Need a good mystery to solve? Want to take a walk through the criminal underworld? Well, if you wanna do it from the comfort (and safety) of your own home, you're probably gonna want to watch a movie. Fortunately for fans of the genre, filmmakers have been turning to the thrills of crime for inspiration pretty much since folks started capturing moving pictures on film, so there are a whole lot of great options to watch when you're in that mood. And if you're looking for the best crime movies on Netflix, there are plenty of titles currently streaming to scratch that itch. Browse our list of the best picks below.
In the mood for something a little lighter? Check out our lists for the best comedies, romances, or family movies on the platform, or browse our recommendations of the best movies on Netflix across all genres.
Editor's note: This article was updated October 2023 to include Reptile.
The Guilty (2021)
Run Time: 1 h 30 min | Director: Antoine Fuqua
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Riley Keough (voice), Peter Sarsgaard (voice)
Based on Den Skyldige, the Danish film written by Gustav Möller and Emil Nygaard Albertsen, The Guilty is a situational thriller set in a 911 dispatch center. Joe Baylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a police officer, demoted to an operator role. Baylor is in the midst of some type of investigation, and he views this temporary assignment as more a punishment than a job. But when Baylor takes a seemingly innocuous call, his night, and the direction of his entire life, changes in ways he never could imagine. Where once Baylor doubted his instincts, those very same instincts could be all that stands between a family and certain death. Shot in just 11 days with director Antoine Fuqua directing from a van, The Guilty is a stunning showcase of Gyllenhaal’s acting prowess, alongside an excellent voice cast including Riley Keough, Peter Sarsgaard, and Ethan Hawke. – Monita Mohan
Reptile (2023)
Run Time: 2 hr 14 min | Director: Grant Singer
Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Eric Bogosian
Grant Singer’s directorial debut Reptile is a whodunnit following veteran detective Tom Nichols (Benicio Del Toro), whose long-standing career faces its toughest test. Justin Timberlake, Eric Bogosian, and more make up an ensemble cast that thrives with Singer and Benjamin Brewer’s unpredictable story. One of many successes at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, Reptile’s twisting narrative lures viewers in, with its mystery holding a vice-like grip around the audience. Never far from desperate tension, Reptile is a crime thriller with enough suspense to keep viewers hooked long after the credits roll. - Jake Hodges
The Mule (2018)
Run Time: 1 hr 56 min | Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Patrick L. Reyes, Cesar De León
Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino) directs and stars in this crime thriller about an ailing 90-year-old man who unwittingly signs up to be a drug mule for the Mexican drug cartel, getting him on the radar of the DEA. The Mule is a story of regret and taking responsibility for one’s failings, and although it leans a bit heavy on stereotypes to get its point across, it is a well-shot and introspective piece that is based on a true story. The cat-and-mouse game between Eastwood’s Earl Stone and the tenacious DEA Agent Colin Bates, played by Bradley Cooper (American Sniper), is a tense affair that drives this drama, giving the film equal levels of heart and stakes. – Tauri Miller
Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023)
Run Time: 2 hrs 9 min | Director: Jamie Payne
Cast: Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, Andy Serkis
Idris Elba throws on his signature overcoat and revisits his beloved character, brilliant detective John Luther, in Luther: The Fallen Sun — an exciting film continuation of the award-winning series Luther. Directed by Jamie Payne, Luther: The Fallen Sun watches the disgraced London detective break out of prison in order to finally hunt down a villainous psychopath. Co-starring Cynthia Erivo and Andy Serkis, Luther: The Fallen Sun is a feature-length chapter of Luther, albeit one with a simple plot and expectant mystery. However, it effortlessly and energetically revitalizes the franchise that audiences know and love. – Yael Tygiel
Enola Holmes (2020)
Run Time: 2 hrs 3 min | Director: Harry Bradbeer
Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin
Enola Holmes is an adorably sweet movie about the secretive Holmes family that focuses on Sherlock’s baby sister Enola, played delightfully by Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown. When her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) disappears, Enola sets off on a journey to find her, forging allies and uncovering a dangerous conspiracy along the way. Enola Holmes cleverly fuses mystery and adventure with a hint of romance and a whole lot of heart. Co-starring Henry Cavill (Man of Steel) and Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire) as the more famous Holmes detectives, Enola Holmes allows the youngest of the family to blossom and shine with her own endearing charm. – Yael Tygiel
Lost Girls (2020)
Run Time: 1 hr 35 min | Director: Liz Garbus
Cast: Amy Ryan, Thomasin McKenzie, Gabriel Byrne, Miriam Shor, Oona Laurence
Inspired by horrific true events, Lost Girls is a suspenseful mystery directed by Liz Garbus and starring Amy Ryan (Only Murders in the Building) as a determined mother investigating the disappearance of her teenage daughter. Lost Girls begins with a single missing girl in a gated community, venturing into the discovery of over a dozen unsolved murders and shining a light on ill-equipped police departments that overlook cases involving the unsolved deaths of young sex workers. Talented supporting actors Gabriel Byrne, Miriam Shor (Younger), Oona Laurence (Bad Moms), and Dean Winters (Law and Order: Special Victims Unit) revolve around Ryan as she drives Lost Girls. – Yael Tygiel
The Gray Man (2022)
Run Time: 2 hrs 2 min | Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas
An action-packed spy thriller, The Gray Man stars Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans as highly skilled CIA operative rivals in a big-budget caper. This intricate game of cat and mouse is an explosive feast for the eyes with a ridiculously attractive all-star cast and massive set pieces that allow for colossal stunts. Gosling and Evans are truly exceptional in these fast-paced and meticulous roles. Their comfort with the material, as well as the creative team behind the camera, comes through. Anthony Russo and Joe Russo (Avengers: Endgame) excel in directing large-scale operations, as highlighted in The Gray Man. – Yael Tygiel
Sweet Girl (2021)
Run Time: 1 hr 50 min | Director: Brian Andrew Mendoza
Cast: Jason Momoa, Isabela Merced, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo
Sweet Girl is a father-daughter action flick starring Jason Momoa (Aquaman) and Isabela Merced (Dora and the Lost City of Gold). Set in our glib reality where pharmaceutical companies profit off the deaths of sick patients, Sweet Girl stems from that anger and devastation, transforming into a fantasy where the fight for family and justice is literal. Juxtaposed with the car chases, gunfire, and hand-to-hand combat is a conversation starter about societal inequalities and the corruption of politics, leading to a compelling couple of hours. – Yael Tygiel
Windfall (2022)
Run Time: 1 hr 32 min | Director: Charlie McDowell
Cast: Jason Segal, Lily Collins, Jesse Plemons
If you don’t immediately recognize the name Charlie McDowell, you should. McDowell is making a name for himself as a creative independent filmmaker who is able to make the most out of isolated environments. McDowell’s latest film, Windfall, is one of the best thrillers of the year so far. The 92-minute feature follows a nameless robber (Jason Segel) who breaks into the home of a wealthy CEO (a scenery-chewing Jesse Plemons) and his illustrious girlfriend (Lily Collins). Segal turns in another stellar dramatic performance following McDowell’s previous film, The Discovery. Raw, violent, and darkly amusing, Windfall is another winner for McDowell. -Liam Gaughan
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The Unforgivable (2021)
Run Time: 1 hr 52 min | Director: Nora Fingscheidt
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Viola Davis, Vincent D ‘Onofrio, Jon Bernthal
If you’re used to seeing Sandra Bullock in projects like The Proposal, Miss Congeniality, and The Lost City, then buckle up. Based on the British miniseries Unforgiven written by Sally Wainwright, the intense crime drama The Unforgivable follows the life of Ruth Slater (Bullock), a woman newly released from prison after serving several years for a deadly crime. As she tries to piece together a normal life, she quickly finds that reintegrating into society is far harder than she expected. Haunted by her past and worried for her future, Ruth connects with new owners of the home (Viola Davis and Vincent D’Onofrio) where the horrific crime took place. Will she ever find closure? -Emily Bernard
Molly’s Game (2017)
Run Time: 2 hr 20 min | Director: Aaron Sorkin
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Jeremy Strong
It’s all fun and games until the FBI gets involved. Based on the book of the same name by the real-life Molly Bloom, Molly’s Game tells the true story of Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain), a skier training for the Olympics whose future is jeopardized once she suffers a career-ending injury. While working as a waitress, she meets real-estate developer Dean (Jeremy Strong), who takes her under his wing and introduces her to his secret, high-profile poker games at The Cobra Lounge. From there, she learns the basics of poker and organizes her own exclusive poker games with some of the world’s wealthiest actors, athletes, and businessmen. Watch Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut to find out exactly how Bloom went from “Poker Princess” to FBI target. -Emily Bernard
The Devil All the Time (2020)
Run Time: 2 hr 19 min | Director: Antonio Campos
Cast: Tom Holland, Bill Skarsgård, Riley , Robert Pattinson, Sebastian Stan
Who isn’t in The Devil All the Time? This star-studded adaptation of the Donald Ray Pollock novel is unexpected and unpredictable in so many ways. This is an immersive story set deep in the heart of the American backwaters and littered with a combination of morally ambiguous and vile characters. Though Tom Holland is the film’s lead, he doesn’t enter the picture till partway through. This is more of an ensemble cast and each character is fully realized in their own way. There’s a corrupt deputy played by Sebastian Stan, a dodgy couple played by Riley Keough and Jason Clarke, and the mysterious new priest, brought to life by Robert Pattinson. Be prepared for a dark and intense crime thriller that will leave you hyperventilating! – Monita Mohan
21 Bridges (2019)
Run Time: 1 hr 39 min | Director: Brian Kirk
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Sienna Miller, J.K. Simmons
In 21 Bridges, the late Chadwick Boseman plays an embattled NYPD detective, Andre Davis, who finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy. While the plot of this action-thriller may sound familiar, 21 Bridges elevates the story with a gripping tale and unpredictable twists. The story, much of which is told through the eyes of the central character played by Boseman, hints at the underlying politics that plague law enforcement in America. The ensemble cast is littered with recognizable faces who all give great performances. But Boseman is the star of the show. While the role of a morally grounded detective whose belief system is shaken is hardly a novelty, Boseman adds depth and nuance to his character which makes every scene he’s in compelling to watch. – Monita Mohan
Red Notice (2021)
Run Time: 1 hr 58 min | Director: Rawson Marshall Thunder
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, Ryan Reynolds
It may not inspire a lot of critical thought, but Rawson Marshall Thunder’s modern take on the caper movie is a good way to kill two hours if all you’re looking for is good-looking movie stars, lots of action, and some of the most ridiculous one-liners you could imagine. Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds are hardly cast against type, but their engaging chemistry keeps this international heist thriller moving at a pleasant pace. There’s a hint of self-awareness to the whole thing; when he’s delivering a tragic monologue about his relationship with his father, Reynolds looks like he’s barely keeping a straight face. — Liam Gaughan
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
Run Time: 2 hr 2 min | Director: Vince Gilligan
Cast: Aaron Paul, Jesse Plemons, Scott Shepard, Robert Forster
Breaking Bad already had a pretty excellent ending with the season five finale “Felina,” so the prospect of a continuation was a risky one. Thankfully, series creator Vince Gilligan delivered a satisfying follow up that continued the tragic story of Jesse (Aaron Paul) without giving him a definitive conclusion. Although El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie features just as much creative problem solving as the series, it was a more intimate story. Paul gives one of his best performances as the character, and shows Jesse’s complex healing process. El Camino is also notably the final screen performance of the late great Robert Forster. — Liam Gaughan
Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
Run Time: 1 hr 50 min | Director: Joe Berlinger
Cast: Zac Efron, Lily Collins, Kaya Scodelario, Haley Joel Osment, Jim Parsons, John Malkovich, James Hetfield
With Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile, Zac Efron perfectly captures what made real-life serial killer Ted Bundy become a celebrity in the U.S., gathering a legion of female fans while being on trial for murdering dozens of women. Efron’s Ted Bundy is charming, funny, and confident, and during the entire duration of Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile, we can even start to cheer for him if we are not cautious. There’s a wolf wearing Efron’s handsome sheep skin, but it’s not until the final moments of the film that we can see a glimpse of the monster hiding behind Bundy’s eyes. While many films explored the life and trial of Ted Bundy, only Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile was capable of explaining how such a hideous figure could be cherished while on trial for brutal murders. — Marco Vito Oddo
1922 (2017)
Run Time: 1 hr 41 min | Director: Zak Hilditch
Cast: Thomas Jane, Molly Parker, Dylan Schmid
1922 is one of the many original movies that Netflix just quietly releases on its streaming service without much fanfare. I had no idea this movie was even in production until the day it suddenly appeared in my “Movies You May Like” category, an area of Netflix that is generally about as hit-or-miss as blindfolded brain surgery. But the presence of a significantly overalls-clad Thomas Jane and the fact that it was based on a story by Stephen King made me check it out, and I was rewarded with a delightfully creepy supernatural murder story. It’s sort of like A Simple Plan, only it takes place in the pre-Depression American heartlands and features actual ghosts.
Jane plays a farmer at the end of his life writing a full confession of a truly unforgivable crime, with the movie told primarily in flashback. Within the opening 60 seconds, you will be slapped in the face with the realization that Thomas Jane is Doing A Thing. His performance is absolutely batshit in the best possible way, and, if I’m being totally honest, he’s really quite good. It’s a tense slow-burn thriller, with a central character so despicable that you almost don’t mind seeing the taint of what he’s done corrupt everything around him. Almost. — Tom Reimann
The Night Comes for Us (2018)
Run Time: 2 hr 1 min | Director: Timo Tjahjanto
Cast: Joe Taslim, Iko Uwais, Zack Lee, Hanna Al Rashid, Julie Estelle, Salvita Decorte, Abimana Aryasatya
If you’re a fan of The Raid films - or action films period, for that matter - and haven’t seen The Night Comes for Us yet, what are you waiting for? Stop everything and watch this mesmerizing display of fight choreography brilliance! Joe Taslim leads the ensemble as Ito, an agent for the South East Asian Triad, also known as the Six Seas, who betrays the crime syndicate in order to protect a young girl. Ito opts to head back to his hometown of Jakarta where a group of old associates help him protect the girl from a slew of invading Triad enforcers including Iko Uwais as Arian. Are the set-up and plot points anything unique? Nope, but the movie is better off because the more screen time devoted to the insanely creative and ultra-violent set pieces, the better. The Night Comes For Us is basically two hours of masterful martial arts and visionary bloodshed. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Tjahjanto unveils yet another shockingly violent use for an everyday object or knocks the wind out of you with even more super stylish combat. - Perri Nemiroff
The Irishman (2019)
Run Time: 3 hr 29 min | Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci
Don’t be daunted by the 3.5-hour runtime on The Irishman. Martin Scorsese’s epic about the life of Teamster and hitman Frank Sheeran flies by as it morphs from entertaining mob story to a powerful mediation on life, age, and regret. Sheeran (Robert De Niro) tells us his life story of being friends with mobster Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci) and Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino) and how these friendships converged into deadly consequences with Frank stuck in the middle. The movie discards the glamour of films like Goodfellas and Casino and instead focuses on the slow decay of a man who has always seen himself as a good soldier when really all he has to offer is violence and selfishness. Far from “just another mob movie” from Scorsese, The Irishman is a powerful look at your twilight years and reflecting on the choices you’ve made in life. It’s among Scorsese’s best. – Matt Goldberg
Avengement (2019)
Run Time: 1 hr 30 min | Director: Jesse V. Johnson
Cast: Scott Adkins, Craig Fairbrass, Thomas Turgoose, Nick Moran, Kiersten Wareing
The main draw here is watching Scott Adkins get into all kinds of brawls. Bar brawls, prison brawls, any ol’ brawl will do, really. If that sounds good to you, then settle in for Avengement, the latest collaboration between DTV action champion Adkins and his Savage Dog and Accident Man director Jesse V. Johnson. This time around, Adkins and Johnson are clearly riffing on the Guy Ritchie/Matthew Vaughn brand of British crime thrillers, with a lot more roundhouse kicks. The film’s structure is at first confounding and ultimately pretty satisfying, following Adkins’ Cain Burgess, fresh out of prison, to a local pub where he holds the men responsible for his horrifying prison term to task for their bad deeds, jumping from flashback to flashback while he holds them at gunpoint. Few action performers can match the physical prowess Adkins brings to the table and with veteran stuntman Johnson, Adkins gets plenty of steadily shot scenes, montages, and set-pieces to show off his skills. If you’re a fan of DTV actioners, this one’s a gem with some genuinely surprising moments of violence. — Haleigh Foutch