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30 Thrilling Crime Movies from 2012 to Keep You on Edge

30 titles

Delve into the shadowy world of crime with our expertly curated list of top 2012 releases. From the seductive allure of Paris by Night to the gripping intensity of Armed Hands and Breathless, these thrilling tales are sure to captivate you as they unfurl their web of suspense. Join us on a high-stakes journey through the dark underbelly of humanity, where secrets unravel, loyalties shatter, and fate hangs in the balance. These 30 crime films of 2012 will leave you questioning the line between right and wrong, and yearning for more twists and turns.

Default orderPopularityIMDb ratingTMDB ratingRelease dateRuntimeTitleBudgetBox officeAscending
  1. 1Piazza Fontana: The Italian ConspiracyMovie · 2012 · 129m · Drama, Crime, MysteryIn December 1969, a bombing at a Milan bank kills 17 people, triggering a period of intense political unrest known as the Years of Lead. Italian authorities and the press quickly blame local anarchists for the attack. However, a determined prosecutor begins to uncover a far-reaching conspiracy involving right-wing groups, corrupt intelligence agencies, and powerful individuals who aim to destabilize the country's democratic institutions.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.2
  2. 2BusinessmanMovie · 2012 · 133m · Action, CrimeMumbai believes the Mafia is finished, but Surya arrives with plans to take over.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.0
  3. 3Hotel NoirMovie · 2012 · 97m · Crime, DramaIn 1958 Los Angeles, a detective waits in his downtown hotel room for his attackers. Over the course of a single night, he encounters the hotel's diverse guests, and the circumstances that led him to this point are revealed.IMDb 5.5TMDB 5.7
  4. 4BreathlessMovie · 2012 · 91m · Comedy, Thriller, MysteryLorna, a determined woman from Texas, is at her limit with her husband, Dale’s, dishonesty and neglect. After he commits a major betrayal – stealing $100,000 from a bank – she turns to her longtime friend, Tiny, for guidance on how to handle him.IMDb 5.2TMDB 5.9
  5. 5MysteryMovie · 2012 · 98m · Crime, DramaLu Jie's life is shattered when she discovers her husband is living a secret life. The shock intensifies when she witnesses him entering a hotel with another woman. Shortly after, that woman is killed in a car accident. But the investigating police officer suspects foul play.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.5
  6. 6ColosioMovie · 2012 · 100m · Crime, Drama, ThrillerIn 1994 Mexico, a nation grappling with upheaval, an indigenous rebellion rocks the country. Three months later, the presidential candidate of the ruling party is murdered during a rally in Tijuana, sparking national concern. The cause is unclear, suggesting a conspiracy. Intelligence expert Andrés Vázquez is tasked with a secret investigation alongside the official government inquiry. However, another agent, el Seco, is ordered to eliminate witnesses and destroy evidence related to the murder. As Andrés unravels the complex truth, he discovers he and those he cares about are in grave danger.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.0
  7. 7Paris by NightMovie · 2012 · 100m · Crime, DramaPolice Commander Simon Weiss oversees Paris's nightlife – bars, discos, and strip clubs – ensuring owners adhere to regulations. He's caught in a difficult situation: criminal gangs operate freely within his jurisdiction, and he suspects powerful figures within the police department are protecting them.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.1
  8. 8Armed HandsMovie · 2012 · 105m · Crime, Thriller, DramaLucas and his team hunt a gang of Serbian criminals who are using weapons originally supplied by NATO. The investigation takes him to Paris, where Lucas tries to rebuild a relationship with his daughter, who works as a police informant.IMDb 5.4TMDB 5.8
  9. 9Black's GameMovie · 2012 · 104m · Drama, Crime, ThrillerDuring the mid to late 1990s, Reykjavik's criminal and drug world transformed from something small and unassuming into a dangerous and violent landscape. The film chronicles this shift by following a fictional group of drug dealers who rise to power and dominate Iceland's underworld.IMDb 6.7TMDB 5.9
  10. 10WastelandMovie · 2012 · 106m · Thriller, Drama, CrimeNewly paroled, a young man assembles his three closest friends for a heist: targeting the local drug kingpin he holds responsible for his imprisonment.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.7
  11. 11The ImposterMovie · 2012 · 99m · Documentary, Mystery, CrimeIn 1994, a 13-year-old boy vanished from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Three and a half years later, he's discovered alive in a Spanish village, recounting a harrowing tale of kidnapping and torture. His family rejoices at his return. However, everything isn't as it appears.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.3
  12. 12Fugitive at 17Movie · 2012 · 84m · TV Movie, Crime, MysteryAccused of killing her best friend, a teenage computer whiz flees to uncover the truth behind the murder.IMDb 6.0TMDB 6.5
  13. 13Two RabbitsMovie · 2012 · 108m · Action, Crime, DramaEdgar, a man approaching 30 from a comfortable background, is grappling with a life crisis, a common experience for many Brazilians. He faces a government marked by corruption and neglect, alongside escalating urban crime. Edgar responds by becoming a modern vigilante. Using technology, disinformation, and manipulation, he formulates a complex plan that exploits the greed of his adversaries. As the story progresses, the film reveals the hidden histories of those involved, as Edgar pieces together an intricate puzzle that drives the narrative.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.8
  14. 14Ace AttorneyMovie · 2012 · 135m · Crime, Mystery, DramaThe film adapts the first game in the series, focusing on rookie defense attorney Phoenix Wright. He fights to protect his clients in a series of murder trials, confronting cases like the death of his mentor, Mia Fey, and the accusation brought by rival prosecutor Miles Edgeworth. Phoenix's key ally is Maya Fey, Mia's younger sister and a spirit medium. Mia's spirit possesses Maya's body, allowing her to communicate with Phoenix.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.1
  15. 15A Mother's NightmareMovie · 2012 · 90m · TV Movie, Crime, MysteryA captivating teenager turns vengeful when her boyfriend attempts to break up with her.IMDb 5.7TMDB 5.8
  16. 1621 Jump StreetMovie · 2012 · 109m · Action, Comedy, CrimePolice officers Schmidt and Jenko join a special undercover unit and pose as high school students. They give up their police gear for backpacks and try to dismantle a dangerous drug operation. However, Schmidt and Jenko soon realize high school has changed since they were students, and they must face the teenage problems they believed they had overcome.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.9
  17. 17CleanskinMovie · 2012 · 108m · Drama, Thriller, CrimeEwan, a former soldier now working undercover as a bodyguard for arms dealer Harry, is caught in a violent shootout with a member of an Islamic terrorist group. The terrorist steals Harry's briefcase, which contains Semtex explosives, and flees. Ewan's superiors in the secret service then assign him the mission to track down the terrorists and recover the briefcase.IMDb 6.2TMDB 5.6
  18. 18The SweeneyMovie · 2012 · 112m · Action, CrimeDetective Jack Regan, a police officer known for bending the rules, is forced to face a dangerous figure from his history. Partnered with George Carter, Regan investigates a jewelry store robbery that results in a death. But was it truly a targeted killing? Facing pressure from his superior and complicated by a relationship with his boss's wife, Regan finds himself increasingly entangled in a web of trouble.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.8
  19. 19One for the MoneyMovie · 2012 · 91m · Action, Comedy, CrimeA jobless lingerie buyer persuades her bail bondsman cousin to let her try bounty hunting. Her first case involves tracking a fugitive former police officer wanted for murder – the same man who once hurt her. With assistance from friends and an experienced bounty hunter, she gradually discovers the realities of the profession.IMDb 5.3TMDB 5.6
  20. 20Jesse Stone: Benefit of the DoubtMovie · 2012 · 87m · Drama, Thriller, CrimeJesse fights to regain his position as police chief in Paradise. He must use his instincts to navigate a confusing trail of false leads and concealed messages while investigating a disturbing double murder linked to the mob.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.8
  21. 21SavagesMovie · 2012 · 131m · Crime, Drama, ThrillerBen and Chon, who grow marijuana together, are forced to confront a Mexican drug cartel after their girlfriend is kidnapped.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.3
  22. 22Robot & FrankMovie · 2012 · 89m · Science Fiction, Comedy, DramaFrank, a grumpy widower, lives a solitary life centered around his daily trips to the library, where he shares a friendly connection with the librarian. His adult children, worried about him, purchase a caretaker robot. Frank is hesitant at first but gradually comes to appreciate the robot's help with things like meals and housework. He starts to see the robot as a companion. With this new assistance, Frank rediscovers his enthusiasm for his past, unconventional work – for good or ill.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.9
  23. 23DeadfallMovie · 2012 · 95m · Crime, Drama, ThrillerThis thriller centers on two siblings who go off-grid after a failed casino robbery, and their unexpected reconnection at a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by another family.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.0
  24. 24Beyond OutrageMovie · 2012 · 112m · Action, CrimeWhen the police aggressively target organized crime, a major conflict erupts between the Sanno and Hanabishi yakuza clans. This internal power struggle from *Outrage* has escalated into a full-blown war across the country in *Outrage Beyond*.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.0
  25. 25TransitMovie · 2012 · 88m · Action, Thriller, CrimeNate plans a camping trip to help his family bond. At a rest stop, a group of thieves conceal their stolen money among his belongings. Suddenly, Nate and his family are pursued by the criminals, who are determined to recover their lost loot.IMDb 5.8TMDB 5.7
  26. 26The FactoryMovie · 2012 · 108m · Crime, Thriller, MysteryA driven police detective hunts a serial killer terrorizing Buffalo, New York. His pursuit takes a personal turn when his teenage daughter vanishes, prompting him to abandon protocol in his desperate attempt to catch the killer.IMDb 5.8TMDB 5.6
  27. 27The CourierMovie · 2012 · 91m · Action, CrimeA morally ambiguous FBI agent hires a courier to transport a secretive package to a notorious criminal who has unexpectedly returned with a sinister scheme.IMDb 4.5TMDB 4.9
  28. 28LawlessMovie · 2012 · 115m · Crime, Drama, WesternIn 1931, the Bondurant brothers of Franklin County, Virginia, operate a rural business that secretly involves bootlegging. Forrest, the middle brother, is the strategist; Howard, the eldest, provides the muscle, and Jack, the youngest, acts as lookout. Protected by local police who accept bribes, the brothers' operation is disrupted by the arrival of a ruthless lawman from Chicago determined to bring it down, sparking a violent conflict.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1
  29. 29SafeMovie · 2012 · 94m · Action, Crime, ThrillerA retired special operative rescues a 12-year-old Chinese girl from kidnappers, drawing them into a dangerous conflict. They become caught between rival Triads, the Russian Mafia, and powerful, corrupt figures in New York City politics and law enforcement.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.5
  30. 30Man on a LedgeMovie · 2012 · 102m · Action, Thriller, CrimeA former police officer, now a con artist, appears ready to jump from a Manhattan hotel rooftop. The NYPD sends a police psychologist to try and prevent the suicide. Unbeknownst to the authorities, the apparent attempt is a distraction for an elaborate diamond robbery.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.4