55 Best Crime Movies Of All Time Ranked

Serving as an epilogue to the legendary "Breaking Bad" series, "El Camino" catches us up with Jesse Pinkman as he flees Todd's Brotherhood compound, where he's been held captive and forced to make meth. Blending flashbacks with the present day, we follow Pinkman as he fights to leave his dark past behind him. To put it simply, "El Camino" is fun. For those of you longing for the good ol' days of newly released "Breaking Bad" episodes, this crime gem feels warmly familiar and effortlessly great.

• Starring: Aaron Paul, Jesse Plemons, Charles Baker
• Director: Vince Gilligan
• Year: 2019
• Runtime: 123 minutes
• Rating: NR
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

The Shibatas, a struggling family in Tokyo, are barely scraping by through their life of petty theft. Incredibly, they seem happy enough — but after their young son is arrested, secrets are revealed that test the bonds of kinship and upend their low-key life. Director Kore-eda does a phenomenal job luring you into this family's life with heartfelt moments that feel like warm hugs. Then, suddenly, you're left feeling like your heart has been ripped out. "Shoplifters" is a layered and truly unique watch.

• Starring: Lily Franky, Sakura Ando, Mayu Matsuoka
• Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
• Year: 2018
• Runtime: 121 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%

At the age of 70, Forrest Tucker manages the unthinkable: He escapes from San Quentin State Prison. From there, he goes on a successful crime spree, committing various heists that oddly captivate his hostages and leave the police and Detective John Hunt utterly stumped. A witty and warm-hearted ride, you can't help but root for Tucker. Reportedly Redford's final film, "The Old Man and the Gun" proves that the actor, well into his golden years, still has that special spark on camera. It's the perfect farewell to a cinematic legend.

• Starring: Robert Redford, Sissy Spacek, Casey Affleck
• Director: David Lowery
• Year: 2018
• Runtime: 93 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

The Safdie brothers crank up the cinematic anxiety with "Good Time." Small-time crook Connie botches a bank robbery that sees his younger brother Nick arrested. As our lead struggles to save Nick (over the course of one adrenaline-packed night, no less), we see just how manipulative he is — and how badly he wants both of them to escape the law. The camerawork in this 2017 hit is jittery and claustrophobic, while Daniel Lopatin's pounding score is relentless. We dare you to find a more nail-biting heist flick than this one.

• Starring: Robert Pattinson, Benny Safdie, Jennifer Jason Leigh
• Director: Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie
• Year: 2017
• Runtime: 101 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

Based on a true story, this Austrian crime thriller follows a mass murderer just released from prison who breaks into a remote home to kill an older woman, her daughter, and her disabled son. Eerie to the core, what makes "Angst" work is its terrifyingly realistic portrayal of a home invasion. Adding to the unsettling atmosphere is Oscar-winner Zbigniew Rybczyński's unreal camerawork: "Angst" is packed with impressive point-of-view and aerial shots that'll surprise you at every twist and turn. If your stomach can handle it, it's a definite must-see.

• Starring: Erwin Leder, Silvia Ryder, Edith Rosset
• Director: Gerald Kargl
• Year: 1983
• Runtime: 83 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%

Charlie Croker is freshly released from prison — but that doesn't mean he's learned anything from his experience. In fact, he's already plotting his next big heist. After finding out his friend has failed a risky job in Italy involving the mafia, Croker takes the lead: He plans to use various vehicles to create a traffic jam, allowing him to spirit the loot out safely. But can he pull it off? Littered with irony and classic British humor, this movie is a riot. Plus, the Mini Coopers Charlie uses will leave you begging for one of your own.

• Starring: Michael Caine, Noël Coward, Benny Hill
• Director: Peter Collinson
• Year: 1969
• Runtime: 99 minutes
• Rating: G
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%

Thana is a mute seamstress working in New York's garment district. One awful day, she's sexually assaulted twice, by two different men. This leads her on a sudden, violent quest for vigilante justice. Our lead isn't out to get back at her assailants exclusively, though — she seeks revenge against all predatory men. Director Ferrara creates some lasting visuals in this one, particularly Thana's transformation from shy young woman to the sort of seductress who straps a gun to her garter belt. It can be hard to watch at times, but the visual pivot near the end is haunting and will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.

• Starring: Zoë Tamerlis, Albert Sinkys, Darlene Stuto
• Director: Abel Ferrara
• Year: 1981
• Runtime: 80 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

Elvis fanboy Clarence and sex worker Alabama strike up a whirlwind romance and get hitched. Marital bliss doesn't last long, however, after the duo accidentally steals a huge bag of cocaine from her pimp. After Alabama decides they should sell the drugs for a hefty payday, the two are suddenly on the run from a mobster and the authorities. Effortlessly charming and fun, "True Romance" is distinguished by its memorably witty dialogue. If it seems reminiscent of a Tarantino film, that's because "True Romance" was written by Tarantino: In fact, it was the first script he wrote for a major motion picture.

• Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Michael Rapaport
• Director: Tony Scott
• Year: 1993
• Runtime: 118 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

Based on the brutal novel by Bret Easton Ellis, "American Psycho" gave us the legendary character that is Patrick Bateman, a wealthy and egotistical investment banker who spends his days trying to one-up his equally successful peers. But there's a twist: By night, he's an unhinged serial killer. Oozing with slick satire, director Harron tackles misogyny and classism in such a hilarious and enthralling way, you can't help but cackle. Pay close attention to the meticulous intro scene, as it tells us everything we need to know about the personality of this obsessive psychopath.

• Starring: Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto
• Director: Mary Harron
• Year: 2000
• Runtime: 102 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69%

Littered with homages to some of the finest suspense flicks ever made, "Blow Out" follows Jack Terry, a sound-effects professional for B-grade slasher flicks. He's recording sounds for an upcoming film one evening when he suddenly hears something horrific. As Terry digs deeper, he becomes convinced he's stumbled upon a political assassination. Along with fellow eyewitness, he's dead-set on exposing the truth of this conspiracy. Drenched in paranoia, "Blow Out" is filled with voyeurism, murder, and sleaze. De Palma serves up one of the most deliciously shocking endings in crime flick history with this one, making it essential viewing.

• Starring: John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow
• Director: Brian De Palma
• Year: 1981
• Runtime: 108 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

Bowie is an innocent man wrongly convicted of murder. When he escapes prison, he goes into hiding and meets a fellow criminal's niece, Keechie, to whom he takes a liking. Because he still wants to clear his name and pay for a lawyer, Bowie agrees to participate in a robbery, which leaves him injured. As Keechie tends to his wounds, our hero yearns ever more deeply to start afresh with his love. "They Live by Night" is a beautiful film noir, with Granger doing an incredible job portraying the innocent Bowie. As he hides from the world with Keechie, it's impossible not to root for their doomed romance.

• Starring: Cathy O'Donnell, Farley Granger, Howard Da Silva
• Director: Nicholas Ray
• Year: 1948
• Runtime: 95 minutes
• Rating: NR
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

Bored of his high society life, Ferdinand (also known as Pierrot) runs away with his family's babysitter, Marianne, and subsequently falls in love. Unfortunately, his new companion just so happens to be chased by thugs. The pair is forced to steal a car and live a life on the run, eventually making their way to the Mediterranean Sea. A whimsical treat from the French New Wave movement, this film brilliantly uses primary colors in both its surroundings and the leads' costumes to convey vivid emotions. The result is a Mondrian delight.

• Starring: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Anna Karina, Graziella Galvani
• Director: Jean-Luc Godard
• Year: 1965
• Runtime: 110 minutes
• Rating: NR
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%

Flight attendant Jackie Brown smuggles cash into the country for her gunrunner boss. But when she gets caught, the cops force her to cooperate in nabbing the kingpin. However, Brown has other ideas, and soon hatches a plot to keep all the cash for herself. Filled to the brim with Tarantino's witty dialogue and a fantastic score, "Jackie Brown" is pure entertainment. The imperfection of its characters is especially well done, rendering them perfectly human.

• Starring: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert De Niro
• Director: Quentin Tarantino
• Year: 1997
• Runtime: 154 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%

Frank, a highly skilled diamond thief, longs to use the money he's made to settle down with his girlfriend. He signs up to do one final heist for Leo, an all-powerful mob boss, to ensure he has enough funds. However, Leo doesn't plan to let Frank retire so quickly. Mann showcases Chicago at its grimiest — something that's made immediately apparent in the opening few shots, which are void of words. This neon-soaked world influenced the 2010s' neon revival in a major way, so if that's a visual style you crave, this is a must-see.

• Starring: James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Willie Nelson
• Director: Michael Mann
• Year: 1981
• Runtime: 123 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

Blending the influence of American gangster films with the innovative techniques of the French New Wave movement, "Bob le Flambeur" introduces us to Bob Montagné, an expert gambler beloved by virtually everyone in town. A former criminal, Bob has traded in bank robberies for a legal career. But when his gambling luck runs dry, he decides to return to his former occupation for one last heist: Robbing the famous Deauville casino. "Bob le Flambeur" oozes stylish cool, making this one of the most elegant crime capers of all time. It also solidified Melville as a mentor for his French New Wave contemporaries.

• Starring: Roger Duchesne, Isabelle Corey, Daniel Cauchy
• Director: Jean-Pierre Melville
• Year: 1956
• Runtime: 102 minutes
• Rating: PG
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

Terrence Malick's debut classic, "Badlands" is loosely based on the lives of Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate, who went on a killing spree in America's midwest. The film follows Holly, a naïve teen who falls in love with her much-older boyfriend, Kit. On the run from authorities after Kit kills Holly's family, the pair continues their slaughter as they run through the Dakota Badlands. "Badlands" is an impressive introduction to Malick's style, especially his use of sprawling, natural landscapes as a backdrop to chilling violence.

• Starring: Martin Sheen, Sissy Spacek, Warren Oates
• Director: Terrence Malick
• Year: 1973
• Runtime: 93 minutes
• Rating: PG
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

An excellent black comedy, "Fargo" introduces us to Jerry, a sleazy car salesman freighted with debt. He hatches a plan to hire two thugs to kidnap his wife so he can collect a ransom from her wealthy father, but his ploy runs amok after a police chief begins to follow his trail. "Fargo" succeeds because it serves up a seemingly benevolent world that's actually a lot more violent than it appears. Coen skips the fancy camerawork with this one, choosing instead to put the focus on witty dialogue and delivery. This is a great choice that nabbed him and his brother Ethan an Academy Award for best writing.

• Starring: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi
• Director: Joel Coen
• Year: 1996
• Runtime: 98 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

Former white supremacist leader Derek Vinyard is released from prison after serving three years for murder. As he's reformed, he's dead-set on preventing his brother, Danny, from following in his footsteps — a path that proves difficult, as Derek's harrowing past has greatly influenced his younger sibling. "American History X" is provocative and unflinching, thanks in large part to Edward Norton's career-defining performance as Derek. He presents us with a complex character whose journey of redemption is anything but smooth.

• Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo
• Director: Tony Kaye
• Year: 1998
• Runtime: 119 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%

"Mean Streets" is the story of two men: Charlie, a small-time crook working for his uncle, and his friend Johnny Boy, a riotous man bent on causing chaos wherever he goes. Suddenly, it's up to Charlie to keep his gambling pal out of trouble. This early gem showcases Scorsese's love for Italian-American culture through amazing writing and a stellar soundtrack. Couple that with the usage of hand-held cameras and you've got a grimy and realistic portrayal of mob life in New York very much unlike the more glamorized depictions of other gangster masterpieces.

• Starring: Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, David Proval
• Director: Martin Scorsese
• Year: 1973
• Runtime: 112 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

"Bonnie and Clyde" may be one of the most influential crime flicks ever, due to the violence it portrayed while the Hays Code still ruled supreme. Thanks to this Penn-directed classic, the Motion Picture Association of America's rating guidelines were established the following year, and are still in effect today. We watch our eponymous leads as they fall in love and go on a killing spree throughout America, engaging in petty crime and bank robberies. In addition to being genuinely thrilling, "Bonnie and Clyde" was also technically innovative for its time, and still serves up one of the greatest endings in film history.

• Starring: Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard
• Director: Arthur Penn
• Year: 1967
• Runtime: 111 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%

Two detectives are tasked with investigating a series of violent murders based on the seven deadly sins in this taut thriller. The intelligent killer leads them on a journey of bloody discovery, which comes to a climax you'll never see coming. "Se7en" is bleak: The lighting is dark, the murders are stomach-churning, and the atmosphere is utterly depressing. The stars in this one are definitely the detectives; their moments of philosophical introspection offer a brief break to the horrors we watch unfold.

• Starring: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey
• Director: David Fincher
• Year: 1995
• Runtime: 127 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%

After Andy Dufresne's wife and her lover are both found dead, he's accused of a crime he didn't commit and subsequently serves a life sentence in Shawshank State Prison. Thanks to his work as a banker, he becomes an accountant for the prison's staff, silently working away while gaining the admiration of his fellow inmates. "The Shawshank Redemption" is a poignant film, examining despair, adversity, and hope. Freeman's work as Red (who offers up the film's voiceover narration) is fantastic: He observes Dufresne's heartbreaking attempts to endure both mental and physical torment with deeply-felt clarity and compassion.

• Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton
• Director: Frank Darabont
• Year: 1994
• Runtime: 142 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

Tony is a jewel thief freshly released from prison and dead-set on enacting revenge upon his ex-girlfriend, who has become romantically involved with a gangster and police informant. He starts preparing a team to rob a jewelry store, which expands to include an attempt to break into the shop's safe. Of course, things don't go according to plan. Pay attention to this stunning film's heist sequence: Void of any dialogue or music, we watch our thieves work in utter silence. It's a wonder of filmmaking that's spawned many imitators.

• Starring: Jean Servais, Carl Möhner, Robert Manuel
• Director: Jules Dassin
• Year: 1955
• Runtime: 115 minutes
• Rating: NR
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

Easily one of the most iconic and quotable crime flicks of the '90s, "Pulp Fiction" centers around three interconnecting tales: One about two hitmen working for their boss, one about a washed-up boxer and the aftermath of a fixed fight he partakes in, and one about a diner robbery. Through non-linear storytelling and overlapping plots, "Pulp Fiction" keeps audiences hooked. Its heart-stopping moments (literally) and snappy dialogue will have you howling along with these unforgettable antiheroes. Tarantino crammed countless nods to cult cinema into this popular caper, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled.

• Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman
• Director: Quentin Tarantino
• Year: 1994
• Runtime: 154 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

San Francisco detective Sam Spade becomes embroiled in a mystery after the death of his partner. Things get even more complicated with the appearance of Joel Cairo, a man on the hunt for the jewel-encrusted Maltese Falcon. "The Maltese Falcon" is essential viewing for fans of film noir: This film is packed with mysterious characters fueled by greed and violence, all hiding their intentions while pursuing the same end goal. Bogart's performance as our lead private eye deserves an ovation. This tough-guy persona would go on to reemerge in cinematic classics such as "Casablanca."

• Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre
• Director: John Huston
• Year: 1941
• Runtime: 101 minutes
• Rating: NR
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%

Young Henry Hill progresses from running small errands for a local gang to becoming a full-blown mafioso. While the half-Italian criminal struggles to find his place within the group, he still enjoys the riches of his success. After a few mishaps, however, the bond these criminals share begins to unravel. "Goodfellas" does a brilliant job of humanizing mafiosos. Although we see just how much bloodshed and extortion dominate their lives, we also see their camaraderie, thanks in large part to Scorsese's excellent (and often humorous) screenplay.

• Starring: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci
• Director: Martin Scorsese
• Year: 1990
• Runtime: 146 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

At its core, "The Godfather" is about the power struggles and loyalty that define family. In this first installment of the legendary trilogy, Don Corleone, an aging mafioso, clashes with the rest of his gang due to his wariness of pushing drugs. After barely surviving an assassination attempt — which sparks a gang war — his son, Michael, takes on the family business. "The Godfather" presents us with morally gray characters we sympathize with, due to Coppola's clever portrayal of their most intimate moments. One of the most influential films in American cinema, it's an absolute staple of the crime genre.

• Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan
• Director: Francis Ford Coppola
• Year: 1972
• Runtime: 175 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

Widely considered one of the greatest movies ever made, "Rashomon" tells a dark story of murder and rape. In the aftermath of these terrible crimes, the film explores four eyewitnesses' varying recollections of what happened. "Rashomon" still stuns with its nonlinear storytelling and vibrant flashback sequences. So iconic is this film that it sparked the phrase "the 'Rashomon' effect," which denotes an event described in vastly different ways by multiple people. It's also inspired countless other movies, books, and TV shows. In short, it's a classic among classics everyone should see.

• Starring: Toshirō Mifune, Machiko Kyō, Takashi Shimura
• Director: Akira Kurosawa
• Year: 1950
• Runtime: 88 minutes
• Rating: NR
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%