Movies like Detective Story (2018)
The best movies like Detective Story (2018) are Petals on the Wind (2014), 5lbs of Pressure (2024) and Sailing Into Love (2019). If Detective Story hooked you with its romance and thriller, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedPetals on the Wind (2014)6.6/10 from 231 votes
- Newest5lbs of Pressure (2024)Released 2024
Petals on the Wind (2014)
This sequel to Flowers in the Attic picks up 10 years after Cathy, Chris and Carrie managed to escape Foxworth Hall.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like this5lbs of Pressure (2024)
Fresh out of prison after serving time for murder, Adam returns to his old stomping grounds to seek out a son who doesn't know him. Eli, the brother of the man he killed is looking for revenge. Mike, is trying to escape a life of crime living under the thumb of his gangster Uncle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSailing Into Love (2019)
A biology teacher’s crusade to save a nearby island from development leads to unexpected romance with the handsome and mysterious young sea captain who is new to the seaside town of Willow Bay.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHoliday Date (2019)
When Brooke’s boyfriend, Ethan, breaks up with her just before the holidays, she agrees to go home with Joel, an actor who will pose as her boyfriend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFlower Shop Mystery: Dearly Depotted (2016)
Abby Knight, ex-lawyer and crime buff, and the owner of Bloomers Flower Shop, is having a week to be reckoned with. A reluctant bridesmaid at her drama queen cousin’s wedding, Abby ends up not just doing the flowers...but having to find out who murdered a wedding crasher. Stars Brooke Shields, Brennan Elliott and Beau Bridges.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCrossfire Trail (2001)
Rafe Covington is as good as his word, and he's determined to keep his promise to a dying man that he'll look after the man's widow and Wyoming ranch. But the widow doubts the integrity of drifter Covington. And an unscrupulous land grabber and his gunmen are sizing up the ranch the way a spider eyes a fly.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSecret Millionaire (2018)
When a bored millionaire (Steve Lund) is mistaken for a parking attendant by a beautiful girl (Siobhan Williams) who is protesting against his family’s intention of closing a local park, he uses the misunderstanding to get to know her better.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRome in Love (2019)
An unknown actress lands the role of a lifetime in Rome. Paired with an American journalist writing a profile, she will discover surprises about love and life in the eternal city.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLove at First Bark (2017)
Portland interior designer Julia Galvins (Jana Kramer) adopts a dog and seeks the help of expert and handsome dog trainer Owen Michaels (Kevin McGarry). When she is hired to design a nursery and a “puppery,” as well as plan a puppy shower fund-raiser for a pregnant client and her pregnant dog, Julia asks Owen’s advice, and their friendship just might turn into something more.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTaking a Shot at Love (2021)
Former professional ballet dancer Jenna works with NHL star Ryan Cooper to help him recover from an injury using ballet as therapy, and as they grow close, he helps her mend her injured heart. But when it’s time for Ryan to return to the ice and leave Jenna and her small, Connecticut town, they both must consider the paths they want to take and just maybe, love will find its way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTurkey Drop (2019)
Lucy Jacobs, a freshman university student, returns home to her small town for Thanksgiving break and suspects she's about to get turkey dropped— aka dumped by her high school sweetheart. To avoid a Turkey Day travesty, Lucy gets out of her comfort zone, proving she's not the same play-it-safe girl she once was.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLove and Sunshine (2019)
Ally Craig has been fostering retired military dog, Sunshine, as she recovers from a broken engagement. But sparks fly again when Sunshine's military partner, Jake Terry, returns to claim the dog.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMy One & Only (2019)
Contestants on the popular reality dating TV show "The One" try to determine if they're fated to be together. Meanwhile, sparks fly between the female contestant and the handsome ranch owner who acts as their guide.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisInfidelity in Suburbia (2017)
With her husband away at work, and her son at school, Laura dreams of a home-renovation project to supplant her restless days. Elliott, her irresistibly hot private contractor, soon fulfills her more forbidden dreams.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSleeping with Danger (2020)
Inspired by Ann Rule’s true crime collection Mortal Danger and Other True Cases. Paul Carter was like a knight in shining armor when he met flight attendant Grace Tanner and swept her into a passionate love affair. But her dream man quickly became her nightmare as his jealous rage ultimately led to a brutal attack. Incredibly, Grace was able to escape and go into hiding. Fearing for her life and the safety of other women Paul might seduce, Grace works with the police to bring Paul to justice.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller
Worth the HypeMovies like thisValentine Ever After (2016)
Big city girls Julia and her best friend Sydney take a trip to a dude ranch in Wyoming for a fun weekend getaway, but after a brawl at the local bar, the girls are sentenced to stay in town and perform community service. Along the way, Julia finds love and her true calling in life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNo Good Deed (2020)
Karen never planned on being a hero. A recent widow, she has her hands full with work and parenting her son Max. Then Karen saves Jeremy's life during a drug store robbery and quickly discovers that the young man is intent on paying her back at any cost. At first, life starts improving for this good Samaritan, but as Jeremy's efforts become more extreme, Karen starts to wonder if no good deed truly goes unpunished.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStalked by My Doctor: The Return (2016)
Dr. Beck, who has changed his name, saves a young teenage girl drowning in Mexico, whom he falls in love with. As always, there are some complications in his way, but he has plans to possibly get past them and get the girl of his dreams.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBad Sister (2015)
As a top student at St. Adeline's Catholic Boarding School, Zoe senses that something is not quite right about the school's new nun-- a sense proven to be true when it is revealed the "good' nun is an imposter with a fatal attraction to Zoe's brother.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisYour Boyfriend Is Mine (2022)
Over the objection of his girlfriend, Ben agrees to take a job as the “live in” man servant to a wealthy businesswoman, Amanda, but quickly realizes he has made a deal with the devil, and has put himself and his girlfriend in mortal jeopardy
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both thriller
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Detective Story?
The closest matches to Detective Story are Petals on the Wind (2014), 5lbs of Pressure (2024) and Sailing Into Love (2019). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Detective Story?
Start with Petals on the Wind (2014), the closest match to Detective Story.
What is the highest-rated movie like Detective Story?
Petals on the Wind (2014), rated 6.6/10 by 231 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Detective Story?
5lbs of Pressure (2024) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Detective Story?
The closest matches are in other languages.
How are movies similar to Detective Story chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Detective Story, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.