19 Movies Like The Prisoner That Will Blow Your Mind

Danger Man, released in 1962, is reminiscent of The Prisoner for several reasons. Both shows fall within the espionage genre and feature a male protagonist who is a secret agent. However, while The Prisoner focuses on the protagonist's imprisonment in a bizarre village and his attempts to escape, Danger Man follows John Drake, a special operative for N.A.T.O., as he undertakes security assignments to maintain world peace.
One of the standout elements of Danger Man is the high level of intelligence that went into the series. Unlike other spies of the 1960s, Drake does not rely on violence to solve problems and rarely resorts to killing. Instead, he employs trickery, maneuvering, and mind games, showcasing his resourcefulness and wit. In fact, the lead actor, Patrick McGoohan, who also starred in The Prisoner, turned down the role of James Bond due to the excessive amount of gratuitous sex and violence in the series.

Secret Agent (also known as Danger Man) is reminiscent of The Prisoner because both are British series from the 1960s with a spy theme. While The Prisoner takes place in a bizarre prison, Secret Agent follows John Drake, a special operative for M9, on security assignments to protect world peace. Both shows feature secret agents who face dangerous situations and must navigate through a web of mystery and intrigue. However, unlike The Prisoner, Secret Agent is more action-oriented and lacks the complex and surreal elements that make the former so unique. Nevertheless, fans of The Prisoner should definitely give Secret Agent a watch for its thrilling adventures and charismatic lead character, portrayed by the talented Patrick McGoohan.

The Warden is reminiscent of The Prisoner, but with a twist. While The Prisoner takes place in a mysterious village that is actually a prison, The Warden is set in a real prison that is about to be evacuated. Both movies explore the theme of confinement, but in different ways. The Prisoner presents a surreal world where the protagonist tries to escape, while The Warden focuses on the challenges faced by Major Jahed and his officers as they transfer inmates to a new facility. Despite their differences, both movies captivate viewers with their gripping storylines and strong performances. If you enjoyed the mind-bending plot of The Prisoner, you'll appreciate the tension and suspense in The Warden.

Dark Shadows, like The Prisoner, transports viewers to a captivating world full of mystery and intrigue. While The Prisoner immerses us in a bizarre prison disguised as an idyllic village, Dark Shadows torments the wealthy Collins family with a series of strange occurrences. Both shows captivate audiences with their unique settings and unconventional storylines. However, Dark Shadows distinguishes itself with its seductive behavior, psychotronic series, and supernatural powers, which add an extra layer of excitement. The interplay between the actors in Dark Shadows is also exceptional, making it one of the best television series in terms of cast chemistry. With its mix of drama, fantasy, horror, mystery, romance, sci-fi, and thriller elements, Dark Shadows is a must-watch for fans of The Prisoner seeking another enthralling and unforgettable television experience.

The Name of the Game, released in 1968, shares several similarities with The Prisoner. Both are groundbreaking series that captivated audiences during the late 1960s and early 1970s. While The Prisoner immersed viewers in a mysterious and bizarre prison, The Name of the Game introduced us to the captivating world of Howard Publications, the empire of Glenn Howard. The common theme of these series is the exploration of unconventional environments and the unpredictability of the characters' experiences. However, The Name of the Game takes a different approach by featuring three rotating stars in independent episodes. Glenn Howard's business and political confrontations, Jeff Dillon's investigative reporting, and Dan Farrell's literary war against organized crime all contribute to the series' unique storytelling. Additionally, The Name of the Game boasts well-written episodes with intriguing plot twists, making it a must-watch for fans of The Prisoner.

The Lazarus Project is reminiscent of The Prisoner in that it also explores the theme of a protagonist trapped in a secret and bizarre world. In The Prisoner, a secret agent is taken to a seemingly idyllic village that is actually a strange prison, while in The Lazarus Project, an ex-con is pushed back into the world he is trying to escape and finds himself working at a psychiatric facility with an inexplicable new life. Both movies keep you guessing and questioning the reality of the situations presented. However, The Lazarus Project has a more modern setting and a faster pace, with viewers praising its tight and gripping screenplay. While The Prisoner is a classic British series from 1969, The Lazarus Project offers a contemporary take on the theme of imprisonment and the struggle for freedom. If you enjoyed The Prisoner and want a thrilling and emotional movie experience, I highly recommend checking out The Lazarus Project.

"Walk the Line" is a captivating film that chronicles the life of country music legend Johnny Cash. Just like "The Prisoner," it takes you on a journey through a different world, but instead of a mysterious village, we are transported to the world of music in the 1960s. The film beautifully captures Cash's rise to fame, from his humble beginnings on a cotton farm in Arkansas to his iconic recordings alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon deliver phenomenal performances, singing every song themselves and truly embodying the spirit of Cash and June Carter. While "The Prisoner" keeps you guessing and leaves you to figure things out for yourself, "Walk the Line" is a heartwarming tale filled with great music, love, and emotional ups and downs.

Mesrine: Killer Instinct is reminiscent of The Prisoner in many ways. Both movies feature characters who find themselves trapped in a confined environment against their will, constantly struggling to escape. While The Prisoner is set in a mysterious village, Mesrine: Killer Instinct takes place in the criminal underworld of 1960s France. The main characters in both films refuse to conform to the demands of their captors and instead, fight for their freedom. However, there are also notable differences between the two movies. The Prisoner is a British TV series from 1969, while Mesrine: Killer Instinct is a French cinema movie from 2009. The former explores themes of surveillance and the loss of individuality, while the latter delves into the life of a notorious gangster. Mesrine: Killer Instinct is an action-packed biographical crime drama that offers a thrilling and visceral experience.

The Saint, much like The Prisoner, takes viewers on a thrilling adventure through the 1960s. While The Prisoner immerses us in a mysterious and surreal prison, The Saint follows the wealthy adventurer Simon Templar as he travels the world in his white Volvo P1800S, solving unsolvable problems and righting wrongs. Both shows capture the essence of the era, with The Prisoner exploring secret agents and a bizarre village, and The Saint embodying the spirit of Robin Hood with its 20th Century twist. However, while The Prisoner delves into drama, mystery, and sci-fi, The Saint combines action, crime, drama, mystery, and thriller genres. So, if you're a fan of the enigmatic and thought-provoking storytelling of The Prisoner, you'll enjoy The Saint's thrilling escapades and the charismatic charm of Roger Moore's Simon Templar.

Mannix, released in 1969, is reminiscent of The Prisoner. While The Prisoner takes place in a bizarre prison disguised as an idyllic village, Mannix follows the journey of Joe Mannix, a former Intertect agent who becomes a private investigator. Both shows capture the essence of mystery and intrigue, with The Prisoner presenting a whole new world and Mannix providing thrilling crime-solving adventures. However, Mannix differs from The Prisoner in terms of its setting and tone. While The Prisoner delves into a surreal and mind-bending environment, Mannix takes a more grounded approach, focusing on Joe Mannix's investigations into various crimes. Nevertheless, if you enjoyed the enigmatic nature of The Prisoner, you'll find Mannix's captivating mysteries and charismatic characters equally enticing.

Hawaii Five-O is reminiscent of The Prisoner because both shows were popular during the 1960s and 1970s. While The Prisoner was a British series that delved into the mystery of a secret agent trapped in a peculiar prison, Hawaii Five-O focused on the investigations of an elite branch of the Hawaii State Police. The similarities end there, as Hawaii Five-O took a different approach with its straightforward and self-contained plots. Unlike The Prisoner, the stories in Hawaii Five-O were rarely surprising or twisty, but they were well-written and often unique. The show's authenticity added to its charm, as it was shot entirely on location in Hawaii and featured local actors in minor roles. One of the highlights of Hawaii Five-O was its breathtaking scenery, which made viewers feel like they were on a Hawaiian vacation. The show also had an iconic opening theme song and title sequence that captivated audiences and still holds up today.

Man in a Suitcase takes you on a thrilling ride with McGill, a former U.S. intelligence agent, as he navigates through a web of mystery and danger in Europe. Just like The Prisoner, this series captivates you from the start and keeps you hooked till the end. McGill's infamous reputation precedes him wherever he goes, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his adventures. The similarities between these two shows lie in their intriguing plots and the captivating performances of the lead actors. While The Prisoner immerses you in a bizarre prison-like village, Man in a Suitcase takes you on a journey across Europe, where McGill takes on odd and intriguing "private eye" jobs. Both shows keep you guessing and make you question everything you think you know. However, Man in a Suitcase brings its own charm with Richard Bradford's spot-on portrayal of McGill. His interpretation makes McGill feel human, with integrity and loyalty to his past associates.

Gideon C.I.D., also known as Gideon's Way, is reminiscent of The Prisoner in many ways. Both shows were released in the 1960s and are British productions. While The Prisoner is a sci-fi mystery drama set in a bizarre prison, Gideon C.I.D. follows Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard in his quest to solve crimes. Despite their different genres, both shows offer captivating storylines and intriguing characters. The Prisoner presents a whole new world with unexpected twists, while Gideon C.I.D. provides well-written and crafted police drama with an authentic feel. Although The Prisoner demands viewers to figure things out for themselves, Gideon C.I.D. offers a taste of the times and is nicely set with believable villains. If you enjoyed the rush of seeing vast, unexplained vistas in The Prisoner, you will appreciate the quality production and engaging performances in Gideon C.I.D.

The Birds is a 1965 film that shares some similarities with The Prisoner. Both movies were released in the 1960s and have a mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere. While The Prisoner is set in a secret and bizarre prison, The Birds takes place in a small town that becomes increasingly bizarre as birds start attacking people. Both films create tension and uncertainty, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The Birds is reminiscent of The Prisoner because it also features complex relationships between the characters, such as the conflict between Mitch's mother Lydia and Melanie, similar to the dynamic between the characters in The Prisoner. Additionally, both films have been praised for their technical aspects, with The Birds being a showcase of Alfred Hitchcock's mastery of suspense. However, the main difference between the two movies is that The Birds focuses on a bird attack, while The Prisoner revolves around a secret agent trying to escape his captors.

Murder Ahoy is a delightful movie that will transport you back to the 1960s, just like The Prisoner did. While The Prisoner took us to a secret village, Murder Ahoy takes us on a thrilling journey aboard a merchant marine training vessel. Both movies keep you on the edge of your seat with their intriguing plots and suspenseful moments. However, while The Prisoner is a drama, mystery, and sci-fi masterpiece, Murder Ahoy adds a touch of comedy to the mix. With the charismatic Miss Jane Marple as the protagonist, played by the incomparable Margaret Rutherford, you're in for a hilarious and entertaining ride. So if you loved The Prisoner and want to experience another unique and captivating film from the 1960s, Murder Ahoy is the perfect choice for you.

Murder Most Foul is a delightful film that takes you back to the 1960s era with its charming and witty storyline. Just like The Prisoner, it transports you to a world that is full of mystery and intrigue. While The Prisoner explores the concept of a secret agent trapped in a bizarre prison, Murder Most Foul follows Miss Jane Marple as she joins a theatrical company to solve a murder mystery. Both movies capture your attention with their unique settings and engaging plotlines. The Prisoner keeps you on the edge of your seat as you try to unravel the secrets of the idyllic village, while Murder Most Foul keeps you guessing who the mysterious killer is. However, where The Prisoner is a sci-fi drama, Murder Most Foul combines comedy, crime, drama, mystery, and thriller genres to create a truly entertaining experience.

A Lovely Way to Die takes us back to 1968, a year filled with intrigue and mystery. While it may not have the same cult status as The Prisoner, the two movies share a similar era and themes of crime and mystery. In both films, the protagonists find themselves entangled in complex situations where the truth is not easily revealed. However, A Lovely Way to Die adds a touch of humor to the mix, creating a unique blend of tones that might not be for everyone. Kirk Douglas's character, a former cop turned bodyguard, finds himself assisting a young widow accused of her husband's murder. The movie takes unexpected turns, keeping us on our toes, but at times, it feels like it's going nowhere. Nevertheless, if you're a fan of the 1960s crime genre and don't mind a bit of quirkiness, A Lovely Way to Die might just be the next movie you should watch.

Alice, Sweet Alice, also known as Communion, is reminiscent of The Prisoner in many ways. Both movies take place in the 1960s and involve mysterious and secretive elements. In The Prisoner, a secret agent is taken to a bizarre prison disguised as an idyllic village, while Alice, Sweet Alice tells the story of a divorced couple whose lives are turned upside down when one of their daughters is suspected of her sister's murder during her First Holy Communion. Both films have elements of mystery and suspense, and they keep the audience guessing about what will happen next.
However, there are also some notable differences between the two movies. The Prisoner is a British TV series, while Alice, Sweet Alice is an American cinema film. The Prisoner has a runtime of 3000 seconds, while Alice, Sweet Alice is significantly longer with a runtime of 6420 seconds.

Tulipunainen kyyhkynen: Doctor Aitamaa accidentally discovers a letter meant for his wife and realizes she has a lover. When his wife is found dead, he becomes the prime suspect. This Finnish film from 1961 is a perfect nightmare, with a precise cinematographic style that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The constant crescendo of suspense is accompanied by surprising and shocking details, making it reminiscent of classic film noirs. The music score adds to the anxiety, and the cast is fabulous, with Tauno Palo playing the massive yet anxious husband, Gunvor Sandkvist as his lying wife, and Helen Elde as the lovely young girl. Inspired by the works of Alfred Hitchcock and Fritz Lang, this cult noir movie deserves to be discovered by fans of the genre.