The 7 Best British Crime Films Of All Time
From cheeky dark comedies to harrowing crime epics, here are several British crime dramas we heartily recommend checking out.
From cheeky dark comedies to harrowing crime epics, here are several British crime dramas we heartily recommend checking out.
Like every nationality, the United Kingdom has produced numerous entries in practically every conceivable cinematic genre, from absurdist comedies like Monty Python and the Holy Grail to mind-bending horror films like The Wicker Man. Similarly, the UK has released dozens upon dozens of fantastic crime thrillers, each of which continue to earn praise from viewers across the globe. From cheeky dark comedies to harrowing crime epics, here are several British crime dramas we heartily recommend checking out.
Mona Lisa (1986)
The British equivalent to Taxi Driver, Mona Lisa pits Bob Hoskins’ disillusioned gangster with Cathy Tyson’s high-priced London call girl. While Mona Lisa does a fantastic job showing the gradual connection formed between Hoskins and Tyson’s characters, the film eloquently captures the various personal plights threatening to tear Hoskins’ life apart. From reconnecting with his estranged daughter to agonizing over his loyalties to his employer, Hoskins’ existential journey of self-discovery makes Mona Lisa a riveting drama viewers won’t soon forget.
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
There’s a reason Guy Ritchie is often compared to his American counterpart, Quentin Tarantino. Like the director of Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, and Kill Bill, Ritchie has regularly cranked out high-speed thrillers with a buoyant comedic energy behind it, as seen through his 1998 feature-length debut, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels. Bolstered by a massive cast of vivid characters, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels unfolds with the electric intensity of Ritchie’s very best films.
In Bruges (2008)
Contemporary audiences might readily remember Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson for their roles in 2022’s The Banshees of Inisherin, but 14 years earlier, the two worked together on Martin McDonagh’s supremely entertaining dark comedy, In Bruges. Set in a sleepy Belgian city, In Bruges focuses on two hit men awaiting orders from their foul-mouthed London employer. Along the way, the two grapple with the morality of their occupation, asking profound questions about who they are and whether they’re fundamentally bad people. From its poignant discussions of depression to its final celebratory comment on life, In Bruges is a genuinely moving crime comedy the likes of which are all too rare in today’s cinematic landscape.
Get Carter (1971)
Michael Caine has appeared in many, many, many different films over the years, yet one of his very finest appearances came courtesy of 1971’s gangster drama, Get Carter. Distancing himself from his comically charismatic performances in movies like The Italian Job, Get Carter casts Caine against type as the titular anti-hero – a no-nonsense cockney hitman investigating his brother’s death. Conjuring up a dark atmosphere full of foreboding vengeance and heartbreaking betrayals, Get Carter is a sensational crime drama worthy of Scorsese or Coppola (and if that’s not praise, we don’t know what is).
The Ladykillers (1955)
What do you get when you toss six eccentric criminals and one kindly old lady under the same roof? You get the utterly terrific 1955 dark comedy, The Ladykillers. A far cry from the disappointing Coen brothers remake of the same name, the original Ladykillers strikes a remarkable balance between rich humor and a sensational main storyline. Loaded with betrayals, double-crosses, innocent misunderstandings, and insidious murder plots, it’s a movie that captures and holds your attention from start to finish.
Sexy Beast (2000)
In hindsight, Sexy Beast’s alluring title doesn’t even begin to broach the sheer insanity behind this 2000 dark comedy crime film. Led by a mesmerizing Ben Kingsley as sociopathic gangster Don Logan, Sexy Beast unfolds like a hard-boiled, Dali-inspired nightmare set in London’s criminal underworld. As unforgettably shocking as it is frequently hilarious, Sexy Beast will leave you bewildered, confused, and uncomfortable, yet grinning from ear to ear throughout.
The Long Good Friday (1980)
If there’s one certainty about British crime films, it’s that any movie featuring Bob Hoskins in a prominent role is guaranteed to be worth watching. Just as Mona Lisa supports that idea, The Long Good Friday outfits Hoskins with the most formidable and commanding character of his career. Among the most influential crime films of all time, The Long Good Friday kicked off a renewed golden age for British crime dramas, laying the groundwork for practically every other film on this list. From its booming score to Hoskins’ kinetic lead role, everything about The Long Good Friday is worthy of avid acclaim and celebration.
