Shows like The Act
15 picks with a similar feel
What defines The Act, going by its Boxlist taste profile: A grounded crime series that is layered, inventive and weighty. Best if you like real life over fantasy. Its strongest markers on Boxlist are themes of mysteries that are not what they seem, plus tags such as true crime, trial and anthology.
Here are 15 shows with a similar feel, ranked by how closely they match that profile. Treat them as picks to try, not a definitive list.
Based on The Act (2019).
- 1
The Stranger (2020)
TV7.6
Why it's like The Act: Also weighty and inventive, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: thriller.
- 2
La Jauría (2020)
TV7.4Faster-paced
Why it's like The Act: Also grounded and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: thriller.
- 3
Good American Family (2025)
TV7.6Lighter option
Why it's like The Act: Also grounded and intricate, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: anthology.
- 4
Them (2021)
TV7.6Faster-paced
Why it's like The Act: Also inventive and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: anthology, thriller.
- 5
Ratched (2020)
TV7.8
Why it's like The Act: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: thriller.
- 6
The Innocent (2021)
TV7.7
Why it's like The Act: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: true crime.
- 7
The Crowded Room (2023)
TV7.6
Why it's like The Act: Also grounded and inventive, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem.
- 8
Home Before Dark (2020)
TV7.6
Why it's like The Act: Also grounded and intricate, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem.
- 9
Hunters (2020)
TV7.6Easier to follow
Why it's like The Act: Also weighty and intimate, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: thriller.
- 10
Disclaimer (2024)
TV7.4Faster-paced
Why it's like The Act: Also intricate and inventive, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: thriller.
- 11
Sharp Objects (2018)
TV7.8
Why it's like The Act: Also grounded and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem.
- 12
Manhunt (2017)
TV7.7
Why it's like The Act: Also grounded and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: true crime.
- 13
The Night Of (2016)
TV7.9
Why it's like The Act: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: trial.
- 14
Bosch (2015)
TV8.0
Why it's like The Act: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem.
- 15
Dexter: Resurrection (2025)
TV8.5
Why it's like The Act: Also weighty and intricate, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem.
Boxlist compares The Act with every show in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 7.2 or more from at least 150 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point. Ratings are TMDB audience scores out of 10.
Which of these suit you?
Take the taste test and every pick shows how well it matches you.
Take the taste testQuestions
- What should I watch if I like The Act?
- Picks with a similar feel include The Stranger, La Jauría, Good American Family and Them. Each shares part of The Act's taste profile, themes or tags; the full list has 15 shows.
- How are these shows like The Act chosen?
- Boxlist compares The Act with every show in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 7.2 or more from at least 150 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point.
- Is there a lighter show like The Act?
- Good American Family has a similar feel but scores lighter on Boxlist's weightiness scale.