Movies About Cops

From Michael Mann, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight
Rated R

Heat is a 1995 heist crime drama directed by Michael Mann and starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. It tells the story of Neil McCauley, a veteran Los Angeles criminal and master thief, and Vincent Hanna, a determined police lieutenant who is hot on McCauley's trail. The film follows their personal and professional lives as they become deeply entwined in a game of cat and mouse, with each man determined to outwit the other. As the stakes rise and their lives become increasingly intertwined, their mutual respect and admiration grows. By the end of the film, McCauley and Hanna have forged a unique bond, despite their differences.

From Curtis Hanson, starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger
Rated R

L.A. Confidential is a critically acclaimed neo-noir crime drama set in Los Angeles in the 1950s. The film follows three police officers, each with their own agenda and moral code, as they investigate a series of murders connected to an infamous nightclub. As they uncover the city's secrets, they are forced to confront the corruption and violence that lurks just beneath the surface of Los Angeles' glamorous façade. Led by an Oscar-winning ensemble cast and directed with a deft hand by Curtis Hanson, L.A. Confidential is a thrilling and stylish exploration of power and redemption, set in a time and place that defined the very notion of cool.

From Martin McDonagh, starring Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Caleb Landry Jones
Rated R

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a 2017 dark comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by Martin McDonagh. It stars Frances McDormand as a vigilante mother who rents three billboards to call attention to her daughter's unsolved rape and murder. The billboards spark a frenzied chain of events that includes the involvement of the town's volatile police chief, played by Woody Harrelson. Sam Rockwell also stars as a dim-witted, racist police officer who is given a chance to redeem himself. Through their stories, the movie explores the potential for redemption, justice, and compassion in a small rural community.

From Orson Welles, starring Charlton Heston, Orson Welles, Janet Leigh, Joseph Calleia
Rated PG-13

Touch of Evil is a 1958 film noir directed by Orson Welles. The story follows Mexican narcotics officer Miguel Vargas (Charlton Heston) and his American wife Susie (Janet Leigh) as they investigate a car bombing near the U.S.-Mexico border. Complicating their investigation is the corrupt and corruptible Captain Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles), who is determined to frame a local pimp, Menzies (Joseph Calleia), for the crime. Vargas must navigate a web of lies, blackmail, and betrayal as he attempts to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, Quinlan's moral corruption continues to spiral out of control, leading to a dramatic and explosive conclusion.

From Directors: Andrew Lau, Alan Mak, starring Andy Lau, Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Anthony Chau-Sang Wong, Eric Tsang
Rated R

Infernal Affairs is a 2002 Hong Kong crime-thriller directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. The film follows the stories of two undercover agents from opposing sides. Chan Wing-Yan, a police officer embedded in the triad organization, and Lau Kin-Ming, a mole planted in the Hong Kong Police Force by triad boss Hon Sam. As their paths become intertwined, they must hide their true identities while navigating the criminal underworld of Hong Kong. The film follows their stories as they struggle to remain true to themselves, while trying to outwit each other in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Along the way, they must also confront their own inner demons, while struggling to remain loyal to their respective sides. Infernal Affairs is a suspenseful, taut thriller that ultimately leads to a thrilling climax.

From Jean-Pierre Melville, starring Alain Delon, Bourvil, Gian Maria Volontè, Yves Montand
Rated Not Rated

Le Cercle Rouge (The Red Circle) is a 1970 French film directed by Jean-Pierre Melville. It follows the story of Corey (Alain Delon), an escaped convict who team up with an alcoholic ex-cop (Yves Montand), a master thief (Gian Maria Volontè), and a pickpocket (André Bourvil) to plan the perfect heist. The plan is to rob a jewelry store, but the crew must be careful, as the police are hot on their trail. As their plan comes together, the stakes become higher and the risks of failure greater. As the story unfolds, the four men must use their skills, courage, and wit to stay one step ahead of the authorities and pull off the daring heist.

From Norman Jewison, starring Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Lee Grant
Rated Approved

In the Heat of the Night is a 1967 American mystery crime drama film directed by Norman Jewison, and based on the 1965 novel of the same name by John Ball. The film stars Sidney Poitier as Virgil Tibbs, an African-American detective from Philadelphia who becomes involved in a murder investigation in a small town in Mississippi. The film follows Virgil as he assists the local sheriff, Gillespie (Rod Steiger), in solving the murder of a prominent industrialist. As Virgil struggles to gain acceptance in the racially charged town, he and Gillespie must confront their own prejudices and work together to uncover the truth. Along the way, they confront a powerful and corrupt city official and a local mob boss. In the Heat of the Night won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Rod Steiger, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It is remembered as a groundbreaking film for its impactful portrayal of racial injustice and its willingness to confront the hard truths of racism in the United States.

From Antoine Fuqua, starring Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Scott Glenn, Tom Berenger
Rated R

Training Day follows an intense 24-hour period in the life of Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington), a veteran LAPD narcotics officer. He takes on a rookie cop, Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke), to train for a day, leading him on a tour of the dark side of law enforcement and exposing him to the temptations of corruption, power and money. As the day progresses, Jake must decide if he will maintain his moral code, or if he will join Alonzo in his pursuit of money and power. In the end, Jake and Alonzo clash in a violent and unexpected confrontation, with Jake making the ultimate decision on his own morality.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Al Pacino, John Randolph, Jack Kehoe, Biff McGuire
Rated R

Serpico is a 1973 crime drama directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino as the real-life police officer Frank Serpico. The film follows the true story of Serpico's struggle to expose police corruption in the New York City Police Department. Despite facing threats, harassment, and a lack of support from his fellow officers, Serpico refuses to back down, determined to make a difference in the department. His determination and courage finally lead to sweeping changes in the NYPD and the prosecution of corrupt police officers. Serpico is a gripping and inspiring story of one man's refusal to accept injustice.

From William Friedkin, starring Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, Fernando Rey, Tony Lo Bianco
Rated R

The French Connection is a 1971 crime movie directed by William Friedkin. It tells the story of two NYPD detectives, Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle and Buddy Russo, who are set on taking down a French drug smuggling ring. In their pursuit, they carry out a series of daring and often dangerous operations. The film is based on the real-life events of the French Connection drug smuggling case, and stars Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider. It was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film is widely considered one of the greatest movies ever made, and its influence on the genre can still be felt today.

From Directors: Don Siegel, Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Andrew Robinson, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni
Rated R

Dirty Harry is a 1971 American action thriller film directed by Don Siegel, with a screenplay by Harry Julian Fink and Rita M. Fink. It stars Clint Eastwood as San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan, who becomes embroiled in a search for a psychopathic serial killer (Andrew Robinson) who snipes at unsuspecting victims on the streets of San Francisco. The film follows the interactions between Callahan and the killer, as the killer challenges and taunts him with increasingly dangerous acts. Despite several attempts by the SFPD to apprehend the killer, he is able to outsmart them at every turn and continues his rampage. In the end, Callahan is able to track the killer down and bring him to justice. The film is notable for its gritty and realistic depiction of police work, as well as its inventive use of music and cinematography.

From Taylor Sheridan, starring Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner, Graham Greene, Kelsey Asbille
Rated R

Wind River is a 2017 crime thriller directed by Taylor Sheridan and starring Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, and Graham Greene. The story follows Cory Lambert, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tracker, who discovers the frozen body of an 18-year-old Native American woman while hunting in the Wind River Indian Reservation. He teams up with an inexperienced FBI agent Jane Banner to investigate the murder and soon finds himself deep in a web of secrets and lies. As Cory and Jane struggle to solve the case, they must confront the violent legacy of a reservation haunted by a past of injustice and unsolved crimes.

From David Ayer, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, America Ferrera
Rated R

End of Watch is a 2012 American crime drama film directed by David Ayer. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña as Brian Taylor and Mike Zavala, two Los Angeles Police Department officers who work in South Central Los Angeles. The film follows their day-to-day police work, their friendship, and their dealings with a violent drug cartel. Through the POV-style footage from the police officers' body cameras and dash-cams, the audience is taken on a journey of the two officers' lives, their struggles and sacrifices, and their determination to make a difference in a dangerous and unpredictable world.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, Jon Bernthal
Rated R

Sicario is a 2015 crime-thriller directed by Denis Villeneuve. The film follows FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) as she is recruited by a task force to combat rising drug violence at the US-Mexico border. She soon realizes that the mission is more complicated than it appears and that the task force may be involved in illegal activities. Macer must decide how far she is willing to go in pursuit of justice, no matter the cost. Along the way, she is aided by an enigmatic consultant, Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro), with his own mysterious agenda, and a corrupt CIA agent (Josh Brolin). After operating in the shadows for some time, the team makes a daring and dangerous move that puts them all at risk.

From F. Gary Gray, starring Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx, Leslie Bibb, Colm Meaney
Rated R

From Derek Cianfrance, starring Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Craig Van Hook
Rated R

From Kathryn Bigelow, starring John Boyega, Anthony Mackie, Algee Smith, Jacob Latimore
Rated R

From Kathryn Bigelow, starring Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey, Lori Petty
Rated R

From Daniel Barber, starring Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, David Bradley, Charlie Creed-Miles
Rated R

From Stefano Sollima, starring Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Isabela Merced, Jeffrey Donovan
Rated R

From Christian Gudegast, starring Gerard Butler, Pablo Schreiber, O'Shea Jackson Jr., 50 Cent
Rated R

From Brett Ratner, starring Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Ken Leung, Tom Wilkinson
Rated PG-13

From Abel Ferrara, starring Harvey Keitel, Brian McElroy, Frank Acciarito, Peggy Gormley
Rated NC-17

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Patrick L. Reyes, Cesar De León, Gustavo Muñoz
Rated R

From Jean-Pierre Melville, starring Alain Delon, Richard Crenna, Catherine Deneuve, Riccardo Cucciolla
Rated PG