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.

Get Rich or Die Tryin'

901. Get Rich or Die Tryin'

Drama Crime Music Entertainment Industry Drama Narcotics Crime
5.5

20051h 57min

United States

Director: Jim Sheridan

A tale of an inner city drug dealer who turns away from crime to pursue his passion, rap music.

Themes

Deception and betrayal, Revenge and survival, Family loyalty under pressure, Identity through music, Crime to artistry, Power struggles within crime networks

Available on

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

The Big White

902. The Big White

Comedy Crime Drama Dark Comedy Organized Crime
6.3

20051h 40min

Canada, Germany

Director: Mark Mylod

To remedy his financial problems, a travel agent has his eye on a frozen corpse, which just happens to be sought after by two hitmen.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Deception as strategy, Greed and consequence, Fraud for money, Hostage coercion dynamics, Ambition and crime

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
The Roku Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Two for the Money

903. Two for the Money

Comedy Crime Drama Thriller Con Artist Crime
6.2

20052h 2min

United States

Director: D.J. Caruso

A former college athlete joins forces with a sports consultant to handicap football games for high-rolling gamblers.

Themes

Media exposure, Greed vs success, False persona, Image crafting, Gambling risk and addiction, Career volatility

Available on

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

The Proposition

904. The Proposition

Action Adventure Crime Drama Thriller
7.3

20051h 44min

Australia, United Kingdom

Director: John Hillcoat

In 1880s Australia, a lawman offers renegade Charlie Burns a difficult choice. In order to save his younger brother from the gallows, Charlie must hunt down and kill his older brother, who is wanted for rape and murder. Venturing into one of the Outback's most inhospitable regions, Charlie faces a terrible moral dilemma that can end only in violence.

Themes

Frontier justice, Deception and coercion, Power and restraint, Moral compromise under threat, Violence as bargaining chip, Kinship loyalty under pressure

Available on

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

Capote

905. Capote

Crime Drama Historical Drama
7.3

20051h 54min

United States, Canada

Director: Bennett Miller

A biopic of writer Truman Capote and his assignment for The New Yorker to write the non-fiction book "In Cold Blood".

Themes

Journalism ethics, Biographical framing, Self-fulfilling prophecy, Identity through narrative, Authorial ambition, Literary craft under pressure

Available on

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

Romanzo Criminale

906. Romanzo Criminale

Crime Drama Organized Crime Psychological Drama
7.2

20052h 32min

France, Italy

Director: Michele Placido

After serving prison time for a juvenile offense, Freddo gathers his old buddies Libano and Dandi and embarks on a crime spree that makes the trio the most powerful gangsters in Rome. Libano loves their new status, and seeks to spread their influence throughout the underworld, while the other two pursue more fleshly desires. For decades, their gang perpetrates extravagant crimes, until paranoia threatens to split the friends apart.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Deception within alliances, Romance amid crime, Paranoia and mistrust, Wealth as weapon, Ambition and territory

Available on

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

On Probation

907. On Probation

Mystery Crime Action Drama Thriller
7.5

20051h 52min

Argentina

Director: Damián Szifron

Mariano is a psychologist who must fulfill community service after losing a lawsuit by a traffic accident. He is forced to provide therapeutic support to Alfredo, a policeman depressed over his wife cheating on him. Mariano is then accidentally involved in a double homicide investigation being conducted by Alfredo.

Themes

Deception and disguise, Infidelity fallout, Ethical strain in therapy and policing, Dual loyalties, Role reversal under pressure, Conspiracy and investigation


A History of Violence

908. A History of Violence

Drama Thriller Crime Domestic Thriller Organized Crime
7.4

20051h 36min

Germany, United States

Director: David Cronenberg

An average family is thrust into the spotlight after the father commits a seemingly self-defense murder at his diner.

Themes

Family strain, Diner violence fallout, Dual identity pressure, Public scrutiny and consequences, Robbery aftermath pressure

Available on

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

Oliver Twist

909. Oliver Twist

Crime Drama Family Organized Crime Family Drama
6.8

20052h 10min

Czechia, France

Director: Roman Polanski

When 9-year-old orphan Oliver Twist dares to ask his cruel taskmaster, Mr. Bumble, for a second serving of gruel, he's hired out as an apprentice. Escaping that dismal fate, young Oliver falls in with the street urchin known as the Artful Dodger and his criminal mentor, Fagin. When kindly Mr. Brownlow takes Oliver in, Fagin's evil henchman Bill Sikes plots to kidnap the boy.

Themes

Class inequality, Loyalty under pressure, Poverty-driven crime, Authority and mercy, Coercion and manipulation, Exploitation of orphans

Available on

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

Lord of War

910. Lord of War

Crime Drama Thriller Organized Crime Political Drama
7.6

20052h 2min

France, United States

Director: Andrew Niccol

Yuri Orlov is a globetrotting arms dealer and, through some of the deadliest war zones, he struggles to stay one step ahead of a relentless Interpol agent, his business rivals and even some of his customers who include many of the world's most notorious dictators. Finally, he must also face his own conscience.

Themes

Profit-driven violence, Global arms economy, Moral compromise under crime, Ambition and addiction, Collateral harm and indifference, Power and exploitation

Available on

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