Top 10 Cop Thriller Films to Watch Now

Description: This film is a cornerstone of the cop thriller genre, featuring one of the most iconic car chases in cinema history. It's a gritty, realistic portrayal of a narcotics detective's relentless pursuit of a French heroin smuggler.

Fact: The famous car chase was filmed without permission, leading to numerous accidents and near-misses. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Description: While not strictly a cop thriller, this film features an FBI agent's investigation into a serial killer, with help from the notorious cannibal, Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

Fact: It's one of only three films to win the "Big Five" Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay).

Description: Michael Mann's epic crime saga pits a master thief against a relentless detective in a cat-and-mouse game that's as much about personal philosophy as it is about crime and punishment.

Fact: The coffee shop scene between De Niro and Pacino was the first time these two acting legends shared the screen. The film was shot on location in Los Angeles to give it an authentic feel.

Description: A dark, psychological thriller where two detectives hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi. It's a film that explores the depths of human depravity and the moral dilemmas of justice.

Fact: The film's ending was kept a secret from the cast until the day it was shot. The movie was originally titled "Seven" but was changed to "Se7en" for marketing purposes.

Description: Set in the 1950s, this film weaves together the stories of three very different LAPD officers as they investigate a series of murders, uncovering corruption and scandal along the way.

Fact: The film was adapted from James Ellroy's novel, and the author was initially skeptical about the adaptation but later praised the film. It won two Academy Awards.

Description: A rookie cop's first day on the job turns into a high-stakes game of survival as he's paired with a corrupt narcotics officer in this intense drama.

Fact: Denzel Washington won an Oscar for Best Actor for his role as Alonzo Harris. The film was shot in 39 days, with much of it filmed in real locations in Los Angeles.

Description: A quadriplegic ex-detective teams up with a rookie cop to catch a serial killer in this gripping thriller that's as much about the mind as it is about the chase.

Fact: The film was based on a novel by Jeffery Deaver. Denzel Washington learned to use a wheelchair for his role, which added authenticity to his performance.

Description: Clint Eastwood's poignant drama about childhood friends whose lives are altered by a tragic event, leading to a murder investigation that uncovers deep-seated secrets.

Fact: The film was shot in Boston, where the story is set, to capture the city's atmosphere. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning two.

Description: Martin Scorsese's intense drama about an undercover cop and a mole in the police department, both trying to outwit each other while infiltrating opposite sides of the law.

Fact: The film is a remake of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs." It won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Scorsese.

Description: David Fincher's meticulous recounting of the Zodiac Killer case, focusing on the obsession of a cartoonist and two detectives to solve the mystery behind the infamous serial killer.

Fact: The film uses real locations from the Zodiac case, including the San Francisco Chronicle building. Fincher spent nearly a decade researching the case for authenticity.