20 Best Crime TV Shows on Max 2026
Explore Max’s top crime series, from The Wire and The Sopranos to Mare of Easttown, True Detective, The Penguin, and more.
If you’re searching for the best crime TV shows on Max, this lineup gives you a strong mix of classic essentials, modern hits, and newer series worth knowing about. Start with heavyweights like The Wire, The Sopranos, and True Detective, then branch out to tense small-town mysteries such as Mare of Easttown, Blue Lights, and The Night Of. If you want something darker or more stylized, The Penguin, Banshee, Barry, and The Outsider each bring a different angle to crime storytelling. There’s also room here for genre blends like Batman: The Animated Series, Peacemaker, and Lanterns, which fold crime into action, drama, and science-fiction.
-
01
Lanterns
action & adventure · crime · drama · mystery & thriller · science-fiction
Two intergalactic cops, new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, are drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
Why watch: If you like crime stories that mix mystery with action and science-fiction, this one stands out for pairing an Earth-based murder investigation with intergalactic cops. It may appeal most if you want a genre blend rather than a straight police procedural.
Directed by James Hawes, Geeta Vasant Patel, Alik Sakharov, Stephen WilliamsCast Aaron Pierre, Kyle Chandler, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna JagannathanMaxMore details on IMDb → -
02
True Detective
Won 6 Emmys Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (2014) · 41 nominations
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
An American anthology police detective series utilizing multiple timelines in which investigations seem to unearth personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within or outside the law.
Why watch: If you enjoy layered investigations that move across timelines and gradually expose personal secrets, this is a strong fit. Its crime, drama, mystery, and thriller mix makes it ideal for viewers who like puzzle-box storytelling.
Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, Issa López, Daniel Sackheim, John Crowley, Justin LinCast Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, Mahershala Ali, Woody Harrelson, Rachel McAdamsMaxMore details on IMDb → -
03
The Wire
2 Emmy nominations 2x Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
crime · drama · thriller
Told from the points of view of both the Baltimore homicide and narcotics detectives and their targets, the series captures a universe in which the national war on drugs has become a permanent, self-sustaining bureaucracy, and distinctions between good and evil are routinely obliterated.
Why watch: If you want a landmark crime drama with a realistic look at police work and the drug trade, this is one of the most essential picks here. It suits viewers who prefer detail, social tension, and a large-scale story world.
Directed by Joe Chappelle, Ernest Dickerson, Clark Johnson, Ed Bianchi, Steve ShillCast Dominic West, John Doman, Dede Lovejoy, Wendell Pierce, Lance ReddickMaxMore details on IMDb → -
04
Batman: The Animated Series
Won 1 Emmy
animation · action · adventure · crime · family · mystery · sci-fi
Vowing to avenge the murder of his parents, Bruce Wayne devotes his life to wiping out crime in Gotham City as the masked vigilante "Batman".
Why watch: If you’re open to crime stories in animated form, this is a great choice for its mix of action, mystery, and family-friendly appeal. It’s especially good for viewers who want Batman in a classic series format.
Directed by Kevin Altieri, Boyd Kirkland, Frank Paur, Dan Riba, Dick SebastCast Kevin Conroy, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Bob Hastings, Loren Lester, Robert CostanzoAmazon Prime VideoMaxMore details on IMDb → -
05
Blue Lights
Won 1 BAFTA TV Award 4 nominations
crime · drama · mystery & thriller
Follows rookie police officers working in Belfast, a city in which being a frontline response cop comes with unique pressures and dangers.
Why watch: If you like crime dramas centered on rookie police officers and the pressures of frontline work, this one should be on your list. Its Belfast setting gives it a focused, grounded angle.
Directed by Gilles Bannier, Jack Casey, Angela Griffin, Declan Lawn, Adam PattersonCast Sian Brooke, Katherine Devlin, Nathan Braniff, Martin McCann, Andi OshoAmazon Prime VideoMaxMore details on IMDb →
Not quite it? Ask WattaWatch for crime on Max →
-
06
Peacemaker
2 Emmy nominations
action · adventure · comedy · crime · drama · fantasy · sci-fi
The continuing story of Peacemaker, a vainglorious superhero/supervillain who believes in peace at any cost — no matter how many people he has to kill. After a miraculous recovery from his duel with Bloodsport, Peacemaker soon discovers that his freedom comes at a price.
Why watch: If you want crime with comedy, action, and superhero energy, this is a fun pick. It works best for viewers who don’t mind a story that mixes violent stakes with a lighter tone.
Directed by James Gunn, Alethea Jones, Greg Mottola, Brad Anderson, Jody HillCast John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve AgeeMaxMore details on IMDb → -
07
The Sopranos
Won 21 Emmys Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (2007) · 111 nominations
crime · drama
The story of New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads. Those difficulties are often highlighted through his ongoing professional relationship with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi. The show features Tony's family members and Mafia associates in prominent roles and story arcs, most notably his wife Carmela and his cousin and protégé Christopher Moltisanti.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to crime dramas about mob life and family conflict, this is an obvious choice. It’s a strong match for viewers who want character-driven storytelling with organized crime at the center.
Directed by Timothy Van Patten, John Patterson, Allen Coulter, Alan Taylor, Henry BronchteinCast James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, Dominic ChianeseMaxMore details on IMDb → -
08
Banshee
Won 1 Emmy
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Banshee is an American drama television series set in a small town in Pennsylvania Amish country and features an enigmatic ex-con posing as a murdered sheriff who imposes his own brand of justice while also cooking up plans that serve his own interests.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime shows about an outsider taking on a town’s power structure, this one fits well. Its action, mystery, and thriller elements give it a gritty, high-pressure feel.
Directed by Ole Christian Madsen, Greg Yaitanes, Loni Peristere, S.J. Clarkson, Miguel SapochnikCast Antony Starr, Ivana Milicevic, Ulrich Thomsen, Frankie Faison, Matt ServittoMaxMore details on IMDb → -
09
Big Little Lies
Won 8 Emmys 2x Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series · 21 nominations
crime · drama · mystery
The tale of three mothers of first graders whose apparently perfect lives unravel to the point of murder.
Why watch: If you like domestic dramas where everyday life slowly turns into a murder mystery, this is a good pick. It suits viewers who enjoy crime stories built around friendships, family, and secrets.
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, Andrea ArnoldCast Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, Laura DernMaxMore details on IMDb → -
10
The Penguin
Won 9 Emmys Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (2025) · 24 nominations
crime · drama
With the city in peril following the seawall's collapse, Oswald "Oz" Cobb seeks to fill the power vacuum left by the death of Carmine Falcone and finally give his mother Francis the life he's always promised. But first, Oz must confront his enemies and his own demoralizing reputation as "the Penguin."
Why watch: If you want a crime drama focused on power, survival, and a city in crisis, this is a strong option. It should appeal most to viewers who like character-driven stories centered on criminal ambition.
Directed by Craig Zobel, Kevin Bray, Helen Shaver, Jennifer GetzingerCast Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O'Connell, Carmen EjogoMaxMore details on IMDb → -
11
Barry
Won 10 Emmys 2x Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series · 54 nominations
action · comedy · crime · drama
A listless hitman is enthralled by theatre acting and becomes eager to leave his old life behind in pursuit of a new career.
Why watch: If you like crime stories that also lean into comedy and personal reinvention, this is a smart pick. It’s especially suited to viewers who want a hitman premise with an unexpected creative twist.
Directed by Bill Hader, Alec Berg, Hiro Murai, Maggie Carey, Liza JohnsonCast Bill Hader, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, Anthony Carrigan, Henry WinklerMaxMore details on IMDb → -
12
Zmora
crime · drama
Kama returns to her hometown and gets entangled in an old missing case. Family secrets, passions and crime reveal that the past never falls silent.
Why watch: If you prefer crime dramas built around family secrets and a missing-person mystery, this may be a fit. Its focus on the past resurfacing makes it appealing for viewers who like emotional tension over spectacle.
Directed by Lukasz JaworskiCast Magdalena Cielecka, Piotr Zurawski, Lukasz Simlat, Piotr Glowacki, Dorota KolakMaxMore details on IMDb → -
13
Task
Won 1 Emmy Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (2026) · 6 nominations
crime · drama
In the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia, an FBI agent heads a task force assembled to put an end to a string of violent robberies led by an unsuspecting family man.
Why watch: If you enjoy task-force stories about organized law enforcement facing violent robberies, this one should fit your taste. It’s a solid choice for viewers who like grounded crime drama with an FBI angle.
Directed by Jeremiah Zagar, Salli Richardson-WhitfieldCast Mark Ruffalo, Silvia Dionicio, Emilia Jones, Fabien Frankel, Thuso MbeduMaxMore details on IMDb → -
14
The Outsider
1 Emmy nomination
crime · drama · horror · mystery · thriller
When an insidious supernatural force edges its way into a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a young boy, it leads a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to question everything they believe in.
Why watch: If you want crime mixed with horror and supernatural unease, this is a strong candidate. It’s best for viewers who like investigations that become more unsettling as they unfold.
Directed by Andrew Bernstein, Jason Bateman, Charlotte Brändström, J.D. Dillard, Karyn KusamaCast Ben Mendelsohn, Bill Camp, Jeremy Bobb, Mare Winningham, Paddy ConsidineMaxMore details on IMDb → -
15
The Night Of
Won 5 Emmys 13 nominations
crime · drama · mystery
After a night of partying with a female stranger, a man wakes up to find her stabbed to death and is charged with her murder.
Why watch: If you like crime mysteries built around a single night gone wrong and a legal nightmare that follows, this is worth a look. It should appeal to viewers who enjoy tense, uncertain storytelling.
Directed by Steven Zaillian, James MarshCast John Turturro, Riz Ahmed, Bill Camp, Payman Maadi, Jeannie BerlinMaxMore details on IMDb → -
16
Deadwood
Won 8 Emmys Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (2004) · 28 nominations
crime · drama · history · western
The story of the early days of Deadwood, South Dakota; woven around actual historic events with most of the main characters based on real people. Deadwood starts as a gold mining camp and gradually turns from a lawless wild-west community into an organized wild-west civilized town. The story focuses on the real-life characters Seth Bullock and Al Swearengen.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime stories set in a lawless frontier town, this western-drama blend is a great match. It’s a strong pick for viewers who like power struggles and early frontier history in one package.
Directed by Ed Bianchi, Daniel Minahan, Davis Guggenheim, Gregg Fienberg, Mark TinkerCast Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, Brad Dourif, W. Earl BrownMaxMore details on IMDb → -
17
Mare of Easttown
Won 4 Emmys Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (2021) · 16 nominations
crime · drama · mystery
A detective in a small Pennsylvania town investigates a local murder while trying to keep her life from falling apart.
Why watch: If you like small-town detective stories with a personal side, this is one of the best fits here. It combines crime, drama, and mystery in a way that should appeal to viewers who want character first and case second.
Directed by Craig ZobelCast Kate Winslet, Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart, Angourie Rice, John Douglas ThompsonMaxMore details on IMDb → -
18
The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst
Won 2 Emmys 9 nominations
documentary · biography · crime · mystery
Robert Durst, scion of NY's billionaire real-estate family, has been accused of three murders but has evaded justice for over 30 years. Durst speaks in this true crime series, revealing secrets of a case that has baffled authorities.
Why watch: If you’re interested in true crime documentaries with a mystery angle, this is a compelling choice. It may especially appeal if you want a series built around an infamous case and the subject speaking directly on camera.
Directed by Andrew JareckiCast Deirdre Roberts, Paul Blumenthal, Gary Napoli, Brad Blumenthal, Michael Simon HallMaxMore details on IMDb → -
19
4 Blocks Zero
crime · drama
The prequel to the award-winning gangster drama ‘4 Blocks’ tells the story of the Hamadys in 1990s Berlin: having fled Lebanon and only accepted as tolerated refugees in Germany, they struggle to gain a foothold in their new home. Who are they, how did the family become the most influential clan in the city, and how did Ali eventually become Toni?
Why watch: If you like crime dramas about family rise, identity, and life in Berlin, this prequel should be of interest. It works best for viewers who want a story about origins and power within a criminal family.
Directed by Hüseyin Tabak, Özgür YildirimCast Bella Dayne, Seumas Sargent, Fatima Khanfour, Sevda Polat, Tariq Al SaiesMaxMore details on IMDb → -
20
The Serial Killer Connection
crime
The ex-wife and survivor of serial killer Richard "Marc" Evonitz unite to uncover his untold life and crimes and as they dig deeper, they confront the chilling possibility that the full scope of his crimes has yet to be revealed.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to true crime with a documentary approach and a focus on overlooked details, this may be a good fit. It’s suited to viewers who want a case-led series centered on searching for the full scope of a story.
Directed by Elli Hakami, Julian P. HobbsCast Kara Robinson ChamberlainMaxMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This list makes it easier to find a crime series that matches your mood, whether you want prestige drama, a mystery with a slow burn, or something that leans into action or fantasy. Titles like The Wire, The Sopranos, and True Detective remain must-consider picks, while newer options such as Task and The Penguin keep the genre feeling current. Bookmark this page and check back when you’re ready for your next watch, because we update it regularly as new titles appear and the lineup changes.
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 a Max subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Max. 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.