The best crime series on Netflix, Amazon Prime & Co. at a glance

Crime series – both in novel form and as films – are by far the most widely consumed stories. The flood of productions in this genre is unmissable and continues unabated – but which ones should you definitely watch? Here we try to give you an overview of the best crime series on Netflix, Amazon Prime & Co.

What is a crime series?

Crime series are TV or web series that deal with the depiction of criminal cases and their investigation. They can be dramas, thrillers, action films or comedies and focus on police work (e.g. “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”), forensic medical investigations (e.g. “Bones”) or individual detective work (e.g. “Sherlock Holmes”).

Crime series are usually structured in such a way that each case is solved within one episode. Some series also have a continuous plot in which the criminal cases extend over several episodes or entire seasons.

The great success of crime series is primarily based on the suspense of the puzzles that need to be solved. They offer viewers the opportunity to help guess the answers to the puzzles – making them ideal for all crime and puzzle fans to pass the time until their next visit to Escape Room Hamburg.

The best crime series: Which 7 must-sees?

1. the bridge

Speaking of bridging: The Öresund Bridge between the Swedish city of Malmö and the Danish capital Copenhagen is the setting for this – in every respect extraordinary – Scandinavian crime series.

It is about the cooperation between the two cities’ criminal investigation departments and also involves the private life of Swedish detective Saga Norén, who unintentionally offends many people with her slightly autistic behavior and the absolute honesty that comes with it.

Excellently acted and excitingly told – an absolute must for crime thriller fans. The story has already been remade several times in other countries. The highly successful German-language series “Der Pass” is also based on this original.

• Streaming service: Netflix
• Seasons: 1 to 3 with 10 episodes each and season 4 with 8 episodes
• Duration: approx. 60 min per episode

2. Better Call Saul

Anyone still suffering from withdrawal symptoms from the series “Breaking Bad” will find relief in “Better Call Saul”. In this prequel to the hit series, you can find out how the eponymous lawyer with all the tricks of the trade started his career before he met Walter White, how James McGill became Saul Goodman and how he fared after the Breaking Bad storyline ended. The narrative focuses primarily on Jimmy’s transformation from a small-time lawyer to a corrupt criminal defense attorney.

The series also sheds light on his complicated relationship with his older brother Charles, a renowned lawyer who suffers from self-diagnosed electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Overall, the series impresses with its actors, subtle humor and the wacky ideas of the clever protagonist.

• Streaming service: Netflix
• Seasons: 1 to 5 with 10 episodes each and season 6 with 13 episodes
• Duration: approx. 50 min per episode

3. the rookie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HgC1TN8FVk&t=13s

“The Rookie” is an American television series that revolves around the main character John Nolan, a 40-year-old man who decides to change his life and join the Los Angeles Police Department. The role of the older rookie Nolan is embodied by Canadian actor Nathan Fillion, who many viewers already know from the crime series “Castle”, which is also well worth watching.

“The Rookie” follows Nolan’s personal development as well as the cases he is involved in. He works closely with his instructor Angela Lopez and experienced detective Tim Bradford, who help him find his way in the police force. The series features a mix of action, drama and humor. It explores themes of courage, perseverance and the ability to learn and adapt.

• Streaming service: Netflix
• Seasons 1 and 2 with 20 episodes each and season 3 with 14 episodes
• Duration: approx. 40 min per episode

4. fargo

Inspired by the Coen brothers’ film of the same name, this anthology series presents a new story each time with unforgettable characters and criminal events in the snowy and seemingly peaceful town of Fargo, North Dakota.

The crime series is characterized by black humour, unusual characters and a mixture of crime, suspense and drama. Each season of “Fargo” presents a new cast of characters and tells an independent, self-contained story with different crimes, intrigues and moral conflicts.

“Fargo” has received rave reviews from critics and viewers alike and has been praised for its outstanding acting performances, intelligently written script and atmospheric production. The series has won several awards, including Emmys and Golden Globes, and is considered by many to be one of the best television series of recent years.

• Streaming service: Amazon Prime
• Seasons: 1 to 5 with 10 episodes each and season 6 with 13 episodes
• Duration: approx. 50 minutes per episode

5 The Sinner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEfnpFuzxnE

“The Sinner” is an American crime series based on the novel of the same name by Petra Hammesfahr. Each season tells a stand-alone story that revolves around a single murder case and uncovers the background to the crime.

The series focuses less on the question “Who did it?” and more on the motive and psychological basis of the crime. Each season begins with a seemingly ordinary person who commits a crime unexpectedly and seemingly without reason. An investigator is assigned to uncover the truth and discover the perpetrator’s motives.
During the investigation, dark secrets, traumatic events and deep-rooted psychological abysses are revealed. The series explores the complexity of human nature and poses questions about guilt, forgiveness, identity and morality.

“The Sinner” is characterized by its suspenseful and mysterious atmosphere, which makes the viewer guess along with the characters and uncover their innermost secrets.

• Streaming service: Netflix
• Seasons: 4 with 8 episodes each
• Duration: approx. 50 min per episode

6 Peaky Blinders

“Peaky Blinders” is a British crime series set in the early 20th century in Birmingham, England. The series follows the fictional Shelby family, who lead a feared crime syndicate called the Peaky Blinders.

The crime series centers on Tommy Shelby, the ambitious and charismatic leader of the Peaky Blinders. Tommy and his brothers are involved in protection rackets, gambling and smuggling, fighting against rival gangs and trying to expand their influence in the underworld.

At the same time, political events of the time such as the First World War, the Irish independence movement and the economic recession in the United Kingdom are addressed. The series vividly portrays the social and political atmosphere of post-industrial Birmingham. The mood of the series is reminiscent of a western and the fight scenes are reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino in their aesthetic.

• Streaming service: Netflix
• Seasons: 6 with 6 episodes each
• Duration: approx. 55 min per episode

7. bosch

“Bosch” is an American crime series based on the novels by Michael Connelly. It follows the eponymous main character, Harry Bosch, a tenacious and uncompromising police officer from the Los Angeles Police Department.

The series begins with Bosch investigating a murder case in which a boy has been killed. While investigating the case, he comes across corruption and intrigue within the LAPD. Bosch is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means going against his own colleagues.

Over the course of the series, Bosch investigates various crimes, including murders, kidnappings and drug offenses. He fights not only against the criminals, but also against the bureaucracy and political obstacles in the LAPD. Alongside his professional challenges, Bosch also has to battle personal demons. He has a difficult past and is haunted by memories of his time as a soldier in the Iraq war.

“Bosch” is known for its realistic and gritty tone as well as complex storylines and characters. The series often poses moral questions and explores themes such as justice, loyalty and personal responsibility.

• Streaming service: Amazon Prime
• Seasons: 1 to 6 with 10 episodes each
• Duration: approx. 50 min per episode

The best German crime series: 3 podium places

German crime series #1: The Passport

“Der Pass” is a German crime series based on the aforementioned Scandinavian series “The Bridge”. It tells the story of a mysterious series of murders that shakes up the German-Austrian border.

The plot revolves around a gruesome discovery: the body of a man is placed right on the border between Germany and Austria, requiring the cooperation of the two police forces. Two investigators, Austrian detective Ellie Stocker and German detective Gedeon Winter, must overcome their differences and work together to stop the brutal serial killer.

“The Pass” is characterized by its dark atmosphere, complex characters and a captivating plot. The series explores themes such as identity, prejudice and the limits of the human mind. With high-quality production and intense suspense, “The Pass” offers a gripping crime thriller experience that will appeal to fans of the genre as well as lovers of psychological thrillers.

• Streaming service: Sky
• Seasons: 2 with 8 episodes each, season 3 recently started
• Duration: approx. 55 min per episode

German crime series #2: Babylon Berlin

The German crime series offers a fascinating insight into the Berlin of the Weimar Republic with its cultural heyday, nightlife, social tensions and looming political uncertainty.

In 1929, Gereon Rath is transferred from Cologne to Berlin to work on an explosive case. In the pulsating metropolis, he is confronted with corruption, political intrigue and the rise of organized crime. Rath becomes involved in a series of murders that lead him into the dark and dangerous side of Berlin’s underworld. As he tries to solve the crimes, he stumbles upon a network of drug smuggling, political conspiracies and sexual slave trade.

Alongside the criminal cases, Rath struggles with his own personal demons and secrets. He suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder due to his experiences in the First World War and is obsessed with keeping his past a secret. “Babylon Berlin” received international acclaim for its lavish production, detailed depiction of the historical context and complex interplay of crime, drama and political thriller.

• Streaming service: Sky, Apple TV, Magenta TV, Google Play
• Seasons: 2 with 10 episodes each, season 3 with 12 episodes
• Duration: approx. 50 min per episode

German crime series #3: The Eberhofer thrillers

The “Eberhofer crime series” is a popular book and film series set in Niederkaltenkirchen, a Bavarian village. Originally planned as a TV series, the films were so well received that they are now always released in cinemas first. The protagonist Franz Eberhofer is a police officer transferred to the provinces who solves quirky criminal cases with stoic calm and Bavarian charm and humor.

He lives with his father, a retired old hippie who smokes pot, on the farm of his clever, seemingly hearing-impaired grandmother. Franz has a long-term relationship with Susi, the municipal secretary, which is always fraught with difficulties.

He is supported in his investigations by his close friend Rudi Birkenberger, a former colleague of Franz’s who tries to keep his head above water with various jobs in the security industry. Excellently cast and acted and extremely amusing!

The series ranges from “Dampfnudelblues” and “Guglhupfgeschwader” to “Rehragout-Rendezvous”, which can be visually consumed at the cinema in August 2023.

• Streaming service: Netflix
• Films: Currently 6th film 7 in theaters from August
• Duration: 90 min per movie

Conclusion: Experience crime series even more excitingly in OPOLUM

Here we have introduced you to what we think are the best crime series – both internationally and especially from Germany: perfect if you want to think along, but otherwise don’t want to move much. But if you want to be part of an exciting crime story yourself, in which you search for and combine important clues as an investigator, then a visit to OPOLUM is always the right place for you.

The dedicated and creative team regularly produces new and exciting escape room stories, which can be experienced particularly intensively thanks to the use of actors.