10 Must-Watch Undercover Crime Films

Description: This gritty classic features a detective who goes undercover to bust a French heroin smuggling ring, leading to one of the most famous car chases in cinema history.

Fact: The film's famous car chase was shot without permits, making it a spontaneous and risky endeavor. Gene Hackman won an Oscar for Best Actor for his role.

Description: Al Pacino stars as Frank Serpico, a real-life NYPD officer who goes undercover to expose corruption within the police force, risking his life in the process.

Fact: The film was based on the book by Peter Maas, which was in turn based on Serpico's own experiences. Pacino's performance was critically acclaimed, earning him an Oscar nomination.

Description: An FBI agent infiltrates a gang of bank-robbing surfers, leading to a thrilling mix of action, adventure, and existential questioning.

Fact: Keanu Reeves did most of his own stunts, including the famous skydiving scene. The film has since become a cult classic.

Description: Based on a true story, this film follows an FBI agent who infiltrates the Bonanno crime family, leading to a deep personal conflict as he grows closer to the mobsters he's supposed to betray.

Fact: Johnny Depp's performance was so convincing that real-life mobsters thought he was actually an undercover cop. The film's title is the alias used by the real-life agent Joseph D. Pistone.

Description: A tale of two moles: one within the Boston police department and another within the Irish mob, both trying to uncover each other while maintaining their cover. This film is a masterclass in tension and betrayal.

Fact: Martin Scorsese won his first Best Director Oscar for this film. The movie is a remake of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs."

Description: Denzel Washington plays real-life drug lord Frank Lucas, who builds an empire by smuggling heroin into the U.S. from Vietnam, while Russell Crowe plays the detective who goes undercover to bring him down.

Fact: The film was inspired by the true story of Frank Lucas, whose life was chronicled in a New York Magazine article. The movie's depiction of the Vietnam War era was praised for its authenticity.

Description: A group of bank robbers in Boston, led by Doug MacRay, must evade capture while one of them falls for a bank manager they took hostage, complicating their plans.

Fact: Ben Affleck, who also directed, drew inspiration from the real-life bank robberies in Charlestown, Boston. The film features an intense car chase through the city's narrow streets.

Description: Bryan Cranston plays a U.S. Customs agent who goes undercover to dismantle the money-laundering operations of Pablo Escobar's Medellín Cartel.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of Robert Mazur, whose book of the same name inspired the movie. Cranston's portrayal was lauded for its intensity and authenticity.

Description: Johnny Depp stars as notorious Boston mobster Whitey Bulger, who becomes an informant for the FBI, blurring the lines between law enforcement and organized crime.

Fact: Depp underwent a dramatic physical transformation for the role, including wearing blue contact lenses to mimic Bulger's distinctive eyes.

Description: An undercover cop returns to his childhood neighborhood in Hell's Kitchen to infiltrate the Irish mob, only to find himself torn between duty and old friendships.

Fact: The film was shot on location in New York City, providing an authentic backdrop to the story. Sean Penn's performance was praised for its depth and complexity.