What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Film · 2009
If you loved The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, start with The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (Joseph Sargent, 1974) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 1 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 across media.
What hooked you in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 was the way high-stakes negotiation transforms ordinary settings into suffocating pressure cookers.
Start with the source
The source
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Joseph Sargent · Film · 1974
Books on the same thread
Crook Manifesto
Colson Whitehead · Book
Explores: systemic corruption, 1970s urban decay, criminal underworld.
Like The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, this narrative captures the gritty tension of urban crime and the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped within a corrupt city landscape.
Never Split the Difference
Chris Voss, Tahl Raz · Book · 2016
Explores: persuasion techniques, tactical empathy, high-stakes decision making.
If the psychological chess match in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 kept you glued to the screen, this guide explains the exact negotiation tactics used during such crises.
High Noon
Nora Roberts · Book
Shares a thread with The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3: high-stakes negotiation.
This story mirrors the intense cat-and-mouse dynamic found in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 by forcing a professional negotiator to confront a threat that targets their personal safety.
The Pelican Brief
John Grisham · Book · 1992
Explores: Government Conspiracy, Whistleblower, Judicial Corruption.
Fans of the relentless, ticking-clock manhunt in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 will appreciate this legal thriller, which captures the same feeling of being outmatched by powerful, unseen forces.
Series on the same thread
Hijack
George Kay · Series · 2023
Shares a thread with The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3: Crisis Management.
If The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 hit, Hijack shares the thread.
Podcasts on the same thread
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network · Podcast · 2026
Explores: moral ambiguity, social justice, human behavior.
Those drawn to the moral ambiguity and human complexity of the criminals in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 will find these investigative stories equally compelling and deeply unsettling.
The Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan · Podcast · 2026
Explores: intellectual curiosity, unfiltered dialogue, lifestyle exploration.
If the unfiltered, high-pressure dialogue between adversaries in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 was your favorite aspect, this long-form interview format provides that same raw, conversational intensity.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) based on a true story?
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 is a fictional thriller about a subway hijacking. It is not based on actual events, but it is a remake of the 1974 film titled The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, which was adapted from a novel by John Godey.
Should I watch The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) before the 2009 version?
You do not need to watch the 1974 version to understand the 2009 film. However, watching The Taking of Pelham One Two Three allows you to compare how the plot of a subway hijacking and the standoff between the dispatcher and the mastermind were executed in different cinematic eras.
What is the primary conflict in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3?
The primary conflict involves armed men hijacking a New York City subway train. The plot centers on the hostage situation and the tense face-off between the criminal mastermind and Walter Garber, a subway dispatcher who must navigate the ransom demands to save the passengers on the train.
Are there other movies like The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3?
If you enjoyed the high-stakes hostage situation in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, you should watch the original 1974 film, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. Both films focus on the intense negotiation process during a subway hijacking in New York City.