List of films based on crime books


This is a list of films that are based on books about crime. Films are listed according to the decade in which the depicted crime occurred, rather than by the film's date of release.
This page includes "crimes" where the "criminal" was later exonerated. This page includes suicides or other deaths which have been deemed to be suspicious by some and have therefore become the subject of conspiracy theories.
For further crimes that arise as a consequence of war, see List of films based on war books.

12th century

England

Frequently filmed: ''[A Morbid Taste for Bones]'' and sequels

14th century

Italy

16th century

England

Anne Boleyn adultery and treason">Anne Boleyn#Downfall and execution (1536)">Anne Boleyn adultery and treason

1536

Thomas More case">Thomas More">Thomas More case

Scotland

Sawney Bean legend">Sawney Bean">Sawney Bean legend

17th century

USA

Frequently filmed: ''[The Scarlet Letter]''

[Salem witch trials]

1692–1693
Frequently filmed: ''[The Crucible]''

France

Frequently filmed: ''Le Bossu">Le Bossu (novel)">Le Bossu''

[Affair of the Diamond Necklace]

1785

Great Britain">Kingdom of Great Britain">Great Britain

Frequently filmed: ''Doctor Syn">Doctor Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh">Doctor Syn'' and sequels

Frequently filmed: ''[Moll Flanders]''

Württemberg">History of Württemberg#The Duchy of Württemberg (1495–1805)">Württemberg

Joseph Süß Oppenheimer case">Joseph Süß Oppenheimer">Joseph Süß Oppenheimer case

1737
Bulletin ... upcoming film: ''[Jew Suss: Rise and Fall]'' by [Oskar Roehler]

19th century

Australia

For bushrangers, see List of films based on westerns.

Brazil

For cangaceiros, see List of films based on westerns.

Canada

For Mounties, see List of films based on westerns.

France

Corsica

[Eugène François Vidocq] and la Sûreté">Sûreté">la Sûreté

Dreyfus Affair">Dreyfus affair">Dreyfus Affair

See List of films based on war books — peace.

Joseph Vacher case">Joseph Vacher">Joseph Vacher case

1894–1897
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1The Judge and the Assassin
:fr:Le juge et l'assassin|Le juge et l'assassin
1976Bertrand TavernierFranceLe juge et l'assassinHenri Garet &
René Tavernier
1976Non-fiction---
1Vacher l'éventreur et les crimes sadiquesAlexandre Lacassagne1899Non-fiction---

India

Suppression of the Thugs">Thuggee">Suppression of the Thugs

Russia

Frequently filmed: ''The Winter Queen">The Winter Queen (novel)">The Winter Queen'' and sequels

Twice filmed: ''Gaslight">Gaslight (play)">Gaslight''

Wreckers">Wrecking (shipwreck)">Wreckers

[Cato Street Conspiracy]

February 1820

Burke and Hare case">Burke and Hare murders">Burke and Hare case

1827–1828
Twice filmed: "[The Body Snatcher]"

[Great Gold Robbery of 1855]

15 May 1855
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1The First Great Train Robbery
aka The Great Train Robbery
1979Michael CrichtonUKThe Great Train RobberyMichael Crichton1975Novel

[Whitechapel murders]

1888–1891
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Pandora's Box
:de:Die Büchse der Pandora |Die Büchse der Pandora
1929Georg Wilhelm PabstGermanyPandora's BoxFrank Wedekind1904Play
1Earth SpiritFrank Wedekind1895Play
nFrom Hell2001Hughes brothersUSAFrom HellAlan Moore1991–1996Graphic novel
nMurder by Decree1979Bob ClarkCanada & UKThe Ripper FileElwyn Jones & John Lloyd197?Non-fiction
Frequently filmed: ''The Lodger">Marie Adelaide Belloc Lowndes">The Lodger''

USA

For outlaws and lawmen, see List of films based on westerns.
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType

Frequently filmed: "[The Tell-Tale Heart]"

14 April 1865

See List of films based on war books — 1775–1898.

See also Assassinations in fiction.

[Impeachment of Andrew Johnson]

24 February 1868

Lizzie Borden case">Lizzie Borden">Lizzie Borden case

4 August 1892

1900s

USA

Chester Gillette case">Chester Gillette">Chester Gillette case

11 July 1906
Twice filmed: ''[An American Tragedy]''
The novel was the subject of an unproduced 1930 screenplay by Sergei Eisenstein.
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType

1910s

France

Henri Désiré Landru case">Henri Désiré Landru">Henri Désiré Landru case

1914–1918

UK

Doctor Crippen case">Hawley Harvey Crippen">Doctor Crippen case

after 31 January 1910
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1The Skeleton of Mrs. Morales
:es:El esqueleto de la señora Morales|El esqueleto de la señora Morales
1960Rogelio A. GonzálezMexico"The Islington Mystery"Arthur Machen1927Story

1920s

France

Frequently filmed: ''[L'Affaire Crainquebille]''

Germany

Peter Kürten case">Peter Kürten">Peter Kürten case

1929

USA

Bobby Franks murder">Bobby Franks">Bobby Franks murder

21 May 1924
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Rope1948Alfred HitchcockUSARopePatrick Hamilton1929Play
2Compulsion1959Richard FleischerUSACompulsionMeyer Levin1957Play
2CompulsionMeyer Levin1956Novel

Death of Thomas Ince">Thomas H. Ince">Death of Thomas Ince

19 November 1924
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1The Cat's Meow2001Peter BogdanovichUK & GermanyThe Cat's MeowSteven Peros19??Play

Scopes Monkey Trial">Scopes Trial">Scopes Monkey Trial

1925
Frequently filmed: ''Inherit the Wind">Inherit the Wind (play)">Inherit the Wind''

Al Capone era">Al Capone">Al Capone era

1925–1931
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
nScarface1932Howard HawksUSAScarfaceArmitage Trail1930 ¤Novel
nRoad to Perdition2002Sam MendesUSARoad to PerditionMax Allan Collins1998Graphic novel
nLegends of the Fall1994Edward ZwickUSALegends of the FallJim Harrison1979Novella
St. Valentine's Day Massacre">St. Valentine's Day massacre">St. Valentine's Day Massacre
14 February 1929

Ruth Snyder case">Ruth Snyder">Ruth Snyder case

20 March 1927
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Double Indemnity1944Billy WilderUSADouble IndemnityJames M. Cain1936/
1943
Novel

1930s

Algeria

Frequently filmed: ''Pépé le Moko">Pépé le Moko (novel)">Pépé le Moko''

France

Papin Sisters case">Christine and Lea Papin">Papin Sisters case

2 February 1933
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Les Abysses
:fr:Les Abysses|Les Abysses
1963Nikos PapatakisFranceThe Maids
:fr:Les Bonnes|Les Bonnes
Jean Genet1947Play
2The Maids1974Christopher MilesUKThe Maids
:fr:Les Bonnes|Les Bonnes
Jean Genet1947Play
3Sister My Sister1994Nancy MecklerUKMy Sister in This HouseWendy Kesselman1981Play
4Murderous Maids
:fr:Les Blessures assassines|Les Blessures assassines
2000Jean-Pierre DenisFranceL’affaire Papin, Le diable dans la peauPaulette Houdyer1988Non-fiction
Twice filmed: ''[A Judgement in Stone]''

Japan

Sada Abe case">Sada Abe">Sada Abe case

18 May 1936

USA

Scottsboro Boys case">Scottsboro Boys">Scottsboro Boys case

23 April 1931

[Lindbergh kidnapping]

1 March 1932
Frequently filmed: ''[Murder on the Orient Express]''

William D. Lundy murder">Majczek and Marcinkiewicz">William D. Lundy murder



9 December 1932

1940s

Austria

Bahamas

Sir Harry Oakes murder">Harry Oakes">Sir Harry Oakes murder

7 July 1943

Canada

Edwin Alonzo Boyd era">Edwin Alonzo Boyd">Edwin Alonzo Boyd era

1949–1952
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1The Life and Times of Edwin Alonzo Boyd *1982Les RoseCanadaThe Boyd GangMarjorie Lamb &
Barry Pearson
1976Non-fiction

Doctor Petiot case">Marcel Petiot">Doctor Petiot case

before 31 October 1944

Italy

Salvatore Giuliano era">Salvatore Giuliano">Salvatore Giuliano era

[Portella della Ginestra massacre]
1 May 1947
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1The Sicilian1987Michael CiminoUSAThe SicilianMario Puzo1984Novel

Pleasure Island">Pleasure Island (Pinocchio)">Pleasure Island

Frequently filmed: ''[The Adventures of Pinocchio]''

Happy Valley murder">Happy Valley set">Happy Valley murder

1941
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1White Mischief1987Michael RadfordUKWhite Mischief: The Murder of Lord ErrollJames Fox197?Non-fiction

Newfoundland">Dominion of Newfoundland">Newfoundland

USA

[Sleepy Lagoon murder]

2 August 1942
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Zoot Suit1981Luis ValdezUSAZoot SuitLuis Valdez1979Play

Black Dahlia murder">Black Dahlia">Black Dahlia murder

c. 15 January 1947

West Germany

1950s

Canada

France

UK

Stone of Scone theft">Stone of Scone#Removal and damage">Stone of Scone theft

25 December 1950
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Stone of Destiny2008Charles Martin SmithUK & Canada' aka Taking of the Stone of DestinyIan R. Hamilton1952Memoir'''

Ruth Ellis case">Ruth Ellis">Ruth Ellis case

1955
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Pierrepoint1995Adrian ShergoldUK'Albert Pierrepoint1974Memoir'''

USA

[Great Brink's Robbery]

17 January 1950

Coleman Peterson case">John D. Voelker">Coleman Peterson case

31 July 1952
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Anatomy of a Murder1959Otto PremingerUSAAnatomy of a Murder"Robert Traver"1958Novel

Ed Gein case">Ed Gein">Ed Gein case

1957
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1The Silence of the Lambs1991Jonathan DemmeUSAThe Silence of the LambsThomas Harris1988Novel
Frequently filmed: ''Psycho">Psycho (novel)">Psycho''

Suicide of George Reeves">George Reeves">Suicide of George Reeves

16 June 1959

[Clutter Family murder]s

15 November 1959
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1In Cold Blood1967Richard BrooksUSAIn Cold BloodTruman Capote1966Nonfiction
2In Cold Blood1996Jonathan KaplanUSAIn Cold BloodTruman Capote1966Nonfiction
3Capote2005Bennett MillerUSACapoteGerald Clarke199?Biography
4Infamous2006Douglas McGrathUSA'George Plimpton1997Biography'''

1960s

Argentina

San Fernando bank robbery">San Fernando, Buenos Aires">San Fernando bank robbery

1965
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Burnt Money
:es:Plata quemada|Plata quemada
2000Marcelo PiñeyroArgentina, France, Spain, UruguayMoney to Burn
:es:Plata quemada |Plata quemada
Ricardo Piglia1997Novel

Frequently filmed: ''Roseanna">Roseanna (novel)">Roseanna'' and sequels

Topkapı Museum">Topkapı Palace">Topkapı Museum

UK

[Profumo affair]

1963
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Scandal1989Michael Caton-JonesUKScandal Christine Keeler 1989Memoir

Uruguay

San Fernando bank robbery getaway">San Fernando, Buenos Aires">San Fernando bank robbery getaway

1965
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Burnt Money
:es:Plata quemada|Plata quemada
2000Marcelo PiñeyroArgentina, France, Spain, UruguayMoney to Burn
:es:Plata quemada |Plata quemada
Ricardo Piglia1997Novel

Clarence Earl Gideon case">Gideon v. Wainwright">Clarence Earl Gideon case

3 June 1961

Ian James Campbell murder">The Onion Field">Ian James Campbell murder

9 March 1963
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1The Onion Field1979Harold BeckerUSAThe Onion FieldJoseph Wambaugh1973Non-fiction

Boston Strangler case">Boston Strangler">Boston Strangler case

1962–1964

Assassination of John F. Kennedy">John F. Kennedy assassination">Assassination of John F. Kennedy

22 November 1963
Bulletin ... film currently in development: ''Reclaiming History">Reclaiming History (miniseries)">Reclaiming History''
See also Assassinations in fiction.

Kitty Genovese murder">Kitty Genovese">Kitty Genovese murder

13 March 1964

Sylvia Likens murder">Sylvia Likens">Sylvia Likens murder

26 October 1965
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1The Girl Next Door2007Gregory WilsonUSAThe Girl Next DoorJack Ketchum2005Novel

Richard Speck case">Richard Speck">Richard Speck case

13 July 1966

Tate–LaBianca murders">Charles Manson">Tate–LaBianca murders

1969

Zodiac case">Zodiac Killer">Zodiac case

1970s

Canada

Helen Betty Osborne murder">Helen Betty Osborne">Helen Betty Osborne murder

13 November 1971
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Conspiracy of Silence *1991Francis MankiewiczCanadaConspiracy of SilenceLisa Priest1989 ¤Non-fiction

Jonestown Massacre">Jonestown">Jonestown Massacre

18 November 1978

Italy

Sweden

Norrmalmstorg bank robbery">Norrmalmstorg robbery">Norrmalmstorg bank robbery

23–28 August 1973

UK

Bulletin ... film now in production: ''Straw Dogs">Straw Dogs (2011 film)">Straw Dogs'' by [Rod Lurie]

Baker Street bank robbery">Baker Street robbery">Baker Street bank robbery

11 September 1971

What if ...

New England

"Catamount" is an infrequently used term for a cougar, but here refers to the fictitious town.

Jeffrey MacDonald case">Jeffrey R. MacDonald">Jeffrey MacDonald case

17 February 1970
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Fatal Vision **1984David GreeneUSAFatal VisionJoe McGinniss1983Non-fiction

1970–1972
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Serpico1973Sidney LumetUSASerpico: The Cop Who Defied the SystemPeter Maas1973?Non-fiction

Watergate burglary">Watergate burglaries">Watergate burglary

17 June 1972
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1All the President's Men1976Alan J. PakulaUSAAll the President's MenCarl Bernstein & Bob Woodward1974Memoir
2Blind Ambition *1979George SchaeferUSABlind Ambition: The White House YearsJohn Dean with Taylor Branch1976Memoir
3Nixon1995Oliver StoneUSAThe Final DaysBob Woodward & Carl Bernstein1976Non-fiction
3' Fawn Brodie 1981Non-fiction
3' Stephen Ambrose 1991Non-fiction
3' Stephen Ambrose 1991Non-fiction
3' Stephen Ambrose 1991Non-fiction
3' Jonathan Aitken 1996Non-fiction
3"The Second Coming" W.B. Yeats 1920Poem'''

22 August 1972
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Dog Day Afternoon1975Sidney LumetUSA"The Boys in the Bank"P.F. Kluge1972Article

Ted Bundy case">Ted Bundy">Ted Bundy case

1974–1978
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1The Deliberate Stranger *1986Marvin J. ChomskyUSA'Richard W. Larsen1980Non-fiction'''

before 1975
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1American Gangster2007Ridley ScottUSA"The Return of Superfly"197?Article

Martha Moxley murder">Martha Moxley">Martha Moxley murder

31 October 1975
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Murder in Greenwich *2002Tom McLoughlinUSAMurder in Greenwich: Who Killed Martha Moxley?Mark Fuhrman1998Non-fiction

1977–1978
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1The Case of the Hillside Stranglers *1989Steve GethersUSA'Darcy O'Brien1985Non-fiction'''

29 June 1978
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Auto Focus2002Paul SchraderUSA'Robert Graysmith199?Biography'''

What if ...

Australia

[Azaria Chamberlain disappearance]

17 August 1980
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Evil Angels 1988Fred SchepisiAustralia and USAEvil AngelsJohn Bryson1985Non-fiction

Canada

21 January 1983

Montreal Massacre">École Polytechnique massacre">Montreal Massacre

6 December 1989

France

Roberto Succo case">Roberto Succo">Roberto Succo case

1980s
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Roberto Succo
:fr:Roberto Succo |Roberto Succo
2001Cédric KahnFranceJe te tue : histoire vraie de Roberto Succo,
assassin sans raison
:fr:Pascale Froment|Pascale Froment1991Non-fiction

India

Phoolan Devi case">Phoolan Devi">Phoolan Devi case

Iran

Soraya M. case

1986
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1The Stoning of Soraya M.
:fa:سنگسار ثريا م.|سنگسار ثریا م.
2008Cyrus NowrastehUSAThe Stoning of Soraya M.
La Femme lapidée
Freidoune Sahebjam1990Novel

Mexico

Enrique Camarena murder">Enrique Camarena Salazar">Enrique Camarena murder

9 February 1985
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1' **1990Brian GibsonUSADesperadosElaine Shannon198?Non-fiction
1"Desperados"Elaine Shannon198?Article'''

Andrei Chikatilo case">Andrei Chikatilo">Andrei Chikatilo case

1978–1990
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Citizen X *1995Chris GerolmoUSAThe Killer DepartmentRobert Cullen1993Non-fiction

Doctor Tarnower murder">Herman Tarnower">Doctor Tarnower murder

10 March 1980
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Mrs. Harris *2005Phyllis NagyUSAVery Much a Lady: The Untold Story of Jean Harris
and Dr. Herman Tarnower
Shana Alexander1983Non-fiction

8 December 1980
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Chapter 272005J. P. SchaeferUSALet Me Take You DownJack Jones200?Non-fiction
1' Robert Rosen 2000Non-fiction'''

See also Assassinations in fiction.

Lawrencia "Bambi" Bembenek case">Laurie Bembenek">Lawrencia "Bambi" Bembenek case

28 May 1981
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1' *
aka Woman on Trial: The Lawrencia Bembenek Story
1993Sandor SternCanada & USAWoman on TrialLawrencia Bembenek1992Memoir'''

before 11 June 1983
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1'1986John McNaughtonUSALucas Report Jim Mattox, Texas Attorney General 1986Report'''

Alan Berg murder">Alan Berg">Alan Berg murder

18 June 1984
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Talk Radio1988Oliver StoneUSATalk RadioEric Bogosian1987Play
1Talked to Death: The Life and Murder of Alan BergStephen Singular198?Non-fiction

See also Assassinations in fiction.

''Exxon Valdez'' disaster">Exxon Valdez oil spill">''Exxon Valdez'' disaster

23 March 1989

West Germany

1990s

Australia

Belgium

Canada

Paul Bernardo case">Paul Bernardo">Paul Bernardo case

up to 1992

France

India

Bombay bombings of 1993">1993 Bombay bombings">Bombay bombings of 1993

12 March 1993
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Black Friday2004Anurag KashyapIndiaBlack Friday – The True Story of the Bombay Bomb BlastsS. Hussain Zaidi199?Non-fiction

Singapore

Barings Bank collapse">Barings Bank#1995 collapse">Barings Bank collapse

1995
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Rogue Trader1999James DeardenUKRogue Trader: How I Brought Down Barings Bank
and Shook the Financial World
Nick Leeson199?Memoir

Spain

James Bulger murder">Murder of James Bulger">James Bulger murder

12 February 1993
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeBasis
1Boy A2007John CrowleyUKBoy AJonathan Trigell2004Novel

[Suicide of Vince Foster]

20 July 1993
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Primary Colors1998Mike NicholsUSAPrimary Colors: A Novel of Politics"Anonymous"
1996Novel

Vietnam

2000s

[Aruba]

Natalee Holloway disappearance">Natalee Holloway">Natalee Holloway disappearance

30 May 2005
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Natalee Holloway*2009Mikael SalomonUSA'Beth Holloway2007Non-fiction'''

Italy

Mexico

South Korea

[Hwaseong serial murders]

USA

14 July 2003
Bulletin ... upcoming film: ''Fair Game">Fair Game (2010 film)">Fair Game'' by [Doug Liman]

Political crimes

For political prisoners, see List of films based on civics books.

Drug trade

For traffickers, see above.

For addicts, see List of films based on civics books.

Prisons

For punishment and prisons, see List of films based on civics books.