Crime Scenes: Uncovering The Best Of 90s Cinema

Noura Haddad
Noura HaddadSeptember 19, 2025
The 1990s was a decade that saw the rise of some of the most iconic and influential crime films in cinematic history. From gritty dramas to dark comedies, this era produced a wide range of movies that explored the complexities of crime and its effects on society. With a plethora of talented directors and actors at the helm, the 1990s was a time of great creativity and innovation in the crime genre.

One of the defining characteristics of 1990s crime films is their ability to balance style and substance. Movies like Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs are known for their sleek visuals and witty dialogue, but they also tackle complex themes like loyalty, betrayal, and redemption. Other films, such as Se7en and Fargo, take a darker approach, delving into the depths of human depravity and the consequences of crime.

The 1990s also saw the emergence of new talent in the crime genre. Directors like Quentin Tarantino and the Coen brothers made their mark with innovative storytelling and bold visuals. Actors like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Johnny Depp delivered memorable performances that added depth and complexity to their characters. Whether it was a gritty drama or a dark comedy, the 1990s had something to offer for every fan of the crime genre.

In this list, we'll be exploring some of the best crime films of the 1990s. From classic dramas to cult comedies, these movies represent the best of the decade and continue to influence filmmakers today. With their unique blend of style, substance, and talent, these films are a must-see for anyone who loves the crime genre.
The Shawshank Redemption
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The Shawshank Redemption

#1

Imprisoned in the 1940s for the double murder of his wife and her lover, upstanding banker Andy Dufresne begins a new life at the Shawshank prison, where he puts his accounting skills to work for an amoral warden. During his long stretch in prison, Dufresne comes to be admired by the other inmates -- including an older prisoner named Red -- for his integrity and unquenchable sense of hope.

1994142 min
DramaCrime
8.7
28883 votes
Pulp Fiction
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Pulp Fiction

#2

A burger-loving hit man, his philosophical partner, a drug-addled gangster's moll and a washed-up boxer converge in this sprawling, comedic crime caper. Their adventures unfurl in three stories that ingeniously trip back and forth in time.

1994154 min
ThrillerCrimeComedy
8.5
29005 votes
Se7en
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Se7en

#3

Two homicide detectives are on a desperate hunt for a serial killer whose crimes are based on the "seven deadly sins" in this dark and haunting film that takes viewers from the tortured remains of one victim to the next. The seasoned Det. Somerset researches each sin in an effort to get inside the killer's mind, while his novice partner, Mills, scoffs at his efforts to unravel the case.

1995127 min
CrimeMysteryThriller
8.4
22046 votes
GoodFellas
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GoodFellas

#4

The true story of Henry Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian Brooklyn kid who is adopted by neighbourhood gangsters at an early age and climbs the ranks of a Mafia family under the guidance of Jimmy Conway.

1990145 min
DramaCrime
8.5
13625 votes
Léon: The Professional
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Léon: The Professional

#5

Léon, the top hit man in New York, has earned a rep as an effective "cleaner". But when his next-door neighbors are wiped out by a loose-cannon DEA agent, he becomes the unwilling custodian of 12-year-old Mathilda. Before long, Mathilda's thoughts turn to revenge, and she considers following in Léon's footsteps.

1994111 min
CrimeDramaAction
8.3
15445 votes
Casino
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Casino

#6

In early-1970s Las Vegas, Sam "Ace" Rothstein gets tapped by his bosses to head the Tangiers Casino. At first, he's a great success in the job, but over the years, problems with his loose-cannon enforcer Nicky Santoro, his ex-hustler wife Ginger, her con-artist ex Lester Diamond and a handful of corrupt politicians put Sam in ever-increasing danger.

1995179 min
CrimeDrama
8.0
6180 votes
Reservoir Dogs
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Reservoir Dogs

#7

A botched robbery indicates a police informant, and the pressure mounts in the aftermath at a warehouse. Crime begets violence as the survivors -- veteran Mr. White, newcomer Mr. Orange, psychopathic parolee Mr. Blonde, bickering weasel Mr. Pink and Nice Guy Eddie -- unravel.

199299 min
CrimeThriller
8.1
14827 votes
The Usual Suspects
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The Usual Suspects

#8

Held in an L.A. interrogation room, Verbal Kint attempts to convince the feds that a mythic crime lord, Keyser Soze, not only exists, but was also responsible for drawing him and his four partners into a multi-million dollar heist that ended with an explosion in San Pedro harbor – leaving few survivors. Verbal lures his interrogators with an incredible story of the crime lord's almost supernatural prowess.

1995106 min
DramaCrimeThriller
8.2
10836 votes
Heat
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Heat

#9

Obsessive master thief Neil McCauley leads a top-notch crew on various daring heists throughout Los Angeles while determined detective Vincent Hanna pursues him without rest. Each man recognizes and respects the ability and the dedication of the other even though they are aware their cat-and-mouse game may end in violence.

1995170 min
CrimeDramaAction
7.9
7791 votes
The Godfather Part III
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The Godfather Part III

#10

In the midst of trying to legitimize his business dealings in 1979 New York and Italy, aging mafia don, Michael Corleone seeks forgiveness for his sins while taking a young protege under his wing.

1990162 min
CrimeDramaThriller
7.4
6512 votes
Boyz n the Hood
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Boyz n the Hood

#11

In the middle of the Los Angeles ghetto, drugs, robberies and shootings dominate everyday life. During these times, Furious tries to raise his son Tre to be a decent person. Tre's friends, on the other hand, have little regard for the law and drag the entire neighborhood into a street war...

1991112 min
CrimeDrama
7.6
2112 votes
Fargo
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Fargo

#12

Jerry, a small-town Minnesota car salesman is bursting at the seams with debt... but he's got a plan. He's going to hire two thugs to kidnap his wife in a scheme to collect a hefty ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. It's going to be a snap and nobody's going to get hurt... until people start dying. Enter Police Chief Marge, a coffee-drinking, parka-wearing - and extremely pregnant - investigator who'll stop at nothing to get her man. And if you think her small-time investigative skills will

199698 min
CrimeDramaThriller
7.9
8542 votes
Scream
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Scream

#13

A year after the murder of her mother, a teenage girl is terrorized by a masked killer who targets her and her friends by using scary movies as part of a deadly game.

1996112 min
CrimeHorrorMystery
7.4
7424 votes
Sneakers
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Sneakers

#14

When shadowy U.S. intelligence agents blackmail a reformed computer hacker and his eccentric team of security experts into stealing a code-breaking 'black box' from a Soviet-funded genius, they uncover a bigger conspiracy. Now, he and his 'sneakers' must save themselves and the world economy by retrieving the box from their blackmailers.

1992126 min
ComedyCrimeDrama
6.9
976 votes

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