2002 – 2008)

Created by David Simon and Ed Burns

Equally committed to showcasing both sides of the law, The Wire follows those who commit crimes and those devoted to apprehending them. Set in Baltimore, the city is almost the main character of the show as it bears witness to the police, the drug lords, and those caught in between as they battle for control of the streets.

Long hailed as one of the greatest television series of all time, The Wire is essential viewing for anyone. What makes it especially appealing to Breaking Bad fans is its grounded approach to crime and intricate narrative structure, with the thin line between law and chaos on display through fantastic writing and performances that rival those of Breaking Bad. Each season of The Wire focuses on the different aspects of Baltimore life, which results in multiple storylines converging together to create an immersive narrative about the city.

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