The 1980s were an incredible time for gritty and dark crime stories that exposed the harsh realities of criminal underworlds, although there were plenty of great releases from that era that never received the love they deserved. While action-packed classics like Sylvester Stallone in Cobraor more surreal releases such as David Lynch’s Blue Velvet have gained widespread acclaim, this barely scratches the surface when it comes to gritty, grim, and gratuitous, underrated crime dramas to check out. 493s13

No Country for Old Menblends the crime and Western genres together in such an effective way that there have been many fans who have sought out other movies that pull off this combination well. Based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy, No Country for Old Men is a bleak neo-Western set in the 1970s, following a rancher named Moss (Josh Brolin) who finds a bag of money following a drug deal gone wrong. However, he becomes hunted by a relentless killer (Javier Bardem) with a seasoned lawman (Tommy Lee Jones) following their bloody trail.

When discussing the crime genre and the movies that fall into this category, they're often described as gritty, real, and unflinching, especially when they're from the 1990s. Since the '90s was a decade that featured some of the best crime thrillers and dramas in recent history, it's unsurprising that there are plenty of films that have flown under the radar and aren't as well ed today. However, part of the fun of these underrated movies is that viewers can discover them for the first time today and get swept up in the action and intrigue of their stories.

Discovering a new crime TV show is one of the most exciting things that can happen, as they're often the most thrilling and unforgettable projects on television. Crime lends itself to unforgettable storytelling because there's so much inherent drama and tension built within the narrative. This always makes it surprising when a great crime series is overlooked, never gaining the recognition it deserves on a larger scale. However, there's still plenty of time to fall in love with these titles and get immersed in their stories.

There are few more intimidating notions in all crime than that of a dirty cop. On paper, police officers are chosen to uphold the law, meaning that they are bestowed with formidable powers to do so. Accordingly, the bad apples who abuse their power and position through malfeasance and corruption present a notably unsettling prospect; purported servants of justice who have impunity to bend or even break the law to advance their nefarious agendas.

There are countless different crime series about a variety of different criminal proceedings, but only a few are truly bloody affairs. Though violence is a common occurrence in shows that revolve around crime, many shows that are made for cable television pull their punches, dulling down the violence for a wider audience. However, many of the best crime dramas of all time show the violence of the genre blatantly, offering a truthful and terrifying insight into these stories.

Few things are more exciting than a good crime story, and plenty of great crime books will serve as the basis for releases. Whether it is highly anticipated New York Times bestsellers or long-festering ion projects, there are a number of thrilling and thoughtful crime stories set to receive the big screen treatment in the coming months. Featuring projects from the likes of Darren Aronofsky, Chris Columbus, and Martin Scorsese, several of these releases look set to become some of the most talked-about movies of 2025 and beyond.

The Åre Murderspremiered on Netflix on February 6, 2025, and it's the perfect crime drama for anyone who enjoyed The Breakthrough. With a screenplay by Oskar Söderlund and The Breakthrough's cast led by Peter Eggers and Mattias Nordkvist, the series follows the investigation of the double murder of Adnan Abbas and Gunilla Persson. The Breakthrough is one of Netflix’s best series, remaining on the streaming platform’s Global Top 10 non-English shows for several weeks.

The Crime genre is a fascinating blend of suspense and mystery capable of drawing the viewer in and keeping them on the edge of their seat for the entire movie. When set in small towns, crime movies can become even more intriguing, with an additional level of intimacy and personal investment. From heartbreaking thrillers to neo-Western productions, the small-town crime subgenre contains many cinematic gems.

A lot of crime movies are already very unnerving to watch, but this applies extra to crime films that actually feature the villain winning in the end. Seeing a villain get away at the end of the film or execute their intended plan to perfection always leaves me feeling so uncomfortable. Crime films that feature the villain win prove William Somerset's observation that the world is not such a good place at the end of David Fincher's Se7en right. Speaking of Fincher, he has actually made three crime films in the last thirty years that end with the villain victorious.