Crime is one of the most compelling plot devices in film. Heist movies like Ocean’s Eleven (both Steven Soderbergh’s 2001 version and Lewis Milestone’s 1960 iteration with the Rat Pack) use it to provide lighthearted entertainment. Meanwhile, more dramatic options like The Town (2010) and Boyz n the Hood (1991) delve into the violence and devastation that crime can bring.
No matter the tone, crime movies never fail to incite tension and suspense. It’s no wonder the genre has been a fan favorite since narrative filmmaking took off at the turn of the century. Ahead, 20 crime film masterpieces that belong on any movie fan’s watchlist.
20
‘The Big Sleep’ (1946)
Howard Hawks’ The Big Sleep epitomizes American film noir. Based on the novel by noir maestro Raymond Chandler, the 1946 film is the second classic noir film to bring together Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, coming only two years after the success of To Have and Have Not (1944). The two remain well known for their on-screen partnership, which was infused with the chemistry that the real-life couple shared off-screen.
In The Big Sleep, private detective Philip Marlowe (Bogart) is hired by General Sternwood (Charles Waldron) to help settle his youngest daughter’s (Martha Vickers) gambling debts. The further Marlowe digs, however, the more he discovers the violence and complexity that lies at the root of the case. He also falls in love with Sternwood’s oldest daughter, Vivian (Lauren Bacall), along the way.
19
‘Thelma & Louise’ (1991)
Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise is legendary in part for its all-star cast. It stars Geena Davis as the titular Thelma and Susan Sarandon as Louise, and it also features Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, and Christopher McDonald (of Happy Gilmore[1996] fame). It also marks Brad Pitt’s career breakout, catalyzing later lead roles in films like Interview with the Vampire (1994), Se7en (1995), and Fight Club (1999).
But Thelma & Louise is about more than just its actors. It straddles the road movie, feminist revenge narrative, and buddy comedy, melding a heartwarming friendship story with the most devastating elements of the crime genre. Screenwriter Callie Khouri deservedly won an Oscar for her work on the film.
18
‘Fargo’ (1996)
Fargo may have been released in 1996, but it remains significant in the American imagination and even spurred an FX television spinoff series in 2014. The film, directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, takes place in small-town Minnesota, and is named after the real-life town of Fargo, North Dakota, which sits on the Minnesota border. It follows a pregnant police officer (Frances McDormand) and struggling car salesman (William H. Macy) amid an amusing and blood-soaked descent into crime and madness.
Most crime films are rife with foul language and violence, particularly since their protagonists are often gangsters themselves. However, Fargo </strong juxtaposes violent crime with the concept of “Minnesota nice.” In true Coen Brothers </strong fashion, this results in a hilarious and even nonsensical film of contrasts.
17
‘Bonnie and Clyde’ (1967)
The true (and often inflated) story of Bonnie and Clyde has loomed large in the American imagination since the real-life couple set off on their crime spree during the Great Depression. But no film captures the drama of this notorious ordeal like Arthur Penn’s 1967 masterpiece, Bonnie and Clyde. Starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty in their most iconic roles, the film enraptured global audiences and ushered in a new era in American cinema.
With its overt violence, open sexuality, and sympathy for flawed characters (i.e., bank robbers), Bonnie and Clyde marked the beginning of the New Hollywood era. Along with films like The Graduate(1967) and Easy Rider(1969), Bonnie and Clyde departed from previous generations’ adherence to traditional values and societal norms. Moreover, these films experimented with choppy, expressive editing techniques that nod to the French New Wave. Thus, Bonnie and Clyde isn’t just a great crime film. It’s a bridge between classical Hollywood and contemporary American cinema.
‘Clue’ (1985)
