Top Cops Movies

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

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller film directed by Jonathan Demme and released in 1991. The film follows a young FBI trainee, Clarice Starling, as she tries to hunt down a serial killer known as Buffalo Bill with the help of a psychiatrist and cannibalistic murderer, Hannibal Lecter. Clarice must interview Lecter to gain insight into the case, while Lecter uses his knowledge of psychology to manipulate and play mind games with her. As the story progresses, Clarice begins to unravel the identity of Buffalo Bill, while Lecter warns her of the danger she is in. In the end, Clarice is able to catch Buffalo Bill and Lecter is presumably killed in the process. The Silence of the Lambs won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay.

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

Se7en is a 1995 American neo-noir psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher and written by Andrew Kevin Walker. It stars Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, and Kevin Spacey as detectives who investigate a series of homicides inspired by the seven deadly sins. The film follows two detectives, a retiring veteran (Freeman) and a rookie (Pitt), as they hunt a serial killer (Spacey) who uses the seven deadly sins as a motif in his murders. The film ends with a surprise twist that leaves the audience shocked. Se7en won critical acclaim and was a box office success. It was nominated for many awards and won several, including the Academy Award for Best Film Editing.

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

The Departed is a 2006 crime-thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, and Martin Sheen. The film tells the story of two Massachusetts State Police officers, Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Damon), who are secretly working undercover in the Irish mob and the police department. As Costigan and Sullivan attempt to bring down the mob, they both face difficult and life-threatening situations. They must face their own loyalties and moral dilemmas as the lines between their undercover roles start to blur. The Departed is a complex and thrilling story of loyalty, ambition, and betrayal, with a gritty and intense style of filmmaking that is typical of Scorsese's work. The film was a commercial and critical success, winning four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

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

Heat is a 1995 crime drama directed by Michael Mann and starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer. The film follows two separate but equally compelling story lines. One is of a master thief and his crew, who plan and execute a daring bank heist. The other is of a determined detective, Vincent Hanna (Pacino), who makes it his mission to stop the crew and bring them to justice. As both sides move closer to a confrontation, a complex relationship forms between the two men, with their lives eventually becoming intertwined. The film follows their fascinating struggle for power, showing the lengths to which each will go to protect their own interests.

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

Reservoir Dogs is an intense crime drama directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film follows a group of criminals as they plan and execute a diamond heist. After the heist goes terribly wrong, the criminals are forced to come to terms with the consequences of their actions and the extent of their betrayal of one another. The story is told through a series of non-linear flashbacks, as the characters struggle to piece together what went wrong with the heist. During the aftermath, the criminals attempt to figure out who ratted them out to the police, and the resulting violence and betrayal leads to a shocking conclusion.

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 movie follows private investigator J.J. "Jake" Gittes (Nicholson) as he is hired by Evelyn Mulwray to investigate her husband's infidelity. Gittes soon discovers a much deeper and darker conspiracy involving corruption, deceit, and murder. Gittes must team up with Evelyn Mulwray's daughter, Katherine, to uncover the truth behind the mysterious Chinatown and the sinister agendas of its powerful figures. As the investigation progresses, Gittes must battle against his own morality and corruption to uncover the dark secrets of Chinatown and its residents.

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 thriller film directed by Ethan and Joel Coen. The movie tells the story of Llewelyn Moss, a Texas welder and Vietnam veteran who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and decides to take the money. His decision sets off a violent chain of events that puts Moss and those around him in danger as they are pursued by a relentless, psychopathic killer and a determined sheriff. The film is a morality tale about the choices we make, the consequences of those choices, and ultimately how life can change in an instant. The movie received widespread critical acclaim and was the winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for the Coen brothers.

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

Die Hard is an action-packed classic starring Bruce Willis as John McClane, a New York City cop who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time when a group of terrorists led by Hans Gruber (played by Alan Rickman) take over the Nakatomi Plaza building in Los Angeles. As the terrorists begin to take hostages and demand a large ransom, McClane is able to stay one step ahead of them and uses his knowledge of the building, as well as his wit, to defeat the terrorists and save the day. With an incredible cast, intense action sequences, and thrilling plot, Die Hard has gone down in history as one of the greatest action films of all time.

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

L.A. Confidential is a 1997 neo-noir crime film directed by Curtis Hanson and starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger and Danny DeVito. In 1953 Los Angeles, three police officers from very different backgrounds investigate a series of murders with a link to a group of corrupt police officers. The investigation soon leads to a power struggle between the police and a powerful crime boss. As the story unfolds, the trio must fight to stay alive and unravel the truth behind the murders and the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles. Along the way, they uncover a conspiracy involving corruption, blackmail, and violence. With a gripping plot and stellar performances, L.A. Confidential is an outstanding and suspenseful crime drama that is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

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

Fargo is a 1996 American black comedy crime thriller film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Starring Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, and Peter Stormare, the film follows a pregnant Minnesota police chief, who investigates roadside homicides that ensue after a desperate car salesman hires two criminals to kidnap his wife in order to extort a hefty ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. The film's dark humor and unusual storyline, combined with its setting in the snow-covered Minnesota countryside, gave it both critical and commercial success. It won two Academy Awards (for Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress in a Leading Role), and was nominated for two more (Best Director and Best Picture). It has become a cult classic and is considered one of the Coen brothers' greatest achievements.

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

Blade Runner is a 1982 science-fiction neo-noir film directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, and Edward James Olmos. Set in a dystopian future in Los Angeles, the story follows a blade runner (Ford) tasked with retiring replicants—biorobotic androids created to work on off-world colonies. He falls in love with one of the replicants (Young), and becomes embroiled in a conflict between the replicants and humans. Initially a box office flop, the film earned critical acclaim and eventually became a cult classic. It has been cited as one of the greatest science-fiction films of all time.

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

Dog Day Afternoon is a 1975 crime drama film directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Al Pacino and John Cazale. It tells the true story of a Brooklyn bank robbery gone wrong, when a man named Sonny (Pacino) and his accomplice, Sal (Cazale), attempt to rob a Chase Manhattan bank in order to pay for Sonny's lover's sex-change operation. The robbery quickly turns into a hostage situation, and the two men, surrounded by police, are forced to negotiate with the FBI and media. As the hours pass, the media attention brings out many of Sonny's supporters, including his family and the gay community, and the situation escalates into a circus-like atmosphere. In the end, the police are forced to provide a getaway plane for Sonny and Sal. Dog Day Afternoon is a tense, character-driven drama that examines the human cost of crime and the power of public opinion.

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

Touch of Evil is a classic film noir directed by Orson Welles and starring Charlton Heston and Janet Leigh. The film follows the story of a Mexican narcotics officer who, while on vacation in a small border town, finds himself embroiled in a complex murder investigation that leads him down a dangerous path. He discovers that a local corrupt police captain, played by Welles himself, is using his power and influence to manipulate the investigation and cover up his own nefarious activities. The film features themes of identity, power, and the clash between good and evil. It is an intricate, stylish, and suspenseful masterpiece that proves that Welles was one of the masters of cinema.

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

The Maltese Falcon is a 1941 film noir directed by John Huston, adapted from the novel of the same name by Dashiell Hammett. It stars Humphrey Bogart as private investigator Sam Spade, who gets drawn into a tangled web of intrigue and deception while searching for a valuable statuette known as the Maltese Falcon. Along the way, he must outwit dangerous adversaries, including a duplicitous femme fatale, Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre), and a ruthless villain, Kasper Gutman (Sydney Greenstreet). The film follows Spade as he works to uncover the truth behind the Falcon, with no one quite sure what it is or who it may belong to. The film culminates in a climactic showdown between Spade and the villains, with Spade triumphing and the Falcon now firmly in his possession.

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 Chinese crime-thriller film directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. The film follows the intertwining lives of two undercover agents, one working for the police and one for the Triads, who must put their loyalties to the test in order to uncover the truth about their respective organizations. The story follows Ming, the police informant, and Yan, the Triad mole, as they work to learn each other's identities and come to terms with their own morality. As their lives become increasingly intertwined, they must face their own inner demons, balance their loyalties, and ultimately decide which side they are truly fighting for. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning numerous awards and inspiring two sequels.

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 drama film directed by Norman Jewison. The film is set in the fictional town of Sparta, Mississippi, and follows Virgil Tibbs, an African American police detective from Philadelphia, who becomes involved in a murder investigation. Tibbs must find the killer, while also attempting to navigate through the racism and small-town politics of the town. With the help of a local police officer, Tibbs ultimately solves the case and brings the killer to justice. The film features an all-star cast, including Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, and Warren Oates, 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 drama directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon and Laurence Fishburne. The film tells the story of three childhood friends, Dave Boyle (Tim Robbins), Jimmy Markum (Sean Penn), and Sean Devine (Kevin Bacon), who are reunited after a tragic event that happened when they were kids. Years later, when the daughter of one of the trio is found murdered and the other two become suspects, the three are forced to confront their dark past. As the investigation into the girl's death continues, they soon realize that they are all connected in a way that none of them could have imagined. The film is a powerful exploration of loyalty, guilt, and revenge.

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

The Fugitive is an action-thriller film directed by Andrew Davis and starring Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, and Sela Ward. The story follows Dr. Richard Kimble, a Chicago surgeon wrongly convicted of murdering his wife. He escapes from custody and sets out on a quest to find the one-armed man he believes is the real killer, while being pursued by a relentless US Marshall, Sam Gerard. Kimble’s journey takes him across the country, as he fights for his freedom, exposes the truth, and comes face to face with his wife’s killer.

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

American Gangster is a 2007 biographical crime film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Steven Zaillian. It tells the story of Frank Lucas, an African-American gangster from Harlem who became one of the most powerful drug kingpins in 1970s America, and his effort to bring down the rival gangs who threatened his business. The film stars Denzel Washington as Lucas and Russell Crowe as Richie Roberts, a detective attempting to bring Lucas down. The film follows Lucas's rise and fall, with a focus on the consequences of his criminal activities and how they affected his family and the lives of those around him. The film received generally positive reviews and was nominated for two Academy Awards.

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

The Day of the Jackal is a 1973 political thriller film directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Edward Fox. The film is based on the 1971 novel of the same name by Frederick Forsyth. The story follows an anonymous professional assassin known only as The Jackal, who is hired to assassinate French president Charles de Gaulle. In order to succeed, The Jackal must first elude the French authorities, as well as the British detectives assigned to the case. In a thrilling race against time, The Jackal must outwit and outmaneuver the detectives in order to complete his mission. In the end, The Jackal is ultimately successful in his mission, but only after a grueling and intense pursuit.

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

Hot Fuzz is a comedy action film directed by Edgar Wright and starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. It follows London Police Officer Nicholas Angel (Pegg), who is reassigned to the sleepy town of Sandford in the West Country, after being deemed too good at his job and making his colleagues look bad. After initially struggling to adjust to his new environment, Angel eventually discovers that Sandford is hiding a sinister secret. With the help of his new partner, Danny Butterman (Frost), Angel soon finds himself fighting to save the town and its inhabitants from a group of homicidal maniacs. Along the way, the two must contend with the town's corrupt police chief and his officers, as well as a mysterious rogue vigilante seeking justice. Hot Fuzz combines action, comedy, and suspense to create a thrilling and entertaining ride.

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

The French Connection is a crime drama directed by William Friedkin, and starring Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider. The film follows two detectives, Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle and Buddy "Cloudy" Russo, as they attempt to bust an international heroin-smuggling ring. With their informant, the detectives discover that a large shipment of drugs is being smuggled into the United States via the French Connection. As the detectives attempt to apprehend the criminals, they come up against the powerful French Connection and are forced to operate outside the law in order to bring down the organization. The climax of the film is an intense car chase through the streets of New York City, as Popeye pursues a suspect in a stolen car. The gripping climax leads to a thrilling conclusion and the capture of the criminals. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and was nominated for six others.

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

Serpico is a crime drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and based on the true story of Frank Serpico, a real-life New York City policeman who exposed corruption in the NYPD. The film stars Al Pacino as Serpico and recounts his struggle to fight against a culture of bribery and injustice that plagues the police department. Despite facing extreme opposition from the higher-ups, Serpico perseveres and his efforts ultimately lead to a grand jury investigation and the arrest of several corrupt officers. The film shows Serpico's commitment to justice and integrity in the face of overwhelming odds and the consequences he faced for standing up for what he believed in.

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 and starring Clint Eastwood as Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan of the San Francisco Police Department. The film follows Callahan as he attempts to stop a deranged psychopathic serial killer, Scorpio, who is terrorizing San Francisco. Along the way, Callahan clashes with his superiors, who are concerned with the increasing media attention surrounding the case and are afraid of the public's negative opinion of the police department's handling of the situation. Callahan is relentless in his pursuit of Scorpio, often operating outside the law in order to get results. In the end, Callahan is able to apprehend Scorpio, but is left with deeper questions about the nature of justice and morality.

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, starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke. The story follows two Los Angeles Police Department officers—Detective Alonzo Harris (Washington), a corrupt narcotics officer, and his new partner, Officer Jake Hoyt (Hawke). Alonzo takes Jake on a 24-hour tour of the city's gang and drug cultures, as part of a "training day" to determine if Jake has what it takes to survive in the force. Throughout their day, Alonzo increasingly shows his true colors as a corrupt officer, while Jake is forced to make difficult moral decisions and confront his own limits. Ultimately, Jake is able to successfully stop Alonzo and bring him to justice. Training Day was a critical and commercial success, earning Washington an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.