15 True Crime Movies Worth Watching

If you're anything like me, you find it irresistibly thrilling watching a crime film knowing it actually happened. It’s the voyeuristic allure of watching power plays unfold, the sheer audacity of real-life hustlers, and the stomach-knotting tension of knowing that, for some, the stakes weren’t just a cinematic plot device—they were life and death.

But the best true crime films don't just document what happened; they revel in the madness, the audacity, the sheer, unhinged nerve of it all. Real crime stories are messy, and they leave you with this uncomfortable knowledge that humans being sometimes can also be capable of horrible and distasteful things (remember the Jeffrey Dahmer show, anyone?).

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From the unchecked hedonism of The Wolf of Wall Street to the brutal precision of Goodfellas, these films capture the truth—the real, ugly, fascinating truth—and wrap it in a world of suits, crime, and broken moral compasses.

True Crime Movies

Here are some of the best true crime films ever made.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Who knew fraud could look this damn good? Steven Spielberg’s cat-and-mouse chase follows the impossibly charming Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he scams his way through fake identities, bogus checks, and first-class flights. Tom Hanks plays the relentless FBI agent trying to catch him, but let’s be honest—half the fun is rooting for the con man. With a mix of wit and a healthy dose of ‘60s nostalgia, this is true crime at its most entertaining.

Zodiac (2007)

David Fincher’s slow-burn masterpiece immerses you in the paranoia and obsession that gripped California in the ‘60s and ‘70s while the police hunted for the real Zodiac Killer. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist-turned-detective who gets sucked into the mystery, while Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey Jr. round out an all-star cast. The real horror though is that the case still remains unsolved, leaving you with a lingering sense of unease long after the credits roll.

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Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Martin Scorsese isn’t just telling a crime story here—he’s telling America’s crime story. Based on the Osage murders of the 1920s, the film lays bare the ruthless greed that led to the systematic killing of Native Americans for their oil-rich land. Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone deliver powerhouse performances, but it’s the film’s eerie, slow-building tension that leaves you stunned.

The Irishman (2019)

Scorsese assembles the old guard—De Niro, Pacino, Pesci—for this sprawling tale of hitman Frank Sheeran’s (De Niro) deep ties to the Bufalino crime family and Teamster boss Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino). It’s three and a half hours long, but you won’t notice. The film’s last act, a quiet reckoning with a life spent in crime, hits harder than any gunshot.

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The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

Courtroom dramas can be dry, but Aaron Sorkin’s whip-smart writing makes this one electric. The film recreates the infamous 1969 trial of anti-Vietnam War protestors, balancing legal maneuvering with moments of dark humour. Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Jeremy Strong shine as radical activists, while the script’s razor-sharp dialogue keeps the tension crackling. This movie will leave you thinking long after it's over.

The Big Short (2015)

It takes a special kind of film to make subprime mortgages exciting. Adam McKay’s dramedy about the 2008 financial crisis does just that, blending absurd humour with cold, infuriating truth. Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt play the financial outsiders who saw the crash coming—and bet against it. It’s true crime, Wall Street style: slick, cynical, and utterly compelling.

All Good Things (2010)

Before The Jinx exposed Robert Durst’s crimes, this eerie thriller starring Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst explored the story of his missing wife. Durst himself later called the director to discuss it—a move that led to his eventual conviction. That’s the kind of real-life twist no screenwriter could invent.

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BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Only Spike Lee could turn an undercover sting on the KKK into something so darkly hilarious yet deeply unsettling. John David Washington stars as a Black police officer who infiltrates the Klan in the ‘70s, with Adam Driver as his stand-in for in-person meetings. It’s satire, thriller, and social commentary all rolled into one.

Spotlight (2015)

This movie is investigative journalism at its finest. This gripping drama follows The Boston Globe’s relentless pursuit of the Catholic Church’s sex abuse scandal, exposing the shocking extent of institutional cover-ups. This movie is just pure journalistic doggedness. Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, and Rachel McAdams bring quiet intensity to a story that needed to be told.

All the President’s Men (1976)

This is the gold standard for political thrillers. Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman play the Washington Post journalists who cracked Watergate wide open.. No frills, no theatrics—just two men following the money, and in doing so, taking down a presidency (that's badass, no?).

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The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Not everyone realizes this, but The Wolf of Wall Street is based on a true story, taking inspiration from Jordan Belfort’s memoir of the same name. Belfort, a stockbroker turned scam artist, was convicted of fraud for manipulating the stock market and running a penny-stock scam. Leonardo DiCaprio brings an electrifying performance to the role, making what would otherwise be a straightforward crime drama into a darkly comedic rollercoaster of excess, greed, and debauchery. Wild and fun, the film is packed with classic Scorsese tropes and remains a must-watch for those who love financial crimes.

Bonnie & Clyde (1967)

One of the most famous crime films of all time, Bonnie & Clyde follows the legendary criminal couple Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway) and Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty) as they rob banks and evade the law across Depression-era America. The film masterfully captures the romanticized outlaw lifestyle while also portraying their violent downfall with startling accuracy. It remains a landmark in Hollywood cinema, known for its bold storytelling and influence on the crime genre.

Goodfellas (1990)

Often regarded as one of the greatest mob movies ever made, Goodfellas tells the true story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), a small-time gangster who rises through the ranks of the mafia, only to become an informant for the FBI. Based on Nicholas Pileggi’s book "Wiseguy", the film delivers outstanding dialogue, unforgettable performances from Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, and a look at the rise and fall of a mobster.

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Captain Phillips (2013)

This intense thriller recounts the 2009 hijacking of the U.S. cargo ship Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates. Tom Hanks delivers a gripping performance as Captain Richard Phillips, who is taken hostage by the pirates and forced into a high-stakes survival situation. The film is based on Phillips’ memoir "A Captain’s Duty", offering a tense and realistic portrayal of modern piracy.

House of Gucci (2021)

Luxury, power, and murder collide in House of Gucci, the scandalous true story of Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), who marries into the iconic Gucci fashion dynasty before orchestrating the assassination of her husband, Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver). Based on Sara Gay Forden’s book "The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed", the film delves into the dark side of high fashion.