Crime stories have dominated screens for over five decades, and our curated selection of 8 movies and 10 series proves why the genre remains essential viewing. Spanning from 1972 to 2026, this collection achieves an impressive average FoxFilm score of 8.5/10, with three masterpieces earning perfect marks: The Godfather (10.0/10), The Shawshank Redemption (10.0/10), and The Godfather Part II (10.0/10). Even our lowest-rated entry, Tomorrow Is Ours (6.8/10), demonstrates the consistently high quality bar this genre maintains.
The list reflects crime storytelling's natural affinity for Suç, Dram, and Gizem—genres that interweave throughout nearly every selection. What distinguishes this collection is its score distribution: the presence of multiple perfect 10s alongside solid mid-range entries creates a guide that honors both legendary classics and worthy contemporary additions. Whether you're drawn to the architectural perfection of 1970s cinema or the evolving narratives of recent productions, these 18 titles represent crime entertainment at its most compelling, spanning five decades of filmmaking evolution without sacrificing quality for quantity.
Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 masterpiece The Godfather still stands undisputedly at the pinnacle of cinema history as one of its most influential works. Adapted from Mario Puzo's novel, the film is not merely a mafia story, but also offers a profound meditation on power, family bonds, and the dark side of the American Dream.
Frank Darabont's Stephen King adaptation The Shawshank Redemption is cinema history's most powerful manifesto of hope. This 1994 masterpiece offers a universal story about the freedom of the human spirit beyond physical prison walls. Supported by unforgettable performances from Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, the film has deeply moved millions of viewers for three decades.
Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather Part II, one of the greatest achievements in cinema history, is proof that a sequel can be better than the original work. Masterfully weaving together the parallel stories of two generations, this masterpiece deeply examines power, family, and the dark side of the American dream, reaching the pinnacle of cinematic art in every frame.
Breaking Bad is a cinematic masterpiece in every frame, telling the most flawless character transformation in television history. The universe created by Vince Gilligan elevates moral collapse into Shakespearean tragedy.
Created by Dick Wolf, Law & Order is one of television history's longest-running crime dramas with its legendary 26-season run. The series brings the realistic world of New York police and prosecutors to the screen with its two-act narrative structure, standing out both as the gold standard of procedural drama and as a bold production that holds a mirror to social issues.
Starring Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan, MobLand is a gripping crime drama that brings London's dark underworld to the screen with raw realism, blending power struggles with the tragedy of family ties. Created by Ronan Bennett, the series breathes fresh life into the British gangster genre.
Brought to life by Gary Oldman's mesmerizing performance, Slow Horses demolishes spy genre clichés while telling the story of MI5's failed agents. Adapted from Mick Herron's novels, the series masterfully blends wit and tension, bringing a fresh breath to British espionage.
Directed by Chava Cartas, Face to Face with El Chapo is a gripping thriller based on true events, depicting the terror of an encounter with a cartel leader that unfolds over a single night. Elevated by extraordinary performances from Alfonso Herrera and Noé Hernández, the film presents the reality of Mexican cartels within a claustrophobic atmosphere.
Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look presents the cinematic vision of one of the gaming world's most anticipated titles through an impressive 27-minute trailer. This extended footage of Rockstar Games' iconic series' sixth main installment delivers a crime story set beneath Vice City's neon lights with an aggressive and defiant tone.
Brought to life by Nicolas Cage's undeniable charisma, Spider-Noir masterfully blends the dark aesthetics of noir cinema with superhero mythology. Set in 1930s New York, this one-of-a-kind series delivers a boundary-defying viewing experience by weaving classic detective storytelling together with the fantastical elements of the comic book universe.
Criminal Minds is a milestone in the crime drama genre, masterfully chronicling the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit's journey into dark minds over 19 seasons. Created by Jeff Davis, the series transformed the art of psychological profiling into mainstream television, becoming a cult phenomenon worldwide.
Lee Child's legendary character Jack Reacher finally receives the screen adaptation he deserves with Amazon Prime Video's ambitious series. Alan Ritchson's physical presence and Nick Santora's solid screenplay structure bring fresh air to the action series format.
The Gentlemen, which brings Guy Ritchie's signature style to the television world, delivers a dark comedy feast that blends the decaying world of British aristocracy with a cannabis empire. Accompanied by Theo James's charismatic performance, the series stands out as one of Netflix's most original productions, mixing class differences and organized crime with sharp wit.
Directed by Janus Metz, Unabomber brings Ted Kaczynski's dark journey to the screen with Russell Crowe's compelling performance. This biography, spanning from MK Ultra experiments to his terrorist identity, challenges modern society's blind dependence on technology.
James Ashcroft brings Alex North's bestselling novel to the screen with great fidelity. Adam Scott and Robert De Niro's emotionally charged and suspenseful journey across two generations delivers a compelling psychological thriller that transcends serial killer genre clichés to examine the dark corners of the human soul.
Starring Emmy Rossum and Lola Petticrew, Furious is a suspenseful Hulu production that centers on a psychological cat-and-mouse game between an FBI agent and a female serial killer. Created by Elizabeth Meriwether, the series paints an in-depth portrait of female characters while boldly questioning moral dilemmas.
Under Philip Barantini's direction, the Enola Holmes series finds its third adventure in the streets of Malta. Featuring Millie Bobby Brown's maturing performance and a new mystery that preserves the series' feminist stance, the production reinterprets the traditional codes of the adventure genre with a modern language.
One of French television's longest-running daily series, Demain nous appartient is a bold production that blends police procedural elements with soap opera format in a small coastal town. Designed specifically for TF1's prime-time slot, this series combines the enchanting atmosphere of the Mediterranean coastal city of Sète with crime stories.