6 Best Undercover Cop Movies

By Vlad Zakh · June 23, 2026

Living a double life inside a criminal world has powered some of cinema’s most tense and psychologically fraught crime dramas. In The Departed (2006): An undercover cop and a mob mole embedded in the police force race to expose each other before it’s too late. Don’t overlook Serpico (1973): An idealistic New York cop’s refusal to accept bribes puts him at odds with a corrupt department.

21 Jump Street (2012)

IMDb ★ 7.2 RT 85% Metacritic 69

Two bumbling young cops go undercover as high school students to bust a drug ring.

Directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller · 1h 49m · Rated R

11 wins & 21 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Paramount+ Roku Premium 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 Departed (2006)

IMDb ★ 8.5 RT 91% Metacritic 85

An undercover cop and a mob mole embedded in the police force race to expose each other before it's too late.

Directed by Martin Scorsese · 2h 31m · Rated R

Won 4 Oscars100 wins & 141 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, HBO Max · 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

Donnie Brasco (1997)

IMDb ★ 7.7 RT 88% Metacritic 77

An FBI agent infiltrates the mafia and forms a genuine bond with the aging hitman who takes him under his wing.

Directed by Mike Newell · 2h 07m · Rated R

Nominated for 1 Oscar2 wins & 16 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, YouTube TV, Sundance Now, BBC America, Netflix Standard with Ads, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Deep Cover (1992)

TMDB ★ 6.9

An undercover cop rises through a drug cartel, blurring the line between the law and the crimes he commits.

Directed by Bill Duke · 1h 48m · Rated R

Where to watch

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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Point Break (1991)

IMDb ★ 7.3 RT 68% Metacritic 60

An FBI agent infiltrates a gang of surfing bank robbers, growing dangerously close to their reckless leader.

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow · 2h 02m · Rated R

1 win & 2 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, fuboTV, Peacock Premium, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+, YouTube TV · 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 idealistic New York cop's refusal to accept bribes puts him at odds with a corrupt 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, 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 Undercover Cop Movies

21 Jump Street (2012)

The Departed (2006)

Donnie Brasco (1997)

Deep Cover (1992)

Point Break (1991)

Serpico (1973)

You might also like

23 Best Buddy Cop Movies of All Time

8 Best Movies of 2006

8 Best Movies of 1973

250 Best Movies of All Time

6 Best Oscar Best Picture Winners of the 2000s

6 Best Mafia Family Movies