25 best crime series that will keep you hooked for a long time

25. Think like a criminal

Criminal Minds

• USA, Canada, 2005–2020.
• Thriller, drama, crime, detective.
• Duration: 15 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.1.

A team of FBI investigators catches the most dangerous criminals. To do this, detectives, together with profiling specialists, analyze the behavior of violators of the law and try to predict their further actions.

This project is a long-liver among crime series. Over the course of 15 years, 324 episodes were released, as well as two spin-offs subtitled "The Behavior of the Suspect" and "Abroad".

24. paper house

La Casa de Papel

• Spain, 2017-2021.
• Thriller, crime, drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.2.

A genius under the pseudonym The Professor assembles a team to pull off one of the most daring heists in history. Criminals break into the Royal Mint of Spain and take hostages. According to the plan, they must take out a huge amount of money from the building, but everything can collapse due to the emotional actions of some members of the gang.

The Spanish series from the Antena 3 channel and screenwriter Alex Pina became popular thanks to the service Netflix. Moreover, for the release on the platform, the first seasons were rewired, changing the number and duration of episodes.

"Paper House" is sometimes criticized for the abundance of melodrama and drawn plot twists. However, the series pleases with dynamics and unpredictability.

23. The escape

Prison Break

• USA, UK, 2005–2017.
• Crime, Action, Thriller, Drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.3

Lincoln Burrows is arrested and tried for a murder he did not commit. Then his brother Michael Scofield deliberately commits a crime in order to end up in the same prison. The thing is that he once designed this building and now made a plan to help a loved one escape.

The first seasons of the series delight with many small details: the characters, like in a good quest, must fulfill certain conditions in order to be saved.

Alas, already from the third season the plot went in a circle, increasingly leaning towards self-repetitions.

22. 24 hours

24

• United States, 2001–2014.
• Action, thriller, detective.
• Duration: 9 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.4.

Agent fictional intelligence agency CTU Jack Bauer performs the most complex and important tasks. He saves a presidential candidate from an assassination attempt, prevents a nuclear bomb from exploding, and searches for a dangerous virus. He only has one day to do anything.

Events in the series are always shown in real time. Each season consists of 24 episodes, and in total, all the action fits into a day. This approach ensures constant dynamics and does not allow you to relax while watching.

21. Beach Murder

Broadchurch

• UK, 2013-2017.
• Detective, crime, drama.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.4.

On the beach of the quiet town of Broadchurch, the body of an 11-year-old boy is found. It soon becomes clear that this is not an accident, but murder. Then only Ellie Miller, who has just returned from vacation, is taken up with the recently arrived detective Alec Hardy.

The main roles in the series were played by David Tennant, known for "Doctor Who", and the future winner of "Oscar", "Emmy", "Golden Globe" and many other awards Olivia Colman.

A year after the release of the first season, the screenwriter of the series, Chris Chibnall, released an American remake of Graypoint, and the same Tennant was invited to play the main role. However, the new version was unsuccessful.

20. Murder

Forbrydelsen

• Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, 2007-2012.
• Detective, drama, crime.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.4.

Detective Sarah Lund plans to move from Denmark to Sweden, but is forced to stay behind to investigate the brutal murder of a young girl. Gradually it is revealed that the case is connected with the highest political circles.

This European The series has two remakes: the American The Killing and the Russian Crime. But the original still looks the most profound and exciting.

19. Luther

Luther

• UK, 2010–2019.
• Thriller, detective, drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.4.

London detective John Luther has a sharp mind and the courage to take on the toughest cases. However, it is often too cruel and crosses the line of legality. In addition, Luther is in constant depression.

The series starring Idris Elba is not built like classic detectives. Often the perpetrator is known from the very beginning, and most of each episode is devoted to the hero's attempts to bring him to clean water.

18. Ozark

Ozark

• United States, 2017–2022.
• Drama, thriller, crime.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.5.

Financial consultant Marty Bird finds himself in a difficult situation. Through the fault of a partner, he must urgently launder a large amount of money for the drug cartel. Therefore, Marty and his family hastily move to a quiet city on the shores of the Lake of the Ozarks and begin to build a criminal business.

Prior to this series, Jason Bateman was considered a comedic actor. However, here he managed to embody a very ambiguous dramatic image: his Marty Bird seems to be a caring father and a kind person. However, it works for mafiagradually becoming more and more violent.

17. In sight

Person of interest

• USA, 2011-2016.
• Drama, crime, detective.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.5.

Billionaire Harold Finch is developing a program for the US government that can predict terrorist attacks and even common crimes. However, it uses video surveillance data, phone calls and social networks, which is considered an invasion of citizens' privacy. After the assassination attempt, Finch, along with a former CIA agent, decides to catch the villains himself.

Of course, the main idea of ​​the series looks almost fantastic. But still, the plot of most episodes is built as a traditional detective story about two partners with completely different characters.

16. Boardwalk Empire

Boardwalk Empire

• United States, 2010–2014.
• Crime, drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.6.

Prohibition begins in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. Treasurer Enoch Thompson, a night-time criminal business, decides to take advantage of the situation and make a quick profit by selling alcohol. However, the competition in this business is very fierce.

The series was created by Terence Winter, co-creator of The Sopranos. And the executive producer and director of the first episode was Martin Scorsese.

15. mind hunter

Mindhunter

• United States, 2017-2019.
• Thriller, detective, drama.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.6.

In the late 1970s, FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench develop a new line of investigation. They interrogate the incarcerated maniacs, trying to understand their way of thinking. The agents use the knowledge gained to search for new serial killers.

David Fincher's project is based on real events, so in "mind hunter"There are many really existing maniacs. At the same time, most of the action of the series consists exclusively of dialogues. But thanks to the talent of the authors, you just can’t tear yourself away from watching.

14. Sons of Anarchy

Sons of Anarchy

• United States, 2008–2014.
• Drama, crime, thriller.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.6.

The biker club trades in the sale of weapons, but at the same time it is trying to protect its small town from drug dealers. However, the young leader of the Sons of Anarchy doubts the correctness of his actions.

The series was canceled after seven successful seasons. But in parallel, the Mayans spin-off, dedicated to another biker club, was launched on the air.

13. Bridge

Bron/Broen

• Sweden, Denmark, Germany, 2011-2018.
• Detective, crime, thriller.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.6.

A human body is found on the Øresund bridge. Since it is at this place that the border between Sweden and Denmark passes, detectives from both countries take on the investigation. Gradually, they realize that the case is connected with politics.

Like The Killing, this European series has been remade in many countries. The United States and Mexico, Germany and Austria, Russia and Estonia, and even Singapore and Malaysia have released their versions. Each time the scheme is the same: the police of the two countries are investigating a murder at the border.

12. dexter

Dexter

• United States, 2006–2013.
• Thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 8 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

Due to the terrible events that Dexter Morgan experienced as a child, he has a complete lack of empathy, and a desire to kill has settled inside. But his adoptive father served in the police and was able to wrap his son's inclinations for the good of society. dexter preys on maniacs who could not be arrested. However, the hero has breakdowns.

Initially, the project is based on the book Dexter's Slumbering Demon by Jeffrey Lindsay, but with each season the plot moves away from the original further and further.

The series finale was considered very unfortunate. So in 2021, Showtime brought Dexter back for another season with the subtitle New Blood. Alas, its completion was rated even lower.

11. On duty

line of duty

• UK, 2012–2021.
• Crime, drama, detective, thriller.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

During an unsuccessful anti-terrorist operation, an innocent person dies. Sergeant Steve Arnott refuses to cover up for his colleagues and is transferred to the anti-corruption department. There, the hero is surprised to learn that many of the police have long been collaborating with organized crime.

Since the project "On Duty" severely criticizes the police, the official services of the UK refused to advise the authors of the series. Therefore, those had to look for information on the forums, as well as communicate with retired officers.

10. Prison "OZ"

Oz

• United States, 1997–2003.
• Thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

The action takes place in the experimental department of the maximum security colony "Oz". In a place called the "Emerald City", the prisoners are divided into several factions and are waging a war for power and drug trafficking.

Violent series departs from traditional plots about prisons. The authors do not talk about innocent prisoners and escape plans, but about the everyday life of the most dangerous criminals.

9. Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders

• UK, 2013–2022.
• Drama, crime, historical.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.8.

After the First World War, the Peaky Blinders gang appeared in Birmingham, led by the Shelby brothers. The dealers start off as petty horse racing swindlers, but gradually build up their influence and expand their business.

The series in which he played Cillian Murphyis based on real events. But still, the authors of the project show a lot of fiction, focusing on the stylish video sequence, charismatic characters and the soundtrack.

8. Narcos

Narcos

• USA, Colombia, 2015-2017.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.8.

Criminal Pablo Escobar establishes his illegal business in Colombia in the 1970s. He founds the world's largest drug cartel, but the best FBI agent is already on his trail.

From the third season, the series switched to a story about a new criminal gang. After that, the project was closed, but they launched the spin-off "Narcos: Mexico", which takes place in the 1980s in Guadalajara.

7. Better call Saul

Better Call Saul

• United States, 2015–2022.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.8.

Talented small-time lawyer Saul Goodman takes care of his sick brother and decides to open his own business. A penchant for fraud and a sharp mind help him reach certain heights.

The audience met Saul Goodman in the TV series Breaking Bad. After the completion of the project, Vince Gilligan decided to tell more about this hero.

6. Fargo

Fargo

• United States, 2014 - present.
• Comedy, crime, drama.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.9.

Each season of the crime anthology tells a different story. However, all of them are united by ridiculous criminals and mafia clans. In the first season, the loser tries to cover up the murder of his wife. In the second, a simple girl knocks down the son of a gangster. In the third, the criminal wants to rob his twin brother. And in the fourth, they talk about the confrontation between black bandits and descendants of Italian emigrants.

The series is based on creativity the Coen brothers. However, only the form of presentation and humor were taken from the original Fargo film, and the rest of the plots are completely independent.

5. True detective

True Detective

• United States, 2014 - present.
• Detective, drama, crime.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.9.

In the first season of this anthology, partner detectives spend many years figuring out the killer of a woman. In the second, an interagency team investigates the death of an official. In the third, the police are looking for a missing girl after the death of her brother, and one of them returns to the case already elderly, suffering from memory lapses.

Despite the fact that the seasons are not related, they have common features. Each time the action stretches for many years, showing important stages in the life of the characters. In addition, the detective line is always combined with a gloomy philosophy.

4. Sherlock

Sherlock

• UK, US, 2010-2017.
• Thriller, drama, crime, detective.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 9.1.

War veteran John Watson returns to London and meets a rude but brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes. Partners unravel complex cases and enter into a confrontation with the king of the underworld Moriarty.

Steven Moffatt of Doctor Who brought the plots of Arthur Conan Doyle's works to the present day. Therefore, Sherlock uses modern technology, and instead of smoking, he glues a nicotine patch. However, the basis remained the same: the deductive method of Holmes and the battle with criminals.

3. The Sopranos

The Sopranos

• United States, 1999–2007.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 9.2.

The terminally ill head of the mafia clan appoints Tony Soprano to manage all affairs. But the hero has an attack, and he goes to a psychotherapist. However, Tony cannot tell the doctor the details of his life, because all his problems are related to crimes.

One of the most famous series about the mafia is partly based on a true story. However, the authors added a lot of artistic twists and even humor. For six seasons, The Sopranos has received more than a hundred nominations for various awards and about 45 prizes.

In 2021, the feature film The Many Saints of Newark was released. This is a prequel that tells about Tony's youth.

2. wiretapping

The Wire

• USA, 2002-2008.
• Thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 9.3.

Baltimore cops are investigating a drug deal. Since what is happening is clearly connected with the local mafia, Detective James McNulty installs a wiretap on the suspects. However, corruption and bureaucracy prevent him from achieving results.

Unlike most other series, The Wire was not created by professional writers, but by a journalist and a police officer from Baltimore. That is why the project shows the everyday life of the city and the showdown with criminals as realistically as possible.

1. Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad

• United States, 2008–2013.
• Drama, thriller, crime.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 9.5.

Chemistry teacher Walter White learns he has cancer. He urgently needs to earn money for treatment and leave something for the family in case of death. Therefore, Walter, having taken dealer Jesse Pinkman as an assistant, begins to manufacture drugs. Gradually, the modest hero turns into a cruel criminal.

Vince Gilligan's project gets darker with each season. And its ending is considered one of the most successful in the history of television. And for those who want to once again return to the world of the Breaking Bad crime series, a full-length film with the subtitle El Camino was released in 2019.

What crime series do you like? Share in the comments what you remember the most from the list.