Top 45 Crime Fiction Movies to Stream at Home of All Time

A crime film is involved with the great heist, inquiry, or twisty true crime. Crime fiction movies may be memorable testaments to the power of excellent scriptwriting and much greater actors. Prestige directors like Antoine Fuqua, Steve McQueen, David Fincher, Jane Campion, and Martin Scorsese have all been drawn to the genre for this reason: it is almost cartoonishly easy to make mistakes and absorbs the creators’ fingerprints. Producing a movie is a chance to display one’s dramatic skills and stylistic muscle. This can only be rewarded when everything is working simultaneously.

Since great editing cannot save a terrible crime film, we have chosen to celebrate the best that the genre has to offer.

Best Crime Fiction Movies You Shouldn’t Miss

Here are the best crime fiction movies that changed the game and got us into discussion.

1. The Godfather (1972)

Francis Ford Coppola directs the Godfather film. It is considered the best crime fiction movie of all time. It is unnecessary to give an introduction about the best crime fiction movies among the greatest movies ever. The Godfather film remains beyond comparison in the genre. The movie is based on Mario Puzo’s 1968 novel. It follows the Corleones, the Italian-American crime family. The Godfather especially highlights the influential, but aging patriarch, Vito Corleone. Vito Corleone seeks to changeover power to his inexpert and reluctant son Michael (Al Pacino). There were many movies about the mafia ahead of The Godfather. However, it was Coppola’s movie that would add an unparalleled layer of difficulty to these kinds of characters. Alternatively, to plummet them to evil criminals, they’re given compassionate backstories, motivations, and goals. The Godfather deserves a place among the greatest if you compare that with impeccable casting, gorgeous filmmaking, and a flawless soundtrack.

2. The French Connection (1971)

The 44th Academy Awards were almost swept by this neo-noir masterpiece directed by William Friedkin. Two detectives attempt to apprehend a drug kingpin in the adaptation of Robin Moore’s non-fiction book but complications arise at every turn. The French Connection remains the genre’s modern model for a reason, even if countless films have tried to follow its greatness since. Friedkin had a clear idea of where he wanted the camera for every shot. It includes the well-known car chase sequence, which still inspires fear and worry as Hackman crashes into vehicles while in hot pursuit of a villain on a train. It is a wonderful metaphor for the movie itself since it is ambitious, dogmatic, and insanely indifferent to everything save the quest for justice.

3. Chinatown (1974)

Chinatown is one of the best crime fiction movies. It is an early example of the twisty. It presents complex narratives that would become popular in ’90s thrillers. Jack Nicholson’s Jake Gittes helps Faye Dunaway and gets pulled into her orbit while probing into a killing plot. The film’s themes of city graft and incomprehensible unfairness wave across innumerable lesser projects. However, the way Chinatown lands is so nihilistic that it’s an absolute crush of soul.

4. Pulp Fiction (1994)

In the 1980s, Hollywood was eventful, shaking out thrillers and mostly bad comedies. Quentin Tarantino was pondering how he would describe the upcoming time of cinema. Reservoir Dogs is his first film.  He recruited Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Tim Roth, and Christopher Walken who provided a voice to his quick-witted, pop-culture-heavy banter. All of them wrapped it in a plot meticulously and elegantly. So, Pulp Fiction would influence a completely new generation of filmmakers. Tarantino established himself as a mastermind of the unforeseen here. Pulp Fiction is another crime fiction movie.

5. Se7en (1995)

The script of the film is so violent and ghastly. It was termed ‘evil’ by multiple A-listers. Se7en defied Hollywood conventions. It was an ideal match for David Fincher. He was then known for directing Alien 3 (1992) along with gritty and inventive music videos. In the crime fiction movie, it was seen two detectives – Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, a young wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, and a serial killer, Kevin Spacey murder as per his ideas of punishment for the seven deadly sins. The movie benefited from the dark skies, ultra-drab cityscape, and calm longing in the performances. The performances would all become Fincher staples. Of all the director’s work, this finishing still breaks your heart the most.

6. Rope (1948)

James Stewart is as unbelievable as Nietzsche-obsessed teacher Rupert Cadell. But he’s far from the most inspiring feature of Alfred Hitchcock’s pioneering movie. The movie which is termed as one of the best crime fiction movies was shot in technicolor, happening in real time. Then it was made to appear as four long takes. Without Hitchcock’s clever work around 1940, everything from Birdman to The Bear probably wouldn’t exist. Even the best contemporary crime films hardly measure up to the brutality of central murder. It is a strangulation committed as an intellectual exercise with the body concealed in the buffet used to welcome the victim’s loved ones.

7. Zodiac (2007)

The real-life unresolved case from the late 1960s and early 1970s is dramatized in the neo-noir criminal thriller Zodiac. The movie is often measured as one of David Fincher’s best movies. Newspaper cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), reporters Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) and Dave Toschi (Poor Things star Mark Ruffalo), and the elusive Zodiac Killer himself are the main characters in the 2007 movie. The race to find the mysterious murderer before he strikes again gets immensely maddening as he taunts the media and authorities with cryptic messages and ciphers. There’s always something chilling about crime movies based on factual stories. However, Fincher’s mastery of the craft truthfully lifts Zodiac to new heights.

8. Goodfellas (1990)

Goodfellas is a fun movie that blends bona fide people from the Gotti mafia family with anticipated characters. It makes a perfect beginning to a decade after decade of surplus, power suits, and explosions. Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Ray Liotta are all featured in Martin Scorsese’s dramedy biography. It tells a simple tale about a kid falling in love with gangster life. The movies’ use of voiceover, classic rock, and a breezy approach to powerful characters has made television and movies pop ever since Goodfellas hit the scene. The film’s momentum has been attributed to its use of narration, standard rock, and a breezy approach to intense characters.

9. The Untouchables (1987)

Brian De Palma’s works between 1976 and 2000 are some of the oddest, most determined pieces of cinematography, with The Untouchables helping as an immense bellwether for his singular touch. More grounded than Scarface and tenfold beyond The Bonfire of the Vanities, the movie highlights Eliot Ness’ effort to bring down Al Capone throughout the 1930s ban. Kevin Costner and Robert De Niro dazzle as the two historical figures. But Sean Connery is the spirit of the film, playing brave and upright agent James Malone, whose demise presents Ness all the more reason to collapse Capone’s liquor kingdom. In a word, we can say that The Untouchables is one of the best crime fiction movies.

10. Fargo (1996)

The movie that proved crime films could be deprecatingly humorous and exclusively ironic. Fargo runs on its regularity, following Frances McDormand’s pregnant police officer. She tracks down murders in snowy Fargo, N.D. Dark humor. The Coen Brothers boldly display a young-ish Steve Buscemi, a woodchipper, and Midwest goofiness against the surroundings of a state where nothing and everything takes place, showing violence on equal footing. The Coens would pursue this unusual model to achieve during the better part of their careers as co-directors.

11. Scarface (1983)

Scarface is possibly the most iconic crime movie of a decade full of extravagance. It always enhances the appeal of the audience. It highlights the rise and fall of cocaine tsar Tony Montana. The film by Brian De Palma stars Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, and F. Murray Abraham. Although Pacino’s depiction of a Cuban migrant turned hooligan is in poor taste, his bold, simmering energy and keenness to go over the top is a great match for De Palma’s ferocious, tidily unbalanced dream for Tony and his team. It’s tough to tell whether the movie is decisive or rejoicing in Montana. The decapitation, wickedness, and almost cartoonish conspiracy points toward the end make this manifestation a towering ode to the idea of crime as a fantasy, with the certainty of it encroaching at the edges.

12. The Departed (2006)

No one expected any more surprises from Jack Nicholson after his lengthy and illustrious career, yet here he is, offering the complex Irish mafia leader Frank Costello his finest effort. Nicholson depicts his character as a swaggering monster who relishes every line of his dialogue with vitriolic enjoall-whitete displaying malice and insightful strength of mind. When you feature in Leonardo DiCaprio’s continuing hotline of theatrical roles around this time — and that Mark Wahlberg was hitting his golden-era pace here as a mafia informer operational for the police force — it’s approximately simple to ignore director Martin Scorsese’s hard work behind the camera. The ending sequence of The Departed features what might be the most astonishing and dramatic death in a Scorsese film, to the point that it makes shoes wrapped in bagged booties a frightening scene.

Long List of Crime Fiction Movies of All Time

Here’s a long list of crime fiction movies of all time you must watch. The movies span various sub-genres, eras, and styles to give you a rich selection of crime stories:

1. L.A. Confidential (1997)

Director: Curtis Hanson
Synopsis: Three LAPD officers unravel corruption and murder in 1950s Los Angeles.
Impact: A neo-noir masterpiece with sharp dialogue and complex characters.

2. Heat (1995)

Director: Michael Mann
Synopsis: A professional thief and a determined cop face off in a tense, character-driven heist drama.
Impact: Known for its intense action and deep character development.

3. Prisoners (2013)

Director: Denis Villeneuve
Synopsis: A father goes to desperate lengths to find his missing daughter while the police investigate.
Impact: A suspenseful and morally complex crime thriller.

4. The Usual Suspects (1995)

Director: Bryan Singer
Synopsis: A group of criminals recounts their encounter with a mysterious mastermind, Keyser Söze.
Impact: Famous for its iconic twist ending.

5. The Town (2010)

Director: Ben Affleck
Synopsis: A skilled thief juggles a bank heist, a romance, and loyalty to his criminal crew.
Impact: A gritty and emotionally charged heist drama.

6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Director: David Fincher
Synopsis: A journalist and a hacker investigate a decades-old mystery involving a wealthy family.
Impact: A chilling adaptation of the bestselling novel.

7. Drive (2011)

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Synopsis: A stuntman and getaway driver becomes entangled in a dangerous crime syndicate.
Impact: A stylish neo-noir with an unforgettable lead performance.

8. Oldboy (2003)

Director: Park Chan-wook
Synopsis: A man imprisoned for 15 years seeks revenge against his mysterious captor.
Impact: A dark, intense thriller with a shocking twist.

9. Inside Man (2006)

Director: Spike Lee
Synopsis: A detective faces off against a brilliant bank robber in a meticulously planned heist.
Impact: A clever and suspenseful crime drama with an unexpected twist.

10. Sicario (2015)

Director: Denis Villeneuve
Synopsis: An FBI agent joins a secretive task force to take down a Mexican drug cartel.
Impact: A tense, atmospheric exploration of moral ambiguity.

11. The Irishman (2019)

Director: Martin Scorsese
Synopsis: The life of mob hitman Frank Sheeran is chronicled over several decades.
Impact: A reflective and sprawling crime epic.

12. The Big Sleep (1946)

Director: Howard Hawks
Synopsis: Private detective Philip Marlowe investigates a case involving blackmail and murder.
Impact: A classic film noir that defined the genre.

13. The Long Good Friday (1980)

Director: John Mackenzie
Synopsis: A London crime boss’s empire is threatened by a mysterious enemy.
Impact: A gritty British crime classic.

14. The Killing (1956)

Director: Stanley Kubrick
Synopsis: A meticulously planned racetrack heist unravels due to betrayal and greed.
Impact: A seminal heist film that influenced countless others.

15. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Director: Quentin Tarantino
Synopsis: A heist gone wrong leaves a group of criminals questioning each other’s loyalty.
Impact: A sharp, dialogue-driven thriller.

16. Eastern Promises (2007)

Director: David Cronenberg
Synopsis: A midwife uncovers dangerous secrets about the Russian mob in London.
Impact: A brutal and gripping exploration of crime and loyalty.

17. Mystic River (2003)

Director: Clint Eastwood
Synopsis: Three childhood friends are reunited by a murder investigation.
Impact: A deeply emotional and powerful crime drama.

18. American Gangster (2007)

Director: Ridley Scott
Synopsis: The rise and fall of Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas, and the cop who brought him down.
Impact: A sweeping crime epic based on true events.

19. City of God (2002)

Director: Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund
Synopsis: The rise of organized crime in Rio de Janeiro is chronicled through the eyes of a young photographer.
Impact: A visually stunning and brutally honest look at crime and poverty.

20. Blue Ruin (2013)

Director: Jeremy Saulnier
Synopsis: A vagrant sets out to avenge his family, but his amateurish efforts lead to chaos.
Impact: A tense and unpredictable revenge thriller.

21. Hell or High Water (2016)

Director: David Mackenzie
Synopsis: Two brothers rob banks to save their family farm while being pursued by a relentless Texas Ranger.
Impact: A gripping modern Western crime drama.

22. A History of Violence (2005)

Director: David Cronenberg
Synopsis: A small-town man’s dark past resurfaces after he thwarts a robbery.
Impact: A thought-provoking exploration of violence and identity.

23. The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)

Director: Derek Cianfrance
Synopsis: A motorcycle stunt rider turns to bank robbery, setting off a chain of events that spans generations.
Impact: A sprawling crime drama with emotional depth.

24. Miller’s Crossing (1990)

Director: Joel and Ethan Coen
Synopsis: A consigliere becomes embroiled in a power struggle between two rival gangs.
Impact: A stylish and intricately plotted gangster film.

25. The Night of the Hunter (1955)

Director: Charles Laughton
Synopsis: A sinister preacher hunts two children for a hidden fortune.
Impact: A haunting and visually striking classic.

26. To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

Director: William Friedkin
Synopsis: A Secret Service agent becomes obsessed with catching a ruthless counterfeiter.
Impact: A fast-paced and gritty crime thriller.

27. Le Samouraï (1967)

Director: Jean-Pierre Melville
Synopsis: A meticulous hitman finds himself hunted by both the police and his employers.
Impact: A minimalist masterpiece of the crime genre.

28. Thief (1981)

Director: Michael Mann
Synopsis: A professional safecracker plans one last heist before retiring.
Impact: A stylish and atmospheric crime film.

29. Manhunter (1986)

Director: Michael Mann
Synopsis: An FBI profiler tracks down a serial killer with the help of imprisoned cannibal Hannibal Lecter.
Impact: The first film adaptation of Thomas Harris’s novels.

30. Collateral (2004)

Director: Michael Mann
Synopsis: A cab driver is taken hostage by a hitman who forces him to drive to multiple hits in one night.
Impact: A tightly paced, character-driven thriller.

31. In Bruges (2008)

Director: Martin McDonagh
Synopsis: Two hitmen hide out in a picturesque town after a botched job, grappling with guilt and their pasts.
Impact: A darkly comedic and poignant crime drama.

32. The Third Man (1949)

Director: Carol Reed
Synopsis: A writer investigates the mysterious death of his friend in post-war Vienna.
Impact: A film noir classic with a haunting score and stunning cinematography.

33. Wind River (2017)

Director: Taylor Sheridan
Synopsis: A wildlife tracker and an FBI agent investigate the murder of a young woman on a Native American reservation.
Impact: A tense, atmospheric crime thriller with social commentary.

Why We Love Crime Fiction Movies

Crime fiction movies have everything—thrills, action, drama, and characters we love (or love to hate). Whether it’s a crazy heist, a dark mystery, or a wild revenge tale, these movies keep us guessing and glued to the screen.