Prime Video's Reacher became an instant hit with audiences when it was released in 2022. Telling the story of a retired special investigator for the US Army's Military Police, the series has adapted one of Lee Child's original novels per season. Beginning with Reacher's arrival in Margrave, where he solved the murder of his brother, the show was praised by critics for pacing, writing, and character development.
Many series fall into the category of a must-see for fans of Reacher, and that mirrors the show's combination of crime, conspiracy, and action. Different shows can appeal to different aspects of what made the Prime series work, ranging from the murder mystery side to the high-octane action. Ranging from weekly, done-in-one procedurals to serialized action shows, there are plenty of stories for Reacher fans.
Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on November 8, 2024: With Season 3 of Reacher about to premiere on Prime Video, there are plenty of other similar shows out there to get fans excited. This list has been updated with additional entries and adheres to CBR's current formatting guidelines.
15 Tracker Follows One Many's Many Adventures
Justin Hartley Stars In This Popular New Series (Hulu)
Tracker is a new series starring This Is Us's Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw, a survivalist who retreats into the wilderness to escape from his past. During his many adventures, Shaw tracks missing people, returning them to their families—and cashing in on the rewards. Along the way, he faces some nefarious individuals who prey on the weak and helpless, putting them in their place before continuing on to the next adventure.
Tracker has many of the same elements that audiences have come to love about Reacher. Following an action-ready lone-wolf who plays by his own rules, Tracker is a terrific followup to the latest season of Alan Ritchson's spy thriller series. A breakout hit after its first season earlier this year, Season 2 of Tracker is well on its way.
14 Mr. and Mrs. Smith Was 2024's Surprise Hit New Series
The Series Reboots the 2005 Film Starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt (Prime Video)
Mr. and Mrs. Smith is a new action-comedy that reboots the 2005 movie of the same name starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. The new series stars Donald Glover and Maya Erskine as a pair of rookie spies who must pretend to be a married couple as they go undercover. The two work to take down other spies, but find that navigating their rocky relationship is the trickiest part of their assignment.
Although fans weren't particularly thrilled at the announcement of a Mr. and Mrs. Smith reboot series, the first season was surprisingly well-received, winning over audiences. The show is now confirmed for a second season, which is rumored to star an all-new cast that could set an interesting precedent for the series moving forward. Mr. and Mrs. Smith has all the fun action and thrills that viewers love about Reacher, albeit with some extra bickering along the way.
13 Citadel Attempts to Kick Off a New Television Universe
The Prime Video Series Comes From The Russo Brothers (Prime Video)
Citadel is a Prime Video original series created by the Russo Brothers, known for their work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The original series premiered in 2023, with plans to launch a television universe set in different locations around the globe. Citadel stars Game of Thrones' Richard Madden and Quantico's Priyanka Chopra as agents working for the mysterious organization Citadel who find themselves embroiled in an international conspiracy that threatens the world.
Citadel is a massive endeavor, with a production budget on par with many blockbuster films. The series has all the best parts of Reacher but taken to the extreme. Now, the Russo Brothers' plan to develop a new franchise is finally coming to fruition, as the first pair of spinoffs finally air on Prime Video. An Italian series, Citadel: Diana premiered in October, while an Indian series, Citadel: Honey Bunny recently premiered in November.
12 Cross Could Be Prime Video's Next Big Hit
Aldis Hodge Is the Latest Actor to Star as Alex Cross (Prime Video)
Prime Video is ready to launch its next epic spy-thriller with Cross, a brand-new show starring Aldis Hodge (Black Adam, The Invisible Man) as Detective Alex Cross from James Patterson's hit crime novel series. The first season of Cross follows its titular character as he investigates various crimes, hoping to get to the bottom of the perpetrators' psyche. Joined by a cast of supporting characters from Patterson's books, Alex Cross is poised to become television's next big action hero.
From its name to its thematic style, Cross is clearly fashioned after Reacher, following in its predecessor's footsteps to establish another winning action hero for Prime Video. Aldis Hodge hopes to bring his own spin on the character of Alex Cross, who has been played by several popular actors in the past, including Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry. The first season of the new Prime Video series is set to premiere in mid-November.
11 Blue Mountain State Is Great For Fans of Alan Ritchson
Alan Ritchson Plays a Very Different Role In This Sitcom (Tubi)
Blue Mountain State is an often-forgotten but criminally underrated sitcom set on the campus of its titular college. The series follows the exploits of the Mountain Goats football team as they navigate frat life, the pressures of playing a winning season, and general college life. The show ran for three seasons before it was canceled, though fan outcry led to a finale film, Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland, being released in 2016.
While fans of Reacher might prefer spy thrillers to college sitcoms, Blue Mountain State is an important series for Alan Ritchson, who plays Kevin "Thad" Castle therein. The energetic and endearingly loyal (if a bit dim) Thad proves to be one of Alan Ritchson's best roles, allowing him to play against type as a comic relief character rather than a gritty action star. Blue Mountain State shows Ritchon's range, proving that he is capable of delivering in both comedy and drama.
10 Longmire Shares Reacher's Neo-Western Themes
A Wyoming Sheriff Protects His Town In This Procedural Series (Netflix)
Based on the Walt Longmire Mysteries novel series, Longmire tells the story of its titular Wyoming sheriff as he tackles crime in the remote Absaroka County. Forced to navigate the difficult political scene that involves corrupt business leaders and tensions with the neighboring Native American reservation, Longmire is shown to be a no-nonsense lawman.
Longmire got off to a great start from the first episode, perfectly showcasing the story's rural scenery, strong cast of characters, and unique crimes. Series like Longmire arguably helped pave the way for other neo-western success stories, such as Yellowstone and Reacher itself. Fans who enjoyed the first season's Margrave setting and small-town thriller would certainly like this detective series.
9 Jack Ryan Brings Tom Clancy's Hero To TV
John Krasinski Is This Generation's Jack Ryan (Prime Video)
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Based on the iconic Tom Clancy spy novels, Jack Ryan delivers an updated setting for the titular CIA analyst as he works diligently to keep the world safe from terrorism. The series follows Ryan's change from doing desk work to being thrust into field work to combat threats like Islamic extremism and Russian aggression. John Krasinski stars as Jack Ryan, taking over the role from other popular actors like Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, and Chris Pine.
Jack Ryan has a lot in common with Reacher, such as sharing a format, also being based on a thriller novel series and high-intensity action plots. While the characters themselves have differences, the stories are sure to appeal to the same core audience, and both series have good plot twists and genuine threats for the hero. Jack Ryan has grown popular enough that Prime Video has recently announced an upcoming movie to continue the adventures of John Krasinski's hero.
8 Justified Is Small-Town Justice
Timothy Olyphant Shines In This Small-Town Crime Series (Hulu)
Justified tells the story of Raylan Givens, a modern-day US Marshal who uses a Wild West style of justice. After being sent back to his home of Harlan County, Kentucky, where he encounters some of the figures he grew up with, including Boyd Crowder, a man obsessed with explosives who fell in with Neo-Nazis. The series follows Givens as he hunts down fugitives and takes on local corruption.
Justified's format favors shorter arcs, but maintains a continuous narrative across seasons, giving viewers meaningful character investment. The series would be especially suited to fans who favor the first season of Reacher, particularly for its modern-day western themes. Timothy Olyphant is a strong lead in this series, which deserves more attention for its epic twists and turns.
7 The Night Agent Is an Underrated Action Show
This Netflix Original Series Was Surprisingly Engaging (Netflix)
The Night Agent tells the story of an FBI agent, Peter Sutherland, who is charged with aiding in a hunt for a mole in the agency. Thrust into a deep conspiracy that runs at every level of the government, Sutherland goes from being a low-level agent to a key figure in bringing down a covert plot.
The Night Agent is great for audiences looking for something that can match the conspiracy angle of Reacher, and Peter Sutherland makes for a great underdog hero. The series keeps audiences invested in the many plot turns in the hopes of seeing Sutherland prevail in finding the traitor at the FBI.
6 24 Is the Action Genre's Best Binge Show
This Inventive Series Changed the Game for Action-Thriller Television (Hulu)
Image via Fox
When 24 was released, it changed the direction of action TV, and its real-time format helped create one of the first true binge shows. Focused on Counter-Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer, the series follows a variety of plots, each of which is told over a single day per season. These stories range from the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate to a private military contractor attempting a coup against the US.
24 has a few points of overlap with Reacher, such as compelling conspiracies and a protagonist similar to the character of Reacher in Jack Bauer. The series' action sequences are similar in intensity to Reacher, with stakes that are even higher as Bauer takes on nuclear threats, chemical weapons, and biological warfare.
5 Walker, Texas Ranger Received a Great Reboot
Jared Padalecki Helms This Reboot of a Classic Series (Max)
The reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger cast Jared Padalecki in the role of Cordell Walker, one of Texas' elite law enforcement agents. After returning home from a two-year undercover job, Walker realizes there are as many problems in his hometown as there were during his investigation. Walker ran for four seasons before eventually being canceled by the CW as part of the channel's massive restructure.
IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score | Streaming |
|---|---|---|
6.2/10 | 92% | Max |
Walker shares the same themes of one hero trying to improve a small town, though it adds a personal stake for its protagonist. The series delves into family drama, fighting corruption and classic action as Walker cleans up the streets of his hometown much as Reacher did Margrave.
4 NCIS Is a Look at Military Criminal Investigation
NCIS Is the Pinnacle of Police Procedurals (Netflix, Hulu, Paramount+, Pluto TV, SlingTV)
A spin-off of JAG, NCIS follows an elite team of US Navy criminal investigators, a position similar to Reacher's prior status as a military police special investigator. The series primarily revolves around agent Jethro Gibbs, a veteran investigator known for his stoic personality, and the agents under his wing, such as DiNozzo and McGee.
NCIS would be a great series for Reacher fans who enjoy seeing the military side of the character's life, as shown through flashbacks. Both the original series and its spin-offs, such as NCIS Los Angeles and Hawaii Five-0, bring great action to the procedural format, and Gibbs is a great Reacher-esque figure. Now, fans of the NCIS franchise are about to be treated to a massive expansion of the franchise in spinoffs like Origins and Tony & Ziva.
3 The Terminal List Is an Intense Action Revenge Story
Chris Pratt Leads This Epic Prime Video Series (Prime Video)
The Terminal List begins with a Navy SEAL mission going awry, leaving Commander James Reece as the team's only survivor. After he returns to the US, Reece is targeted by assassins, leading to the murder of his wife and daughter. Vowing revenge, the soldier blows the lid off of a government conspiracy involving experimental drugs — which he later realizes gave him a brain tumor.
The Terminal List shares some of the best elements of Reacher, such as conspiracy, a one-man army, and gritty action, to deliver an equally compelling story. Throughout the series, the action rarely lets up, and Reece proves himself to be every bit as formidable as those standing against him — as well as Reacher himself.
2 Strike Back Is a Brilliant Special Forces Show
This Early 2010s Show Deserves a Resurgence (Prime Video)
Strike Back follows the elite soldiers of a fictional British task force, Section 20, as they're sent on a series of intense missions to bring down terrorists, arms dealers, and rogue states. With a structure that follows one story per season, the show is as high-octane as the action genre has on TV. Strike Back ran for eight seasons before coming to an explosive ending.
Strike Back has stories that range from revenge missions to preventing nuclear attacks, and the show's chemistry between the two main heroes, Scott and Stonebridge, holds it together. Whether it's the changing settings of the show or the brilliant action, the series is perfect for fans of Reacher.
1 True Detective Shares a Dark Conspiracy Motif With Reacher
This HBO Original Weaves a Dark Mystery (Max)
Both seasons of Reacher have followed the hero uncovering different scandals: An international counterfeiting operation and a scheme to steal US defense technology. These conspiracies helped make the series all the more compelling, as they gave the character a dark and disturbing mystery to solve. Audiences who loved this angle of the series would also enjoy True Detective.
Set in a small Louisiana town, True Detective begins with the murder of a young woman in a ritualistic, occult fashion. The first season of the series follows detectives Rust Cohle and Marty Hart and tells the story of their investigation across three decades of their lives. The story is even darker than that of Reacher and matches the first season in writing quality.
