Movies Like Central Intelligence

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest
Rated R

Apocalypse Now tells the story of Captain Benjamin Willard, a U.S. Army officer sent on a mission to assassinate the rogue Colonel Kurtz, a former U.S. soldier who has gone insane and established himself as a leader of a mysterious cult deep in the jungle of Cambodia. Willard's journey leads him up the Nung River and into the heart of the conflict-torn country, where he confronts the horrors of war and his own madness. Along the way, he meets a variety of characters, including a U.S. Army photographer, a Playboy bunny, a mysterious French plantation owner, and the leader of the River Patrol, who helps guide Willard through the dangerous landscape. The film is widely considered to be one of the greatest war films of all time, exploring the psychological complexities of combat and the morality of war.

From Paul Greengrass, starring Matt Damon, Edgar Ramírez, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles
Rated PG-13

The Bourne Ultimatum is a 2007 action-thriller movie directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Matt Damon. The film is the third installment of the Bourne franchise, based on the novel of the same name by Robert Ludlum. The plot follows Jason Bourne (Damon) as he continues to search for answers about his past. He discovers that he was a highly trained assassin and a target of a mysterious organization. In his quest for the truth, he goes on the run and must use his skills to outwit his enemies and stay one step ahead of the law. The film is packed with intense action sequences and fight scenes, as well as a twisty, complex plot. As Bourne tries to uncover the truth, he learns that he must stop the organization's plans before they threaten the security of the world. In the face of danger, Bourne must rely on his wits and skills to survive.

From Oliver Stone, starring Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau
Rated R

JFK is a 1991 American political thriller directed by Oliver Stone. Based on the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the film follows former New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison (played by Kevin Costner), as he uncovers evidence suggesting that the assassination was part of a much larger plot. Throughout the film, Garrison interviews witnesses, pieces together evidence, and seeks to reveal the truth about the assassination and its possible conspirators. The film also features an ensemble cast, including Sissy Spacek, Joe Pesci, Gary Oldman, and Tommy Lee Jones. JFK is a complex and dense biopic that examines the assassination from multiple angles, and questions the official report of the Warren Commission. The film ultimately offers a compelling argument for the possibility of a larger conspiracy, and suggests that the truth may never be fully known.

From Martin Campbell, starring Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright
Rated PG-13

Casino Royale is a 2006 spy film, the twenty-first in the Eon Productions James Bond film series, and the third screen adaptation of Ian Fleming's 1953 novel of the same name. Directed by Martin Campbell and written by Neil Purvis, Robert Wade, and Paul Haggis, it is the first film to star Daniel Craig as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The plot follows Bond as he faces off against Le Chiffre, a banker to the world's terrorist organizations, in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale in Montenegro. Bond is assigned to bankrupt Le Chiffre in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale in Montenegro. M, the head of MI6, provides Bond with money and a government-issued Walther PPK pistol equipped with a laser sight. During the game, Bond discovers that Le Chiffre was bluffing and wins the game. He is then pursued by Le Chiffre's henchmen, who intend to kill him and retrieve the winnings. With the help of Vesper Lynd and Felix Leiter, Bond escapes the pursuit and returns to the poker table, only to discover that his winnings have been stolen. Bond is

From Doug Liman, starring Franka Potente, Matt Damon, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen
Rated PG-13

The Bourne Identity is a 2002 action-thriller directed by Doug Liman. It follows Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), an amnesiac who is trying to uncover his past. After being found floating in the Mediterranean Sea, Bourne is taken in by a fishing boat and brought to a hospital. He finds a passport and a set of bank records in his belongings, revealing him to be an expert assassin. With the help of an older woman, Marie (Franka Potente), he begins to piece together his identity and take revenge on those responsible for making him a fugitive. He discovers that he is part of an elite black-ops operation, led by a powerful CIA operative (Chris Cooper). With the help of Marie, he narrowly escapes numerous attempts on his life by a variety of agents, and ultimately discovers the truth about his identity and his past.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg
Rated PG-13

Arrival is a 2016 science fiction drama directed by Denis Villeneuve, about a linguistics professor, Louise Banks (Amy Adams), who is recruited by the U.S. military to interpret the language of a race of aliens who have landed on Earth. With the help of the scientist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), Louise is able to understand the unique language of the aliens and forge a relationship between them and humans. As the world is on the brink of war, Louise attempts to bridge the communication gap between the two species and save the world from disaster. Through her efforts, Louise discovers an even deeper connection between the aliens and humanity that forces her to confront her own personal grief.

From Pierre Morel, starring Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Leland Orser
Rated PG-13

Taken is a 2008 action thriller directed by Pierre Morel and starring Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, and Famke Janssen. The film follows Bryan Mills, a retired CIA agent, and his daughter Kim, who are taken hostage by a human trafficking ring in France. With his unique set of skills, Bryan must now use his years of experience and training to track down the kidnappers and rescue his daughter before it’s too late. As he follows the clues, Bryan discovers a sinister plot involving the trafficking of young women and goes to extreme lengths to save Kim and stop the evil syndicate from succeeding in its mission. Filled with thrilling action sequences, gut-wrenching suspense, and a strong message about the importance of family, Taken is an intense, powerful, and unforgettable movie experience.

From Ben Affleck, starring Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin
Rated R

Argo is a 2012 historical drama directed by Ben Affleck and winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture. The film stars Affleck as Tony Mendez, a CIA "exfiltration" specialist who is tasked with rescuing six American diplomats stranded in Tehran during the 1979 Iranian Hostage Crisis. Disguising themselves as a Canadian film crew scouting for a science fiction movie, Mendez embarks on a risky mission to bring the Americans home safely. With the help of a Hollywood producer, the eight escapees must evade the Iranian regime and its security forces in order to make it out of the country alive. Argo is based on a true story and is an exciting, suspenseful account of a daring rescue.

From Paul Greengrass, starring Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Joan Allen, Brian Cox
Rated PG-13

The Bourne Supremacy is a 2004 American action-thriller film directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, a former CIA assassin struggling to find his true identity in the wake of a covert operation gone wrong. When Bourne is framed for a crime he did not commit, he is forced to become a fugitive and go on the run from an unseen enemy. With the help of an ally, Marie (Franka Potente), he goes on a globe-spanning journey to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy and clear his name. Along the way, he must outmaneuver and outwit those who are trying to kill him while also unlocking the secrets of his past. In the end, Bourne is able to save himself and the woman he loves, and bring his enemies to justice.

From Tony Scott, starring Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken, Dakota Fanning, Radha Mitchell
Rated R

Man on Fire is a 2004 action thriller directed by Tony Scott. The film stars Denzel Washington as John Creasy, a former assassin who is hired to protect the daughter of a Mexican millionaire. As Creasy and the young girl, Pita, form a bond, he discovers that she has become a target of kidnappers. When Pita is kidnapped, Creasy embarks on a relentless quest to get her back and seek justice for her abduction. Along the way, he must confront powerful enemies and uncover a dark conspiracy. With the help of a journalist, both Creasy and Pita try to escape a world of violence and destruction to find redemption and hope.

From Matthew Vaughn, starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Bacon
Rated PG-13

X-Men: First Class is a 2011 superhero film directed by Matthew Vaughn and based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. It is the fifth installment in the X-Men film series and a prequel to the earlier films. The film tells the story of the formation of the original X-Men, Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender), and their intense rivalry as they train a team of mutants to save the world from a nuclear threat posed by the Hellfire Club, led by Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon). With the help of CIA agent Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne), the X-Men must battle the powerful mutants of the Hellfire Club, including Emma Frost (January Jones) and Azazel (Jason Flemyng). In the end, Xavier and the X-Men triumph over Shaw and his allies, and the X-Men become heroes to the world.

From Alex Gibney, starring David Sanger, Emad Kiyaei, Eric Chien, Liam O'Murchu
Rated PG-13

Zero Days is a 2016 documentary directed by Alex Gibney that explores the history and implications of the Stuxnet computer virus. The film examines the story of Stuxnet and how it was created and deployed by the United States and Israel against Iran's nuclear program. It also examines the ramifications of using the virus, which was a form of cyber warfare, and its implications on the future of warfare. The film also explores the ethical implications of the decision to deploy the virus and how it might have consequences for the future of international relations. Through interviews with former US and Israeli officials, cybersecurity experts, and Iranian citizens, the film paints a picture of the virus and its effects on the world.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, Jon Bernthal
Rated R

Sicario is a 2015 crime drama film directed by Denis Villeneuve. The film follows an idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) who is enlisted by a government task force to bring down the leader of a powerful and brutal Mexican drug cartel. She is joined by an enigmatic consultant (Josh Brolin) with a questionable past, and a mysterious Mexican lawman (Benicio Del Toro), who are both on a mission to eradicate the cartel. As the mission unfolds, it becomes apparent that the team may have ulterior motives, and the stakes become increasingly high with each new revelation. In the end, the team must confront the complex and dangerous world of the Mexican drug cartels.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Marie-Josée Croze, Ciarán Hinds
Rated R

Munich is a 2005 historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg. The film follows the 1971 covert mission of a secret Israeli squad to track down and assassinate the members of a Palestinian terrorist group responsible for the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre. The mission soon spirals out of control, as the team begins to question the morality of their actions and the violence that they have been tasked with carrying out. As the team travels around Europe to complete their mission, they must confront their own fears, doubts, and even guilt as they come to terms with the deadly consequences of their actions. Ultimately, the film offers a powerful and thought-provoking look at the human cost of political violence.

From John McTiernan, starring Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Sam Neill
Rated PG

The Hunt for Red October is a 1990 action-thriller film directed by John McTiernan and starring Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin. The film follows Soviet submarine Captain Marko Ramius (Connery) and his crew as they attempt to defect to the United States with their state-of-the-art submarine, the Red October. The Soviet Navy and the United States Navy, led by CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Baldwin), send forces to engage in a thrilling game of cat and mouse as they both attempt to locate and capture the Red October. The film culminates in a thrilling submarine duel between the Red October and its pursuers, ending with the Soviet Navy sinking the Red October and Ramius and his crew being taken into custody. This thrilling action-thriller was a huge success, earning more than $200 million at the box office and becoming one of the highest grossing films of 1990.

From Kathryn Bigelow, starring Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt, Mark Strong
Rated R

From Brad Bird, starring Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton
Rated PG-13

From F. Gary Gray, starring Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney
Rated R

From Christopher McQuarrie, starring Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg
Rated PG-13

From Oliver Stone, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto
Rated R

From Tony Scott, starring Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Lisa Bonet
Rated R

From James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton
Rated R

From Michael Bay, starring John Krasinski, Pablo Schreiber, James Badge Dale, David Denman
Rated R

From Guy Ritchie, starring Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki
Rated PG-13

From John Frankenheimer, starring Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R