The exploration ofcrime, criminals, and the law enforcement that works to tackle them has always been an area of fascination in cinema since its inception and has made for some of the greatest movies of all time. Movies likeMystic RiverandZodiacstand out as great examples of how the genre has been handled from an investigative standpoint, focusing on character studies and building suspense. Classics likeThe GodfatherandEastern Promises, on the other hand, focus more on the criminals themselves and rely on atmosphere and dialogue, punctuated by intense bouts of extreme violence.
While the above-mentioned are all great movies, not everyone prefers the slow-burn approach, and many are looking for an exhilarating, heart-pounding,action-packed viewing experience. The following crime movies are stacked full of intense shootouts,speedy car chases, hand-to-hand combat, and explosive carnage that never let up.
Here are 10 crime movies that are action-packed from start to finish.
10’Den of Thieves' (2015)
Den of Thieves
Set in L.A.,Den of Thievespits a County Sheriff’s Department deputy gang against a crew of thieves consisting of ex-Marines who are planning to rob the Federal Reserve in Los Angeles.
‘Den of Thieves’ Avoids Clichés and Was a Hit With Critics
While not exactly an original premise, the movie more than makes up for it with its abundance of action and compelling characters. Gerard Butler embodies the gritty, unpredictable cop with aplomb, and supporting members Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and O’Shea Jackson Jr. are in fine form as they try to stay one step ahead of the law, blasting their way out of trouble when the situation calls for it.
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9’The Raid: Redemption' (2012)
The Raid: Redemption
This incredible Indonesianmartial arts actionflick was a huge surprise hit that spawned a sequel and an upcoming American remake, which is reportedly in the works. It tells the story of Rama, a highly efficient rookie on an elite squad tasked with infiltrating a high-rise building run by a ruthless drug lord in the slums of Jakarta. A relentless, balls-to-the-wall exercise in brutality,The Raidexhibits some of the finest martial arts sequences ever choreographed and committed to film.
‘The Raid’ Is Brutally Intense
The innovative use of a handheld Steadicam gives the movie an almost documentary-like feel, truly immersing viewers in the heart of the mayhem. This white-knuckle action romp was a huge hit with critics and audiences alike, winning the Toronto International Film Festival People’s Choice Award for Midnight Madness. It also received a plethora of other awards and nominations from local and international institutions.
8’Smokin' Aces' (2007)
Smokin' Aces
Released in 2006, the adrenaline-fueled crime caperSmokin' Acessees Buddy “Aces” Israel, a former mob informant, now working as a magician. When a citywide “hit” is placed on his head, news of the bounty soon spreads, drawing a chaotic mix of assassins, FBI agents, villains, and bounty hunters out of the woodwork to get their hands on ‘Aces.’
Despite Its Impressive Cast and Non-Stop Action, the Movie Wasn’t a Huge “Hit”
The film features a star-studded cast, including Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta, Ben Kingsley, Morgan Freeman, Chris Pine, Alicia Keys, and Ben Affleck, portraying characters with their own unique motives in the pursuit of Israel. Despite its stellar cast and ambitious premise, the movie received mixed reviews from critics, with many criticizing its convoluted plot and lack of character development, claiming it relied too heavily on style over substance. Ultimately, it failed to ignite the box office in the way many had hoped.
7’The Town' (2010)
A tense crime thriller,The Townmanages to deliver non-stop action without ever cutting back on story, character development, or atmosphere. The plot revolves around a gang of bank robbers planning their next big heist. Things get complicated, though, when one of the robbers develops romantic feelings for a previous victim of theirs.
‘The Town’ Confirmed Ben Affleck’s Talent Behind the Camera
Ben Affleck’s directorial debut was 2007’sGone Baby Gone, and quite frankly, following a string of commercial and critical acting disappointments, it was a revelation.Affleck proved it was no fluke, either, and came back even stronger with his second picture,The Town, a winning streak he continued with the Oscar-winningArgo. LikeGone Baby Gone, Ben Affleck’s direction inThe Townmasterfully captures the grit and authenticity of Boston, blending raw, emotional storytelling with a deep, lived-in understanding of the city’s streets, culture, and criminal underbelly.
Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, played by Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, respectively, first came into the public consciousness way back in 1995 after the release of the Michael Bay-directed blockbuster action-comedyBad Boys. The mismatched best friends work as Miami detectives and are investigating a stolen stash of heroin.
The action-comedy genre combines aspects of both action and comedy, and while many movies tick these boxes, it’s far harder to seamlessly blend the two in a manner that feels organic.Bad Boysexcels at ingeniously injecting humor into even the most high-octane action sequences, thanks to the pair’s undeniable on-screen chemistry.
The movie elevated Smith from a sitcom actor and Lawrence from a stand-up comedian, cementing them as certified Hollywood megastars. Now among the most successful buddy cop franchises ever, the originalBad Boysmovie spawned three sequels.
5’RoboCop' (1987)
This dystopian action film, directed by Paul Verhoeven, follows the story of a critically injured police officer who is transformed into a cyborg law enforcement unit and brought back to tackle crime head-on after Detroit has become overrun with ruthless criminals and institutional corruption. The movie was a critical hit and is now considered an iconic entry in the action genre.
‘RoboCop’ Is Gleefully Violent and Over-the-Top
Despite tackling some fairly serious issues,RoboCopnever takes itself too seriously. The violence is gratuitous, and the action is relentless. It revels in over-the-top carnage, carried by an undercurrent of pitch-black humor. This hyper-stylized orchestra of action and violence certainly helped cement its status as a cult classic among genre fans. To this day,RoboCopremains a prime example of peak ’80s action cinema.
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4’Sicario' (2015)
Sicariois a thrilling, shocking, and powerful movie about an FBI agent tasked with bringing down a brutal Mexican drug cartel. What could have easily been a run-of-the-mill crime thriller turns out to be something spectacular.
‘Sicario’ Is Intense and Unpredictable
Creating an overwhelming sense of unrelenting tension, the film’s morally ambiguous storytelling is masterfully brought to life by the likes of Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, and Josh Brolin. It is intense, brutal, and utterly unpredictable.
3’Baby Driver' (2017)
Baby Driver
Baby Driveris a heart-pounding, fast-paced action crime thriller starring Ansel Elgort as a timid but skilled young getaway driver who is coerced into one last job when a heist goes awry, forcing him to navigate a perilous path to secure his freedom and future. Directed by Edgar Wright,Baby Driverboasts a strong cast, an electrifying soundtrack, and some of the most exhilarating chase sequences and stunts ever committed to film.
An Action Movie Ballet
Baby Driverdanced onto the silver screen with a choreography of action and music intertwined into a kind of octane-fueled ballet, scoring 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and pirouetting its way to a box office total of over $226 million worldwide. Elgort’s magnetic performance, the film’s stylish direction, and its innovative use of musicwere all particularly praised.
2’Polar' (2019)
Rooted in the neo-noir genre,Polaris a gaudy, gun-blazing spectacle of gratuitous gore. Based on the graphic novelPolar: Came From the Cold, it’s similar toJohn Wickin tone, style, and even plot—except cranked up to 11. Mads Mikkelsen stars as a retired assassin on a warpath after he discovers his employer’s plans to permanently “end his contract.”
‘Polar’ Was Criticized for Prioritizing Action and Violence Over Plot and Character Development
In general, critical reception forPolarwas pretty poor, with many accusing it of focusing on style over substance. While Mikkelsen’s performance was praised, most other characters were very one-dimensional and even somewhat annoying. The excessive violence might be hard to stomach for some, but if you’re looking for some bloody good fun that doesn’t require too much thinking, this could be the flick for you.
1’Hard Boiled' (1992)
Hard Boiled
Directed by John Woo,Hard Boiledfollows a police inspector who becomes dangerously entangled in Hong Kong’s criminal underworld after going undercover in an attempt to take down a brutal Triad leader.
‘Hard Boiled’ Was John Woo’s Last Hong Kong Film Before His Transition to Hollywood
Throughout the ’80s and early ’90s, Woo had been establishing a name for himself as one of Hong Kong’s most exciting directors, helming a string of high-octane classics, withHard Boiledbeing his definitive work of the era. Following this success, he began working on big Hollywood pictures, includingBroken Arrow,Face/Off, andMission: Impossible 2, but none recaptured the raw intensity and ballistic violence ofHard Boiled.
