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Home/Cape Fear/Similar Movies

Cape Fear

Movies Like Cape Fear (1962)

Cape Fear is a 1962 drama, thriller film from J. Lee Thompson with a MovieMagicScore of 7.4/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Cape Fear and The Night of the Hunter.

Cape Fear poster

Cape Fear

1991

Sam Bowden is a small-town corporate attorney. Max Cady is a tattooed, cigar-smoking, Bible-quoting, psychotic rapist. What do they have in common? 14 years ago, Sam was a public defender assigned to Max Cady's rape trial, and he made a serious error: he hid a document from his illiterate client that could have gotten him acquitted. Now, the cagey Cady has been released, and he intends to teach Sam Bowden and his family a thing or two about loss.

The Night of the Hunter poster

The Night of the Hunter

1955

In Depression-era West Virginia, a serial-killing preacher hunts two young children who know the whereabouts of a stash of money.

Dirty Harry poster

Dirty Harry

1971

When a madman dubbed 'Scorpio' terrorizes San Francisco, hard-nosed cop, Harry Callahan – famous for his take-no-prisoners approach to law enforcement – is tasked with hunting down the psychopath.

The Hitcher poster

The Hitcher

1986

On a stormy night, young Jim, who transports a luxury car from Chicago to California to deliver it to its owner, feeling tired and sleepy, picks up a mysterious hitchhiker, who has appeared out of nowhere, thinking that a good conversation will help him not to fall asleep. He will have enough time to deeply regret such an unmeditated decision.

Death Proof poster

Death Proof

2007

Austin's hottest DJ, Jungle Julia, sets out into the night to unwind with her two friends Shanna and Arlene. Covertly tracking their moves is Stuntman Mike, a scarred rebel leering from behind the wheel of his muscle car, revving just feet away.

Red Eye poster

Red Eye

2005

An overnight flight to Miami quickly becomes a battle for survival when Lisa realizes her seatmate plans to use her as part of a chilling assassination plot against the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. If she refuses to cooperate, her own father will be killed. As the miles tick by, she's in a race against time to find a way to warn the potential victims before it's too late.

Breaking Surface poster

Breaking Surface

2020

Two Swedish/Norwegian half sisters go on a winter diving trip in Northern Norway, when they get trapped after a rockslide.

Dial Code Santa Claus poster

Dial Code Santa Claus

1990

Thomas de Frémont, a precocious child obsessed with action films, sets himself up for a terrifying Christmas Eve after he unwittingly makes contact with a deranged psychopath who claims he's Santa Claus.

The Killing poster

The Killing

1956

Career criminal Johnny Clay recruits a sharpshooter, a crooked police officer, a bartender and a betting teller named George, among others, for one last job before he goes straight and gets married. But when George tells his restless wife about the scheme to steal millions from the racetrack where he works, she hatches a plot of her own.

A Fish Called Wanda poster

A Fish Called Wanda

1988

While a diamond advocate attempts to steal a collection of diamonds, troubles arise when he realises he’s not the only one after the collection.

Fat Slags poster

Fat Slags

2004

Leaving their hometown of Fulchester in the North of England, Sandra and Tracey head for the bright lights of London, shagging and boozing their way to fame and fortune.

River of Desire poster

River of Desire

2023

Three brothers find themselves sharing a home with the alluring new wife of the middle sibling. As they become infatuated with the same woman, a complex and enthralling tale ensues in this tropical paradise.

Leave Her to Heaven poster

Leave Her to Heaven

1945

A socialite marries a prominent novelist, which spurs a violent, obsessive, and dangerous jealousy in her.

Inherent Vice poster

Inherent Vice

2014

In Los Angeles at the turn of the 1970s, drug-fueled detective Larry "Doc" Sportello investigates the disappearance of an ex-girlfriend.

The House Across the Lake poster

The House Across the Lake

1954

Sensuous and desirable, Carol Forrest has always attracted the attention of men. Expert in the art of manipulation and control she married an older man, loving only his vast wealth and continued to amuse herself with indiscreet affairs. But when neighbour Mark Kendrick lets slip that her husband intends cutting her out of his will Carol concentrates all her attentions on the unsuspecting Kendrick, obtaining his help to dispose of this irritating obstacle.

Notorious poster

Notorious

1946

In order to help bring Nazis to justice, U.S. government agent T.R. Devlin recruits Alicia Huberman, the American daughter of a convicted German war criminal, as a spy. As they begin to fall for one another, Alicia is instructed to win the affections of Alexander Sebastian, a Nazi hiding out in Brazil. When Sebastian becomes serious about his relationship with Alicia, the stakes get higher, and Devlin must watch her slip further undercover.

The Big Sleep poster

The Big Sleep

1946

Private Investigator Philip Marlowe is hired by wealthy General Sternwood regarding a matter involving his youngest daughter Carmen. Before the complex case is over, Marlowe sees murder, blackmail, deception, and what might be love.

Funny Games poster

Funny Games

2008

When Ann, husband George, and son Georgie arrive at their holiday home they are visited by a pair of polite and seemingly pleasant young men. Armed with deceptively sweet smiles and some golf clubs, they proceed to terrorize and torture the tight-knit clan, giving them until the next day to survive.

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead poster

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead

1995

Five different criminals face imminent death after botching a job quite badly.

D.O.A. poster

D.O.A.

1949

Frank Bigelow is about to die, and he knows it. The accountant has been poisoned and has only 24 hours before the lethal concoction kills him. Determined to find out who his murderer is, Frank, with the help of his assistant and girlfriend, Paula, begins to trace back over his last steps. As he frantically tries to unravel the mystery behind his own impending demise, his sleuthing leads him to a group of crooked businessmen and another murder.

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Cape Fear?

The top films similar to Cape Fear by MovieMagicScore are Cape Fear (7.2), The Night of the Hunter (7.9), Dirty Harry (7.5). Each shares drama/thriller themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Cape Fear worth watching?

Cape Fear holds a MovieMagicScore of 7.4/10 from 600 viewer ratings, putting it among the better-reviewed titles in its genre.

What kind of movie is Cape Fear?

Cape Fear (1962) is a drama, thriller film directed by J. Lee Thompson, starring Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen.

Where can I find more recommendations like Cape Fear?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more drama recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Cape Fear Movies like The Night of the Hunter Movies like Dirty Harry Movies like The Hitcher Movies like Death Proof Movies like Red Eye

About movies like Cape Fear

This ranked list pairs Cape Fear (1962), a drama and thriller film from J. Lee Thompson, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Gregory Peck take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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