What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedLift
F. Gary Gray · Film · 2024
If you loved Lift, start with Leverage: Redemption (Chris Downey, 2021) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Lift across media.
If you loved the clockwork precision and high-stakes camaraderie of Lift, these thrillers capture that same exhilarating rush of professional teamwork.
Books on the same thread
Lifeguard
James Patterson, Andrew Gross · Book · 2005
Explores: Class disparity, Wrong place wrong time, Criminal underworld.
Much like the crew in Lift, Ned Kelly discovers that a high-stakes heist requires more than just skill when a seemingly perfect job spirals into a dangerous, unpredictable situation.
Crook Manifesto
Colson Whitehead · Book
Explores: systemic corruption, 1970s urban decay, criminal underworld.
If the complex criminal dynamics in Lift kept you engaged, you will appreciate how this story explores the grit and tactical maneuvering required to survive within a dangerous underworld.
Cloudthief
Nathaniel Rich · Book · 2026
Explores: Digital surveillance, Data privacy, Anti-capitalist critique.
This techno-caper mirrors the elaborate planning found in Lift, replacing mid-air robbery with digital surveillance while maintaining the same fast-paced energy and focus on high-tech criminal execution.
A Simple Plan
Scott Smith · Book · 2007
Explores: Moral Decay, Greed, Consequences.
While Lift focuses on the thrill of the heist, this story explores the high-tension consequences of discovering a downed plane, keeping the same focus on greed and moral stakes.
Series on the same thread
Leverage
John Rogers · Series · 2008
Shares a thread with Lift: Heist.
If you enjoyed the specialized team dynamic that defined Lift, you will love watching this group of experts use their unique talents to outsmart corrupt targets and achieve justice.
Money Heist
Álex Pina · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with Lift: Heist.
This show shares the mastermind DNA of Lift, centering on a meticulously planned operation where a group of outcasts must execute a flawless, high-stakes heist under extreme pressure.
Hijack
George Kay · Series · 2023
Explores: Negotiation, High Stakes, Ticking Clock.
Fans of the airborne tension in Lift will recognize the same ticking-clock atmosphere here as a negotiator desperately tries to regain control during a volatile flight crisis.
Leverage: Redemption
Chris Downey · Series · 2021
Shares 2 threads with Lift: Teamwork, Heist.
This series continues the collaborative spirit seen in Lift, bringing a skilled team back together to dismantle powerful villains through clever planning, teamwork, and sharp, procedural execution.
Podcasts on the same thread
Passenger List
Passenger List and Radiotopia · Podcast · 2025
If the mid-air mystery of Lift captured your interest, this investigation into a missing flight offers the same sense of urgency and deep-seated intrigue surrounding passenger plane disappearances.
Crime in Sports
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: athlete misconduct, legal absurdity, scandalous behavior.
While Lift uses action for thrills, this series finds the same entertainment value in criminal behavior by applying a sharp, investigative lens to the absurdity of high-stakes legal scandals.
Common questions
Is Lift a movie about a heist on a plane?
Yes, Lift follows an international heist crew led by Cyrus Whitaker. Their mission is to steal 500 million dollars in gold from a passenger plane while it is flying at 40,000 feet.
Who directed the 2024 movie Lift?
The 2024 film Lift was directed by F. Gary Gray. It features an international team attempting to execute a high-stakes gold heist mid-flight.
What is the primary goal of the crew in Lift?
The primary goal of the heist crew in Lift is to steal 500 million dollars in gold. They must successfully execute this operation from a passenger plane at an altitude of 40,000 feet.
Does Lift feature an international heist crew?
Yes, the plot of Lift centers on an international heist crew. Led by Cyrus Whitaker, the group works together to orchestrate the theft of 500 million dollars in gold from a plane at 40,000 feet.