The 25 Best Movies Like 'Taxi Driver', Ranked By Fans
  • Photo:
    • Taxi Driver
    • Columbia Pictures

The 25 Best Movies Like 'Taxi Driver', Ranked By Fans

Jason Bancroft
Updated March 15, 2025 25 items
Voting Rules
Vote up the movies that fans of 'Taxi Driver' are sure to love.

Are you a fan of the gritty urban landscape and complex characters portrayed in Taxi Driver? If so, you're in for a treat. We have expertly curated a list of movies like Taxi Driver that will immerse you in compelling narratives, intense psychological thrillers, and mesmerizing performances.

Dive into the twisted mind of Rupert Pupkin in The King of Comedy, directed by Martin Scorsese. This gripping tale explores themes of celebrity worship, mental illness, and the lengths one might go for success. With Robert De Niro delivering a stellar performance, this film is a must-watch for fans of Taxi Driver. Plus, conveniently find “Where to Watch” buttons below each film for streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Max, and more.

Explore the mean streets of New York City in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets, where morality, religion, and redemption collide. With stellar performances from Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro, this film redefines the cinematic portrayal of urban life. It's one of the many cinematic treasures on this list that have been compiled using votes from Rankers like you.

Step into the disturbing world of Arthur Fleck in Joker, directed by Todd Phillips. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a haunting performance as Fleck descends into madness, paralleling Taxi Driver in its portrayal of a misanthropic character driven to violence by societal neglect. Don't miss out on the convenient “Where to Watch” buttons below each film, making it easy to stream your favorites.

As you peruse this list, don't forget to vote up your favorite items and share your thoughts with fellow Rankers. Your input helps shape the rankings and ensures that other movie enthusiasts discover good, new and classic movies that are great to watch after seeing Taxi Driver. So, grab some popcorn, settle in, and prepare to be captivated by these unforgettable films.


  • Serpico
    • Photo:
      • Serpico

    Serpico, on the other hand, offers a stark portrayal of police corruption. Al Pacino brilliantly brings to life the character of Frank Serpico, an honest cop who risks everything to expose the rampant bribery and corruption within his own department. The film's intense exploration of integrity and moral compromise amidst systemic corruption makes it stand out as a compelling psychological thriller.

    Serpico shares similarities with Taxi Driver through its exploration of corruption and moral integrity led by a powerful acting performance.

    • Actors: Al Pacino, John Randolph, Jack Kehoe, Biff McGuire, Barbara Eda-Young
    • Released: 1973
    • Directed by: Sidney Lumet
    38 votes
    Travis Bickle approved?
  • Mean Streets
    • Photo:
      • Mean Streets

    Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets paints a gritty picture of New York City through its exploration of morality, religion, and redemption. This gripping tale follows Charlie (Harvey Keitel), who navigates his way through seedy underworlds while grappling with personal demons fueled by Catholic guilt. His relationship with Johnny Boy (Robert De Niro), an unpredictable loan defaulter, adds another layer to this complex narrative. The film’s impact resonates throughout the genre as it redefined the cinematic portrayal of urban life.

    Mean Streets resonates with Taxi Driver by delving into the gritty urban landscape and moral dilemmas faced by its characters, highlighting Robert De Niro's captivating portrayal and Martin Scorsese's directorial prowess amidst the themes of guilt and redemption found in both films.

    • Actors: Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Richard Romanus, Amy Robinson, David Proval
    • Released: 1973
    • Directed by: Martin Scorsese
    58 votes
    Travis Bickle approved?
  • Joker
    • Photo:
      • Warner Bros. Pictures

    Todd Phillips' Joker offers an unsettling glimpse into the transformation of Arthur Fleck, portrayed brilliantly by Joaquin Phoenix, from a marginalized citizen to Gotham city’s most notorious villain. Its exploration of societal neglect and mental health issues create a disturbing atmosphere that challenges audience perceptions about hero-villain dynamics typically seen in comic-based films. Winning numerous awards, Joker not only pushed boundaries within its genre but also sparked extensive dialogue around mental health awareness in society.

    Joker parallels Taxi Driver with its portrayal of a misanthropic character descending into violence as a response to societal isolation.

    • Actors: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen
    • Released: 2019
    • Directed by: Todd Phillips
    50 votes
    Travis Bickle approved?
  • The King of Comedy
    • Photo:
      • The King of Comedy

    The King of Comedy, directed by Martin Scorsese, is an intense psychological thriller that delves into the life and mind of Rupert Pupkin, a struggling comedian played by Robert De Niro. Pupkin's obsession with fame and recognition takes him down a dark path where he kidnaps his idol to secure a spot on late-night television. The film explores themes of celebrity worship, mental illness, and the lengths one might go for success. It has left an indelible mark on pop culture and remains a significant piece in the genre.

    The King of Comedy shares similarities with Taxi Driver through its exploration of an obsessive character played by Robert DeNiro in a film directed by Martin Scorsese.

    • Actors: Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Sandra Bernhard, Diahnne Abbott, Shelley Hack
    • Released: 1983
    • Directed by: Martin Scorsese
    47 votes
    Travis Bickle approved?
  • Bad Lieutenant
    • Photo:
      • Bad Lieutenant

    Abel Ferrara’s Bad Lieutenant is an unsettling masterpiece that follows the harrowing journey of a corrupt cop (Harvey Keitel) spiraling into addiction and moral decay. His path to redemption through an investigation of a nun's rape gives this film its chilling edge. The movie strikes a balance between religious symbolism and grittiness, making it a thought-provoking addition to the genre. Its unflinching portrayal of corruption and redemption has left a lasting impact on the depiction of law enforcement characters in cinema.

    Bad Lieutenant echoes Taxi Driver in its depiction of violent hedonism and corruption, with both films featuring raw and gripping performances as troubled protagonists grapple with inner demons in both narratives.

    • Actors: Harvey Keitel, Frankie Thorn, Zoë Lund, Anthony Ruggiero, Eddie Daniels
    • Released: 1992
    • Directed by: Abel Ferrara
    27 votes
    Travis Bickle approved?
  • Prisoners

    Prisoners is an intense exploration of how far one can go when their child's life is at stake. The plot revolves around two families whose daughters are kidnapped, leading to a desperate and morally ambiguous quest for justice. Hugh Jackman delivers a riveting performance as Keller Dover, a man pushed to his limits by the horrifying situation. Jake Gyllenhaal also shines as Detective Loki, who tries to maintain law and order in the face of mounting pressure. With its chilling narrative and thought-provoking themes about the nature of humanity under extreme stress, Prisoners leaves an indelible mark on the psychological thriller genre.

    Prisoners parallels Taxi Driver by showcasing characters pushed to extremes in pursuit of vigilante justice.

    • Actors: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard
    • Released: 2013
    • Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
    22 votes
    Travis Bickle approved?