10 Movies Like The Phoenician Scheme You Must See

Helmed by Wes Anderson, ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ tells the story of wealthy business tycoon Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro), who deals in armaments and aviation and frequently suffers plane crashes. Father to ten children, his only daughter, Liesl (Mia Threapleton), is a nun. Zsa-zsa appoints Liesl as the sole heir to his estate and explains to her the workings of his empire, as he expects to suffer an early death. Soon, both become the target of his scheming competitors and foreign terrorists.

An espionage black comedy, ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ has all the hallmarks of a classic Wes Anderson film. From the breathtaking color palette to the engaging narrative that underlines even the most serious issues with sharp humor, the film is a joy to watch. If you are hungry for more funny yet thrilling movies similar to ‘The Phoenician Scheme,’ the following curated list is sure to help.

10. Syriana (2005)

Loosely based on Robert Baer’s memoir ‘See No Evil,’ ‘Syriana’ by Stephen Gaghan juggles multiple interconnected storylines against the backdrop of the oil industry in the Middle East. As the world heads towards an energy crisis in the face of rapidly dwindling natural oil reserves, American lawyer Bennett Holiday (Jeffrey Wright) is tasked with facilitating the merger of two large and undoubtedly shady oil companies. Switzerland-based energy analyst Bryan Woodman (Matt Damon) faces personal challenges as well as new opportunities during his visit with Arabian royalty, while veteran CIA agent Bob Barnes (George Clooney) uncovers an assassination plot that puts him in serious danger. Like the narrative of ‘The Phoenician Scheme,’ the film is littered with death schemes and double crosses, all of which take place simultaneously in a world that never rests.

9. American Made (2017)

Directed by Doug Liman, ‘American Made’ stars Tom Cruise as Barry Seal, a regular pilot working for TWA who gets recruited by the CIA in 1978. Initially tasked with providing reconnaissance on the growing communist threat in Central America, Barry soon becomes the central figure in one of the biggest covert CIA operations in history, transporting drugs and guns across the borders. His work attracts the attention of the Medellín Cartel, associated with Pablo Escobar. Soon, he becomes a trafficker for the cartel as well, acquiring the title of “the gringo that always delivers.” Aircraft, armaments, and espionage are central to his story, similar to ‘The Phoenician Scheme.’

8. Charade (1963)

‘Charade’ by Stanley Donen follows Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn), a married woman who has a tryst with the charming Peter Joshua (Cary Grant) while on a skiing holiday in the French Alps. Upon her return to Paris, she discovers that her husband has been murdered. Things turn worse for her as she is pursued by three of her late husband’s World War II companions, Tex (James Coburn), Scobie (George Kennedy), and Gideon (Ned Glass). The claim that her husband stole a quarter of a million dollars with them while behind enemy lines, which Regina now possesses. Much like ‘The Phoenician Scheme,’ the film blends the thrilling chase with screwball comedy, with a considerable fortune at stake.

7. The Tailor of Panama (2001)

Based on John le Carré’s eponymous novel, ‘The Tailor of Panama’ revolves around ruthless and seductive British spy Osnard (Pierce Brosnan), who gets banished to Panama for sleeping with the mistress of an ambassador. There, he builds up a rapport with former conman-turned-tailor Harry Pendel (Geoffrey Rush), whose wife works for the canal administrator. While his official task is to find out what the President of Panama intends to do with the Canal, Osnard decides to blackmail Harry into spinning a tall tale involving rival countries and mercenaries to line his pockets. In the process, he triggers a series of events that threaten to destroy Harry’s life. The film treats the chaos that unfolds with humor, along the lines of ‘The Phoenician Scheme.’

6. Burn After Reading (2008)

Helmed by Joel and Ethan Coen, ‘Burn After Reading’ is set around a disc that contains the memoirs of a former CIA analyst (John Malkovich). When two dim-witted gym employees, Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) and Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt), come across the disc by accident, they mistakenly interpret the content as government secrets and try to sell it to make big bucks. Soon, the situation spirals out of their control, as the agency starts to get involved. Similar to Liesl in ‘The Phoenician Scheme,’ Linda and Chad find themselves in the middle of a chaos that far exceeds their expectations.

5. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Partly based on the novel ‘Bodies Are Where You Find Them’ by Brett Halliday, ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ marks the directorial debut of Shane Black. The film stars Robert Downey Jr. as Harry Lockhart, a thief from New York City who accidentally barges into an audition while on the run from the cops and lands the role. Arriving in Hollywood, he meets private detective Perry van Shrike (Val Kilmer) to train for a role, as well as his childhood sweetheart, Harmony Lane (Michelle Monaghan). Soon, Harry and his friends get entangled in a real murder mystery that puts them on the run. Murder attempts follow Harry much like they do Zsa-zsa in ‘The Phoenician Scheme.’

4. Snatch (2001)

Set in the underbelly of London, ‘Snatch’ by Guy Ritchie tells the story of Turkish (Jason Statham), an illegal boxing promoter who convinces dreaded gangster Brick Top (Alan Ford) to offer bets on bare-knuckle hippie boxer Mickey (Brad Pitt) at his bookie business. However, when Mickey does not throw down the first fight according to the plan, Brick gets infuriated but agrees to Turkish’s pleas for a rematch. At the same time, another gangster, Frankie Four Fingers (Benicio del Toro), arrives to place a bet for a friend with Brick’s bookies while he is visiting London to sell a stolen diamond. ‘Snatch’ follows multiple storylines taking place simultaneously, which balances the money, crimes, and the folly of it all, much like ‘The Phoenician Scheme.’

3. Lord of War (2005)

Andrew Niccol’s directorial ‘Lord of War’ centers around Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage), a veteran arms dealer from Queens, New York, who is considered to be one of the best in the business, arming everyone from nations to warlords and terrorists at the end of the Cold War. While avoiding Interpol agent Jack Lawrence (Ethan Hawke), Yuri mentors his younger brother, Vitaly (Jared Leto), and pursues the woman of his dreams, supermodel Ava Fontaine (Bridget Moynahan). In the middle of everything, the morality of his profession gets him thinking. Yuri’s story partly mirrors that of Zsa-zsa in ‘The Phoenician Scheme,’ as both men make a business of arms and global conflicts.

2. The Brothers Bloom (2009)

From the mind of Rian Johnson, ‘The Brothers Bloom’ chronicles two of the best con men in the world who have been in business for 25 years. As one of the brothers, Bloom Bloom (Adrien Brody), decides to quit, the other, Stephen (Mark Ruffalo), convinces him to take part in one last job. They target a beautiful and eccentric East Coast heiress, Penelope Stamp (Rachel Weisz). However, things get out of hand when she proves to be far too tough to be scared, and Bloom falls in love with her. The dangerous situations that unfold with an enormous estate at stake are reminiscent of ‘The Phoenician Scheme.’

1. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

Based on the short story of the same name by Roald Dahl, ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’ stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular character, who learns the method to see without his eyes from a book that he finds in a friend’s library. Mastering the art, he sets out to make an enormous amount of money for himself before having a change of heart. Yet another classic of Wes Anderson, the film sees him use similar narrative styles as well as a pastel color palette as ‘The Phoenician Scheme.’ Both films also follow affluent men, who come about their wealth through unscrupulous means and are confronted by the meaning of it all in the end.