Loved Apple TV’s Hijack? Check out these 5 thriller series next

Indeed! If you have just finished watching Hijack on Apple TV+, then you really know what it means to have your heart race! In Hijack, 2023, Idris Elba is negotiator Sam Nelson in a seven-hour flight hijacking thriller that nearly unfolds in real time.

The entire saga is full of high-level negotiations, impromptu decisions, and sharp turns that have the audience glued to their screens. It is one of those series that keeps you thinking about every single detail long after the airplane has landed.

And with the credits done, one may find oneself asking what's next? Difficult to outdo the excitement, unending suspense, and psychological tension that this series brings; nonetheless, here are a couple of other series that come close to matching it.

From political thrillers to hostage dramas, espionage, and high-stakes heists, such shows relay the type of storytelling that is full of adrenaline, making Hijack a gripping show.

Here are 5 thriller series that you can check if you loved Apple TV’s Hijack

1. Bodyguard (BBC, 2018)

If Hijack's tension and moral stakes fully enveloped you into the show, then Bodyguard would be the next logical series to dive into. This British political thriller stars Richard Madden as David Budd, a war veteran tasked with an assignment to protect the Home Secretary due to terrorism threats. The series is composed, just like Hijack, of action with injected psychological suspense and offers the personal and professional pressures of a protagonist who faces continuous danger.

What really makes the series captivating is the extent to which it portrays moral dilemmas and life-or-death decisions. The political intrigues in every episode are more or less matched by the suspense level, echoing the real-time tension of Hijack, and keeping viewers' attention from start to finish with their consecutive episodes.

2. Hostages

If you were a fan of the negotiations between hostages and the police in Hijack, then Hostages is also a very exciting series, but it is a bit different in that it has the following two versions:

The Israeli Original (2013): The story of this series revolves around a doctor whose spouse and children are abducted so that she can kill the Prime Minister. The series is built on psychological strain, moral conflicts, and big-time negotiations, much like one of the main themes of Hijack.

The American Remake (2013–2014): Toni Collette and Dylan McDermott are the key characters in this TV series, but it still bears the Israeli plotline as its West Coast counterpart. Though it was canceled after its first season on CBS, it still preserves the elements of hostage phrase and moral pressure, which Hijack fans find appealing.

The two series are centered on average people finding themselves in unusual and life-threatening situations. So if you are attracted to the blend of suspense and moral tension that Hijack created, then it is time to watch these series.

3. The Night Manager (BBC/AMC, 2016)

If the strategic maneuvering and negotiations in Hijack satisfied you, The Night Manager would offer something similar in terms of the world of espionage.

It is a spy thriller series adapted from a novel by John le Carré and involves Tom Hiddleston, playing the lead character Jonathan Pine, a former soldier who becomes part of a secret mission to topple the weapons dealers led by the character Richard Onslow Roper, played by Hugh Laurie. The series is based on suspense, moral confusion, and tension, all of which are also very much a part of the slow but sure approach of the anime series, Hijack.

The audience is always in doubt regarding the friendships, lies, and threats, which make each moment feel important. The emphasis on intelligence, tactics, and mental pressure makes this show a totally lovable companion to Hijack fans.

4. Money Heist (La casa de papel, Netflix, 2017–2021)

Money Heist (La Casa de Papel, Netflix, 2017–2021) (Image via YouTube/Netflix )

Even though Money Heist is more about the robbery itself than about negotiations with hostages, it is nevertheless very similar to Hijack in terms of unceasing speed and desperate hanging spots.

The Spanish series tells the story of a gang of thieves who are skilfully carrying out their plans in the Royal Mint of Spain and the Bank of Spain, while at the same time facing numerous obstacles and problems that are highly stressful.

It is precisely the emotional conflict, surprise plot changes, and character-driven tension that make it a very thrilling experience for the viewers who liked Hijack’s mixture of action and psychological drama. Every episode of the series is like a roller coaster ride for the audience, just like Hijack, with its very suspenseful moments that require complete focus.

5. 24 (Fox, 2001–2010)

At last, 24 presents the real-time suspense that the fans of Hijack can fully relate to instantly. This series boasts Kiefer Sutherland as the actor who portrays an anti-terrorism agent named Jack Bauer and has each season unfolding within the span of 24 hours, where each episode depicts one-hour time activity.

The format of the ticking clock, coupled with life-and-death consequences, creates a level of tension that can only be compared to that of the high-pressure situation seen in Hijack.

The series is a blend of action, cunning, and psychological force. Every choice has an instant effect, and the time-matching pace of the series keeps the audience's attention and involvement from the first to the last minute. For those who enjoyed Hijack’s breath-holding intensity, 24 is a similar and equally enthralling thrill ride.

Bonus mentions

Some other series also reflect similar aspects of Hijack's stress and danger. Prison Break and Designated Survivor are likewise in the category of very stressful soft dramas where characters confront dire situations, but the atmosphere in these two shows has less in common with Hijack's on-the-spot approach.

Still, Body of Proof is more on the procedural drama side and therefore not exactly comparable. Nonetheless, these series can still provide the extra suspenseful viewing to Hijack fans who are looking for more intense storytelling.

Appropriately so, if Hijack has got you hungry for more, the fact is that it is high time to explore a plethora of thrillers to watch. Bodyguard, Hostages, Night Manager, Money Heist, and 24 offer the same blend of tension, suspense, and dramatic content, making Hijack a compelling watch accordingly.

So, in this way, the consumers, in this case, that is, the fans following these series, get a chance to continue enjoying this experience in which reality has been depicted by considering that every single decision counts, every moment matters significantly, and this story operates in unpredictable realms, exactly like in Hijack.