While director Todd Phillips’ comedic efforts are well known at this point (see The Hangover, Old School etc), War Dogs is funny in an entirely different way. Retelling the incredible true story of David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, this crime/dark-comedy hit is breathtakingly exhilarating and hilarious right from the start. Whether you like the shady characters involved, the illegal-arms for sale or just the pure audacity needed to follow through, we’ve got 11 other movies that will provide another big dose of entertainment for you to binge on next.
Check out our handpicked list / video below for the 11 best movies like War Dogs.
The Top 11 movies like War Dogs:
- Lord of War
- American Made
- The Wolf of Wall Street
- American Hustle
- Blow
- The Big Short
- Goodfellas
- Catch Me If You Can
- Pain and Gain
- Kid Cannabis
- Molly’s Game
1. Lord Of War
Straight in with our number 1 recommendation, we’ve got Lord of War. If you like War Dogs then you’ll absolutely love Lord of War. From arms dealing and smuggling to chasing the love of his life, Yuri Orlov (Nicholas Cage) is a man who always wants more. While it didn’t break any records at the box office, this is a must-watch movie if you’ve never seen it before.
2. American Made
Still looking for more smuggling, drugs, and arms dealings? Well, American Made may well be the perfect movie to quench your thirst. Another one on the list inspired by a true story, it stars Tom Cruise as Barry Seal – an ordinary pilot who was initially recruited by the CIA. With the Medellin Cartel searching for a man to help fly their drugs without detection, Seal quickly catches their eye and finds himself becoming a large part of their operation. With the authorities never far behind, he must find a way to outrun them and stay one step ahead. Get comfortable and take a deep breath before watching this blockbuster hit.
3. The Wolf Of Wall Street
Moving along, we’ve included the Martin Scorsese movie – The Wolf of Wall Street. While it deals in financial crime instead of arms and munitions, it’s no less exciting. With Leonardo DiCaprio portraying the real life account of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, this movie is a hyper-energized and exuberant riot. We know, you’ve probably already seen it a couple of times before, but there are some movies where you just can’t go wrong.
RELATED: Check out the best Wolf of Wall Street quotes
4. American Hustle
David O. Russell’s American Hustle is a black comedy that’s part romantic hustle, part business hustle and part aspirational hustle.
This nerve-jangling, brazen and irresistible movie is loosely derived from a real story about how FBI agents in the late 1970s coerced a notorious conman into helping them entrap corrupt politicians. With a star-studded cast including Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams, you’ll have an amazing time watching it.
5. Blow
Next up on the list is the movie Blow. With Johnny Depp starring, he uses every ounce of his talent to captivate audiences in what many consider to be one of his finest performances. Similar to American Made, it chronicles the rise of the drug trade and in this case, how an American named George Jung built up an empire. Trust us on this one – if you’ve never seen it before, settle in and relax for a wild ride.
6. The Big Short
On pretty much any occasion you can’t go wrong with The Big Short. Who would have thought that finance could be so exciting? Based on the book by Michael Lewis which chronicles the 2008 financial crash, this movie manages to make the mundane exceptionally entertaining. With a star studded cast including Christian Bale, Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling and more – it’s a very different type of comedy crime movie.
7. Goodfellas
A true crime masterpiece. A legend in its own right, Goodfellas may well be the pinnacle of Martin Scorsese’s career. DeNiro, Liotta, Pesci, there is simply too much talent on display. If you’ve never seen it before then it’s simply a must watch. Take a quick look at the trailer, it should be more than enough to get you interested.
8. Catch Me If You Can
Continuing on, we’ve got Catch Me If You Can. If you liked the audacious criminality of War Dogs, then Catch Me If You Can will not fail to keep you entertained. Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Frank Abagnale Jr, a 19 year old who successfully impersonates a doctor, a lawyer, and an airline pilot. Enthralling and yet somehow also a true story, this is one of our all time favorites.
9. Pain & Gain
Pretty much all of us would like instant wealth. However, none of us would go to extremes such as killing and robbing to fulfill our dreams like the protagonists of the movie Pain & Gain do.
Based on a true story, Michael Bay successfully navigates this brazen-action comedy about 3 bodybuilders from Florida who royally screw-up their own masterplan. Wired on an explosive cocktail of cocaine, steroids, and “personal growth” rhetoric, the characters take us on an adrenaline-charged journey through the world of crime.
10. Kid Cannabis
Next up on our list of gripping movies is the true-crime movie, Kid Cannabis, directed by John Stockwell. This is a story of a teenage dropout, Nate Norman, who becomes an unlikely drug kingpin as he builds a multi-million dollar business by smuggling marijuana from Canada to Idaho.
Successfully managing the tonal shift from a dark comedy to a true-crime thriller, John Stockwell delivers a movie that is wild, witty, dark, and humorous all at the same time. This rags-to-riches movie will leave you speechless!
11. Molly’s Game
And finally, wrapping up our list of movies like War Dogs, we have Molly’s Game. Substitute out illegal gunrunning for underground gambling and you’ll get a movie that feels quite similar to War Dogs. Fast paced, intriguing and extremely enjoyable, we’ve got no doubt that you’ll enjoy this one.
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