While Netflix features a lot of crime movies in its library, only a number of them rank among the best that the streaming service has to offer. Many of the best movies of all time come from the crime genre, including classics like The Godfather and Goodfellas. The crime film genre has only grown over the years, and this has prompted heavy competition between streaming services to acquire the rights to classics and produce new hits in this area.
Netflix has done a good job of balancing its volume of classic crime movies and its production of new films of this type, leading to a strong overall selection. While Netflix’s catalog is in a state of constant change, its current roster of crime movies is excellent, which reflects the company’s efforts to stay stocked up on this popular genre.
10The Irishman (2019)
The Irishman is one of the biggest Netflix originals ever, earning numerous accolades, including an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Based on a true story, The Irishman is widely considered one of the greatest films of the 21st century so far and is among the greatest of all Martin Scorsese movies
9The Mule (2018)
Directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, The Mule is another fantastic crime movie currently streaming on Netflix. The Mule is based on a true story and features an engaging plot and poignant themes. Eastwood stars as Earl Stone, an elderly man who begins smuggling cocaine for a cartel after his horticulture business goes bankrupt. The movie received praise from critics and was a box office success, grossing around $175 million (via Box Office Mojo).
. Starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci, this mobster movie follows a truck driver who becomes a hitman for a prominent crime family. The Irishman combines an excellent cast of seasoned A-list actors with Scorsese’s masterful directing to craft one of the finest mafia movies ever made.
8Donnie Brasco (1997)
Donnie Brasco is an American crime drama that follows an undercover FBI agent (Johnny Depp) as he attempts to infiltrate a prominent crime family in New York City during the ’70s. The film is loosely based on the true story of Joseph Pistone, who went undercover using the titular alias, and it also stars Al Pacino as real-life mobster Lefty Ruggiero. This riveting story, which earned it an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, is complemented by expert directing from Mike Newell.
7Public Enemies (2009)
Public Enemies explores the Great Depression crime wave and the birth of the FBI through the lens of notorious criminal John Dillinger (Johnny Depp). The movie follows the final years of Dillinger’s criminal career while FBI agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) pursues the infamous bank robber. This gripping crime drama was praised by critics and was a success at the box office, grossing over $200 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo). The performances and script are excellent, and its gritty cinematography puts Public Enemies firmly among Netflix’s best crime movies.
6El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie serves as a sequel/epilogue to the iconic TV series Breaking Bad. The Netflix original film follows Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) after the conclusion of the show and features several other returning cast members, including Bryan Cranston. El Camino was widely praised by critics, and it received numerous award nominations for made-for-television movies. El Camino captures the gritty feel of Breaking Bad while telling a characteristically engaging story that makes it a worthy successor to the hit show.
5Heat (1995)
Heat is a trailblazing movie that follows the struggle between an LAPD detective (Al Pacino) and a successful career criminal (Robert De Niro) as they vie to outwit each other. It is highly regarded as one of the most influential crime movies of its age, giving way to a slew of similar works over the next couple of decades. Heat tells a riveting story which is complemented by outstanding directing by Michael Mann and strong performances from the cast, making it another strong option for Netflix streamers in search of a good crime movie.
4Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Catch Me If You Can stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks alongside an excellent supporting cast that includes Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Amy Adams, and James Brolin. Directed by Steven Spielberg, Catch Me If You Can tells the mostly true story of Frank Abagnale Jr. (DiCaprio), who, according to his memoir, gathered millions of dollars through various cons. The veracity of Abagnale’s claims has been widely challenged, but the story he tells is fascinating regardless. This is another Spielberg masterpiece, so it’s worth a watch for Netflix subscribers.
3Scarface (1983)
Despite its initial criticisms for being overly violent, Scarface is now considered one of the greatest gangster movies ever made. Scarface stars Al Pacino as Cuban immigrant Tony Montana as he rises to become one of the most powerful drug lords in Miami. Scarface is considered a cult classic, and its gritty portrayal of drug trafficking paved the way for more similarly graphic crime movies. This is one of the best movies on Netflix period, making it an easy inclusion on this list.
2The Good Nurse (2022)
The Good Nurse tells the true story of serial killer Charles Cullen (Eddie Redmayne), who murdered a still-unknown number of people during his 16-year career as a nurse. The movie follows the case through the eyes of one of Cullen’s coworkers, Amy Loughren (Jessica Chastain), who begins to suspect him after one of their shared patients dies mysteriously. This heart-pounding crime thriller keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, as Chastain and Redmayne’s captivating performances steal the show.
1Léon The Professional (1994)
Léon The Professional is another fantastic crime film currently available on Netflix. Written and directed by Luc Besson, the movie follows Léon (Jean Reno), a hitman who takes charge of a 12-year-old girl (Natalie Portman in her film debut) after her family is murdered by a corrupt DEA agent (Gary Oldman). Critics praised the film, and it was a commercial success as well, with its worldwide box office gross nearly tripling its production budget (via The Numbers). This gritty, emotional film is defined by outstanding acting and a well-conceived script that make it one of the best crime movies of the ’90s.
