We may earn a commission from links on this page.Sugar on Apple TV is remarkable in a lot of ways. One part old-school throwback to classic noir (complete with literal flashes of classic films), one part unexpected sci-fi twister, and one part Colin Farrell’s charisma, it’s a show that defies easy categorization while being very easy to simply enjoy. The big twist was divisive, but worked exceptionally well because it wasn’t just a twist for shock value—it recontextualized the story and John Sugar’s character in exciting ways that honored its noir roots. If you want more stories of deadpan detectives navigating a grimy world of secrets, mysteries, and violence (with a few surprises thrown in), there are plenty of shows to check out. If you’ve been there and done that, there’s one movie that all fans of Sugar should probably watch: 1955’s Kiss Me Deadly.Why fans of Sugar will enjoy Kiss Me Deadly (1955) You might recognize this film even if you’ve never seen it: It’s one of the old movies cut into Sugar to show John’s inner monologue and the films he’s watched to understand human nature. It shows up twice in season one, and the reasons why are clear: The main character, detective Mike Hammer (Ralph Meeker) drives around L.A. in a cool Corvette just like John Sugar; the story is a perfect tonal match for Sugar; and there’s a big-swing, wild twist at the end that sets it apart from most other classic noirs from the middle of the 20th century.Kiss Me Deadly was adapted from Mickey Spillane's novel of the same title, and is one of the most influential noir films ever produced. Mike Hammer is the quintessential hard-nosed private detective who has a deep sense of ethics. Cynical and happy to solve his problems with violence, he can’t resist pursuing true justice, so when a woman named Christina (Cloris Leachman) wanders in front of his car while wearing nothing but a coat, he offers her a ride. And when they’re assaulted by goons and Christina is violently murdered, he wakes up in the hospital determined to find out what’s behind her death.Hammer is explicitly the precise type of detective that John Sugar wants to emulate, and Kiss Me Deadly is a story that straddles both the noir and sci-fi genres, just like the show (it’s actually got an entry in The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction). The visual style and bleak tone in the film have been referenced, repurposed, and outright stolen in hundreds of films since. If you love the noir atmosphere and shocking reveal in Sugar, Kiss Me Deadly is the perfect film to watch. It’s actually kind of the perfect film to watch in general. Stream Kiss Me Deadly on JustWatch or at The Internet Archive (Note: This is a colorized version). Kiss Me Deadly (1955) at Justwatch.com Learn More Learn More at Justwatch.com More movies like SugarNeed more noir? More twists? More aliens? We got you. Whether you love the hard-boiled mystery, the unexpected twists, or gorgeous visual sense of the series, here are some other films fans of Sugar will love.L.A. Confidential (1997) Based on James Ellroy’s novel, L.A. Confidential is a perfect choice if you want more stylized, modern noir like Sugar. While it doesn’t have the genre bending of the series, the story is dark and twisty enough to keep your brain occupied throughout its running time. Set in early 1950s Los Angeles, it’s a story of a fading dream as a few cops try to navigate a corrupt police department and city government with their souls intact, and only partially succeed. Rent L.A. Confidential on Prime Video. L.A. Confidential (1997) $3.99 at Prime Video Learn More Learn More $3.99 at Prime Video The Third Man (1949) One of the greatest films ever made (and another movie referenced directly in the series), The Third Man is set far away from 1950s L.A., instead telling a story set in post-World War II Vienna. An American author, Holly Martins, arrives after receiving a job offer from old friend Harry Lime, only to learn that Lime was killed in a car accident. While Martins is no John Sugar—he’s not the sharpest investigator in the world—he stumbles into a complex mystery involving a (you guessed it) mysterious third man spotted at the scene of Lime’s death. If you love the vibe of ominous mystery that suffuses Sugar, you owe it to yourself to watch this. Stream The Third Man on Kanopy, Plex, or Tubi, or rent it on Prime Video. The Third Man (1949) $3.99 at Prime Video Learn More Learn More $3.99 at Prime Video The Long Goodbye (1973) Director Robert Altman and screenwriter Leigh Brackett’s adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s novel is set in the early 1970s, but gumshoe Philip Marlowe (Elliot Gould in a triumph of unexpected casting) seems trapped in an earlier era, driving a classic car and chain smoking his way through the twisty story, making his detective as much a fish out of water in L.A. as John Sugar. The story is an unpredictable masterpiece of misdirection, and the vibe is spot-on for fans of the show. Stream The Long Goodbye on Hoopla or Tubi, or rent it on Prime Video. The Long Goodbye (1973) $3.99 at Prime Video Learn More Learn More $3.99 at Prime Video Brick (2006) If you love how Sugar reimagines the tropes of noir mysteries, check out Rian Johnson’s debut film, Brick, which applies those same tropes to a story set in a suburban high school. When teenager Brendan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) gets a worrying call from his ex-girlfriend shortly before her death, he launches a classic investigation that uncovers a swamp of crime, corruption, and betrayal. Marked by tight, crime novel-flavored dialogue and a compelling mystery, Brick is the unexpected noir treat fans of Sugar will love. Rent Brick on Prime Video. Brick (2006) $3.99 at Prime Video Learn More Learn More $3.99 at Prime Video Angel Heart (1987) If you’re craving a story about a classic noir detective character that has a speculative twist like John Sugar’s secret, check out Angel Heart. In New York City in 1955, private investigator Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke) is hired by the mysterious Louis Cyphre (Robert De Niro) to locate a missing man named Johnny Favorite. Harry reluctantly sinks into a quagmire of lies, violence, and self-loathing as he traces Johnny’s movements—and where it all leads is both a shock and a genre twist, with a powerful final shot you won’t soon forget. Stream Angel Heart on Kanopy, Hoopla, or YouTube, or rent it on Prime Video. Angel Heart (1987) $5.99 at Prime Video Learn More Learn More $5.99 at Prime Video