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| Best Shows Like 12 12 12. |
If 12 12 12 has left you wanting more elaborate robberies, dangerous criminal partnerships and investigators chasing suspects across international borders, there are plenty of other television dramas worth adding to your watchlist. The 2026 Apple TV original brings together the ingredients of an addictive crime thriller, combining an ambitious Zurich bank robbery with a complicated timeline involving 12 months of preparation, 12 hours of execution and 12 days of survival.
Its combination of clever planning, financial crime, shifting perspectives and relentless pursuit makes it particularly appealing to viewers who enjoy stories where one small mistake can bring an entire operation crashing down. Fortunately, several other shows explore similar territory, from carefully organised robberies and international criminal networks to undercover investigations and elaborate conspiracies. Here are 21 shows like 12 12 12 to watch next.
Best Shows Like 12 12 12
1. Money Heist (2017)
Few television series understand the appeal of an elaborate robbery quite like Money Heist. The Spanish crime drama follows a mysterious criminal mastermind known as the Professor, who recruits a group of specialists to carry out an extraordinary robbery at Spain's Royal Mint. Their operation depends on detailed preparation, strict instructions and the ability to anticipate nearly every possible complication.
Like 12 12 12, the series spends considerable time exploring the planning behind a major criminal operation while jumping between different stages of the story. Both shows understand that the most interesting part of a heist is not necessarily getting inside the building. It is everything that happens when the original plan starts falling apart. With shifting alliances, unpredictable decisions and police pressure, Money Heist is an obvious next choice.
2. Kaleidoscope (2023)
Netflix's Kaleidoscope offers one of the closest matches to 12 12 12 because its storytelling deliberately refuses to follow a conventional timeline. The series follows a group of criminals attempting to steal billions of dollars from a supposedly impenetrable vault, with each episode exploring a different period surrounding the operation.
The story covers the planning, execution and aftermath of the robbery, allowing viewers to piece together the full picture through different perspectives. Sound familiar? That is precisely why it deserves a place on this list. Like 12 12 12, Kaleidoscope makes chronology part of the entertainment rather than simply presenting events from beginning to end. Its financial target, complicated security arrangements and unpredictable criminal partnerships also make it particularly suitable for fans of sophisticated heist dramas.
3. The Great Heist (2020)
Based on the real-life robbery of Colombia's Bank of the Republic in 1994, The Great Heist follows a group of criminals preparing an ambitious operation to steal an enormous amount of money. The Colombian series explores the planning, recruitment and practical challenges involved in pulling off a robbery that sounds almost too ridiculous to succeed.
Its similarities to 12 12 12 are fairly obvious. Both productions revolve around carefully organised operations targeting valuable financial institutions, with multiple characters contributing different skills to the overall plan. The Great Heist also explores the complications that emerge when a seemingly brilliant idea meets unpredictable reality. If you enjoy watching criminal masterminds trying to stay several steps ahead of everyone else, this is an easy recommendation.
4. Berlin (2023)
A familiar face from Money Heist takes centre stage in Berlin, a crime drama following Andrés de Fonollosa before the events of the original series. This time, Berlin assembles a specialised crew in Paris to steal valuable jewels through an elaborate operation involving deception, romance and carefully coordinated criminal tactics.
Although its atmosphere is somewhat lighter than 12 12 12, the central appeal remains similar. The series focuses on a mastermind bringing together talented individuals, each with a specific role in an ambitious robbery. There are complicated preparations, unexpected complications and plenty of opportunities for the original plan to become considerably more difficult than anticipated. Berlin is particularly enjoyable if you prefer heist stories that give their criminal characters plenty of personality rather than treating everyone like interchangeable members of a robbery team.
5. The Gold (2023)
Inspired by the infamous 1983 Brink's-Mat robbery in Britain, The Gold explores the extraordinary consequences of a major gold theft. The series follows the criminals involved in the robbery alongside the investigators attempting to understand how the stolen bullion moves through an increasingly complicated network of individuals and businesses.
Its connection to 12 12 12 comes through the financial scale of the crime and the complicated aftermath. Rather than concentrating exclusively on the moment the robbery takes place, The Gold explores the people, arrangements and criminal relationships surrounding the stolen wealth. It also demonstrates how a successful operation can create an entirely different set of problems once the perpetrators need to deal with their unexpected fortune. Apparently, stealing millions is one thing; figuring out what to do with them is another.
6. Lupin (2021)
Netflix's Lupin follows Assane Diop, a highly intelligent professional thief inspired by the fictional gentleman burglar Arsène Lupin. Using disguises, carefully constructed schemes and an impressive understanding of human behaviour, Assane carries out elaborate operations while investigating the circumstances surrounding his father's past.
Like 12 12 12, Lupin places considerable emphasis on preparation and deception. Its central character rarely relies on straightforward methods, preferring to manipulate situations and anticipate the reactions of everyone involved. Both productions also feature protagonists who understand that the real challenge is not simply getting away with a crime but staying ahead of people determined to uncover the truth. If you enjoy clever criminal strategies and characters who always seem to have another trick available, Lupin should be next.
7. Prison Break (2005)
Prison Break approaches the planning-and-execution formula from a different direction. The American drama follows Michael Scofield, an engineer who deliberately enters prison to help his brother escape from death row. His plan involves detailed preparation, carefully concealed information and an extraordinary amount of coordination.
Although the central operation is an escape rather than a bank robbery, the similarities to 12 12 12 are surprisingly strong. Both shows revolve around complicated plans that depend on timing, precision and people performing specific tasks at the right moment. A single unexpected development can change everything, forcing the characters to improvise under enormous pressure. Prison Break also delivers the kind of escalating tension that makes viewers question whether the original plan was ever realistic in the first place.
8. Gangs of London (2020)
If the international criminal networks in 12 12 12 interest you more than the actual robbery, Gangs of London is an excellent alternative. The series explores the power struggles between London's criminal organisations following the death of a powerful underworld leader.
Its story features organised crime, competing interests, financial arrangements and dangerous alliances between individuals who rarely trust one another. Like 12 12 12, it presents crime as an interconnected operation involving more than one ambitious individual. The international dimensions and constant changes in loyalty also make the narrative particularly unpredictable. However, Gangs of London places greater emphasis on organised crime politics than on traditional heist planning, giving viewers a broader look at the criminal world surrounding large-scale operations.
9. The Night Manager (2016)
Based on John le Carré's novel, The Night Manager follows Jonathan Pine, a former British soldier working in the hotel industry who becomes involved in an intelligence operation targeting international arms dealer Richard Roper.
While it is not a conventional heist drama, the series shares several important elements with 12 12 12. Both feature international settings, elaborate operations and characters forced to maintain carefully constructed identities while navigating dangerous situations. Pine must earn the trust of people who would never willingly reveal their secrets, making every conversation and decision part of a much larger strategy. The series is particularly appealing if you enjoy the investigative side of 12 12 12 and prefer intelligent cat-and-mouse storytelling over constant action.
10. Bad Banks (2018)
German financial thriller Bad Banks takes viewers into the competitive world of investment banking, where ambition, corporate manipulation and financial interests create an increasingly complicated environment. The story follows Jana Liekam, a talented banker who becomes caught between powerful financial figures and their competing agendas.
Its connection to 12 12 12 comes through the financial setting and the examination of greed, institutional power and complicated business arrangements. Both series explore environments where enormous sums of money are involved and seemingly respectable organisations can conceal questionable activities. Bad Banks is less concerned with physical robberies, but it offers a similarly tense examination of people trying to gain control of valuable financial opportunities. It is a strong choice for viewers who enjoyed the corporate side of the Apple TV drama.
11. The Day of the Jackal (2024)
The Day of the Jackal follows an exceptionally skilled assassin known as the Jackal, whose carefully organised operations attract the attention of an intelligence officer determined to track him down.
The series shares the cat-and-mouse structure of 12 12 12, particularly through the relationship between a highly capable criminal operator and the investigator attempting to anticipate his next move. Both productions feature international locations, detailed preparation and characters who cannot afford to make careless decisions. The Jackal's ability to change identities and move between locations also creates an atmosphere of constant uncertainty. If Anthony Mackie's determined FBI investigator is one of your favourite elements of 12 12 12, this series offers another compelling pursuit involving an elusive target.
12. The Capture (2019)
BBC thriller The Capture explores surveillance technology, manipulated evidence and the complicated relationship between criminal investigations and digital information. The first series follows soldier Shaun Emery after disturbing developments surrounding a criminal case place his account of events under serious scrutiny.
Its similarity to 12 12 12 comes through the investigative tension and the growing uncertainty surrounding what really happened. Both shows encourage viewers to question the information presented to them while following characters attempting to understand a complicated situation. The Capture is less focused on organised robbery, but its intricate storytelling and shifting perspectives make it a particularly good choice for anyone who enjoys crime dramas that reward close attention. It also demonstrates that sometimes the biggest obstacle in an investigation is not finding the evidence but understanding whether it can be trusted.
13. ZeroZeroZero (2020)
Based on Roberto Saviano's book, ZeroZeroZero follows the international journey of a major cocaine shipment, connecting criminal organisations, business interests and law enforcement across several countries.
The series offers a similar international scope to 12 12 12, although its central operation involves drug trafficking rather than a bank robbery. Its narrative follows multiple groups whose actions become increasingly connected as the shipment moves through an extensive criminal network. Like the Apple TV drama, ZeroZeroZero explores how large-scale criminal operations depend on logistics, coordination and individuals with competing interests. It also presents the financial side of organised crime without pretending that every operation runs smoothly simply because someone has prepared a detailed plan.
14. The Last Panthers (2015)
The Last Panthers is a European crime thriller inspired by the criminal activities associated with the Pink Panthers jewellery theft network. The series follows several characters connected to an investigation involving organised robbery, stolen valuables and international criminal operations.
Its European setting and focus on professional thieves make it a natural recommendation for viewers interested in 12 12 12. Both productions explore criminals operating across national borders while investigators attempt to establish connections between seemingly separate events. The Last Panthers also gives considerable attention to the financial and personal consequences of organised crime. Its atmosphere is darker and more grounded, making it particularly appealing to viewers who prefer European crime dramas with complicated characters and an international perspective.
15. The Gentlemen (2024)
Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen follows Eddie Horniman, who unexpectedly inherits a large country estate and discovers that its business arrangements are connected to a sophisticated criminal operation.
Rather than following a traditional bank robbery, the series explores the business structures and relationships that allow organised crime to operate behind seemingly legitimate arrangements. This makes it particularly relevant to the corporate greed and criminal-network themes of 12 12 12. Both shows also feature ambitious characters attempting to maintain control while dealing with people whose interests rarely align. The Gentlemen takes a more comedic approach, with sharp dialogue and unusual characters providing plenty of entertainment. If you enjoyed the criminal strategy but fancy something with a little more humour, this is worth watching.
16. Animal Kingdom (2016)
Animal Kingdom centres on Joshua Cody, a teenager who moves in with his grandmother and becomes involved in the criminal activities of her family. The Codys operate through a series of carefully organised robberies, with different family members contributing to their criminal business.
Like 12 12 12, the series explores the practical challenges of organising major crimes while managing relationships between people who do not always agree. Its focus on preparation, operational roles and the consequences of criminal decisions gives it plenty in common with the Apple TV production. The major difference is that Animal Kingdom places family relationships at the centre of its narrative. However, watching a group of criminals attempt to keep their operations running smoothly while dealing with personal disagreements is entertaining in its own right.
17. The Tourist (2022)
The Tourist follows an Irish man who wakes up in an Australian hospital with no memory of his identity after a serious incident. As he attempts to discover who he is, he becomes involved in a complicated situation involving dangerous individuals and unanswered questions.
Its connection to 12 12 12 comes through the fragmented storytelling, shifting information and international criminal complications. Both series gradually reveal important details rather than explaining everything immediately. The Tourist also creates tension through a central character who must navigate unfamiliar circumstances while trying to understand the people pursuing him. It is more of a mystery thriller than a traditional heist drama, but viewers who enjoyed the non-linear storytelling and constant uncertainty of 12 12 12 should find plenty to appreciate.
18. Suburra: Blood on Rome (2017)
Italian crime drama Suburra: Blood on Rome explores the connections between organised crime, politics, business and powerful institutions in Rome. Its story follows several ambitious characters attempting to secure influence over valuable territory and lucrative opportunities.
The similarities to 12 12 12 are particularly noticeable in their examination of criminal networks and systemic greed. Both productions feature individuals whose personal ambitions become connected to larger financial and criminal operations. Suburra also demonstrates how criminal activity can extend far beyond the people directly carrying out an operation, involving influential figures with their own interests to protect. If you enjoyed the European atmosphere and interconnected criminal world of 12 12 12, this Italian drama is a particularly strong addition to your watchlist.
19. The Serpent (2021)
BBC and Netflix drama The Serpent follows Charles Sobhraj, a criminal who operated across several countries during the 1970s, alongside the investigators attempting to uncover his activities.
Its similarities to 12 12 12 come through the international setting, criminal deception and investigative pursuit. Both series explore how individuals can operate across borders while making it difficult for authorities to establish the full picture. The Serpent also uses a non-linear narrative, moving between different periods and perspectives to gradually reveal the connections between events. It is not a heist story, but its complicated timeline and international investigation make it an interesting choice for viewers who enjoy crime dramas that piece together a much larger operation.
20. The Blacklist (2013)
The Blacklist follows Raymond Reddington, a former government fugitive who unexpectedly surrenders to the FBI with an unusual offer: he will help investigators track down dangerous criminals, provided he works with a particular agent.
The series shares the investigative and international crime elements of 12 12 12, particularly through its focus on sophisticated criminal networks and individuals who remain several steps ahead of the authorities. Reddington's knowledge of the criminal underworld also creates an interesting dynamic between the people investigating crimes and those who understand how these operations function. Although its episodic structure differs from the Apple TV drama, The Blacklist offers plenty of elaborate schemes, unexpected alliances and complicated investigations.
21. Inside Man (2022)
The BBC thriller Inside Man follows several characters whose lives become unexpectedly connected through a series of decisions and misunderstandings. The story features a prisoner, a journalist and a vicar whose circumstances gradually develop into a complicated situation.
Its connection to 12 12 12 is not the scale of the criminal operation but the way separate storylines intersect. Both series rely on characters making decisions under pressure, with events from different perspectives contributing to a larger narrative. Inside Man also uses an unconventional storytelling approach that gradually reveals how apparently unrelated situations become connected. If you particularly enjoyed the structural experimentation of 12 12 12, this compact thriller offers another interesting example of how a complicated timeline can keep viewers guessing.
My Opinion: Which Shows Are Actually Worth Watching After 12 12 12?
Honestly, not every crime drama needs a complicated robbery to become entertaining, but 12 12 12 makes a convincing case for why detailed planning and unpredictable consequences work so well together. My strongest recommendations are Kaleidoscope, Money Heist and The Great Heist because they capture the excitement of ambitious operations while giving viewers enough time to understand the people behind them.
The Gold is another excellent option, particularly if you enjoy stories exploring what happens after a major robbery rather than simply celebrating the criminals' achievements. Meanwhile, ZeroZeroZero and Suburra: Blood on Rome offer something different through their international criminal networks and financial interests. If the non-linear storytelling is what impressed you most, start with Kaleidoscope and The Tourist. They both make you work a little to understand the bigger picture, which is far more interesting than having every answer handed to you in the opening ten minutes.
Ultimately, 12 12 12 offers a particular combination of international crime, financial ambition, elaborate planning and investigative pressure. The 21 shows above approach those ingredients from different angles, so there should be something here whether you prefer sophisticated robberies, undercover operations or complicated criminal investigations. Which of these series would you put at the top of your watchlist, and do you think any of them can match 12 12 12? Share your favourites and let other crime-thriller fans know which series deserve a place on their next binge-watching schedule.