Movies like Arson for Hire (1959)
The best movies like Arson for Hire (1959) are Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (2019), The Blue Gardenia (1953) and Hellfighters (1968). If Arson for Hire hooked you with its crime and romance, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedPickup on South Street (1953)7.4/10 from 341 votes
- NewestUnmasking a Killer Serial Arsonist (2024)Released 2024
Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (2019)
Nancy Drew, a smart high schooler with a penchant for keen observation and deduction, stumbles upon the haunting of a local home. A bit of an outsider struggling to fit into her new surroundings, Nancy and her pals set out to solve the mystery, make new friends, and establish their place in the community
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Blue Gardenia (1953)
Upon waking up to the news that the man she’d gone on a date with the previous night has been murdered, a young woman with only a faint memory of the night’s events begins to suspect that she murdered him while attempting to resist his advances.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHellfighters (1968)
The adventures of oil well fire specialist Chance Buckman (based on real-life Red Adair), who extinguishes massive fires in oil fields around the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Glenbrooke Christmas (2020)
As Christmas nears, heiress Jessica Morgan seizes what seems like her last chance to experience a relaxed Christmas and heads off to the small town of Glenbrooke, where she meets a handsome fireman.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMarry Me at Christmas (2017)
Organizing a Christmas wedding is a true treat for bridal boutique owner Madeline Krug. She loves the challenge of finding the perfect dress for the bride and orchestrating an exquisite event. What Madeline didn’t expect was to be swept off her feet by the bride’s gorgeous brother, movie star, Jonny Blaze. Jonny came to the quirky town of Fool’s Gold to support his sister -- not to fall in love. Yet Madeline is the most extraordinary woman he’s ever met, and she finds the real Jonny even more captivating than her celebrity crush. Will the action star be brave enough to take on the role of a lifetime?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Glass Key (1942)
A crooked politician finds himself being accused of murder by a gangster from whom he refused help during a re-election campaign.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLady in the Lake (1946)
Private eye Phillip Marlowe wants to get out of the detective racket and into crime writing. But when he's called to the office of editor Adrienne Fromsett, it's not to talk about his story ideas — she wants him to locate the missing wife of her boss, Mr. Kingsby. The assignment quickly becomes complicated when bodies start turning up.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisScaramouche (1952)
In 18th-century France, a young man masquerades as an actor to avenge his friend's murder.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisIt Was Always You (2021)
Elizabeth's engagement plans are thrown into disarray when her fiancée's free-spirited brother David returns home. David's unexpected influence prompts Elizabeth to question her life decisions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Mirror Crack'd (1980)
Jane Marple solves the mystery when a local woman is poisoned and a visiting movie star seems to have been the intended victim.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChristmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy (2019)
A skeptical writer shows up in Evergreen to get the scoop on the town's famed passion for Christmas during a search for a long-lost time capsule.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPickup on South Street (1953)
In New York City, an insolent pickpocket, Skip McCoy, inadvertently sets off a chain of events when he targets ex-prostitute Candy and steals her wallet. Unaware that she has been making deliveries of highly classified information to the communists, Candy, who has been trailed by FBI agents for months in hopes of nabbing the spy ringleader, is sent by her ex-boyfriend, Joey, to find Skip and retrieve the valuable microfilm he now holds.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both crime
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Blue Lamp (1950)
P.C. George Dixon is a long-serving traditional copper who is due to retire shortly. He takes a new recruit under his aegis and introduces him to the easy-going night beat. Dixon is a classic ordinary hero but also anachronistic, unprepared and unable to answer the violence of the 1950s.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHe Ran All the Way (1951)
A crook on the run hides out in an innocent girl's apartment.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both crime
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Little Christmas Charm (2020)
Holly, a jewelry designer finds a lost charm bracelet and teams up with investigative reporter Greg in hopes of finding the owner and returning it by Christmas Eve.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNightfall (1956)
An innocent man turns fugitive as he reconstructs events that implicate him for a murder and robbery he did not commit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSharing Christmas (2017)
A real estate developer is given the opportunity of his career to transform an old shopping complex into a prime location. Unfortunately, there is one tenant who is holding out—the Christmas shop owner he met by happenstance just days ago.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Big Clock (1948)
George Stroud, a crime magazine's crusading editor, has to postpone a vacation with his wife - again - when a glamorous blonde is murdered and he is assigned by his publishing boss to find the killer. As the investigation proceeds to its conclusion, Stroud must try to disrupt his ordinarily brilliant investigative team as they increasingly build evidence that he is the killer.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both crime
Worth the HypeMovies like thisChateau Christmas (2020)
Margot, a world-renowned pianist, returns to Chateau Newhaus to spend the holidays with her family and is reunited with an ex who helps her rediscover her passion for music.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAll of My Heart: The Wedding (2018)
Brian and Jenny are planning their wedding at the Inn where they fell in love. When a distant relative arrives and stakes their claim to the Inn, Brian and Jenny must find a way to save their beloved Inn or risk having to sell.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Hot Spot (1990)
Upon arriving to a small town, a drifter quickly gets into trouble with the local authorities — and the local women — after he robs a bank.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance & crime
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPretty Poison (1968)
A troubled arsonist spins a tale of espionage to a captivating girl, who becomes enthralled and entangled in his dangerous fantasies, leading to unexpected murder and chaos that change their lives forever.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both crime & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Pyromaniac's Love Story (1995)
A pastry boy and the son of a hair-piece mogul become involved in an arson scandal. Sergio is offered a bribe in exchange for taking the blame for the fire that destroys his workplace. Garet, the real arsonist, is apalled that someone else would try to take credit for his act of love. Before long, Sergio and Garet become entangled in a zany love-quadrangle involving Hattie and Stephanie. Written by Brian Whiting
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
The Fire Raisers (1934)
Jim Bronton is an insurance investigator, but he's unhappy with his work and gets involved with a gang of arsonists. His conscience is troubling him ...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both crime
The Big Caper (1957)
A con artist moves into a small town to spearhead a payroll robbery.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both crime
Playing with Fire (1985)
Gary Coleman stars as a teenage arsonist. The authorities, friends, and neighbors warn his absentee parents until it is too late.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both crime
Unmasking a Killer Serial Arsonist (2024)
The story of how investigators unmasked the most prolific American arsonist of the 20th century.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both crime
Her Name Is Cat 2: Journey To Death (2001)
Samantha is on a mission to Thailand to transport a microchip that contains secret Russian military information before it falls into the hands of Chaipon, a ruthless Thai general. When Sam falls for the man carrying the chip, she must save the day.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both crime
Up&Down (2012)
A struggling actor pushing 30 works a day job at a luxury hotel, shepherding guests and party goers, while yearning for the girl of his dreams.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Judge Mujrim (1997)
A renowned judge witnesses a murder in broad daylight. He identifies the killer who is arrested, found guilty and sentenced to the gallows. The judge later discovers he has seen the wrong person.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both crime
Like Arson for Hire and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Arson for Hire?
The closest matches to Arson for Hire are Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (2019), The Blue Gardenia (1953) and Hellfighters (1968). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Arson for Hire?
Start with Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (2019), the closest match to Arson for Hire.
What is the highest-rated movie like Arson for Hire?
Pickup on South Street (1953), rated 7.4/10 by 341 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Arson for Hire?
Unmasking a Killer Serial Arsonist (2024) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Arson for Hire?
Yes: Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (2019), The Blue Gardenia (1953) and Hellfighters (1968).
How are movies similar to Arson for Hire chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Arson for Hire, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.