5 Highest-Rated Crime Dramas of 2023 to Watch on Netflix in December

Every year, Netflix adds new crime shows to its library. Whether it's a crime drama, a psychological thriller, or an autobiographical story, critics and viewers alike are deeply invested and give these shows the most positive reviews.

Let's take a look at the five highest-rated crime dramas on Netflix in 2023.

5. Trial by Fire (Limited Series)

Release date: January 13, 2023

IMDb rating: 7.7/10

2023 began with one of India's most powerful dramas. This Hindi-language show centers on a grieving couple, Neelam (Rajshri Deshpande) and Shekhar (Abhay Deol) Krishnamoorthy, who lost their children in a terrible fire 20 years ago. But they have no intention of leaving the case unsolved as they try to get to the bottom of it. The series is based on the autobiographical book of the same name written by Neelam and Shekhar.

Critics have praised both the acting and the superbly crafted screenplay, which combines elements of courtroom thriller and heartbreaking drama. It's also one of the few Netflix 2023 shows to have a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

4. Sleeping Dog (Limited Series)

Release date: June 22, 2023

IMDb rating: 6.4/10

Mike is a former police detective living on the fringes of society, trying to recover from a horrific terrorist attack. One day, he is assaulted by the brother of the wrongly convicted Mussa, who committed suicide behind bars. These events force Mike back into the case, which is also being handled by a rookie yet ambitious prosecutor. Critics and audiences alike have praised this German crime drama for its original story with good twists.

3. Dear Child (Limited Series)

Release date: September 7, 2023

IMDb rating: 7.3/10

Dear Child, based on the eponymous novel by Romy Hausmann,tells the story of a mysterious woman who escapes with her daughter from a kidnapper who has controlled her for over a decade. She ends up in a hospital, but when her parents arrive, they point out numerous inconsistencies in her story.

Dear Child will provide no shortage of unexpected twists, as the story hinges on an unreliable narrator. This is another series with a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

2. Burning Body (Limited Series)

Release date: September 8, 2023

IMDb rating: 6.7/10

In May 2017, all the headlines in the Spanish media screamed about a gruesome case: the burned body of a municipal police officer was found in the Foix reservoir near Barcelona. Burning Body fictionalizes the case without straying too far from reality: two other policemen involved in a relationship with the victim accused each other in court. The plot deals with themes of toxic relationships, abuse, revenge porn and betrayal within this crazy love triangle.

1. Ferry: The Series (1 season)

Release date: November 3, 2023

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

From 2019 to 2021, the Belgian-Dutch series Undercover, inspired by real events, was released on Netflix, telling the story of an operation to eliminate drug mafia boss Ferry Bouwman (Frank Lammers) in the Belgian province of Limburg. In the same 2021, a feature-length prequel was released, following the story of how Ferry, an ex-member of the Amsterdam mafia, built his criminal empire in Belgium.

Ferry: The Series is a serialization of the movie, expanding the story and delving into the title character's ecstasy business and his love story with Danielle Van Marken (Elise Schaap). It’s a fantastic thriller that is suspenseful, goofy and incredibly fun to watch. Frank Lammers has a unique charm that provides no small amount of comedy while keeping you on the edge of your seat.