20 Best Crime TV Shows on Netflix 2026
Find gripping crime series on Netflix, from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul to Lupin, Dark Winds, and more great picks for your next binge.
If you’re searching for the best crime TV shows on Netflix, this list gives you a solid mix of tense dramas, sharp mysteries, and darker character stories. You’ll find modern standouts like Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Lupin, and The Lincoln Lawyer alongside long-running favorites such as NCIS and Law & Order. There’s also room for different tones, from the wit of Brooklyn Nine-Nine to the unsettling twists of Black Mirror and Hannibal. Whether you want a crime series built around investigations, cons, gangs, or psychological tension, these picks cover a wide range of moods.
Spotlight
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01
Lupin
1 BAFTA TV Award nomination
action · crime · drama · mystery
Inspired by the adventures of Arsène Lupin, gentleman thief Assane Diop sets out to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family.
Why watch: If you enjoy stylish crime stories with a mystery edge, Lupin is a strong fit. Its action, drama, and heist-driven setup make it appealing for viewers who like smart, fast-moving plots.
Directed by Ludovic Bernard, Louis Leterrier, Hugo Gélin, Xavier Gens, Daniel GrouCast Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Soufiane Guerrab, Etan Simon, Mamadou HaidaraNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
02
Money Trap
action & adventure · comedy · crime
When a mythical map falls into the hands of a legendary scam artist, he decides to pull one last con before leaving it all behind for good.
Why watch: If you like light crime stories with comedy mixed in, Money Trap may be worth a look. The action-adventure angle and con-artist premise suit viewers who want a playful take on the genre.
Directed by Yılmaz Erdoğan, Senol SönmezCast Yılmaz Erdoğan, Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, Demet Akbağ, Ezgi Mola, Uraz KaygılaroğluNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
03
The Gentlemen
Won 1 Emmy Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (2024) · 3 nominations
action · comedy · crime
When aristocratic Eddie inherits the family estate, he discovers that it's home to an enormous weed empire — and its proprietors aren't going anywhere.
Why watch: If you want crime with humor and a bit of swagger, The Gentlemen fits well. Its mix of action, comedy, and crime should appeal if you like stories about power, family, and hidden empires.
Directed by Eran Creevy, Guy Ritchie, David Caffrey, Nima Nourizadeh, Nick RowlandCast Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, Joely Richardson, Vinnie JonesNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
04
NCIS
3 Emmy nominations
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents investigates any crime that has any connection to Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position.
Why watch: If you prefer procedural crime stories with a long-running team format, NCIS is an easy match. The blend of investigation, drama, mystery, and thriller elements gives it broad appeal.
Directed by Dennis Smith, Terrence O'Hara, Tony Wharmby, James Whitmore Jr., Thomas J. WrightCast Sean Murray, David McCallum, Mark Harmon, Brian Dietzen, Rocky CarrollNetflixHuluParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
05
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
animation · action · adventure · crime · drama · sci-fi · thriller
In a dystopia riddled with corruption and cybernetic implants, a talented but reckless street kid strives to become a mercenary outlaw — an edgerunner.
Why watch: If you like crime stories set in a futuristic, high-risk world, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners stands out. Its mix of animation, sci-fi, and thriller elements should work well for fans of darker, high-energy storytelling.
Directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi, Kai Ikarashi, Yoshiyuki Kaneko, Noboru Furukawa, Kôdai NakanoCast Kentarô Tone, Kôki Uchiyama, Momoka Terasawa, Akari Kitô, KENNNetflixMore details on IMDb →
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06
Breaking Bad
Won 16 Emmys 3x Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series · 58 nominations
crime · drama · thriller
Walter White, a New Mexico chemistry teacher, is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given a prognosis of only two years left to live. He becomes filled with a sense of fearlessness and an unrelenting desire to secure his family's financial future at any cost as he enters the dangerous world of drugs and crime.
Why watch: If you want a tense crime drama with major dramatic stakes, Breaking Bad is a top-tier pick. Its thriller elements and criminal transformation premise make it a strong choice for viewers who like escalating pressure.
Directed by Michelle MacLaren, Adam Bernstein, Vince Gilligan, Colin Bucksey, Michael SlovisCast Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris, Betsy BrandtNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
07
Dark
crime · drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
A missing child causes four families to help each other for answers. What they could not imagine is that this mystery would be connected to innumerable other secrets of the small town.
Why watch: If you enjoy mystery-driven stories where the clues matter, Dark is a natural fit. Its crime, drama, and sci-fi blend works well for viewers who like layered puzzles and a serious tone.
Directed by Baran bo OdarCast Louis Hofmann, Karoline Eichhorn, Lisa Vicari, Maja Schöne, Jördis TriebelNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
08
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Won 2 Emmys 4x Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series · 11 nominations
comedy · crime
A single-camera ensemble comedy following the lives of an eclectic group of detectives in a New York precinct, including one slacker who is forced to shape up when he gets a new boss.
Why watch: If you want crime content with a lighter touch, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is the easiest pick here. Its comedy-crime mix is ideal for viewers who like detective stories without a heavy tone.
Directed by Michael McDonald, Claire Scanlon, Linda Mendoza, Dean Holland, Beth McCarthy-MillerCast Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero, Joe Lo TruglioNetflixPeacock PremiumMore details on IMDb → -
09
Law & Order
Won 6 Emmys Outstanding Drama Series (1997) · 52 nominations
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
In cases ripped from the headlines, police investigate serious and often deadly crimes, weighing the evidence and questioning the suspects until someone is taken into custody. The district attorney's office then builds a case to convict the perpetrator by proving the person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Working together, these expert teams navigate all sides of the complex criminal justice system to make New York a safer place.
Why watch: If you like classic case-of-the-week crime storytelling, Law & Order is a dependable choice. The crime, drama, mystery, and thriller mix suits viewers who enjoy investigations and courtroom tension.
Directed by Constantine Makris, Edwin Sherin, Jace Alexander, David Platt, Richard DobbsCast Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Jerry Orbach, Steven Hill, Jesse L. MartinNetflixHuluPeacock PremiumMore details on IMDb → -
10
Hannibal
1 Emmy nomination
crime · drama · horror · mystery · thriller
Both a gift and a curse, Graham has the extraordinary ability to think like his prey—he sees what they see, feels what they feel. But while Graham is pursuing an especially troubling, cannibalistic murderer, Special Agent Jack Crawford teams him with a highly respected psychiatrist – a man with a taste for the criminal minded – Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
Why watch: If you prefer crime stories with a psychological and unsettling angle, Hannibal is a strong match. Its horror and thriller elements make it a fit for viewers who want something darker than a standard procedural.
Directed by Michael Rymer, Guillermo Navarro, Vincenzo Natali, David Slade, Tim HunterCast Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Caroline Dhavernas, Laurence Fishburne, Scott ThompsonNetflixAmazon Prime VideoMore details on IMDb → -
11
Peaky Blinders
Won 1 BAFTA TV Award 5 nominations
crime · drama
A gangster family epic set in 1919 Birmingham, England and centered on a gang who sew razor blades in the peaks of their caps, and their fierce boss Tommy Shelby, who means to move up in the world.
Why watch: If you enjoy gangster drama with a strong period setting, Peaky Blinders is an obvious pick. Its crime-and-drama focus should appeal to viewers who like family power struggles and ambitious characters.
Directed by Anthony Byrne, Colm McCarthy, Tim Mielants, David Caffrey, Otto BathurstCast Cillian Murphy, Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, Helen McCrory, Ned DennehyNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
12
The Lincoln Lawyer
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Sidelined after an accident, hotshot Los Angeles lawyer Mickey Haller restarts his career - and his trademark Lincoln - when he takes on a murder case.
Why watch: If you like legal crime dramas with mystery at the center, The Lincoln Lawyer is a good choice. The thriller element and murder-case premise make it appealing for viewers who want a grounded, fast-paced setup.
Directed by Antonio Negret, Alonso Alvarez, Ted Humphrey, David Grossman, Ben Hernandez BrayCast Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Angus Sampson, Becki Newton, Jazz Raycole, Neve CampbellNetflixAmazon Prime VideoMore details on IMDb → -
13
Black Mirror
Won 6 Emmys 2x Outstanding Television Movie · 25 nominations
crime · drama · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
Twisted tales run wild in this mind-bending anthology series that reveals humanity's worst traits, greatest innovations and more.
Why watch: If you want crime stories with a twisty, idea-driven format, Black Mirror fits nicely. Its anthology structure and sci-fi thriller side make it best for viewers who like unsettling what-ifs.
Directed by Toby Haynes, Owen Harris, Carl Tibbetts, James Hawes, David SladeCast Anjana Vasan, Cristin Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, Jesse Plemons, Billy MagnussenNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
14
Mayor of Kingstown
crime · drama · thriller
In a small Michigan town where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry, the McClusky family are the power brokers between the police, criminals, inmates, prison guards and politicians in a city completely dependent on prisons and the prisoners they contain.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime dramas built around power networks and hard choices, Mayor of Kingstown may be your kind of show. Its prison-system setting and thriller tone suit viewers who like bleak, high-stakes stories.
Directed by Christoph Schrewe, Guy Ferland, Stephen Kay, Clark Johnson, Ben RichardsonCast Jeremy Renner, Tobi Bamtefa, Taylor Handley, Hugh Dillon, Derek WebsterNetflixParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
15
Better Call Saul
53 Emmy nominations 5x Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
crime · drama
Six years before Saul Goodman meets Walter White. We meet him when the man who will become Saul Goodman is known as Jimmy McGill, a small-time lawyer searching for his destiny, and, more immediately, hustling to make ends meet. Working alongside, and, often, against Jimmy, is “fixer” Mike Ehrmantraut. The series tracks Jimmy’s transformation into Saul Goodman, the man who puts “criminal” in “criminal lawyer".
Why watch: If you like character-driven crime dramas about a lawyer’s rise, Better Call Saul is a standout. Its crime and drama mix is best for viewers who enjoy slow-burn transformation stories.
Directed by Vince Gilligan, Thomas Schnauz, Peter Gould, Michael Morris, Adam BernsteinCast Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, Patrick Fabian, Michael MandoNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
16
Dark Winds
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
This psychological thriller follows two Navajo police officers, Leaphorn and Chee, in the 1970s Southwest as their search for clues in a grisly double murder case forces them to challenge their own spiritual beliefs and come to terms with the trauma of their pasts.
Why watch: If you want a crime mystery with a distinct setting and a strong atmosphere, Dark Winds is a smart pick. Its drama, mystery, and thriller elements should appeal to viewers who like investigative stories with personal depth.
Directed by Chris Eyre, Michael Nankin, Sanford Bookstaver, Billy Luther, Steven Paul JuddCast Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, A MartinezNetflixAmazon Prime VideoAMC+More details on IMDb → -
17
Legends
crime · drama
As drugs flood the streets of '90s Britain, a team of civil servants is thrust undercover to topple the gangs behind it.
Why watch: If you like undercover crime stories with a historical backdrop, Legends is worth considering. Its crime and drama setup suits viewers who enjoy gang-focused tension and undercover work.
Directed by Brady Hood, Julian HolmesCast Tom Burke, Steve Coogan, Hayley Squires, Aml Ameen, Jasmine BlackborowNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
18
Fauda
action · crime · drama · thriller · war
A top Israeli agent comes out of retirement to hunt for a Palestinian militant he thought he'd killed, setting a chaotic chain of events into motion.
Why watch: If you prefer crime dramas with action and political tension, Fauda is a strong match. The thriller and war elements make it appealing for viewers who like intense, high-stakes stories.
Directed by Rotem Shamir, Omri Givon, Assaf BernsteinCast Netta Garti, Lior Raz, Itzik Cohen, Yaakov Zada-Daniel, Doron Ben-DavidNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
19
Wednesday
Won 4 Emmys Outstanding Comedy Series (2023) · 18 nominations
comedy · crime · fantasy · mystery
Smart, sarcastic and a little dead inside, Wednesday Addams investigates twisted mysteries while making new friends — and foes — at Nevermore Academy.
Why watch: If you want a crime series with mystery and a offbeat sense of humor, Wednesday is a good option. Its fantasy and crime blend works well for viewers who like a smart, unconventional lead.
Directed by Tim Burton, James Marshall, Gandja Monteiro, Paco Cabezas, Angela RobinsonCast Jenna Ortega, Hunter Doohan, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Georgie FarmerNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
20
Dept. Q
1 Emmy nomination
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
A brash but brilliant cop becomes head of a new police department, where he leads an unlikely team of misfits in solving Edinburgh's cold cases.
Why watch: If you enjoy cold-case mysteries and a team of misfits, Dept. Q should be on your list. Its crime, drama, mystery, and thriller mix suits viewers who like detective work with a sharp, modern feel.
Directed by Scott Frank, Elisa AmorusoCast Matthew Goode, Alexej Manvelov, Jamie Sives, Leah Byrne, Chloe PirrieNetflixMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This lineup makes it easier to find a crime series that fits the kind of story you want next, whether that means a legal drama, a mystery, or something darker and more twisted. From classics like Law & Order to modern favorites like Dept. Q and The Gentlemen, there’s plenty here to explore. Bookmark this page and come back when you want another reliable watchlist, since it’s updated regularly. If your mood changes, this list should still help you narrow things down fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Netflix series has a 9.5 rating?
Our top picks right now are Lupin (2021), Money Trap (2026), The Gentlemen (2024), NCIS (2003), Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022), Breaking Bad (2008), Dark (2017), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013), Law & Order (1990) and Hannibal (2013), all streaming on Netflix. There are 10 more picks in the full list above.
What are some good crime thriller TV shows?
Our top picks right now are NCIS (2003), Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022), Breaking Bad (2008), Dark (2017), Law & Order (1990), Hannibal (2013), The Lincoln Lawyer (2022), Black Mirror (2011), Mayor of Kingstown (2021) and Dark Winds (2022), all streaming on Netflix. There are 2 more picks in the full list above.
Do I need a Netflix subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Netflix. 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.