Kaleidoscope is an eight-part Netflix miniseries that follows master thief Leo Pap (Giancarlo Esposito) and his team as they attempt a $7 billion theft but are foiled by treachery, greed, and other threats. The program premiered on January 1st, 2023, and quickly gained popularity due to its unique yet intriguing format.

If you are a hardcore fan of this subgenre, Kaleidoscope is an experiment that should not be missed. Furthermore, viewers who have enjoyed the 2023 show can explore a myriad of excellent heist shows listed below. This compilation is curated to reflect their similarity to Kaleidoscope, from stylistic visuals to thrilling scenes to compelling characters, these shows have it all.

10 'Sky Rojo' (2021 - )

Created by Álex Pina, Esther Martínez Lobato

Sky Rojo is Spanish black comedy action drama television series that follows three sex workers on the run from their pimp. Together, the women set out on a wild adventure where they must avoid hazards of every type and experience each moment as if it were their last.

Sky Rojo centers on a plot that, while distinct from Kaleidoscope's, is comparable to it in that it demonstrates how shrewd the protagonists are when pursuing financial freedom and independence. They are similar in terms of how dramatic and intense they are while having diverse personalities and histories in each of them. Sky Rojo also adopts a distinctive storytelling approach, featuring short episodes that sustain a sense of urgency and momentum. This format not only enhances the series' dynamic and captivating qualities but also provides an appealing alternative for fans of Kaleidoscope seeking compelling storytelling.

Watch on Netflix

9 'Prison Break' (2005 - 2017)

Created by Paul Scheuring

Prison Break centers on two brothers, Lincoln Burrow (Dominic Purcell) and Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller): the former has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit. Michael, the younger brother, comes up with a complex scheme to help his brother get out of jail and clear his brother's name.

As the title suggests, the show involves multiple prison escapes, each more daring and elaborate than the last. Prison Break creates an entirely original experience that can compete with the twists and depth of Kaleidoscope by fusing the aesthetics of a heist thriller with the plan to escape from prison. Moreover, the appeal of Prison Break is seeing someone attempt a prison break using cunning rather than strength and features Michael Scofield as one of TV's smartest characters. Yet, it sits at this position the list because the show only mirrors the strategic planning and the cleverness of the leader as shown in Kaleidoscope, deviating from the typical heist nature. In Prison Break, the theft pertains to freedom rather than material possessions.

Watch on Hulu

8 'Mr. Robot' (2015 - 2019)

Created by Sam Esmail

Mr. Robot centers on Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a young New York City resident who works as a cybersecurity engineer for the corporation Allsafe and a part-time cyber-vigilante since his way to connect with people is through hacking them. He is later recruited by the "fsociety," a group of hacktivists led by the enigmatic anarchist Mr. Robot.

The show may seem like an unusual pick, but it gradually takes shape thanks to the cyber-vigilante schemes that revolve around stealing data, which is more valuable than money. Fans may also find Elliot’s attempts to bring down E Corp have some similarities to Ray’s efforts in defeating SLS. In addition, Mr. Robot explores social and political commentary, tackling subjects like income inequality, corporate power, and the societal implications of technology. It encourages viewers to engage in critical thinking about the world we inhabit, serving as a poignant reminder akin to Kaleidoscope.

Watch on Amazon Prime

7 'Good Girls' (2018 - 2021)

Created by Jenna Bans

Good Girls centers on three suburban mothers – Beth Boland (Christina Hendricks), Ruby Hill (Retta), and Annie Marks (Mae Whitman), who struggle to make ends meet. They plan to rob a store since they are sick of having everything taken from them. Things get intense when the three friends realize the local grocery store is a front for a dangerous gang's money laundering operation. This leads them into the criminal world, where they face challenges, form unexpected alliances, and find themselves in risky situations.

By setting its female protagonists in a world of crime dominated by men, where their objectives are clouded by new cravings for power, sexual pleasure, and mayhem, Good Girls' best episodes always escalate the stakes. The clever dialogue and funny moments in the series also strike a perfect balance with its intense and dramatic moments, evoking a vibe reminiscent of the 2023 Netflix show. Additionally, the program has complex antiheroes, ambitious storytelling, and imaginative camerawork that will likely bring back memories for fans of Kaleidoscope.

Watch on Netflix

6 'The Endgame' (2022)

Created by Nicholas Wootton, Jake Coburn

Created by Nicholas Wootton and Jake Coburn, The Endgame begins when Elena Federova (Morena Baccarin), an international arms dealer, stages seven simultaneous bank heists in New York City, determined agent Val Turner (Ryan Michelle Bathé) pledges to bring her to justice. Despite facing opposition within the bureau, Val must delve into her own complex past to decipher Elena's cryptic schemes. As the mystery unfolds and dark secrets emerge, Val is forced to confront her own notions of justice in a world where appearances are deceiving.

The Endgame directly addresses topics like love, justice, and truth while having a strong foundation in the crime genre. In addition, whether their behavior is unlawful or not, the protagonists' deeply personal motivations draw comparisons to Kaleidoscope. Contrary to the Netflix series, the story in The Endgame is told in a relatively straightforward way but does not undervalue the show's occasional capacity for stunning twists.

Buy on Apple TV

5 'Heist' (2021)

Directed by Derek Doneen, Nick Frew, Martin Desmond Roe

Heist is not a work of fiction like the rest of the list; it's a documentary series available on Netflix. This documentary delves into real-life heists and crimes, providing a firsthand look at various instances where individuals successfully executed plans to steal significant sums of money from large organizations.

The way that Heist and Kaleidoscope both tell the tales of individuals who planned and executed heists is a similarity between them. However, the biggest distinction between the two shows lies in Heist's adherence to a more realistic storyline in contrast to Kaleidoscope, which is a fictional series rather than one based on real-life events. Moreover, the show is a lot of fun and skillfully written, holding back some of its numerous twists and turns until they are most noticeable. Heist is also a departure from the typical true-crime documentaries on Netflix that deserve a recommendation.

Watch on Netflix

4 'Snatch' (2017 - 2018)

Created by Alex De Rakoff

Based on Guy Ritchie’s eponymous 2000 film of the same name and inspired by a real-life heist, Snatch follows a band of twenty-something hustlers stumbles upon stolen gold bullion, propelling them into the perilous realm of organized crime. Faced with navigating London's treacherous underworld, they encounter challenges from rogue cops, local criminals, international mobsters, and beyond, forcing them to act swiftly.

Featuring cunning heist schemes and robberies with plenty of double-crossing and attitude, this show shares a lot in terms of style with Kaleidoscope. Snatch also features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own quirks and personalities. The interactions and relationships among these characters contribute to the show's comedic and dramatic moments, much like the Netflix show. Moreover, even though there are only two seasons and 20 episodes total, Snatch frequently feels overflowing with themes and tensions, making it the perfect setting for unexpected hilarious scenes. Additionally, the show makes a few fresh additions while attempting to remain faithful to its source of inspiration.

Watch on Fubo

3 'The Great Heist' (2020)

Created by Pablo Gonzalez, C.S. Prince

The Great Heist is a Colombian series that dramatized an account of the heist of Valledupar's El Banco de la Republica, the country's main bank, in 1994. The heist, known as the robbery of the century, involved a group of thieves who managed to steal a substantial sum of money from the Bank of the Republic's Valledupar branch.

The show is comparable to Kaleidoscope because it features a wide range of individuals with compelling motives and a game of deception at the heart of the robbery. The Great Heist also delves into the meticulous planning and execution of the heist, providing insight into the cunning tactics employed by the thieves. Additionally, the show introduces a range of characters with diverse backgrounds and motivations, much like Kaleidoscope. As the story unfolds, viewers get to see the complexities of the individuals involved, adding depth to the overall narrative. The show's truly a whirlwind experience that will leave you sweating in your seat.

Watch on Netflix

2 'Lupin' (2021 - )

Created by George Kay, François Uzan

Lupin is a French mystery thriller that centers on Assane Diop (Omar Sy), a fictional gentleman thief and master of disguise drawing inspiration from the classic French character Arsène Lupin who was created by writer Maurice Leblanc. He strives to exact revenge on those who killed his father. 25 years after his death, Assane sets out to expose the people who are responsible, utilizing his charm and expertise in theft, deception, and disguise.

Lupin is a heart-pounding, daring ambitious thriller that keeps audiences glued to their seats until the very end, which has a very similar structure to Kaleidoscope. Moreover, what truly makes Lupin akin to Kaleidoscope is their Robin Hood theme, stealing from the richest. While Lupin's motivations are more personal, his role as a thief aligns with the characters in Kaleidoscope. Yet, the distinction emerges in Lupin's frequent heists, contrasting with the Kaleidoscope characters whose focus is on orchestrating a single substantial heist that could secure their future for generations. Moreover, Lupin reflects French perspectives on racism and immigration and highlights the mystique of literary history, making it more than just a heist show.

Watch on Netflix

1 'Money Heist' (2017 - 2021)

Created by Álex Pina

Money Heist or La Casa del Papel, is a Spanish heist crime drama TV series told from the viewpoint of Tokyo (Úrsula Corberó), one of the robbers dressed in red jumpsuits as it follows two meticulously planned heists led by the Professor (Álvaro Morte), one on the Royal Mint of Spain and one on the Bank of Spain.

Money Heist remains focused on the relationships between its protagonists while carrying out this bold plan told in a non-linear fashion, which also vaguely invokes memories of Kaleidoscope for viewers. The show also closely aligns with Kaleidoscope the most compared with others on the list in terms of characters pursuing billion-dollar heists. However, the distinction between the two lies in Money Heist's emphasis on the heist's dramatic unfolding while Kaleidoscope adds depth by intertwining dramatic narratives with the backstories of its central characters engaged in the heist. Despite having absurd plot points in almost every episode, it’s undeniable that the Spanish-speaking show has a strong appeal that the more the audience watches, the more addictive it gets.

Watch on Netflix

NEXT: The Best 'Money Heist' Characters, Ranked by Likability