The 10 best crime movies of all time

What is a crime movie?

A crime movie focuses on crime, investigations and the solving of criminal acts. The focus of a crime thriller is often on detectives, police officers or private investigators who try to solve a crime or catch a perpetrator.

Various elements such as suspense, intrigue, twists and mysteries make up the plot of a crime movie. The films can be serious and realistic as well as humorous and stylized, depending on the creative choices of the filmmakers.

Popular subcategories of the crime genre include whodunit, noir and thriller.

The best crime movies: Which 10 must-sees?

1. seven

This dark thriller takes you on a nerve-wracking hunt for a ruthless serial killer who chooses his victims according to the 7 deadly sins. The brilliant cast including Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey and Gwyneth Paltrow as well as the cleverly constructed screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker make this movie absolutely worth seeing.

The movie surprises again and again with unexpected twists and reveals an extremely disturbing view of the abysses of the human psyche. “Seven” is an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for a long time.

Seven can currently be streamed on Netflix and Amazon Prime, among others.

2. the silence of the lambs

Another timeless classic: a fascinating portrayal of a psychopathic serial killer and a young FBI agent. Anthony Hopkins’ unforgettable role as Hannibal Lecter gives this movie an eerie intensity and makes it a milestone of the genre.

The collaboration between Hopkins and Jodie Foster as agent Clarice Starling is characterized by a frightening fascination between the psychopath and the investigator and draws the audience into a wild emotional maelstrom of suspense and psychoanalysis.

The movie is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.

3. memento

Christopher Nolan’s “Memento” is about a man who suffers from amnesia and hunts his wife’s murderer – the entire story is told chronologically backwards.

This unique narrative structure and the exciting plot make “Memento” a fascinating and unconventional film that captivates the viewer until the very last minute and constantly presents them with new puzzles to unravel.

Memento is currently not available on any of the most popular German streaming platforms.

4th Taxi Driver

“Taxi Driver” by Martin Scorsese is an intense portrait of a mentally unstable cab driver who becomes increasingly alienated from society. Robert De Niro’s powerful portrayal of the disillusioned Travis Bickle and Scorsese’s masterful direction, which captures the dark and oppressive atmosphere of 1970s New York, make this film an unforgettable experience that delves deep into the abysses of the human psyche. With this film, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro finally made it to Hollywood stardom.

This crime movie is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.

5 Departed – among enemies

With “Departed”, Martin Scorsese has created another entry that should not be missing from a list of the best crime films. The screenplay tells the story of a gripping cat-and-mouse game between the police and the dreaded mafia in Boston.

The star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson, adds to the intensity of the film and makes it a true masterpiece of the genre. The complex plot, peppered with betrayal and intrigue, unfolds with breathtaking speed and leaves a lasting impression on the audience.

Departed is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.

6 Good Fellas – Three decades in the Mafia

And Martin Scorsese once again: his 146-minute magnum opus “Good Fellas” delivers a haunting portrait of the rise and fall of a mafia member. Captivating characters, a rousing plot and an unforgettable production make “Good Fellas” a classic that has lost none of its fascination even years after its release.

Scorsese’s astute direction and the authentic portrayal of the mafia world mercilessly captivate the viewer and allow them to experience the moral abysses of the protagonists at first hand. However, the film is not for the faint-hearted, as it contains particularly explicit depictions of violence.

Good Fellas can currently be streamed on Netflix and Amazon Prime, among others.

7th Murder on the Orient Express

Things are less gruesome in “Murder on the Orient Express”. This classic of the best crime films is based on Agatha Christie’s famous novel and presents a clever and exciting crime story that is solved by an astute detective. The impressive cast and opulent production make this film a timeless evergreen of crime entertainment that will keep viewers guessing. The complex plot, peppered with false leads and surprising twists, challenges the audience and keeps them on the edge of their seats until the very last minute.