Top Cop Movies

From Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence A. Bonney, Kasi Lemmons
Rated R

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological horror-thriller film directed by Jonathan Demme and based on the 1988 novel by Thomas Harris. The film follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she attempts to track down a serial killer known as “Buffalo Bill” (Ted Levine) with the help of the incarcerated Dr Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). As Clarice delves deeper into the case, she is drawn into the sinister world of Lecter, who manipulates her by offering information and insight into the mind of the killer. As Clarice gets closer to the truth, she finds herself in a terrifying cat-and-mouse game with Lecter and Buffalo Bill. The Silence of the Lambs won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is widely considered to be a classic horror film.

From David Fincher, starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Andrew Kevin Walker
Rated R

Se7en follows two detectives, William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and David Mills (Brad Pitt), as they investigate a series of murders inspired by the seven deadly sins. In the course of their investigation, the detectives uncover the identity of a mysterious serial killer (Kevin Spacey) whose gruesome murders are designed to punish those who have committed one of the seven deadly sins. As the two detectives race to catch the killer before he can complete his deadly plan, they are confronted with a dark warning about how little control they have over their own lives. Ultimately, the detectives are forced to confront the killer and make a difficult moral decision.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg
Rated R

The Departed is a 2006 American crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, based on the 2002 Hong Kong crime drama film Infernal Affairs. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg, and tells the story of two men on opposite sides of the law who attempt to bring down a crime syndicate in Boston. The story follows Billy Costigan (DiCaprio), an undercover cop, and Colin Sullivan (Damon), a mole for the Irish Mob, as they both struggle to outsmart each other and keep their identities secret. As the stakes get higher and more dangerous, the two men must find a way to stay alive and save the city from the mob’s control.

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

Heat is a 1995 American crime drama film written and directed by Michael Mann. It stars Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Tom Sizemore, Diane Venora, Amy Brenneman, Ashley Judd, and Natalie Portman in her feature film debut. The film follows Neil McCauley, a seasoned professional criminal and his crew, as they plan and execute a daring armored car heist. The film also follows Vincent Hanna, an LAPD robbery-homicide detective, who is determined to stop McCauley and his crew despite both men's professional and personal dilemmas. As the film progresses, their respective lives become intertwined as the detective and criminal must face the consequences of their choices. Heat is an intense and gritty crime drama that examines the consequences of a life of crime and the value of justice and honor.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn
Rated R

Reservoir Dogs is a 1992 American crime black comedy written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It follows a group of criminals hired for a jewelry heist that goes wrong. After the police ambush them, the gang members discuss how they were set up and debate loyalty and betrayal between them. With no one to trust, the criminals must now figure out who was responsible for the heist gone wrong. The film stars Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Steve Buscemi, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Lawrence Tierney, and Quentin Tarantino. The film's title refers to the fact that the criminals are strangers to each other and are not given names.

From Roman Polanski, starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez
Rated R

Chinatown is a 1974 neo-noir mystery film directed by Roman Polanski and starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. The film follows private investigator J. J. Gittes (Nicholson) as he investigates the connection between a real estate mogul and the murder of a corrupt water commissioner in 1930s Los Angeles. As Gittes continues to investigate, he uncovers a shocking secret involving the family of his employer, Evelyn Mulwray (Dunaway), which threatens to upend the entire city. The film is widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made, and it was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning one for Robert Towne's screenplay.

From Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson
Rated R

No Country for Old Men is a 2007 crime drama directed by the Coen brothers, Ethan and Joel Coen. Set in 1980s West Texas, the film follows the story of Llewelyn Moss, a man who discovers a suitcase filled with money and finds himself embroiled in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with ruthless killer, Anton Chigurh. As Moss is pursued by Chigurh, a lawman named Sheriff Ed Tom Bell attempts to catch the killer while dealing with his own feelings of mortality and a changing world. The film is a tense, violent, and morally complex story that follows the characters in their attempts to survive and make sense of a world filled with danger, violence, and despair.

From John McTiernan, starring Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson
Rated R

Die Hard is a 1988 action thriller directed by John McTiernan and starring Bruce Willis as John McClane, a New York City police officer visiting his estranged wife in Los Angeles. When a group of terrorists, led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), take over the high-rise building where his wife works, McClane must find a way to stop them and save the hostages. With the help of an unorthodox cop, Sgt. Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson) and a former Special Forces soldier, John finally gets the upper hand and outwits the terrorists. The film is full of action-packed sequences and features a memorable performance from Rickman as the villain. In the end, the terrorists are defeated, and McClane is hailed as a hero.

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

Set in Los Angeles in the 1950s, L.A. Confidential follows three LAPD officers—Ed Exley (Guy Pearce), Bud White (Russell Crowe), and Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey)—as they investigate a series of murders and corruption around the city, eventually converging on a powerful mobster known as the "King of the L.A. Underworld." Along the way, the three officers must contend with the corrupt, yet charismatic, Police Captain Dudley Smith (James Cromwell) and a gossip journalist, Sid Hudgens (Danny DeVito), who is always looking for the next story. With a stellar cast, including Kim Basinger, L.A. Confidential is a gripping noir tale of corruption, crime, and the power of a few individuals to shape and control a city.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare
Rated R

Fargo is a 1996 black comedy crime film written, produced and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. It stars Frances McDormand as a pregnant police chief investigating roadside homicides that ensue after a desperate car salesman (William H. Macy) hires two criminals (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife in order to extort a hefty ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. However, things don't go as planned and the situation quickly spirals out of control. The film features an eclectic cast of characters from different social backgrounds, including criminals, police officers, and residents of a small Minnesota town. The Coen brothers' unique blend of dark humor, violence, and offbeat dialogue make Fargo one of their most acclaimed and beloved works.

From Ridley Scott, starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos
Rated R

Blade Runner is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott, based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick. Set in a dystopian future where genetically engineered replicants are used as slave labor, the story follows Rick Deckard, a blade runner tasked with hunting down and "retiring" a group of escaped replicants. As Deckard pursues the replicants, he is drawn into a conflict between their creator and a group of human-hating replicants who are determined to survive at any cost. Through Deckard's journey, he discovers a greater understanding of what it means to be human and the hardships and moral dilemmas that come with being a replicant.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Al Pacino, John Cazale, Penelope Allen, Sully Boyar
Rated R

Dog Day Afternoon is a 1975 crime drama directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino, John Cazale, and Charles Durning. The film tells the story of a Brooklyn bank heist gone wrong and the hostage situation that follows. Sonny (Pacino) and Sal (Cazale) attempt to rob a bank and take hostages in order to get the money they need to pay for Sal's sex-change operation. As the police arrive, the situation escalates into a lengthy media circus, with Sonny and Sal becoming celebrities in the process. The movie explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and human compassion in the face of adversity. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing.

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

Touch of Evil is a classic crime thriller film directed by Orson Welles. It follows the investigations of Miguel “Mike” Vargas (Charlton Heston), a Mexican narcotics officer, and his American wife Susie (Janet Leigh) who become unwittingly embroiled in a murder investigation. The investigation leads Vargas to the corruption of local police captain Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles) who will do anything to solve the case, even if it means framing an innocent person. Vargas and Quinlan soon find themselves at odds as they struggle to uncover the truth and reach a resolution in the case. The film also stars Marlene Dietrich, Joseph Calleia, Akim Tamiroff, Mercedes McCambridge and Zsa Zsa Gabor. Touch of Evil is a thrilling film that captures the essence of the classic noir genre, full of suspense and intrigue, and is considered one of Orson Welles’s finest films.

From John Huston, starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George, Peter Lorre
Rated Passed

The Maltese Falcon is a classic 1941 film directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart as detective Sam Spade. The film centers around a hard-boiled detective's quest to find a jewel-encrusted statuette, the Maltese Falcon. In his pursuit of the Falcon, Spade is drawn into a world of deceit and murder, with characters like the sinister Kasper Gutman, the duplicitous Brigid O’Shaughnessy, and Joel Cairo all vying for the Falcon and the riches it is said to contain. Spade is ultimately forced to choose between loyalty to his partner and to the law, as he races to uncover the secrets behind the Falcon before time runs out.

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

Infernal Affairs follows the story of two undercover police officers living double lives. Chan Wing-yan (Tony Leung) is a police officer posing as a mobster while Lau Kin-ming (Andy Lau) is a mobster posing as a police officer. As their lives become more and more intertwined, they must outwit each other in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film follows them as they struggle to come to terms with their dual lives and the consequences of their choices. The film is full of suspense, mystery, and intense action, and is a stunning exploration of the dark corners of human psychology and morality.

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

In the Heat of the Night is a 1967 American drama film directed by Norman Jewison and based on John Ball's 1965 novel of the same name. The film stars Sidney Poitier as Virgil Tibbs, an African American police detective from Philadelphia, who becomes involved in a murder investigation in a small town in Mississippi. He is forced to match wits with a bigoted white police chief, who accuses him of the murder. The two form an uneasy alliance as they work together to solve the crime. Along the way, Tibbs must confront racism, bigotry, and his own personal demons in order to find the truth. The film was a critical and commercial success, and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Emmy Rossum
Rated R

Mystic River is a 2003 American drama film directed by Clint Eastwood, written by Brian Helgeland, and based on the novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane. The film stars Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden, and Laura Linney. The story follows three childhood friends from Boston's blue-collar neighborhood of East Buckingham who are reunited after a tragic event. Jimmy Markum (Penn), Sean Devine (Bacon), and Dave Boyle (Robbins) have gone their separate ways in adulthood. Jimmy is an ex-convict who has become a local crime boss, Sean is a homicide detective, and Dave is haunted by his childhood abuse. When Dave's daughter is murdered, Sean is assigned to the case and discovers that Jimmy's wife was having an affair with the prime suspect. As the investigation progresses, the friends' lives become intertwined and their loyalties are tested. In the end, the truth is revealed but not without consequences. Mystic River is a powerful story of guilt, revenge, and redemption.

From Andrew Davis, starring Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward, Julianne Moore
Rated PG-13

The Fugitive is an action-packed 1993 thriller starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones. It follows Dr. Richard Kimble, a man wrongly accused of murdering his wife. After being wrongly convicted and sentenced to death, Kimble escapes from custody and goes on the run from the law. As he works to clear his name and find his wife's real killer, he is relentlessly pursued by a determined U.S. Marshal, Samuel Gerard. Along the way, Kimble slowly unravels the truth behind his wife's death and the conspiracy behind it. This cat and mouse chase ultimately leads to a thrilling climax where Kimble and Gerard's paths finally cross in a desperate race against time.

From Ridley Scott, starring Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin
Rated R

American Gangster is a 2007 crime drama directed by Ridley Scott. Set in 1970s Harlem, it follows the real-life story of Frank Lucas, a drug lord who rose to power by smuggling heroin in the bodies of soldiers returning from Vietnam. Denzel Washington stars as Lucas, and Russell Crowe as New York police detective Richie Roberts, who is determined to bring him down. With a vast network of corrupt law enforcement officers aiding Lucas and Roberts' own moral dilemmas, the two men face off in a struggle for power and survival. Meanwhile, Lucas' material success causes tension with his family, as well as with his rival drug lords. The film culminates in a gripping confrontation, as Roberts and Lucas face off in a battle that tests both their personal and professional loyalties.

From Fred Zinnemann, starring Edward Fox, Terence Alexander, Michel Auclair, Alan Badel
Rated PG

The Day of the Jackal is a 1973 British-French political thriller directed by Fred Zinnemann. It stars Edward Fox as the title character, an elusive assassin hired by a right-wing French paramilitary organization to kill then-French president Charles de Gaulle in the early 1960s. The film follows the Jackal's meticulous preparations for the assassination and the desperate efforts of the French government to identify and catch him before he can carry out his plans. The film is based on the 1971 novel of the same name by Frederick Forsyth.

From Edgar Wright, starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Bill Nighy
Rated R

Hot Fuzz is a 2007 British action comedy film directed by Edgar Wright. The film stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as a mismatched pair of police officers who investigate a series of mysterious deaths in a sleepy English village. The film is a parody of Hollywood-style action films, particularly those of director Michael Bay. Pegg plays a highly ambitious London police officer who is transferred to the sleepy village of Sandford, where he quickly begins to suspect that a series of “accidents” are actually murders. With the help of his bumbling partner and the other officers of Sandford, he embarks on an action-packed mission to uncover the truth behind the suspicious deaths. The film also stars Timothy Dalton, Jim Broadbent, and Bill Nighy.

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

The French Connection is a 1971 action-crime thriller film directed by William Friedkin. It stars Gene Hackman as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle and Roy Scheider as Buddy Russo, two New York City police detectives who investigate the French Connection, an international heroin-smuggling operation. The investigation leads them from the streets of New York City to Marseille and Paris, where they must deal with the French criminal underworld. With the help of informant Pierre Nicoli, the detectives eventually bring down the drug smuggling operation. The film is based on the true story of the largest heroin bust in United States history.

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

Serpico is a 1973 biographical crime drama directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino as the titular real-life NYPD officer Frank Serpico. Based on Peter Maas' biography of the same name, the film follows Serpico's struggles to expose corruption within the NYPD, after discovering that many officers are involved in bribery and other illegal activities. Despite his efforts to bring justice to his colleagues, he soon finds himself an outcast within the department and faces threats to his life and career. Despite the odds stacked against him, Serpico perseveres in his mission to rid the NYPD of corruption and bring integrity back to the police force.

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

Dirty Harry is a 1971 American crime thriller directed by Don Siegel and starring Clint Eastwood as the titular character, a San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) inspector on the trail of a serial killer. On the hunt for the Scorpio Killer, Inspector Harry Callahan must rely on his wits and skills as a police officer to stop the killer's reign of terror. The film follows Harry as he navigates the dangerous and often violent streets of San Francisco, dealing with a variety of criminals and suspects, as well as an increasingly violent and erratic Scorpio. Along the way, he is pitted against corrupt police officers, an unsupportive police department, and a liberal mayor who wants to put an end to his hard-nosed methods. In the end, Harry must find a way to take down the Scorpio Killer and remain a law-abiding officer of the law.

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

Training Day is a 2001 crime thriller directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke. The story follows an idealistic rookie LAPD cop, Jake Hoyt (Hawke), who is assigned to train with a veteran detective, Alonzo Harris (Washington). Alonzo takes Jake on a dangerous tour of the city, showing him how to navigate the streets and how to handle the criminal element. However, as the day progresses, it becomes clear that Alonzo is not the mentor he claims to be. As the two men traverse the city, Jake is increasingly appalled by Alonzo's corrupt methods, and must decide if he will go along with his mentor or risk his own career to try and stop him. The film culminates in a dramatic confrontation between the two men, which leaves one of them dead.