Though there have been plenty of duds, Netflix has produced some incredible content over the years and Kaleidoscope definitely falls into that second bracket. Eric Garcia's 2023 series is one of the best Netflix shows in recent memory and a must-watch for those who enjoy a good heist drama. Its scintillating story is only a small part of what makes Kaleidoscope so enjoyable, though, as viewers will quickly find out.
Unlike a traditional series, Kaleidoscope's eight episodes can be watched in any order, making it one of the most unique series ever created. It also boasts an excellent cast and some beautiful cinematography, which only helps to enhance what is an already great experience. It is a relatively short one, however, which will likely leave many viewers craving more once the final episode is over. Thankfully, there are plenty of great shows like Kaleidoscope for viewers to fall back on, many of which are also available on Netflix.
1 Prison Break
Though Prison Break may at first focus on breaking out of somewhere rather than breaking in, Michael's plan is no less meticulous as Leo's and its execution is every bit as exciting as Kaleidoscope's set-piece moments. Like Garcia's series, the supporting cast in Prison Break also does a lot of the heavy lifting, providing viewers with plenty to think about as the plot builds up around them.
Sadly, Prison Break struggled to maintain the momentum built up in its debut season right through to the end, but that's not to say that subsequent seasons don't still have their moments. A lot of this is down to the show's cast and the chemistry between them, but breaking out of Sona and gaining access to Scylla still provide some fantastic high-stakes moments that wouldn't feel out of place in the very best heist series and movies.
2 Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
Granted, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch is more of a movie than it is a tv show, but given that it serves as an offshoot of Charlie Brooker's long-running anthology series, many tend to classify it as such in their minds. For those that do, it will likely rank pretty highly on any list of shows like Kaleidoscope due to the interactive nature of its narrative.
Rather than just allowing viewers to choose the order in which they experience the story, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch gives the audience an incredible level of control. Like a classic choose-your-own-adventure book, viewers are able to make choices that directly influence the plot, with five main endings available. Many of these endings have slightly different variations too, making Bandersnatch surprisingly rewatchable.
3 Breaking Bad
For some people, being able to choose the order in which they watch Kaleidoscope is little more than a gimmick. After all, assuming they go with the show's creators' recommendation and watch the White episode last, they end up at the same destination anyway. That's not to say that those people can't still enjoy the series though, as there are a lot of things to love about the show.
For starters, the plot is fantastic and there are some really great characters involved. The pick of the bunch is arguably the show's main character Leo Pap: an anti-hero who is expertly brought to life by Giancarlo Esposito. Esposito is no stranger to playing morally dubious characters and does so to great effect in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. The former even has a few heist-like episodes, making it a great option for those who are looking for TV shows like Kaleidoscope.
4 Money Heist
Kaleidoscope isn't the first heist drama produced by Netflix. Far from it, in fact. Money Heist wasn't the first either, but it is arguably the best heist drama on Netflix, and, as a result, an excellent option for people who liked Kaleidoscope​​​​​​. It's important to note that Money Heist is a Spanish series, but for those who know the language or can tolerate subtitles, it really is a must-watch show.
The series was created by Alex Pina and charts the planning and execution of two high-stakes heists over five thrilling seasons. It was so popular with viewers that it received a South Korean adaptation called Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area as well as a spin-off series titled Berlin, which is set to premiere on Netflix at some point in 2023.
5 Snatch
Based loosely on the Guy Ritchie movie of the same name, Snatch ran for two seasons between 2017 and 2018. It's a bit more light-hearted in places than its predecessor, yet has no trouble cranking up the heat when the time comes for narrative tension or shockingly violent scenes. Its gritty take on crime is surprisingly relatable too and it does an excellent job of humanizing its characters despite them being criminals; much like Kaleidoscope does with Leo.
Of all of the best shows like Kaleidoscope, Snatch is probably one of the most reminiscent due to its tone and ensemble cast. Rupert Grint, Luke Pasqualino, and Phoebe Dynevor all play their parts well and do an excellent job of bringing Alex De Rakoff's vision to life. Like even some of the best television dramas, it runs out of steam a little at the end, but it's still well worth watching today, particularly for those who liked Kaleidoscope.