15 of the Best Crime TV Shows That’ll Keep You Up All Night

Picking a program to watch when bored at home can be tiresome since it’s easy to get lost in a sea of television programs. However, you can never go wrong with a good old crime drama or documentary. Here are 15 TV series that are worth binge-watching over the weekend.

Breaking Bad

Unlike other programs, Breaking Bad’s attention to scientific detail sets it apart from its contemporaries. Fans were awed at Bryan Cranston’s legendary evolution from mild-mannered Walter White to the menacing Heisenberg. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most top-rated shows on many streaming platforms!  

The Sopranos

This HBO classic redefined TV storytelling by blending mob culture with family drama and existential angst. James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano became the blueprint for the modern antihero. Creator David Chase originally pitched the show as a film about a mobster in therapy. The controversial cut-to-black finale still sparks debate today.

Dexter

Michael C. Hall portrays the titular character, Dexter, who moonlights as a vigilante. Critics were divided by the show’s twisted moral compass and Hall’s engaging delivery. Behind the scenes, Hall and Jennifer Carpenter (who played Dexter’s sister) were married and divorced throughout the run.

True Detective 

True Detective’s non-linear narrative and philosophical musings elevated it beyond typical police procedurals. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson’s performances as mismatched detectives investigating occult misdeeds in Louisiana captivated audiences. Director Cary Fukunaga shot the infamous six-minute tracking scene in episode 4 in a single take after just seven rehearsals.

Sherlock 

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman breathe new life into Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic characters in this modern adaptation. The show’s clever updates of original stories and Cumberbatch’s rapid-fire deductions were instant fan favorites. Interestingly, despite their on-screen rivalry, Cumberbatch and “Moriarty” actor Andrew Scott are actually great pals even today.

Prison Break 

Prison Break stars Wentworth Miller as an engineer who gets himself incarcerated to break his wrongfully convicted brother out of incarceration. Viewers were glued to their seats throughout each episode’s intricate plotting and nail-biting escapes. Miller’s character’s full-body tattoo, the key to the plot, took 4.5 hours to apply every time.

Better Call Saul

This Breaking Bad spin-off surpassed expectations with Bob Odenkirk’s portrayal of Jimmy McGill’s transformation into Saul Goodman. Better Call Saul’s exploration of legal gray areas and moral compromise rivals its predecessor. Creator Vince Gilligan initially imagined the story as a half-hour comedy before developing it into a full-fledged drama.

Peaky Blinders 

Steven Knight, the brains behind Peaky Blinders, based the series on stories his parents told him about real Birmingham gangsters from the era. Cillian Murphy leads this stylish hoodlum drama set in 1920s Birmingham. Thanks to Murphy’s riveting act as Tommy Shelby and the antiquated rock soundtrack, Peaky Blinders is now a cult favorite.

Criminal Minds

This long-running drama about FBI profilers hunting villains became a cultural phenomenon. Its focus on the psychology of delinquents and its diverse ensemble cast, including Mandy Patinkin and Matthew Gray Gubler, enticed audiences to come back. The BAU is also actually based on an actual FBI unit, and they consult with them for authenticity.

Law & Order: SVU  

Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson turned into an icon over the show’s record-breaking run. SVU’s ripped-from-the-headlines approach and direction on sensitive transgressions resonated with its followers. The series has inspired real-life survivors to seek help, with Hargitay founding the Joyful Heart Foundation to support assault victims.

The X-Files

The dynamic between Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny as FBI agents looking into paranormal situations shaped 90s television. Their blend of monster-of-the-week episodes and alien conspiracy arcs appealed to casual and devoted watchers alike. Chris Carter, the genius behind The X-Files, apparently named Mulder and Scully after his childhood crush and favorite baseball announcer.

Barry

In this dark comedy, Bill Hader plays a hitman who catches the acting bug. Barry’s combination of brute force, showbiz satire, and Hader’s nuanced execution create a unique tone. Hader, known primarily for comedy, surprised many with his dramatic chops and scored multiple Emmys for his role.

Bones

Leading this series that blends traditional crime-solving techniques with forensic anthropology are Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz. The duo’s witty banter and creative scenarios kept it fresh over 12 seasons. The program used Deschanel’s real-life pregnancy as a plot point, with her character and Boreanaz becoming parents to a child together. 

NCIS

Character-driven chronicling combined with military intrigue propelled this navy criminal investigation service to ratings success. For nineteen seasons, NCIS was centered on Mark Harmon’s stoic Leroy Jethro Gibbs. In an early episode, Harmon invented the now-famous “head slap” prank that later became a running joke.

Law & Order

The police procedural genre was established by the first television shows of Dick Wolf’s empire. Numerous shows were influenced by their “based on actual events” style and dual focus between prosecutors and the authorities. Its catchy intro is among the most memorable aspects of the show.