20 Best Crime TV Shows on Apple TV Plus 2026
Find standout Apple TV Plus crime series, from Black Bird and Presumed Innocent to Sugar, Defending Jacob, and more mystery-packed picks.
If you’re searching for the best crime TV shows on Apple TV Plus, this list makes it easy to narrow down your next watch. It brings together tense investigations, character-driven dramas, and twisty mystery stories, from Black Bird and Presumed Innocent to Sugar, Criminal Record, and Defending Jacob. You’ll also find newer picks like Your Friends & Neighbors, Dope Thief, and Last Seen, plus limited-series options such as The Crowded Room and Shining Girls. Whether you want courtroom pressure, serial-killer suspense, or a clever procedural angle, these Apple TV Plus crime titles offer plenty of ways to scratch that itch.
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01
Last Seen
crime · drama · mystery & thriller
When emergency dispatcher Ian Ridley receives a frantic call from a teenager he believes could be his long-missing daughter, he stops at nothing to find her.
Why watch: If you like missing-person stories with a personal stake, this one may fit well. Its crime, drama, and mystery-thriller mix leans into a desperate search for answers.
Directed by Christian SchwochowCast Patrick Brammall, Maxine Peake, Carolyn Bock, Brendan Cowell, Daniel HenshallApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
02
Lucky
crime · drama · mystery & thriller
When a multi-million-dollar heist goes sideways, con artist Lucky is forced to go on the run. Pursued by both the FBI and a ruthless crime boss, Lucky must fight for her life—and a way out.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime stories about a plan going wrong and a character forced onto the run, this is a strong match. The FBI pursuit and crime-boss pressure suggest constant tension.
Directed by Jonathan van Tulleken, Jet Wilkinson, Greg YaitanesCast Anya Taylor-Joy, Annette Bening, Clifton Collins Jr., Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Timothy OlyphantApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
03
Cape Fear
crime · drama · thriller
A happily married couple faces a growing threat when a notorious killer from their past, Max Cady, is released from prison and seeks revenge.
Why watch: If revenge-driven thrillers appeal to you, this title looks worth a look. Its crime, drama, and thriller blend points to a tense family-centered showdown.
Directed by Amanda Marsalis, Jon S. Baird, S.J. Clarkson, Reed Morano, Steven PietCast Amy Adams, Javier Bardem, Patrick Wilson, Joe Anders, Lily ColliasApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
04
Your Friends & Neighbors
2 Emmy nominations Outstanding Drama Series (2026)
crime · drama
When a financial titan suddenly finds himself divorced and jobless, he starts robbing his wealthy neighbors to stay afloat. Stealing from his own social circle strangely exhilarates him—but he gradually gets tangled in a deadly web.
Why watch: If you like crime dramas about desperate choices in wealthy circles, this could be a good fit. It also sounds ideal for viewers who enjoy a lead character getting pulled deeper into trouble.
Directed by Stephanie Laing, Greg Yaitanes, Craig Gillespie, Phil Abraham, Stacie PassonCast Jon Hamm, Amanda Peet, Olivia Munn, Hoon Lee, Lena HallApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
05
Black Bird
Won 2 Emmys Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (2023) · 4 nominations
biography · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
As Jimmy Keene begins a 10-year prison sentence, he gets an incredible offer: If he can elicit a confession from suspected killer Larry Hall, Jimmy will be freed. Completing this mission becomes the challenge of a lifetime.
Why watch: If you want a true-crime-inspired drama with a serious investigation at its center, this is one of the strongest options here. Its biography, crime, and thriller elements should suit viewers who like high-stakes prison-set pressure.
Directed by Michaël R. Roskam, Joe Chappelle, Jim McKayCast Taron Egerton, Paul Walter Hauser, Sepideh Moafi, Greg Kinnear, Ray LiottaApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb →
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06
Sugar
1 Emmy nomination
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
An enigmatic private detective struggles with personal demons as he investigates the disappearance of a Hollywood producer's beloved granddaughter.
Why watch: If you prefer a detective story with a moody mystery at its core, this one stands out. The private-investigator setup and personal-demons angle should appeal to fans of slower-burn crime dramas.
Directed by Fernando Meirelles, Adam Arkin, Michael Morris, Adam Bernstein, Amat EscalanteCast Colin Farrell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, James Cromwell, Amy Ryan, Dennis BoutsikarisApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
07
The Crowded Room
biography · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
In 1979 Manhattan, a young man is arrested for a shocking crime — and an unlikely investigator must solve the mystery behind it.
Why watch: If courtroom-adjacent crime stories with a mystery backbone appeal to you, this is a solid pick. The 1979 Manhattan setting and arrest-driven premise suggest a focused, character-heavy watch.
Directed by Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold, Kornél Mundruczó, Alan TaylorCast Tom Holland, Amanda Seyfried, Sasha Lane, Will Chase, Lior RazApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
08
Criminal Record
crime · drama · thriller
In the heart of London, an anonymous phone call draws two brilliant detectives—a young woman in the early stages of her career and a well-connected man determined to protect his legacy—into a fight to correct an old miscarriage of justice.
Why watch: If you enjoy detective stories centered on justice and old cases, this looks like a strong choice. Its setup suggests a serious crime drama with a moral conflict at the center.
Directed by Shaun James Grant, Jim Loach, Joelle Mae David, Ben A. WilliamsCast Peter Capaldi, Cush Jumbo, Shaun Dooley, Stephen Campbell Moore, Jordan A. NashApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
09
Presumed Innocent
4 Emmy nominations Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (2025)
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
A horrific murder upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney's Office when one of its own is suspected of the crime—leaving the accused fighting to keep his family together.
Why watch: If you like legal thrillers where the accusation lands close to home, this title fits that lane well. The murder case and family pressure give it a strong mystery-drama pull.
Directed by Greg Yaitanes, Anne Sewitsky, Laure de Clermont-TonnerreCast Jake Gyllenhaal, Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, O-T Fagbenle, Chase InfinitiApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
10
Defending Jacob
2 Emmy nominations
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
A family's lives are irreparably disrupted when the 14-year-old son is accused of murdering a fellow classmate.
Why watch: If family drama under the shadow of a murder accusation sounds compelling, this is a natural pick. It blends crime, mystery, and thriller elements in a way that should work for viewers who like tense domestic stories.
Directed by Morten TyldumCast Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Jaeden Martell, Cherry Jones, Pablo SchreiberApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
11
Women in Blue
crime · drama
In 1971, four women defy convention and join Mexico's first female police force, only to discover it's a publicity stunt to distract the media from a serial killer. As the body count grows, they make a pact to bring the killer to justice.
Why watch: If you want a crime drama with a period setting and a team-based angle, this may be for you. The story of four women pushing back against a serial killer gives it a determined, procedural feel.
Directed by Fernando Rovzar, J.M Cravioto, Alfonso Pineda Ulloa, Sara SeligmanCast Bárbara Mori, Ximena Sariñana, Miguel Rodarte, Natalia Téllez, Amorita RasgadoApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
12
Shining Girls
crime · drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
Years after a brutal attack left her in a constantly shifting reality, Kirby Mazrachi learns that a recent murder is linked to her assault. She teams with veteran reporter Dan Velazquez to understand her ever-changing present—and confront her past.
Why watch: If you like crime stories that mix mystery with unusual ideas, this title stands out. Its sci-fi element and shifting-reality premise make it a good fit for viewers who want something less traditional.
Directed by Daina Reid, Michelle MacLaren, Elisabeth MossCast Elisabeth Moss, Wagner Moura, Phillipa Soo, Chris Chalk, Amy BrennemanApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
13
Tehran
action · crime · drama · thriller
Tamar is a Mossad hacker-agent who infiltrates Tehran under a false identity to help destroy Iran's nuclear reactor. But when her mission fails, Tamar must plan an operation that will place everyone dear to her in jeopardy.
Why watch: If you enjoy espionage mixed with crime and thriller tension, this is a strong option. Its action-driven setup and undercover mission should appeal to fans of international stakes.
Directed by Daniel SyrkinCast Niv Sultan, Shaun Toub, Shila Ommi, Shervin Alenabi, Sarah von SchwarzeApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
14
The Afterparty
comedy · crime · mystery
Nothing is as it seems in this hilarious murder mystery where each suspect's story is told through a different film genre.
Why watch: If you like murder mysteries with a lighter tone, this could be a great fit. The genre-hopping storytelling makes it especially appealing for viewers who want something playful but still twisty.
Directed by Christopher Miller, Anu Valia, Eric Appel, Tamra Davis, Peter AtencioCast Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson, Zoë Chao, John Cho, Paul Walter HauserApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
15
Unconditional
crime · drama · mystery & thriller
A mother's vacation with her daughter becomes a nightmare when Gali, 25, is arrested for drug smuggling in Moscow. Orna's battle to prove her daughter's innocence entangles her in a dangerous world of crime.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to crime stories built around a parent’s fight to clear a loved one, this one may interest you. The mystery-thriller framing suggests a tense, emotional watch.
Directed by Johnathan GurfinkelCast Liraz Chamami, Talia Lynne Ronn, Evgenia Dodina, Leib Levin, Vladimir FriedmanApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
16
Twisted Yoga
documentary · crime
Ex-members of a tantric yoga school speak out about how they went from searching for wellness and community to fearing they'd joined a cult, and seeking justice for alleged abuse and manipulation at the hands of a self-styled guru.
Why watch: If you prefer real-world crime documentaries, this title may be the right match. Its focus on alleged abuse, manipulation, and justice gives it a serious investigative angle.
Directed by Rowan Deacon, Lily FletcherCast Gregorian BivolaruApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
17
Hollywood Con Queen
documentary · crime
Exploring the story of an international con artist impersonating the industry's most powerful women; based on the original reporting of veteran investigative journalist Scott Johnson for the Hollywood Reporter.
Why watch: If you enjoy documentary crime stories about elaborate scams, this is a natural pick. It centers on an international con artist, so viewers who like reporting-driven true crime should find it interesting.
Directed by Chris SmithApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
18
Dope Thief
1 Emmy nomination Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (2025)
crime · drama
Two lifelong friends in Philadelphia pose as DEA agents to rob small-time drug dealers. It's a perfect grift—until they choose the wrong mark and become targets of a massive narcotics enterprise.
Why watch: If you like crime dramas about a scheme that spirals out of control, this one should be on your list. The friends-to-targets setup gives it a high-pressure, morally messy edge.
Directed by Marcela Said, Jonathan van Tulleken, Peter Craig, Tanya Hamilton, Ridley ScottCast Brian Tyree Henry, Wagner Moura, Marin Ireland, Amir Arison, Nesta CooperApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
19
Smoke
1 Emmy nomination
drama · crime
A troubled detective and an enigmatic arson investigator pursue the trails of two serial arsonists.
Why watch: If you’re in the mood for a darker crime drama, this title is likely to fit. The detective and arson-investigator pairing points to a procedural with a bleak, investigative mood.
Directed by Joe Chappelle, Jim McKay, Kari SkoglandCast Taron Egerton, Jurnee Smollett, Rafe Spall, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Hannah Emily AndersonApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
20
Truth Be Told
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Descend into the world of true-crime podcasts with Poppy Parnell, who risks everything—including her life—to pursue truth and justice.
Why watch: If true-crime podcasts and investigative drama are your thing, this is an easy recommendation. It should appeal to viewers who like stories about truth-seeking and justice.
Directed by Mikkel Nørgaard, Frederick E.O. Toye, Rosemary Rodriguez, Sarah Pia Anderson, Nelson CraggCast Octavia Spencer, Mekhi Phifer, Ron Cephas Jones, Tracie Thoms, Haneefah WoodApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
From high-stakes investigations to stories about grief, guilt, and survival, this roundup gives you a wide view of the platform’s crime and thriller options. Use it to find something that matches your mood, whether you want a procedural, a psychological mystery, or a darker drama. Bookmark this page and come back when you’re ready for another pick, because it’s updated regularly as more titles are added and ratings shift over 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 shows 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.