Top 10 Detective Movies About Criminals

Description: This psychological thriller follows FBI agent Clarice Starling as she seeks the help of imprisoned cannibalistic psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter to catch another serial killer.

Fact: It's one of only three films to win the "Big Five" Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Description: This epic crime film pits a seasoned detective against a professional thief in a game of cat and mouse, exploring themes of loyalty, honor, and the personal costs of their chosen paths.

Fact: The famous diner scene was improvised by Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, who had never worked together before this film. The film was shot on location in Los Angeles to give it an authentic feel.

Description: A dark and gritty exploration of a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi, this film pits two detectives against a chilling adversary in a race against time.

Fact: The film was initially rated NC-17 due to its graphic content but was later edited to receive an R rating. The ending was kept a secret from most of the cast and crew until the last day of shooting.

Description: This film is a masterclass in misdirection, featuring a group of criminals who are brought together for a heist, only to find themselves entangled in a web spun by the elusive Keyser Söze.

Fact: Kevin Spacey won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Verbal Kint. The film's ending has become one of the most discussed and debated in cinema history.

Description: Set in 1950s Los Angeles, this neo-noir film follows three very different cops as they navigate corruption, scandal, and murder in the City of Angels.

Fact: The film was adapted from James Ellroy's novel, which was inspired by real-life events in Los Angeles. It received nine Academy Award nominations, winning two.

Description: This film delves into the lives of three childhood friends whose paths cross again when one's daughter is murdered, leading to a complex investigation that uncovers deep-seated secrets.

Fact: Sean Penn won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role. The film was shot in Boston, where the story is set, to capture the city's atmosphere.

Description: A remake of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs," this movie features an undercover cop and a mole in the police force, both trying to expose each other while infiltrating the Irish mob.

Fact: Martin Scorsese won his first Best Director Oscar for this film, which also won Best Picture. The film's ending was changed from the original to give it a more definitive closure.

Description: Based on the true story of the Zodiac Killer, this film meticulously details the investigation by a cartoonist, a reporter, and two detectives as they try to unmask the elusive murderer.

Fact: David Fincher, the director, was obsessed with the case and spent years researching it before making the film. The movie was shot in chronological order to capture the passage of time accurately.

Description: When his daughter and her friend go missing, a desperate father takes matters into his own hands, leading to a tense and morally ambiguous investigation.

Fact: The film was shot in Georgia, standing in for Pennsylvania, where the story is set. Hugh Jackman's performance was critically acclaimed, showcasing his range as an actor.

Description: A journalist and a hacker with a troubled past team up to solve a decades-old disappearance, uncovering a web of secrets, corruption, and murder.

Fact: The film was directed by David Fincher, who also directed "Zodiac." The movie's title sequence, featuring a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song," was highly praised and became iconic.