Top Non-English Crime Series on Netflix

A deadly survival game where thousands of cash-strapped contestants accept an invitation to compete in children's games for a tempting prize, but the stakes are lethal. While primarily a survival thriller, its intricate mystery and social commentary delve deeply into criminal undertones and systemic corruption.

This German sci-fi crime thriller weaves together the disappearance of children in a small town with the broken families and dark secrets of four generations. It is a complex, mind-bending narrative that requires careful attention to its intricate timeline and character connections.

Known internationally as 'La Casa de Papel', this Spanish heist series follows a criminal mastermind known as The Professor and his team of uniquely skilled robbers. They execute an ambitious plan to print billions of euros in the Royal Mint of Spain while holding hostages.

Inspired by the adventures of Arsène Lupin, gentleman thief Assane Diop sets out to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family. The series blends mystery, heist elements, and social drama in a stylish French setting.

This British-Belgian-French co-production chronicles the true story of serial killer Charles Sobhraj, who targeted tourists in Asia during the 1970s. It features intense performances and a gritty depiction of international police investigations across multiple countries.

A British series that investigates the murder of a woman in four different time periods: 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053. Four detectives in each era uncover clues that link their respective mysteries together in a complex narrative about fate and conspiracy.

Set in the aftermath of the Greek financial crisis, this series follows the daughter of a banker who discovers her father's suspicious suicide. She teams up with a journalist to unravel the truth behind the collapse of their country's financial system.

A Swedish crime drama where a mother and her three sons become the prime suspects in the murder of her husband. The series explores their desperate attempts to flee and the escalating police hunt, blurring the lines between guilt and innocence.

This Danish-Swedish collaboration follows two detectives from Copenhagen and Malmö as they hunt a serial killer after a body is found on the bridge connecting the two countries. It is a classic Nordic noir series known for its bleak atmosphere and compelling character study.

While primarily in English, this series is a Mexican production featuring significant Spanish dialogue and cultural context. It details the rise of the Guadalajara Cartel and the DEA agents who attempt to dismantle it, offering a gritty look at transnational crime.

An Italian crime series based on Roberto Saviano's book, offering a realistic and brutal portrayal of the Camorra mafia in Naples. It focuses on the internal power struggles and daily violence within the criminal organization rather than glorifying the lifestyle.

A Japanese crime thriller based on a novel by Natsuo Kirino, following a detective who investigates the murder of a woman connected to a controversial political figure. The series is known for its tight pacing and complex political intrigue intertwined with the criminal investigation.

Although primarily a film, Netflix hosts the Swedish television series adaptation of the Lisbeth Salander universe in various regions. It features a young Lisbeth solving complex digital crimes while being hunted by a mysterious and dangerous organization.

While often categorized as teen drama, the murder mystery at the center of the first three seasons drives a complex crime narrative. It explores class conflict, corruption, and criminal acts among a group of students and teachers at an elite private school.

A Danish post-apocalyptic series where a meteorite brings a deadly virus to Scandinavia. Two siblings emerge from a bunker years later and become involved in a survival struggle against a totalitarian regime, blending sci-fi with elements of dystopian crime.

Based on a Harlan Coben novel, this Spanish series follows a lawyer who accidentally kills a man in self-defense after he bursts into his apartment. The subsequent investigation reveals a web of lies, corruption, and secrets connected to his wife.

A British espionage thriller that borders on crime, featuring a former soldier recruited to infiltrate the inner circle of an international arms dealer. The series is renowned for its high production values and tense cat-and-mouse gameplay between the protagonist and the antagonist.

An American anthology series, but the first season has significant international appeal and is often grouped with global crime thrillers. It follows a detective investigating why a seemingly respectable mother committed a sudden, violent act on a beach.

A unique heist series told in non-chronological order, allowing viewers to experience the crime from different perspectives and timeframes. It features a star-studded cast and a fragmented narrative structure that challenges the viewer to piece together the timeline.

This French political thriller focuses on the French foreign intelligence agency, DGSE. While not a traditional police procedural, it deals heavily with counter-terrorism, espionage, and the criminal activities of foreign states, offering a gritty look at international security operations.