Watching movies has always been an escape from reality to a place unknown, unfamiliar yet intriguing. Best Crime movies give the audience an insight into the lives and minds of criminals and people affiliated with them. This genre of motion pictures is thrilling and can also be called nerve-wracking; it can engage the audiences and keep them wanting more, charmed by its mysterious and hidden aura.
Real crimes are fascinating for audiences to watch and decode how a criminal’s mind works. The best crime movies are a result of combined efforts put in by many talented individuals and artists; it is an ever-evolving genre and hence isn’t limited to any one country.
Here is the list of the best crime movies from all around the world ever to be made:
#1 – The Dark Knight (2008)
This movie is considered one of the best adaptations of the Batman comics. It features Gotham City, which is titled as a world without rules and revolves around Bruce Wayne chronicles as Batman. It involves the crimes of the infamous Joker played by Heath Ledger who is termed as the best version of Joker in a film. This film is considered the first mainstream movie to use IMAX 70 mm cameras for a segment of the story.
It is available on Netflix, YouTube, and GooglePlay Movies.
#2 – The City of God (2002)
Based on true events, it reflects the war between gang leads Manoel Machado Rocha and Jose Eduardo Barret Conceicao. The film is set between the 70’s and 80’s timeline. The title of the film loosely translates to ‘The City of Gold’ and is one of the best Brazilian Crime movies of all time.
It is available for rent on YouTube, dvd.netflix and GooglePlay Movies.
#3 – Pulp Fiction (1994)
Following a set of 3 inter-related stories with a different protagonist in each, it involves the criminal and dark side of Los Angeles. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this movie has a series of stories and each has its own unique theory and elements of drama. Pulp Fiction was considered as one of the classic crime movies in the early 90’s.
It is available on Netflix and Prime video.
#4 – Goodfellas (1990)
This is an evergreen American crime thriller movie depicting a young boy’s dedicated climb up the ranks of a gangster mob in New York, and his struggles with the life that comes with it. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film has a cult classic cast featuring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci and many more. A Robert De Niro crime film is always binge worthy!
It is available on Netflix and Prime Video.
#5 – Gangs of Wasseypur (2012)
This two-part crime film is based on India’s rising criminal atmosphere, starting from the early 1940s to the late 1990s highlighting crime, revenge, and politics spanning over three generations. Directed and Produced by Anurag Kashyap, this film had to be divided into 2 parts due to its runtime and grasping storyline. The 2nd part in the series also went onto be a massive hit among the audience.
It is available on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and GooglePlay Movies.
#6 – Se7en (1995)
A 130-minute movie is starring Morgan Freeman and Bradd Pitt, in which the life of an almost retired detective takes an exciting turn when his last case shows up. With a budget of $33 million, the primary shooting took place in Los Angeles and California. The film managed to earn $327 million at the Worldwide Box Office.
It is available on Netflix and Prime Video.
#7 – The Irishman (2019)
This is one of the best crime movies of all time. Based on Mario Puzo’s novel, ‘The Godfather’ is a classic crime story revolving around an Italian-American crime family headed by Don Vito Corleone and their way of life. The film is set between the time period 1945 to 1955 and focuses on the transformation of Michael Corleone into a Mafia Boss.
It is available on Netflix
#8 – Joker (2019)
A modern-day adaptation of the life of the infamous DC Comic villain- the Joker. The film follows the Journey of Arthur, a circus clown with mental illness who aspires to make it big to show his true side to people who treated him different. Heath Ledger was termed as one of the best jokers ever depicted on screen, but Joaquin Phoenix did an exceptional job at portraying the joker’s character bringing all the elements to life.
It is available for rent on YouTube, Prime Video and GooglePlay Movies.
#9 – The Lives of Others (2006)
Also known as ‘The Lives of Others’ is a German crime movie depicting the life of a police agent who investigates who might be a threat to the state. This film was released 17 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall and is acclaimed as the 1st notable drama film making it one of the best cries films of all time.
It is available on Netflix and dvd.netflix.
#10 – The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
In this multiple Oscar-winning movies, an FBI agent investigates an exceptional criminal case related to a serial-killer leading to the most traumatic experiences of her life, making its place amongst one of the best crime thriller movies. On a budget of $19 million, this film grossed $272.7 million at the Worldwide Box Office and is critically acclaimed all across the globe.
It is available on Netflix and Prime Video (in some regions).
#11 – Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)
One of the best crime movies, ‘Kill Bill: Volume 1’ is a classic story of revenge narrated in the most extraordinary of ways having a female protagonist. The journey of the female protagonist leads her to Tokyo for a battle with the Yakuza. This film is made as a homage to Grindhouse cinema and martial art depictions.
It is available on Hulu(free trial) and Prime Video
#12 – M (1931)
Made in 1931, this movie revolves around finding a child murderer who is nowhere to be found. The letter M marks the target and hits the right spots for people who love thriller movies. Directed and Fritz Lang and his wife, this movie mark his first sound film which was critically acclaimed for using long, aesthetically fluid tracking sequences.
It is available on YouTube and Dvd.netflix.
#13 – The Godfather: Part II (1994)
A sequel to the previous super-hit ‘The Godfather,’ ‘The Godfather: Part II,’ indulges further into the lives of the Italian-American mafia family of Don Vito Corleone. The 2nd part is set on the 1958 story of Michael Corleone who protects his family business after an attempt on his life. The 2nd part was appreciated equally by the audience.
It is available on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
#14 – No Country for Old Men (2007)
A hunter’s life takes a drastic turn when he discovers two million dollars while strolling through the aftermath of a drug deal. It tracks the storyline of 3 characters: Llewelyn Moss, Anton Chigurh, Ed Tom Bell who are involved in an investigating crime of a stack load of money and are on the run.
It is available on Amazon Prime Video and Prime Video.
#15 – Heat (1995)
This movie has its name amongst the best crime movies of all time starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, showcasing an exemplary directorial of the encounters between police and the thief. This movie has the first ever duo appearance of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro together onscreen making a must watch for all crime movie enthusiasts.
It is available on YouTube and Prime Video.
CONCLUSION
Indulging yourself in some crime movies gives you a sense of reality with a quotient of drama to binge on. Just the suspense and thriller filled in a crime drama keeps you hooked to the story and makes you understand the characters deeply. More Crime Drama movies are set to come every year with exclusive title releases. These movies are just some of the exemplary criminal movies out there. I hope you enjoy watching them.
