Streamers such as Netflix have a knack for transforming crime dramas into captivating spectacles, weaving narratives that pull us into the shadowy aspects of human behavior and revealing the consequences when individuals decide that rules no longer bind them.
It’s not solely the excitement of a heist or the suspense of a cover-up that makes them so thrillingly engaging; it’s witnessing ambition, desperation, and ego clash in a slow-motion spectacle, often resulting in a high body count. It’s the way that power and greed can both construct and destroy an empire. Reflecting on it, these narratives provide the enjoyment of pure escapism and a front-row experience of chaos. Incidentally, this is essentially what MobLand star Tom Hardy expressed to me during a recent interview about his Paramount+ series when I inquired why we are so attracted to such tales:
“It’s a kind of wish fulfillment and escapism, isn’t it? Observing individuals undertaking actions that I personally wouldn’t. I believe there’s an element of comic book appeal in them as well, in many ways. Additionally, there’s often a parody aspect — because, in reality, being a gangster is truly awful and severe business. It’s simply an escape. And there’s a sense of freedom too… like proclaiming, ‘No, I’ll do what I please whenever I choose.’ We enjoy seeing if they succeed in the end.”
-Tom Hardy, in an April 2025 interview with BGR
This blend of peril and indulgence is what renders these narratives so irresistible. Keeping that in focus, I’ve compiled seven Netflix crime dramas that are so captivating, a single binge-watch won’t suffice. Believe me, I’ve completed all of these at least twice.
The Gentlemen
Guy Ritchie’s distinctive flair receives the ideal platform in this Netflix original that resembles a mashup of Succession and a violent pub altercation. Set within the same realm as his 2019 film, the series tracks a hesitant heir to a marijuana empire attempting to prevent the family business from going up in flames. It’s fast-paced, dapper, and rife with betrayals, featuring plenty of dry humor and a rotating ensemble of charming psychopaths.
In my humble view, with The Gentlemen, Netflix has discovered its most effortlessly chic new crime franchise.
Snabba Cash
This Swedish thriller delivers a heart-pounding journey through the perilous crossroads of ambition and greed. A tech entrepreneur pursuing startup aspirations becomes entangled in Stockholm’s criminal scene, leading to blurred boundaries. Snabba Cash is not only gritty; it’s cold and merciless, capturing the tension of an ever-simmering fuse. Structured like a thriller, it also fosters a deep connection to characters whose decisions become increasingly dubious.
Ricky Gervais enthusiastically commented on X about the series: “Just completed Season 2 of Snabba Cash. Astonishing. One of the best series of all time. The writing, acting, direction, casting, editing, soundtrack, design and titles are all flawless. The Wire meets Wall Street. Incredible.”
Dept. Q
Derived from the acclaimed Danish crime novels, Dept. Q is a meticulously paced procedural that follows an ostracized detective and his partner as they revisit long-buried cold cases — unwittingly uncovering secrets that influential individuals wish to keep hidden. The cases are eerie, the ambiance is grim, and the character development here is as precise as a coroner’s knife. While the show taps into familiar, Slow Horses-style grumpy detective territory, I cannot emphasize enough: Dept. Q stands as one of the finest new Netflix offerings of 2025.
Oh, and it’s penned by the writer of The Queen’s Gambit, should you need another incentive to tune in.
Ozark
Jason Bateman cast as a criminal genius? Yes, indeed please. What starts off in Ozark as a straightforward money-laundering task rapidly devolves into a violent rivalry with cartels, corrupt politicians, and local crime syndicates. Bateman takes on the role of genius accountant Marty Byrde, while Laura Linney’s Wendy transforms into his ruthless Lady Macbeth of a wife.
What elevates Ozark isn’t merely the peril; it’s the gradual evolution of Marty from a mild-mannered accountant to a master manipulator. Much like Walter White, he remains composed under pressure and possesses a chilling ability to rationalize his moral decline. However, Marty doesn’t merely turn evil; he strategically charts his course there. Observing him juggle family life alongside criminal endeavors feels akin to witnessing someone handle knives blindfolded.
Suburra: Blood on Rome
This Italian treasure is somewhat overlooked in the realm of Netflix crime dramas, but Suburra
