What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Joseph Sargent · Film · 1974
If you loved The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, start with The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Taking of Pelham One Two Three across media.
You loved The Taking of Pelham One Two Three because of the high-stakes tension inherent in cat-and-mouse power struggles.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Film · 2009
Books on the same thread
Crook Manifesto
Colson Whitehead · Book
Explores: systemic corruption, 1970s urban decay, criminal underworld.
Like the gritty urban landscape of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, this narrative captures the pervasive corruption and criminal volatility defining a specific era of city life.
The Catcher in the Rye
J. D. Salinger · Book · 1951
Explores: Alienation, Loss of Innocence, Teenage Angst.
If The Taking of Pelham One Two Three hit, The Catcher in the Rye shares the thread.
The Hunt for Red October
Tom Clancy · Book · 1985
Shares a thread with The Taking of Pelham One Two Three: Cat and Mouse.
This chase mirrors the calculated tactical maneuvers of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, focusing on the high-pressure environment where every decision impacts a larger system.
News of a Kidnapping
Gabriel García Márquez · Book · 2014
Explores: Kidnapping, Drug Cartels, Political Violence.
This work explores the brutal reality of hostage negotiation and political bargaining, echoing the desperate human stakes that drove the central conflict in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.
Series on the same thread
The Sweeney
Ian Kennedy Martin · Series · 1975
Shares a thread with The Taking of Pelham One Two Three: Police Procedural.
Fans of the police procedural elements in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three will appreciate these detectives who operate within a morally ambiguous system to catch criminals.
The Sopranos
David Chase · Series · 1999
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Existential Crisis, Family Dynamics.
This series captures the same urban tension and moral complexity found in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, focusing on the intersection of personal crisis and criminal life.
Dragnet
Jack Webb · Series · 1967
Shares 2 threads with The Taking of Pelham One Two Three: Urban Crime, Police Procedural.
If the methodical police work in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three kept you engaged, you will enjoy this classic procedural approach to solving city crimes.
Money Heist
Álex Pina · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with The Taking of Pelham One Two Three: Heist.
This show replicates the mastermind cat-and-mouse dynamic of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, emphasizing the intricate planning required to pull off a high-stakes heist.
Podcasts on the same thread
Criminal
Podcast
Explores: Justice, Wrongful Conviction, Morality.
Like the investigative focus of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, this podcast delves into the complicated moral terrain of those caught between law and criminal activity.
The Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan · Podcast · 2026
Explores: intellectual curiosity, unfiltered dialogue, lifestyle exploration.
If The Taking of Pelham One Two Three hit, The Joe Rogan Experience shares the thread.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Taking of Pelham One Two Three a remake of the 2009 film?
No, the 1974 film The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is the original version. The 2009 movie titled The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 is a later adaptation of the same source material featuring a different cast and directorial approach.
Should I watch The Taking of Pelham One Two Three or the 2009 version first?
Watching the 1974 film The Taking of Pelham One Two Three first allows you to see the original depiction of the subway hijacking plot. You can then view the 2009 version to compare how the story and ransom demands were adapted for a modern audience.
What is the primary plot of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three?
In The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, a group of armed men hijacks a New York subway car. They hold the passengers for ransom, forcing authorities to determine if the criminals can actually escape even if the money is paid.
How does The Taking of Pelham One Two Three differ from the 2009 adaptation?
While both films share the same title and premise, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three from 1974 is a distinct cinematic work. The 2009 adaptation titled The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 presents the same core scenario of a subway hijacking but reflects a different era.