2025 has been a thrilling year for crime drama fans, but some of the most gripping stories flew under the radar. These shows and films didn’t make loud headlines-but they quietly delivered powerful mysteries, clever investigations, and emotional rollercoasters that deserve your full attention. From psychological thrillers to true-crime tales, these underrated gems blend suspense, character depth, and unexpected twists that’ll keep you glued to the screen till the very end.
1. Deva (Netflix)
Deva is a tough cop who survives a strange accident and loses parts of his memory. He is given a murder case that feels oddly familiar, and soon he realizes the truth may be connected to his own past. As he follows dangerous leads, people from his life return with half-truths and hidden motives. Action and emotion walk together as Deva fights criminals and his broken mind. The story moves fast, with twists that change your understanding at every step.
2. Black White Gray: Love Kills (Sony LIV)
A seasoned investigator looks into a series of murders linked by one dangerous feeling-love. Behind pretty faces and sweet talks, he finds affairs, jealousy, and lies that turn relationships into traps. Every suspect has a reason, and every truth has a cost. As the case opens layer by layer, the difference between right and wrong becomes blurred. This gripping thriller mixes emotion with psychology, showing how love can protect, control, or destroy. It keeps you hooked with sharp twists and bold turns.
3. Kull: The Legacy of the Raisingghs (JioHotstar)
After the death of their royal father, three siblings fight for control of the palace and the family name. Smiles hide secrets, and hugs hide sharp knives. Old promises, lost loves, and hidden deals come out one by one. Each move changes the balance of power, and even loyal servants pick sides. Kull shows how greed and pride can break any home, no matter how grand. It is a tense family drama with royal politics, betrayal, and constant surprises.
4. Mandala Murders (Netflix)
In the quiet town of Charandaspur, two determined cops chase a killer who leaves strange symbols at every crime scene. Each clue opens a new secret about the town’s past and the people who live there. As they go deeper, trust breaks, friends turn into suspects, and nothing is what it looks like. The case becomes a mind game where emotions, fear, and logic fight each other. This slow-burn thriller keeps the tension high and makes you guess until the final reveal.
5. Stolen: Heist of the Century (Netflix)
This true-crime documentary takes you inside the 2003 Antwerp diamond heist, one of the biggest thefts ever. Using detailed re-creations and real interviews, it shows how a skilled team planned every step, beat top security, and vanished with priceless gems. The film explains their clever tricks, the weak spots they used, and questions that still remain. Even after many years, the full truth feels just out of reach. It’s a clean, engaging look at crime, planning, and mystery.
6. Dept. Q (Netflix)
This British crime thriller follows detective Carl Mørck, a quiet but sharp officer who takes cold cases that others have left behind. With a small team, he looks for missed clues and listens to forgotten voices. Each case feels personal, mixing heavy emotions with strong detective work. The show balances serious drama with steady pacing and rich atmosphere. Strong performances and focused writing make it a hidden gem for crime fans. It’s about patience, persistence, and justice for the ignored.
7. Rana Naidu Season 2 (Netflix)
Rana is the man celebrities call when they are in trouble, but this time his biggest problem is at home. Old wounds with his father open again, and family fights spill into his work. Enemies smell weakness, and friends demand loyalty. Between fixing scandals and facing truths, Rana must choose what kind of son and man he wants to be. Season 2 raises the stakes with raw emotions, violent turns, and tough choices that hit straight at the heart.
8. Kankhajura (SonyLIV)
After spending fourteen years in jail, Ashu returns to his brother’s home to find peace. But the past does not forget him. Old secrets wake up, and new enemies watch closely. The family tries to heal, yet fear and doubt grow with every incident. Ashu must face what he once did and decide how far he will go to protect his own. This tense drama mixes family emotions with crime and revenge, building a steady, chilling sense of danger.
9. Khakee: The Bengal Chapter (Netflix)
Set in early 2000s Bengal, IPS officer Arjun Maitra fights crime while facing powerful politicians and local gangsters. Raids, chases, and courtroom battles show how hard it is to deliver justice when pressure comes from all sides. Honest officers risk careers and lives for the truth. The show keeps the grit real-tough streets, tough choices, and tough consequences. With strong characters and grounded storytelling, this police drama offers action, emotion, and a clear look at power and morality.
10. The Breakthrough (Netflix)
Based on a real double murder from 2004, this Swedish limited series shows how patient police work and new science solved a cold case. Forensic genealogy connects small DNA traces to family trees, opening doors that were once closed. The show avoids drama tricks and focuses on careful steps, honest emotions, and the value of truth for victims’ families. It’s precise, humane, and powerful. If you like Scandi-noir with real feelings and clean storytelling, this is a strong pick.
11. Dabba Cartel (Netflix)
Five regular women run a lunchbox service, but behind the tiffins is a risky secret-they manage a quiet drug network. They juggle family duties, nosy neighbors, and dangerous deals while trying to stay invisible. As the business grows, trust breaks and mistakes become costly. Police pressure and rival threats push them to the edge. This suspenseful series shows bold women hiding double lives, making quick choices, and paying for them. It blends emotion, friendship, and crime with smart tension.
12. The Waterfront (Netflix)
Set around a busy dockside world, this crime drama looks at how money, power, and loyalty move like tides. Workers, bosses, and fixers all have their own secrets, and one small deal can start a storm. As law enforcement closes in, alliances break and new ones form in a hurry. The show explores ambition and survival in a harsh, shifting place. With grounded characters and steady tension, it turns a simple setting into a web of risk and consequence.
13. Amy Bradley is Missing (Netflix)
This true-crime series investigates the 1998 disappearance of Amy Bradley from a cruise ship. Through interviews with family, ship crew, and investigators, it follows her last known hours and the many reported sightings over the years. Every tip brings hope and new questions. The show is careful, respectful, and focused on facts, not noise. It looks at how grief, memory, and time affect a long search for answers. A haunting, human story about a mystery that still hurts.
14. HIT: The Third Case (Netflix)
Officer Arjun Sarkaar is sent to Kashmir to solve a brutal crime that opens into a deeper nightmare. A chilling trail leads him to a secretive cult, where rules are twisted and truth is hidden. With each clue, risk grows-for him and the people he is trying to save. The icy setting adds cold fear to every step. Sharp investigation, surprises, and strong emotions drive the story to a tense end. It’s a gripping chapter in the HIT universe.
15. Adolescence (Netflix)
Adolescence is a powerful British crime drama on Netflix about 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested for the murder of a school friend. Each raw and intense episode is filmed in a single continuous shot, placing viewers directly inside the emotionally charged investigation. The story explores the impact of online culture, toxic masculinity, and family strain while showing how confusing and fragile teenage life can become. The show received widespread praise for its realism, gripping performances, and immersive style.
So, which ones are on your binge-watch list!