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.

Gangster Squad

691. Gangster Squad

Crime Drama Action Thriller Organized Crime
6.7

20131h 53min

United States

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and — if he has his way — every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop… except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of LAPD outsiders led by Sgt. John O’Mara and Jerry Wooters who come together to try to tear Cohen’s world apart.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Institutional corruption, Violence and control, Covert justice, Crime and politics, Off-the-book policing

Available on

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

The Best Offer

692. The Best Offer

Drama Romance Crime Relationship Drama Passionate Romance
7.8

20132h 11min

Italy

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore

Virgil Oldman is a world renowned antiques expert and auctioneer. An eccentric genius, he leads a solitary life, going to extreme lengths to keep his distance from the messiness of human relationships. When appointed by the beautiful but emotionally damaged Claire to oversee the valuation and sale of her family’s priceless art collection, Virgil allows himself to form an attachment to her – and soon he is engulfed by a passion which will rock his bland existence to the core.

Themes

Auctioneer manipulation, Confidence game in art, Isolation and intimacy, Art world norms, Forgery and authenticity, Agoraphobia and enclosure

Available on

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

Jack Reacher

693. Jack Reacher

Crime Drama Thriller Action One-Person Army
7.0

20122h 10min

United States

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

One morning in an ordinary town, five people are shot dead in a seemingly random attack. All evidence points to a single suspect: an ex-military sniper who is quickly brought into custody. The interrogation yields one written note: 'Get Jack Reacher!'. Reacher, an enigmatic ex-Army investigator, believes the authorities have the right man but agrees to help the sniper's defense attorney. However, the more Reacher delves into the case, the less clear-cut it appears. So begins an extraordinary chase for the truth, pitting Jack Reacher against an unexpected enemy, with a skill for violence and a secret to keep.

Themes

Deception and framing, Family ties under pressure, Lone investigator ethics, Mob influence on justice, Evidence ambiguity, Duty vs accountability

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

On the Other Side of the Tracks

694. On the Other Side of the Tracks

Comedy Action Crime Buddy Comedy Police Procedural
5.8

20121h 36min

France

Director: David Charhon

Two mismatched cops team up to investigate the murder of a business mogul's wife.

Themes

Urban policing tensions, Class divide in law enforcement, Misidentification risk, Outsider insider partnerships, Aggressive policing methods, Professional clout vs equality

Available on

Hoopla
Plex
Plex Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Stand Up Guys

695. Stand Up Guys

Thriller Comedy Action Crime Organized Crime
6.4

20121h 35min

United States

Director: Fisher Stevens

After serving 28 years in prison for accidentally killing the son of a crime boss, newly paroled gangster Val reunites with his former partners in crime, Doc and Hirsch, for a night on the town. As the three men revisit old haunts, reflect on their glory days and try to make up for lost time, one wrestles with a terrible quandary: Doc has orders to kill Val, and time is running out for him to figure out a way out of his dilemma.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Violence and consequences, Aging criminals and duty, Debt to past associates, Unfinished business and risk, Manipulation and authority

Available on

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

Ernest & Celestine

696. Ernest & Celestine

Animation Family Adventure Crime Family Animation
7.8

20121h 20min

Belgium, France

Director: Vincent Patar

Celestine is a little mouse trying to avoid a dental career while Ernest is a big bear craving an artistic outlet. When Celestine meets Ernest, they overcome their natural enmity by forging a life of crime together.

Themes

Class inequality, Underground world, Prejudice across classes, Art as escape, Alliance across enmity, Civil unrest backdrop

Available on

Apple TV
Kanopy
Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Sightseers

697. Sightseers

Comedy Crime Romance Dark Comedy Romantic Comedy
6.5

20121h 28min

United Kingdom

Director: Ben Wheatley

Chris wants to show girlfriend Tina his world, but events soon conspire against the couple and their dream caravan holiday takes a very wrong turn.

Themes

Manipulation and control, Jealousy and rivalry, Complicit crime partnership, Satire of leisure culture, Violence as travel pastime, Disruption of domestic bliss

Available on

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

Neighboring Sounds

698. Neighboring Sounds

Thriller Drama Crime Domestic Thriller Psychological Drama
7.1

20122h 11min

Brazil

Director: Kleber Mendonça Filho

An independent private security firm arrives at a middle-class neighborhood in Recife, Brazil.

Themes

Class differences, Racial tension, Surveillance presence, Neighborhood trust erosion, Security industry ethics, Wealth and protection

Available on

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

Bullet to the Head

699. Bullet to the Head

Action Crime Thriller Buddy Action Organized Crime
5.7

20121h 32min

India, Switzerland

Director: Walter Hill

After watching their respective partners die, a cop and a hitman form an alliance in order to bring down their common enemy.

Themes

Shootout consequences, Ex-con complicity, Bomb as leverage, Detective mercenary alliance, Lawyer influence, Corruption under pressure

Available on

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

Deadfall

700. Deadfall

Crime Drama Thriller Heist Family Drama
6.2

20121h 35min

France, United States

Director: Stefan Ruzowitzky

A thriller that follows two siblings who decide to fend for themselves in the wake of a botched casino heist, and their unlikely reunion during another family's Thanksgiving celebration.

Themes

Loyalty under threat, Sibling relationship under pressure, Trust breaks in crisis, Power dynamics in households, Homecoming risk and tension, Moral ambiguity under cover

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.