6 Best Impostor Movies

By Vlad Zakh · May 8, 2026

The audacious deception of assuming someone else’s identity has powered some of cinema’s most gripping true-story dramas and thrillers. In Catch Me If You Can (2002): A brilliant young con artist impersonates a pilot, doctor, and lawyer while evading a determined FBI agent. Equally memorable is The Return of Martin Guerre (1982): A man claiming to be a missing villager returns after years away, but his wife begins to suspect he is an impostor.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

IMDb ★ 8.1 RT 96% Metacritic 75

A brilliant young con artist impersonates a pilot, doctor, and lawyer while evading a determined FBI agent.

Directed by Steven Spielberg · 2h 21m · Rated PG-13

Nominated for 2 Oscars16 wins & 46 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Peacock Premium, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, Peacock Premium Plus · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

TMDB ★ 7.4

A young grifter's obsession with a wealthy acquaintance's lifestyle leads him to assume his identity through murder.

Directed by Anthony Minghella · 2h 20m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel · Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Six Degrees of Separation (1993)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A charming young con man infiltrates a wealthy family by claiming to be a friend's son.

Directed by Fred Schepisi · 1h 52m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Sommersby (1993)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A Civil War veteran returns home transformed, leading his wife to question whether he is truly her husband.

Directed by Jon Amiel · 1h 49m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Great Impostor (1960)

TMDB ★ 6.9

A serial con man successfully impersonates a surgeon, a monk, and a prison warden, among many other identities.

Directed by Robert Mulligan · 1h 52m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Return of Martin Guerre (1982)

TMDB ★ 7.4

A man claiming to be a missing villager returns after years away, but his wife begins to suspect he is an impostor.

Directed by Daniel Vigne · 1h 47m

Where to watch

Stream: Cohen Media Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Impostor Movies

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

Six Degrees of Separation (1993)

Sommersby (1993)

The Great Impostor (1960)

The Return of Martin Guerre (1982)

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