6 Best Blackmail and Extortion Movies

By Vlad Zakh · June 3, 2026

The slow, suffocating dread of blackmail and extortion has powered some of cinema’s most tautly plotted thrillers. In Dial M for Murder (1954): A husband blackmails an old acquaintance into murdering his wealthy wife, but the plan goes disastrously wrong. Also notable is The Big Clock (1948): A magazine editor is forced to lead the investigation into a murder he knows his own boss committed.

A Simple Favor (2018)

TMDB ★ 6.9

A mommy vlogger investigates the sudden disappearance of her glamorous, secretive best friend.

Directed by Paul Feig · 1h 57m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Disclosure (1994)

TMDB ★ 5.9

A software executive faces a sexual harassment claim that turns out to be a corporate power play against him.

Directed by Barry Levinson · 2h 08m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Body Heat (1981)

TMDB ★ 7.0

A small-town lawyer's passionate affair with a married woman draws him into a deadly scheme.

Directed by Lawrence Kasdan · 1h 53m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Dial M for Murder (1954)

IMDb ★ 8.1 RT 90% Metacritic 75

A husband blackmails an old acquaintance into murdering his wealthy wife, but the plan goes disastrously wrong.

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock · 1h 45m · Rated PG

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award5 wins & 3 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Big Clock (1948)

TMDB ★ 7.4

A magazine editor is forced to lead the investigation into a murder he knows his own boss committed.

Directed by John Farrow · 1h 35m

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Blackmail (1929)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A woman who kills a man in self-defense becomes the target of a blackmailer who witnessed the crime.

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock · 1h 26m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel, Artiflix · Rent or buy: Amazon Video

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Blackmail and Extortion Movies

A Simple Favor (2018)

Disclosure (1994)

Body Heat (1981)

Dial M for Murder (1954)

The Big Clock (1948)

Blackmail (1929)

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