Animal Kingdom offers a thrilling journey into the dangerously illicit world of a Southern California crime family, led by the cunning matriarch Janine "Smurf" Cody, played by Ellen Barkin. The show explores complex family dynamics while shedding light on the darkest corners of the criminal underworld, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
vote oneverything

#1It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

on The Best TV Comedies Of 2024, Ranked

#7The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

on The Best Fantasy Shows Of 2024, Ranked

COLLECTION23 LISTS

Book 'Em, Danno In the entertainment industry, shows and movies about cops and lawyers are considered especially great. These are their stories.

# The 80+ Best Current Crime TV Shows

Ranker TV

Updated September 11, 2024174.4K views118 items

Ranked By



27.5K votes

7.3K voters

4 reranks

Voting Rules

Vote up the best shows depicting crime and law enforcement that are currently airing new episodes.

Latest additions: Seoul Busters, The Perfect Couple, City of God: The Fight Rages On

Most divisive: True Detective

Over 7.3K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The 80+ Best Current Crime TV Shows

Unveiling a treasure trove of television's most riveting stories, we look at the realm of new crime shows and investigative series that have grabbed audiences' attention worldwide. Defining the essence of suspense, intrigue, and raw human emotion, these narratives infuse a chilling sense of realness into a fictional world. Stepping beyond the realms of standard whodunits, they explore flawed heroes meeting their match against compelling villains, all set in the backdrop of a society grappling with the specter of crime.

Steering the spotlight onto the best crime shows now airing, we witness a dynamic orchestration of law enforcement and criminal undercurrents brought to life on the small screen. Each episode is a careful balance of tension and resolution, where detectives and criminals engage in a chess-like dance, each plotting their strategies with cunning precision. Be it the sprawling mysteries of detective TV series or the nail-biting suspense of crime TV shows, viewers are treated to an adrenaline-fueled roller coaster ride across the spectrum of law and order.

Among this engaging ensemble,American crime drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit stands out with its ensemble cast, often inspired by real-life stories, while NCIS intrigues viewers with its blend of humor and forensic science. Popular cop shows like The Rookie, Blue Bloods, and FBI take us into the tight-knit world of law enforcement, replete with complexities and camaraderie. For those eager to embark on these thrilling journeys, seamless streaming options are available below each list entry, be it Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+, or Max. Each entry offers easy accessibility, ensuring your next binge-watch is just a click away.

Beyond the thrill of the chase and the jigsaw puzzles of investigations, these crime detective shows offer a deep dive into the human psyche, making them timeless masterpieces in television storytelling. The magnetic allure of these detective TV shows lies not just in the unraveling of mysteries, but also in their portrayal of characters caught in the crosshairs of moral dilemmas. As you prepare to delve deeper, remember: Each episode is a mirror to society's paradoxes, a journey where the pursuit of justice meets the unpredictability of crime. Let's lock and load, for the world of gripping TV crime dramas awaits.



Ranked byAll voters

rerankers (4)

region

age

menwomen

rank it your way

1

## Animal Kingdom

Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Weary

Vote UpVote Down

310 votes

Animal Kingdom offers a thrilling journey into the dangerously illicit world of a Southern California crime family, led by the cunning matriarch Janine "Smurf" Cody, played by Ellen Barkin. The show explores complex family dynamics while shedding light on the darkest corners of the criminal underworld, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

featured

Amazon Prime Video Logo

subscription

TNT Logo

XFINITY Logo

paid

iTunes Store Logo

Vudu Logo


IS IT WATCHWORTHY?



2

## Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Kelli Giddish

Vote UpVote Down

994 votes

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has become a staple of American television, captivating viewers for over two decades. Largely driven by the talents of Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson, this top-notch ensemble cast has handled sensitive subject matter with unwavering intensity and professionalism, making SVU an iconic crime show.

featured

Amazon Prime Video Logo

subscription

Hulu Logo

NBC Logo

Peacock Logo

USA Network Logo

XFINITY Logo

paid

iTunes Store Logo

Vudu Logo


IS IT WATCHWORTHY?



- 

votes needed!

NEW TO THE LIST

- 

NEW



#77

The Perfect Couple

Vote UpVote Down

0 votes

- 

NEW



#79

City of God: The Fight Rages On

Vote UpVote Down

0 votes

3

## NCIS

Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama, Brian Dietzen

Vote UpVote Down

1,050 votes

NCIS, with its memorable mix of humor and forensics, has been entertaining audiences since 2003. Headlined by Mark Harmon as the inimitable Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the dynamic team of special agents tackles crimes involving the military, impressively maintaining a one-of-a-kind balance between light-hearted banter and the serious nature of their work.

- Premiered: September 23, 2003

- Dig DeeperThe Best Episodes of NCIS

- Also ranks #50 onThe Best TV Shows Of The Past 20 Years

featured

Amazon Prime Video Logo

subscription

CBS Logo

Netflix Logo

Paramount+ Logo

XFINITY Logo

free

Pluto TV Logo

paid

iTunes Store Logo

Vudu Logo


IS IT WATCHWORTHY?



4

## Blue Bloods

Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan

Vote UpVote Down

789 votes

Blue Bloods, starring esteemed actor Tom Selleck as police commissioner Frank Reagan, focuses on a family of law enforcers working together to keep New York safe. The show distinguishes itself with recurring family dinner conversations, adding depth to the characters while emphasizing the values that drive them all into the dangerous world of crime-fighting.

featured

Amazon Prime Video Logo

subscription

CBS Logo

Hulu Logo

Paramount+ Logo

free

Pluto TV Logo

XFINITY Logo

paid

iTunes Store Logo

Vudu Logo


IS IT WATCHWORTHY?



5

## Chicago P.D.

Jason Beghe, Patrick Flueger, LaRoyce Hawkins

Vote UpVote Down

700 votes

Chicago P.D. has made a name for itself as part of Dick Wolf's One Chicago universe. With a diverse and formidable cast led by the tough-as-nails Sergeant Hank Voight, played by Jason Beghe, the show delves into the morally ambiguous world of crime and law enforcement. It has garnered a strong following with its copious twists and turns, and well-thought-out crossovers with sister shows.

- Premiered: January 8, 2014

- Dig DeeperThe Best Episodes of 'Chicago P.D.'

- Also ranks #26 onThe Best Drama TV Shows Airing Now

featured

Amazon Prime Video Logo

subscription

NBC Logo

Oxygen Logo

USA Network Logo

free

Peacock Logo

paid

iTunes Store Logo

Vudu Logo


IS IT WATCHWORTHY?



6

## The Rookie

Nathan Fillion, Mekia Cox, Alyssa Diaz

Vote UpVote Down

366 votes

The Rookie chronicles the journey of late-blooming officer John Nolan, played by Nathan Fillion. While the premise may seem improbable, the series has been well-received largely due to Fillion's endearing portrayal of the determined protagonist. The show offers a fresh spin on traditional buddy-cop tropes, striking a balance between gripping cases and character development.

featured

Amazon Prime Video Logo

subscription

Hulu Logo

free

ABC Logo

paid

iTunes Store Logo

Vudu Logo


IS IT WATCHWORTHY?



load more