What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Sting
Film · 1973
If you loved The Sting, start with Hustle (Tony Jordan, 2004) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Sting across media.
What hooked you in The Sting was the masterful way an underdog crew uses elaborate deception to outsmart powerful, corrupt adversaries.
Books on the same thread
The Big Sleep
Raymond Chandler · Book · 2017
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Urban cynicism, Femme fatale.
Much like the gritty atmosphere found in The Sting, this hard-boiled classic captures the tension of navigating a world where trust is a liability and moral lines remain blurred.
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Millennium Trilogy)
Stieg Larsson · Book · 2010
Explores: corruption, conspiracy, abuse of power.
If the complex conspiracies of The Sting kept you engaged, you will appreciate this intense pursuit of truth where systemic corruption is dismantled by a determined, unconventional team.
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald · Book · 2004
Explores: American Dream, Social Class, Love and Loss.
While The Sting focuses on the con, both stories share a deep fascination with the allure of wealth, social performance, and the tragic consequences of chasing an impossible dream.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee · Book · 1970
Explores: Racial Injustice, Childhood Innocence, Moral Courage.
Just as The Sting centers on an act of moral retribution, this narrative explores the necessity of standing up for justice against overwhelming social prejudice and institutional power.
Series on the same thread
Hustle
Tony Jordan · Series · 2004
Shares a thread with The Sting: Heist.
This series perfectly mirrors the professional camaraderie and elaborate planning of The Sting, showcasing a group of talented grifters who make deception an art form for the greater good.
The A-Team
Frank Lupo · Series · 1983
Explores: Wrongfully Accused, Redemption, Teamwork.
The Sting relies on the chemistry of a skilled team overcoming the odds, a dynamic that defines these soldiers of fortune as they enact their own brand of vigilante justice.
The Avengers
Sydney Newman · Series · 1961
Shares a thread with The Sting: Partnership.
The charismatic partnership and wit found in The Sting are mirrored in this classic series, where eccentric agents use cleverness and style to outmaneuver their enemies in every episode.
Leverage
John Rogers · Series · 2008
Shares a thread with The Sting: Heist.
If you enjoyed the intricate orchestration of the big con in The Sting, you will love how this team employs similar high-stakes trickery to secure justice for the underdog.
Podcasts on the same thread
Scam Junkie
Podcast
Explores: scams, con artists, fraud.
Since you appreciated the technical brilliance of the schemes in The Sting, this podcast offers a fascinating look at the mechanics of real-world confidence games from a legendary insider.
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
Much like the dark humor woven through the criminal plot of The Sting, this podcast pairs serious investigation with a sharp, comedic lens to dissect the realities of human nature.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Sting about a revenge plot?
Yes, The Sting follows a novice con man who teams up with a master to avenge the murder of a mutual friend. They execute an elaborate scheme to swindle a fortune from a powerful mobster as part of their ultimate big con.
What is the primary goal of the protagonists in The Sting?
The primary goal of the protagonists in The Sting is to avenge the death of a mutual friend. They achieve this by working together to pull off an ultimate big con, successfully swindling a significant fortune from a big-time mobster.
Does The Sting feature a professional con man?
Yes, The Sting features an acknowledged master of the con who partners with a novice. Together, they combine their skills to carry out a complex plan intended to defraud a major mobster in order to avenge their fallen friend.
Who are the antagonists in The Sting?
The antagonists in The Sting are represented by a big-time mobster. The two main characters target this individual to pull off their ultimate big con, which serves as the mechanism for their revenge following the murder of a mutual friend.