15 Perfectly Rated Crime Thrillers On Netflix Worth Bingeing Tonight
Craving edge-of-your-seat suspense that keeps you glued to the screen until 3 AM? Netflix has an incredible lineup of crime thrillers that critics and audiences absolutely adore.
Unforgettable characters and shock-factor storytelling define these shows, spanning psychological mind-benders and true crime stories that will leave you stunned.
Grab your snacks and settle in because tonight is about to get seriously thrilling.
Disclaimer: All selections and descriptions are based on viewer ratings, critical buzz, and availability at the time of writing rather than any objective or absolute measure of quality.
1. Mindhunter (2017)
FBI agents dive deep into the twisted minds of serial killers to solve ongoing cases in this psychological masterpiece.
Based on real-life criminal profiling techniques, the show features chilling interviews that feel uncomfortably authentic.
David Fincher’s direction creates an atmosphere so tense you might forget to breathe. Each conversation reveals disturbing details about how monsters think, making you question human nature itself.
2. Bodyguard (2018)
War veteran David Budd becomes the personal protection officer for a controversial politician he fundamentally disagrees with.
Richard Madden delivers an Emmy-worthy performance as a man battling PTSD while navigating political conspiracies.
British television at its finest, the series opens with a jaw-dropping train sequence that sets the tone perfectly.
3. Ozark (2017)
Financial advisor Marty Byrde relocates his family to the Missouri Ozarks after a money-laundering scheme goes horribly wrong.
Suddenly, he owes a dangerous drug cartel millions and has limited time to make things right.
Laura Linney delivers a powerhouse performance as Wendy, transforming from suburban mom to ruthless strategist.
Every episode escalates the tension, proving that ordinary people can become extraordinarily dangerous when survival is at stake.
4. Delhi Crime (2019)
Following the brutal 2012 Delhi case, this series chronicles the intense investigation that captivated and horrified India.
Shefali Shah leads an ensemble cast portraying the officers who worked tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.
Winner of the International Emmy for Best Drama, the show balances procedural accuracy with emotional depth.
It’s difficult to watch at times, but the respectful storytelling honors the victim while showcasing the dedication of law enforcement during a national crisis.
5. Narcos (2015)
Pablo Escobar’s rise and fall as Colombia’s most notorious drug lord gets the cinematic treatment it deserves.
Wagner Moura embodies the kingpin with such intensity that you’ll understand why he became a legend, albeit a terrifying one.
Mixing archival footage with dramatic reenactments, the series feels like a documentary that punches you in the gut with every episode.
6. Narcos: Mexico (2018)
Before the cartels became household names, one man laid the foundation for the modern drug trade.
Felix Gallardo unites various smugglers into a powerful federation, changing the game forever. Diego Luna brings charisma and menace to the role of the Guadalajara Cartel’s architect.
Meanwhile, DEA agent Kiki Camarena discovers just how deep corruption runs, leading to one of the most shocking true crime stories ever told.
7. The Chestnut Man (2021)
Handmade dolls crafted from chestnuts and matchsticks appear at gruesome murder scenes across Copenhagen. Danish detectives must decode the chilling connection before the killer strikes again.
Based on Søren Sveistrup’s bestselling novel, this Nordic noir delivers atmospheric dread in every frame.
Autumn leaves and misty forests become characters themselves, creating an unsettling backdrop for a mystery that weaves past tragedies with present horrors in genuinely shocking ways.
8. Money Heist (2017)
A criminal mastermind nicknamed The Professor recruits eight thieves for an ambitious heist on Spain’s Royal Mint. Their plan?
Print billions while holding hostages and outsmarting the police for days.
What starts as a robbery becomes a cultural phenomenon with iconic red jumpsuits and Salvador Dali masks.
The show’s intricate planning and emotional backstories make you root for criminals, which is wildly unexpected but totally addictive.
9. Unbelievable (2019)
A teenager reports being assaulted, but authorities doubt her account, setting off a chain of devastating consequences.
This limited series confronts the heartbreaking way survivors are often treated by the system.
Toni Collette and Merritt Wever star as detectives who discover a pattern connecting multiple cases across different states.
Based on true events, the show handles its sensitive subject matter with respect while delivering a gripping investigation that ultimately celebrates perseverance and justice.
10. Lupin (2021)
Inspired by the legendary gentleman thief Arsene Lupin, Assane Diop seeks revenge against a wealthy family who wronged his father decades ago.
Omar Sy brings charm and intelligence to this modern retelling set in Paris.
The show celebrates French culture while delivering thrills that transcend language barriers, proving great storytelling needs no subtitles to captivate audiences worldwide.
11. The Serpent (2021)
Charles Sobhraj, a cunning con artist and murderer, preyed on Western tourists traveling through Asia during the 1970s.
Tahar Rahim portrays the charismatic killer who used charm as his deadliest weapon. Jenna Coleman co-stars as his girlfriend and accomplice in this stranger-than-fiction true crime saga.
The series jumps through timelines, mirroring Sobhraj’s slippery nature while Dutch diplomat Herman Knippenberg races to expose the truth about missing backpackers along the hippie trail.
12. The Innocent (2021)
Mateo’s life is finally back on track after serving time for an accidental killing years ago. Then his wife receives a mysterious phone call, and suddenly their carefully rebuilt world begins crumbling.
This Spanish thriller masterfully weaves multiple timelines and perspectives into a puzzle box narrative. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, another twist sends you spinning.
13. The Stranger (2020)
A mysterious woman approaches strangers in public, revealing their darkest secrets before disappearing without explanation.
Adam Price’s perfect family life shatters when she whispers something that changes everything he thought he knew.
Harlan Coben’s thriller expertise translates brilliantly to screen with this British adaptation.
14. When They See Us (2019)
Five teenagers of color were wrongfully convicted of a brutal assault in Central Park during 1989.
Ava DuVernay’s powerful limited series chronicles their nightmare through the justice system and aftermath.
This isn’t easy viewing, but it’s essential storytelling that exposes systemic failures and racism.
The performances, particularly from the young actors portraying the Exonerated Five, will break your heart while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit against unimaginable injustice and cruelty.
15. Top Boy (2011)
Life on a London housing estate revolves around the drug trade, where young dealers navigate violence, loyalty, and survival.
This gritty British drama doesn’t glamorize street life but portrays it with raw authenticity.
After Channel 4 cancelled it, Drake helped revive the series for Netflix, introducing international audiences to East London’s criminal underworld.
Ashley Walters and Kane Robinson deliver powerful performances as rivals turned reluctant allies in a world where one wrong move can end everything instantly.
