Netflix has a great selection of crime series available to stream. Here are my favourites, award winners, critically acclaimed and cult favourites.
WYALAN Ranked, Rated and Recommended
WYALAN star rating explained:
- 5 stars – Highly enjoyed and would highly recommend as a must watch
- 4 stars – Enjoyed and would watch again in the future
- 3 stars – Glad I watched it once, but I’ll probably never watch it again
- 2 stars – Watched to the end, but I wouldn’t watch it again
- 1 star – DNF (did not finish)
Line of Duty (2012–2021) – Police/Procedural
For fans of: Broadchurch, The Shield, Happy Valley
AC-12 investigates corruption within the force in this twist-heavy British series praised for its moral complexity and relentless pacing. WYALAN Rating – 5/5
Bodyguard (2018) – Political/Thriller
For fans of: Line of Duty, The Night Manager, Homeland
A war veteran turned protection officer is assigned to a controversial politician, triggering a web of conspiracies in this Golden Globe-winning BBC thriller. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Giri / Haji (2019) – Neo-Noir/Crime
For fans of: Tokyo Vice, McMafia, Slow Horses
A Tokyo detective tracks his fugitive brother in London, weaving family drama, gang warfare, and stylised noir into a BAFTA-nominated gem. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
The Residence (2024) – Political/Murder Mystery
For fans of: Scandal, The Night Agent, Knives Out
A murder at a White House state dinner triggers a high-stakes investigation into secrets, rivalries, and power plays in this Shondaland thriller. WYALAN Rating – 3.5/5
More best lists on Netflix:
New Releases On Netflix This Week ~ Comedy Series On Netflix ~ Sci-Fi On Netflix ~ Rom Coms On Netflix ~ Documentaries On Netflix 2025 ~ Feel-Good Movies On Netflix ~ Horror Movies On Netflix ~ Short Movies On Netflix ~ Sports Documentaries On Netflix ~ Documentaries On Netflix
Award Winners
Peaky Blinders (2013–2022) – Historical/Crime
For fans of: Boardwalk Empire, Gangs of London, Taboo
Cillian Murphy leads this stylish saga of post-WWI gangsters, blending political ambition, family loyalty, and razor-sharp violence into one of Britain’s most decorated dramas.
Killing Eve (2018–2022) – Spy/Crime
For fans of: The Americans, Barry, Fleabag
A bored MI6 analyst becomes obsessed with a glamorous assassin in this genre-bending thriller that won BAFTAs and Golden Globes for its dark humour and electric performances.
DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022) – True Crime/Drama
For fans of: Mindhunter, The Assassination of Gianni Versace, The Fall
Evan Peters delivers a chilling portrayal of the notorious serial killer in this Emmy-winning series that explores systemic failures and the horror of overlooked victims.
Making a Murderer (2015–2018) – True Crime/Docuseries
For fans of: The Staircase, The Jinx, The Innocent Man
This Emmy-winning documentary follows Steven Avery’s controversial trial and conviction, sparking global debate about justice, bias, and the American legal system.
Tiger King (2020–2021) – True Crime/Docuseries
For fans of: Wild Wild Country, The Vow, Don’t F**k with Cats
This viral sensation chronicles the feud between eccentric zookeepers, blending murder plots, cults, and big cats into a cultural phenomenon.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019) – Crime/Drama
For fans of: Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Ozark
Jesse Pinkman’s desperate escape from captivity unfolds in this award-winning epilogue, offering closure and catharsis with cinematic flair.
American Vandal (2017–2018) – Satire/Crime
For fans of: Only Murders in the Building, Documentary Now!, Abbott Elementary
This mockumentary about high school pranks and digital sleuthing won a Peabody for its sharp satire and unexpectedly poignant storytelling.
Critically Acclaimed
MINDHUNTER (2017–2019) – Psychological/Crime
For fans of: Zodiac, The Silence of the Lambs, Criminal Minds
David Fincher’s slow-burn FBI profiler drama explores the birth of criminal psychology with chilling interviews and meticulous period detail.
The Fall (2013–2016) – Psychological/Crime
For fans of: Luther, Top of the Lake, Hannibal
Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan face off in this Belfast-set thriller that dissects obsession, gender violence, and the psychology of evil.
Narcos (2015–2017) – Historical/Crime
For fans of: ZeroZeroZero, Snowfall, El Chapo
This gritty chronicle of Pablo Escobar’s empire blends documentary realism with high-stakes drama, earning acclaim for its scope and performances.
Top Boy (2011–2023) – Urban/Crime
For fans of: The Wire, Snowfall, Blue Story
This London-set series explores gang life, poverty, and ambition with raw authenticity and layered character arcs.
Unforgotten (2015– ) – Cold Case/Drama
For fans of: Broadchurch, Shetland, Vera
Each season unearths buried crimes and emotional fallout, earning praise for its empathy, realism, and slow-burning suspense.
The Sinner (2017–2021) – Psychological/Crime
For fans of: Sharp Objects, Mare of Easttown, The Killing
Bill Pullman’s detective unravels deeply personal crimes in this anthology praised for its psychological depth and haunting performances.
The Lincoln Lawyer (2022– ) – Legal/Crime
For fans of: Suits, Bosch, The Practice
Manuel Garcia-Rulfo reinvents the slick defense attorney in this fast-paced legal drama that balances charisma with courtroom tension.
The Capture (2019– ) – Tech/Crime
For fans of: Black Mirror, Homeland, The Bodyguard
This surveillance thriller explores deepfake manipulation and digital paranoia, earning acclaim for its relevance and narrative twists.
The Gentlemen (2024– ) – Crime/Comedy
For fans of: Snatch, Banshee, Barry
Guy Ritchie’s TV spin-off delivers swagger, scheming, and stylised violence as a reluctant aristocrat inherits a criminal empire.
Dark Winds (2022– ) – Western/Crime
For fans of: Longmire, True Detective, Outer Range
Set on Navajo land in the 1970s, this noir mystery blends Indigenous culture with classic detective tropes, earning praise for its authenticity.
The Brothers Sun (2024– ) – Action/Crime
For fans of: Warrior, Beef, Gangs of London
A Taiwanese-American gangster saga that mixes martial arts, family secrets, and dark comedy with stylish execution.
Lupin (2021– ) – Heist/Crime
For fans of: Sherlock, Money Heist, Now You See Me
Omar Sy’s gentleman thief reimagines the classic Arsène Lupin tales with charisma, cleverness, and global appeal.
Cult Favourites
Dexter (2006–2013, 2021) – Serial Killer/Crime
For fans of: You, Hannibal, Bates Motel
A blood-spatter analyst moonlights as a vigilante killer in this morally murky cult hit that redefined antihero storytelling.
Lucifer (2016–2021) – Supernatural/Crime
For fans of: Supernatural, Castle, Constantine
The Devil solves crimes in Los Angeles while wrestling with redemption, romance, and celestial politics in this fan-favourite procedural.
Sneaky Pete (2015–2019) – Con Artist/Crime
For fans of: Justified, Better Call Saul, Leverage
A con man assumes his cellmate’s identity to escape his past, triggering a web of family secrets and criminal entanglements.
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (2016–2017) – Sci-Fi/Crime
For fans of: Doctor Who, Legion, The Umbrella Academy
Douglas Adams’ absurdist detective gets a surreal TV adaptation full of time travel, body-swapping, and cosmic chaos.
DEATH NOTE (2006) – Anime/Crime
For fans of: Monster, Psycho-Pass, Tokyo Ghoul
A student gains the power to kill by writing names in a notebook, sparking a cerebral battle of justice and manipulation.
American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing (2023) – True Crime/Docuseries
For fans of: Manhunt: Unabomber, Waco: American Apocalypse, 9/11
This Netflix docuseries reconstructs the 2013 bombing and manhunt with archival footage and survivor testimony.
How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast) (2019–2021) – Teen/Crime
For fans of: Skins, Mr. Robot, Breaking Bad
A German teenager builds a drug empire from his bedroom in this fast-paced, tech-savvy dark comedy.
Wild Wild Country (2018) – Cult/Crime
For fans of: The Vow, The Family, Keep Sweet
This Emmy-winning docuseries explores the rise and fall of the Rajneesh movement in Oregon, revealing a surreal clash of ideology and power.
Evil Genius (2018) – True Crime/Docuseries
For fans of: The Jinx, Don’t F**k with Cats, Mindhunter
A pizza delivery man is forced into a deadly heist in this twisted true crime story that spirals into conspiracy and madness.