7 Shows Like ‘Jack Ryan’ If You Love Action Thrillers Brimming With International Intrigue

After being portrayed by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck and Chris Pine in the movie adaptations, John Krasinski brought the character of Jack Ryan to the small screen in 2018, ultimately kickstarting a four-season television series that all action-lovers became seriously obsessed with. 

Based on Tom Clancy’s beloved novels, Jack Ryan follows the life of the titular character, a former CIA analyst who is forced to become a CIA agent after discovering a link to a global terrorism plot. Jumping from office work to field work, Jack Ryan embarks on extremely dangerous missions each and every season, resulting in an action-packed show that has received praise from both critics and viewers alike. 

Although Jack Ryan features explosions, shootouts, and chase scenes that are sure to leave you on the edge of your seat, the portrayal of real-world issues, such as terrorism and election tampering, make this show truly one-of-a-kind. In addition to this, the overall heroism and patriotism of Jack Ryan make him a character that all viewers are bound to love, and a critically-acclaimed performance by John Krasinski is sure to hook you right from the start. 

With its fourth and final season in the rearview mirror, many fans are panicking, wondering what series will fill the Jack Ryan-sized hole in their hearts… 

Even though Jack Ryan has completed his final mission, there are plenty of other action-packed shows that are sure to fill the void! The Decider team compiled a list of seven must-see series that draw similarities to Jack Ryan, which fans can stream now that the credits have rolled for the last time. 

1. Reacher

   Just like Jack Ryan, Reacher is yet another Prime Video show based on a beloved book series, and we can assure you that it is equally as incredible. 

   Based on Lee Child’s novels, Reacher follows the life of Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson), a former Army investigator who is wrongfully arrested for murder while visiting a small town in Georgia. When more dead bodies start appearing, including his own brother, it becomes evident that Reacher is not the killer after all, causing him to investigate the corrupt nature of law enforcement as soon as he is freed and ultimately uncovering some secrets along the way. 

   With military and espionage components that draw similarities to Jack Ryan, as well as yet another strong protagonist with a phenomenal acting performance, Reacher is a must-see for anyone who enjoys action and adventure.

   With a second season in development, now is the perfect time to binge all eight of Reacher’s beloved episodes so you are all caught up by its release. 

   WAtch reacher on prime video

2. Homeland

   Showtime’s Homeland is a CIA-centered series, just like Jack Ryan, that all action-lovers are sure to enjoy. 

   The critically-acclaimed show follows the life of Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes), a CIA officer who embarks on a mission to maintain the peace of her country. Making enemies and facing a great deal of conflict along the way, the plot of Homeland is incredibly engaging, with tons of twists and turns that will leave you wanting to binge-watch all night long. 

   Diving into the world of terrorism, national security and international espionage, fans of both Homeland and Jack Ryan have drawn similarities between each of the respective shows, making it a frontrunner on our list of must-see series. 

   Premiering in 2011 and concluding in 2020, the eight-season show is undoubtedly a fan favorite, and it is even said to be one of the best television series of the past decade. Winning two consecutive Golden Globes for the best drama series alongside several other awards, you NEED to watch Homeland for yourself to see what the hype is all about. 

   where to stream homeland

3. The Recruit 

   Netflix’s The Recruit is yet another CIA-centered television show that is sure to catch your attention. 

   Within this action-packed series, Owen Hendricks (Noah Centineo) is recruited by the CIA as a lawyer, however, plans go awry when a former asset named Max Meladze (Laura Haddock) threatens to expose her long-term relationship with the agency unless she is freed from prison. As her long-term relationship with the CIA is slowly coming to the surface, Hendricks unexpectedly gets entangled in a massive international conflict, forcing him to embark on a dangerous mission that is extremely out of his comfort zone. 

   Much like we see within Jack Ryan, the protagonist within The Recruit is forced to leave his peaceful job within the CIA, unexpectedly jumping from office work to field work. While their respective plots appear to be similar, fans of both series have considered The Recruit to be much more comedic than Jack Ryan, ultimately adding a slightly different element to our list of must-see shows.

   With a second season of The Recruit currently in the works, now is the time to check out season one for yourself to gear up for its release. 

   watch the recruit on netflix

4. The Blacklist

   If you can’t get enough of the heart-pounding thrill Jack Ryan brings you, then The Blacklist is the perfect show to add to your watchlist. 

   The Blacklist follows the story of Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader), a former Navy officer turned criminal who finally surrenders to the FBI after decades on the run. In exchange for his freedom, Red offers a hand in helping the FBI track down other dangerous criminals on his “blacklist,” to which they agree, ultimately uncovering deeper conspiracies along the way. 

   With an A-list cast and an extremely intricate plot, fans of Jack Ryan are sure to love The Blacklist just as much, and we can guarantee that you will find tons of similarities as the series progresses… 

   With ten seasons spanning from 2013 to 2023, The Blacklist finally came to a close in July 2023. Given that the beloved series is trending all over social media at this writing, now is the time to binge-watch the decade-long show from start to finish. 

   where to watch the blacklist

5. Echo 3

   Looking for yet another action-packed show? Then Echo 3 is sure to give you the thrill that you are looking for. 

   Within this 10-episode series, Amber Chesborough (Jessica Ann Collins), an American scientist on a research trip in Colombia, is tragically kidnapped by militants. During this time of crisis, two US Army Delta Force operators named Bambi (Luke Evans), Amber’s brother, and Prince (Michiel Huisman), Amber’s husband, embark on a dangerous mission together to rescue her, despite their rocky relationship with one another. 

   Having been praised for its overall authenticity and sense of realism, Echo 3 is far grittier than Jack Ryan, drilling deeper into the complex nature of politics in an extremely engaging way. While fans constantly beg for a second season, be sure to catch up on Echo 3 to prepare for whenever the time comes. 

   watch echo 3 on apple tv+

6. SIX

   If season two of Jack Ryan stuck out to you in particular, then you are sure to love History Channel’s SIX. 

   In Jack Ryan’s second season, we see the black ops venturing through the Venezuelan jungle, and SIX follows a relatively similar plot. The action-packed show follows the lives of Navy SEAL Team Six and their mission to rescue a former member of the team who was captured by terrorists in Nigeria, however, SIX has a much larger emphasis on emotions. 

   Although SIX has been criticized to focus too much on action rather than the development of its characters and overall plot, the two-season series will tug on your heartstrings nonetheless, ultimately showcasing the toll military service can take on both individuals and their families back home. 

   If you are looking for a television show that will have you on the edge of your seat, all while shedding a few tears along the way, then we suggest that you check out SIX ASAP. 

   where to watch six

7. Designated Survivor 

   If the political aspect of Jack Ryan is what you truly love, then Designated Survivor is the perfect television show for you. 

   The thriller follows the life of Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland), a low-level cabinet member who unexpectedly becomes the President of the United States after the entire line of succession tragically passes away, ultimately coining him as the “designated survivor.” Leading America through a time of crisis, Kirkman is forced to step out of his comfort zone in order to protect his country, as well as be taken seriously as the President of the United States. 

   Like Jack Ryan, Tom Kirkman is unexpectedly thrown into a position of power and forced to leave his seemingly ordinary job, causing viewers to find similarities between the respective plots of Jack Ryan and Designated Survivor. While the latter is much more serious and features far less action than the former, both shows are equally as engaging, and they are sure to grasp your attention right from the start. 

   With three seasons to binge on Netflix, Designated Survivor is truly a must-see, covering the complex nature of politics in an extremely engaging way. 

   where to watch designated survivor

Born and raised in Orange County, California, Melanie Rooten is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. Melanie has a true passion for all things pop culture, and she tends to spend her free time going to concerts and music festivals, binging her favorite TV shows, spending time with her friends and family and cheering on the Oklahoma Sooners (of course). You can connect with her on Twitter (@MelanieRooten) to see all of her recent articles.