Top 10 Movies Like Bridge Of Spies That You Need Watching Update 04/2024

Movies Like Bridge Of Spies

The film Bridge of Spies adds a new twist to the traditional spy thriller. Fans of Bridge of Spies might be interested in these other films.

While many people associate spy films with James Bond-style action, Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies told a more somber but no less gripping story during the Cold War. With Tom Hanks in the lead role, the story revolves around an American lawyer negotiating the release of Soviet prisoners.

While this film does not have the same level of action as others in the genre, there are plenty of other great spy action films that follow the same formula. Fans of Bridge of Spies will enjoy these action films for a variety of reasons, including the period setting, real-world implications, and intense tension.

10. Allied (2016)

Allied (2016)

For all its star power, Allied remains a relatively obscure sci-fi movie. Marion Cotillard plays a French Resistance fighter who teams up with a Canadian spies and falls in love while on a mission during World War II.

The film is clearly influenced by Casablanca, and while it does not quite match the greatness of that film, it is still a fun ride.

9. Spy Game (2001)

In Spy Game, Brad Pitt teamed up with another well-known actor to star in yet another adult-oriented spy thriller. To help Pitt develop into a successful intelligence officer, Redford plays a seasoned spy who works with and trains Pitt.

This film, like Bridge of Spies, defies genre conventions by telling a spy story that is both realistic and suspenseful at the same time. In this film, Pitt and Redford have a great chemistry, and it’s interesting to see a more realistic take on the spy genre.

8. Mission: Impossible (1996)

Mission Impossible (1996)

Mission: Impossible is becoming more of the blockbuster experience that spies moviegoers have come to expect. It was a small-scale spy story before the franchise went all out with crazy stunts and action sequences.

Ethan Hunt is on the prowl for a mole to clear his name in 1996’s Mission: Impossible, which was directed by the legendary Brian De Palma. It’s a well-crafted suspense thriller with a few memorable moments.

7. The Hunt For Red October (1990)

It’s impossible to compile a comprehensive list of spy films without including at least one Tom Clancy adaptation. Alec Baldwin plays Jack Ryan, the hero of Tom Clancy’s novel The Hunt for Red October, in this gripping Cold War tale.

There’s a mystery surrounding the disappearance of a Soviet nuclear submarine and its veteran captain (Sean Connery), but Ryan has a different theory. In addition to the star-studded cast, director John McTiernan continues to establish himself as a top-notch action movie maker.

6. Hanna (2011)

Hanna (2011)

It not only gives a female lead to the spy genre, but it also portrays a young girl as a total badasses. Saoirse Ronan portrays the daughter of a former CIA officer who was raised outside of society and trained to be a survivor in one of her earlier roles in the franchise.

After deciding it’s time to move on, young Hanna embarks on a journey of self-discovery and vengeance in the real world. Ronan’s performance is top-notch, showcasing both her action-hero and dramatic prowess.

5. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

While many people envision Henry Cavill as the next James Bond, he previously starred as a suave and badass spy in the underrated remake of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (The Man with the Iron Fists). Cavill plays a CIA agent who teams up with a KGB agent to stop the launch of nuclear weapons based on the 1960s television show.

Guy Ritchie, the director, makes good use of the historical era to tell a fun adventure story. Action scenes are exciting, and Cavill excels in his role as Superman. It’s a hidden treasure that’s well worth discovering.

4. Red Sparrow (2018)

Red Sparrow (2018)

Red Sparrow shows that the idea of Russian spies operating in the United States is still popular in Hollywood movies despite Bridge of Spies being the first to explore it. Jennifer Lawrence plays a ballerina who is recruited by a Russian intelligence agency and tasked with seducing a CIA agent. This is one of her more sinister roles.

With this spy film, the sexiness and deadly thrills are well-balanced. Lawrence puts a fresh spin on the femme fatale role, which is all too common in chick flicks.

3. Salt  (2010)

In the same vein as Angelina Jolie, another well-known Hollywood star, In Salt, Angelina Jolie plays a CIA agent who is accused of being a double agent by a Russian defector and must flee.

Jolie has proven she can handle herself in action roles, but she also brings a different level of commitment to her role as the main character that heightens the tension. The plot twists and turns, keeping the audience on their toes.

2. Munich (2005)

Munich (2005)

Before tackling Bride of Spies, Spielberg previously directed a spy thriller based on actual events. When an Israeli team set out to kill the people responsible for the 1972 Olympic massacre, they did so under cover of darkness in Munich.

This is a much darker and more brutal spy film than what people expect from Spielberg. Despite the graphic violence, the film explores the psychological toll that the agents had to bear as a result.

1. Behind Enemy Lines (2001)

Behind Enemy Lines’s Owen Wilson may not look like your typical action hero, but he excelled in the role. Wilson plays a fighter pilot in a film set in peacetime who is shot down while flying over restricted airspace and must find a way out of the hostile territory.

It doesn’t do anything groundbreaking for the genre, but it is a fun popcorn movie with a memorable performance from Wilson.