Atomic Blonde drew from its graphic novel origins to create a stylish world of espionage and action that has the power to entertain even the most discerning spy movie fans. The intense fight scenes also proved to be a major selling point, with original John Wick co-director David Leitch taking center stage and bringing a lot of the same energy to the fight scenes.
In terms of just other spy movies, however, Atomic Blonde clearly used a lot of the best examples of the genre as influences on the distinct tone and style and many of them are available to stream for subscribers to the biggest services.
Skyfall (2012)
● Available on Hulu and Paramount+
The gold standard in stylish spy movies is–and always really has been–James Bond 007. The cinematic adaptations of Ian Fleming's literary spy stood out as big and bold right out of the gate in the 1960s with Daniel Craig's take on the iconic character hitting its stride, as well as new box office heights, 50 years after Sean Connery debuted in the role.
Skyfall took a lot of the more Bourne-esque elements of Craig's earlier movies in the franchise and married them more satisfyingly for longtime fans with gorgeous cinematography from Roger Deakins as well as a more classic kind of story that delved into the superspy's personal past. Fans of Atomic Blonde will enjoy the elaborate action sequences as much as the stunning locations and color schemes in this blockbuster thriller.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)
● Available for purchase on Prime Video
More on the grounded level of Atomic Blonde in terms of scale, while still also oozing style, Guy Ritchie's The Man from U.N.C.L.E. elegantly mixes major modern star power with old school spy sensibilities.
The TV show adaptation is also a Cold War period piece, taking the action primarily to Italy in the 1960s as several agents from around the world hunt for a missing nuclear scientist. Atomic Blonde fans will mostly appreciate the detail in the locations and costumes as well as the copious comedy here, but they won't be left totally wanting for action either.
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
● Available on Fubo TV
For those Atomic Blonde fans who hold action and its execution above all else, the best choice for a similar experience has to be the sixth installment in Tom Cruise's explosive Mission: Impossible movie franchise. Like The Man from U.N.C.L.E. movie adaptation, the overall film series was adapted from a much older TV show but each entry is much closer to Atomic Blonde in terms of tension.
Fallout sees Cruise's superspy, Ethan Hunt, once again battling to stop nuclear armageddon while dropping, running, and flying into some of the biggest and most awe-inspiring stunts seen in the franchise yet. Atomic Blonde fans will also appreciate the extra thought put into the fight choreography, with the plentiful spy movie double-crosses raising the stakes of the action.
Salt (2010)
● Available on Crackle and Fubo TV
Angelina Jolie took on this title role after it was famously put together for Tom Cruise, delivering a blistering performance as the supposed double agent on the run from both the Russian agents who set her up and the American agents determined to bring her in. According to the Duluth News Tribune, the revamping of the character made them much colder and that harsher edge puts them a lot more in step with Charlize Theron's uncompromising action hero in Atomic Blonde.
Salt keeps the twists and turns both frequent and earth-shattering, with plenty of great supporting actors rounding out the cast. Atomic Blonde fans might not find as much stylization in the modern-day surroundings as they'd prefer but the movie certainly isn't lacking in attention-grabbing moments.
Hanna (2011)
● Available on Peacock
The action may be less frequent than it is in Atomic Blonde but Hanna's excess of stylistic flair will more than make up for that in the eyes of most fans.
Following a 15-year-old girl who has trained for her entire life to become a ruthless assassin, Hanna is as much a coming-of-age story as it is a thriller, with dark fairy tale elements peppering the story as she hunts for revenge against Cate Blanchett's CIA villain. As atypical as the movie is, the core concept certainly struck a chord with audiences, with a streaming series adaptation appearing on Amazon in 2019.
Red Sparrow (2018)
● Available on Fubo TV
Jennifer Lawrence leads this more conventional Cold War thriller as a Russian intelligence agent training to become a world-class spy and uncover a mole, all while trying to stay alive in her brutal world of espionage.
Directed by Hunger Games sequel helmer Francis Lawrence, the movie is packed with tension as the main character encounters a frighteningly real set of life-threatening trials and tribulations. Atomic Blonde fans will enjoy not only the Cold War aspect but the focus on seduction as a key weapon in the spy's arsenal.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
● Available on HBO Max
Acting pedigrees in spy movies don't come much finer than Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. It's not an action-heavy movie at all but the fireworks given off by the powerfully dramatic performances keep the audience on the edge of its collective seat, with Gary Oldman on Oscar-nominated form in the lead role.
Based on John le Carré's novel of the same name, the plot revolves around the hunt for a Soviet mole within the highest levels of British intelligence during the early 1970s, so Atomic Blonde will feel right at home in terms of story. The period style will also impress, even if it's much more deliberately understated to fit its stuffier locations and characters.
The Bourne Identity (2002)
● Available on Peacock
Matt Damon gave 007 a run for their money with his debut as Robert Ludlum's amnesiac superspy. The sequels only got bigger and bigger but the relative simplicity of the character's first action-packed romp through Europe captures the same kind of fun and mystery that Atomic Blonde does.
The story follows the titular assassin who, after being plucked from the ocean with several bullets in his back and no memory of who he is or how he got there, searches for the truth about his life and the CIA handlers who unleashed him. Atomic Blonde fans will enjoy how the story handles shadowy secrets in the highest levels of government without being entirely cynical, not to mention the game-changing choreography.
Unknown (2011)
● Available on Netflix
Liam Neeson stunned many movie fans with his relatively late-stage shift into being primarily known as an action-thriller star thanks to movies like Taken. But it was a move that really paid off, producing a number of beloved films, many of which have been directed by frequent collaborator Jaume Collet-Serra.
The first movie from the pair is another Euro-thriller but this time set in the modern day while still retaining some classic Cold War elements. Unknown takes a page out of Jason Bourne's book and follows an American professor who awakens from a serious car crash in Berlin to discover that his entire life has been erased and even his own wife no longer recognizes him. The action elements don't really come into play until later in the story, but the secretive spy conspiracy at the heart of the plot will keep Atomic Blonde fans hooked until that happens, not to mention that the two movies share their primary location.
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
● Available on Tubi
A much more comedic–but no less violent–take on the amnesiac spy set-up than the Bourne movies, The Long Kiss Goodnight stars Geena Davis as the deadly assassin hunted by their past life this time around. The screenplay from Lethal Weapon writer Shane Black brings plenty of snappy dialogue but it's Davis' efficiency and creativity as an action hero that will really get Atomic Blonde fans' hearts racing.
Samuel L. Jackson delivers one of his best performances in the movie and adds a great buddy dynamic to the story as a private investigator paired with Davis' trained killer. But, perhaps most importantly, he doesn't detract from the lone wolf badassery of her character.