There's Nothing Like a Tarantino Movie, but These Five TV Series Come as Close as Possible
These projects feature virtuoso dialogue, stylized violence, and boundless love for pop culture.
No one can fully replicate the cinematic magic of Quentin Tarantino. But if you've watched all of his movies and are searching for something similar, check out these TV series.
Each of these shows inherits key elements of Tarantino's style, from dark humor to virtuoso action scenes and references to cult films.
1. 'Banshee', 2013-2016
IMDb Score: 8.4/10
The plot revolves around a former convict posing as a sheriff in the small town of Banshee to hide from his pursuers. The anticipation of a bloody ending alone would draw comparisons to Tarantino's work, but the similarities are far more numerous.
Banshee inherits key elements of Tarantino's style: dark humor, an unusual view of the law, memorable supporting characters, and wildly stylized violence.
If you enjoy modern Westerns and haven't seen Banshee, we highly recommend correcting that oversight.
2. 'Into the Badlands', 2015-2019
IMDb Score: 7.9/10
This is one of the best projects featuring fight choreography in TV history. Few expected AMC to create a series with fight scenes that surpass anything produced by Netflix, HBO, or Apple TV.
And we know which director has a particular passion for this kind of cinema. While we don't know if Tarantino has seen Into the Badlands, our gut tells us it's the kind of show he would appreciate.
3. 'Fargo', 2014-2024
IMDb Score: 8.8/10
Though the anthology is based on the Coen brothers' movie of the same name, its style is heavily influenced by Tarantino's aesthetic. It has memorable, vibrant characters, exaggerated violence intertwined with dark humor, and a virtuoso sense of style.
But the similarities don't end there. Like Tarantino's best works, Fargo employs a well-functioning system of poetic justice. Each character's fate is directly dependent on their previous actions.
4. 'Preacher', 2016-2019
IMDb Score: 7.9/10
Like Tarantino's works, Preacher is nourished by the same pop-culture madness.
The characters effortlessly transition from absurd comedic situations to tense drama, and their heads periodically explode – and that's just part of the onscreen madness.
Preacher also inherits Tarantino's aesthetic, structurally speaking: it's a classic road project, much like Django Unchained, Kill Bill, and Death Proof.
5. 'Justified', 2010-2015
IMDb Score: 8.6/10
Justified tells the story of Marshal Raylan Givens, a man with old-fashioned views on the law and the habits of a Wild West bounty hunter.
Clearly, the series' creators grew up watching classic Westerns. The influence of Sergio Leone, Sergio Corbucci, and Clint Eastwood's characters is evident in Justified.
The series features everything we love about Tarantino's films, including witty dialogue, numerous references to classic genre films, and a modern take on iconic Western tropes.
