15 ‘Pulp Fiction’ Clones That Just Copied the Movie

Widely regarded as one of the all-time greatest movies of all time, Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction shattered conventional storytelling norms by presenting a non-linear narrative that intricately weaves together multiple plotlines. Its sharp, quotable, and witty dialogue (full of pop culture references), its memorable characters portrayed by a stellar ensemble cast, and its seamless blend of dark humor with intense drama were like nothing the world of cinema had experienced before.

Following the unprecedented success of Pulp Fiction, a cinematic revolution ensued as numerous filmmakers sought to replicate its winning formula. Hundreds of movies emerged, attempting to capture the magic of the film’s nonlinear storytelling, Tarantino’s signature dialogue, and the morally ambiguous characters that defined his work. While some achieved varying levels of success, many fell short of the original’s brilliance.

The influence of Pulp Fiction is undeniable, shaping a generation of filmmakers and forever altering the landscape of contemporary cinema forever. Below, here are some of the movies that basically copied Pulp Fiction.

15 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag (1997)

8 Heads in a Duffel Bag follows mafioso Tommy Spinelli (Joe Pesci) as he tries to recover the titular bag containing the severed heads of his boss’ enemies, which he mistakenly exchanged with a tourist’s bag during a flight. A dual plot ensues following the tourist (as he tries to get rid of the heads somehow) and Tommy (who uses every idea he has to replace the heads). The cast has some pretty heavy hitters: Pesci, Kristy Swanson, David Spade, George Hamilton, Dyan Cannon, Andy Comeau, and Todd Louiso.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

Despite a promising premise, the movie was a complete dud, throwing pasta to see what sticks in every possible direction to make the viewer entertained. Nonetheless, the colorful characters are here, so are the intertwined plotlines, and so are the attempts at catchphrases. The enormity of this dark comedy just couldn’t be swallowed, and audiences couldn’t find the Tarantino-esque flavor in any of it. The film holds a measly 7% score on Rotten Tomatoes — a feat, really. Stream on Tubi TV, Pluto TV.

14 Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

Released in 1998 and directed by Guy Ritchie, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels was a landmark release in British film history. It stars Jason Statham, Vinnie Jones, and Jason Flemyng. The film gained popularity for its energetic style, witty dialogue, and intricate plot revolving around a high-stakes card game gone wrong.

It received positive reviews for its unique non-linear narrative and its array of weird and wacky characters inhabiting London’s seedy criminal underworld. It went on to be a huge critical success, launching Ritchie’s career as one of the most interesting directors in the industry.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

Often hailed as the British counterpart to Pulp Fiction, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels embodies the spirit of irreverence and stylistic innovation, and incorporates the same blend of humor, rapid-fire dialogue, and interconnected plotlines. Much like Tarantino’s masterpiece, it features an ensemble cast of colorful characters whose lives become intricately entwined in a web of crime and chaos.

The film’s non-linear narrative, punctuated by sharp wit and unexpected twists, and underscored by a rocking soundtrack, is Tarantino to a T. While it can definitely be argued that Ritchie certainly “copied” many of Tarantino’s trademarks, unlike many others on this list, his directorial flair, coupled with the film’s distinctive British flavor, positions Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels as a well-received and highly praised counterpart to Tarantino’s iconic work. Rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV

13 Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead (1995)

Things to do in Denver When You’re Dead is a 1995 action movie that features an ensemble cast including Andy García, Christopher Lloyd, Treat Williams, Steve Buscemi, Christopher Walken, Fairuza Balk, and Gabrielle Anwar.

In it, former conman Jimmy Tosnia, dubbed “The Saint,” runs a business in which dying people record messages to communicate with their loved ones. Business is hardly booming though, so when some loan sharks approach him with a mission reminiscent of his past in order to wipe out his debts, The Saint cannot really refuse.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

Witty nicknames (a crime lord known as “The Man with a Plan,” for instance), surprising bursts of violence, and characters with mysterious motivations run amok in this action joint. If the story is more linear than others on this list, some subplots do come into play when it comes to the characters’ backgrounds. The main storyline lacks any real flavor, though, and the dialogue tries too hard to emulate Tarantino’s genius.

Audiences have grown to like the film over time, with it being a cult classic in some circles, but that doesn’t really change the fact that Things to do in Denver WhenYou’re Dead is just a pale copy of Pulp Fiction, had a terrible box office (just over half a million against an $8 million budget), and is still loathed by critics after all this time. Not even a slew of good soundtrack moments (which also brings to mind Pulp Fiction) could save it. Stream on PlutoTV.

12 Pawn Shop Chronicles (2013)

The 2013 twisted, chaotic, dark comedy anthology, Pawn Shop Chronicles, boasts a wildly talented cast including Paul Walker, Matt Dillon, Brendan Fraser, and Elijah Wood. The intertwining -plot threads follow a pawn shop experiencing some bizarre and unexpected events. Unfortunately, the movie received mixed reviews, with some praising its offbeat humor and others criticizing its uneven storytelling.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

Pawn Shop Chronicles has a figuratively and literally twisted narrative, clearly influenced by the edgy and non-linear storytelling of Pulp Fiction. While the film strives to emulate Tarantino’s success with its dark comedic tone, intersecting storylines, and exploration of bizarre and seedy characters, ultimately, it lacks the finesse and originality that made Pulp Fiction such a groundbreaking cinematic experience.

This resulted in critics often highlighting the film’s shortcomings in comparison. Nevertheless, it’s still worth a watch, if not just for the opportunity to see some of Hollywood’s biggest names playing against type in some truly bizarre, scenery-chewing performances. Stream on Prime Video, Tubi TV, Freevee.

11 Go (1999)

Released five years after Pulp Fiction,Go features an ensemble cast including Katie Holmes, Sarah Polley, Taye Diggs, Timothy Olyphant, and an early career appearance by Melissa McCarthy. It takes viewers on a fast-paced roller-coaster of emotions and unexpected twists that unfold in a three-part narrative, each focusing on different perspectives of the same chain of events. The characters find themselves entangled in a web of drug deals, romance, and misadventures, leading to a series of tense and often hilarious situations.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

Go is almost like the quintessential knock-off of Pulp Fiction, with its vibrant yet derivative attempt to replicate the narrative innovation and irreverent energy of Tarantino’s classic. The film adopts a similar structure of interwoven stories, shifting perspectives, and a pulsating soundtrack, and while Go infuses its own style and narrative twists, the echoes of Tarantino’s influence are unmistakable.

The movie has a unique enough premise and direction that it can stand on its own and has developed its own cult following. This is an early film from Doug Liman, following his much more influential and classic Swingers, and he displays much of the high-adrenaline talent that would make his later films The Bourne Identity and Edge of Tomorrow such hits. Stream on fuboTV, Paramount Plus, Pluto TV.

10 The Big Hit

The Big Hit is a slightly better attempt at a comedic Pulp Fiction than other entries on this list. It was directed by Hong-Kong native Kirk Wong and stars Mark Wahlberg, Lou Diamond Phillips, Christina Applegate, Bokeem Woodbine, and more. The movie focuses on Melvin Smiley, a hitman with two girlfriends who falls in love with yet another woman, and this time it’s one of his kidnapping victims during a job.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

The characters, however many they are, are all boring and expected stereotypes. Although this movie tries really hard to mix Hong Kong action styles with Pulp Fiction-style American action, it falls short, though it does a bit better with its humor. Critics didn’t enjoy the film, but audiences strongly disagreed. Nearly doubling its budget and earning the #1 spot on the week of its release, it was far from a complete failure. 26 years later, though, it certainly hasn’t sustained its success, and few people have heard of it today. Rent or buy on digital platforms and stream on fuboTV.

9 Bullet Train (2022)

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The most recent entry on the list, 2022’s Bullet Train is an action comedy that unfolds within the confines of a high-speed Japanese ‘bullet’ train. Brad Pitt leads an ensemble cast that includes Sandra Bullock, Brian Tyree Henry, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Joey King, among many others. The plot revolves around a diverse group of hitmen with conflicting agendas, who find themselves sharing the same bullet train. As the train hurtles towards its destination, tension escalates, and a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

Bullet Train, despite being released nearly two decades after Pulp Fiction, unmistakably wears the influence of Tarantino’s seminal classic on its sleeve. The movie, while exploring its own narrative and a very different style of action, retains a palpable homage to the iconic style and cinematic influences that defined Pulp Fiction. Stream on Hulu and fuboTV.

8 Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

Much like Pulp Fiction, Bullet Train, and some other films on this list, Bad Times at the El Royale finds seven strangers with a shady past in the same hotel in the year 1969. Directed by Drew Goddard and starring Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, Jon Hamm, Cailee Spaeny, Lewis Pullman, and Chris Hemsworth, our protagonists will slowly discover how they ended up in this place all at the same time.

This movie did mildly well, both critically and commercially, falling just shy of making back its $31 million budget, and earning a 75% on both the Tomatometer and Pocornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes. The direction and acting were praised, and the musical choices are excellent, even if the storytelling is a bit shaky at times.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

The various storylines of Bad Times at the El Royale eventually line up together perfectly at the end, emulating Tarantino’s style more than well. The dialogue’s witty with deadpan humor, and the violence is up to par. The film explores morality and faith, with cinematography and set design that seems to borrom from Wes Anderson, featuring a lot of purposeful symmetry. Overall, this movie is more of an homage to Pulp Fiction than a copy of it; it’s actually more like Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight. Though the title does make us think of a Royale with cheese. Rent or buy on Apple TV, Amazon Video, or other digital platforms.

7 Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

Lucky Number Slevin is a story filled with crime, revenge, and unexpected twists, centering on Slevin Kelevra, played by Josh Hartnett, who becomes entangled in a dangerous conflict between two rival New York crime bosses, played by Morgan Freeman and Ben Kingsley. Mistaken for someone else and forced into a perilous situation, Slevin finds himself caught in a web of deceit and betrayal. As the plot unravels, secrets are exposed, and alliances shift, creating a suspenseful and intricate tale of revenge and survival.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

While certainly an entertaining watch in its own right, Lucky Number Slevin often draws criticism for being perceived as a rip-off of Pulp Fiction. The film incorporates elements that mirror Tarantino’s iconic work, such as a nonlinear narrative structure, dark humor, a focus on criminals, and the inclusion of an important watch. With that being said, it has developed a fairly dedicated following since its release, despite its mixed reviews. Unfortunately, through all of its action sequences and plot twists, it does very little else to separate itself from the myriad of other Pulp Fiction copycats that audiences have seen over the years. Stream for free on The Roku Channel and Tubi.

6 Smokin’ Aces (2006)

Released in 2006, the adrenaline-fueled crime caper Smokin’ Aces follows Buddy “Aces” Israel, a former mob informant turned illusionist, played by Jeremy Piven, who becomes the target of various hitmen. The film features a star-studded cast, including Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta, Ben Kingsley, Morgan Freeman, Chris Pine, Alicia Keys, and Ben Affleck, portraying characters with their own unique motives in the pursuit of Israel. Despite its stellar cast and ambitious premise, the movie received mixed reviews from critics, and ultimately failed to ignite the box office in the way many would have hoped.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

Over-the-top stylized violence? Check. Sharp, witty back-and-forth dialogue full of irreverent humor? Check? A complex interweaving narrative full of ‘shocking’ twists and turns? Check. A star-studded cast of actors past and present? Check. A wide array of eccentric yet dangerous characters? Check.

Released in the same year as Lucky Number Slevin and after many of the other titles on the list, by the time of Smokin’ Aces‘s release in 2006, the world was going through a sort of post-Pulp Fiction fatigue when it came to copycats. Despite all its potential, Smokin’ Aces failed to leave much of a mark. While it followed Pulp Fiction’s winning formula fairly closely, and succeeded in replicating it in some areas, like many on this list, much of the dialogue comes across as forced and somewhat trite, lacking the fluidity and sense of effortless coolness that exudes from Tarantino’s work. Rent or buy on digital platforms like Prime Video, Google Play, and Apple TV.

5 The Boondocks Saints (1999)

The Boondocks Saints, directed by Troy Duffy, follows the violent vigilante journey of Irish-American twin brothers, Connor and Murphy MacManus, portrayed by Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus, respectively. After a divine revelation, the brothers set out on a mission to rid Boston of criminal elements, targeting mobsters and corrupt individuals.

With a unique blend of dark humor and intense action sequences, the film explores the consequences of their vigilante actions and the ethical questions surrounding justice. As they gain notoriety, the brothers find themselves pursued by both law enforcement and the criminal underworld, creating a gritty and stylish crime drama that, despite mixed critical reviews, went on to find success on home video and became a cult classic.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

Enter any number of college dorms across the globe, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the walls adorned with posters of both these movies. The Boondock Saints undeniably bears the influence of Pulp Fiction, appealing to a similar audience with its gritty but darkly humorous portrayal of underworld crime. The cult following and appreciation for The Boondock Saints can be attributed, in part, to its alignment with the sensibilities that made Pulp Fiction a cultural phenomenon, though these days, a critical reappraisal has people thinking it’s not really a good film at all. Stream for free on Peacock, The Roku Channel, Tubi, Pluto, and elsewhere.

4 The Way of the Gun (2000)

The Way of the Gun has a phenomenal ensemble cast that could compete with Pulp Fiction: Ryan Phillippe, Benicio del Toro, Juliette Lewis, Taye Diggs, Nicky Katt, Scott Wilson, and James Caan all co-star in this epic story. Borrowing from the Western genre, this action film does not shy away from blood-curdling violence. In the film, wo criminals kidnap the surrogate mother of a child for a rich mafioso. However, they are quickly caught up by the minions of that powerful man, and they are in big, big trouble.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

Once again appreciated more by regular audiences than by critics, The Way of the Gun feels like yet another Pulp Fiction clone. The lives of a bunch of characters in the criminal world intersect in violent and tense ways. and more especially characters linked by blood, discover themselves and get intertwined in this action drama. This time, though, Christopher McQuarrie is writing and directing, following his script for The Usual Suspects, and he manages to create a lot of suspense and effective dialogue. Stream on The Roku Channel, Tubi, Pluto TV, and more.

3 Get Shorty (1995)

Released just one year after Tarantino’s masterpiece, the crime-comedy caper, Get Shorty, starring John Travolta, Danny DeVito, and Gene Hackman, follows Chili Palmer, a loan shark turned aspiring film producer. As Chili navigates the glitzy world of Hollywood, the film cleverly blends crime elements with sharp humor, satirizing the movie industry’s quirks. Unlike many on this list, the movie became a critical and commercial success, celebrated for its witty dialogue and entertaining take on the convergence of crime and Hollywood, spawning the sequel Be Cool.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

Still riding the waves of Pulp Fiction mania, it would be a downright lie to say that Get Shorty didn’t “borrow” certain elements from it. Despite this, it still managed to carve out its own success with its unique charm. Get Shorty thrives in its own right due to a stellar cast, clever writing, and a satirical take on Hollywood. Although it lacks the sheer originality of Pulp Fiction, it compensates with its interpretation of Tarantino’s style, introducing its own unique, engaging characters and witty dialogue, and a narrative that cleverly intertwines crime and comedy.

The film’s ability to balance this homage with its own identity allowed it to stand out among the other imitators, demonstrating that even when leaning on the influences of a cinematic giant, it can stand as an entertaining and well-received work on its own terms. Buy on Apple TV, Amazon Video

2 Thursday (1998)

A neo-noir crime thriller, Thursday is based around a day of chaos in the life of former drug addict Casey Wells. Audiences are treated to a roller coaster of violence, dark humor, and unexpected twists as Casey is drawn back into a world of crime, conspiracies, and dangerous characters. The movie features a great ensemble cast, including Aaron Eckhart, Luck Hari and Mickey Rourke, and makes for a fairly thrilling watch if you are able to stomach some of the more extreme subject matter, which feature torture, rape, murder, and dismemberment.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

On paper, Thursday should have been a fantastic movie, with its promises of an interesting non-linear narrative, crime-laden plot, black humor, talented cast, and outrageous characters. However, despite the initial potential, the film ultimately falls short of delivering anything that truly stands out. It comes across as more of a Pulp Fiction knock-off, lacking the finesse and originality that distinguished Tarantino’s work.

The attempts to emulate the style and narrative complexity of Pulp Fiction feel forced, resulting in a film that struggles to establish its own identity. While it may share thematic elements, the film’s execution fails to capture the magic that made Pulp Fiction a landmark in cinema, leaving Thursday relegated to the shadow of its influence. Not Currently Available to Stream or Purchase

1 2 Days in the Valley (1996)

The crime-comedy, 2 Days in the Valley, weaves together the lives of various characters over a tumultuous 48-hour period in the San Fernando Valley. The narrative unfolds amid the usual criminal activities, intertwining hitmen, artists, and detectives, and effectively creating a complex web of interconnected stories. The movie also boasts a pretty impressive cast, with the likes of James Spader, Charlize Theron, and Danny Aiello all starring.

How It’s Like Pulp Fiction

Like Go, 2 Days in the Valley draws striking parallels to Pulp Fiction in its attempt to replicate the narrative flair and even certain plot points. The interconnected stories involve crime, deceit, and unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated characters.

This shared approach to storytelling contributes to the perception of 2 Days in the Valley as a Pulp Fiction copycat, emphasizing the thematic and structural similarities between the two films. Despite the overt similarities in visual style, plot, and tone, the movie scored an above-average 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, and has established itself as somewhat of a cult classic. Streaming for free on Pluto TV and available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Prime Video.