Movies To Watch If You Liked Catch Me If You Can

As one of the great populist filmmakers of all-time, Steven Spielberg saw his career trajectory change at the turn of the century when he transitioned away from an almost equal number of either blockbusters or Oscar-caliber dramas to solely the latter. Many have proclaimed Catch Me If You Can to be Spielberg’s last great film (with the others merely decent).

A cat-and-mouse caper based on a true story, Catch Me If You Can strikes the right balance of melancholy and zany, quippy fun. Starring Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio, it remains a perfect example of the kind of crowd-pleasing film Spielberg is capable of, while still gearing it towards adults. If you loved this film, you’ll definitely love the following 10.

10 The Bourne Identity

If it’s a cat-and-mouse affair you’re after, look no further than The Bourne Identity, the first in the thrilling Jason Bourne series. It has the perfect vibe of someone on the run from someone out to get them.

Granted, it has a bit of the “amnesia” type of plotline, too, but the story arc of the film is quite similar to Catch Me If You Can. However, Bourne has a darker tone and a proclivity for action.

9 The Departed

Speaking of Matt Damon cat-and-mouse films, does it get any better than The Departed? Granted, the tone of this film is much darker than Catch Me If You Can, but it still features a beloved filmmaker (Martin Scorsese) at the top of his game.

Plus, it stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a character caught in an ongoing chase of his own. It’s a more dramatic turn from DiCaprio, but he’s just as solid in The Departed as he is in Catch Me If You Can.

8 The Founder

A film more tonally aligned with Catch Me If You Can is The Founder, John Lee Hancock’s 2016 telling of the founding of McDonald’s. Starring Michael Keaton and B.J. Novak, The Founder tells a true story with a more irreverent tone.

It also features a dubious protagonist, just like DiCaprio’s Frank Abagnale. Ray Kroc may seem genial, but he’s just another shark in a suit. Watching the common man resist his unsavory activities will bring out strong Catch Me If You Can vibes.

7 American Hustle

Catch Me If You Can is also well-known for having one of Amy Adams’ first appearances, as Brenda Strong. She would later go on to have a lead role in many films, including American Hustle, a movie filmed in Worcester, Massachusetts, that has many similarities to Catch Me If You Can.

For one, it’s a period piece. For another, it never takes itself too seriously, despite the dramatic stakes behind the light tone. It’s a perfect movie to watch when one aims for light-hearted fare that still has its sights set on grand ideas.

6 American Made

Speaking of movies with “American” in the title, American Made is a perfect match for those who enjoyed their viewing experience of Catch Me If You Can. American Made is a 2017 action-comedy from the knockout team of Doug Liman and Tom Cruise.

Like Catch Me If You Can, American Made is centered around a real-life figure (Barry Seal) who engages in a life of crime, but does so seemingly for the right reasons. It’s a light film with fun performances and is definitely a descendant of Catch Me If You Can.

5 Sleepless In Seattle

Sometimes, people gravitate towards a movie because they love the star. If it’s a Tom Hanks film you’re looking for, Sleepless in Seattle is the way to go.

Hanks is deft at portraying the true-hearted, down-home American gentleman, an archetype featured in Catch Me If You Can. Hanks plays a similarly kind, well-intentioned man in Nora Ephron’s iconic rom-com, Sleepless in Seattle, and it’s one of his sweeter films.

4 The Terminal

Another sweet film from Hanks is The Terminal. Catch Me If You Can fans will definitely love The Terminal, considering it was Spielberg’s follow-up to his 2002 caper.

Like Catch Me If You Can, The Terminal possesses a fun, offbeat tone that tells the story of an ordinary man in a slightly heightened scenario. It has way more schmaltz than Catch, but The Terminal makes for an endearing follow-up, all the same.

3 Ocean’s Eleven

Catch Me If You Can is not quite a heist movie, but it still shares a great deal in common with one, especially in terms of disguise. That’s why Ocean’s Eleven clocks in as a must-watch for Catch Me If You Can fans.

Ocean’s Eleven is one of the best heist movies ever made. It’s slick and cool and incredibly satisfying. Plus, there are three more in the franchise after this one, meaning the Catch Me If You Can vibes can just keep rolling.

2 The Wolf Of Wall Street

Returning to the winning combination of Scorsese and DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street is an excellent inclusion on the list for those who love a good DiCaprio performance and want to learn more about a true crime event.

Jordan Belfort is definitely way shadier than Frank Abagnale, but both feature that patented DiCaprio charm on screen. Wolf has many dark moments, especially compared to Catch. However, both understand the balance of comedy and drama well.

1 The Big Short

Like Wolf, The Big Short also deals with corporate big wigs who stomp on the little guy. However, as a retelling of a true story, The Big Short is more tonally synchronous with Catch Me If You Can than any other movie on this list.

It’s exceedingly accessible and stars big actors giving delightful performances. It may not feature the classic cat-and-mouse feel of Spielberg’s 2002 gem, but it will provide a different angle of a similar type of character: the smarmy, confident type who is due for his comeuppance.

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