The last two decades have brought some of the most incredible television ever made, and the rise of streaming services has made it easier than ever to enjoy long, high-quality shows at home. While many types of shows have been popular, crime dramas have arguably led the way during this new golden age of TV.
Over the past twenty years, crime shows on television have given us some of the most memorable stories in recent popular culture. From lengthy series to limited-run shows, these ten American crime dramas are considered the best examples of the genre on TV.
Dexter Redefined the Serial Killer Story
While the final seasons of the popular show Dexter weren’t as strong as its beginning, the series definitely left a significant mark on television. With Michael C. Hall in the lead role as a blood spatter analyst who secretly commits murder, Dexter completely changed the landscape of high-quality crime dramas.
Dexter Morgan is a remarkably complex TV character. The show’s premise – a serial killer who targets only criminals – is incredibly captivating. Over eight seasons, Dexter significantly impacted how TV series are remembered and viewed.
Fargo Is a Surprisingly Great Take on a Legendary Film
Trying to recreate the brilliance of the Coen brothers’ classic film, Fargo, felt like a long shot, but Noah Hawley successfully did just that with the Fargo TV series, which began in 2014. Each season tells a completely new and self-contained story, resulting in some of the most original and captivating crime dramas on television today.
The TV series Fargo is a remarkable achievement, successfully capturing the original film’s blend of dark comedy and unsettling tension while introducing fresh characters and storylines. It shouldn’t work – a new cast and plot each season is a risky move – but it consistently delivers, with all five seasons being exceptionally well-made.
Hannibal Is a Superbly Dark Psychological Crime Thriller
Inspired by Thomas Harris’s famous novels, starting with Red Dragon in 1981, Hannibal is a remarkably intense and disturbing crime thriller. The show, starring Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal Lecter and Hugh Dancy as Special Agent Will Graham, is widely praised for its brilliance across its three seasons.
This series is a stunning, bizarre, and often darkly humorous thriller filled with shocking and memorable scenes. It’s one of the best crime shows you’ve probably never heard of. Mads Mikkelsen delivers an exceptional performance as Hannibal Lecter, truly making the role his own throughout the series. It’s a must-watch for any fan of the genre.
Justified Is a Gritty Neo-Western Masterpiece
Featuring Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins, Justified is a captivating neo-Western crime series that gained popularity in the 2010s. The show centers on a U.S. Marshal, played by Olyphant, who goes back to his home town and confronts those who are endangering it.
For six seasons, Justified significantly elevated the procedural crime drama with its distinctive style, cool confidence, and intricate storytelling, becoming a must-watch show. Raylan Givens, played by Timothy Olyphant, quickly became a truly memorable and iconic TV character.
Mindhunter Is a Nightmarish True-Crime Epic
Inspired by the real origins of the FBI’s unit dedicated to understanding criminal minds, this Netflix thriller from acclaimed director David Fincher is a captivating and unsettling period piece. It boasts impressive sets, a talented cast, and is known for its intensely disturbing scenes – making it one of the most shocking shows on television.
As a true crime fanatic, this show completely blew me away. It followed these interviewers as they traveled the US talking to actual serial killers, and what really stuck with me was how matter-of-factly those killers talked about awful things – it set this incredibly unsettling mood. It was just a beautifully made, slick series, and even though it was tragically canceled after only two seasons, it’s still something I – and a lot of other people, I think – haven’t been able to forget.
True Detective Is a Staggering Achievement in Prestige Police TV
Similar to Fargo, True Detective on HBO is a show where each season features a new story and a different cast of well-known actors. While the show’s later seasons weren’t as strong as the first, that initial season is widely considered one of the best crime dramas of the 21st century.
The first season of the show is incredible, with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson delivering captivating performances. True Detective is a dark and intriguing masterpiece that continues to grow in importance, and its debut season remains unmatched by any other limited series. While later seasons are also enjoyable, they inevitably pale in comparison to the phenomenal first season.
Barry Is a Brilliant Crime Comedy
Over the past two decades, few TV shows have been as daring and consistently excellent as this one. Bill Hader, who co-created and stars in the series, delivers a phenomenal performance throughout its four seasons. The show masterfully balances dark humor with genuinely moving moments.
Barry is a show full of surprises – it’s shocking, funny, and sometimes even touching. But what really makes it great is its focus on developing believable, complex characters, rather than relying on flashy plot twists. As the series goes on, it gets increasingly dark and unsettling, all thanks to the careful way the characters grow and change. It’s brilliantly crafted in terms of atmosphere and suspense, and stands out as one of HBO’s best, yet often overlooked, shows of recent years.
Twin Peaks: The Return Is Unlike Any Other Crime Series
David Lynch’s 2017 series, Twin Peaks: The Return, is remarkably original and daring – truly one of the most artistically adventurous shows ever made. Beginning with roots in his work from the early 1990s, it’s a strange and unsettling look at how society breaks down, the effects of crime on people, and the age-old battle between good and evil.
While it’s best to watch the original Twin Peaks before diving in (and it’s definitely worth the time!), Twin Peaks: The Return is a remarkable achievement for director David Lynch. It’s a unique and powerful series that, though sometimes challenging, becomes more rewarding with each viewing.
Breaking Bad Is Utterly Addictive Crime TV
Many consider this to be the most important TV series of the 21st century so far. If you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out on a true masterpiece created by Vince Gilligan. For almost twenty years, its story of drugs, broken morals, and family issues has captivated viewers and influenced numerous other shows.
Featuring Bryan Cranston as a high school chemistry teacher who starts cooking meth, and Aaron Paul as his former student and partner, Breaking Bad is a consistently surprising show. It delves deeply into the motivations and emotions of its characters, telling a tragic story of a man whose pride leads to his downfall. Many consider it a flawless, endlessly rewatchable masterpiece.
Better Call Saul Somehow Tops Its Predecessor
After the huge success of Breaking Bad, its creator Vince Gilligan joined forces with Peter Gould to create a prequel series focusing on the popular character Saul Goodman. This resulted in Better Call Saul, which quickly made its mark on television. While Better Call Saul is paced more deliberately and has less action than Breaking Bad, it’s a richer, more intricate drama that cleverly builds on the legacy of one of TV’s most beloved shows.
Bob Odenkirk gives an incredible performance as Jimmy McGill, also known as Saul Goodman, and he’s supported by a fantastic cast including Rhea Seehorn and Jonathan Banks. Many consider Better Call Saul to be even more heartbreaking, tightly focused, and emotionally rich than Breaking Bad. Despite being one of the best TV dramas ever made, it often doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, possibly because it never generated quite the same buzz as its original series.
Found an error? Send it so it can be corrected.
Read More
- Scientology speedrun trend escalates as viewers map out Hollywood facility
- NBA 2K26 Season 6 Rewards for MyCAREER & MyTEAM
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Makoto Kedouin’s RPG Developer Bakin sample game is now available for free
- Where Winds Meet’s new Hexi expansion kicks off with a journey to the Jade Gate Pass in version 1.4
- Vegan nugget startup founder charged with assaulting influencer ex-girlfriend Evelyn Ha
- MrBeast lets fans from every country vote for Beast Games Season 3 contestants
- How to Get to the Undercoast in Esoteric Ebb
- Exclusive: First Look At PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie Toys
- What is Managed Democracy? A Helldivers Guide
2026-04-29 17:38