Crime romance movies are one of the most popular genres in cinema. In fact, the crime genre has been around for a very long time. The earliest examples of crime fiction come from the ancient Greeks and include stories like Oedipus Rex, written by Sophocles. However, it was not until the mid-20th century that the crime genre really took off. During this time, the genre became a staple of the silver screen. Today, crime fiction remains one of the most popular genres in cinema.
As one of the most popular genres in film, it’s no wonder that there are so many different types of love crime movies. From the classic “noir” films to the modern-day thrillers, crime romance movies have captivated audiences around the world for decades.
Crime Romance Movies
If you’re looking for a good crime romance movie, then look no further. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the top 10 crime romance movies. These are some of the best and most popular movies that feature a romantic relationship between a criminal and a victim.
10. Thelma & Louise (1991)
Release date: May 24, 1991 (USA)
Director: Ridley Scott
Music by: Hans Zimmer
Written by: Callie Khouri
Box office: $45.4 million
Distributed by: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Sony Pictures
Why: When I first saw it, I was completely enamored with it. Not only did I like the two major characters’ actresses, but I also liked the fact that they were badass and not your average female characters. This was in the 1990s, and while a lot had changed since then, this was something new and invigorating at the time! I could completely identify with them, which is why I believe the film is so significant.
I admire the writer for speaking honestly about the allegation that the film is a male-bashing film, which is complete rubbish! In truth, it’s about a rare bond between these two ladies, as well as both, having been harmed in the past and refusing to accept it any longer.
You deserve to be punished if you treat women or anybody else badly. That’s exactly what they did, and these men weren’t exactly blameless. What a strange coincidence! One of my all-time favorites.
Plot: Ridley Scott directed and Callie Khouri wrote Thelma & Louise female buddy road crime film in 1991 in the United States. Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon feature Thelma and Louise, two friends who embark on a road trip that leads to unforeseen events. Filming took place in California and Utah from June to August 1990. The supporting cast includes Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Christopher McDonald, and Brad Pitt, who makes one of his first major film appearances.
Despite the significant controversy surrounding the film’s release, with critics accusing it of projecting, despite having a negative portrayal of men, the film was a critical and economic success, receiving six Oscar nominations and winning Best Original Screenplay. Scott was nominated for Best Director, and Sarandon and Davis were both nominated for Best Actress.
This is one of the most recent Crime Romance Movies to have two actors nominated in the same category for Best Actor or Best Actress. It had an impact on following films and artistic works, and it was regarded as a feminist film landmark.
The United States Library of Congress chose the film for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2016 because it was “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
9. Buffalo ’66 (1998)-Crime Romance Movies
Release date: June 26, 1998 (USA)
Director: Vincent Gallo
Budget: $1.5 million
Cinematography: Lance Acord
Screenplay by: Vincent Gallo; Alison Bagnall
Distributed by: Lionsgate Films
Why: I understand that this film is not for everyone. I’m sure a lot of you will think it’s dull, bland, and cheap. I believe this is one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. A dismal tale of complete isolation. The performances are flawless, with Christina Ricci and Vincent Gallo playing one of the most unusual on-screen couples and outperforming J-Lo and Ben Affleck. The sense of impending doom keeps your fingers crossed for Billy until the very end. I have nothing but pity for what this man has gone through.
I have a new respect for Mr. Vincent Gallo after seeing this film, and I eagerly await his next cinematic appearance. This video demonstrates that great brilliance may be attained on a shoestring budget. When I’m sad or depressed, I watch this video because it offers a glimpse of hope, the light at the end of the tunnel.
This film is without a doubt one of the best I’ve ever watched, and I highly recommend it to anyone with an open mind when it comes to movies.
Plot: Vincent Gallo wrote and directed Buffalo ’66, a 1998 American crime comedy-drama film starring Gallo, Christina Ricci, Ben Gazzara, and Anjelica Huston. After being released from prison, Billy Brown (Gallo) kidnaps Layla (Ricci), a teenage tap dancer, and compels her to act as his wife in order to impress his parents (Gazzara and Huston).
the crime Romance Movies garnered generally positive reviews, and Empire ranked it as the 36th best independent film of all time. It was shot in and around Gallo’s hometown of Buffalo, New York, during the winter. King Crimson and Yes, two British progressive rock acts, are included on the soundtrack.
The Buffalo Bills haven’t won a championship since the American Football League Championship Game in 1965, according to the title. (which was actually performed four days before the start of 1966, on December 28, 1965). Allusions to the Bills’ Super Bowl XXV loss to the New York Giants, which was decided by a missed field goal, are included in the plot.
8. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Release date: October 21, 2005 (USA)
Director: Shane Black
Adapted from: Bodies are where you find them
Budget: $15 million
Production Company: Silver Pictures
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Why: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was one of the most enjoyable, witty, and amusing crime romance movies, I’ve watched in a long time, and it also had amazing style. Shane, I believe, has done it again; movies are about entertainment, and I was most definitely thoroughly entertained; the entire audience was kept laughing throughout, and you want to catch every witty comment and reference; most importantly, the dynamics between the characters of Perry and Harold are intelligent and comical without feeling like you are being sold something false.
Shane Black’s directorial debut, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, is a great neo-noir that’s surprising, witty, and self-aware. Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan both deliver outstanding supporting performances, and Robert Downey Jr. gives an outstanding lead performance.
Harold/Downey was a treat to see in outrageous circumstances that were pulled off without batting an eyelash and without being contrived. I definitely recommend treating yourself to a good time by seeing this film!
Plot: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, a 2005 American neo-noir black comedy crime film starring Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan, and Corbin Bernsen, was written and directed by Shane Black (in his directorial debut). The script is loosely based on Brett Halliday’s 1941 novel Bodies Are Where You Find Them and takes a lighter twist to the classic hardboiled literary genre. Susan Levin and Steve Richards acted as executive producers, and Joel Silver produced the film.
The film was shot in Los Angeles between February 24 and May 3, 2004, and premiered on May 14, 2005, at the Cannes Film Festival. It was released in the United States on October 21, 2005. It was well-received by critics and made a $15 million profit.
7. Jackie Brown (1997)
Release date: December 25, 1997 (USA)
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Adapted from: Rum Punch
Box office: $74.7 million
Distributed by: Miramax
Nominations: Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Why: ‘Jackie Brown’ is one of the fantastic love crime movies; I thought the pacing was outstanding, which is crucial for a 2hr 30min+ production. The cast is fantastic, and the tale is captivating. It’s well worth the hype, and undoubtedly one of Quentin Tarantino’s greatest.
Pam Grier is wonderful as the title heroine, and Samuel L. Jackson is also excellent in the sequences they share. Robert Forster has a much bigger role than I anticipated at the start, which is a huge advantage because he produces a fantastic performance. There are also Michael Keaton, Chris Tucker, and Robert De Niro in the cast, though I would have preferred to see De Niro employed more prominently.
I think that this movie is pretty good. The acting is good, the story is interesting, and the characters are well developed. I can see why people liked this movie.
Plot: Jackie Brown is a Quentin Tarantino-directed American crime film from 1997, starring Pam Grier as the lead character and Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, and Robert De Niro in supporting parts. The film bears homage to 1970s blaxploitation flicks, particularly Coffy (1973) and Foxy Brown (1974), both of which starred Grier. It is Tarantino’s third directorial effort and the first feature-length film he has adapted from previous work, following Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Pulp Fiction (1994).
Because neither Grier nor Forster, both established performers, had played a prominent role in many years, this picture reignited their careers, gaining Forster an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and Jackson and Grier Golden Globe nods. The picture, which was released on December 25, 1997, garnered mostly positive reviews from reviewers and grossed $74 million worldwide.
6. Bonnie And Clyde (1967)
Release date: August 13, 1967 (USA)
Director: Arthur Penn
Music by: Charles Strouse
Distributed by: Warner Bros.-Seven Arts
Box office: $70 million
Written by: David Newman; Robert Benton
Why: In addition to being a hugely entertaining film, “Bonnie and Clyde” was a significant milestone film in the 1960s in a few aspects. Its dramatic conclusion aided in the repeal of the old Hayes Code, which had severely restricted artistic freedom; and it shaped the image of the anti-hero in the 1960s. It got both condemnation and praise as a result of these actions.
The two leads, as well as the majority of the rest of the cast, especially Gene Hackman (in his debut picture) and Estelle Parsons, deliver excellent performances. The contributions of performers Denver Pyle, Dub Taylor, and Gene Wilder to the film’s success are underappreciated.
Everyone involved in the crime Romance Movies, from director Arthur Penn on down, deserves credit for producing what I consider to be one of the best films ever made, both technically and artistically. It appears that cherished films from our youth hold the warmest places in our hearts. This is one of my favorites.
Plot: When Bonnie Parker, a waitress, and Clyde Barrow, a criminal recently released from jail, meet by happenstance in West Dallas, Texas, each is immediately drawn to what the other represents for their lives. Bonnie is fascinated by Clyde’s criminal past, as well as his casualness and swagger in discussing it. Bonnie, Clyde believes, is someone who shares his ambitions. Despite their physical attraction, a sexual relationship between the two faces challenges.
They decide to band together to start a life of crime, robbing whatever places they can, mostly banks, in order to make money and have fun. Despite having loaded guns, they have no intention of harming or killing anyone.
They assemble a small band of willing collaborators, including C.W. Moss, a mechanic who helps them repair the cars they steal, which is crucial for their escapes, and Buck Barrow, one of Clyde’s older siblings. Buck’s apprehensive wife, Blanche Barrow, a preacher’s daughter, is the lone reluctant companion.
5. Baby Driver (2017)
Release date: March 11, 2017 (USA)
Director: Edgar Wright
Music by: Steven Price
Box office: $226.9 million
Production companies: TriStar Pictures; MRC; Big Talk Productions; Working Title Films
Distributed by: TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Releasing
Why: Edgar Wright is one of my all-time favorite Crime Romance Movies directors. With Scott Pilgrim at the top of my favorite movies of 2010, when I heard he was directing a new film for the first time in a long time, I knew I had to see it as soon as it came out in my country, and I have to say: Yeah, this is undoubtedly one of Edgar’s best works yet.
To really appreciate this film, I recommend that viewers go into the theatre entirely unaware of the plot, as this is exactly what I did and it paid off handsomely. With Edgar’s unique visual directing style, the film is about two hours long, yet it is extremely fast-paced and packed with so many amazing things that it is highly rewatchable.
All of the characters have a really natural interaction with one another. For the first time, I saw Ansel Elgort on the big screen, and he is fantastic as Baby, the main character who is very relatable to me. The fact that each of the A-list actors has their own past and mystery really appeals to me and adds a lot of weight to the film. With all I’ve listed above, I strongly suggest it to everyone.
Plot: Edgar Wright wrote and directed the 2017 action picture Baby Driver. It portrays Ansel Elgort as a getaway driver with his lover Debora who is looking for a way out of a life of crime (Lily James). In supporting roles, Kevin Spacey, Jon Hamm, Eiza González, Jamie Foxx, and Jon Bernthal appear. Baby Driver was produced by Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan of Working Title Films in collaboration with Nira Park of Big Talk Productions.
The film’s commercial distribution was handled by Sony and TriStar Pictures. Baby Driver was made possible via a co-production agreement between TriStar and MRC, as well as Georgia state government tax breaks.
Baby Driver was created by Wright over a two-decade period. He came up with the concept while he was young, and his early directorial experience molded his Baby Driver goals even more. Originally set in Los Angeles, Wright relocated the picture to Atlanta, incorporating the city’s ethos as a key storytelling element. From February to May 2016, principal photography took place in Atlanta for four months. Stunts, choreography, and in-camera shooting were all methodically planned as part of the production.
4. Natural Born Killers (1994)-Crime Romance Movies
Release date: August 26, 1994 (USA)
Director: Oliver Stone
Story by: Quentin Tarantino
Production Company: Regency Enterprises
Produced by: Jane Hamsher; Don Murphy; Clayton Townsend
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures, Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
Why: Fantastic movie. Those who criticize it because Quentin Tarantino wants his name off it should compare it to his subsequent work (ex. Kill Bill). You’ll see the same cartoon sections, over-the-top violence, and black-and-white passages. The ones in “Natural Born Killers” are nearly identical. Obviously, he learned a lot from these love crime movies. So, before you trash a movie, think about good arguments, not just notions you’ve concocted. Oliver Stone is a maestro of cinema, and this picture is possibly his best. It emphasizes the importance of violence in our culture. This is made even greater by the fact that it simultaneously promotes and denigrates violence, which is a remarkable feat.
The colorful cinematography adds to the film’s twisted and disturbing atmosphere. Many aspects are demonic, which is unusual for an Oliver Stone experience. The cast, led by Woody Harrelson, is fantastic! I’d love to watch NBK while high; it would be a lot of fun! Also, a very fulfilling second half!
Plot: Natural Born Killers, directed by Oliver Stone and starring Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Sizemore, and Tommy Lee Jones, was released in 1994. The film portrays the narrative of two traumatized children who grow up to be lovers and mass murderers, and who are unjustly celebrated by the media.
The picture is based on Quentin Tarantino’s initial screenplay, which Stone, writer David Veloz, and associate producer Richard Rutowski substantially rewrote. Tarantino was given store credit, although he later denounced the film. The film was produced by Jane Hamsher, Don Murphy, and Clayton Townsend, with Arnon Milchan, Thom Mount, and Stone serving as executive producers.
The film was released in the United States on August 26, 1994, and it premiered at the Venice Film Festival on August 29, 1994. It was a movie office hit, generating $110 million against a $34 million production budget, but received mixed reviews from critics.
3. Wild At Heart (1990)
Release date: August 17, 1990 (USA)
Director: David Lynch
Featured song: Love Me Tender
Screenplay: David Lynch
Adapted from: Wild at Heart
Nominations: Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography.
Why: “Wild at Heart” is a wild and twisted road journey in the style of David Lynch. It’s gloomy, yet it’s also funny at moments. Lula (Laura Dern) and Sailor (Nicholas Cage) are in love, but Lula’s mother is cruel, played by Laura Dern’s real-life mother Diane Ladd. She is adamant about not seeing them together. Sailor is ultimately released from prison as a result of a murder. Lula’s mother hires assassins to assassinate the sailor. As a result, Lula and Sailor embark on a wild road journey with dark, Fellini-esque people. As the weird and depraved Bobby Peru, William Defoe is unforgettable.
Next to Godard’s “Weekend” (1967), “Thelma & Louise,” and “Natural Born Killers,” this film is certainly on my list of favorite road trip films. Nicholas Cage and Laura Dern both provide outstanding performances in this film. Because she is so wild and sexual, Dern’s character Lula is the polar opposite of Sandy in “Blue Velvet.” Lula’s charm, though, is still that of an innocent youngster.
Nicholas Cage seemed to have been born to portray Sailor, a charming Elvis-like ex-con who seeks redemption. Check out “Perdita Durango,” Berry Gifford’s follow-up to Wild at Heart (aka. dance with the devil) These movies are both wild and strange at the same time!
Plot: Nicolas Cage, Laura Dern, Diane Ladd, Willem Dafoe, Harry Dean Stanton, and Isabella Rossellini star in the 1990 American black comedy Crime Romance Movies Wild at Heart, which was written and directed by David Lynch and stars Nicolas Cage, Laura Dern, Diane Ladd, Willem Dafoe, Harry Dean Stanton, and Isabella Rossellini.
It follows the story of Sailor Ripley (Cage) and Lula Pace Fortune (Dern), a young couple from Cape Fear, North Carolina, who is on the run from Lula’s dominating mother and the thugs she employs to assassinate Sailor. It is based on Barry Gifford’s 1989 novel of the same name.
Lynch had planned to produce the film, but after reading Gifford’s book, he decided to both write and direct it. He didn’t like the novel’s ending and chose to modify it to fit his vision of the protagonists. Wild at Heart is a road movie with references to The Wizard of Oz and Elvis Presley’s films.
2. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Release date: October 14, 1994 (USA)
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Featured song: Misirlou
Story by: Quentin Tarantino; Roger Avary
Awards: Palme d’Or, MORE
Distributed by: Miramax, FilmFlex, Miramax Home Entertainment
Why: Pulp Fiction is the most unique, rule-breaking movie I’ve ever seen. Instead of following the standard three-act format, Pulp Fiction invents its own, and while the three storylines may appear to be unrelated at first, if you look closely, you’ll notice that they all have underlying themes in common.
One of the first and most memorable Crime Romance Movies I saw as a teenager had a unique way of telling a story, I couldn’t help but be fascinated by all of the new vague techniques I was seeing, which demonstrated the range of creativity a filmmaker can have when telling a specific story with a specific aesthetic.
Simply said, it is a timeless masterpiece that will be rediscovered by new generations over and over again. Anyone who claims that the love crime movies lack purpose or meaning hasn’t done enough research. This film is at the top of my list of all-time favorites films, thus I highly suggest it.
Plot: Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed the 1994 American black comedy crime thriller Pulp Fiction, which he co-wrote with Roger Avary. It stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Tim Roth, Ving Rhames, and Uma Thurman and covers a variety of crime scenarios set in Los Angeles. Pulp magazines and hardboiled crime novels from the mid-twentieth century were known for their vivid brutality and quick humor, and the term references to them.
In 1992 and 1993, Tarantino wrote Pulp Fiction, which included scenes written by Avary for True Romance (1993). Its plot takes place in a non-chronological order. From the start, the picture is self-referential, beginning with a title card that lists two dictionary meanings of “pulp.”
Monologues and casual discussions take up a lot of screen time, and the picture offers an ironic mix of humor and intense violence, with diversified language exposing each character’s viewpoints on a variety of topics. The script was apparently turned down by TriStar Pictures because it was “too demented.“ However, Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein grew intrigued, and the film became Miramax’s first to be completely funded.
1. Carlito’s Way (1993)-love Crime movies
Release date: January 1, 1993 (USA)
Director: Brian De Palma
Featured song: You Are So Beautiful
Box office: 63 million USD
Nominations: Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture, MORE
Adapted from: After Hours, Carlito’s Way
Why: Carlito’s Way left a lasting impression on me. Along with Carrie and The Untouchables, it is my favorite Brian De Palma film so far. De Palma’s direction is excellent, and several of the set pieces, such as the pool battle, the 15-minute subway chase, and the escalator hijinks, are among the best in any De Palma film.
The cinematography is superb, the lighting is creative, and the settings and locations are breathtaking. In a nutshell, the picture appears to be promising. The soundtrack is also excellent, the script is intelligent and amusing, and the tale is never-ending and engrossing.
The pacing is perfect, and the performance is excellent. Al Pacino provides a restrained performance, which is a welcome difference from his over-the-top Scarface role, and the supporting cast has lots of opportunities to shine.
Plot: Carlito’s Way is a Crime Romance Movies directed by Brian De Palma and based on Judge Edwin Torres’ novels Carlito’s Way (1975) and After Hours (1979). David Koepp wrote the screenplay for the cinematic adaptation. Al Pacino, Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, Luis Guzman, John Leguizamo, Jorge Porcel, Joseph Siravo, and Viggo Mortensen are among the cast members.
Pacino plays Carlito Brigante, a Puerto Rican criminal who wants to change his ways and retire to paradise. His criminal history, on the other hand, proves impossible to overcome, and he unknowingly finds himself lured back into the same acts that landed him in prison in the first place.
The film is based primarily on After Hours, although the title was changed to avoid confusion with Martin Scorsese’s 1985 film of the same name. After 1983’s Scarface, this is Pacino and De Palma’s second collaboration on a picture.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, The most popular crime romance movies are based on real-life stories. There is no such thing as a perfect crime because crime and punishment are intertwined in human nature. We all have the capacity to commit a crime, and we also have the ability to punish others.
In order to make good love crime movies, you need to know what you’re trying to achieve. You need to understand the genre, its conventions, and what makes it tick. You need to know your audience. If you don’t, then you’re wasting everyone’s time. So, when you’re writing a script, make sure you know who your audience is. Know your story, know your characters, know your setting, know your genre, and know your audience. Also, check our latest post-Horror Anime Movies
