Audiences are endlessly fascinated by the true crime movies, eager to dive into the dark minds of real life criminals and those tasked to take them down. But for newbies, it can be a pretty daunting genre to enter. Luckily, we're running through the 50 most essential true crime movies for newcomers and diehard fans alike.
Note: Considering the sheer number of them, we've decided to leave true crime documentaries off of this list (well, with one notable exception).
1. The Wrong Man
Release Year: 1956
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Henry Fonda, Vera Miles and Anthony Quayle
This one's notable because it was one of Alfred Hitchcock's few films based on a true story. The movie follows Manny Balestrero (Henry Fonda), a New Yorker accused of robberies he didn't commit, and traces the attempts made to clear his name as his life slowly falls apart. It also includes one of Henry Fonda's best performances, a feat considering his illustrious career.
2. In Cold Blood
Release Year: 1967
Director: Richard Brooks
Starring: Robert Blake, Scott Wilson and John Forsythe
Author Truman Capote's In Cold Blood was a pioneering work in the true crime genre, and its film adaptation is no exception. The movie captures the true story of Perry Smith (Robert Blake) and Dick Hickock (Scott Wilson), who in 1959 killed an entire family in Holcomb, Kansas after a robbery gone wrong.
3. Bonnie And Clyde
Release Year: 1967
Director: Arthur Penn
Starring: Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway
An influential film of the New Hollywood movement of the late '60s and '70s, Bonnie And Clyde's success extends beyond the true crime genre. Penn and producer/star Warren Beatty brought levels of sex and violence that Hollywood had never seen before alongside a cinematic style influence by French New Wave filmmakers, all wrapped in the iconic true story of American outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. The movie pushed its contemporaries to experiment with new forms, helping give birth to one of Hollywood's most artistic periods.
4. The Honeymoon Killers
Release Year: 1970
Director: Leonard Kastle
Starring: Tony Lo Bianco and Shirley Stoler
Inspired by "Lonely Hearts Killers" Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez, this crime classic follows their murder spree from 1947 through 1949. The duo lured their victims in through lonely hearts ads in the newspaper, and the film's moody mix of shocks and laughs made it a cult classic.
5. 10 Rillington Place
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Release Year: 1971
Director: Richard Fleischer
Starring: Richard Attenborough and John Hurt
Richard Attenborough will be fondly remembered as dino-loving tycoon John Hammond from Jurassic Park, so seeing him as British serial killer John Christie might come as a shock. Christie killed at least seven women in his home at 10 Rillington Place, and hid them all in the walls of his apartment. The movie captures Christie's brutal crimes and the false accusations brought upon his neighbor Timothy Evans (John Hurt).
6. Serpico
Release Year: 1973
Director: Sidney Lumet
Starring: Al Pacino, John Randolph and Jack Kehoe
This true crime classic, inspired by the life of New York police officer Frank Serpico, finds Al Pacino on the right side of the law as the famous NYPD whistleblower. One of the defining movies of the '70s, Serpico shows how power corrupts while capturing the gritty feel of New York City.
7. Dog Day Afternoon
Release Year: 1975
Director: Sidney Lumet
Starring: Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles During, Chris Sarandon and Lance Henriksen
Dog Day Afternoon is easily one of the defining movies of the '70s. Starring Al Pacino, the story's based on a failed bank heist committed by John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturale in 1972. The movie excels by turning the robbers into its heroes, encapsulating the anti-establishment sentiments of the time with fast-paced action and compelling character drama.
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8. Helter Skelter
Release Year: 1976
Director: Tom Gries
Starring: Steve Railsback and George DiCenzo,
The Manson Family murders took the nation by storm in the late '60s, and their aftermath reverberated through much of the '70s. This two-part TV movie was inspired by the massively successful true crime book of the same name, chronicling the family's murder spree as well as the arrest and trial of Charles Manson. It was one of the first movies based on Manson's exploits, and captured his story at a time when its impact on the country was still fresh.
9. The Onion Field
Release Year: 1979
Director: Harold Becker
Starring: John Savage, James Woods, Franklyn Seales and Ted Danson
Based on the true crime book of the same name, The Onion Field tells the story of LAPD detectives Karl Hettinger (John Savage) and Ian Campbell (Ted Danson), who were kidnapped by a pair of criminals (James Woods and Franklyn Seales) after a routine traffic stop. Campbell was executed while Hettinger escaped, and the film follows the twisty lives of Hettinger and the criminals following the event. As Hettinger deals with survivor's guilt, the criminals try to game the legal system to reduce their sentences.
10. Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer
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Release Year: 1986
Director: Jack McNaughton
Starring: Michael Rooker, Tom Towles and Tracy Arnold
Based on the life and confessions of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer is one of the most brutal movies of the '80s. Blending true crime with horror, star Michael Rooker brings Henry to life with a bone-chilling performance, chronicling his daily life as a sadistic killer. The real-life Lucas claimed to have killed 600 people, and while a vast majority of his claims were refuted he was convicted of murdering 11 people more than enough to inspire this twisted tale.
11. At Close Range
Release Year: 1986
Director: James Foley
Starring: Christopher Walken and Sean Penn
For a compelling taste of small town crime, look no further than At Close Range. This drama was inspired by the rural Pennsylvania crime family led by Bruce Johnston, Sr., known for their expertly coordinated burglaries throughout the '60s and '70s. This one shines thanks to performances by Christopher Walken as the gang's leader and Sean Penn as his son, who ultimately causes the group's downfall.
12. The Untouchables
Release Year: 1987
Director: Brian De Palma
Starring: Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, Andy Garca and Charles Martin Smith
The story of FBI legend Elliot Ness is ripe for adaptation, so it should come as no surprise that Brian De Palma brought it to life in The Untouchables. The action-crime epic stars Kevin Costner as Ness, following his formation of a law enforcement squad to take down Al Capone (Robert De Niro) in Prohibition era Chicago. De Palma's dedication to shining a light on the heroes of the era, proving that not all cops are corruptible.
13. The Thin Blue Line
Release Year: 1988
Director: Errol Morris
The Thin Blue Line is one of the most influential true crime movies to date. The film, from renowned documentarian Errol Morris, blends traditional documentary elements with reenactments to chronicle the story of Randall Dale Adams, a man wrongfully convicted of murdering a police officer and sent to death. The film actually helped Adams get released from prison, and paved the way for our current trend of true crime documentaries and "ripped from the headlines" stories.
14. A Cry In The Dark
Release Year: 1988
Director: Frank Schepisi
Starring: Sam Neil and Meryl Streep
The death of Azaria Chamberlain, a nine-week old Australian baby who disappeared during a camping trip with her parents in 1980, took Australia and much of the world by storm. Frank Schepisi's A Cry In The Dark, known as Evil Angels in Australia and New Zealand, follow's Azaria's parents in the aftermath as they deal with a media firestorm after being accused of killing their daughter.
15. Goodfellas
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Release Year: 1990
Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino
Goodfellas is arguably the greatest gangster movie of all time, and one of Martin Scorsese's finest works. Of course, what makes it even more special is that it's based on the story of real-life mobster turned FBI informant Henry Hill. Ray Liotta stars as Hill with an all-star cast including Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Paul Sorvino and more. This one shines thanks to its superb acting, and while the characters were based on real people Scorsese gave his actors the freedom to improvise, crafting more natural performances.
16. Reversal Of Fortune
Release Year: 1990
Director: Barbet Schroeder
Starring: Jeremy Irons, Ron Silver and Glenn Close
If you're interested in the inner-workings of the legal system, you'll want to check out Reversal Of Fortune. Jeremy Irons stars as real life aristocrat Claus von Blow, who was accused of trying to kill his wife when she fell into a diabetic coma. The film sees the wealthy businessman hire an expert legal team, but head defense attorney Alan Dershowitz (Ron Silver) is convinced he's guilty.
17. Let Him Have It
Release Year: 1991
Director: Peter Medak
Starring: Christopher Eccleston, Paul Reynolds, Tom Courtenay and Tom Bell
Former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston stars in this story based on the execution of Derek Bentley, a British man who was hanged for murder in 1953 under shaky circumstances. Bentley, who was developmentally disabled, fell in with a gang that committed a robbery gone wrong, with the 16-year old gang leader killing a cop. But a justice system eager for punishment sent Bentley to death for the minor's crime, with the film illustrating the disconnect between true justice and the rulings of the court.
18. Heavenly Creatures
Release Year: 1994
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Kate Winslet, Melanie Lynskey, Sarah Peirse, Diana Kent and Clive Merrison
Heavenly Creatures brings New Zealand's famous Parker-Hulme murder case to the big screen, starring Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey as a pair of teenagers constantly ignored and belittled by their parents who see murder as their path to happiness. It's not until the end that the crime is committed, with the entire film serving as the perfect crescendo towards the violent act.
19. Vendetta
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Release Year: 1999
Director: Nicholas Meyer
Starring: Christopher Walken, Clancy Brown and Bruce Davison
In 1891, eleven Italian-Americans were lynched for their alleged involvement in the murder of New Orleans police chief David Henessey,and this HBO movie captures the events surrounding Henessey's death. The events brought the notion of an Italian-American Mafia to the country's consciousness for the first time, making Vendetta an important historical account.
20. Donnie Brasco
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Release Year: 1997
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Johnny Depp, Al Pacino, Michael Madsen and Anne Heche
Plenty of movies have followed undercover cops, but most don't live up to Donnie Brasco. Johnny Depp stars as Joseph Pistone, the real-life FBI agent who infiltrated New York City's Bonanno crime family in the '70s under the alias of Donnie Brasco. Over six years, he rose through the ranks of the family before his operation was ended, resulting in over 100 convictions of Mafia members. But the movie really shines thanks to Depp's performance as well as Al Pacino's as Lefty Ruggiero, a hit-man who develops a strong bond with the undercover agent and unwittingly provides much of his knowledge on the Mafia's inner-workings.
21. Chopper
Release Year: 2000
Director: Andrew Dominik
Starring: Eric Bana, Simon Lyndon, Kate Beahan and Vince Colosimo
Inspired by the autobiography of Mark "Chopper" Read, this flick stars Eric Bana as the infamous Australian outlaw and follows his days going in and out of prison, showing how his actions slowly alienate all his friends even the criminals. Chopper might think his actions are justified, he says he "never killed anyone that didn't deserve it," but the movie shows that the freedom of a lawless lifestyle might not be worth it in the long run.
22. Bully
Release Year: 2001
Director: Larry Clark
Starring: Brad Renfro, Bijou Phillips, Rachel Miner, Michael Pitt, Leo Fitzpatrick, Kelli Garner and Nick Stahl
The best true crime movies tell stories that could take place in any town even your own and Bully is no exception. The film follows the 1993 murder of Bobby Kent, who was killed by a group of his friends after he physically, emotionally and sexually abused them for years. It's the sort of small town story that's so horrifying because of how common it really is.
23. Catch Me If You Can
Release Year: 2002
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks
Spielberg knows how to make brutally serious movies, though Catch Me If You Can takes a lighter approach to true crime with its look at the life of conman and counterfeiter Frank Abagnale (Leonardo DiCaprio). The movie might follow a criminal, but DiCaprio's Abagnale is both sympathetic and fun, inviting audiences on a globe-trotting adventure.
24. Dahmer
Release Year: 2002
Director: David Jacobsen
Starring: Jeremy Renner
Notorious serial killer, cannibal and necrophiliac Jeffrey Dahmer has inspired plenty of movies, but Dahmer takes a more concentrated look at the killer's murder spree. Jeremy Renner plays Dahmer, with the film's unique structure simultaneously charting the beginning and end of his serial killing career.
25. Monster
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Release Year: 2003
Director: Patty Jenkins
Starring: Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci
Monster serves as a perfect example of the crime genre's ability to make you sympathize with the criminal. With her Oscar-winning performance, Charlize Theron makes you really understand Aileen Wuornos, a real-life prostitue who murdered her Johns and stole their money. Her first kill comes from self-defense, but the character quickly begins to kill for survival, emphasized by Theron's ability to really make you understand the trauma Wuornos endured throughout her life. You just might find yourself rooting for her to get away with her crimes.
26. Veronica Guerin
Release Year: 2003
Director: Joel Schumacher
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Gerard McSorley and Ciarn Hicks
Cate Blanchett brings another solid performance as title character Veronica Guerin, an Irish journalist murdered for her investigations into Dublin's drug trade in 1996. The film follows Guerin's twisty investigation as she follows false leads and faces increasing threats from drug kingpin John Gilligan (Gerard McSorley). She died for her work, but her death galvanized Dublin authorities and citizens to take control of the city's rampant drug problem.
27. Wonderland
Release Year: 2003
Director: James Cox
Starring: Val Kilmer, Kate Bosworth, Dylan McDermott, Lisa Kudrow and Josh Lucas
The Wonderland murders remains one of L.A.'s greatest unsolved cases, resulting in the deaths of four individuals in the same apartment on July 1, 1981. This film looks at all the suspects involved, including famous porn star John Holmes (Val Kilmer), shining the spotlight on an often overlooked crime.
28. Alpha Dog
Release Year: 2006
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Starring: Anton Yelchin, Justin Timberlake, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster, Shawn Hatosy, Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone
Based on the 2000 kidnapping and murder of Nicholas Markowitz, Alpha Dog presents a twisty tale of L.A. crime that touches on all the hallmarks. From drugs and kidnapping to murder, this one features an unflinching portrait of teenage hedonism and debauchery. It also marks on of Anton Yelchin's best performances in the role of Zack, the movie's dramatized version of Markowitz.
29. Out Of The Blue
Release Year: 2006
Director: Robert Sarkies
Starring: Karl urban, Matthew Sunderland, Lois Lawn, Tandi Wright and William Kircher
This film captures New Zealand's Aramoana massacre, the country's worst shooting spree which resulted in the deaths of 13 innocent bystanders. Karl Urban stars as one of the first police officers at the scene of the crime, with Matthew Sunderland as killer David Gray. It's notable for its realistic but sensitive look at the reactions of regular people in the wake of a massive tragedy.
30. American Gangster
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Release Year: 2007
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Cuba Gooding Jr.
Ridley Scott brought us one of the best crime movies of the '00s with American Gangster, the true story of Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) and the detective tasked with taking him down. The story really illustrates the complexities of New York in the '70s and the crime in the city. Lucas's drug trade helped bring money to Harlem, but it was obviously illegal, further complicated by scores of corrupt cops that helped keep drugs on the streets.
31. Zodiac
Release Year: 2007
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Edwards
The Zodiac killer is one of the most notorious serial killers in U.S. history, and David Fincher's Zodiac looks at the mystery surrounding his identity through the men that tried to hunt him down. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Robert Graysmith, the real-life political cartoonist turned writer who's dedicated much of his career towards unraveling the mystery behind Zodiac. with Robert Downey Jr. as the crime reporter who works with Graysmith to crack the case. While they don't come to a solid conclusion, Zodiac is still an impressive procedural, finding pleasure in the investigative process while showing its affects on the investigators.
32. The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford
Release Year: 2007
Director: Adam Dominik
Starring: Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Shepard, and Sam Rockwell
True crime goes to the Old West in this must-see Western starring Brad Pitt as legendary robber Jesse James and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford, the man who killed him. While the movie dramatizes the relationship between the two men it's still based in fact, making it one of the few westerns that falls into the realm of true crime. It also happens to be one of the best westerns of the last 20 years, so you should probably check it out either way.
33. An American Crime
Release Year: 2007
Director: Tommy O'Haver
Starring: Catherine Keener, Ellen Page, Hayley McFarland, Ari Graynor, Evan Peters and James Franco
This true crime nightmare chronicles the murder of 1965 murder of 16-year old Sylvia Likens at the hand of Gertrude Baniszewski. The movie plays more like a horror film, as Baniszewski tortured Likens to death with the help of her children. Catherine Keener plays Baniszewski with Ellen Page as Likens, and the pair's solid performances really bring this grisly affair to life.
34. Savage Grace
Release Year: 2007
Director: Tom Kalin
Starring: Julianne Moore and Eddie Redmayne
Family drama is a ripe subject for true crime, illustrated well in Savage Grace. The movie, based on the book of the same name, chronicles the incestuous relationship between socialite Barbara Daly Baekeland (Julianne Moore) and her son Antony (Eddie Redmayne). Antony murdered his mother, and solid performances from Moore and Redmayne bring their complex, troubling relationship to life perfectly.
35. Bronson
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Release Year: 2008
Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring: Tom Hardy
This unique biopic stars Tom Hardy as Michael Gordon Peterson, better known as Charles Bronson Britain's most notorious prison inmate. The flick spans Bronson's entire criminal career, including his wild stints in prison in solitary confinement, with the criminal serving as both its main character and narrator. Hardy repeatedly breaks the fourth wall for one of his most memorable performances.
36. Changeling
Release Year: 2008
Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich and Devon Conti
Inspired by the Wineville Chicken Coop murders of the late '20s, this film stars Angelina Jolie as Christine Collins, a mother whose son is believed to be murdered but reappears after several months. The only problem the boy who returns isn't actually her son. As Christine fights battles the police to prove that the boy isn't her son, the movie takes a psychological turn, questioning her sanity in the wake of tragedy. Is the trauma in the wake of the murders making her go crazy? Or are the police plotting to get the case wrapped up with an imposter?
37. Mesrine
Release Year: 2008
Director: Jean-Franois Richet
Starring: Vincent Cassel
This two-part French epic has been referred to as France's Scarface, and that alone means it's worth checking out. Vincent Cassel excels as French gangster Jacques Mesrine, charting his rise from a small-time robber to one of France's most revered and feared gangsters. And the fact that it's all a true story makes the movie even more compelling.
38. I Love You Phillip Morris
Release Year: 2009
Director: Glenn Ficarra & John Requa
Starring: Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor
This black comedy is inspired by the memoirs of Steven Jay Russell, a conman who has escaped prison multiple times. This one shines thanks to Jim Carrey's oddball performance as Russell, with Ewan McGregor as his lover Phillip Morris. The blend of comedy, crime and a surprisingly heartwarming love story make this one stand out.
39. Bernie
Release Year: 2011
Director: Richard Linklater
Starring: Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConnaughey
True crime stories are dominated by dour dramas and sadistic mysteries, but Bernie brought some dark comedy to the mix. The film tells the true story of Bernie Tiede (Jack Black), a beloved mortician's assistant in small town Texas who murders a despised local millionaire and uses her fortune to support the community.
40. Snowtown
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Release Year: 2011
Director: Justin Kurzel
Starring: Daniel Henshall, Lucas Pittaway and Louise Harris
Director Justin Kurzel is on the brink of Hollywood success, with 2016's Assassin's Creed set as his first tentpole release following years of indie success. And Snowtown was the film that launched his career, dramatizing the events surrounding Australia's Snowtown murders one of the country's most publicized crimes
41. The Iceman
Release Year: 2012
Director: Ariel Vromen
Starring: Michael Shannon, Winona Ryder and Chris Evans
The Iceman blurs the line between crime drama and serial killer story with the tale of Richard Kuklinski, the mob hitman known as "the Iceman" for his habit of freezing victims to mask their time of death. Played by Michael Shannon, Kuklinski might be a hired hitman, but as the movie shows he seems to enjoy it a bit too much. Is it all a job for Kuklinski? Or is he just a serial killer who's found an outlet for his twisted talents?
42. The Wolf Of Wall Street
Release Year: 2013
Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie
Today, many would say that wall street powerhouses are the worst criminals of all, and that's seen perfectly in The Wolf Of Wall Street. This biopic stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, the real-life stockbroker who took Wall Street by storm with his frat boy buddies and plenty of illegal, corrupt and deplorable deals. The movie revels in depravity, with Belfort doing whatever it takes to make a buck from his clients and blowing his millions on lavish parties, globe-trotting trips and plenty of drugs. The worst part? It's all true.
43. Blue Caprice
Release Year: 2013
Director: Alexandre Moors
Starring: Isaiah Washington and Tequan Richmond
Combining the true crime genre with post-9/11 domestic terrorism, Blue Caprice chronicles the story of John Allen Muhammed and Lee Boyd Malvo, the men responsible for 2002's Beltway sniper attacks. The movie looks at the relationship between Lee (Tequan Richmond) and John (Isaiah Washington), who became the boy's father figure and compelled him to become a murderer.
44. The Bling Ring
Release Year: 2013
Director: Sofia Coppola
Starring: Emma Watson, Israel Broussard, Katie Chang, Taissa Farmiga and Claire Julien
This true story takes its inspiration from the real life Bling Ring, a group of teenagers and young adults who robbed around $3 million worth of cash and belongings from residents in the Hollywood Hills. The contemporary setting and focus on youth culture's obsession with celebrity make this a particularly unique entry in the genre.
45. American Hustle
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Release Year: 2013
Director: David O. Russell
Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence
This might fall under a loose definition of true crime, but David O. Russell's American Hustle is still one you'll want to see. Inspired by the FBI's ABSCAM Operation of the '70s and '80s, the film follows two con artists (Christian Bale and Amy Adams) tasked finding corrupt politicians willing to take bribes by an FBI agent played by Bradley Cooper. Russell's knack for handling a big ensemble shines yet again, and while it's not entirely true you still get some period accurate storytelling.
46. Devil's Knot
Release Year: 2013
Director: Atom Egoyan
Starring: Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon, James Hamrick, Seth Meriwether and Kristopher Higgins
This true crime feature chronicles the trial of the infamous West Memphis Three, a trio of teens accused of killing three young boys as part of a Satanic ritual in 1993. The film follows the aftermath of their acts, examining the truth behind the claims and their ultimate convictions. This one works well as a procedural, laying out the facts surrounding the case and leaving it up to the viewer to judge those involved.
47. Foxcatcher
Release Year: 2014
Director: Bennett Miller
Starring: Steve Carrell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo and Sienna Miller
Foxcatcher is a prime example of the true crime genre branching out, this case into the world of sports. Miller's movie charts the twisted relationship between eccentric millionaire John E. du Pont (Steve Carrell) and Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) as Schultz and his older brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo) train and coach at du Pont's Foxcatcher Farm wrestling facilities.
48. Black Mass
Release Year: 2015
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton and Benedict Cumberbatch
Johnny Depp is know for his outlandish characters, and brought his trademark style to the true crime genre with Black Mass. The movie charts the career of Whitey Bulger, the infamous Boston mobster who controlled much of the city's organized crime while working as an FBI informant. The movie provides another complex look at the symbiotic relationship between organized crime and law enforcement one just can't exist without the other.
49. Legend
Release Year: 2015
Director: Brian Helgeland
Starring: Tom Hardy, Emily Browning, Christopher Eccleston, David Thewlis and Taron Egerton
Once again, Tom Hardy is the star of a modern true crime hit and this time, he's playing twins. Legend charts the rise and fall of the Kray twins, East London's most notorious gangsters during the '50s and '60s. What makes this really stand out is Hardy's portrayal of both brothers, creating two unique cinematic gangsters for one solid film.
50. True Story
Release Year: 2015
Director: Rupert Goold
Starring: James Franco, Jonah Hill and Felicity Jones
This true crime character study stars James Franco as Christian Longo, a former fugitive who assumed the alias of journalist Michael Finkel while on the run after killing his wife and three children. And when the real Finkel (Jonah Hill) learns about Longo, the pair form a complex relationship Finkel's looking for his next great story, and Longo wants help to clear his name.
Do you have a favorite true crime movie? Let us know in the comments below.