10 Best TV Shows Like Prison Break

Prison Break burst onto the scene in 2005 with a premise so addictive that it had audiences across the globe hanging on it. Every escape plan, double cross, and plot twist eventually pieces itself together to uncover a larger conspiracy. The show centered around structural engineer Michael Scofield, who designs a meticulous and elaborate plan to break his brother, Lincoln Burrows, out of prison after he is falsely convicted for a crime he did not commit.

Over five seasons, Michael and Lincoln find themselves in and out of prisons and government facilities. In that time, we witness Michael’s brilliant mind, knack for deductive reasoning, and architectural knowledge in full light. Audiences were riveted to the point where they had to try really hard to keep up with his complex schemes.

The show earned a lot of praise for its compelling characters and pulse-pounding storytelling. And for those who desperately itch for shows with a similar vibe, shows that combine intricate plots, an atmosphere of suspense, and a unique blend of action, here are 10 shows like Prison Break.

10 Wentworth (2013 – 2021)

Set in a maximum-security prison in Wentworth, Australia, this eight-season drama centers around Bea Smith, a wife and mother from the suburbs, who is sent to prison after being charged with the attempted murder of her husband. As the new inmate, she learns to navigate prison politics and encounters enemies at every turn. Bea eventually rises through the ranks to become a “top dog” without rival. As the seasons progress, we see major characters and storylines being introduced.

A Complex, Violent and Intelligent Show

While exploring the hardships of prison life as well as the corrupted systems that control it on the surface, Wentworth also keeps viewers on their toes with themes like betrayal, scheming, and shifting alliances. The realism and dramatic tension also drives the episodes forward. Similar to Prison Break, it features the main character’s transformation from a newbie to a formidable force to contend with. Danielle Cormack led a talented cast that included Nicole da Silva, Kate Atkinson, Celia Ireland, and more.

9 The Night Of (2016)

The Night Of is an eight-episode miniseries inspired by the first season of Criminal Justice. Its plot revolves around a naive Pakistani-American college student named Nasir Khan, who is at a party with Andrea, a woman he picked up, when things take a jarring turn and change his life forever. He wakes up with no memory of the previous night and finds that Andrea has been brutally murdered.

All signs point to Naz as the prime suspect, and now he must navigate the criminal justice system to prove his innocence.

A Character-Driven Legal Thriller

A gripping limited series, The Night Of immerses viewers into a claustrophobic and hellish world. Like Prison Break, the protagonist is surrounded by merciless forces, and he must fight to make it out. Layered performances, especially from Riz Ahmed as Naz and John Turturro as Naz’s cynical lawyer, create a rich and dense narrative.

Ahmed’s performance also earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series. Overall, while short, The Night Of is a nerve-wrecking thriller in the vein of Prison Break.

8 Prodigal Son (2019 – 2021)

Malcolm Bright is the son of Martin Whitly, an infamous and sadistic killer known as “the Surgeon.” As a child, when Malcolm found out what Martin was up to, he reported his father and Martin was incarcerated. Malcolm, who cut all ties with his father and grew up to be an FBI profiler working for the NYPD, is forced to confront him when a copycat serial killer emerges. Meanwhile, he grapples with his own uncanny understanding of how a killer thinks and questions his fate.

Has Complex Emotional Depth

Prodigal Son digs into the dark psychology of murder in a structure and style that is similar to Prison Break’s intricate narratives. Like Michael Scofield analyzing escapes, Malcolm Bright profiles killers with impressive skills and unique criminal methodologies. There’s also the fact that both TV shows explore the relationship between two characters, one of whom is in prison.

The chilling father-son mind games and Malcolm’s tormented psyche make Prodigal Son an obsession-worthy mystery thriller.

7 Person of Interest (2011 – 2016)

Created by Jonathan Nolan, Person of Interest combines genres like science fiction, crime, and drama, to tell the story of billionaire Harold Finch, who teams up with an ex-CIA operative to build a supercomputer called “The Machine.” The Machine can predict security threats and terrorist attacks, which allows local law enforcement to work to prevent them. But as forces threaten to use the Machine for other means, questions about surveillance and privacy arise.

Clever Play Between Vigilantes and Criminals

With elaborate focus on cases week after week, Person of Interest maintains its caliber of tension throughout its five seasons. The meticulously planned cat-and-mouse games, intense action sequences, as well as strategic plot twists, remind you of Prison Break’s suspenseful and gripping narrative.

The character-driven plots and moral dilemmas over using artificial intelligence for the “greater good” always keep viewers on the edge of their seat. Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson are incredible in their roles.

6 White Collar (2009 – 2014)

In White Collar, Matt Bomer stars as Neal Caffrey, a master con-artist and forger, who is captured after three years of getting away with his crimes. Special Agent Peter Burke of the FBI is responsible for overlooking his sentence. Neal proposes a deal to help the FBI catch other elusive criminals in exchange for a reduced sentence. When Burke agrees, Neal begins working as Burke’s criminal informant, and uses his perception and persuasion skills to take down bigger criminals.

Focuses on Character Dynamic

Like Prison Break’s Michael, the main protagonist of White Collar is also a convict. He is also very cunning, intelligent and sophisticated in his craft. The show thrives on Neal and Peter’s clever dynamic as they pursue slippery targets and take part in elaborate sting operations together. Bomer’s slick charm paired with Tim DeKay’s stern face creates a buddy banter that is almost fun to watch. White Collar also features several elegant cons and chase sequences to keep you entertained.

5 Breaking Bad (2008 – 2013)

Winner of over a dozen Primetime Emmy Awards, Breaking Bad finds its place among the best TV shows of all time. It centers around Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who gets diagnosed with terminal illness. Worried about his family’s financial security, he turns to a life of crime and starts producing and selling meth with a former student, Jesse Pinkman. He eventually becomes a ruthless drug kingpin and leaves casualties as he rises to power.

A Tense Transformation That Keeps You Glued

Watching one man’s morality decline in the face of mortality has never been more captivating. Few shows have been able to achieve the level of danger and tension as Breaking Bad, the entire credit for which goes to creator and producer Vince Gilligan, and Bryan Cranston evolving performance.

Speaking of Cranston, his portrayal of Walter White reminds you of Prison Break’s anti-heroes. Their horrifying but slow damnation into a monster to protect their family evokes emotions of pity, fear, and admiration.

4 Money Heist (2017 – 2021)

This Spanish heist drama was a breakout hit for Netflix, and it became one of the most popular series on IMDb after its release. Led by the enigmatic “Professor,” the first season followed eight thieves taking several people hostage in the Royal Mind of Spain. They take control of production and melt gold before extracting it from the building. The following seasons revolve around other ingenious and high-risk heists and reveal each character’s hidden motivations.

Filled With Outrageous Plot Twists

Fans of Prison Break will be exhilarated to watch Money Heist, because like the former’s elaborate escape plans, the latter thrusts viewers into an adrenaline-fueled game of strategy. Both shows feature extraordinary masterminds drawing out their criminal plans with extreme detail. They also captivate audiences by making them guess the next move. The suspense and unpredictability in every season offers first-class entertainment.

3 Oz (1997 – 2003)

Oz chronicles life inside an experimental unit at the Oswald State Correctional Facility. It is mainly set against the backdrop of Emerald City, a wing named after a setting from the fictional Land of Oz in L. Frank Baum’s books. Apparently, the unit tries to emphasize rehabilitation and learning instead of punishment during prison time.

Under the control of Tim McManus and Warden Leo Glynn, the inmates face personal challenges as well as aggressive threats from different factions as they struggle to survive.

Unique, Claustrophobic, and Disturbing

A show that became a defining moment in HBO’s history and helped it find a place on the man, Oz thrived on complex characters finding themselves embroidered in a Shakespearean web of alliances and betrayal, which scratches an itch for Prison Break fans.

The gritty realism paired with dark humor created a show that was as unsettling and riveting as it was necessary. Ernie Hudson and Chris Meloni delivered profound and compelling performances to anchor this groundbreaking and award-winning drama.

2 Breakout Kings (2011 – 2012)

One of the most well-written TV shows of the last decade, Breakout Kings debuted on A&E in 2011, ran for two strong seasons, and was canceled right after. Its premise revolves around Charlie Duchamp, a Deputy U.S. Marshal who forms a special team of ex-convicts with behavioral analysis experience and tasks them with using those skills to help capture fugitives who have escaped prison. In exchange for their aid, their sentence gets reduced.

Stamped With Prison Break Hallmarks

Similar to Prison Break’s criminal protagonist, Breakout Kings involves brilliant former convicts turning into reluctant heroes by working with law enforcement on certain terms.

But unlike the Fox drama, it focuses on chasing escaped prisoners rather than the escape itself. The series delivers edge-of-your-seat scenarios as the team tries to apprehend unpredictable and morally ambiguous fugitives through questionable methods. Laz Alonso leads a talented cast of actors whose dynamics keep you guessing at every turn.

1 Orange Is the New Black (2013 – 2019)

Set in a women’s prison, Orange Is the New Black introduces Piper Chapman, a privileged former public relations executive living a comfortable life in the suburbs. She is suddenly charged with drug smuggling. The offense had occurred a decade ago, but Piper still has to serve a fifteen-month sentence in Litchfield Penitentiary. In Prison, Piper not only finds herself threatened by the hierarchies but also encounters her former love interest and lands herself in more trouble.

A Thoroughly Engrossing Prison Drama

Orange is the New Black received enormous praise for its writing, subtle humor, performances, as well as representation and exploration of class, diversity, and sexuality. While being set in prison, just like Prison Break, the show transformed into a raw and gripping drama about women who disappear behind bars, face corrupt forces, and engage in chaotic rivalries. Created by Jenji Kohan for Netflix and led by Taylor Schilling, the series is a must-watch.