Some villains are so terrifying that Hollywood keeps bringing them back. But what about the ones who slipped through the cracks? The criminals whose stories were just as shocking, but their movies never got the spotlight they deserved? Some expose chilling heists, while others reveal the minds of criminals you have never heard of. Some of these stories feel too wild to be real—but they are!

From infamous gangsters to twisted masterminds, these underappreciated films take true crime to the next level. If you are a fan of true crime but need something new, you are going to love these!

John Dillinger was America’s most wanted bank robber, and Warren Oates plays him with all the braggy charm of a 1930s rockstar. This movie takes Dillinger's reckless shootouts, dramatic escapes, and cat-and-mouse chase with the FBI and has created a masterpiece. While its later films focused on the darker side of crime, this one leans into the thrill of being an outlaw. 

If you enjoy quick-paced crime dramas with Tommy guns, vintage cars, and a rebel attitude, Dillinger is definitely your kind of movie!

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Millionaire Robert Durst had it all—money, power, and a disturbing link to multiple murders. Ryan Gosling plays a fictionalized version of Robert Durst, untangling his life of deceit, cover-ups, and eerie disappearances. The real Durst even confessed to some shocking truths after the film’s release. All Good Things is a psychological thriller in which money and privilege cannot conceal the evil that lies underneath, making it a hidden gem among the best of Ryan Gosling movies for those who love crime dramas with a chilling edge.

Richard Kuklinski was a devoted husband and father. He was also a contract killer who murdered over 100 people. Michael Shannon takes on his role with chilling precision, showing how Kuklinski led two separate lives without his family suspecting a thing. The Iceman peels back the layers of a man who could kill without emotion but still adore his children, examining the mind of a murderer in a disturbingly intimate way.

Steve Carell as a murderer? Believe it! Foxcatcher tells the tragic true story of John Du Pont, an eccentric millionaire who lured Olympic wrestlers into his twisted world. The real Du Pont’s story is a chilling look at what happens when wealth, power, and obsession collide. Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo play the athletes caught in his grip, leading to a shocking climax that you will not see coming! 

In Black Mass, Johnny Depp becomes one with the role of Whitey Bulger, the Boston crime boss who manipulated the FBI while ruling the streets with an iron fist. The real Bulger was part mobster, part mastermind, and Depp nails his acting of the eerie calm before the storm. This is not a flashy gangster film—it is gritty, cold, and disturbingly real!

What happens when two teenagers go on a killing spree? Badlands brings the disturbing true story of Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate to the big screen, but with a dreamy, haunting quality. Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek play the young lovers on the run, making the film feel both beautiful and terrifying. It is not just about the crimes but about the twisted romance behind them that leads to an eerie, poetic crime drama that will keep you on edge!

Some films do not sugarcoat their villains, and Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is one of them. Drawn from real-life killer Henry Lee Lucas, this is a raw, unflinching portrayal of senseless violence. Michael Rooker's performance makes Lee terrifyingly real, there is no charm, no redemption, just brutal reality. If you enjoy a serial killer film that ditches Hollywood glamor for an almost documentary-style realism, this one will leave you unsettled in the best way possible!

Uganda’s notorious dictator, Idi Amin, ruled with an iron fist, and Forest Whitaker brings his larger-than-life persona to the screen with terrifying brilliance. The film follows a fictional Scottish doctor who is seduced by Amin’s charm, only to realize the horrors beneath. Whitaker’s Oscar-winning performance in The Last King of Scotland makes Amin feel real, showing how power corrupts absolutely. If you enjoy a sharp gripping, intense political thriller, then this film should be your next pick!

Denzel Washington brings swagger and menace to Frank Lucas, the Harlem kingpin who changed the game by cutting out the middleman. The real Lucas built a heroin empire so powerful that even law enforcement had to respect his business acumen. This film is not just about crime, it is about ambition, power, and betrayal. If you loved mafia epics like The Godfather, American Gangster will leave you speechless!

Aileen Wuornos, one of America’s most infamous female serial killers, is usually painted as pure evil. But Charlize Theron’s Oscar-winning performance turns her into a tragic, multi-dimensional character. The movie takes you through her life, woes, and circumstances that compelled her to become a murderer. Theron's eerie transformation, both physically and emotionally, makes Wuornos feel almost real.  

If you enjoy haunting true crime stories Monster will have you rethinking if everything you knew about a murderer was a lie! These low-key films are proof that true crime is not just about the most famous names—it is about the forgotten masterminds, shocking schemes, and unbelievable escape acts that deserve just as much attention!

Now that you have a list of must-watch films, which one caught your eye? Have you already seen any of them? Let us know in the comments below!