Crime backdrop

Crime movies

A deep dive into the underworld of gangsters, detectives, and heists where the line between right and wrong blurs.

Subgenres include: Organized Crime, Heist, Con Artist Crime.

The Basketball Diaries

1561. The Basketball Diaries

Drama Crime
7.3

19951h 42min

United States

Director: Scott Kalvert

A high school basketball player’s life turns upside down after free-falling into the harrowing world of drug addiction.


Kiss of Death

1562. Kiss of Death

Crime Thriller Drama
6.0

19951h 41min

United States

Director: Barbet Schroeder

Jimmy Kilmartin's an ex-con who's trying to go straight. But he can't say no to a quick driving job because his so-called friend's life is threatened. The job is for Little Junior Brown, a violent and powerful villain. When things go wrong, Jimmy is left to do the time, and his whole life is turned upside-down, but if that wasn't enough, the cops won't leave Jimmy alone when he gets out... They want Little Junior Brown.


Bad Boys

1563. Bad Boys

Action Comedy Crime Thriller Buddy Action
6.8

19951h 59min

United States

Director: Michael Bay

Marcus Burnett is a henpecked family man. Mike Lowrey is a footloose and fancy free ladies' man. Both Miami policemen, they have 72 hours to reclaim a consignment of drugs stolen from under their station's nose. To complicate matters, in order to get the assistance of the sole witness to a murder, they have to pretend to be each other.

Themes

Police corruption, Drug trafficking, Male camaraderie, Buddy cop dynamic, Deadline pressure, Undercover impersonation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Dolores Claiborne

1564. Dolores Claiborne

Crime Drama Mystery Legal Drama Detective Mystery Crime
7.4

19952h 12min

United States

Director: Taylor Hackford

In a town that never forgets a rumor, a housekeeper once suspected of killing her husband stands over her wealthy employer’s dead body. With a witness pointing at her and a hard-nosed detective digging, her estranged journalist daughter returns home and uncovers buried memories that could destroy them both.

Themes

Caregiving under pressure, Moral ambiguity in justice, Family violence and fear, Domestic abuse dynamics, Economic leverage and control, Repressed memory risk

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Citizen X

1565. Citizen X

Crime Drama
7.4

19951h 45min

United States

Director: Chris Gerolmo

Based on the true story of a Russian serial killer who, over many years, claimed victim to over 50 people. His victims were mostly under the age of 17. In what was then a communists state, the police investigations were hampered by bureaucracy, incompetence and those in power. The story is told from the viewpoint of the detective in charge of the case.


Murder in the First

1566. Murder in the First

Crime Drama
7.3

19952h 2min

France, United States

Director: Marc Rocco

A young, inexperienced public defender is assigned to defend an inmate accused of committing murder while behind bars.


Higher Learning

1567. Higher Learning

Drama Crime Thriller
6.5

19952h 8min

United States

Director: John Singleton

African-American student Malik is on a track scholarship; academics are not his strong suit, and he goes in thinking that his athletic abilities will earn him a free ride through college. Fudge, a "professional student" who has been at Columbus for six years so far, becomes friendly with Malik and challenges his views about race and politics in America.


Shallow Grave

1568. Shallow Grave

Crime Thriller
7.2

19941h 33min

United Kingdom

Director: Danny Boyle

When David, Juliet, and Alex find their new roommate dead with a large sum of money, they agree to hide the body and keep the cash. However, this newfound fortune gradually corrodes their friendship.


Disclosure

1569. Disclosure

Thriller Drama Crime
6.2

19942h 8min

United States

Director: Barry Levinson

A computer specialist is sued for sexual harassment by a former lover turned boss who initiated the act forcefully, which threatens both his career and his personal life.


Little Odessa

1570. Little Odessa

Drama Crime
6.7

19941h 38min

United States

Director: James Gray

Long separated from his family, hitman Joshua returns to Brighton Beach for a contract killing for the Russian Mafia. His abusive father, Arkady, banned him from returning after Joshua committed his first murder. He takes up residence in a hotel, and soon everyone knows he has returned. He goes home to visit his dying mother, Irina, and prepares for the assassination, getting drawn back into the criminal community he left behind.