12 Best Movies Like Crime 101 to Watch Next (2026)
Looking for movies like Crime 101? Explore crime thrillers, heists, and twisty dramas, including The Score, Den of Thieves, and No Sudden Move.
If you’re searching for movies like Crime 101, the best picks are usually the ones that blend crime tension with smart character drama and a heist-or-investigation edge. This list leans into that mix with titles such as The Score, Den of Thieves, and No Sudden Move, each built around criminals, pressure, and plans that start to go wrong. You’ll also find more grounded, twisty options like 99 Homes, The Pledge, and Wonderland for viewers who want the story to stay rooted in consequences and investigation. If you want a little genre variety, Formula 51, Entrapment, and Double Take bring crime plots with action or comedy in the mix.
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01
101 Dalmatians
1 BAFTA Film Award nomination
adventure · comedy · crime · family
An evil, high-fashion designer plots to steal Dalmatian puppies in order to make an extravagant fur coat, but instead creates an extravagant mess.
Why watch: If you want a crime-flavored pick with a lighter tone, this one mixes comedy, adventure, and family elements. It’s a better fit if you like your crime stories with a playful, chaotic setup instead of a straight thriller.
Directed by Stephen HerekCast Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Joely Richardson, Joan Plowright, Hugh LaurieDisney PlusMore details on IMDb → -
02
99 Homes
crime · drama
After his family is evicted from their home, proud and desperate construction worker Dennis Nash tries to win his home back by striking a deal with the devil and working for Rick Carver, the corrupt real estate broker who evicted him.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime dramas built around pressure and bad choices, this is a strong match. The story centers on a desperate deal with a corrupt real estate broker, so it suits viewers who like grounded tension.
Directed by Ramin BahraniCast Michael Shannon, Douglas M. Griffin, Randy Austin, Carl Palmer, Andrew GarfieldAmazon Prime VideoTubiMore details on IMDb → -
03
The Score
action & adventure · crime · drama · mystery & thriller
An aging thief hopes to retire and live off his ill-gotten wealth when a young kid convinces him into doing one last heist.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to one-last-job stories, this is an easy recommendation. Its mix of action, crime, drama, and mystery & thriller makes it a natural fit for people who want heist tension with a mature edge.
Directed by Frank OzCast Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Marlon Brando, Angela Bassett, Gary FarmerParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
04
Double Take
action · comedy · crime · thriller
A man on the run takes another man's passport, only to find himself stuck with the identity of a street hustler.
Why watch: If you like crime stories that also lean into comedy and mistaken identity, this is worth a look. The thriller angle keeps it moving while the premise adds a lighter, offbeat twist.
Directed by George GalloCast Orlando Jones, Eddie Griffin, Gary Grubbs, Daniel Roebuck, Sterling Macer Jr.StarzMore details on IMDb → -
05
211
action · drama · thriller
Inspired by one of the longest and bloodiest real-life events in police history, Officer Mike Chandler and a young civilian passenger find themselves under-prepared and outgunned when fate puts them squarely in the crosshairs of a daring bank heist in progress by a fearless team of highly-trained and heavily-armed men.
Why watch: If you want a more action-heavy crime thriller, this one fits that lane. It focuses on a bank heist in progress and puts ordinary people in a high-risk situation.
Directed by York Alec ShackletonCast Nicolas Cage, Dwayne Cameron, Michael Rainey Jr., Ori Pfeffer, Sean James LeeTubiPeacock PremiumMore details on IMDb → -
06
Den of Thieves
action · crime · drama · thriller
A gritty crime saga which follows the lives of an elite unit of the LA County Sheriff's Dept. and the state's most successful bank robbery crew as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank.
Why watch: If you’re looking for a gritty bank robbery story, this is one of the closest matches on the list. The crime, drama, and thriller blend should appeal if you want a serious heist setup with law enforcement on the other side.
Directed by Christian GudegastCast Gerard Butler, Pablo Schreiber, O'Shea Jackson Jr., 50 Cent, Meadow WilliamsTubiMore details on IMDb → -
07
Broadcast Signal Intrusion
crime · drama · horror · mystery · thriller
In the late 90s, a video archivist unearths a series of sinister pirate broadcasts and becomes obsessed with uncovering the dark conspiracy behind them.
Why watch: If you like crime stories with mystery and a darker atmosphere, this is a good option. Its premise centers on an investigation into sinister broadcasts, so it suits viewers who prefer unease and obsession over action.
Directed by Jacob GentryCast Harry Shum Jr., Kelley Mack, Chris Sullivan, Michael B. Woods, Arif YampolskyAmazon Prime VideoTubiMore details on IMDb → -
08
Formula 51
action · comedy · crime · thriller
An American master chemist plans to score big on a once in a lifetime drug deal. All does not go as planned and he is soon entangled in a web of deceit.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime plots with comedy and fast-moving deception, this title may fit your mood. The setup around a drug deal gone wrong gives it a playful but slippery edge.
Directed by Ronny YuCast Samuel L. Jackson, Nigel Whitmey, Robert Jezek, Emily Mortimer, Meat LoafAmazon Prime VideoTubiFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
09
Entrapment
action · crime · romance · thriller
Two thieves, who travel in elegant circles, try to outsmart each other and, in the process, end up falling in love.
Why watch: If you want a stylish crime thriller with romance in the mix, this is a solid pick. It’s best for viewers who like cat-and-mouse storytelling and elegant thieves.
Directed by Jon AmielCast Sean Connery, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Ving Rhames, Will Patton, Maury ChaykinAmazon Prime VideoMore details on IMDb → -
10
Wonderland
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
On the afternoon of July 1, 1981, Los Angeles police responded to a distress call on Wonderland Avenue and discovered a grisly quadruple homicide. The police investigation that followed uncovered two versions of the events leading up to the brutal murders - both involving legendary porn actor John Holmes.
Why watch: If you prefer true-crime-style drama and mystery, this one stands out. Its focus on a real investigation and multiple versions of events should appeal to viewers who like noir-leaning crime stories.
Directed by James CoxCast Kate Bosworth, Carrie Fisher, Val Kilmer, Kim Marriner, Dylan McDermottStarzTubiMore details on IMDb → -
11
The Pledge
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
A police chief about to retire pledges to help a woman find her daughter's killer.
Why watch: If you like crime dramas that focus on a determined investigation, this is a good choice. The retiring police chief angle gives it a personal, mission-driven feel.
Directed by Sean PennCast Patricia Clarkson, Beau Daniels, Benicio Del Toro, Dale Dickey, Wendy DonaldsonAmazon Prime VideoHuluTubiMore details on IMDb → -
12
No Sudden Move
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
A group of criminals are brought together under mysterious circumstances and have to work together to uncover what's really going on when their simple job goes completely sideways.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime stories where a simple job spirals into something bigger, this is a strong match. Its mix of crime, drama, mystery, and thriller elements should appeal to fans of layered ensemble tension.
Directed by Steven SoderberghCast Don Cheadle, Craig muMs Grant, Brendan Fraser, Benicio Del Toro, Julia FoxMaxMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
Whether you want a clean heist setup, a tense manhunt, or a crime story with drama at the center, this list gives you a range of strong follow-up options. Start with the titles that match your mood, then branch out if you want something a little darker, lighter, or more mystery-driven. Bookmark this page if you’re building a watchlist, because it’s updated regularly as new matches are added. That makes it an easy place to come back when you want another smart pick in the same lane.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these movies similar to Crime 101?
These picks were matched by tone, themes, and story style using a similarity model trained on plot synopses, genres, and cast — not just shared genre tags — so the connection runs deeper than a simple category match.