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 onNetflix, 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 bestcomedies,romances, orfamily movieson the platform, or browse our recommendations of thebest movies on Netflixacross all genres.
‘The Guilty’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 74% | IMDb: 6.3/10
The Guilty (2021)
Based onDen Skyldige, the Danish film written byGustav MöllerandEmil Nygaard Albertsen,The Guiltyis 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 Guiltyis a stunning showcase of Gyllenhaal’s acting prowess, alongside an excellent voice cast includingRiley Keough,Peter Sarsgaard,andEthan Hawke. –Monita Mohan
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‘Reptile’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 45% | IMDb: 6.8/10
Grant Singer’s directorial debutReptileis 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 andBenjamin 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,Reptileis a crime thriller with enough suspense to keep viewers hooked long after the credits roll. -Jake Hodges
‘The Mule’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 70% | IMDb: 7.0/10
A 90-year-old horticulturist and WWII veteran is caught transporting $3 million worth of cocaine through Michigan for a Mexican drug cartel. This is the latest directorial effort from Clint Eastwood, and his second of 2018. It is based on the true story of Leo Sharp, a World War II veteran who worked with the cartel. Eastwood joined the project in January 2018, with Bradley Cooper and other members of the supporting cast signing on in the months after. Production started in June 2018 and wrapped shortly after.The Mulemarks Eastwood’s first acting role sinceTrouble With the Curvein 2012.
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 Muleis 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 byBradley 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)
Rotten Tomatoes: 68% | IMDb: 6.4/10
Luther: The Fallen Sun
Idris Elbathrows on his signature overcoat and revisits his beloved character, brilliant detective John Luther, inLuther: The Fallen Sun— an exciting film continuation of the award-winning seriesLuther. Directed by Jamie Payne,Luther: The Fallen Sunwatches the disgraced London detective break out of prison in order to finally hunt down a villainous psychopath. Co-starringCynthia ErivoandAndy Serkis,Luther: The Fallen Sunis a feature-length chapter ofLuther, 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)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 6.6/10
Enola Holmes
Enola Holmesis an adorably sweet movie about the secretive Holmes family that focuses on Sherlock’s baby sister Enola, played delightfully byStranger ThingsstarMillie 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 Holmescleverly fuses mystery and adventure with a hint of romance and a whole lot of heart. Co-starringHenry Cavill(Man of Steel) andSam Claflin(The Hunger Games: Catching Fire) as the more famous Holmes detectives,Enola Holmesallows the youngest of the family to blossom and shine with her own endearing charm. – Yael Tygiel
‘Lost Girls’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 73% | IMDb: 6.2/10
Lost Girls
Inspired by horrific true events,Lost Girlsis a suspenseful mystery directed byLiz Garbusand starringAmy Ryan(Only Murders in the Building) as a determined mother investigating the disappearance of her teenage daughter.Lost Girlsbegins 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 actorsGabriel Byrne,Miriam Shor(Younger),Oona Laurence(Bad Moms), andDean Winters(Law and Order: Special Victims Unit) revolve around Ryan as she drivesLost Girls.– Yael Tygiel
‘The Gray Man’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 44% | IMDb: 6.5/10
The Gray Man
An action-packed spy thriller,The Gray ManstarsRyan GoslingandChris Evansas 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 RussoandJoe Russo(Avengers: Endgame) excel in directing large-scale operations, as highlighted inThe Gray Man.– Yael Tygiel
‘Sweet Girl’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 24% | IMDb: 5.5/10
Sweet Girl
Sweet Girlis a father-daughter action flick starringJason Momoa(Aquaman) andIsabela Merced(Dora and the Lost City of Gold). Set in our glib reality where pharmaceutical companies profit off the deaths of sick patients,Sweet Girlstems 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)
Rotten Tomatoes: 58% | IMDb: 5.7/10
If you don’t immediately recognize the nameCharlie 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-chewingJesse 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,Windfallis another winner for McDowell. -Liam Gaughan
‘The Unforgivable’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 39% | IMDb: 7.1/10
The Unforgivable
If you’re used to seeingSandra Bullockin projects likeThe Proposal,Miss Congeniality, andThe Lost City, then buckle up. Based on the British miniseriesUnforgivenwritten bySally Wainwright, the intense crime dramaThe Unforgivablefollows 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 DavisandVincent D’Onofrio) where the horrific crime took place. Will she ever find closure? -Emily Bernard
