11 Best Crime Movies on Apple TV Plus 2026
Explore crime thrillers, dramas, and action picks on Apple TV Plus, including Taxi Driver, Wolfs, Sharper, and more standout titles.
If you’re searching for the best crime movies on Apple TV Plus, this lineup gives you a good mix of tense mysteries, character-driven dramas, and a few action-heavy picks. You’ll find well-known titles like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Taxi Driver, American Gangster, and Killers of the Flower Moon, alongside newer choices such as Wolfs, The Instigators, and Sharper. There’s also room for darker, stranger entries like Fallen and Highest 2 Lowest, plus the more offbeat crime-comedy angle of Outcome. Whether you want a classic, a prestige drama, or something fast-moving, these picks cover a lot of ground.
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01
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Won 1 Oscar Best Actress (2012) · 5 nominations
crime · drama · mystery & thriller
Disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist investigates the disappearance of a weary patriarch's niece from 40 years ago. He is aided by the pierced, tattooed, punk computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander. As they work together in the investigation, Blomkvist and Salander uncover immense corruption beyond anything they have ever imagined.
Why watch: If you like investigative stories with a mystery edge, this is a strong fit. Its crime, drama, and thriller mix also makes it a good choice if you want a colder, more layered watch.
Directed by David FincherCast Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård, Steven BerkoffNetflixApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
02
Taxi Driver
4 Oscar nominations Best Picture (1977)
crime · drama
Suffering from insomnia, disturbed loner Travis Bickle takes a job as a New York City cabbie, haunting the streets nightly, growing increasingly detached from reality as he dreams of cleaning up the filthy city.
Why watch: If you prefer a character study that leans into crime and drama, this is a classic pick. It suits viewers who want something intense and unsettling rather than plot-heavy.
Directed by Martin ScorseseCast Diahnne Abbott, Frank Adu, Victor Argo, Gino Ardito, Garth AveryTubiApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
03
Fallen
action · crime · drama · fantasy · mystery · thriller
Homicide detective John Hobbes witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese. Soon after the execution the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese's style.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime stories with supernatural or fantasy elements mixed in, this one stands out. The detective setup and thriller tone make it a good pick for viewers who want a darker, more unusual mystery.
Directed by Gregory HoblitCast Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, Embeth Davidtz, James GandolfiniApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
04
Outcome
comedy · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Reef Hawk, Hollywood's poster child since age six, is not okay. When he learns about an extortion plot tied to a mysterious video, Reef preemptively sets out on a redemption tour to make amends, confront his demons, and avoid getting canceled.
Why watch: If you want a crime movie with comedy mixed in, this may be the right fit. Its mystery and thriller tags suggest a less conventional story with a more offbeat tone.
Directed by Jonah HillCast Keanu Reeves, Cameron Diaz, Matt Bomer, Van Jones, Neiko NealApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
05
Wolfs
crime · thriller
Hired to cover up a high-profile crime, a fixer soon finds his night spiralling out of control when he's forced to work with an unexpected counterpart.
Why watch: If you like crime thrillers built around a high-pressure night and an unlikely partnership, this is worth a look. It should appeal to viewers who want a compact, suspenseful setup.
Directed by Jon WattsCast Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Donut McGunigleApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb →
Not quite it? Ask WattaWatch for crime on Apple TV Plus →
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06
American Gangster
2 Oscar nominations Best Supporting Actress (2008)
biography · crime · drama
Loosely based on the criminal career of Frank Lucas, a gangster from La Grange, North Carolina, who smuggled heroin into the United States on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War, before being detained by a task force led by Newark Detective Richie Roberts.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to crime dramas based on real-world criminal history, this is a natural choice. Its biography angle and task-force pursuit make it appealing for viewers who like procedural tension.
Directed by Ridley ScottCast Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, Lymari NadalApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
07
Killers of the Flower Moon
10 Oscar nominations
crime · drama · history · western
When oil is discovered in 1920s Oklahoma under Osage Nation land, the Osage people are murdered one by one—until the FBI steps in to unravel the mystery.
Why watch: If you want a crime drama with history behind it, this is one of the most serious picks here. The western element also gives it a different feel from the more urban-centered titles on the list.
Directed by Martin ScorseseCast Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, Tantoo CardinalApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
08
Highest 2 Lowest
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
When a titan music mogul, widely known as having the "best ears in the business", is targeted with a ransom plot, he is jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma.
Why watch: If you like crime stories that hinge on a high-stakes moral dilemma, this may be for you. Its mystery and thriller blend suggests a tense, decision-driven plot.
Directed by Spike LeeCast Denzel Washington, Ilfenesh Hadera, Aubrey Joseph, Jeffrey Wright, Elijah WrightApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
09
The Instigators
action · comedy · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Rory and Cobby are unlikely partners thrown together for a heist. But when it goes awry, they team up with an unusual accomplice — Rory's therapist — to outrun police, backward bureaucrats, and a vengeful crime boss.
Why watch: If you enjoy heist stories with action, comedy, and crime mixed together, this is a lively option. It looks best for viewers who want trouble, teamwork, and a chase-driven setup.
Directed by Doug LimanCast Matt Damon, Hong Chau, Jack Harlow, Michael Stuhlbarg, Alfred MolinaApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
10
Sharper
crime · drama · thriller
A small, wealthy family in New York City gets progressively torn apart by secrets, lies, and the theft that orchestrates all of it.
Why watch: If you like crime thrillers about secrets inside a wealthy family, this should fit well. It’s a strong match for viewers who want intrigue, deception, and a domestic setting.
Directed by Benjamin CaronCast Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith, Briana Middleton, John LithgowApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
11
Cherry
biography · crime · drama
Cherry drifts from college dropout to army medic in Iraq—anchored only by his one true love, Emily. But after returning from the war with PTSD, his life spirals into drugs and crime as he struggles to find his place in the world.
Why watch: If you’re interested in a crime drama with biography roots, this is a solid pick. The story’s focus on war, trauma, and a downward spiral gives it a heavy, personal angle.
Directed by Anthony Russo, Joe RussoCast Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo, Jack Reynor, Michael Rispoli, Jeff WahlbergApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This list makes it easier to narrow down a strong crime watch without sorting through every title on the platform. From grounded dramas like Cherry and American Gangster to mystery-forward picks such as Sharper and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, there’s a clear range of moods here. Bookmark this page and come back when you want a fresh option, since it’s updated regularly. That way, you can keep track of the latest crime stories worth your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need an Apple TV Plus subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Apple TV Plus. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these crime movies ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the crime titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.