Even though Squid Game had a dramatic and intense setup, it built suspense in a way that many Netflix viewers hadn’t experienced with other shows. Instead of relying on over-the-top action, the series focused on the characters’ desperation, debt, and inner motivations. This approach allowed Squid Game to rise above typical, overly dramatic storylines, something that can easily happen without a careful creative team.
Here are five compelling Netflix crime dramas inspired by real-life events. This selection focuses on fictionalized series and excludes documentary films or series.
For the last twenty years, Marvel and DC Comics have been incredibly successful at making movies, and as a result, some actors have played roles in films from both universes. A good example is Ben Affleck, who first starred as Daredevil before later becoming Batman.
Because novels and stories often have rich characters and detailed worlds, TV writers can draw from existing material to create successful adaptations. When done right, adapting a book or story allows a TV show to build upon an established world instead of creating one from scratch, resulting in a more satisfying experience for viewers.
HBO is known for groundbreaking and bold television, having created iconic shows like The Sopranos, Sex and the City, and Game of Thrones. This willingness to take risks and give creators creative freedom has sometimes led to controversy, especially with shows that contain graphic violence or sexual content. Euphoria continues this tradition, and its third season is expected to be just as provocative.
According to Deadline, the new Anaconda movie has reached a worldwide box office total of $101.6 million, earning $50.4 million in the US and $51.2 million internationally. This is the first film in the series to cross the $100 million mark since the original movie came out in 1997.
As a big fan of crime dramas, I’m really excited to hear that Roxburgh and Dallas are working together again! They’ll be appearing in an upcoming episode of The Hunting Party’s second season. Roxburgh plays Bex Henderson, a former FBI profiler who now tracks down escaped serial killers with a specialized team. And Dallas? He’s going to be playing one of those escaped killers – the Connecticut Cobbler – in episode 8. It’s going to be a great watch, I can already tell!
While Love and Thunder is a definite improvement over some of the lesser-known Thor films, let’s talk about The Incredible Hulk Returns. It originally aired on NBC in 1988 and was a hit with audiences then, but it hasn’t aged well. This movie was actually Thor’s first live-action appearance, with Eric Allan Kramer – who many now know from Lodge 49 – playing the role. You can watch it if you’re curious, but don’t say we didn’t warn you if you end up wishing you hadn’t!
Many Stephen King stories have been adapted into films, with some becoming classics, while others haven’t quite lived up to expectations. Often, the source material is strong, but the movie format doesn’t fully capture its potential – these stories might have worked better as a TV series. Interestingly, even some of the good Stephen King movies could have been even more impactful if developed as a television show.
The highly anticipated sequel, Greenland 2: Migration, is now scheduled for release in 2026. Picking up five years after the first film, the movie follows the Garrity family as they try to build a new life in Europe, having spent years sheltering in an Arctic bunker. Many viewers are likely wondering if the family will finally find safety, and if everyone will make it through the journey.