10 Must-Watch Thrillers About Corrupt Cops

Description: Based on a true story, this film follows Frank Serpico, an honest NYPD officer who goes undercover to expose corruption within the force. His journey highlights the struggle against systemic corruption and the personal cost of integrity.

Fact: Al Pacino's performance earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. The film was also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Description: Richard Gere and Andy Garcia star in this tale of an Internal Affairs officer investigating a rogue cop. The film explores the tension between loyalty to the badge and the pursuit of justice, showcasing the internal struggles within the police force.

Fact: The film was one of the first to delve deeply into the operations of Internal Affairs units. It was also one of Gere's first roles where he played a morally ambiguous character.

Description: This gritty film stars Harvey Keitel as a morally bankrupt police lieutenant in New York City, whose life spirals out of control due to his drug addiction and corruption. It's a raw, unflinching look at the depths to which a cop can fall.

Fact: The film was initially rated NC-17 due to its graphic content but was later released unrated. It was remade in 2009 with Nicolas Cage.

Description: In this film, Sylvester Stallone plays a small-town sheriff who uncovers a web of corruption among the police officers in his town, many of whom are former NYPD cops. It's a tale of one man's fight against the blue wall of silence.

Fact: The film features an ensemble cast including Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, and Ray Liotta. Stallone reportedly lost 40 pounds for his role.

Description: Set in the 1950s, this neo-noir film explores the corruption within the LAPD, focusing on three very different cops whose paths cross during a high-profile murder investigation. It's a complex narrative of power, corruption, and redemption.

Fact: The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning two. It's based on the novel by James Ellroy.

Description: This film follows a rookie cop, Jake Hoyt, on his first day with the LAPD's narcotics division, where he is paired with the seasoned and corrupt Detective Alonzo Harris. The movie showcases the moral dilemmas and the corrupt practices within the police force, making it a quintessential entry in this list.

Fact: Denzel Washington won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Alonzo Harris. The film was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Ethan Hawke.

Description: Kurt Russell stars as a veteran LAPD officer who trains a rookie cop, revealing the deep-seated corruption within the department. The film examines the moral decay and the thin line between right and wrong in law enforcement.

Fact: The film was directed by Ron Shelton, who also wrote the screenplay. It was inspired by a story from James Ellroy.

Description: Martin Scorsese's crime thriller involves an undercover cop infiltrating the Irish mob and a mole within the police department. The film delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and corruption in both the criminal underworld and the police force.

Fact: The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Scorsese. It's a remake of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs."

Description: Keanu Reeves stars as a veteran LAPD detective who uncovers a conspiracy within the department after his former partner is killed. The film delves into the murky ethics of police work and the lengths to which officers will go to protect their own.

Fact: The film was originally titled "The Night Watchman." It was directed by David Ayer, known for his work on gritty cop dramas.

Description: Woody Harrelson plays a veteran LAPD officer whose life unravels as he becomes embroiled in scandal and corruption. The film provides a gritty, realistic portrayal of a cop's descent into moral ambiguity.

Fact: The film is loosely based on the real-life Rampart scandal involving the LAPD's anti-gang unit.