6 Best Corrupt Cop Movies

By Vlad Zakh · May 20, 2026

Corruption inside the police force makes for gripping, morally murky crime dramas. Training Day has a rookie finding out his veteran partner is dangerous, L.A. Confidential has three detectives uncovering rot in their own department, and Cop Land sends a small-town sheriff after crooked New York cops. Internal Affairs, Serpico and Prince of the City round out the six.

Training Day (2001)

IMDb ★ 7.8 RT 74% Metacritic 71

A rookie cop's first day with a corrupt narcotics detective becomes a single, brutal test of loyalty.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua · 2h 02m · Rated R

Won 1 Oscar18 wins & 23 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, TNT · 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

Cop Land (1997)

TMDB ★ 6.4

A small-town sheriff investigates corruption among the New York police officers living in his town.

Directed by James Mangold · 1h 44m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

L.A. Confidential (1997)

IMDb ★ 8.2 RT 99% Metacritic 91

Three detectives with conflicting methods investigate a web of corruption tied to a brutal massacre.

Directed by Curtis Hanson · 2h 18m · Rated R

Won 2 Oscars91 wins & 86 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Internal Affairs (1990)

TMDB ★ 6.6

An internal affairs investigator uncovers a dangerously corrupt and manipulative fellow officer.

Directed by Mike Figgis · 1h 55m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Prince of the City (1981)

TMDB ★ 7.2

A narcotics detective's decision to expose police corruption puts his own colleagues and family at risk.

Directed by Sidney Lumet · 2h 47m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Serpico (1973)

IMDb ★ 7.7 RT 93% Metacritic 83

An honest cop's refusal to take bribes makes him a target within his own department.

Directed by Sidney Lumet · 2h 09m · Rated R

Nominated for 2 Oscars8 wins & 13 nominations

Where to watch

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

▶ 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. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

6 Best Corrupt Cop Movies

Training Day (2001)

Cop Land (1997)

L.A. Confidential (1997)

Internal Affairs (1990)

Prince of the City (1981)

Serpico (1973)

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