25 Movies Like Pulp Fiction

Pulp Fiction is a 1994 comedy-drama crime film by Quentin Tarantino. It is considered by many as one of the best films ever made.

He co-wrote the film with Roger Avary. The film received praise for its direction, screenplay, snappy dialogue, non-linear structure, performances, stylistic choices, and use of music. Pulp Fiction won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay.

It also received controversy for its brutal violence and extreme use of profanity.

Pulp Fiction stars an ensemble cast that includes John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, and Bruce Willis.

The movie follows a series of interconnected stories:

Prologue:
1. The film begins with a couple attempting to rob a diner, having grown bored with stereotypical robberies such as bank robberies.
1. It also follows two mobsters, Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield, retrieving a mysterious case for their boss Marsellus Wallace.
Vincent Vega And Marsellus Wallace’s Wife:
1. This part sees Vincent taking out Marsellus Wallace’s wife, Mia, for dinner while his boss is away on business. They both face the consequences of their addiction to drugs.
The Gold Watch:
1. It follows a boxer, Butch, going on a quest to find his father’s prized watch, the only possession he has that reminds him of him after his sudden death in World War II before he escapes the mob hunting him for refusing to throw in a fight.
1. During this escapade, he runs into Marsellus Wallace. The two get captured by two predators and are now forced to work together to survive.
The Bonnie Situation:
1. The film cuts back to Vincent and Jules as they retrieve the case and survive death with the help of divine intervention. This event leads Jules to reconsider the violent life he has chosen.
1. This part also sees Vincent and Jules dealing with the aftermath of a hostage situation gone wrong with the help of Vincent’s friend Jimmie. Tension rises as Bonnie, Jimmie’s wife is on the way home.
Epilogue:
1. This part follows the couple’s robbery that begins in the prologue of the film.

Movies like Pulp Fiction include but are not limited to Reservoir Dogs, True Romance, and The Godfather. They are either crime films, comedies that deal with dark humor, movies set in the 90s, plots in non-chronological order, or have a great sense of a neo-noir style and a brilliant soundtrack.

All the films below are ones you will admire if you enjoy the crime genre, films with a great sense of place, and well-written movies like Pulp Fiction.

Contents show

1. Reservoir Dogs

Reservoir Dogs is a 1992 crime-thriller written and directed by Quentin Tarantino in his feature film debut.

It follows a story, in non-chronological order, of robbers dealing with an aftermath of a bank robbery that went wrong while suspecting that one of them is an informant.

It stars an ensemble cast including Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, and Steve Buscemi.

Reservoir Dogs grossed $2,913,644 worldwide. The film won the International Critics’ Awardat the Toronto International Film Festival.

Like Pulp Fiction, the film follows mobsters in a story of consequences told in a non-chronological order.

2. True Romance

True Romance is a 1993 crime film directed by Tony Scott and written by Quentin Tarantino.

The film follows Clarence, a comic book nerd who falls in love with Alabama, a prostitute. Clarence ends up killing her pimp while breaking the news and takes a suitcase of cocaine with him, mistaking it for Alabama’s clothes. The mob soon begins pursuing the couple after they decide to sell it in California.

The movie stars Christian Slater as Clarence and Patricia Arquette as Alabama.

True Romance grossed $13,088,850 at the worldwide box office. It was Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 93%.

Like Pulp Fiction, True Romance is a well-written crime film that sports Quentin Tarantino’s great signature punchy dialogue.

3. The Godfather

The Godfather is a 1972 crime drama movie directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

The movie sees Don Vito Corleone, the aging head of a renowned Italian-American Mafia, prepping his reluctant son Michael Corleone to take his place.

The Godfather stars Marlon Brando as Don Vito and Al Pacino as Michael.

The film grossed $246,120,986 at the worldwide box office. It also won the Academy Award for Best Film upon release.

Like Pulp Fiction, The Godfather is regarded by many as one of the greatest crime films to date. It also sports some of the most memorable dialogue of any film.

4. Inglourious Basterds

Inglorious Bastards is a 2009 war comedy-drama written and directed by Quentin Tarantino.

The film is set in the first year of Germany’s occupation in France. It follows Allied officer Lt. Aldo Raine who assembles a team of soldiers of Jewish heritage to bring down many Nazi leaders, including Hitler himself. They plan to do this at a theatre owned by Shosanna Dreyfus, whose family fell victim to the Nazi’s violence. She, too, plans to take revenge that night.

The movie cast includes Brad Pitt as Allied officer Lt. Aldo Raine and Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Landa, one of the Nazi leaders.

Inglorious Bastards grossed $321,457,747 at the worldwide box office. Christoph Waltz won Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards for his great performance.

As seen in Pulp Fiction, this film sports Tarantino’s signature brutal violence, snappy dialogue, and interconnecting stories of revenge and redemption.

5. Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood

Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood is a 2019 comedy-drama film. Quentin Tarantino directed and wrote it.

The movie follows Rick Dalton, a formerly famous Western Actor, and Cliff Booth, his stunt double, seeking work and identity in the final years of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Their paths cross with aspiring actress Sharon Tate and the infamous Manson Family.

The movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton, Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth, and Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate.

Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood grossed $374,565,754 at the worldwide box office. It also won The Best Comedy or Musical Film at The Golden Globes.

This movie sports Tarantino’s signature memorable dialogue, a fantastic conclusion, and brutal violence like Pulp Fiction.

6. Sin City

Sin City is a 2005 crime-thriller directed by Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez. Robert Rodriguez also wrote the film. Quentin Tarantino worked on the film as a guest director.

This movie follows four stories in the fictional crime-ridden Basin City:

This story follows a salesperson who narrates a tragic tale to a mysterious woman in a red dress.
This tale follows Marv, a brutish vigilante, on a quest to find Goldie, his long-lost love.
The story follows an old, hardened cop called Hartigan, who goes on a quest to stop a child killer.
This tale follows Shellie, a former prostitute who takes it upon herself to escape from the hold of her former pimp with the help of her boyfriend Dwight.

Sin City features Bruce Willis as Hartigan.

The movie grossed $158,733,820 worldwide at the box office. It was Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Like Pulp Fiction, Sin City is a film divided into different interconnected stories. It also has segments directed by Quentin Tarantino.

7. Goodfellas

Goodfellas is a 1990 crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese and written by him.

The movie follows Henry Hill, a young man who grew up with mobsters, whose rise in ranks is hindered by his violent actions and drug addiction.

Goodfellas grossed $46,963,277 at the worldwide box office. It won Best Film at the BAFTAs.

Like Pulp Fiction, Goodfellas is considered one of the best films made by many and revolves around the lives of mobsters.

8. Django Unchained

Django Unchained is a 2012 western movie written and directed by Quentin Tarantino.

The film is set just before the American Civil War. Django, a freed slave, travels with bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz on a mission to free his wife Broomhilda from Calvin Candie, a malicious plantation owner.

The movie stars Jamie Foxx as Django, Christoph Waltz as Dr. King Schultz, and Leonardo DiCaprio as Calvin Candie.

Django Unchained grossed $426,074,373 at the worldwide box office. The film won the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay.

Django Unchained features a story of redemption riddled with Tarantino’s trademarked brutal violence and fantastic dialogue like his film Pulp Fiction.

9. Get Shorty

Get Shorty is a 1995 crime comedy written by Scott Frank and directed by Barry Sonnenfeld.

The movie follows mobster Chili Palmer whose boss sends him to collect a debt from Harry Zimm, a Hollywood producer. While there, Chili falls for actress Karen Flores and decides to pitch his life story as a movie idea to Zimm. He soon discovers that the movie business is very similar to his job as a mobster.

The filmstars John Travolta as Chili and Gene Hackman as Harry Zimm.

Get Shorty grossed $115,101,622 at the worldwide box office. John Travolta won the Golden Globe for Best Comedy or Musical actor.

Like Pulp Fiction, the film is a crime comedy that portrays mobsters as humans and not stereotypical villains.

10. Scar Face

Scar Face is a 1983 crime drama written by Oliver Stone and directed by Brian De Palma.

The movie is set in 1980 Miami. It follows Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee who gets a green card after assassinating a Cuban government official. When he arrives in Miami, he takes over the drug trade and murders anyone who stands in his way. Slowly he is taken over by the greed that comes with the business.

Scar Face stars Al Pacino as Tony Montana.

The film grossed $65,884,703 worldwide upon release. Al Pacino received a nomination for Best Actor at The Golden Globes for his performance.

Scar Face deals with the dangerous life as a mobster in America, like Pulp Fiction.

11. The Departed

The Departed is a 2006 crime thriller written by William Monahan and directed by Martin Scorsese.

The movie is set in South Boston and follows Billy, a cop who goes undercover to infiltrate an Irish Gang, and Colin, a gang member who goes undercover as a cop to leak information to the Irish Gang. The two must soon figure out one another’s identities as their lives come at risk in the process.

The Departed cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio as Billy and Matt Damon as Colin.

The film grossed $291,465,373 at the worldwide box office. It won the Academy Award for Best Film.

Like Pulp Fiction, this movie is well-written and deeply embedded into the American crime world.

12. Fargo

Frago is a 1996 crime comedy-drama written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen.

The movie is set in 1987 in Minnesota. Frago sees Jerry Lundegaard, a car salesman in terrible debt, team up with two crooks, Carl and Gaear, to kidnap his wife hoping that her wealthy father will pay off the ramson so Jerry can pay his debt. This plan soon becomes botched when the pregnant and persistent cop Marge Gunderson investigates the crime.

The movie stars Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson and William H. Macy as Jerry Lundegaard.

Fargo grossed $60,611,975 at the worldwide box office. The movie won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.

This film employs brilliant dark humor in a crime story filled with twists like Pulp Fiction.

13. Drive

The movie Drive is a 2011 crime drama written by Hossein Amini and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn.

Drive follows an unnamed mysterious driver who acts as a stunt driver by day and a getaway driver by night. This routine becomes complicated when he takes part in a robbery that goes wrong that puts Irene, a woman he has grown to love, and her son in danger. He vows to protect them.

Drive stars Ryan Gosling as the driver.

The movie grossed $77,187,281 worldwide. Drive was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Film.

Like Pulp Fiction, Drive has a great neo-noir style and features a crime story of romance and redemption.

14. The Hateful Eight

The Hateful Eight is a 2015 western movie written and directed by Quentin Tarantino.

The movie is set in a devastating winter in a post-civil war Wyoming.

It follows a series of characters, including bounty hunter John “The Hangman” Ruth, who attempts to find shelter with his fugitive prisoner Daisy Domergue from a deadly storm on their way to a town called Red Rock. On the journey, they meet Major Marquis Warren, another bounty hunter, and Chriss Mannix, a man claiming to be a sheriff. They also encounter four other nefarious strangers.

John and his fugitive soon doubt if they will make it to their destination as tension arises.

The cast includes Kurt Russel and Samuel L. Jackson.

The Hateful Eight grossed $156,480,177 at the worldwide box office. It won Best Musical Score at the Academy Awards.

Like Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino also writes and directs this movie. It also features well-written characters and his signature bloody violence and character revelations.

15. Taxi Driver

Taxi Driver is a 1976 crime drama movie written byPaul Schrader and directed by Martin Scorsese.

The film follows Travis, a war veteran who struggles with insomnia and his mental health. He becomes obsessed with bringing justice to the crime-ridden world he drives through by saving a child prostitute called Iris and liberating a presidential campaign worker.

Taxi Driver stars Robert De Niro as Travis and Jodie Foster as Iris.

The movie grossed $28,570,902 at the worldwide box office. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

Like Pulp Fiction, this film features a plot of justice set in the criminal underworld.

16. Baby Driver

Baby Driver is a 2017 crime film. It was written and directed by Edger Wright.

The movie follows getaway driver Baby, who relies on his music playlists to be excellent in his job. When he meets Debora, he instantly falls for her. This love for Debora causes him to fight for a life free of crime.

The film stars Ansel Elgort as Baby.

Baby Driver grossed $226,945,087 at the worldwide box office. The film received an Academy Award nomination for its editing.

This film sports a memorable soundtrack and deals with a life of crime like Pulp Fiction.

17. Jackie Brown

Jackie Brown is a 1997 crime thriller movie written and directed by Quentin Tarantino.

The movie follows Jackie, a flight attendant who gets caught smuggling money for her boss, Ordell Robbie, and is now forced to cooperate with the FBI to arrest her boss. She will either face jail time or death from the two parties, so she decides to double-cross both.

Jackie Brown stars Pam Gier as the title character. It also features Samuel L. Jackson as Ordell Robbie.

It grossed $39,673,807 at the worldwide box office. Pam Grier received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance as Jackie Brown.

It features Tarantino’s signature snappy dialogue and longtime collaborator, Samuel L. Jackson.

18. Trainspotting

Trainspotting is a 1996 crime comedy-drama directed by Danny Boyle and written by John Hodge.

Trainspotting follows Renton, a heroin addict who tries to get clean after moving from Edinburgh to London, but his influencers make it hard to break that addiction.

Trainspotting stars Ewan McGregor as Renton.

It grossed $16,767,004 at the worldwide box office. Trainspotting won a BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Like Pulp Fiction, this film features a protagonist struggling with drug addiction and is filled with dark humor.

19. The Nice Guys

The Nice Guys is a 2016 crime comedy film directed by Shawn Blake. He co-wrote it along with Anthony Bagarozzi.

It is set in Los Angeles in the 1970s. The movie follows two private eyes, Jackson and Holland, who investigates the suspicious death of a porn star and a missing girl case.

The film stars Russell Crowe as Jackson and Ryan Gosling as Holland.

The movie grossed $62,788,218 at the worldwide box office. The Nice Guys was Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Like Pulp Fiction, this movie sports a crime story riddled with dark humor.

20. Kill Bill: Volume 1 And 2

Kill Bill is an action film split into two volumes written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Although released separately, the two volumes make up one conclusive film.

It follows a former assassin known as The Bride who awakes after a four-year coma who seeks vengeance against her ex-lover bill, who attempted to kill her on her wedding night.

The film stars Uma Thurman.

Volume 1 and 2 grossed $180,906,076 and $154,118,820 respectively at the worldwide box office. Both volumes were Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Both volumes of Kill Bill feature unique zany plots and blood-gushing violence synonymous with Tarantino’s films.

21. John Wick

John Wick is a 2014 action crime-thriller written by Derek Kolstad and directed by Chad Stahelski.

The film is about a former hitman called John Wick, who goes on a violent quest for revenge against the Russian gangsters who broke into his home and killed his puppy given to him by his late wife.

John Wick stars Keanu Reeves.

The movie grossed $86,081,711 at the worldwide box office. It was Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Like Pulp Fiction, John Wick features brutal violence and splashes of dark humor in its plot.

22. Layer Cake

Layer Cake is a 2004 crime drama film directed by Matthew Vaughn and written by J.J Connolly.

The movie centers on an unnamed cocaine dealer in London who, on the eve of stepping away from his crime-ridden life, gets two challenging and equally crazy assignments from his boss to complete.

Layer Cake stars Daniel Craig as the unnamed dealer.

It grossed $11,850,214 at the worldwide box office. Matthew Vaugh won Best British Director at the Empire Awards for this film.

Like Pulp Fiction, this film centers on a man involved in the criminal underworld who also has to fulfill an essential task for his boss that plays a central role in the movie.

23. Knives Out

Knives Out is a 2019 comedy crime mystery film written and directed by Rian Johnson.

The movie centers on a dysfunctional and combative wealthy family whose source of wealth springs from crime novelist Harlan Thrombey, who has just been mysteriously murdered. It is up to Benoit Blanc, a renowned detective, to solve the crime, where each member of the family is a potential suspect.

The film stars Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc.

Knives Out grossed $311,605,581 at the worldwide box office.

Like Pulp Fiction, it features a clever crime story riddled with dark humor.

24. Mid90s

Mid90s is a 2018 coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed and written by Jonah Hill.

The movie is set in the 90s. It follows 13-year old introvert Stevie, who finds belonging, away from his troubled home amongst a group of skaters, many of who are much older than him.

Mid90s grossed $9,187,575 at the worldwide box office.

Like Pulp Fiction, this film strongly makes use of its 90s setting to tell its coming-of-age story.