Top 50 Most Popular Cop Movies Of All Time

 

There is a famous Hindi phrase that was used often to explain the power of policemen. It translates to “The law has very long arms”.

 

This alludes to the fact that cops will always apprehend criminals however far they run. It also indicates the high hopes and respect we have for the police profession.

 

Law enforcement officers, detectives, FBI, special enforcement officers, police force, etc., are just a few names that we use to identify the officers of the law in our movies.

 

Sometimes they are a force of good, and sometimes they are a bunch of crooked and corrupt officers. Either way, the power they yield over society is great.

 

Today, we will look at movies that have glorified, vilified, and represented cops in all their colours. We will run through a list of the thrilling, entertaining, suspenseful, sometimes comedic, and sometimes tragic tales of cops doing their jobs.

 

Without wasting time, here is ENTOIN’s list of the best and most popular cop movies from around the world that have caught our imagination and attention.

 

Enjoy the list!

 

 

 

1. Se7en (1995)

 

 

 

Se7en is the stylized name of the film Seven to depict the seven deadly sins. The film is a neo-noir psychological crime thriller directed by David Fincher.

 

The film received overwhelming success from audiences and critics. It was also nominated at the Oscars for Best Film Editing.

 

Two police detectives are partnered together for a murder case. One is a seasoned and ready-to-retire detective, while the other is a young, idealistic, and talented new detective.

 

As they investigate the murders, they realize that the killer is sending a message by picking victims to denote the seven deadly sins.

 

As the pair gets closer to the killer, he brings a twist that will leave us shocked.

 

 

 

2. The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

 

 

 

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological horror film that swept the Academy Awards by winning all five major categories like Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

 

The film is based on a novel of the same name by Thomas Harris. There were a sequel and two prequels to the film as well.

 

The film opens with a young FBI trainee officer, Clarice Starling, who is pursuing a serial killer with a penchant for skinning young female victims.

 

To help her understand the psychology of the killer, she approaches Dr. Hannibal Lecter, an acclaimed psychologist, and a convicted serial killer and cannibal.

 

 

 

3. The Departed (2006)

 

 

 

The Departed is a crime thriller based on the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, which also draws inspiration from real-life incidents with the Boston Winter Hill Gang.

 

This film, made by Martin Scorsese, is set against the background of a face-off between Boston’s Irish mob and the Massachusetts State Police.

 

The film earned several awards, including four Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.

 

To infiltrate the Boston Irish mob, a young undercover state trooper is sent out, and at the same time, a young criminal is planted in the state police unit.

 

They both spy for their bosses to locate the mole in the organization.

 

 

 

4. Die Hard (1988)

 

 

 

Die Hard is an action thriller that spawned a franchise of successful sequels and also made the career of two Hollywood A-list actors.

 

Die Hard turned Bruce Willis from a TV actor into a Hollywood star, and it made the British actor Alan Rickman famous in Tinseltown.

 

The story is based on the novel Nothing Lasts Forever written by Roderick Thorp. The film far exceeded expectations and earned huge profits, also receiving four Oscar nominations along the way.

 

The film follows the attempts of NYPD officer John McClane to fight against a terrorist group that has taken over LA’s Nakatomi Plaza.

 

As his wife is one of the hostages, McClane refuses to escape or let the LAPD handle it.

 

 

5. No Country For Old Men (2007)

 

 

 

No Country For Old Men has been described as a neo-western crime drama. The film is based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy and made by the Coen Brothers.

 

Many critics regard the film as the finest work ever from the Coen Brothers. No Country For Old Men won four Academy Awards out of eight nominations.

 

It also won multiple BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Satellite Awards, and more. The film starts with a Vietnam War veteran locating an abandoned bag of money.

 

To stake a claim on the money, a hitman from a criminal organization comes to town. There is also a town Sheriff, who is trying to solve the criminal case and a bounty hunter with a vendetta. They all converge and fight it out.

 

 

6. Chinatown (1974)

 

 

 

Chinatown is a film written by Robert Towne and directed by Roman Polanski. The film has been inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

 

It was also nominated for eleven Oscar awards and won the award for Best Original Screenplay. The film is based on the water wars between California and Southern California, during the 1930s.

 

The film starts as a routine investigation into infidelity, which turns into a murder case. Later, the complexity increases with issues of conspiracy to mislead the public on water availability start to surface.

 

The film has a sequel, titled The Two Jakes, which was not as successful or well-made as Chinatown was.

 

 

7. Heat (1995)

 

 

 

Heat is a masterpiece crime drama film that is often considered a gold standard for that genre. Sadly, the film did not receive many accolades, but critics swear by the movie.

 

The story is based on a real-life criminal Neil McCauley and a police detective Chuck Adamson. The story was written and directed by Michael Mann.

 

The film follows a criminal Neil McCauley, and his crew of bank robbers as they go from one crime to the next, living by a strict code set up by McCauley.

 

Problems arise when they run into LAPD detective Vincent Hanna who lives by a code similar to McCauley, and they immediately admire each other.

 

 

8. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

 

 

 

Reservoir Dogs is a cult classic and is considered by Empire magazine to be the greatest independent film ever made.

 

The film was written and directed by Quentin Tarantino and was his directorial debut. The film is a neo-noir crime thriller filled with typical Tarantino characteristics like foul language, excessive violence, pop-culture references, etc.

 

The story of the film is that of a heist that has been painstakingly planned to the last detail.

 

We are given a look at the preparation and the aftermath of the failed heist. The film was a moderate success when it was released, yet it received the cult status after Tarantino made Pulp Fiction which was nominated for Academy Awards.

 

 

9. End of Watch (2012)

 

 

 

End of Watch is another film written and directed by David Ayers. He is known for making police procedural films and scripts.

 

With End of Watch, Ayers focused on the day-to-day life and camaraderie between officers and partners rather than the actual criminal investigation into the drug trafficking issue.

 

The film is set in the rough South Los Angeles area, where drug trafficking and gang activities are at their highest.

 

The film follows the day-to-day routine of police officers Brian Taylor and Mike Zavala, who face off with racist gang members, corrupt officers, and all kinds of troubles.

 

 

10. L.A. Confidential (1997)

 

 

 

L. A. Confidential is a neo-noir crime thriller written, directed, and co-produced by Curtis Hanson, who is known for his psychological thrillers.

 

L. A. Confidential was highly acclaimed and earned nine Oscar nominations. The film won Best Supporting Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay.

 

L. A. Confidential is a story about police corruption and the nexus between Hollywood, police, and crime. An idealistic LAPD detective Exley testifies against many corrupt officers leading to his promotion, while another narcotics officer and a plainclothes officer find evidence of drug trafficking and prostitution among the wealthy.

 

All these cases are interlinked to create a big picture of corruption and scandal where good people lose their life, but justice prevails.

 

 

11. Fargo (1996)

 

 

 

Fargo is an award-winning black comedy crime film. It was a British American co-production that won many awards. The Coen Brothers received nominations for best original screenplay, direction, and picture, apart from two more for best actress and supporting actor.

 

The film is about a murder that takes place on the street and the ensuing investigation. The deceased is the wife of a car salesman, who is desperate for money and attempts to get his wife kidnapped.

 

However, with her murders, he has to find ways to escape the law and find funds.

 

 

12. Training Day (2001)

 

 

 

Training Day was an action crime thriller written by David Ayer and directed by Antoine Fuqua. Initially, the director was Davis Guggenheim, however upon Denzel Washington’s request, he was replaced by Fuqua.

 

The film received rave reviews and won Washington his second Academy Award, apart from a nomination for Ethan Hawke.

 

The story is about an up-and-coming LAPD detective and his evaluation /training day with a decorated officer from the narcotics division.

 

As the day progresses, it becomes clear that the decorated cop is not much of a hero after all.

 

 

13. Lethal Weapon (1987)

 

 

 

Lethal Weapon is the first film in this successful franchise. It was directed and co-produced by Richard Donner. While the film picked up two Oscars for technical categories, the critical consensus was that the film is one of the best buddy cop films ever.

 

Cinemascope gave the film a grade of A. The film is about a former Green Beret, Martin Rugs, who has turned social after his wife’s death.

 

He is partnered with a veteran police detective, Roger Murtaugh. They are forced to work together on a possible murder-suicide case which gets murkier as they investigate it leading up to the CIA.

 

 

14. The Usual Suspects (1995)

 

 

 

The Usual Suspects is a highly acclaimed film written by Christopher McQuarrie and directed by Bryan Singer. The film won the Oscar award for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor.

 

It got its name from the famous dialogue in the classic film, Casablanca. The film is narrated in flashback by a conman, Roger “Verbal” Kint.

 

He is giving his statement to the police about what transpired on the ship that led to a fire that killed many criminals and a mysterious crime lord Keyser Soze.

 

 

15. In The Heat of the Night (1967)

 

 

 

In the Heat of the Night is an Oscar-winning film that won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Actor for Rod Steiger.

 

In the Heat of The Night is based on the novel of the same name, written by John Ball, and stars Sidney Poitier, Lee Grant, Quentin Dean, etc.

 

The film follows the investigation of Virgil Tibbs and Gillespie, as they have to work together to solve a crime.

 

Initially, Tibbs, being a black man, faces a lot of racism in Mississippi. However, the fact that he is a lead police detective in Philadelphia forces the cops to work together.

 

The film is also famous for its iconic dialogue “They call me Mister Tibbs”, which was entered into the AFI’s list of 100 Years…100 Movie Quotes.

 

 

16. The French Connection (1971)

 

 

 

The French Connection is an action thriller based on the novel of the same name by Robin Moore. The film received several accolades, including five Oscar awards, two BAFTAs, and many more.

 

The film was inducted into the US National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. The film follows the investigation and pursuit of NYPD detectives into a large shipment of heroin that is arriving from France.

 

The problem is that the French kingpin of the drug ring is well-hidden and well-respected.

 

 

17. Donnie Brasco (1997)

 

 

 

“Donnie Brasco” is a crime drama film based on a true story. The film follows the life of an undercover FBI agent, Joe Pistone, who assumes the alias Donnie Brasco to infiltrate the mafia in 1970s New York.

 

As Donnie, he befriends the charming and dangerous mobster Lefty Ruggiero, forming a complex bond that blurs the lines between friendship and betrayal.

 

Donnie finds himself immersed in the violent and treacherous world of organized crime, constantly balancing his loyalty to the FBI with his growing affection for Lefty.

 

The film masterfully portrays the internal struggle faced by Donnie as he risks his life and identity to gather evidence against the mob.

 

Johnny Depp delivers a captivating performance as Donnie Brasco, while Al Pacino delivers a powerful and nuanced portrayal of Lefty Ruggiero.

 

Their performances, along with the film’s gripping plot and gritty atmosphere, make “Donnie Brasco” a compelling and memorable crime drama.

 

 

18. Speed (1994)

 

 

 

Speed is an action thriller directed by a first-time director, Jan de Bont, with the story of Graham Yost.

 

The film was the fifth highest-grossing movie of 1994 and also received high critical praise. It won two Academy Awards for sound effects editing and sound.

 

The film revolves around a disgruntled former LAPD officer who tries to collect randomly and seek out revenge by planting a bomb on the bus.

 

He rigs the bomb to get activated after the bus crosses 50kmph, and it will explode if the speed goes below 50.

 

It was a nail-biting thriller that spawned a sequel, Speed: Cruise Control.

 

 

19. Hot Fuzz (2007)

 

 

Hot Fuzz is a British buddy cop comedy film written by Simon Pegg and directed by Edgar Wright. The film is part of a Three Flavour Cornetto trilogy written by Simon Pegg.

 

Happy Fuzz was well received by audiences and critics, with the film being included in the list of 100 greatest films of the 21st century by Empire magazine.

 

There are a series of gruesome and mysterious deaths in the West Country. Police Sergeant Nicholas Angel and his colleague PC Butterman have to resolve the crimes and identify the culprits.

 

While Butterman is a fan of buddy cop films, Angel is a high-achieving sergeant who was recently promoted to this post but relocated to a small village in Gloucestershire.

 

 

20. Serpico (1973)

 

 

 

Sericulture is a biographical crime film based on a biography of the same name written by Peter Maas. The film was met with criticism from the police officers, however, critics loved it.

 

Sephora received several nominations at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, etc. The story is a real-life account of New York City police officer Frank Serpico during his eleven years of service.

 

He was met with rampant corruption at every stage. Serpico became the whistleblower in the department which led to the investigation by the Knapp Commission.

 

 

21. Blade Runner (1982)

 

 

 

Blade Runner is a science fiction action film based on the novel Do Android’s Dream of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K Duck.

 

Ridley Scott made the film and it was met with mixed reviews. Some praised the futuristic, neo-noir look of the film that dealt with deeper subjects, while others panned it as uninspiring.

 

Later, the film became a cult classic with a very strong fan following. Three films are set in a dystopian future where man has built Android with a specific lifespan to perform dangerous tasks like space explorations, setting up colonies on Mars, etc.

 

One such group of highly intelligent Androids escapes from the Mars colony and comes back to Earth to meet the creator of the Androids.

 

The job to track down these renegade druids falls on Deckard, a burnt-out cop.

 

 

22. Inside Man (2006)

 

 

 

Inside Man is a heist movie directed by Spike Lee with a script by Rusell Gewirtz. The script took five years in the making and brought together a talented crew and cast.

 

The film received positive reviews praising the direction of Spike Lee and the performance of Washington as the hostage negotiator.

 

The film starts with a man preparing for a bank heist with elaborate measures, countermeasures, and escape routes. The group of robbers disguise their identities and escape without any stolen money.

 

This causes the NYPD to almost drop the case until the truth starts to come out.

 

 

23. Mystic River (2003)

 

 

 

Mystic River is a crime drama based on a novel of the same name, written by Dennis Lehane. The film was directed, co-produced, and scored by Clint Eastwood.

 

It was nominated for six Academy Awards, and it won the award for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actors.

 

The film is about three friends who grew up near the Mystic River area and have very different lives.

 

One day, one of the friends comes home bloodied and hurt while another friend’s daughter is murdered. The third friend is a police detective assigned to the case. This ties into the life of all three friends.

 

 

24. Traffic (2000)

 

 

 

Traffic is a cop drama about illegal drug trafficking and its effects on the various stakeholders from sellers to cops, users to politicians, and all.

 

The film is loosely based on a Channel 4 TV series that ran on a similar topic. The film won many accolades and earned four Academy Awards for direction, supporting actors, film editing, and adapted screenplay.

 

Three stories run parallel throughout the film. An honest and disgruntled Mexican cop makes a major drug bust, but he is stopped by a military general who proceeds to use him to wipe out one cartel at the behest of another cartel.

 

Another story is about an Ohio judge, politicians, and their nexus with drug lords. The third story is about the cartel boss of the Juarez cartel and his business associates.

 

 

25. Minority Report (2002)

 

 

Minority Report (2002) is an American neo-noir science fiction crime thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Scott Frank and Jon Cohen, based on the 1954 short story of the same name by Philip K. Dick. The film stars Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton, Max von Sydow, and Steve Zahn. 

 

Set in Washington, D.C., in the year 2054, the film follows John Anderton, the chief of the Precrime Unit, a specialized police department that uses three precognitive individuals, called Precogs, to arrest criminals before they commit their crimes. However, Anderton’s world is turned upside down when he is accused of a murder he does not remember committing.

 

Minority Report was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $358 million worldwide against a production budget of $102 million. The film was praised for its visual effects, its action sequences, and its exploration of ethical issues related to crime prevention and free will. Cruise’s performance as Anderton was also widely praised.

 

 

26. Rush Hour (1998)

 

 

 

Rush Hour is a buddy cop action comedy with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker at the helm. The film story is written by Jim Kouff and Ross LaManna.

 

It revolves around the crime ring in Hong Kong during the last days of British rule in Hong Kong.

 

The film became a huge hit in the US, China, and Hong Kong. The Chinese diplomat to America reports that his daughter has been kidnapped in Los Angeles.

 

He immediately invites one of his main Hong Kong detectives to help the FBI investigate. It soon turns into a turf war between the Chinese cop, LAPD, and FBI, much to the comic relief of the audience.

 

 

27. Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995)

 

 

 

Die Hard With A Vengeance is the third instalment of the franchise, and it brings back the original director, John McTiernan.

 

It was criticized by a few critics for lacking originality and for having started strong only to fizzle out in the end.

 

However, other reviewers also gave the film three stars out of four and an A grade. The film brings back NYPD Lieutenant John McClane and pairs him with Zeus Carver, played by Samuel L Jackson.

 

They are tasked to play the game set up by a mercenary terrorist group that has stolen a highly explosive liquid.

 

This East German group seems to have a particular vendetta against McClane, and they aim to kill him.

 

 

28. The Fugitive (1993)

 

 

 

The Fugitive is based on a television series with the same name. The series was created by Roy Huggins.

 

The film was a commercial hit and also earned multiple Oscar nominations. Tommy Lee Jones won an Oscar for his role and terrorized it in a spin-off film, US Marshals.

 

When Dr Kimble returns home, he finds a killer who murdered his wife. The killer gets away, but Kimble is suspected of the murder and wrongly convicted.

 

Due to a highway accident, Kimble escapes police custody and sets out to find the real killer. The US Marshals and cops are hot on pursuit till Kimble gets a break and finds the killers.

 

 

29. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

 

 

 

Beverly Hills Cop is the first film in the Beverly Hills Cop franchise and is a cop comedy action film.

 

The story for Beverly Hills Cop was written by Daniel Petrie Jr. The film was very successful and made Eddie Murphy an international star.

 

The film begins with the unorthodox investigative style of Eddie Murphy in Detroit PD, which often causes more trouble than needed.

 

After his childhood friend comes to visit him and is subsequently killed, Eddie Murphy is forced to investigate the murder on his own.

 

The film was nominated for an Academy Award for best screenplay and a Golden Globe award.

 

 

30. Point Break (1991)

 

 

 

Point Break is often called a surfing movie, yet it is also an action crime film. The story was written by Rick King and W Peter Iliff in 1986 and it was produced in 1991.

 

The film received generally positive reviews, and the chemistry between Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves was highly praised. After a string of quick bank robberies by a gang with masks of ex-presidents, the FBI sends in senior agent Pappas and rookie agent Johnny Utah.

 

They identify that the robbers were surfers, and Utah infiltrates the surfing group led by Bodhi. They slowly investigate and apprehend the gang.

 

 

31. Gone Baby Gone (2007)

 

 

Gone Baby Gone (2007) is an American neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Ben Affleck and written by Affleck and Aaron Stockard, based on the 1999 novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane. The film stars Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, and Amy Ryan. 

 

The plot follows two private detectives, Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro, who are hired to investigate the abduction of a young girl. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover a labyrinth of secrets and corruption, leading them to question their own motives and the nature of justice.

 

Gone Baby Gone was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $34 million worldwide against a $19 million budget. The film was praised for its gritty realism, its complex characters, and its exploration of moral dilemmas. Affleck’s direction was particularly lauded, with many critics noting his ability to capture the atmosphere of Lehane’s novel.
 

 

 

32. Dirty Harry (1971)

 

 

 

Dirty Harry is the first film in the franchise, with four more sequels. The story for Dirty Harry was written by Harry Julian Fink, RM Fink, and Jo Helms.

 

Dirty Harry was loosely based on the real-life serial killer Zodiac Killer from Northern California, who was never caught.

 

The story starts with a sniper killing a woman, who is swimming in a rooftop pool. The case is assigned to Detective Harry Callahan, and as he gets more involved in the investigation, he gets more frustrated with all the loopholes that the shooter, dubbed Scorpio, uses to escape.

 

 

33. The Untouchables (1987)

 

 

 

The Untouchables is an award-winning film that revolves around the investigation and subsequent arrest of Al Capone on charges of tax evasion.

 

The film is based loosely on the book of the same name and the real-life events in the life of Elliot Ness.

 

During the period of prohibition, in Chicago, Al Capone had a thriving business supplying liquor and other illegal activities.

 

He also has most of the police and justice department in his pocket, and as a result, no one was able to convict him for any of his crimes.

 

However, when Elliot Ness is assigned to the case, he forms his team and gradually starts to bring him down.

 

The film was nominated for four Academy Awards and won the award for Best Supporting Role by Sean Connery.

 

 

34. The Bone Collector (1999)

 

 

 

The Bone Collector is based on a novel of the same name by Jeffrey Deaver. The film has a powerful star cast of Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, Queen Latifah, etc.

 

However, the film failed to receive positive reviews. It was panned for being formulaic and lacking brilliance. The story is about a rookie patrol cop who stumbles upon a crime scene.

 

She captures the evidence as best as she can, and this captures the attention of the famous quadriplegic forensic expert.

 

He assists her in finding the next victim and getting closer to the killer.

 

 

35. 21 Jump Street (2012)

 

 

 

21 Jump Street is a film based on the TV series from 1987. The reboot was directed by the duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

 

The film follows a similar concept as the TV series, with two cops going undercover as high school students to bust a drug ring.

 

The two officers selected for this duty are Schmidt and Jenko, who enter Sagan High School to investigate the distributor behind the drug HFS.

 

What follows is a series of comedic situations, a miss up and a final curtain call. The original agents from the TV series, Johnny Depp and Peter DeLuise make a cameo appearance too.

 

 

36. Bad Boys (1995)

 

 

 

Bad Boys is a buddy cop action film and marked the directorial debut of Michael Bay. The film received mixed reviews from the critics, but it developed a cult following among the fans.

 

This led to the release of Bad Boys II and Bad Boys For Life. In the film, two cops, Detective Sergeant Marcus Burnett and Mike Lawrey are working with the Miami Narcotics Bureau.

 

A large stash of mafia heroin is missing from the police vault, and the Internal affairs team suspects that it is an inside job.

 

Lowrey and Burnett have to locate the mole and the drug kingpin within 72 hours to save the police dept.

 

 

37. Bullitt (1968)

 

 

 

Bullitt is an action crime thriller that is based on the novel Mute Witness by Robert L. Fish. The film was directed by Peter Yates and starred Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, Don Gordon, and more.

 

The film is also famous for its exciting car chase, which is considered to be the best car chase sequence in films ever.

 

The film starts with a mobster escaping the stronghold and hiding in Chicago. The Senator assigns SAPD detectives to guard the mobster as he has to appear before the Senate Committee on mob violence.

 

The security detail is set up for the mobster, but the mob has sent out hitmen to neutralize him.

 

The car chase between Bullitt’s Ford Mustang and the Dodge Charger, driven by the hitmen, was long and filmed on the streets of San Francisco.

 

 

38. Die Hard 2 (1990)

 

 

 

Die Hard 2 or Die Harder is the second instalment in the Die Hard franchise. This film was directed by Renny Harlin, with the script from Steven E. de Souza and Doug Richardson.

 

The film brought back the main original cast with Bruce Willis. In this instalment, it is Christmas time again, and John McClane is at the airport to pick up his wife.

 

Here, McClane sees terrorists have taken over the airport, and none of the flights can land. While both the terrorists and airport security hunt him down, McClane takes back control of the ATC tower from the terrorists.

 

 

39. Infernal Affairs (2002)

 

 

Infernal Affairs is a Hong Kong action film that was directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. The film was Hong Kong’s official entry to the Academy Awards and gained popularity worldwide.

 

It was remade in English by Martin Scorsese as The Departed. In the Hong Kong police academy, two undercover events take place.

 

A young police cadet is sent undercover into the Hong Kong Triad, while the triad sends a young gangster into the police academy as a mole.

 

For years they work undercover until their cover is close to being blown. Watch the film to catch whether the triad wins or the police force.

 

 

40. Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)

 

 

 

Lethal Weapon 2 is the second film in the Lethal Weapon franchise. It was the third-highest-grossing film of 1989 and received favourable reviews from critics as well.

 

The plot was not a strong or unique one but the comedy track and the chemistry between Mel Gibson and Danny Glover were phenomenal.

 

The film is about two LAPD sergeants Riggs and Murtaugh, who are investigating a drug dealer’s ring from South Africa.

 

The main suspects, however, are hiding behind diplomatic immunity. The film also introduces Leo Getz, who is a state witness in a money laundering case.

 

The film had a great musical score from Michael Kamen, Eric Clapton, and David Sanborn. The song Knockin’ on Heavens Door by Eric Clapton was a particular hit.

 

 

41. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)

 

 

 

Taking of Pelham One Two Three is a crime thriller based on a novel of the same name written by Morton Freedgood.

 

The novel has been adapted multiple times into movies with the same name, but the movie from 1974 was the most successful and critically acclaimed.

 

The film follows the hijack plan of four criminals who take the passengers of a New York subway train as hostages and demand a ransom of $1 million.

 

The four criminals call themselves Mr Green, Mr Blue, Mr Grey, and Mr Brown. The rest of the movie is about how the New York transit cops handle the negotiations and end the hostage crisis.

 

 

42. Street Kings (2008)

 

 

 

Street Kings is an action film directed by David Ayers and is based on a story by James Ellroy.

 

The film received positive reviews and an average rating of 5.11 on Rotten Tomatoes. Street Kings has a star-cast lineup of Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Chris Evans, The Game, etc.

 

The film starts with Detective Ludlow staging a crime scene to cover up the shooting of two Korean arms dealers to rescue school girls.

 

His colleague warns him about the illegal means used and approaches the chief of Internal Affairs. However, he is killed in a staged shooting that discredits his reputation.

 

It is now up to Ludlow to apprehend the actual killer and, in the process, uncover a massive blackmail operation that the police captain was involved in.

 

 

43. Colors (1988)

 

 

 

Colors is a police procedural drama. It stars Sean Penn and Robert Duvall and was directed by Dennis Hopper.

 

The film was highly praised but also criticized for the way it portrayed the L. A gang war and the growing gang culture.

 

The story of the film is set in South Central Los Angeles, where gang wars between Bloods, Chips, and the Hispanic gangs were at their peak.

 

A seasoned Police officer from the C. R. A. S. H. team and a young rookie officer are assigned to manage the situation.

 

 

44. The Day of the Jackal (1973)

 

 

The Day of The Jackal is a suspense thriller that involves a plot to assassinate French president Charles De Gaulle.

 

The film is based on the novel of the same name by Frederick Forsythe. The novel and the film were international successes, with the film receiving nominations for an Oscar, two Golden Globes, five BAFTAs, and more.

 

The French president has given independence to Algeria, and a criminal organization, called OAS, is very upset about it.

 

They plot the first assassination attempt that is thwarted by the French police. As a next attempt, the remaining members contact a British assassin, codenamed Jackal, to do the job.

 

 

45. Jar City (2006)

 

 

 

“Jar City” is an Icelandic crime thriller film based on the popular novel by Arnaldur Indriðason.

 

The story follows Detective Erlendur as he investigates a complex murder case that leads him into the dark underbelly of Reykjavik’s criminal underworld.

 

The victim’s past and a mysterious photograph found at the scene unravel a web of secrets, family history, and a decades-old unsolved crime.

 

As Erlendur digs deeper, he uncovers shocking revelations and encounters a series of interconnected events.

 

The film skillfully weaves together the present-day investigation with past events, painting a haunting portrait of a city haunted by its secrets.

 

“Jar City” is renowned for its atmospheric setting, gritty performances, and gripping plot that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, making it a must-watch for fans of crime thrillers.

 

 

46. Super Troopers (2001)

 

 

 

Super Troopers is a comedy-crime film that was written by the Broken Lizard comedy troupe. The troupe also acted in the film as the Vermont state trooper squad.

 

The story is set in an imaginary town called Spurbury, and the police unit of Spurbury is at odds with the State Troopers team stationed in Spurbury.

 

The actual trouble starts when a drug trafficking ring is uncovered, and the state troopers unit and the town police still cannot work together to investigate the crime.

 

The film was criticized for its low-blow humour, but it was a hit nonetheless. The audiences were entertained, and the film did well at the box office.

 

 

47. American Gangster (2007)

 

 

 

American Gangster is a biographical crime film about a drug trafficker by the name of Frank Lucas. The film was directed and produced by Ridley Scott and was nominated for over 20 awards, including two Academy Awards.

 

The film won a SAG award for best supporting actress for Ruby Dee. The story is about a drug trafficking operation that was conducted during the Vietnam War.

 

Frank Lucas used American service planes to smuggle heroin into America from Vietnam, effectively removing all middlemen. The crime was discovered by Officer Richie Roberts and a task force intercepted the shipment and apprehended the criminals.

 

 

48. Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)

 

 

 

Lethal Weapon 3 is the third instalment in the Lethal Weapon franchise and the most successful film in the series.

 

Being a buddy cop action thriller, we have two officers, Riggs and Murtaugh, who have been recently demoted to uniform duty from the position of LAPD Sergeants.

 

They stumble upon an armoured car robbery that is linked to a known arms dealer. Although Murtaugh is just a week away from retirement, he is reinstated to the Sergeant position and assigned to this case.

 

It is a particularly important case as the arms dealer is a retired LAPD Lieutenant.

 

 

49. RoboCop (1987)

 

 

 

Robocop is a science fiction action film directed by Paul Verhoeven. The story was written by Edward Neumeier while he was working on another film.

 

He conceived it as a satirical take on corporate greed and government policies that led to the breakdown of law and order in society.

 

Verhoeven, in his typical style, made the violence seem over the top and almost comical. It had to undergo many cuts at the review board before it was cleared.

 

The story follows the work of the recently deceased police officer Alex Murphy who has been revived by Omni Consumer Products.

 

He is converted into a cyborg with little humanity left and no memories of his past life.

 

 

50. S.W.A.T. (2003)

 

 

 

S. W. A. T. is a police special forces thriller based on a TV series of the same name.

 

The film was directed by David Ayer and David McKenna with a strong star cast. S. W. A. T. was a commercial success, but the critics felt the story offered nothing new.

 

They called it a routine police drama. The story is about a S. W. A. T. team that is entrusted to transport an international drug lord to the state penitentiary.

 

To make things interesting, the drug lord offers $100 million to anyone who helps him escape. Sergeant Hondo, Officers Jim Street, TJ McCabe, Michael Boxer, Deacon Kaye, and Chris Sanchez have to overcome all contenders for the $ 100 million reward and deliver justice.