List of crime films of the 1930s

This is a list of crime films released in the 1930s.

Title	Director	Cast	Country	Notes
1930
The Big House	George W. Hill	Chester Morris, Wallace Beery, Robert Montgomery	United States	Prison film [1]
Born Reckless	John Ford, Andrew Bennison	Edmund Lowe, Catherine Dale Owen, Lee Tracy	United States	[2]
The Cat Creeps	Rupert Julian, John Willard	Helen Twelvetrees, Raymond Hackett, Neil Hamilton	United States	[3]
The Doorway to Hell	Archie Mayo	Charles Judels, Lew Ayres, James Cagney	United States	[4]
Manslaughter	George Abbott	Claudette Colbert, Fredric March, Emma Dunn	United States	Crime drama, prison film [5]
Night Owls	James Parrott	Oliver Hardy, Stan Laurel	United States	Crime comedy [6]
Raffles	Harry D'Abbadie D'Arrast, George Fitzmaurice	Ronald Colman, Kay Francis, David Torrence	United States	[7]
The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu	Rowland V. Lee	Warner Oland, Neil Hamilton, Jean Arthur	United States	[8]
The Unholy Three	Jack Conway	Lila Lee, Elliott Nugent, Harry Earles	United States	[9]
1931
Blonde Crazy	Roy Del Ruth	James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Louis Calhern	United States	Gangster film [10]
City Streets	Rouben Mamoulian	Gary Cooper, Sylvia Sidney, Paul Lukas	United States	[11]
Daughter of the Dragon	Lloyd Corrigan	Anna May Wong, Warner Oland, Sessue Hayakawa	United States	[12]
Little Caesar	Mervyn LeRoy	Edward G. Robinson, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Glenda Farrell	United States	[13]
Night Nurse	Igor Auzins, William Wellman	Barbara Stanwyck, Ben Lyon, Joan Blondell	United States	[14]
The Public Enemy	William Wellman	James Cagney, Edward Woods, Donald Cook	United States	[15]
Smart Money	Alfred E. Green	Edward G. Robinson, Evelyn Knapp, James Cagney, Ralf Harolde	United States	[16]
1932
Arsene Lupin	Jack Conway	John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Karen Morley	United States	[17]
The Beast of the City	Charles J. Brabin	Walter Huston, Jean Harlow, Wallace Ford	United States	[18]
Fantômas	Paul Fejos	Jean Galland, Thomy Bourdelle, Tania Fédor	France	[19]
The Girl From Chicago	Oscar Micheaux	Eunice Brooks, Starr Calloway, Minta Cato	United States	[20]
Love Is a Racket	William Wellman	Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Ann Dvorak, Frances Dee	United States	Crime drama [21]
The Mask of Fu Manchu	Charles J. Brabin, Charles Vidor, King Vidor	Boris Karloff, Lewis Stone, Karen Morley	United States	[22]
Me and My Gal	Raoul Walsh	Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett, Marion Burns, George Walsh	United States	[23]
The Mouthpiece	James Flood, Elliott Nugent	Warren William, Aline MacMahon, William Janney	United States	[24]
Night at the Cross Roads	Jean Renoir	Pierre Renoir, Winna Winifred, Jean Gehret	France	[25]
Scarface	Howard Hawks	Paul Muni, Ann Dvorak, Karen Morley	United States	[26]
1933
Lady Killer	Roy Del Ruth	James Cagney, Mae Clarke, Leslie Fenton	United States	Gangster film [27]
The Little Giant	Roy Del Ruth	Edward G. Robinson, Mary Astor, Helen Vinson	United States	[28]
The Mayor of Hell	Archie Mayo	James Cagney, Madge Evans, Allen Jenkins	United States	[29]
The Midnight Club	George Somnes, Alexander Hall	Clive Brook, George Raft, Helen Vinson	United States	[30]
Murders in the Zoo	Edward Sutherland	Charlie Ruggles, Lionell Atwill, Gail Patrick	United States	[31]
Penthouse	W. S. Van Dyke	Warner Baxter, Myrna Loy, Charles Butterworth	United States	[32]
Pick-Up	Marion Gering	Sylvia Sidney, George Raft, William Harrigan	United States	[33]
The Sin of Nora Moran	Philip Goldstone	Zita Johann, Alan Dinehart, Paul Cavanagh	United States	[34]
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse	Fritz Lang	Rudolf Klein-Rogge, Otto Wernicke, Gustav Diessl	Germany	[35]
La tête d'un homme	Julien Duvivier	Gina Manès, Harry Baur, Valery Inkijinoff	France	[36]
1934
Fog Over Frisco	William Dieterle, Daniel Reed	Bette Davis, Donald Woods, Margaret Lindsay	United States	[37]
Limehouse Blues	Alexander Hall	George Raft, Jean Parker, Anna May Wong	United States	[38]
Manhattan Melodrama	W. S. Van Dyke	Clark Gable, William Powell, Myrna Loy	United States	Crime drama [39]
Search for Beauty	Erle C. Kenton	Larry "Buster" Crabbe, Ida Lupino, Toby Wing	United States	[40]
1935
Bulldog Jack	Walter Forde	Jack Hulbert, Fay Wray, Ralph Richardson	United Kingdom	[41]
Crime and Punishment	Pierre Chenal	Harry Baur, Pierre Blanchar, Madeleine Ozeray	France	Crime drama [42]
Crime and Punishment	Josef von Sternberg	Edward Arnold, Peter Lorre, Marian Marsh	United States	Crime drama [43]
G Men	William Keighley	James Cagney, Margaret Lindsay, Lloyd Nolan	United States	[44]
Toni	Jean Renoir	Charles Blavette, Celia Montalván, Jenny Hélia	France	Crime drama [45]
The Whole Town's Talking	John Ford	Edward G. Robinson, Jean Arthur, Wallace Ford	United States	Crime comedy [46]
1936
15 Maiden Lane	Allan Dwan	Claire Trevor, Cesar Romero, Douglas Fowley	United States	[47]
Big Brown Eyes	Raoul Walsh	Joan Bennett, Cary Grant, Walter Pidgeon	United States	[48]
The Crime of Monsieur Lange	Jean Renoir	Jules Berry, René Lefèvre, Sylvia Bataille	France	Crime drama [49]
Fury	Fritz Lang	Spencer Tracy, Sylvia Sidney, Walter Abel	United States	Crime drama [50]
The Petrified Forest	Archie Mayo	Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart	United States	Crime drama [51]
Reefer Madness	Louis J. Gasnier	Dorothy Short, Kenneth Craig, Lillian Miles	United States	Crime drama [52]
1937
L'alibi	Pierre Chenal	Louis Jouvet, Erich von Stroheim, Albert Préjean	France	[53]
Black Legion	Archie Mayo, Michael Curtiz	Humphrey Bogart, Dick Foran, Erin O'Brien-Moore	United States	[54]
Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo	Eugene J. Forde	Warner Oland, Keye Luke, Virginia Field	United States	[55]
Dead End	William Wyler	Sylvia Sidney, Joel McCrea, Humphrey Bogart	United States	[56]
Jump for Glory	Raoul Walsh	Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Valerie Hobson Alan Hale Sr.	United Kingdom United States	[57]
Marked Woman	Lloyd Bacon, Michael Curtiz	Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Isabel Jewell	United States	[58]
Pépé le Moko	Julien Duvivier	Jean Gabin, Mireille Balin, Line Noro	France	Gangster film [59]
You Only Live Once	Fritz Lang	Sylvia Sidney, Henry Fonda, Barton MacLane	United States	Crime drama [60]
1938
Algiers	John Cromwell	Charles Boyer, Hedy Lamarr, Sigrid Gurie	United States	Gangster film [61]
The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse	Anatole Litvak	Edward G. Robinson, Claire Trevor, Humphrey Bogart	United States	Crime comedy [62]
Angels with Dirty Faces	Michael Curtiz	James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Humphrey Bogart	United States	Crime drama [63]
La Bête Humaine	Jean Renoir	Jean Gabin, Simone Simon, Julien Carette	France	Crime drama [64]
Crime School	Lewis Seiler	Billy Halop, Bobby Jordan, Huntz Hall	United States	Juvenile delinquency film [65]
Dangerous to Know	Robert Florey	Stanley Blystone, Barlowe Borland	United States	[66]
I Am the Law	Alexander Hall	Edward G. Robinson, Barbara O'Neil, Wendy Barrie	United States	[67]
Port of Shadows	Marcel Carné	Michèle Morgan, Jean Gabin, Michel Simon	France	Crime drama [68]
A Slight Case of Murder	Lloyd Bacon	Edward G. Robinson, Jane Bryan, Allen Jenkins	United States	Crime comedy [69]
They Drive by Night	Arthur B. Woods	Emlyn Williams, Ernest Thesiger, Anna Konstam	United Kingdom	[70]
You and Me	Fritz Lang	Sylvia Sidney, George Raft, Robert Cummings	United States	Crime comedy [71]
Young Fugitives	John Rawlins	Robert Wilcox, Dorothea Kent, Harry Davenport	United States	Crime
1939
Blackmail	H. C. Potter	Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Hussey, Gene Lockhart	United States	[72]
Daybreak	Marcel Carné	Jean Gabin, Jules Berry, Arletty	France	Crime drama [73]
Each Dawn I Die	William Keighley	James Cagney, George Raft, Jane Bryan	United States	[74]
I Stole a Million	Frank Tuttle	George Raft, Claire Trevor	United States	[75]
King of the Underworld	Lewis Seiler	Humphrey Bogart, James Stephenson, John Eldredge	United States	[76]
Let Us Live	John Brahm	Maureen O'Sullivan, Henry Fonda, Ralph Bellamy	United States	[77]
The Roaring Twenties	Raoul Walsh	James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, Priscilla Lane	United States	[78]
You Can't Get Away with Murder	Lewis Seiler	Humphrey Bogart, Gale Page, Billy Halop	United States	[79]

Notes

1. Erickson, Hal. "The Big House: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
2. Brennan, Sandra. "Born Reckless: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
3. Erickson, Hal. "The Cat Creeps: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
4. Brennan, Sandra. "The Doorway to Hell: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
5. Erickson, Hal. "Manslaughter: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
6. Garza, Janiss. "Night Owls: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
7. Williams, Karl. "Raffles: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
8. Williams, Karl. "The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
9. Erickson, Hal. "The Unholy Three: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
10. Erickson, Hal. "Blonde Crazy: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
11. Erickson, Hal. "City Streets: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
12. Brennan, Sandra. "Daughter of the Dragon: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
13. Eder, Bruce. "Little Caesar: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
14. Wollstein, Hans J. "Night Nurse: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
15. Erickson, Hal. "The Public Enemy: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
16. Erickson, Hal. "Smart Money: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
17. Deming, Mark. "Arsene Lupin: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
18. Brennan, Sandra. "The Beast of the City: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
19. Erickson, Hal. "Fantômas: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
20. Wollstein, Hans J. "The Girl From Chicago: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
21. Wollstein, Hans J. "Love Is a Racket: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
22. Eder, Bruce. "The Mask of Fu Manchu: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
23. "Me and My Gal". Allmovie. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
24. Brennan, Sandra. "The Mouthpiece: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
25. Erickson, Hal. "La Nuit Du Carrefour: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
26. Erickson, Hal. "Scarface: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
27. Erickson, Hal. "Lady Killer (1933)". Allmovie. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
28. Wollstein, Hans J. "The little Giant (1933)". Allmovie. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
29. Brennan, Sandra. "The Mayor of Hell: Overview" . Retrieved August 29, 2010.
30. Erickson, Hal. "The Midnight Club: Overview" . Retrieved August 29, 2010.
31. Erickson, Hal. "Murders in the Zoo" . Retrieved October 31, 2012.
32. Erickson, Hal. "Penthouse" . Retrieved October 31, 2012.
33. Brennan, Sandra. "Pick-Up: Overview" . Retrieved August 29, 2010.
34. Ericson, Hal. "Sin of Nora Moran" . Retrieved August 29, 2010.
35. Legare, Patrick. "The Testament of Dr. Mabuse: Overview" . Retrieved October 31, 2012.
36. "La tête d'un homme: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
37. "Fog Over Frisco: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
38. "Limehouse Blues: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
39. "Manhattan Melodrama: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
40. "Search for Beauty: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
41. Erickson, Hal. "Bulldog Jack: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
42. Erickson, Hal. "Crime and Punishment: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
43. Erickson, Hal. "Crime and Punishment: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
44. Erickson, Hal. "G-Men: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
45. Erickson, Hal. "Toni: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
46. Costello, Michael. "The Whole Town's Talking: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
47. Erickson, Hal. "15 Maiden Lane: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
48. Erickson, Hal. "Big Brown Eyes: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
49. Erickson, Hal. "The Crime of Monsieur Lange: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
50. Brenner, Paul. "Fury: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
51. Erickson, Hal. "The Petrified Forest: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
52. "Reefer Madness (1936) - Louis Gasnier, Louis J. Gasnier, Herman Hertz | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie".
53. Rasmussen, Linda. "The Alibi:Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
54. Deming, Mark. "Black Legion:Overview". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
55. Erickson, Hal. "Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo:Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
56. Erickson, Hal. "Dead end". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
57. "Jump for Glory". Allmovie. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
58. Erickson, Hal. "Marked Woman". Allrovi. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
59. Erickson, Hal. "Pépé le Moko". Allrovi. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
60. Erickson, Hal. "You Only Live Once". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
61. Erickson, Hal. "The Big House: Overview". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
62. Deming, Mark. "The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse". Allrovi. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
63. Erickson, Hal. "Angels With Dirty Faces". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
64. Erickson, Hal. "La Bête Humaine". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
65. Brennan, Sandra. "Crime School". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
66. Brennan, Sandra. "Dangerous to Know". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
67. Erickson, Hal. "Dangerous to Know". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
68. Erickson, Hal. "Port of Shadows". Allrovi. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
69. Erickson, Hal. "A Slight Case of Murder". Allrovi. Archived from the original on September 10, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
70. Hastings, Michael. "They Drive by Night". Allrovi. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
71. Betzold, Michael. "You and Me". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
72. Deming, Mark. "Blackmail". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
73. Brenner, Paul. "Le Jour se leve". Allrovi. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
74. Brenner, Paul. "Each Dawn I Die". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
75. Brennen, Sandra. "I Stole a Million". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
76. Wollstein, Hans J. "King of the Underworld". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
77. Brennan, Sandra. "Let Us Live". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
78. Butler, Craig. "Roaring Twenties". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
79. Brennan, Sandra. "You Can't Get Away with Murder". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.