What To Watch If You Love 'Death Note'

Updated April 24, 2024 46 items

Voting Rules

Vote up the films and television series that you know other fans of 'Death Note' will love.

Death Note is a supernatural thriller anime that garnered the love and affection of hordes of fans thanks to its neo-noir tone and the cat-and-mouse game between the main characters, but if you’ve finished watching the series, there’s no need for despair. Including other popular anime, there are plenty of movies and TV shows to watch if you like Death Note and we’ve compiled the best ones right here for you right here!

TV shows similar to Death Note often feature dark fantasy elements and mystery. If you’re looking for more epic animation, Castlevania is sure to fill the void. The Netflix series is based on the long-running gaming series and features similar elements to Death Note. And if you think there aren’t also some good movies like Death Note, then think again, because we’ve found quite a few that are sure to tickle the fancies of even the hardest-to-please fans. Take Oldboy, for instance. This movie is a thriller with a dark mystery as the center of the story, like Death Note. It is a great choice for any film noir fan.

But you don’t have to take our word for it - some of Death Note’s biggest fans have chimed in and cast their votes for the best movies and TV shows like Death Note, and once you’ve watched, you can cast your votes too!

So what are your favorite movies and TV series like Death Note? Vote your favorite programs up to the top of the list.

With more than 40 million people visiting Ranker every month, we are able to offer you data-driven recommendations based on voting across thousands of film & TV polls.

Photo: Erased
1
16 VOTES
Erased
Satoru Fujinuma is sent back in time 18 years to prevent the events leading to his mother's death.
16 votes
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Photo: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion / Sunrise
2
17 VOTES
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Lelouch Lamperouge, a Britannian student, uses the mystical "Power of Kings" to take down Britannia.
17 votes
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Photo: Sherlock
3
18 VOTES
Sherlock
Delving into the intricate world of crime-solving, Sherlock presents a contemporary adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved detective stories. With its clever writing and masterful performances from Benedict Cumberbatch as the enigmatic Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as the loyal Dr. John Watson, this British television series has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Amidst its four seasons, the show has earned numerous accolades, including BAFTA and Emmy awards. Each episode unravels a new mystery, keeping viewers on their toes with unexpected twists and turns, all while showcasing the undeniable chemistry between the lead characters.
18 votes
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Photo: Psycho-Pass
4
11 VOTES
Psycho-Pass
The adventures of Inspector Akane Tsunemori.
11 votes
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Photo: Tokyo Ghoul
5
10 VOTES
Tokyo Ghoul
Having survived a ghoul attack, Ken finds himself altered forever.
10 votes
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Photo: user uploaded image
6
10 VOTES
Death Note: Re-light: L's Successors
Death Note: Re-light: L's Successors is a 2008 anime film written by Toshiki Inoue and directed by Tetsurō Araki
10 votes
Photo: Attack on Titan
7
12 VOTES
Attack On Titan
Three friends join the Survey Corps to try to take their world back from the Titans.
12 votes
Photo: Netflix
8
10 VOTES
Mindhunter
A meticulously crafted crime drama, Mindhunter delves into the chilling world of criminal psychology and the birth of modern serial killer profiling. Boasting two seasons garnished with rave reviews, this gripping series presents an unnerving yet fascinating exploration of the darkest recesses of the human mind. Protagonists Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), FBI agents in the Behavioral Science Unit, engage in intense interviews with notorious real-life murderers to understand their motivations and develop techniques to catch future criminals. The show's masterful storytelling, bolstered by its authentic period setting, has earned it widespread critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.
10 votes
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- #7 of 202 onThe TV Shows With The Best Writing
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Photo: Devilman Crybaby
9
5 VOTES
Devilman Crybaby
A sensitive demon-boy is led into a brutal, degenerate war against evil by his mysterious friend.
5 votes
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Photo: Madman Entertainment
10
7 VOTES
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric search for the Philsopher's Stone.
7 votes
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- #179 of 540 onThe 500+ Best Cartoons Of All Time, Ranked

Photo: Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
11
7 VOTES
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
Set against the vibrant and tumultuous backdrop of 1938 Los Angeles, this mesmerizing series explores a time rife with racial and political tensions. Penny Dreadful: City of Angels delves into the supernatural realm, seamlessly weaving together elements of crime, drama, and horror. The talented ensemble cast, including Detective Tiago Vega (Daniel Zovatto) and his enigmatic partner Lewis Michener (Nathan Lane), navigates the city's dark underbelly while confronting age-old Mexican folklore. Nominated for an impressive array of awards, this gripping show masterfully captures the essence of its era, offering viewers an enthralling journey through a world where danger and mysticism intertwine.
7 votes
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Photo: NBC
12
3 VOTES
The Blacklist
"Red" Reddington agrees to work with the FBI, on the condition he'll only work with profiler Keen.
3 votes
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Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use
13
4 VOTES
Bleach: Memories of Nobody
Bleach: Memories of Nobody is the first animated film adaptation of the anime and manga series Bleach. Directed by Noriyuki Abe and written by Masashi Sogo, the film was first released in Japanese theaters on December 16, 2006. The DVD was released in Japan on September 5, 2007. To promote the film, the opening and closing credits for episodes 106 through 109 of the Bleach anime use footage from the film. The film's theme music is "Senno Yoruwo Koete " by Aqua Timez. The film had a limited theatrical release in the United States from June 11 to June 12, 2008, and in Canada on October 20, 2008 and was followed by the DVD release on October 14, 2008. The film aired on September 5, 2009 on Adult Swim. Animax Asia became the first to air the movie in Asia, as they confirmed the premiere to be on May 2. The Blu-ray was released on May 7, 2012 in the United Kingdom.
4 votes
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Photo: B: The Beginning
14
6 VOTES
B: the Beginning
Genius investigator Keith Flick rejoins the royal police force just as serial killer "B" emerges.
6 votes
Photo: New Line Cinema
15
4 VOTES
Final Destination
In Final Destination, a gripping tale of survival and fate unfolds. The movie pivots around the central character Alex Browning (Devon Sawa), a high school student who experiences a premonition of a disastrous plane crash. When his vision becomes reality, he and several other survivors find themselves caught in an eerie sequence of life-threatening events. Directed by James Wong, this horror-thriller delves into the concept of death's design, creating a chilling atmosphere that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The film is known for its innovative plot and suspense-driven narrative, marking it as a standout within its genre.
4 votes
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Photo: Person of Interest
16
4 VOTES
Person of Interest
A former CIA operative and a tech-savvy billionaire prevent crimes, using unique vigilante justice.
4 votes
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Photo: user uploaded image
17
4 VOTES
Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist is a 2017 Japanese dark fantasy science fiction adventure film directed by Fumihiko Sori, based on the manga series by Hiromu Arakawa, covering the first four volumes of the original storyline. Two alchemist brothers (Ryosuke Yamada & Atomu Mizuishi) go on a quest for the Philosopher's Stone after an attempt to revive their dead mother goes horribly wrong.
4 votes
Photo: Castlevania
18
4 VOTES
Castlevania
In a harmonious marriage of historical fiction and supernatural fantasy, Castlevania weaves a tale that is both dark and riveting. This animated television series, based on the popular video game franchise, has garnered critical acclaim and several award nominations for its intricate storytelling and visually stunning animation. At the heart of the narrative lies Trevor Belmont (voiced by Richard Armitage), a skilled monster hunter from a disgraced family, who reluctantly joins forces with sorceress Sypha Belnades (Alejandra Reynoso) and Dracula's son Alucard (James Callis). Together, they embark on a perilous journey to confront the malevolent force threatening humanity — the legendary vampire himself, Count Dracula (Graham McTavish). Through its exploration of complex character relationships and meticulously crafted world-building, Castlevania masterfully transports viewers into an enthralling realm where darkness and danger lurk at every turn.
4 votes
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Photo: Future Diary / Asread
19
6 VOTES
Future Diary
A boy becomes caught up in a deadly game after his cell phone diary begins predicting the future.
6 votes
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Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use
20
1 VOTES
Bleach the Movie: Fade to Black
Bleach the Movie: Fade to Black is a 2008 Japanese anime film directed by Noriyuki Abe, based on the manga by Tite Kubo and a spin-off of the Bleach anime series. An explosion happens in the middle of Seireitei, and Rukia has a memory loss.
1 votes
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Photo: Minority Report
21
1 VOTES
Minority Report
Based on a story by famed science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, "Minority Report" is an action-detective thriller set in Washington D.C. in 2054, where police utilize a psychic technology to arrest and convict murderers before they commit their crime. Tom Cruise plays the head of this Precrime unit and is himself accused of the future murder of a man he hasn't even met.
1 votes
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Photo: Hannibal
22
1 VOTES
Hannibal
Hannibal is a psychological thriller that delves into the complex relationship between FBI special investigator Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen), a psychiatrist with a taste for the macabre. The show intricately weaves together elements of crime, horror, and drama, presenting viewers with a fresh perspective on Thomas Harris's renowned literary characters. Nominated for multiple awards, including a Saturn Award for Best Network Television Series, Hannibal has garnered critical acclaim for its exceptional storytelling, stunning visual aesthetics, and the chilling performances of its lead actors. As the story unfolds, the lines between hunter and prey blur, leaving audiences questioning who they can truly trust.
1 votes
Photo: Darker Than Black
23
1 VOTES
Darker Than Black
Hei takes orders from the syndicate in Tokyo.
1 votes
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Photo: user uploaded image
24
1 VOTES
Gantz: O
Gantz: O is a 2016 Japanese CGI anime science fiction action film directed by Yasushi Kawamura, based on the manga series Gantz, which was written and illustrated by Hiroya Oku. Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato become part of a semi-posthumous "game" in which they and several other recently deceased people are forced to hunt down and kill aliens.
1 votes
Photo: Black Butler / A-1 Pictures
25
1 VOTES
Black Butler
A young orphan searches for his parents' killers with the help of a demonic butler.
1 votes
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Photo: user uploaded image
26
1 VOTES
Dororo
A female warrior joins a quest to recover a samurai's body.
1 votes
Photo: Ergo Proxy
27
2 VOTES
Ergo Proxy
Robots and humans coexist in harmony after an apocalypse.
2 votes
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Photo: user uploaded image
28
2 VOTES
Death Note
Death Note is a series of two live-action Japanese films released in 2006 and a spin-off released on February 9, 2008. The two movies are based on the Death Note manga series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The films primarily center on a university student who decides to rid the world of evil with the help of a supernatural notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. The two films were directed by Shūsuke Kaneko, produced by Nippon Television, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. A spin-off film directed by Hideo Nakata, titled L: Change the World, was released on February 9, 2008.
2 votes
Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use
29
3 VOTES
L: Change the World
L: Change the World, is a 2008 Japanese film that is a spin-off to the Death Note film series. Although the film is inspired by the manga Death Note that was written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, it follows an original storyline. It is set at the end of Death Note II: The Last Name. The film is directed by Hideo Nakata, and it stars actor Kenichi Matsuyama as the character "L". Furthermore, child actor Narushi Fukuda stars as Near, while child actress Mayuko Fukuda plays the role of Maki Nikaido, a character who does not appear in the original manga. The film was first released in Hong Kong on February 7, 2008. It was subsequently released in the Japanese box office on 9 February 2008. Additionally, two different versions of the film were shown in the United States on 29 and 30 April 2009 respectively.
3 votes
Photo: Fuji TV / Netflix
30
3 VOTES
Revisions
Revisions (Fuji TV & Netflix, 2019), stylized as "revisions," is a Japanese mecha anime television series. Daisuke Doujima (Kōki Uchiyama) was kidnapped as a child and now he and his friends are involved in the strange event of the "Shibuya Drift" traveling 300 years to the future of the Shibuya neighborhood where people known as "Revisions", fight using giant mechanical monsters to defeat an unknown enemy and recover their present.
3 votes