Netflix has an abundant amount of crime movies, all from taking down mobsters to catching scandals. Out of the many to choose from, we bring to you six of our favorite picks.
What intrigues us more is how a true story is crafted with hints and clues, climaxes, and twists. Many of these movies have received numerous nominations for their directing, writing, and portrayals.
Though Netflix provides you with an extensive selection of the best crime shows on Netflix for your inner detective, today we are going to share our six best crime movie picks on Netflix that are based on true stories.
So, whether you are a fan of Sherlock or an enticing story that can help you appreciate the mystery of a crime, these titles can make you appreciate the crime genre.
Spotlight (2015)
This true story uncovers the biggest scandal of child molestation in history. The movie revolves around 5 journalists who work for the Boston Globe who trace down events and victims to uncover the wrongdoings of the local church archdiocese. The movie also shows the disturbed mental capacity of the victims who were silenced for years.
The movie bags an IMDb rating of 8.1/10 and has won 2 Oscars. The cast features Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Live Schreiber, and many others. The movie narrative brings out the detective within.
The Fear of 13 (2015)
If you are into documentaries, this is our pick for you. The Fear of 13 features the story of a convicted murderer who is put on death row for 23 years. The structure and style of narration of the victim Nick Yarris spices up the criminal nature of the documentary.
The Fear of 13 has received an IMDb rating of 7.6/10 and 4 nominations with 1 win. This is a must-watch for those who love documentaries featuring the actual people involved.
Legend (2015)
If there was a separate category just for crime movies from the UK, this would top the charts. Legend is the story of London’s most notorious gangsters who were twins, Reggie, and Ronnie Kay. One twin runs the family business and keeps things clear. The other engages in a romantic pursuit and plans to go legitimate.
The magic in this movie is how the twins are played by one actor, Tom Hardy. The movie received an IMDb rating of 6.9/10 and 12 nominations with 6 wins. The cast features Tom Hardy, Emily Browning, Taron Egerton, Paul Anderson, and many more. If you love mobster movies, this is the one to go for.
The Thin Blue Line (1988)
This pick is for those who love the old cinema with a flare for drama. The Thin Blue Line is a true-crime movie that talks about the wrongful arrest of Randal Adams. The director Errol Morris lays out the sequence of events and shows the police at work.
The movie takes a stab at the injustice done by the Dallas, Texas police authority who wrongfully convicted an innocent man. The movie received an IMDb rating of 8.0/10 and 17 nominations with 12 wins.
The Highway Men (2019)
This is the “untold true story” we all need for binge-watching. The Highway Men is the story of the two legendary detectives who took down the infamous criminals Bonnie and Clyde. The two Texas Rangers use some good old-fashioned police work and their gut instinct to bring down the duo of destruction.
The cast features Kevin Costner, Woody Harrelson, Kathy Bates, John Carrol Lynch, and many more. The movie has an IMDb rating of 6.9/10.
Wormwood (2017)
Our 6th, and last pick, is another “untold true story” from the CIA. Wormwood is about the life of an Army scientist, Frank Olson, and his tragic but mysterious death. The story takes off with identifying the cause of death while uncovering the dangerous secrets of the CIA.
The docuseries has an IMDb rating of 7.0/10 and is a must-watch for all crime-movie lovers.
Conclusion
With these six crime movies, you are sure to have an awesome weekend. We did limit ourselves to six, otherwise, there would be a ton of choices.
These picks cover everything between uncovering scandals, top-secret government projects, gangster crimes, and wrongful arrests. Even if they are not available in your region you can always use a VPN to change your location. So, sit back, relax, and happy streaming!
