5 Movies like 'The Da Vinci Code' That Are Similarly Action-Packed and Gripping

Legendary Hollywood actor Tom Hanks has given audiences many memorable performances in various genres, such as comedy in "Forrest Gump" and war in "Saving Private Ryan." Regarding mystery thrillers, "The Da Vinci Code" is arguably his best.

"The Da Vinci Code" is a 2006 murder mystery drama that follows the story of Robert Langdon, a Harvard University religious symbologist who takes on an adventure that ultimately leads to finding the truth behind the spiritual Holy Grail. Although it received backlash from the Catholic Church, it remains a classic.

Without giving too much away, below is a highlight of films that fans of "The Da Vinci Code" may also enjoy due to the notable similarities of the movies. The most telling of those resemblances is the mysterious nature of the storylines and the quest to complete the puzzle using various clues.

'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' (2011)

This film follows an investigation into the disappearance of a 16-year-old girl who went missing 40 years prior. The inquiry is led by a journalist, Mikael Blomkvist, who is determined to find evidence to implicate a businessman who brought a defamation lawsuit against him.

Another businessman offered Blomkvist the evidence if he was willing to investigate the disappearance and suspected murder of his young niece. Just as Tom Hanks and Tautou's characters go on a dangerous adventure in search of, among other things, evidence to clear his name, Blomkvist is ideally doing the same.

"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" also has a stellar cast behind it, with Daniel Craig, known for his James Bond movies, leading the cast. He enlisted the help of a young computer genius, Lisbeth Salander, played by the talented Rooney Mara.

Both films have a similar amount of action but slight differences, especially in the brutality of the storylines. Although Blomkvist's reasons are less severe than Langton's, his path is darker and more disturbing, making for an even more captivating investigation.

'As Above, So Below' (2014)

Perhaps the first thing that some may notice about this movie is the lack of familiar names in the cast. However, a wise man once said, never judge a book by its cover, and this film proves just that. Despite the lack of big names, the cast provided excellent and convincing acting performances.

The storyline also helps bring the film to life by providing an intriguing turn of events. Although the film diverts a bit from "The Da Vinci Code" by employing horror, it still presents brilliant investigative reporting and exploration of religious themes and theories.

The movie follows the exploits of a group of people enlisted by a young scholar, Scarlett Marlowe, who is seeking to continue her deceased father's search for the philosopher's stone (No, it's not only in the Harry Potter films). The group goes into the off-limits areas of Paris, where they endure horrendous yet fulfilling adventures.

'The Crimson Rivers' (2000)

Before Spanish-French actor Jean Reno played the Captain of the police, Bezu Fache, in "The Da Vinci Code," he had portrayed Pierre Niemans, a Paris police Detective Superintendent and the lead character of this French psychological thriller. So if fans enjoyed his performance in pursuit of Hanks, they get a whole of him in this film.

The movie is about two detectives, the other being Detective Inspector Max Kerkerian, played by Vincent Cassel, who investigate murders in a small university town in the French Alps. What begins as an investigation of one murder leads to a chain reaction where they find a link between the dreadful acts.

The story is told through parallel viewpoints as the two detectives begin with different cases in separate locations and only meet an hour into the film, a reflection of Langdon and Silas in "The Da Vinci Code." They realize that the killer may be leaving clues, and the hard-nosed investigating team goes on a hot pursuit of the murderer.

'Memento' (2000)

Again from the year 2000, this film, written and directed by the brilliant Christopher Nolan, leads fans on the path of an enthralling investigation. Guy Pearce plays Leonard Shelby, who suffers from short-term memory loss and cannot form new memories.

Despite his seemingly precarious situation, Shelby is determined to find out who attacked him and his wife, raping and killing her during the act. He uses photographs, notes, and tattoos to register information he won't remember.

This murder mystery story is told in a unique backward chronology that leaves clues hidden in front of the audience throughout the film. That makes the film more fascinating as fans can feel the answer is right there at their fingertips, but they cannot fully grasp it.

'National Treasure' (2004)

Audiences who enjoyed the puzzle and riddle parts of "The Da Vinci Code" but were not fans of the dark and serious tone of the film will appreciate this action-packed adventure heist and a display of the charm of the lead actor, Nicholas Case.

Cage's character is historian Benjamin Franklin Gates who is inspired by a treasure story his grandfather told him when he was young. Gates grew up to be a treasure hunter and cryptographer. He goes on a mission to recover the riches based on the clues from his grandfather's story.

The adventure leads him to many locations, including a ship lost in the Arctic and engaging in the unthinkable crime of stealing the Declaration of Independence. Like in "The Da Vinci Code," those in the pursuit are also being pursued, thereby creating an exciting cat-and-mouse chase.

Although it includes puzzles and clues, "National Treasure" employs a less complex chain of events that even the least invested minds can still enjoy. Its touch on various aspects of US history, albeit without complete accuracy, gives a close-to-home feeling.