19 Crime Dramas Set in Non-U.S. Cities That Feel Universally Gripping

International crime dramas offer a unique window into the societal undercurrents of cities around the globe. These stories transcend language barriers by focusing on human ambition and the universal nature of conflict. Viewers experience the distinct atmospheres of locations ranging from the rainy streets of London to the bustling neighborhoods of Tokyo. The following productions have defined the genre by delivering compelling narratives outside of the United States.

‘City of God’ (2002)

Two boys growing up in a violent neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro take different paths in life as they navigate their harsh environment. One becomes a photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence while the other rises to become a drug dealer. The narrative spans several decades to show the evolution of organized crime within the favela. Viewers witness the brutal reality of gang warfare and its impact on the community through kinetic editing and raw performances.

‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013–2022)

Thomas Shelby leads the Peaky Blinders gang in Birmingham just after the First World War. The ambitious crime boss navigates political intrigue and rival gangs to expand his empire beyond the industrial city. Law enforcement and government officials constantly attempt to thwart his illegal operations while he deals with internal family disputes. The series highlights the intersection of working-class struggles and organized crime in early twentieth-century England.

‘Gomorrah’ (2014–2021)

Power struggles erupt within the Savastano crime family in the darker corners of Naples. Ciro Di Marzio navigates the treacherous underworld as he seeks to gain influence and survive internal betrayals. The series portrays the Camorra syndicate with a stark realism that strips away any romanticized view of the mafia. Characters constantly face moral compromises as alliances shift in the pursuit of territory and wealth.

‘Oldboy’ (2003)

A man is imprisoned in a hotel room for fifteen years without knowing his captor or the reason for his confinement. He is suddenly released in Seoul and given five days to discover the truth behind his imprisonment. The protagonist embarks on a violent quest for vengeance that leads him to uncover dark secrets about his past. This South Korean film is renowned for its intense action sequences and shocking narrative twists.

‘Money Heist’ (2017–2021)

A criminal mastermind known as the Professor recruits eight people with distinct abilities for a plan to rob the Royal Mint of Spain. The team takes hostages and locks themselves inside the institution while the Professor manipulates the police from the outside. Tensions rise among the robbers as the pressure of the standoff tests their loyalty to the plan. The show combines psychological games with high-stakes action in the heart of Madrid.

‘Sherlock’ (2010–2017)

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson solve complex crimes in modern-day London using deductive reasoning and technology. The eccentric detective frequently clashes with the police and his intellectual nemesis Moriarty. Each episode functions as a standalone feature that updates classic Arthur Conan Doyle stories for a contemporary audience. The series emphasizes the cityscape of London as a central character in the unfolding mysteries.

‘The Bridge’ (2011–2018)

A body is found exactly on the center of the Øresund Bridge linking Malmö and Copenhagen. Police detectives from Sweden and Denmark must work together to catch a killer who operates across both borders. The investigation reveals uncomfortable truths about social issues affecting both Scandinavian nations. The stark cinematography and complex character dynamics define this influential piece of Nordic Noir.

‘Narcos’ (2015–2017)

The rise and fall of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar is chronicled against the backdrop of Colombia. DEA agents work with local authorities to dismantle the Medellín Cartel as it wages a bloody war against the government. The series blends dramatized scenes with archival footage to depict the scale of the cocaine trade in the late twentieth century. It illustrates how the drug trade reshaped the political landscape of Bogotá and Medellín.

‘Infernal Affairs’ (2002)

A police officer goes undercover within a triad while a triad member infiltrates the police force. Both men live parallel lives of deception as they attempt to uncover the identity of the other. The psychological pressure builds as they struggle to maintain their covers during escalating conflicts in Hong Kong. This thriller influenced the genre globally with its tense pacing and exploration of identity.

‘Lupin’ (2021–)

Assane Diop seeks revenge for the injustice inflicted upon his father by a wealthy family in Paris. He uses his mastery of disguise and thievery inspired by the fictional gentleman thief Arsène Lupin. The protagonist outsmarts the police and exposes corruption within the high society of the French capital. The series mixes charisma and heist mechanics to create a fast-paced adventure through iconic Parisian landmarks.

‘Babylon Berlin’ (2017–)

A police inspector moves to Berlin in 1929 to uncover an extortion ring within the vice squad. The city is depicted as a chaotic metropolis teetering on the edge of political upheaval and social change. He uncovers a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of society while navigating the vibrant nightlife of the era. The production recreates the tension and decadence of the Weimar Republic before the rise of Nazism.

‘Sacred Games’ (2018–2019)

A troubled police officer in Mumbai receives a cryptic phone call from a missing gangster warning of a looming catastrophe. He delves into the criminal underworld to save the city while uncovering a connection between the gangster and his own father. The narrative weaves together past and present timelines to explore religion and politics in modern India. The gritty atmosphere of Mumbai serves as the setting for this complex mystery.

‘Elite Squad’ (2007)

The captain of a special police operation squad in Rio de Janeiro tries to find a successor before he retires. He leads his team through raids in the favelas to secure the area before a papal visit. The film examines the cycle of violence between drug traffickers and the militarized police force. It offers a brutal perspective on the moral costs of fighting crime in a chaotic urban environment.

‘Broadchurch’ (2013–2017)

The murder of a young boy in a coastal town in Dorset sparks a media frenzy and a difficult investigation. Two detectives with contrasting methods attempt to find the killer among the tight-knit community. Secrets emerge that threaten to destroy the relationships between neighbors and friends. The dramatic tension relies on the claustrophobic nature of small-town life rather than high-octane action.

‘La Haine’ (1995)

Three friends from an impoverished immigrant neighborhood in the suburbs of Paris wander the city after a riot. They grapple with aimlessness and anger toward the police following the hospitalization of a friend. The film uses black and white cinematography to capture the grit and tension of their urban existence. It provides a stark social commentary on class and race relations in France.

‘Suburra: Blood on Rome’ (2017–2020)

Organized crime members and corrupt politicians fight for control over land in a seaside town near Rome. The Vatican and rival gangs become entangled in a web of illegal interests and power plays. Three young men from different backgrounds form an unlikely alliance to seize opportunities amidst the chaos. The series exposes the blurred lines between the church and the state and the criminal underworld.

‘Top Boy’ (2011–2023)

Drug dealers Dushane and Sully vie to become the dominant kingpins of an East London housing estate. They face threats from rival gangs and the law while trying to maintain control over their territory. The show explores the personal lives of those involved in the drug trade and the impact on their families. It presents an authentic and unvarnished look at life in the inner-city underground.

‘Delhi Crime’ (2019–)

A police investigation unfolds following a brutal gang rape on a bus in New Delhi. The Deputy Commissioner of Police leads a dedicated team to catch the perpetrators within a strict timeframe. The series focuses on the procedural aspects of the case and the immense pressure faced by the authorities. It dramatizes real events to highlight the systemic issues and public outcry surrounding the crime.

‘Animal Kingdom’ (2010)

A teenager moves in with his estranged grandmother and her criminal sons in Melbourne after his mother overdoses. He finds himself drawn into their world of armed robbery and paranoia as police close in on the family. The matriarch controls her sons with a manipulative affection that keeps the criminal enterprise together. This Australian film offers a chilling look at a sociopathic family dynamic.

Please share your favorite international crime dramas in the comments.