15 Best Shows Like Prison Break On Netflix Update 04/2024

Shows Like Prison Break On Netflix

‘Prison Break’ was a huge hit for five seasons, and it continues to be popular today. A new level of drama was introduced as a result of this. Audiences cheered loudly when Michael Scofield set out to aid his brother Lincoln Burrows in his attempt to escape from a prison. The script for the show was excellent, and all of the actors were excellent. It had a unique approach, and each step of the strategy appeared well-thought-out. While we adored characters like Michael, Lincoln, and Sucre, the show also gave us “love to hate characters” like T-Bag, who we grew to despise.

The show was revived because of its enormous popularity, and the most recent season aired just last year. After a successful first season, the show has been renewed for a second. Here are some suggestions to get you through the interim until the new season begins. The following is our pick for the best shows to watch if you like ‘Prison Break.’ Prison Break, for example, can be found on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.

15. Breakout Kings (2011-2012)

Breakout Kings (2011-2012)

‘Prison Break’ isn’t a direct spin-off, but there is some continuity between this show and that one. For the purpose of tracking down prisoners who have escaped, a task force has been formed. Some former prisoners have also offered to help, in addition to the U.S. Marshals. Every year they catch a fugitive will be deducted from their sentence. However, if they attempt to flee, their time will be increased by one full year. This show has a lot of “trying to get out of jail” acts. However, after two seasons, it was canceled due to its inability to maintain a positive reputation. As a result, your binge will be brief.

14. The Prisoner (1967)

There isn’t a prison in sight for this British miniseries but a man is held captive nonetheless. A secret agent (who wishes to remain anonymous) announces his resignation. He comes across as bitter and impatient, as if he wants to get out of the country as quickly as possible. Unknown people capture him and imprison him in a mysterious coastal village that is cut off from the rest of the world. He is being monitored by a slew of surveillance systems. This show was a blend of spy drama and inmate drama with a dash of science fiction thrown in.

13. Wentworth (2013- present)

Wentworth (2013- present)

The story of Bea Smith is told in ‘Wentworth,’ an adaptation of the popular Australian television series ‘Prisoner.’ She was convicted of her husband’s attempted murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. When she enters prison, she not only survives the trials she faces, but she also rises through the ranks to become the most powerful woman there. The show has received a lot of positive feedback from critics and viewers alike. Because of the way it tells its story, it is frequently compared to shows like “Breaking Bad,” in which tension builds over the course of a season before exploding at the end.

12. CSI (2000-)

There are now three different versions of the CSI television series, including one focusing on the city of New York and another on the city’s cybercrime division. Despite the differences in setting, all of these stories revolve around the forensic investigative team and their ability to solve cases with their wits. CSI gives us a new perspective on crime and makes us realize that while detectives often get all the credit for solving cases, scientists in a lab actually do the majority of the deductive work and provide their findings to the detectives.

11. NCIS (2003-)

Unlike the FBI, the Naval Criminal Investigative Services deals exclusively with marines and sailors. Another long-running show with numerous spinoffs is The X-Files. However, the main plot revolves around a group of investigators based in Washington, D.C., who investigate crimes committed by sailors. To a large extent, it follows the same formula as the BAU; if viewers want to be reminded that we are all fallible beings who can make mistakes, this is the show to watch.

10. Buried (2003)

Buried (2003)

Lee Kingley was sentenced to ten years in HMP Mandrake and will report there in the near future. It demonstrates his tenacity in the face of adversity, showing how he avoids (or encounters) difficulties. To top it all off, it won a BAFTA for Best Drama Series. However, the audience didn’t seem to get the show’s depth, and as a result, it was canceled after the first season. In comparison to other shows, this one had a lot more sincerity. There were situations where a small group of guards had to manage a prison with hundreds of inmates, and it did so deftly.

9. Prisoner (1979-1986)

The action took place in a fictitious women’s prison called Wentworth Detention Centre in Australia. Karen Travers and Lynn Warner, two new inmates, were at the center of the story. Over time, the show developed a devoted fan base and received generally positive reviews. Because of the popularity of the show with its viewers, several spin-offs, stage plays, and tie-in novels have been produced. It was originally intended to run for one season only, but after receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews, the show was extended for a second season. The show’s commentary touched on touchy subjects like homosexuality and social reform. The realism and authenticity of the film, which showed the prison from the perspective of female inmates, were highly praised.

8. Bad Girls (1999-2006)

Bad Girls (1999-2006)

This was another highly regarded British series that took a somber look at prison life. It focuses on Larkhall, a fictitious women’s prison. The show’s authenticity necessitated the inclusion of some coarse language. There was also strong subject matter such as an inmate’s miscarriage, a vicious strip search by other prisoners of a new prisoner, bullying, and suicide. It had a somber tone and built on the realistic setting throughout. However, after several successful seasons, the show’s popularity began to wane. As a result, the production was shelved. After that, there was a Christmas special to wrap things up.

7. Oz (1997-2003)

As the first show to emerge from HBO’s Pandora box, this one was a major success. Play based on “The Wizard of Oz” as suggested by the title. Taking place in the Oswald State Correctional Facility, the story follows inmates as they try to gain control over various aspects of prison life and gain access to various resources. The show was well received by critics and audiences alike, and it was renewed for a sixth season. Keep in mind that this is an HBO production before you start watching. Many of the characters you’ve grown to care about may be killed off by the end of the season. It’s going to be a bloodbath.

6. Lockup: Maximum Security (2007)

Other prison-based shows are usually works of fiction, but this one is as real as they come. This show takes viewers on a tour of several of America’s most notorious prisons in the course of a single season. It’s not like the tensions between the inmates have vanished. When things get heated, they can spiral out of control, posing a serious threat to the lives of those working at the establishment. As a result, we get an inside look at some of the world’s most brutal prisons.

5. Porridge (1974-1977)

Porridge (1974-1977)

If all the seriousness is getting to you, try watching this British comedy instead. The title is a play on the British slang phrase “Doing Porridge,” which refers to serving time in prison. The story revolves around Norman Fletcher and Lennie Godber, two inmates. The prison life comes more naturally to Fletcher because of his experience in the criminal justice system. Godber, a nave man serving his first prison term, cannot say the same. In fact, many people consider this show to be one of the greatest British comedies ever made. It was well-liked by the general public and has spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs.

4. Making a Murderer (2015-present)

We saw Lincoln Burrows in ‘Prison Break’ serving time for a crime he did not commit. It’s all about that in this docuseries on PBS. He was wrongly convicted of sexual assault and attempted murder and spent the rest of his life in prison. He was incarcerated for eighteen years before being cleared of all charges. Despite filing a lawsuit, he was arrested again for murder before the case could be resolved. An additional season of this Netflix documentary will examine the fallout from his second conviction and was shot over a ten-year period of time.

3. Mindhunter (2017-)

Mindhunter (2017-)

These two agents started building criminal profiles from scratch before the BAU was formed. Because of Holden Ford and Bill Tench, the BAU is even conceivable in Criminal Minds, and these two agents travelled the country against all odds, interviewing serial killers and developing criminal profiling and psychology methodologies for the agency. This show stands out from the rest due to its excellent production values, stunning visuals, and superb acting. Only viewers who are really interested in criminology should watch this one; otherwise, they may find it slower than the other shows on the list.

2. Hogan’s Heroes (1965-1971)

This is a surprising choice in the genre of prison dramas. The story takes place during World War II and follows the lives of German POWs in a camp and the inept and complacent prison staff. Instead of fleeing the camp, the inmates decide to use their newfound freedom to spy on the Nazis and aid the Allies in the war effort. This show raised the bar yet again for shows of its kind. It’s hilarious because it shows inmates dealing with their issues while also dealing with the espionage aspect. In any case, who doesn’t enjoy a good war-tale?

1. Orange Is the New Black (2013- present)

Orange Is the New Black (2013- present)

This may be the next most well-known series about prison life, based on the book of the same name. The show has grown in popularity and critical acclaim over the course of its five seasons on air. Piper Chapman had smuggled money for her girlfriend’s drug habit into the country through the back door. However, that was over a decade ago. With her newfound sobriety, Piper has become a law-abiding citizen. Piper is content with her life and has no idea that her past mistakes will catch up with her. As a result, she was found guilty and sentenced to 15 months in a women’s prison with the lowest level of security. In contrast to the outside world, the show isn’t about breaking out of prison.