Whether on film or TV, the crime genre is undeniably one of the most-watched genres. It captivates audiences with its disturbing narratives, often involving real mysteries unfolding before their eyes. When combined with the suspenseful narratives that thrillers provide, this niche category undoubtedly becomes one of the most engaging and is guaranteed to keep audiences glued to their screens.
Crime thrillers date back to some of the best film noirs of the Golden Age. Taking into account that countless captivating crime thriller movies have been released over time, we celebrate it by looking back at some of the best, ranking them, and analyzing what makes them so astounding, from the direction to the fantastic performances. From the emotionally draining Prisoners to the iconic The Silence of the Lambs, these are some of the best crime thriller films of all time.
25
‘Drive’ (2011)
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive is a solid pick when it comes to the best crime movies, with Ryan Gosling completely nailing his role as an unnamed Hollywood stuntman who also moonlights as a getaway driver. He ultimately gets in trouble when he tries to help his neighbor’s (Carey Mulligan) husband (Oscar Isaac) rob a pawn shop.
Drive is a solid crime thriller choice, not only for its stylish and creative direction but also for the adrenaline-inducing narrative that includes well-crafted action sequences to keep audiences on the edge. Winding Refn’s visually striking film also works as a compelling and complex character study—it enhances the fact that a feature does not need to rely on dialogue to be great, highlighting that the lack of it can make it an even more mysterious and intriguing watch, especially when its central character is a conflicted and isolated introvert.
Drive
- Release Date
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September 16, 2011
- Runtime
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100 minutes
24
‘Rope’ (1948)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Starring James Stewart, Patrick Hamilton, and Arthur Laurents, Alfred Hitchcock‘s groundbreaking thriller Rope centers around two men going to great lengths to prove their intellectual superiority—they convince themselves they have committed the perfect murder by hosting a dinner party after strangling a former classmate to death.
Featuring great acting performances from its talented lead actors, who do a great job believably bringing two flawed characters to life, Rope is an experimental film that offers an intriguing exploration of mortality, voyeurism, and guilt. Much like other Hitchcock films, such as the iconic Psycho, Rope is a masterclass in psychological tension and innovative direction, making it an unforgettable addition to the crime thriller genre especially fit for audiences who enjoy black-and-white flicks. It is surprising, however, that Rope was one of Hitchcock’s least favorite films and a polarizing entry among critics.
Rope
- Release Date
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August 26, 1948
- Runtime
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81 minutes
23
‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Directed by fan-favorite filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, Reservoir Dogs is a heist film that illustrates the aftermath of a jewelry robbery going horribly wrong, with the surviving criminals beginning to suspect that one of them is a police informant. Some well-known names among its talented cast are Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, and Chris Penn.
This genre-defining picture is a trailblazer in that it revolutionized indie filmmaking, capturing the attention of audiences through its razor-sharp dialogue and non-linear narrative. Despite its minimalist execution, the influence of Tarantino’s incredible feature-length debut in modern cinema is evident; Reservoir Dogs easily endures as one of the greatest crime thriller movies. Often celebrated for its intriguing blend of tension, humor, and violence, and the incredible standout performances, the R-rated 1990s crime film is a compelling examination of loyalty and betrayal.
22
‘The Untouchables’ (1987)
Directed by Brian De Palma
Rooted in real events and starring Sean Connery, Brian De Palma‘s The Untouchables is set during the Prohibition era and follows Treasury agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner), who sets out to stop ruthless Chicago gangster Al Capone (De Niro), assembling a small team to help him.
De Palma’s amazing direction and David Mamet’s script are often praised for their excellence, and it’s not difficult to grasp why. Beyond its crime drama plot, The Untouchables delivers a gripping plot, especially as Eliot Ness and his team face numerous challenges and dangers as they try to bring down Al Capone. Over the years, it has become an influential entry in the crime thriller genre, setting a high standard for future films with its masterful blend of intense action sequences and dramatic tension.
21
‘The French Connection’ (1971)
Directed by William Friedkin
Directed by William Friedkin, The French Connection is a neo-noir action thriller based on Robin Moore‘s 1969 non-fiction book of the same name. It centers around two fictional NYPD detectives, played by Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider, who stumble onto a heroin smuggling ring based in Marseille and are in pursuit of wealthy French heroin smuggler Alain Charnie, brought to life by Fernando Rey.
This American classic is a must-see in this category and has even taken home five Academy Awards following its release, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. With astounding cinematography and style that adds to its charm, The French Connection is an intense, compelling, and genuinely absorbing feature that played a pivotal role in the crime genre. Its characters are complex and its narrative gritty, with building tension that keeps audiences invested.
20
‘Dog Day Afternoon’ (1975)
Directed by Sidney Lumet
Al Pacino takes the lead role in Sidney Lumet‘s Dog Day Afternoon, which is based on a Life magazine article “The Boys in the Bank” by P.F. Kluge and Thomas Moore. The movie sees three amateur robbers planning to hold up a Brooklyn bank with complicated results, as everything that could go wrong does.
On top of Pacino delivering one of the most powerful and memorable performances of his career, portraying Sonny as both a sympathetic and flawed, believable character, this essential gangster biopic also benefits from top-notch direction from Lumet, who successfully creates a fitting claustrophobic atmosphere and immerses audiences in its anxiety-inducing narrative. It is safe to say that the 1975 picture transcends the crime thriller genre, offering an unforgettable viewing experience that holds up quite well after all these years.
19
‘Blue Velvet’ (1986)
Directed by David Lynch
David Lynch is known for plenty of memorable surrealist films, and Blue Velvet is at the top of the list, whether for its surrealist version of suburban America or its unforgettable premise. The story centers around a young man (Kyle MacLachlan) who discovers a severed ear in an abandoned field and teams up with the detective’s daughter (Laura Dern) to solve the mystery.
Featuring beautiful visuals and a reminiscent score, the highly influential Blue Velvet explores the hidden world of crime and immerses audiences in its eerie, dream-like atmosphere, which has been mastered, time and time again, by the iconic filmmaker. Although disturbing and bold, David Lynch’s profound movie is one of the most acclaimed in the genre and should not be missing from such a list.
Blue Velvet
- Release Date
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January 1, 1986
- Runtime
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120 minutes
18
‘Nightcrawler’ (2014)
Directed by Dan Gilroy
A highly psychological crime thriller, the Best Writing Oscar-nominated Nightcrawler sees Jake Gyllenhaal’s Lou Bloom, a con man desperate for work, as he muscles his way into the world of L.A. crime journalism, often blurring the line between observer and participant as he slowly becomes the star of his own sinister story.
Its creative, sharply written premise and Gyllenhaal’s once again astounding performance make Dan Gilroy’s movie a must-see in the category. While Nightcrawler may not be at the top of the list when it comes to crime thriller films compared to other classics, it is undoubtedly a solid addition that manages to satirize, in a thought-provoking way, the media’s exploitation of tragic events for profit. It also highlights the great lengths some are willing to go to and the ethical boundaries they are willing to break for their own gain.
Nightcrawler
- Release Date
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October 31, 2014
- Runtime
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117 Minutes
17
‘Gone Girl’ (2014)
Directed by David Fincher
Filled with twists and turns, Fincher’s Gone Girl, based on the Gillian Flynn novel of the same name, showcases one of Rosamund Pike’s best acting efforts to date. The story mainly focuses on a deteriorating marriage. When Nick (Ben Affleck) reports that his wife has suddenly gone missing, the spotlight is slowly turned on him as the media speculates that he may not be innocent.
Along with its unpredictability that will have first-time viewers’ jaws on the ground, Gone Girl’s central character—three-dimensional and morally complex Amy Dunne—is a big part of what makes it such a successful and highly regarded watch. Fincher absolutely nails this book-to-screen adaptation, which resulted not only in a top-notch crime thriller but also a great critique of how the media can easily manipulate people’s perceptions.
Gone Girl
- Release Date
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October 1, 2014
- Runtime
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2h 29m
16
‘Zodiac’ (2007)
Directed by David Fincher
Directed by the one and only David Fincher, Zodiac is one of the most beloved films in this compelling genre. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal in another unforgettable role, it tells the chilling true story of the manhunt for the Zodiac Killer, a serial killer who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area during the late 1960s.
Featuring meticulous attention to detail and ambiguity to keep viewers invested, the highly atmospheric Zodiac is an intense and gripping movie throughout, with part of its appeal having to do with the fact that it is based on a true-crime story. Because of its layer of authenticity that adds an even more haunting value to the story, Zodiac is the perfect fit for fans of the niche category who appreciate a well-crafted and cerebral thriller.
Zodiac
- Release Date
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March 2, 2007
- Runtime
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157 minutes
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Jake Gyllenhaal
Robert Graysmith
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Anthony Edwards
William Armstrong
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Robert Downey Jr.
Paul Avery
