Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Finishing a new installment of Ozark is a bittersweet thing. Of course, it’s exciting and gratifying to see how the Byrde family wormed their way out of their latest horrible predicament. But after watching the high-stakes, high-energy lives of Marty (Jason Bateman) and Wendy (Laura Linney), other TV shows can feel sort of blah. Who cares about Paris Hilton’s wedding dress when you just sat through seven hours of wall-to-wall anxiety?
If you want to keep that heartbeat up, we have a solution for you. You see, Ozark is far from the only high-octane crime drama out there in the wild world of streaming. In fact, it’s not even the best one. Scroll through to find your next crime drama obsession and remember to always have a burner phone.
'Breaking Bad'
If you love Ozark, there is a 100 percent chance that you’ll also love Vince Gilligan’s masterpiece. The critically acclaimed mega hit follows Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with cancer. When his desperation for more money leads him to his drug-dealing former student, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), life will change for everyone in Albuquerque. Just like Ozark, Breaking Bad hinges on the “normal guy gets swept up in a life of crime” theme. But Walter is no Marty Byrde. He’s worse. With some of the best writing and performances ever brought to television, you’ll be hooked. Just be sure to stick through its slower first season.
'Better Call Saul'
Are you someone who loves Ozark for its wheeling and dealing intricacies but skips over the murder? Then Breaking Bad’s spinoff series may be better for you. Bob Odenkirk returns as Saul Goodman, Walter and Jesse’s slippery attorney who always has at least five legal loopholes up his sleeve. Only his name wasn’t originally Saul. It was Jimmy McGill. This quiet character study shows how a bright-eyed young attorney who truly wanted to be good was drawn to the dark side, partially because he’s just too good at committing crimes.
'Narcos'
We’re got a two-for-one deal for you: Narcos and Narcos: Mexico. Every season or two this Netflix original tells a new story about the rise and fall of a different cartel leader in Colombia or Mexico. Aside from its stellar performances and jaw-dropping action scenes, the best part about this series is that it’s based on history. If you’ve ever wanted a crash course on Pablo Escobar, the Cali Cartel, Félix Gallardo, Amado Carrillo Fuentes, or the less-than-ethical officers of the law who orchestrated their downfalls, these are your shows.
'Fargo'
This is a true story. Or is it? If your favorite part of Ozark is its seemingly endless list of slightly off characters, then Noah Hawley’s anthology series is about to be your new obsession. Loosely based on the Coen brothers movie of the same name, each season focuses on a different criminal tale in or around the city of Fargo. Some are small stakes, like a man who finally stands up for himself when he realizes that rules are nothing more than a social construct. Others are grand, like a decades-long war in the Midwest that hinges over who can be accepted as white. But no matter what it’s doing, Fargo is always interesting, unique, and utterly addicting.
'Power'
Let me tell you a little story about a ruthless drug dealer who would give anything to leave the criminal world and become a legitimate club owner. Meet James St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick) or “Ghost”, and you’re going to love him. Unlike other entries on this list, Power doesn’t show a man as he falls into crime. It revolves around the exact opposite. This is another show that comes with bonus shows. Though 50 Cent’s original series ended in 2020, STARZ announced that it would have four spin-off titles, including the currently running Power Book II: Ghost and Power Book III: Raising Kanan as well as the upcoming Power Book IV: Force and Power Book V: Influence.
'Peaky Blinders'
Sometimes you just want to watch criminals do illegal things for a few hours. That’s what Steven Knight’s thriller delivers in the most stylish way imaginable. Starring Cillian Murphy, this period drama follows the exploits of the Peaky Blinders gang directly after World War I. But don’t let that historical context fool you. Between its sharp haircuts, gorgeous clothes, and truly inspired modern music drops, Peaky Blinders stands as one of the sleekest crime dramas on streaming.
'Bloodline'
They’re not bad people; they just did a bad thing. And they’re going to keep telling themselves that until the grave. Set between Miami and the Florida Keys, this slow-burn thriller follows the Rayburn family as the children start to become more involved in the family resort. But when blood is shed, the lives of these normal but very rich people will be changed forever. Start watching for Kyle Chandler’s signature brood, but keep watching to see the best Ben Mendelsohn performance ever captured on screen.
