The 9 Best Crime Movies That You Should Watch


If you’re anything like us, you absolutely loved 2016’s True Crimes (also known as Dark Crimes). Jim Carrey absolutely nailed the role of Polish detective Tadek. We were very impressed.

But finishing a particularly good movie can leave you with somewhat of a void. The story and characters that consumed you are suddenly gone. But you still want more. You want that same feel, that same vibe, as whatever film you just finished, whether it be The GodfatherDonnie Darko, or in this case, True Crimes.

And while it’s virtually impossible to recapture the exact same feeling when watching a particular film, you can get pretty damn close with the right material. And luckily, Netflix has no shortage of crime movies.

If you’ve finished watching True Crimes, and find yourself wanting more, here are eight high-caliber crime movies that are available for your viewing pleasure on Netflix.

So go ahead, grab yourself a big old bag of popcorn and a Coke, dim the lights, settle into the sofa, and enjoy.

1. Devil’s Knot (2013)

The year is 1993. A working-class neighborhood in West Memphis is shaken by the sexual assault and murder of three eight-year-old boys. The manner in which the three boys were killed points to Satanic ritual. A month later, three teenage boys are arrested and charged with the heinous crime. Jason Baldwin, Jessie Misskelley, and Damien Echols are a trio of misfits, who certainly look and act different. But are they actually guilty?

Pamela Hobbs, mother of one of the victims, has her doubts after private investigator Ron Lax starts delving deeper into the case.

Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth star in this riveting crime drama, based on the tragic true story of the West Memphis Three.

2. The Place Beyond The Pines (2012)

Luke (Ryan Gosling) is a dirt biker in a traveling carnival stunt show. A wild spirit, untamed by society. His life is one of excitement and adrenaline on the road. But all that seems to change when he calls in on a past lover, Romina (Eva Mendes), while in the small New York State city of Schenectady. He unexpectantly finds himself a father.

He does what he deems the right thing to do. He decides to stay in town and provide for his infant son Jason, and Romina.

While working as a garage mechanic, he receives a proposition from his boss. A proposition that gives Luke the chance to be able to set Jason and Romina up financially. A proposition that involves going out on a limb. That proposition is bank robbing.

Luke accepts, finds himself in very deep indeed. Rookie cop Avery Cross (Bradley Cooper), catches wind of Luke’s new financial exploits and is hell-bent on taking him down.

Turns out that Luke’s life of excitement and adrenaline is far from over.

Featuring a haunting score by Mike Patton (Faith No More), and crime movie actor maestro Ray Liotta (Goodfellas) in a supporting role, The Place Beyond the Pines is both high octane, and visceral.

3. Inside Man (2006)

A showdown between a determined cop and expert bank robber is sent spiraling into disaster when a manipulative power broker steps in at request of the bank’s founder. This crime movie takes place over a 24-hour period in a Wall Street bank.

Inside Man stars Denzel Washington as Detective Keith Frazier; NYPD hostage negotiator, Clive Owen as Dalton Russell; the man behind the heist, and Jodie Foster as Madeleine White; the power broker who steps in to seemingly take control of the situation. Directed by Spike Lee in his trademark style.

4. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara (A Nightmare on Elm Street) star in this enthralling thriller, and first installment in the Millennium trilogy.

Four decades ago, Harriet Vanger vanished from a family gathering on a remote Swedish island. Still convinced of foul play, her uncle recruits journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Craig), and rogue hacker Lisbeth Salander (Mara) to investigate the matter.

Adapted from the late-great Stieg Larsson novel of the same name, and directed by the renowned David Fincher (Fight Club, Zodiac, Seven), The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo doesn’t disappoint. This in an American ‘remake’ that lives up to the level set by its foreign counterpart.

5. Sicario (2015)

Idealistic FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) is sent to the US/Mexico border as part of an elite task force responsible with the task of combating the Mexican drug cartel. It doesn’t take long for Macer to realize that all she took as truth and honor aren’t quite what they seem.

Sicario is a crime thriller with a strong cast, which includes Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro (Sin City), Josh Brolin (The Goonies), and Victor Garber (Sweeney Todd).

Sicario received several Academy Award nominations, as well as BAFTA nominations, and even made it to the Cannes Film Festival.

6. Donnie Brasco (1997)

If you’re a fan of crime movies like Goodfellas and the Godfather, this baby’s definitely for you.

In the 1970s, during the FBI’s war on organized crime, Joseph D. Pistone (Johnny Depp) went undercover to infiltrate the Bonnano crime family under the alias ‘Donnie Brasco’. He does this by earning the trust of Mafia made man Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino), who vouches for him.

It doesn’t take long for Pistone to realize that he’s in deep, and crossing the line from cop to criminal, all the while bestowing a death sentence on Lefty.

Based on a true story, this Academy Award-nominated film is one of the best crime movies on Netflix. Both Depp and Pacino give solid performances and the film is believable and absolutely enthralling.

7. Number Box Round With Border

Based on the novel of the same name by Dennis LeHane (Shutter Island), Gone Baby Gone, follows two Boston-based private investigators, Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) and Angela Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan) as they search for a missing four-year-old.

Amanda McCready is abducted from her very own home without the slightest trace. The police drum up nothing. Amanda’s mother goes on television, and pleas for her daughter to be returned. This is the catalyst that sets Kenzie and Gennaro onto the dark path to recover the missing child.

8. Gone Baby Gone

Dennis LeHane’s writing seems to transpose to the screen exceptionally well. From the psychological horror of Shutter Island, to the epic drama of Live by Night, to the seat-riveting Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone is no exception. If you haven’t read any of this guy’s books, and are a fan of the aforementioned films, go pick up a copy. You definitely won’t be disappointed.

Gone Baby Gone takes cues from the timeless genre of noir. In fact, the film is labeled ‘neo-noir’, but there’s no ‘new’ about it. There’s a reason why classics are classics and in his directional debut, Ben Affleck does it right the first time around.

Gone Baby Gone is definitely worth checking out.

9. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Adapted from the Stephen King novella by writer/director Frank Darabont, The Shawshank Redemption is one of the best crime movies of the past few decades.

Andy DuFresne (Tim Robbins) catches his wife in bed with another man. And even though he has a gun, he doesn’t kill them. But what he doesn’t do, someone else does. And Andy takes the rap. He is sentenced to life imprisonment in Shawshank State Penitentiary.

He befriends contraband smuggler Red (Morgan Freeman), and sets a clandestine plan into action. The Shawshank Redemption is an amazing film about life, loss, brotherhood, and most importantly, hope. The movie’s cast do an incredible job with the roles, and you’ll likely find yourself laughing, crying, and holding your breath for its 136 minute duration. And that’s another thing about this film. Despite its considerable length, it never seems to get drawn out, boring, or dull. Which is quite a rare thing for longer movies. From the very first frame to the last, The Shawshank Redemption is an absolute pleasure to watch.

Darabont handles King’s original material with the utmost skill, and not only does it justice, but improves it. Which is a rare thing indeed when it comes to adapting the page to the screen. Darabont has done the same with King’s The Green Mile and The Mist.

The film nominated for an impressive seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor (Morgan Freeman).

Even though it’s relatively unlikely that you haven’t already seen this film, you’re certainly in for a treat if it’s your first time. And even if it isn’t your first time, this drama-crime movie’s definitely worth rewatching. It’s one of those rare films you can see again and again without it getting old.

Conclusion

So there you have it. If True Crimes has whet your appetite for crime movies, you should have found at least one title on this list that you haven’t seen before. From newer titles like Sicario and Devil’s Knot, to undisputed classics like Donnie Brasco and The Shawshank Redemption, Netflix has it covered.

Stephen R.

Hi my name is Stephen and I am the founder of NetflixUpdate.com. I created this site to help give some information about what is happening in the streaming world.

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