Dynamic Watchlist Hub: May 12, 2026

10 Best Movies Like The Public Pays

If you loved The Public Pays, we've curated the perfect watchlist for you based on shared genres, themes, and directorial style.

🏆

Expert Review & Ratings

See our full critical analysis and audience score for The Public Pays.

View Review →
Advertisement
#1
Mob Town

Mob Town

2019★ 6.4

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to The Public Pays for fans of Crime & Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

Based on the true story of the notorious 1957 ‘mob summit’ in upstate New York. Spearheaded by Vito Genovese, more than 50 leaders of the organized crime syndicates from around the...

#2
The Yakuza

The Yakuza

1974★ 7.2

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to The Public Pays for fans of Crime & Drama. It captures a similar adrenaline-pumping atmosphere.

When George Tanner does business with high-ranking Yakuza Tono, Tono kidnaps his daughter, and George summons his old friend, private eye Harry Kilmer, to Japan to investigate....

#3
Ill Manors

Ill Manors

2012★ 6.3

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to The Public Pays for fans of Crime & Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

Ensemble film revolving around characters living in Forest Gate, London. Over the course of a few days, six inter-linking stories explore issues of drug use, prostitution and urban...

#4
Bullets or Ballots

Bullets or Ballots

1936★ 6.6

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to The Public Pays for fans of Crime & Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

After Police Captain Dan McLaren becomes police commissioner, former detective Johnny Blake publicly punches him, convincing rackets boss Al Kruger that Blake is sincere in his eff...

#5
American Murderer

American Murderer

2022★ 5.9

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to The Public Pays for fans of Crime & Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

The True story of how charismatic con man Jason Derek Brown bankrolls his extravagant lifestyle through a series of scams. On Brown’s trail: Lance Leising, a dogged FBI special age...

#6
Primal Fear

Primal Fear

1996★ 7.7

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to The Public Pays for fans of Crime & Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

Defense attorney Martin Vail takes on jobs for money and prestige rather than any sense of the greater good. His latest case involves an altar boy, accused of brutally murdering th...

Advertisement