I'm sure there are things more soul-soothing than watching a criminal go on a killing spree on your screen, but I'm yet to experience them. In all seriousness, any fan of the crime genre will readily attest to the ability of a great crime film, to transport you from the monotony of everyday life into a gripping world full of pulse-quickening moments. Whether you're siding with the good cop or the bad one, the serial killer or the victim, well-crafted crime movies will more often than not, bring you to the edge of your seat and keep you there till the very last scene.
In the last few months, "Netflix and Chill" has gone from being a leisurely activity to an actual lifestyle. And as we all know, there isn't a better repository of entertainment content than the beloved streaming site. So, if you're on the hunt for new rousing film recommendations you can while away the weekend with, here's our take on the 20 best crime movies on Netflix India.
1. The Godfather
Director
Francis Ford Coppola
Star Cast
Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan
IMDb
9.2/10
Image Courtesy - Wallpapers Vista
The original gangster cinema gem, there's a reason The Godfather is considered to be one of the greatest movies of all time! It's beautifully crafted and packed with some of the finest performances we've seen in the world of cinema to date. The Godfather is an absolutely flawless crime movie, and if you're new to the genre this is the timeless masterpiece you need to start with. Right from the screenplay to the cinematography and background score, this movie gets a 10 on 10 in every single department. Watch this crime movie on Netflix India, for a brilliant peek at the world of organized crime.
2. True Story
Director
Rupert Goold
Star Cast
James Franco, Jonah Hill, Felicity Jones
IMDb
6.3/10
Image Courtesy - Slash Film
Honestly, as long as there's James Franco involved in a movie, I'm going to watch it no matter what. But luckily in the case of this crime movie, the plotline is just as amazing to follow! A cinematic take on deception, deceit and crime, True Story is a must-watch for fans of psychologically puzzling films. The title of the movie is quite literal because it's actually based on Michael Finkel's memoir by the same name.
3. El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
Director
Vince Gilligan
Star Cast
Aaron Paul, Jonathan Banks, Matt Jones
IMDb
7.3/10
Image Courtesy - IMDb
I'm just going to assume you've watched Breaking Bad, because why wouldn't you binge through the greatest TV show of all time? And in that case, El Camino is a movie you just have to experience. It's a solid addition to one of the most popular TV show franchises ever made, and can be equated to a ribbon adding the perfect touch to an already-great present. If the end of Breaking Bad left you wondering about Jesse Pinkman's ultimate fate, this one comes with all the answers!
4. The Irishman
Director
Martin Scorsese
Star Cast
Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci
IMDb
7.9/10
Image Courtesy - Empire
One of the best crime movies on Netflix India to hit our screens recently, The Irishman is worthy of every ounce of popularity it garnered. It's the last of its kind, a contemporary version of the old-school gangster flick genre. It's a fantastic film packed with stellar cast performances, along with some oddly nostalgic cinematography that pulls you right in. The movie can be a tad slow, especially if you're expecting your typical action-crime film scenes, but trust us when we say this Scorsese flick is worth the patience!
5. Uncut Gems
Director
Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie
Star Cast
Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Idina Menzel
IMDb
7.4/10
Image Courtesy - What's After The Credits?
Whatever preconceived notions you might have about Adam Sandler, toss those aside before you sit down to watch this movie. Trust us, you'll only walk away very pleasantly surprised. Uncut Gems is one of those crime movies on Netflix India, that you walk into with very low expectations but leave thoroughly entertained and amused beyond measure. The dark comedy in this movie will have you chuckling to yourself, and Adam's performance is remarkably fine in the film. Uncut Gems can be a bit chaotic and loud, but stick around till the end and you'll believe every word of what we just said!
6. The Departed
Director
Martin Scorsese
Star Cast
Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson
IMDb
8.5/10
Image Courtesy - IMDb
There's a very high chance this crime movie has been recommended to you on more than one occasion. Take my word for it, The Departed has earned its outstanding reputation as an exceptional film. If you're looking for an exhilarating crime thriller, picking something by Martin Scorsese is guaranteed to be a great decision, and this flick is no different. No mincing words, this movie does get violent and bloody, but it's not a story you will watch for the gore, but rather despite it. Let's just say, there's a reason The Departed is considered to be one of the cinematic masterpieces of the 21st century, and certainly one of the best crime movies of all time.
7. The Place Beyond The Pines
Director
Derek Cianfrance
Star Cast
Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes
IMDb
7.3/10
Image Courtesy - IMDb
To be entirely honest here, I was sold on this movie the moment I found out it has both Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper in it. But the film is much more than its ridiculously good looking cast. The Place Beyond Pines is one of the most underrated movies on Netflix India, one that will make you experience every single emotion on the spectrum in a mere 2 hours. This is a tragically beautiful take on karma and choices and it carries an extraordinary emotional depth, especially for a crime film. It's raw, it's honest, and it's packed with stellar performances! Seriously, watch it.
Also Read: 30 Nail-Biting Thrillers On Netflix India We Highly Recommend
8. The Invisible Guest
Director
Oriol Paulo
Star Cast
Mario Casas, Ana Wagener, Jose Coronado
IMDb
8.1/10
Image Courtesy - IMDb
This is a brilliant Spanish crime movie, one that will make you sit in silence and keep muttering "wow" to yourself repeatedly, once it's over. Right when you think you've got the story figured out, the movie spins you around in an entirely different direction, which is one of the qualities of great crime thriller movies. The writing, direction and screenplay are extraordinary in equal measure, and it's near impossible to find any faults in this movie at all. The Invisible Guest is an exhilarating ride of a movie, and a shot at experience a true cinematic masterpiece in the genre of crime.
9. 8MM
Director
Joel Schumacher
Star Cast
Nicolas Cage, Joaquin Phoenix, James Gandolfini
IMDb
6.5/10
Image Courtesy - Film Affinity
If you're a fan of movies that are dark and unsettling, you must check out 8MM. This 1999 crime movie remains largely underrated despite the film taking you on a well-crafted cinematic journey full of suspense and intrigue. The movie is twisted and gives you a grim, realistic peek at the disturbing world of pornography and the human capacity for evil. Both the lead actors have given terrific performances and augmented the fantastic brilliance of this haunting crime film.
10. Seven Psychopaths
Director
Martin McDonagh
Star Cast
Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell
IMDb
7.2/10
Image Courtesy - NPR
This movie might not be everybody's cup of tea, but those who do end up liking it continue to sing its praises ceaselessly. It's a clever crime movie, full of witty dark humour, edgy content and a crisp script that distinguishes it from any other crime movie you might have seen. Seven Psychopaths has some of the most fascinating and hysterical scenes you'll experience, the kind you just have to rewind more than once. It's original, violent, engrossing and absolutely hilarious!
11. Out of the Furnace
Director
Scott Cooper
Star Cast
Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Zoe Saldana
IMDb
6.8/10
Image Courtesy - IMDb
Out Of The Furnace is an extremely powerful film, one that crafts brilliance out of the overdone cinematic concept of revenge. As one of the best crime movies on Netflix India, it packs a serious punch and does a stellar job at capturing the reality of many towns in America along with the hopelessness of their inhabitants. It's certainly a gritty, darker movie that won't leave you feeling on top of the world, but still, has a very lasting impact. Also, in my opinion, it's one of Bale's best performances to date, and that's saying a lot!
12. Gangster Squad
Director
Ruben Fleischer
Star Cast
Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone
IMDb
6.7/10
Image Courtesy - Collider
First off, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling paired in a movie that's NOT a romance flick? Sign me up! I'll be real here, Gangster Squad isn't exactly an Oscar-worthy crime movie, but it definitely is one that will entertain you remarkably well. It's one of those crime movies, where its the style and slickness of the film that makes it worth a watch instead of a mind-boggling script. It's over the top, and even funny at certain points, but it will quickly become your guilty pleasure pick for whenever you're in the mood to watch really attractive people do smooth and cool gangster-stuff!
13. Django Unchained
Director
Quentin Tarantino
Star Cast
Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio
IMDb
8.4/10
Image Courtesy - IMDb
Okay, if you're a crime movie fan, you have, in all likelihood, already watched this movie. And if you haven't its time to crawl out from the rock you've been hiding under. Django Unchained is a fantastic mixture of hysterical humour and thrilling crime-action, and it's very difficult to not love every minute of this Tarantino film. It's a guaranteed blast from the word go, and indisputably one of the best crime movies on Netflix India you can stream right now!
Also Read: Rely On The Best Inspirational Movies On Netflix To Get Your Motivation Up!
14. Training Day
Director
Antoine Fuqua
Star Cast
Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Scott Glenn
IMDb
7.7/10
Image Courtesy - IMDb
Training Day is a solid action-crime-thriller movie packed with exceptional cast performances and remarkable realism. It's devoid of your usual cinematic cliches or even tear-jerking moments, but it's the honest brutality of the film that lands it in nearly every list of the best crime movies on Netflix India. This excellent film will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat throughout its duration, and special props to the soundtrack for transporting you to a world of its own!
15. Wazir
Director
Bejoy Nambiar
Star Cast
Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar, Aditi Rao Hydari
IMDb
7.1/10
Image Courtesy - FilmiBeat
There are very few gems in the world of Bollywood crime movies, and Wazir is indisputably one of them. It comes with a gripping plot that keeps you guessing and the stunning cinematography supports the great screenplay flawlessly. One of the best Hindi crime movies on Netflix India, Wazir is packed with fine performances by the whole cast, including Farhan Akthar, Neil Nitin Mukesh, and of course, the magnetic Amitabh Bachhan!
16. Side Effects
Director
Steven Soderbergh
Star Cast
Rooney Mara, Channing Tatum, Jude Law
IMDb
7.1/10
Image Courtesy - Collider
A thriller slash crime movie centred around the pharmaceutical industry, Side Effects remains largely underrated. It has a complex and intriguing plot brimming with twists and turns unexpected enough to give you serious whiplash! One of the best crime movies laced with psychological undertones, Side Effects is extremely well-made and packed with some great acting. It does a wonderful job of keeping you hooked and guessing, in a great way!
17. Talvar
Director
Meghna Gulzar
Star Cast
Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Neeraj Kabi
IMDb
8.2/10
Image Courtesy - Naukri Nama
First off, Irrfan Khan's fluid performance in Talvar deserved a lot more recognition than it got. Based on the Aarushi-Hemraj murder case that shook the nation to its very core, Talvar is a crime thriller movie with a gripping plotline, excellent screenplay, and of course, the lead's undefeated acting prowess. Talvar does a remarkable job at portraying a sensitive case, with undeniable grace and class. It comes bearing profound insights and Meghna Gulzar's direction is absolutely outstanding.
18. Raat Akeli Hai
Director
Honey Trehan
Star Cast
Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Radhika Apte, Aditya Srivastav
IMDb
7.3/10
Image Courtesy - Times Of India
Crime Bollywood movies end up being cheesy and predictable more often than not, which is what makes this 2020 release such a remarkably pleasant surprise. It's a dark murder mystery, that's been elevated to a permanent feature under lists of the best crime movies on Netflix India, thanks to the gritty performances by Nawazzudin and Radhika Apte. Raat Akeli Hai is a great representation of the transition in Indian cinema, from cliched romantic love-triangles to well-executed stories and meaningful content.
19. The Next Three Days
Director
Paul Haggis
Star Cast
Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson
IMDb
7.4/10
Image Courtesy - Ace Showbiz
This is a crime movie you will enjoy every second of. The tense, exciting screenplay portrayed with the help of smooth cast performances, lands it in every collection of the best crime movies to grace our screens in recent times. It keeps you constantly on the edge, guessing what the next move will be, and each time you inevitably end up with your mind blown. Nowhere near as predictable as other movies based on a similar storyline, this intense thriller is more than worth a watch!
20. The Highwaymen
Director
John Lee Hancock
Star Cast
Kevin Costner, Woody Harrelson, Kathy Bates
IMDb
6.9/10
Image Courtesy - Movie Nation
This story of this crime movie takes place in the 30s, giving it a very vintage mystery vibe. It's super entertaining and engaging, and for once you get a crime movie that gives the good guys what they deserve. The cinematography and the set-design in the movie are completely on point, and the two best things about this movie are the realism of the story, and its refusal to romanticise the crimes of Bonnie and Clyde. Also, needless to say, the cast is packed with celebrated names and every single actor does a very fine job!
Get a bucketful of buttery popcorn and a chilled glass of soda. Done? Now, all you need is your partner in crime (literally), and you've got yourself an exciting movie night!
