Prime Video has long been a go-to destination for crime thriller fans, with hits like Reacher and Cross dominating the charts. But in May 2026, an original film is stealing the spotlight: Crime 101, a sleek heist thriller starring Chris Hemsworth, has rocketed to the #1 movie spot on the platform, surpassing even Mark Wahlberg's new comedy Balls Up.
Directed by Bart Layton (American Animals), Crime 101 boasts an all-star ensemble that reads like a Marvel reunion: Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Halle Berry, Corey Hawkins, Nick Nolte, and Monica Barbaro. The film follows Hemsworth's character, Davis, a professional thief who gets entangled in a high-stakes heist while Detective Lou (Ruffalo) closes in. Critics have praised its LA noir atmosphere and tense cat-and-mouse dynamic, drawing comparisons to classics like Heat and Drive. It holds an impressive 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite strong reviews, Crime 101 struggled at the box office, failing to recoup its $90 million budget. But as often happens with streaming, the film has found a second life on Prime Video, where subscribers are discovering its taut storytelling and stellar performances. This surge echoes other streaming success stories, like Prime Video's $300M spy flop Citadel quietly becoming a streaming hit in May 2026.
For fans of the heist genre, Crime 101 offers a fresh take on familiar tropes. Layton, who previously redefined the heist genre for millennials with American Animals, brings a documentary-like realism to the film's tense sequences. The result is a crime thriller that feels both grounded and cinematic, a rare combination in today's streaming landscape.
What's next for the cast? Hemsworth will reprise his role as Thor in Avengers: Doomsday, while Ruffalo returns as Bruce Banner in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Berry has denied rumors of joining Doomsday as Storm, but Hemsworth has expressed interest in getting her involved in Avengers: Secret Wars. Keoghan is set to return as Joker in The Batman: Part II, Hawkins joins the ensemble of The Odyssey, and Barbaro stars in the rom-com One Night Only.
If you're craving more crime thrillers, check out our list of 20th Century Crime Movies That Are Absolutely Flawless. Or, for a deeper dive into Layton's earlier work, read about how 'American Animals' redefined the heist genre for millennials.
Crime 101 is streaming now on Prime Video. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on this and other streaming hits.
