Need a good mystery to solve? Want to take a walk through the criminal underworld? Well, if you wanna do it from the comfort (and safety) of your own home, you’re probably gonna want to watch a movie. Fortunately for fans of the genre, filmmakers have been turning to the thrills of crime for inspiration pretty much since folks started capturing moving pictures on film, so there are a whole lot of great options to watch when you’re in that mood.
And if you’re looking for the best crime movies on Netflix, specifically, there are plenty of titles currently streaming to scratch that itch. Some of them are based on incredible true stories, some of them are wild cinematic adventures dreamed up by some of the best filmmakers in the biz, and some of them bump up against other genres, making for some wild and unpredictable tales of murder, organized crime, thievin’, and all kinds of thrilling misdeeds.
So if that all sounds good, check out our picks for the best crime movies on Netflix right now below.
In the mood for something a little lighter? Check out our lists for the best comedies, romances, or family movies on the platform!
Editor’s note: This article was updated May 2022 to include Monster, Windfall, The Unforgivable, and Molly’s Game.
The Guilty (2021)
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Writer: Nic Pizzolatto,
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Riley Keough (voice), Peter Sarsgaard (voice)
Run Time: 1 h 30 min
Based on Den Skyldige, the Danish film written by Gustav Möller and Emil Nygaard Albertsen, The Guilty is a situational thriller set in a 911 dispatch center. Joe Baylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a police officer, demoted to an operator role. Baylor is in the midst of some type of investigation, and he views this temporary assignment as more a punishment than a job. But when Baylor takes a seemingly innocuous call, his night, and the direction of his entire life, changes in ways he never could imagine. Where once Baylor doubted his instincts, those very same instincts could be all that stands between a family and certain death. Shot in just 11 days with director Antoine Fuqua directing from a van, The Guilty is a stunning showcase of Gyllenhaal’s acting prowess, alongside an excellent voice cast including Riley Keough, Peter Sarsgaard, and Ethan Hawke. – Monita Mohan
Monster (2003)
Director/writer: Patty Jenkins
Cast: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern
Run Time: 1 hr 49 min
A harrowing and haunting portrait of the real-life figure that was Aileen Wuornos, Monster is further bolstered by an outstanding performance by Charlize Theron as the troubled woman herself. A work that is as unflinching as it is upsetting, it is a film that frankly shows the destruction on herself and others in the late 1980s Florida. It is less of a crime drama and more of a character study as it delves into the desperation that turned into darkness. It is not an easy watch, planting you directly in the middle of an increasingly dour setting and story. However, Theron commands the screen at every turn with a gravitas that is unparalleled. She doesn’t ever shift into being sensational, grounding everything in a real sense of isolation. By the time it all gets to its final scene, the sense of devastation is a gut punch that completely knocks you flat. – Chase Hutchinson
Windfall (2022)
Director: Charlie McDowell
Writer: Charlie McDowell
Cast: Jason Segal, Lily Collins, Jesse Plemons
Run Time: 1 hr 32 min
If you don’t immediately recognize the name Charlie McDowell, you should. McDowell is making a name for himself as a creative independent filmmaker who is able to make the most out of isolated environments. McDowell’s latest film, Windfall, is one of the best thrillers of the year so far. The 92-minute feature follows a nameless robber (Jason Segel) who breaks into the home of a wealthy CEO (a scenery-chewing Jesse Plemons) and his illustrious girlfriend (Lily Collins). Segal turns in another stellar dramatic performance following McDowell’s previous film, The Discovery. Raw, violent, and darkly amusing, Windfall is another winner for McDowell. –Liam Gaughan
The Unforgivable (2021)
Director: Nora Fingscheidt
Writer: Peter Craig, Hillary Seitz, Courtenay Miles
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Viola Davis, Vincent D ‘Onofrio, Jon Bernthal
Run Time: 1 hr 52 min
If you’re used to seeing Sandra Bullock in projects like The Proposal, Miss Congeniality, and The Lost City, then buckle up. Based on the British miniseries Unforgiven written by Sally Wainwright, the intense crime drama The Unforgivable follows the life of Ruth Slater (Bullock), a woman newly released from prison after serving several years for a deadly crime. As she tries to piece together a normal life, she quickly finds that reintegrating into society is far harder than she expected. Haunted by her past and worried for her future, Ruth connects with new owners of the home (Viola Davis and Vincent D’Onofrio) where the horrific crime took place. Will she ever find closure? –Emily Bernard
Molly’s Game (2017)
Director/Writer: Aaron Sorkin
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Jeremy Strong
Run Time: 2 hr 20 min
It’s all fun and games until the FBI gets involved. Based on the book of the same name by the real-life Molly Bloom, Molly’s Game tells the true story of Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain), a skier training for the Olympics whose future is jeopardized once she suffers a career-ending injury. While working as a waitress, she meets real-estate developer Dean (Jeremy Strong), who takes her under his wing and introduces her to his secret, high-profile poker games at The Cobra Lounge. From there, she learns the basics of poker and organizes her own exclusive poker games with some of the world’s wealthiest actors, athletes, and businessmen. Watch Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut to find out exactly how Bloom went from “Poker Princess” to FBI target. –Emily Bernard
The Devil All the Time (2020)
Director: Antonio Campos
Writer: Antonio Campos, Paulo Campos
Cast: Tom Holland, Bill Skarsgård, Riley , Robert Pattinson, Sebastian Stan
Run Time: 2 hr 19 min
Who isn’t in The Devil All the Time? This star-studded adaptation of the Donald Ray Pollock novel is unexpected and unpredictable in so many ways. This is an immersive story set deep in the heart of the American backwaters and littered with a combination of morally ambiguous and vile characters. Though Tom Holland is the film’s lead, he doesn’t enter the picture till partway through. This is more of an ensemble cast and each character is fully realized in their own way. There’s a corrupt deputy played by Sebastian Stan, a dodgy couple played by Riley Keough and Jason Clarke, and the mysterious new priest, brought to life by Robert Pattinson. Be prepared for a dark and intense crime thriller that will leave you hyperventilating! – Monita Mohan
21 Bridges (2019)
Director: Brian Kirk
Writer: Adam Mervis, Matthew Michael Carnahan
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Sienna Miller, J.K. Simmons
Run Time: 1 hr 39 min
In 21 Bridges, the late Chadwick Boseman plays an embattled NYPD detective, Andre Davis, who finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy. While the plot of this action-thriller may sound familiar, 21 Bridges elevates the story with a gripping tale and unpredictable twists. The story, much of which is told through the eyes of the central character played by Boseman, hints at the underlying politics that plague law enforcement in America. The ensemble cast is littered with recognizable faces who all give great performances. But Boseman is the star of the show. While the role of a morally grounded detective whose belief system is shaken is hardly a novelty, Boseman adds depth and nuance to his character which makes every scene he’s in compelling to watch. – Monita Mohan
Red Notice (2021)
Director/ Writer: Rawson Marshall Thunder
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, Ryan Reynolds
Run Time: 1 hr 58 min
It may not inspire a lot of critical thought, but Rawson Marshall Thunder’s modern take on the caper movie is a good way to kill two hours if all you’re looking for is good-looking movie stars, lots of action, and some of the most ridiculous one-liners you could imagine. Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds are hardly cast against type, but their engaging chemistry keeps this international heist thriller moving at a pleasant pace. There’s a hint of self-awareness to the whole thing; when he’s delivering a tragic monologue about his relationship with his father, Reynolds looks like he’s barely keeping a straight face. — Liam Gaughan
Looper (2012)
Writer/Director: Rian Johnson
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano
Run Time: 1 hr 59 min
Rian Johnson’s mind-bending manhunt thriller is one of the most inventive science fiction films of the decade. It takes a talented filmmaker to tell a time travel story without being buried by exposition of logical inconsistencies, but Johnson succeeded by focusing on a fascinating moral dilemma. What if you had to face yourself, literally? Joseph Gordon-Levitt delivers one of the darker performances of his career, and Bruce Willis does his best work in decades. Looper was also Emily Blunt’s introduction to the action genre before Edge of Tomorrow and Sicario. — Liam Gaughan
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
Writer/Director: Vince Gilligan
Cast: Aaron Paul, Jesse Plemons, Scott Shepard, Robert Forster
Run Time: 2 hr 2 min
Breaking Bad already had a pretty excellent ending with the season five finale “Felina,” so the prospect of a continuation was a risky one. Thankfully, series creator Vince Gilligan delivered a satisfying follow up that continued the tragic story of Jesse (Aaron Paul) without giving him a definitive conclusion. Although El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie features just as much creative problem solving as the series, it was a more intimate story. Paul gives one of his best performances as the character, and shows Jesse’s complex healing process. El Camino is also notably the final screen performance of the late great Robert Forster. — Liam Gaughan
Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
Director: Joe Berlinger
Writer: Michael Werwie
Cast: Zac Efron, Lily Collins, Kaya Scodelario, Haley Joel Osment, Jim Parsons, John Malkovich, James Hetfield
Run Time: 1 hr 50 min
With Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile, Zac Efron perfectly captures what made real-life serial killer Ted Bundy become a celebrity in the U.S., gathering a legion of female fans while being on trial for murdering dozens of women. Efron’s Ted Bundy is charming, funny, and confident, and during the entire duration of Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile, we can even start to cheer for him if we are not cautious. There’s a wolf wearing Efron’s handsome sheep skin, but it’s not until the final moments of the film that we can see a glimpse of the monster hiding behind Bundy’s eyes. While many films explored the life and trial of Ted Bundy, only Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile was capable of explaining how such a hideous figure could be cherished while on trial for brutal murders. — Marco Vito Oddo
Wind River (2017)
Director/Writer: Taylor Sheridan
Cast: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Julia Jones, Graham Greene, Kelsey Asbille
Run Time: 1 hr 47 min
The sophomore directing effort from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, Wind River is a powerful crime thriller not because of plot twists or shocking deaths, but because of the subtle ways in which it underlines the real-life violence that plagues underserved communities the world over. Led by a stellar, star-studded cast (including an utterly gut-wrenching cameo from Jon Bernthal), Wind River puts to film the very real epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women in America, following U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) as he teams up with FBI agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) to investigate the death of a young woman (Kelsey Asbille) in a remote area of the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. A tense and oftentimes tragic thriller, the film stays close on the two Marvel vets’ heels as they battle raging elements and sinister cover-ups to avenge the tragic death of an innocent woman, digging themselves in deeper than they ever thought possible. — Maggie Boccella
1922 (2017)
Writer/Director: Zak Hilditch
Cast: Thomas Jane, Molly Parker, Dylan Schmid
Run Time: 1 hr 41 min
1922 is one of the many original movies that Netflix just quietly releases on its streaming service without much fanfare. I had no idea this movie was even in production until the day it suddenly appeared in my “Movies You May Like” category, an area of Netflix that is generally about as hit-or-miss as blindfolded brain surgery. But the presence of a significantly overalls-clad Thomas Jane and the fact that it was based on a story by Stephen King made me check it out, and I was rewarded with a delightfully creepy supernatural murder story. It’s sort of like A Simple Plan, only it takes place in the pre-Depression American heartlands and features actual ghosts.
Jane plays a farmer at the end of his life writing a full confession of a truly unforgivable crime, with the movie told primarily in flashback. Within the opening 60 seconds, you will be slapped in the face with the realization that Thomas Jane is Doing A Thing. His performance is absolutely batshit in the best possible way, and, if I’m being totally honest, he’s really quite good. It’s a tense slow-burn thriller, with a central character so despicable that you almost don’t mind seeing the taint of what he’s done corrupt everything around him. Almost. — Tom Reimann
The Night Comes for Us (2018)
Director/Writer: Timo Tjahjanto
Cast: Joe Taslim, Iko Uwais, Zack Lee, Hanna Al Rashid, Julie Estelle, Salvita Decorte, Abimana Aryasatya
Run Time: 2 hr 1 min
If you’re a fan of The Raid films – or action films period, for that matter – and haven’t seen The Night Comes for Us yet, what are you waiting for? Stop everything and watch this mesmerizing display of fight choreography brilliance! Joe Taslim leads the ensemble as Ito, an agent for the South East Asian Triad, also known as the Six Seas, who betrays the crime syndicate in order to protect a young girl. Ito opts to head back to his hometown of Jakarta where a group of old associates help him protect the girl from a slew of invading Triad enforcers including Iko Uwais as Arian. Are the set-up and plot points anything unique? Nope, but the movie is better off because the more screen time devoted to the insanely creative and ultra-violent set pieces, the better. The Night Comes For Us is basically two hours of masterful martial arts and visionary bloodshed. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Tjahjanto unveils yet another shockingly violent use for an everyday object or knocks the wind out of you with even more super stylish combat. – Perri Nemiroff
The Irishman (2019)
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writer: Steven Zaillian
Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci
Run Time: 3 hr 29 min
Don’t be daunted by the 3.5-hour runtime on The Irishman. Martin Scorsese’s epic about the life of Teamster and hitman Frank Sheeran flies by as it morphs from entertaining mob story to a powerful mediation on life, age, and regret. Sheeran (Robert De Niro) tells us his life story of being friends with mobster Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci) and Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino) and how these friendships converged into deadly consequences with Frank stuck in the middle. The movie discards the glamour of films like Goodfellas and Casino and instead focuses on the slow decay of a man who has always seen himself as a good soldier when really all he has to offer is violence and selfishness. Far from “just another mob movie” from Scorsese, The Irishman is a powerful look at your twilight years and reflecting on the choices you’ve made in life. It’s among Scorsese’s best. – Matt Goldberg
Taxi Driver (1976)
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writer: Paul Schrader
Cast: Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel, and Albert Brooks
Run Time: 1 hr 54 min
One of the greatest and most influential films ever made, Taxi Driver is a downright masterpiece. The 1976 neo-noir follows a lonely veteran and cab driver named Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) searching for purpose. Disgusted with the increasing filth on the streets of New York City—as he sees it—Travis decides to take matters into his own hands and clean up the streets himself. The film chronicles Travis’ descent into increasingly violent behavior, and how one’s worldview can be so warped that they see themselves as a hero, when instead they’re downright villainous. This is a complicated movie with no easy answers and no black-and-white, as Scorsese examines the morally grey world we live in. Through tremendous shot composition, an unforgettable score by Bernard Hermann, and one of the best performances of all time from De Niro, Taxi Driver remains one of the most intriguing and effective anti-hero movies ever made. – Adam Chitwood
Avengement (2019)
Director: Jesse V. Johnson
Writers: Jesse V. Johnson and Stu Small
Cast: Scott Adkins, Craig Fairbrass, Thomas Turgoose, Nick Moran, Kiersten Wareing
Run Time: 1 hr 30 min
The main draw here is watching Scott Adkins get into all kinds of brawls. Bar brawls, prison brawls, any ol’ brawl will do, really. If that sounds good to you, then settle in for Avengement, the latest collaboration between DTV action champion Adkins and his Savage Dog and Accident Man director Jesse V. Johnson. This time around, Adkins and Johnson are clearly riffing on the Guy Ritchie/Matthew Vaughn brand of British crime thrillers, with a lot more roundhouse kicks. The film’s structure is at first confounding and ultimately pretty satisfying, following Adkins’ Cain Burgess, fresh out of prison, to a local pub where he holds the men responsible for his horrifying prison term to task for their bad deeds, jumping from flashback to flashback while he holds them at gunpoint. Few action performers can match the physical prowess Adkins brings to the table and with veteran stuntman Johnson, Adkins gets plenty of steadily shot scenes, montages, and set-pieces to show off his skills. If you’re a fan of DTV actioners, this one’s a gem with some genuinely surprising moments of violence. — Haleigh Foutch
Triple Frontier (2019)
Director: J.C. Chandor
Writers: J.C. Chandor and Mark Boal
Cast: Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal, Garrett Hedlund
Run Time: 2 hr 5 min
If Triple Frontier isn’t your dad’s favorite movie, that just means your dad hasn’t seen Triple Frontier yet. Directed by J.C. Chandor (A Most Violent Year) from a script he co-wrote with Mark Boal (Zero Dark Thirty), Triple Frontier is basically the man-cave of movies; part military drama, part action-packed heist, and all the story of men who have mad bro-love for each other. Oscar Isaac stars as Santiago “Pope” Garcia, a DEA agent who gets the old Special Forces band back together to rob a drug lord’s jungle hideaway. Joining Isaac is the similarly strong-jawed crew of Ben Affleck, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal, and Garrett Hedlund. The kicker of Triple Frontier is that there’s actually a good amount of brains under all that brawn; it’s an explosions-and-helicopters flick first, yeah, but it also has a lot to say about what happens to professionally violent men once the gunfire stops. — Haleigh Foutch
The Lovebirds (2021)
Director: Michael Showalter
Writers: Aaron Abrams, Brendan Gall, Martin Gero
Cast: Issa Rae, Kumail Nanjiani, Paul Sparks, Anna Camp, Kyle Bornheimer, Andrene Ward-Hammond
Run Time: 1 hr 27 min
You’ll feel the color return to your cheeks as you watch 2020’s The Lovebirds — it is that good. The Lovebirds was originally set for theatrical release by Paramount Pictures, eventually getting scooped up by Netflix for a May release. This delightful 2020 movie arrived just in time to reaffirm there is still some life left in big studio comedies and romantic comedies — especially when there is a healthy dose of action mixed in.
Directed by Michael Showalter (Wet Hot American Summer), The Lovebirds stars Issa Rae (Insecure) and Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick) as our titular romantic duo, Leilani and Jibran. When the movie opens, Leilani and Jibran have hit an uncomfortably comfortable point in their long-term relationship. They know each other well enough to keep a debate on whether they’d want to do The Amazing Race together spicy, but it’s clear there is something amiss. Things take a wild turn out of romantic drama and into romantic comedy-meets-action-movie when, as Leilani and Jibran debate breaking up on their way to a friend’s house for dinner, an injured man (Paul Sparks) hijacks their car and chases down a bike messenger as the couple getting a front-row view of this carjacker killing the biker in an alleyway. From here, Leilani and Jibran find themselves propelled headlong into an action-packed mystery that will take them all over their hometown of New Orleans and force them to re-examine their relationship. If you’re in need of a strong comedy pairing making a case for why they need to star in every rom-com from here on out or you’re in need of an action movie with plenty of delightful twists, The Lovebirds is absolutely the movie for you. — Allie Gemmill
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