10 Essential Crime Movies Everyone Should See At Least Once

Crime movies like the recent releases The Shadow Strays and Drive-Away Dolls continue to captivate viewers, offering a thrilling view into a world of heists, mysteries, and high-stakes chases. Whether the main characters are the ones committing the crimes or trying to solve them, good crime movies dissect the causes and consequences of crime.

In addition, crime movies should also have a complex plot that will retain suspense until the very end, fully fleshed-out characters with clear motivations, and a morally ambiguous plot that will have viewers questioning their own principles and beliefs. From David Fincher’s Se7en to Martin Scorcese’s Goodfellas, there are a handful of crime films that are essential viewing for every cinephile, regardless of their level of devotion.

10 ‘L.A. Confidential’ (1997)

Directed by Curtis Hanson

Perhaps one of the best examples of neo-noir films is L.A. Confidential. Taking viewers into 1950s Los Angeles, the thrilling period movie takes a look at the homicides that happened at the Nite Owl coffee house. Investigating the murders are detective Ed Exley (Guy Pearce), a by-the-book officer with a thirst to be recognized, and his partner Officer Bud White (Russell Crowe), a law enforcer who has a penchant for violence.

L.A. Confidential isn’t just another cops-and-robbers flick as it takes viewers on a wild ride as the two officers unlock a Pandora’s Box full of corruption and deceit. Its complex narrative, evocative moody atmosphere, and morally ambiguous characters will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The movie is necessary viewing for those who want a well-directed crime film with top-notch acting performances and stylistic cinematography.

9 ‘Double Indemnity’ (1944)

Directed by Billy Wilder

In Double Indemnity, a destined encounter with a femme fatale leads insurance peddler Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) down a dark path. Because of the enchanting Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck), Walter is convinced that they can pull off a scheme that will get them a double indemnity insurance payout if they murder her husband. However, their plan is not as foolproof as they think.

Beyond being a definitive crime thriller that has charmed viewers up until today, Double Indemnity is also a character study that puts a spotlight on what lurks at the mind’s darkest corners. MacMurray’s performance as Walter is worthy of praise, as he personifies a man who is torn between guilt and desire. Stanwyck’s Phyllis is just as equally commendable, being a femme fatale who oozes sensuality and danger. Double Indemnity is worth the watch due to its sensual plot and exploration of a moral quagmires.

8 ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

Directed by Jonathan Demme

A young FBI trainee is tasked with catching a cannibalistic serial killer and charming another in the movie The Silence of the Lambs. Jonathan Demme’s critically acclaimed film sees Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) get vulnerable in front of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a murderous manipulator in order to catch Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine).

It’s not surprising that The Silence of the Lambswon the Academy Award for Best Picture, even though the Academy is notorious for not paying horror movies any mind. It’s due in large to Demme’s choices as a director, as well as Hopkins’ and Foster’s performances. Despite his short screen time, Hopkins was able to bring to life a character who’s strangely seductive and terrifying. Meanwhile, Foster shows her skills as an actor by playing Clarice as a vulnerable detective who has a steely resolve. Viewers shouldn’t be put off by its horror scenes (like the notorious elevator scene) — The Silence of the Lambs is a must-watch crime film that transcends genre.

7 ‘Fargo’ (1996)

Directed by Joel Coen

Joel Coen’s Fargo shows car salesman Jerry Lundegaard’s (William H. Macy) ill-conceived scheme to kidnap his own wife and collect a ransom. However, he sets in motion a chain of events that spirals into chaos after hiring unpredictable criminals, the motormouth Carl Showalter (Steve Buscemi) and the stone-cold Gaear Grimsrud (Peter Stormare). The situation escalates and it’s up to police chief Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) to untangle the gnarled threads.

It’s an offbeat crime movie because it mixes in plenty of dark humor with suspenseful scenes.Fargo is a masterful storytelling of a small town filled with regular people with eccentric problems. But perhaps it is McDormand’s Oscar-winning performance as Marge that truly deserves to be seen at least once in a crime movie, for her portrayal of a determined policewoman who emerges as an unlikely but captivating hero is spellbinding.

6 ‘Heat’ (1995)

Directed by Michael Mann

Heat imagines a world where the line between cop and criminal blurs, as a legendary burglar named Neil McCauley drives LAPD detective Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) to his wits’ end. After McCauley and his crew, including Michael Cheritto (Tom Sizemore) and Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer), execute a daring armored car heist, McCauley plans one last score — a high-stakes bank robbery that will force him to choose between his loyalty to his crew and his desire for a life beyond crime.

Heat is an essential R-rated 1990s crime movie for those who want a character-driven crime drama that’s also cerebral at its core. De Niro and Pacino deliver career-defining performances, capturing the complexities of their characters with nuance and intensity. And along with Mann’s expert choices in direction, the film’s memorable score and stunning cinematography, perfectly complement the film’s intense atmosphere.

5 ‘Se7en’ (1995)

Directed by David Fincher

Full of twists and turns, Se7en is a crime film that takes a look at human depravity — particularly a serial killer who has an interest in biblical lore. The movie follows detectives William Somerset (Morgan Freeman), a seasoned veteran on the verge of retirement, and David Mills (Brad Pitt), an ambitious young detective as they hunt down a killer who creates crime scenes that are each a reflection of a different sin.

Se7en is not for the faint of heart, but it’s something that fans of psychological thrillers will adore. It has an atmosphere full of unrelenting tension and dread, intertwined with oppressive visuals and a haunting score, making it an eerie psychological thriller that focuses on a disturbing subject matter. Se7en is a film that will haunt viewers long after they see their reflections on screen, which just shows how great of a director David Fincher is.

4 ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Many consider Pulp Fiction’s to be Quentin Tarantino’s magnum opus as it stitches together four stories about crime and cruelty. The movie follows Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson), who are two hitmen working for gang boss Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames). Their lives take unexpected turns when Vincent is tasked with taking out Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman), Marsellus’s charming wife, for a night on the town. Meanwhile, Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis), a boxer with a debt to settle, finds himself at odds with Marsellus after a fateful fight.

Tarantino’s bold vision is on full display with Pulp Fiction, creating a film that is as stylish as it is subversive. It has a non-linear structure that has viewers gritting their teeth, while its sharp dialogue full of quotable quotes and pop culture references adds a layer of wit and humor to the often violent scenes. From the iconic dance scene with Vincent and Mia to the adrenaline-fueled standoff in the pawn shop, Pulp Fiction is a multi-layered crime saga that will easily earn a place in a cinephile’s four favorites on Letterboxd.

3 ‘Chinatown’ (1974)

Directed by Roman Polanski

In the sun-drenched but morally murky world of Chinatown, private investigator Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) finds himself wading into the treacherous depths of corruption and deceit. Jake is tasked with investigating Hollis Mulwray (Darrell Zwerling), the city’s Water Department chief, by someone posing as his wife, not knowing that he’ll soon uncover a traumatic conspiracy.

Chinatown is an incredible mystery film with plenty of twists and turns that viewers won’t be able to anticipate. Nicholson delivers an unforgettable performance as Jake, a cynical detective who finds himself in over his head. His chemistry with Faye Dunaway’s Evelyn is palpable, with their tragic ending breaking the hearts of viewers. Chinatown is a theatrical experience that will haunt viewers, leaving a reminder that sometimes, the truth is best left buried.

2 ‘Goodfellas’ (1990)

Directed by Martin Scorsese

In the world of Goodfellas, the lines between right and wrong are blurred in a haze of violence, money, and power. The movie tells the story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), a young man who abandons his dreams of a normal life for the allure of the mafia. Hill quickly rises through the ranks, becoming a trusted associate of gangsters Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci).

Caught in a web of deceit and violence, Hill struggles to maintain his humanity as he gets consumed in organized crime. Considered one of the best gangster movies of all time, Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece seamlessly immerses viewers in the gritty world of organized crime. It’s a movie that successfully highlights the human cost of ambition and greed, further elevated by the unforgettable and morally ambiguous characters played by Liotta, De Niro, and Pesci.

1 ‘The Godfather’ (1972)

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

The crime film The Godfather highlights how power comes at a heavy price. Francis Ford Coppola’s epic film shows a family business that specializes in illicit affairs, following the Corleone family’s rise and fall in the world of organized crime. Patriarch Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) almost gets killed, prompting his son Michael (Al Pacino), a decorated war hero, to reluctantly join the family business. However, Michael soon transforms into a ruthless leader who will stop at nothing to protect his family and their legacy.

The Godfather is more than just a gangster movie — it’s a timeless tale of family and power. Brando portrays Don Vito with quiet machismo, capturing the portrait of a feared and respected man. Pacino’s Michael is just as engrossing, as he metamorphoses from a reluctant outsider to a cold-hearted leader. Through its unforgettable characters and story, The Godfather has earned its place in the pantheon of great films, with its story that offers a profound meditation on the moral compromises required to maintain power.

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